LBC All Box Promo

Clothes, bags, shoes, perfumes, soap, chocolates… nope, they're not things you can find in my closet. They're things you can find inside a Balikbayan Box… the ubiquitous presence that 'goes' with every Filipino abroad, and back to the Philippines.

For us Filipinos , sending balikbayan boxes is not only a trend but a culture. If a Filipino residing or working abroad hasn't sent one balikbakayan box in his/her time overseas, his/her overseas life remains unfulfilled, haha. We OFWs in Saudi Arabia are known for sending a lot of balikbayan boxes filled to the brim with rubber shoes, clothes, chocolates, fragrances… and soap (yes, even the powdered detergent… because well, they're really cheaper here.) The cargo industry is thriving in the Middle East! 

As OFWs who work hard for the things we send to our loved ones in the Philippines, we shouldn't just settle for fly-by-night cargo companies that promise quick delivery at cheap prices but doesn't get the job done. Did you know that there are a lot of cargo companies blacklisted by the Department of Trade and Industry because apart from boxes and packages not arriving their destination, some arrive with dents or holes, or worse… incomplete and manhandled stuff inside? Tsk, tsk. Also, most cargo companies have a standard box they use and aren't flexible enough to receive various sized boxes. 

That is why, LBC came up with their latest Any Box Size Acceptance Promo where boxes of different sizes are accepted at special rates. LBC, known as the number 1 courier company in the Philippines with over 1,000 branches in the Philippines, opened its first branch in Batha, Riyadh on December 1, 2011.

LBC in Batha (quite obvious eh? :P)

With LBC's Any Box Size Acceptance Promo, even durable drums and oversized boxes are now accommodated. LBC Sea Cargo doesn't have a per kilometer charge, chargeable weight (no per kilo charge) bill of lading, and hidden charges. They offer free pick-up, door-to-door delivery and guaranteed weekly shipping. But get this… when you drop off the box (instead of having them picked it up in your place), you get a SR 15 discount!

(Click for larger version.)

You also get updated regarding your boxes' whereabouts via text alerts. This promo runs from April 1 until June 30, 2013. Prices apply to Riyadh only. LBC's Jeddah and Al-Khobar branches will open soon.

LBC also offers air cargo. For air cargo, they offer sending documents and packages for as low as SR50 and SR60 respectively. The heavier the padala, the lower is the per kilogram charge. (Item may be charged either by volume or by weight.) It doesn't have any per kilometer charge and ships to the Philippines twice a week. You can also send electrical gadgets like cellphones, tablets, and laptops!

Rates for air cargo.

Customers can also follow-up their packages by connecting online with LBC's customer service via LBC Livetalk. Just visit LBC's website or Facebook page for more information.

Now, if you can send a big drum home to the Philippines, what will you send? I'll probably send fresh camel milk or gasoline (because they're cheaper here right?!). Haha. Kidding, kidding. We're sure no matter what the contents of your balikbayan box are, they will bring smiles to your loved ones' faces. :) ~ Sundrenched

LBC RIYADH 

Store 14-16, Abi Alabass cor. Al Murshidi Streets 

(near Pinoy Supermarket) 

Batha, Riyadh, KSA 

T: +966547212962, +966536130643, 

+966-11-4012709, +966-11-4028369, +966-11-4091678 

LBC JEDDAH (opening soon) 

Store 175, Jeddah International Market (SARAWAT) 

Madinah Road, Jeddah, KSA 

T: +966508199437, +966543291624 

LBC AL KHOBAR (opening soon)

King Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz St. Cross A (near Ramaniya Complex beside Seven Eleven) 

Al Khobar, KSA 

T: +966508213741, +966543407283

A Super Lunch at Outback

WHO LIKES BIG meals at great deals? We all do! :) The other day, I was treated to a delightful (and heavy) lunch at Outback Steakhouse with my friends. Now, I don't usually eat out during the workweek because of the tight office hours but it felt good to finally take a break from my usual baon and/or cafeteria food selection. 

As it turns out, Outback has a lunch special that is too good to miss out on. They have combo meals from 33SR, 44SR and 55SR. Each includes a choice of the soup of the day, salad with preferred dressing and refillable drinks of iced tea/softdrinks. 

Here's what we had:

Starter Soup: Chicken Tortilla

Fresh Salad

Apart from their usual service of bread and butter, the lunch special begins with your choice of their soup of the day. We chose between Potato Soup and Chicken Tortilla Soup and ended up with the latter. It was a clear soup of tomato and chicken bits but with a homey feel to it -- and it was almost like tasting Mexico in a little cup. 

