I wish I wrote more about Zamboanga when I visited this city summer of 2006. Now I can barely remember the places we went and the people who hosted us (such a shame I am not in contact with them anymore). Thank goodness we took photos (otherwise Zamboanga will just be a distant memory)! Here’s a few we took in the vibrant City of Flowers:
Pasonanca Park. One of the Boy Scout of the Philippines’ training centers is located here. This park is renowned as a tourist attraction because of its three public pools and its picnic areas.
Pasonanca Tree House that can be rented for a minimum fee. “Originally constructed to be the Youth Citizenship Training Center in April of 1960 with the generous assistance of the city council” – Z-Wiki.
Unfortunately, we were not able to see an actual vinta. But this replica of its colorful sail will do (and I can’t remember where this was taken!).
Alavar’s Seafood House! Their famous Alavar Sauce is to die for! Here we were able to sample the curacha. Curacha means “cockroach” in Chavacano, perhaps because of its resemblance to the latter. It is a hybrid crustacean that appears to be a mix of a spiny lobster and a big sea crab.
Of course, you can’t leave Zamboanga without buying their colorful sarongs and malongs from the market! I also bought so much handicrafts (baskets and hats), we had trouble with our luggage in the airport.
One thing I vividly remember about Zamboanga is falling in love with the Chavacano dialect!
More info here: http://www.zamboanga.com/
Our posh (but paid for) accommodation:
Garden Orchid Hotel
Gov. Camins Avenue
Telephone: 991-0031
I wish to visit this place… Asia’s Latin City? I wonder why… Thanks for sharing places to visit, I do hope you remember the place where the replica vintas are
Chavacano is a pidgin like dialect of Español. It is also the native dialect in our hometown of Cavite City.
In Cavite? Cool, I never knew. Thanks for sharing, and nice to see you drop by.
its in la vista del mar, wer u had ur picture taken with a replica of vinta’s sail
Yey! Thank you so much for the info. Should be updating this blog then. Wish you left your name so you’re properly credited for the help.
actually, term curacha is known as crabs. you should visit zamboanga again. it has changed a lot since 2006.. 🙂
I see. So the term curacha pertains to crab in Chavacano? Is it not a type of crab? Thanks for the info 🙂
Wow. I guess my cousin did enjoyed his boy scout camp days afterall.The place is really nice.http://www.cdokay.com/
Yay i’m glad someone is blogging about our city! Our city is not that scary at all! thanks for sharing! 🙂
It’s a beautiful city! More people should blog about it.