Cooking Bibimbap At Home

I'm not just a big fan of koreanovelas that makes me cry my eyes out over the night I also love eating and cooking korean food! 

Steak Escape in Accra, Ghana

Eat Proud at Steak Escape

It was last year when we got to know that there was this newly opened restaurant at Accra Mall called Steak Escape and we got to try it only yesterday! I was curious if it was a locally conceptualized as

Zion Thai Restaurant in Accra, Ghana

Sawadikap in Ghana

Thai food in Africa! There are few Thai restaurants in Accra as there aren't much Thai people here. I have only visited two Thai restaurant on my 2 years of stay here in Ghana and this is our favorite! 

Hiking Wli Falls and Mt Afadjato, Volta Region, Ghana, West Africa

This is a very late post. 

Richard, I and Broghen decided to go and hike the tallest mountain in Ghana last year. It was long weekend that time, so we decided to spend 3 days in Volta, It's almost a 6 hours drive from Accra going to Volta Region.

Fish Market and Arirang Korean Restaurant in Tema, Ghana

15GHS per KG

A good spot to buy affordable fresh fish here in Ghana is at Tema, we usually go for a 1 hr drive or more just to visit the Fish Harbor market in Tema once a month on weekends to get some fresh fish.

How I feel About Being A Young Diplomat's Spouse

I didn’t have any idea what "Foreign Service a.k.a Diplomat" really means or do until I met and married one. I don't get to encounter Diplomats when I was in the Philippines, I did not even know that the guy (my husband) I was dating back then was a Diplomat until the 2nd month of seeing him, getting to know him and what he do for a living.

Planning Two Weddings in Two different Countries (Part 1 : U.S Wedding)

Cheers!

Richard and I are currently base in Ghana, West Africa. So can you just imagine how planning went on?

What I’m learning throughout this whole planning process is that you just have to do what’s right for you. We both agreed that we wanted to get married in the States and in the Philippines.

Hiking Mount Krobo in Volta Lake, Ghana, West Africa

At the top of Mt.Krobo

Almost a month now when we decided to to hike Mt.Krobo. I cant say it was an easy hike (maybe easy for others) though it was a quick hike compare to that of our hike experience with Wli Falls, its was a rocky slippery steep hike. 

Blue Ginger at Wellesley, MA, USA

We chose Blue Ginger- a fusion restaurant in Wellesley, Massachusetts  to hold our simple wedding celebration in the U.S. Few weeks before the big day we decided to have dinner at the same time try the food that will be served for the wedding day. The place is popular for serving the East Meets West kind style of dish (so its like Asian European kind of dish).

Food Trip in NYC.

4D3N in New York and I'm Satisfied  with all the food we tried from the fine dine-in steak to halal street food! 

A. Wafles and Dinges- saw  this  truck on the side of the  Brooklyn bridge, I deserve this calorie bomb dessert after walking through Brooklyn bridge. LOL Freshly made Belgian waffle with good amounts of toppings to choose from! I ordered  the whipped cream strawberries and bananas with either hot fudge topping. I really love the little bits of sugar that are baked throughout the waffle providing a really enjoyable crunch!

Lunch at Peter Luger Steak House in Brooklyn, New York

Richard, Me, Janice & Harry

New York is full of iconic foods, but steak is still the undisputed king! I'm a big fan of steak, so when we were in NYC I told Richard that he should take me to be best Steakhouse in NYC! so his friend recommended Peter Luger! 

Touring NYC With The Pass!

NYC pass card and free guide booklet

New York City- If you are planning to tour this place then I highly recommend getting this pass. NYC is a place everyone should visit and when you visit make sure you make the most out of your trip! It may have a status for being pricey BUT there's always a way! 

Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, New York City.

Richard and I spent 3 days in New York and stayed at Marriott Vacation Marriott Vacation Club Pulse. Marriott just acquired it from The Strand making it the first Marriott timeshare hotel in New York City.

Easy cooking of Zha Jiang Mian (炸酱面)

Before Richard and I went to China  he kept on mentioning about how he missed Zha Jiang Mian (炸酱面), or “Fried Sauce Noodle” of Beijing. I'm hearing this Zja Jiang Mian for the first time and when I finally got to try it..???

INCOCO Nail Polish Applique! Peel, Apply and Go! - Convenient and Travel Friendly

Living overseas will teach you how to be more independent, from washing your own clothes, cleaning your room to cooking your own favorite dish (that’s why you have to master the art of cooking LOL) and a whole lot more, Bottom line is that You will have to adapt to a new culture and a new way of life. Immersing yourself in a foreign environment requires flexibility and determination.

Bistro 22 in Accra, Ghana

Bistro 22 Along Josiah Tongogari road 

A nice restaurant in the heart of Labone in Accra, Ghana. I can still remember when I first set foot in this country, I usually go to this place for nice dinner alone if not Bosphorous, this restaurant is like only 70 steps away from my house. 