Their salad is pretty basic but they do have a generous serving of your selected dressing. I had the honey mustard while my friends had the blue cheese and ranch. We also ordered an additional starter by the way (NOT included in the Lunch Special):

Fried Mushrooms, 19SR

Big and juicy!

This seemed to be a very simple and straightforward recipe for fried mushrooms and it appears that the secret is about being able to keep the outside crispy enough to bite into and the mushroom moist enough to drip juices from. That's how it was and every mushroom was a mouthful. The garlic dip that accompanied it was a good match and there were so many of them, we even chopped some and topped it over our salads.

At this point, our stomachs' were rightly warmed-up for the main course. Here they are:

Outback Special 55SR

You can try out the Outback Special, cooked to your liking (in my friend's case: medium rare) and remember what Outback is most famous for. You can also select your preferred side dish.

Tuscan Smothered Chicken, 44SR

Oh it's smothered alright. Can you see it? ;P That's two pieces of well-seasoned chicken breasts hiding behind a blanket of mozarella cheese topped with sun-dried tomatoes. It was gooey and yummy as expected. This would be a basic, safe choice. 

Mum's Chopped Steak, 44SR

Believe it or not, the main reason I ordered this in particular is because of the word "Mum" in the menu. (Shoutout to my Mum, Shirley Mamita! Hahaha!) Anyway, this dish is basically a "burger steak" as we Pinoys know it; but amped up to about 10 times. The big piece of hamburger patty seems to disappear from this picture because it was smothered (then again) by the uber-generous serving of peppercorn sauce. This is a bit on the spicy side because the taste of the peppercorn sauce really overpowers the rest of the flavors in the dish and if I were to do it all over again, I'd tell them to go easy on the peppercorn sauce. Nevertheless, it is a flavorful choice with a guaranteed burp ten minutes later (make sure you have some mints with you).

Overall, the servings were incredibly ginormous! I honestly think that the main course is actually enough to feed two people. And the constant refill of our drinks were as if there was no tomorrow. 

The service was amiable and it's quite a shame that within the hour that we were there, only three to four other customers came in in the Family Section. I sure hope that more people can discover about their Lunch Specials because it is truly, value for your money. 

Outback's Lunch Special is available from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM and please note that they close their restaurant TEN minutes before the scheduled prayer time, so if you don't want to be bummed out by waiting outside, make sure you check the prayer times on the day of your visit and plan your arrival accordingly. 

Here's their Lunch Special menu for your further reference:

For a review of their dinner menu, check out our previous review on it here.

Happy, Hearty, Healthy Eating to All!

xoxo,

Eyecandy

Outback Steakhouse

Localizer Mall, Tahlia St.

T: 011-217-4633

Like them on Facebook: http://facebook.com/outbacksteakhouseksa

Abaya Finder: Dirah Souk 2/2

And we're back in Dirah Souk...

The clocktower in Dirah is a good landmark to find your way.

Parking area outside the Swaigah Center and in front of the Musmak Fort

Apart from abayas, there are so many other stuff that you can buy here, particularly in this one-floor building known as Swaigah Trade Center. This is like Tutuban in the Philippines were shoes, bags, and clothes can be found. I won't say that the items are cheap because come to think of it, I can already buy a pair of shoes on SALE in the mall for SR 50 but then again, the malls are not always on sale.

Dairah's maze of stores

Shoes and bags in various styles and colors

Those shoulder bags are cuuute!

RTWs, blouses, dresses, skirts...

Embellished jalabiyas

Maxis in different fabrics and patterns

Fabric stores

You have to be a smart shopper when buying from these stalls. Make sure that the goods are of good quality. Inspect the items thoroughly. We will be disappointed if we find out you did not haggle with the vendors and salesmen. C'mon, you know the drill! 

Eyecandy has been telling me of a building or store near the Deira Souk where she used to buy school supplies and craft supplies. We didn't get a chance to visit it so maybe next time.

The Musmak/Masmak Fort/Castle (so many options on how to call it)

When you visit Deira, take the time to visit the Musmak Castle. You'll also pass by the Deera Square aka Justice Square aka Chop-Chop Square, where public executions take place. Yes, they do happen after Friday prayers and for your sanity, please do not (and we mean DO NOT) try to watch how the Saudi justice system metes out its punishment in this place (like ermn, beheading). They say you'll get nightmares for days, or for a lifetime. Walk away, stay away.

This way please… back to the Musmak Castle…

The Musmak Fort on a Thursday afternoon glow

Visit the museum inside.

The Musmak Castle, also known as Qasr al-Masmak or Masmak Fort) is a fort made up of clay and mud with four watchtowers and thick walls. This is where the recapture of Riyadh led by Ibn Saud happened on January 14, 1902 (yes, Riyadh is fairly a "new" city). Today, Musmak Castle is a museum open from 8:00AM-12:00NN and 4:00PM-9:00PM with schedules divided into men, women, and families. It's closed on Fridays. For the specific schedule, please click here.

