Coin Collections

During my high school years, I used to collect lots of stuffs including stamps and currencies.  I'm not an expert collector,  I collect for fun and for the satisfaction I get from them.  So I really don't know the value or how to carefully select a collection each time I came across one.  I understand there are some rules in collecting  like for example in a stamp, you have to look for the perfection of a stamp perforations and all to really be able to preserve the value of that particular piece.  Well, I was young then.  What do I know about these things anyway. =)

So somehow, I recently came across my coin collection.  Maybe some of you can suggest or tell me something about it.  Don't know if it really has a value but these pieces have particulars memories attached to it.

One Peso Filipinas Coins  (1907, 1909)

These two (2) pieces, One Peso Filipinas coins which has the year 1907 and 1909 under the United States of America; was given to me by a great uncle if my memory serves me right, because he was impressed by my vivaciousness when I was young.  These coins were kept by my mom and was turned over to me just recently.  Truthfully,  I could not remember what I did then but just the history of why this coin was given to me sends warmth in my heart that I will always hold these dear to me.  Not to mention that these coins are way older than me.

Anybody can tell me what particular time these coins are?  My only guess is that these Philippine coins are under the American Regime.  But that's about it.  Maybe some of you can enlighten me some more.

One Peso Filipinas coins (year 1907 & 1909) - front of coin

One Peso Filipinas coins (year 1907 & 1909) under the United States of America - back of coin

United States of America One Dollar Liberty Coin  (1776-1976)

This particular piece of United States of America One Dollar Liberty coin, was given to me by an uncle who was very close and dear to me.  I remember him giving this to me, him knowing that I collect coins.  He told me to keep this because this has great value already.  And it's already rare at that time.  Up to now I don't really know the extend of the rarity of this piece nor its value.  But the memory itself is very valuable to me.

What do you think about this particular piece?

United States of America One Dollar Liberty Coin (1776-1976) - front of coin

United States of America One Dollar Liberty Coin (1776-1976) - back of coin

1975 Five Peso Commemorative Philippine Coin

These two (2) pieces, 1975 five peso commemorative Philippine coins with the President Ferdinand E. Marcos engrave on it are precious to me because I acquired this commemorative coins when I was already working.  

This might not be of great value but to me it still has a special place in my heart.  Can anybody tell me more of the value of this coins?

1975 Five Peso Commemorative Philippine Coin with President Ferdinand Marcos engraving - front of coin

1975 Five Peso Commemorative Philippine Coin with President Ferdinand Marcos engraving - back of coin

Somehow reminishing old times and how I spend those extra time sends smiles through my lips.  I was a very content teenager with all my collections.  Well, I should be!  I had great memories of them. =)

Vikings Luxury-Buffet (My Food Choices)

Our food choices varies diversely from each other.  That's why while some are satisfied with a particular dish others are not.  Well, my gastronomic food adventure at Vikings was quiet satisfactory.

Here's what pleased my appetite. ;)

Steamed Shrimps and Garlic Butter Crab

Seafood!  What I really went to get first was the steamed shrimps and garlic butter crab at the Chinese cuisine section.  Mostly the garlic butter crab; went to get seconds really.  They ran out pretty fast.  You have to get dirty with your hands to really taste the yumminess of the crab, in my opinion.

Chinese Herbal Soup

Chinese Herbal Soup, I always make it a point to have one.  Chinese herbs are good for the body and it's not an ordinary soup you have daily in your household not unless you always make them.  That's why I grab it when I saw it.

Cream of Brocolli

Wanting to sample another kind of soup, I got my cream of brocolli from the salad and soup station.  This one is really good.  I love the taste.

Dimsums

Dimsums are not really advisable to get when you're preparing you're tummy for a huge variety of meal.  Somehow, you'll not realize that you're already full without tasting other dishes.  Still, can't resist.  Got a few to share, that's the trick!

Counter clockwise from top:  Ginger, Tamago Sashimi (egg), Tako Sashimi (orange octopus), Ika Sashimi (squid), Maki (one variety of which is the California Maki)

Like the dimsums, Japanese maki are also not advisable to get in buffets.  They make you full fast because it is made up of rice.  But what the heck! =)  Just can't resist to try it.  The Tamago Sashimi and the maki didn't really caught my tastebuds by surprise, what did was the Tako Sashimi and Ika Sashimi.  Which are the octopus and squid sashimi repectively.


Truthfully, I like sashimi but stayed away from it for a long time but after trying the Tako and the Ika Sashimi, nobody can stop me from going back for seconds.  My husband and I loved the chewy and clean flavors of the sashimi.  They're both really good.  We loved the ginger too.  =)

From top to bottom:  Seaweed with century egg, Steamed white egg in white sauce and Specialty of the day - Peking Duck

I don't know why but I love seaweeds with century egg, most specially the seaweeds along with black vinegar and hoisin sauce dip.  That's why can't resist to have some of this.  Steamed white egg in white sauce; nothing really fancy just something light to the palate.  And the specialty of the day, Peking duck!  If you would order this in a fine dine restaurant, it would cost you quite an amount of money, to have it offered in a buffet... then why not get it. =)  Although don't really expect too much about the quantity and quality, but it's still quite ok. =)

Spareribs, fried rice, steamed white egg in white sauce and Chinese adobo tokwa with egg

This is my kid's meal if you might wonder.  As you know, buffets are not really advisable for kids because they don't eat that much so I got a meal that'll at least make him full. =)

Angus roast beef and tenderloin with mashed potatoes and truffle sauce

I always liked my steaks medium well because they are soft and juicy at that stage.  I always request "medium well without blood".  I really don't know if that's possible but it came out ok.  I think it's all about the chef cooking it!