Au Grand Ecuyer in Accra, Ghana

Who would have thought that a  hardly noticeable restaurant along the road can serve pretty tasty and good quantity of food. I only got to know this when Richard took me there, he said that they serve pretty good seafood and local beef.. which is true.

Burger & Relish in Accra, Ghana

Burger & Relish is Ghana’s first gourmet burger restaurant and cocktail bar, I just love the vintage ambiance. Seems like there has been careful attention paid from everything from the ambiance to its food & drinks menu offering a really good vibes. 

Heritage Indian Restaurant in Accra, Ghana

Last weekend, Richard and I was undecided on what to have for lunch, drove around and finally decided to go for Indian food. For us the best restaurant to go to when it comes to Indian food in Accra is the Heritage Indian Restaurant, it is quite expensive but you get what you pay for.

Falling In Love Overseas

As much as I love my job and traveling, I have always dreamt and hoped that one day I would live the expat lifestyle. Who would have thought that it could really happen.
Expats fall generally into two categories: those that are expats through work-related moves (that’s me!), and those that have relocated to start businesses, looking for a job, etc.

Da Salvatore Italian Fish Restaurant in Accra, Ghana

Usual Saturday night dinner (as we decided to only eat out during Fridays or Saturdays), Saturday last week, We decided to dine at Da Salvatore Italian Fish Restaurant previously known as the Atlantic Lobster Restaurant ( same name as the Atlantic lobster on the ground floor that sells fresh fish).

Fading Beauty Outside - Gucci Premiere

I love perfume so much! My perfume obsession started when I started traveling and my layover would always be at Dubai Airport (I can really say that Dubai airport is one of the best airport layover to shop at, you will find many product at a cheaper rat). 

Private Dining Experience and Barbecue at Shangrila Boracay

Enjoying the view

It's Richard first time visiting Philippines, so I  decided to surprise him with a private dinner by the beach when we go to Boracay, this whole thing was planned 3 months before going back to the Philippines, the reservation for this private dinning is open to all customers whether staying or not at the hotel.

Pre-Valentines Dinner at Captain Hooks in Accra, Ghana

I dont actually get what kind of fish is this? Piranha? :D

We always see Captain Hooks on our way to Goethe Institute, Seeing a Big Fish as their logo will automatically give you an Idea they are into Seafood. I was actually curious about what this restaurant has to offer. 

Valentines 2016 at Urban Grill in Accra, Ghana

Richard in his African Gear!

Its been 4 years since I last celebrated Valentine's Day. In 2013 I declared Valentine's Day sucks! 2014 I was off to India and 2015 (although celebrated with this dude the day before when he cooked me steak dinner) was off to Dubai... And 2016 here I am with my Fiance in Ghana celebrating Valentines!! :)  

KFC in Accra, Ghana (Wipe a Smile on your face?)

                                                                                         KFC, Marina Mall 

With so many food choices, I'm not really a big fan of KFC..I do not eat KFC everyday when I was in PH, but for a reason that I do not know, when I started living overseas, Just find myself craving for KFC. And if KFC comes into my mind I would always think of their "It's finger linkin" good tagline... 2 pcs original chicken flavor, a cup of rice and lots and lots of GRAVY! just thinking of the gravy makes me drool. 

Chinese New Year 2016 in Ghana

                                                       Happy Chinese New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

When we say Chinese New Year, this is where the family members are gathered for a sumptuous meal (dinner/lunch), especially for those family members who are away from home, but for me and Richard this year’s celebration of CNY is a bit quiet, we decided to just stay and celebrate in Ghana (at home) and cook some traditional Chinese dishes.

Great Wall Of China - The Proposal

Emerald Cut!What a beauty!

October 20, 2016 when Richard decided to proposed.

Working on a project assignment overseas I am entitled to go back to my home country every 4th or 6th months for a month vacation. As my 4th month of being assigned overseas is fast approaching, I invited Richard to join me! ( I will miss him!! lol ) so I wont be alone traveling again as I was planning to head off on a backpacking trip (Singapore &Thailand Coming from Philippines) and of course  for him to meet my family as well. 

About DiploJaunts

I'm Ailene! I'm NO good in writing/blogging but decided to create this site for me to document current and future Interesting life experiences I and the hubby will be encountering as we travel across borders.

I'm a Filipino-Chinese who loves traveling and exploring, I'm a great believer in luck, and believes that the harder I work the more I have of it. Every day is a new experience! I love to help others and enjoy laughing and watching others have a good time! I am a content person who believes that we should all stop and enjoy life when ever we can because we are only here a short time and letting life slip by without enjoying it is a waste! Entrepreneurship runs in my blood and I believe that one day I will be building my own business empire; I'm a frustrated events planner and marketer; been trying to lose weight (taking me forever though); I love practicing yoga, eating, cooking and binge watching on my spare time; I work as a System Tester Analyst in a private any in the Philippines and was sent overseas to work on a project ; met the love of my life which happens to be a Chinese-American and ended up marrying him. For that reason, I have decided to start documenting, this site will give you peek on how we make a home in the absence of our home.