The Musmak from the Deirah souk

The grand mosque and the muttawa headquarters are also just around the corner. So even without telling you ladies, please cover your your hair! Especially when you're within this area. ;)

Home of the CPVPV

We enjoyed going around Dirah and seeing it after years. We discovered a lot and bought a lot few abayas. I also got to learn that Musmak Castle is just right beside it (I've always thought it was quite far from the city center)! Anyway, that's it for our Dirah entry. I hope you enjoyed our "tour." Next time, you already know where to buy abayas... with a historical spot to boot. ;) ~ Sundrenched

Philippine Destinations for All Occasions

For those looking for ways to experience the Philippines’ best beach destinations, it is time to plan an exciting vacation on board Cebu Pacific Air (CEB). The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, CEB is the key to a refreshing, sun-drenched vacation by the sea. 

The Philippines’ unique marine treasures and festive islands offer a lot of diving wonders, picture-perfect summer hotspots and exotic seascapes at their breathtaking best. The trick, as they say, is in knowing where to look. 

Where to go for Diving 

For those who can’t wait to slip into their wetsuits and pick the best place to go underwater, CEB has thrice daily flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa in Palawan, which offers a lot of magnificent dive sites that not too many visitors have had the chance to explore. These include the White Beach and the Red Cliff that is home to the most diverse marine life including manta rays, sharks, dugong, and the rare whale shark. 

CEB also flies four times weekly to San Jose in Mindoro Occidental, gateway to Apo Reef, the world’s largest atoll reef next to the Great Barrier Reef. Apo Reef is home to 385 species of colorful marine fishes, grey reef and thresher sharks, marine turtles, endangered sea cows, dolphins, sea birds, manta rays, clown fish, and a large variety of marine life.

Apo Reef: magnificence under water

Another Palawan treasure is Busuanga, the gateway to Coron Island where CEB flies to twice daily. It is famous for its wildlife sanctuary and twelve historic shipwreck diving sites that surround it. The twelve ships sunk during the Japanese war in 1944 and have become the island’s premiere tourist spot. It is also known for its twin lagoons, hot springs and the seven Siete Picados islets which are perfect for island hopping. 

Where to go for Fun 

Everyone can’t seem to get enough of Boracay’s world-famous beach, with thousands of tourists on board CEB’s 13 times daily flights to the Caticlan Airport year-in and year-out. But aside from its perfect sunsets and the exhilarating party scene, this top beach destination offers fun and adventure with its all-terrain vehicle rides, outrigger sailing, kite surfing and parasailing. 

Northern Philippines also has Pagudpud to offer to beach enthusiasts, which is now renowned for its waves that are perfect for surfing, and winds that are perfect for kite surfers. Pagudpud can be reached by local and foreign tourists through CEB’s daily flights to Laoag in Ilocos Norte. Several adventure-lovers also swear by their sand boarding experiences at the Paoay sand dunes in Laoag.

The scenic way to Pagudpud

Where to go for Romance 

Located in the Samal group of islands off the coast of Davao, is the famously scenic Pearl Farm Beach Resort. A tranquil and picturesque tropical paradise, this quiet retreat is perfect for an intimate wedding affair or romantic getaway with its secluded and relaxing surroundings. Hop off any of CEB’s six times daily flights to Davao and hop on a ferry to Samal to witness this luxuriant backdrop of sun, sand and surf.

The blues as far as your eyes can see.

*****

Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates, don't forget to join the 100 Lucky Juans contest of Cebu Pacific in their Facebook page! You might just be the lucky Juan! ;) Details here.

Abaya Finder: Dirah Souk 1/2

The first time I set foot in Dirah five years ago to buy my second abaya (the first was bought for me by my father before I arrived Riyadh for the first time), I told myself that it's the first and last I would venture into the place. I held that promise… until two weeks ago when I, together with Shoegarfreeruby and Eyecandy, visited Dirah to buy -- what else? -- abayas. 

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with Dirah. (There is something wrong with me for being too lazy to venture out that same way again.) As a matter of fact, it's one of the places I would suggest a traveler to visit first in Riyadh because I believe in the saying that in order to get to know the country you're visiting, you have to immerse yourself in its bustling bazaars. Next to Batha and Haraj, this is the bazaar you have to see in Riyadh. The thing is, I'm not just visiting Riyadh five years ago, I am staying… so Dirah is one place that is just there; popping up once in a while in conversations with friends and in questions of readers where to buy this and that, waiting to be revisited but saying "take your time in discovering new places and wandering somewhere else first."

