Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf CBTL's New Single Serve Beverage System

I recently wrote about FREE CBTL cup of hot coffee or tea (see separate entry).  So I printed my coupon and presented it to CBTL Fort Bonifacio Branch. 

CBTL Single Serve Beverage System

 *photo from CBTL Official Fan page

I ordered the English Passion hot tea.  Once I surrendered my coupon, I was told to wait a few minutes.  Once my name was called, I was instructed on how to use their new "CBTL Single Serve Beverage System".  

The steps were simple.  There were three buttons.  The top is for espresso, the next is for latte and the third is for hot tea.

I simple dropped the capsule *photo from CBTL Official Fan page

I dropped my capsule, pressed the hot tea button and after a few seconds the cup was filling until it was full.  The server took the cup placed the lid and handed it to me.  I took my first sip and was amazed at how much it tasted like the England Passion I once tasted before.  I opened the lid and saw the same tea leaf bits as I noticed in my previous CBTL teas.  Pretty neat huh?

Each machine cost 13,750 php.  We were told that they will soon offer it on installment basis.  We checked the capsules cost 400 php per box. 

CBTL Single Serve Beverage System

Capsules

If you are too lazy to go out and want quality coffee or tea.  Well, this is a good and affordable option.   This product is very tempting indeed.

The Dog Spa Free Grooming and Special Prize Contest

This month, the Dog Spa has a Free Grooming and Special Prize Contest.  I even entered our maltese Lychee because she has never been groomed before.  This is our first time to join online dog contests.  Here is her picture for the contest.  What do you think?

Begging you all to like me - Lychee

If you think she deserves to win, please help us by:


Step 1: Liking The dog spa fan page here http://www.facebook.com/TheDogSpa

Step 2: Liking here pic here http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=196774903706787&set=o.160993327247101&type=1&theater


      Here are the contest mechanics in case you want to enter your cute fur buddies:

1. Like http://www.facebook.com/TheDogSpa
2. Upload your dog's picture
3. Most likes will win!

CBTL's Espresso & Cream Ice Blended ~ My Kind of Coffee!

A few days ago, I wrote about CBTL's Espresso & Cream Ice Blended Open House (see separate entry).  The promo was from 10 a.m to 12 n.n.  We arrived at CBTL Robinsons Place at around 11:50 a.m.  There is a poster of the CBTL's Espresso & Cream Ice Blended Open House outside and beside the counter.  

There were no lines when we came in.  (Unlike the last month's blockbuster line during the 50% Starbucks promo which we gave up on=p) The cashier asked us for our order and then I told her we were for the open house.  She asked how many and if we'd like it with whip cream or coffee jelly (add 30 php).  I said with whip cream only.  With all smiles, she asked for my name and issued our receipt.  I actually thought that there is a charge for the whip cream but it turns out its free too.=)

We sat while waiting for our order.  We noticed that despite having an open house and FREE coffee, there were many vacant tables.  I browsed the crowd and only found a few availing it.  There were empty ones left at vacant tables.

After around 5 minutes, my name was called and we got our order and left.  I noticed that people may differ in the way they enjoy their ice coffee with whipped cream.  For me, I sip the coffee first before mixing it with whip cream to appreciate its full flavor.  

While sipping, I had a random thought.  Cold drinks are more difficult to formulate than hot drinks because if its hot, the drinker can just add more cream or sugar as much as he pleases.  But with cold drink, you can't adjust it once it has been served.  With each person, having their own taste preferences, it may not please everybody.

This coffee with or without whipped cream is my type of coffee!  This is what I expect from an espresso.  The coffee is aromatic, thick and strong.  One sip will bring you bitter sweet goodness that lingers for a few minutes.   My family and Kurt loved it too!  Do you love this coffee too?