Hot pot beef

This is my husband's order to share.  He loves hot pots that's why we have this.  For hot pot lovers, pre-order it; to give them lead time to cook.  Really good if only we were not so full already.

Desserts

Desserts, a perfect ending to a sumptuously tasty meal.  I'm more of a fruit salad gal, love the sweetness after a full meal.  The cakes and chocolate mousse are nice.  But what I love is their yogurt, though you have to eat it immediately because it melts fast.  Where else can you get umlimited yogurt with your choice of toppings?  Pretty cool huh! =)

Coffee and coffee condiments: creamer, white sugar and muscovado sugar

Lastly, a cup of coffee for that moment of chit chat with your companion after a full meal.  As they say, give the food a chance to digest, but really it's just an excuse to linger a little while longer. ;)

Have your own eating adventure.  Make it fun and worth your while.

Viking's
Address:  Building B, San Miguel by the Bay, Seaside Blvd., SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City

Tel:  (02) 846-3888, 846-4888, 846-5888
Cel:  (63)917-565-3888, (63)923-730-3888

website:  www.vikings.ph

Check out my other posts:

• Vikings Luxury-Buffet: A Buffet for Adventurous Eaters (Area Design)
• Vikings Luxury-Buffet: Food Feast blog

Vikings Luxury-Buffet: Food Feast blog

When the feeling of "hotel-ambiance" subsided, we settled ourselves in our designated seats and try to ponder where to start our food adventure.  Usually the first thing we go to is what our eyes first saw when we entered.  So it's no wonder  that our first impulse was to go to the two long tables in the middle of the restaurant.

Appetizers, salads and European dishes
The two long tables let you choose from assortments of dishes.  The table with the viking's metal helmet are for those who want to start off their meal with salad appetizers.  You can make your own or just sample salads they offer, from their Waldorf salad to their pomelo or mango salad and alot more.  All palate teasers.  Pick your choice.

The table with the ship's bow or front of the ship design offers a mixture of European and Chinese dishes and maybe others that I wasn't really able to take noticed of.  From appetizers of crackers with different kinds of cheese to the chinese cold cuts of jelly fish and century eggs.  You can also choose from their wide array of dishes.  From their different kinds of rice to their dishes of lengua and pastas.  All for you to decide.

You might wonder why I only mentioned a few dishes to start with,  truthfully they were all that I can remember on this side of arrayment.  Which means I only sampled a few dishes here.  But there are alot more for those who lean more into the European dishes.  This is only giving you a birds eyeview of what's more to discover.

Japanese and Chinese cuisine
On one corner, there's a section for Japanese and Chinese cuisine.  I have to really apologize for the lack of pictures because this is where I mostly indulged myself.  I think in the process I neglected to take some photos.  Japanese cuisine includes sushi, sashimi and maki.  For those temaki lovers like me, nope, unfortunately like most buffet they don't offer temaki.  But I always ask the chef if they do make one, just in case.  But as always they have the same answer, they don't make temaki.  Shucks!

Different kind of Japanese maki

Just further on the left are the hot pots (need to pre-order to give them lead time to prepare this dish for you),  Hongkong style street foods (my own term), steamed shrimps and garlic butter crabs.  This is also the section where you order your oysters be it fresh or baked.

Hot pots: hot pot beef, seafood hot pot and hot pot pork

Hongkong style street food like squid balls, fish balls and others

Just facing this side of the counter is the Chinese cuisine.  Ranging from dimsums, Chinese herbal soups and Chinese dishes.  If you're lucky and they are serving Peking duck, then grab the chance!


European, Italian and Filipino cuisine 
On the other far corner, a mixture of European, Italian and Filipino cuisine enticed every diners.  This section have the most line of people specially the counter that offers tenderloin steak, lamb and lechon commonly known as suckling pig or roasted pig. 

Lechon, Tenderloin and Roast leg of lamb

For those who have preference on how their steaks are done; all your fears are resolved for there's a chef who cooked them to the way you like it.  All you need to do is request for it.  For me, I like my steak medium well.

Chef cooking your steaks to perfection

A wide selection of sauces for your steaks are available for you to choose from.  My personal favorite is the truffle sauce.

Sauce selection includes: Red Wine Gravy, Mint Sauce, Apricot Sauce, Onion Sauce, Liver Sauce, Creamy Mushroom Sauce and Truffle Sauce

My personal favorite - Truffle Sauce

Also on this station, there's a wide variety of grilled items for you to choose from.  They also have fresh seafoods available for grilling.  Not really my favorite in a buffet so I always skipped this section.  But if I'm craving for grilled food,  I always go for grilled squid. =)

Grilled dishes

Fresh seafoods available for grilling among others are Lumot Squid, Squid Tentacle and Salmon Belly

On one side of this station are the fish and chips, and if I'm not mistaken; pizzas and pastas too.  My palate while dining in a buffet mostly lean towards the seafood and steaks, only when my tummy has room for more that's the only time I go to this section.