A souk in the heart of the old district

Dirah Souk (also spelled as Deera, Deirah, or whatever pleases you as long as it's pronounced as Di-ra) is also known as Soul Al-Thumairi. It is located in the center of the old district of Riyadh. The simplest way would be to take King Fahd Road and head to South (direction of Ministry of Interior and Batha) and exit just before you reach Salam Park. Turn left and go straight and you'll see the souq to your right. Or, if you're cruising along Olaya Road, just head straight to Murabba via the King Faisal Road and when you reach the Al-Deerah Cemetery, turn right. You'll see it in your left. (I know that it's kind of hard to visualize that but here's the map. Utilize the "Get Directions" feature of Google Map.

Anyway, we chose to go on a Thursday afternoon, around 4pm, which is, if I may say so, just the right time. This is after the asr prayer, when most stores open and Dirah is not yet packed to the brim. Come night time, you'll be elbowing your way among the throng of people in the area. Parking can be difficult and the religious police swarm the place because their building is just a stone's throw away. Dirah also gets crowded and noisy and dirty as the day wears on so afternoon is your best bet.

Vendors getting ready for a day's worth of work

I find it easier to navigate Dirah during daytime. Among The Pink Tarha ladies, I'm the one in-charge of directions thus preventing us from being lost because believe me, if you get too fascinated with what you see and enter a lot of stores, you'll lose your way into the alleys and nooks that would seem like deja vu every time you turn a corner. We visited the Swaigah Trade Center where most abaya stores are.

Where most of the shopping happens.

Abayas stores are everywhere in Swaigah. Some of the stores have a black fabric hiding a a third of its door making the inside dark. We couldn't see the designs clearly and every time I go out of the store I had to blink to get my sight bearing back. Not sure why they had to do that (maybe because of their female customers? Or maybe sneaking on what designs are available and what kind of selling tactics work is a no-no?).

It's like some kind of secret shopping.

Abaya prices range from SR 120 to SR 200. Haggling is a must so don't be shy.

Welcome to abaya land.

The way they display the abayas are kind of scary, hehe.

It's all about the designs.

So many choices aaaaagh!

There are abayas on the rack outside the stores and here you can find really cheap ones. Just less than SR 100. Most of them are just SR 60.

Cheaper abayas are displayed outside. From SR60-SR80.

You will definitely get carried away with the abayas here. There are so many designs to choose from. Do you want embellished? Laced? Embroidered? Studded? 

Here are some designs that caught our eyes (warning: there will be a lot of black in these photos :P):

Like I told you... a lot of blackness over here. :P

Abayas with Chinese collar and glimmery designs

Colored fabric + lace (around SR 150)

Gold design on the lining (around SR130)

Rosettes on the sleeves (around SR 120)

Like a Tudor royalty: lace overload on the shoulder (around SR 150)

With a cinch on the waist, like a robe (SR 130)

We have this kind of abaya but we got it from Al-Akaria Shopping Center. This design in Dirah is all-black while the ones we have have a colored fabric underneath.

Silver embroidery with studs (around SR 200)

Old rose lace on the sleeves (this is what R bought)

Other colors of the lace (around SR150)

The Ms. Universe abaya (around SR200)

I named this "Ms. Universe" abaya because it has  sash-like feature in a different color. And the huge gem that gathers it, acting like a brooch. The fabric is a bit clingy. It's a bit heavy and follows the shape of the body making the wearer lean and model-like. It pretty much negates the concept of an abaya but this would be perfect for special events.

The "million dollar" abaya.

This abaya is not exactly priced at a million dollars. Actually it's just SR 350. But it's the most expensive one we've seen in our trip to Deira. And we quite like it. If the price is just SR 200, I might have gotten this. The embroidery is delicate and fine and the fabric is amazing; the kind that is easy to clean and doesn't wrinkle. 

Sometimes, it's all about the design in the sleeves:

What pattern would you like on your sleeves madam?

Ornaments in an abaya?

Tribal and colorful

The usual silver and gold

Lace, jewels, different fabrics

Studded!!! Hello, fierceness! This is E's choice.

It's better to invest in one abaya priced over SR 100 than fill your closet with a few cheap ones. The problem with the cheap abayas is the fabric. I bought one with interesting sleeves: black floral lace over a hot pink lining. While the design is nice, the fabric is not. It's a bit thin, sags rather than flows, and attracts dirt easily.

I have to cut this entry right here because it's getting too long, especially with the number of photos I have to cram in here. Other stuff that you can find in Deira and places you can see around the Swaigah Trade Center on the next entry! By the way, forgive me if some of the photos are blurred. You probably know by now that I'm just doing commando shooting with my iphone. As usual. ;) ~ Sundrenched