Fish and Chips, Calamari and Onion Rings

Dessert Section
One of the most awaited endings in any meals are the desserts.  And boy, they do have a wide variety of delicacies, pastries, cakes, ice cream, fruits and other sweets to end the meal perfectly.  You can just imagine how sweet lovers love this section. 

Filipino Delicacies

Cakes and pastries

Unlimited ice cream

Unlimited frozen yogurt on the yogurt machine

Unlimited Drinks
Where else can you have unlimited drinks of juices not to mention unlimited drinks of San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen?  Sounds amazing right?  You bet its true. Then after you can have cups of coffee if you still need your caffaine fix for the day.  Still unlimited. =)  Don't think we can get this in any hotel buffet, so grab the chance and enjoy this unlimited offer!

Unlimited Variety of Juices

Coffee machine and Draft beer dispenser for your unlimited coffee and draft beer

Beer dispenser -  check how you tilt your beer mugs so that beer foam won't overflow!

Viking's buffet price / rate as of November of 2011

Such gastronomic delights would not only appeal to our sense of sight but to our sense of taste also.  Happy eating everyone.

Viking's
Address:  Building B, San Miguel by the Bay, Seaside Blvd., SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City

Tel:  (02) 846-3888, 846-4888, 846-5888
Cel:  (63)917-565-3888, (63)923-730-3888

website:  www.vikings.ph

Check out my other posts:

• Vikings Luxury-Buffet: A Buffet for Adventurous Eaters (Area Design)
• Vikings Luxury-Buffet (My Food Choices)

Vikings Luxury-Buffet: A Buffet for Adventurous Eaters (Area Design)

Vikings Luxury-Buffet: A Buffet for Adventurous Eaters.  "A Buffet for Adventurous Eaters", I came up with this title because my husband and I are adventurous eaters even before we got married.  We love to sample something new specially when we hear fave reviews or praises from words of mouth.  Although having a family, trimmed our adventures from 100% to just 10% (I know... so sad right?), but with family responsibilities it gets harder to just think about ourselves only.  So when a good friend told us about Vikings, we decided to set time and find out what's the "talk" all about.  We decided to eat on November of 2011.

It was a fulfilling eating adventure that we had.  So I thought, I will start my blog by saying that not all palates are the same.  I prefer to call myself a "happy eater".  I try to see the positive side of the food first before taking in the bad.  So if most of my blogs are about good reviews please forgive my blog for this is a blog of a non-expert person about food who just want to enjoy life and love life with the food that goes with it. =)

Viking's logo

The Viking's logo welcoming food adventurers may they be connoisseur on the field or just normal people who want to enjoy good food and good ambiance.


Viking's philosophy is derived from the long and elaborate Scandinavian feasts of big and burly Norsemen of centuries past that is enjoyed in the medieval era.  Basically, for us laymen, it tells us to "eat like a king". =)  Enjoying sumptuous and abundant meal to your hearts desire.


Viking's did first opened its doors during the first half of 2011.  So, it's  just beginning to acquire it's customers through words of mouth and through the internet.  But even for a fairly new restaurant, the bevy of eaters that go through their doors are mind blowing.  It's understood that during the weekends it's packed but even on weekdays?  That's really mind blogging.


Let's enjoy Viking's interior before we venture to their sumptuous array of food.

Salad and soup station

Chinese and European dishes and cold cuts

End view of both long tables

Viking seats

Seats viewing Manila Bay

Above ceiling lights amidst all the diners

Beyond, a partitioned room seats; also for diners to occupy.

Lamp-like lights ceiling decor

Viking's paper placemat

The first time I did enter the restaurant, I really like the hotel-ambiance it offers.  The well airconditioned area, decor, chairs, furnitures and well-placed dishes all transport you to that luxurious feeling you have everytime you enter a classy hotel.  It's a warm feeling knowing that you get the hotel-ambiance in just a buffet restaurant.


Truthfully, of course not all food will satisfy our taste.  When eating we do have our preferences of what to eat and what not to eat.  Some go for salads first, or cold cuts or pastas or soups.  Whatever you choose first, the satisfaction differs.  Maybe the food we chose somewhat satisfied us so I really have no complains.  But no matter what, always eat with an open heart and a happy view; the food taste way much better that way. =)


I decided to do separate blogs on the food itself and our own choices if any of you are wondering.  I think they deserve their own blogs.  See you there. =)

Viking's
Address:  Building B, San Miguel by the Bay, Seaside Blvd., SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City

Tel:  (02) 846-3888, 846-4888, 846-5888
Cel:  (63)917-565-3888, (63)923-730-3888

website:  www.vikings.ph







Check out my other posts:

• Vikings Luxury-Buffet: Food Feast blog
• Vikings Luxury-Buffet (My Food Choices)