Drank till the last drop

I love CBTL's hot drinks especially their teas.  They have a wide variety of them.  Now I have something to order cold too.  They also offer good incentives for CBTL Swirl Rewards Card Holders.  Aside from the points you earn which can be used for purchase you can also use their WiFi for FREE.  It's also an ideal hang out because seats are often available.  How about you have you tried CBTL?  Share us your experience.=)



Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
2/F Midtown Wing, Robinson's Place Manila
Pedro Gil cor. Adriatico St. Ermita
Manila, Metro Manila
(02) 567-2004

Free entrance to the Mommy Diaries Lifestyle & Wellness Expo + free items at the Groupon booth

Bring your mothers/wives to enjoy free talks and demos about health and fitness while kids can have fun with unlimited glitter tattoo and other special kids.  There will also be booths where they can shop for bargains.

 GRAB THE DEAL NOW AT GROUPON

Date: May 28-29, 2011
Time: 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
When: NBC Tent, Bonifcaio Global City

Pros:

• FREE talks for mothers
• FREE bone density, cholesterol level & sugar level screenings
• FREE activity for the Kids

Cons:

• Might be crowded

Gelatone's Sorbet Cocktails Summer Contest

Get a chance to cool down for FREE with Gelatone's Summer Cocktail Shots from May 16, 2011 to June 10, 2011.   To join:

1. Like http://www.facebook.com/gelatone
2. Save the posted image below on YOUR wall

1. Answer: Why is Gelatone the coolest place this summer?
2. Tag Gelatone and 4 of your friends

Best, Easy and Free Ways to Back up Your Blogger Blog

After writing on my blog for a month, I realized that there is a possibility of losing data online and the need for back ups.  After doing my research, I have found 2 easy ways to back up my blog:

1. Use Blogger Send to send email every publish post
2. Use the Export Blog under Blog tools
3. Sign up for free at Blogbackupr.com

By using disqus, I do not need to back up my comments.  Or do I?

Trip to Vigan, Ilocos Sur (Day 2 Part 1)

• Sta. Maria Church

We woke up early to go to Vigan, Ilocos Sur.  For breakfast, we had the local longganisa, native egg, salted egg and Sta. Lucia puto.  At 9:30 a.m, we left for Vigan.  On the way, we saw field of tobacco and corn plantations and crystal clear blue seawaters in the nearby beaches.  We first passed by Sta. Maria church, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.  When we arrived at 10 a.m., they were already preparing for Good Friday Procession.   We said our prayers and left.

• Arrival at Baluarte in Vigan Ilocos, Sur

Our next stop was Chavit Singson's free and open to public Baluarte Zoo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.  As we stepped off our van, we instantly felt the intense heat of the sun.  We quickly walked towards the entrance.  There were many vendors selling bamboo products by the entrance.  The birds were also placed near the entrance.  The place was crowded.  Kids rode the free pony rides.  We roamed around taking pictures of every animal we saw until 1 p.m.  (see separate entry) We also saw a small yellow submarine.  Before leaving, I bought Kurt a Vigan T-shirt  (worth 160 php) from the souvenir stalls just outside Baluarte.  

• Vigan, Ilocos Sur City Proper

Hungry for lunch, we went to Vigan's City proper.  Here, we had to leave our van parked somewhere further because motor vehicles are not allowed within the vicinity.  Despite the heat, the streets
were crowded by locals and foreigners alike.  We first visited Vigan cathedral and then bought Vigan's infamous "empanadas" (worth 25 php).  To our surprise the "empanadas" taste similar to the ones we bought in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur.  We also bought "okoys" (worth 25 php) but they did not appeal to our taste.  It felt like seafood tempura with vinegar as sauce.  There were bazaars and souveneir shops that sold T-shirts and other locally weaved products.  We also passed by fastfoods like Max's, Mc Do and Mang-inasal.  There were also banks like BPI and BDO and hotels.  All of them maintained the old Spanish structure of the buildings which reminded me of Intramuros in Manila.  Many foreigners ate at the street-side food stalls.

                   "Burnayan" (pottery in Ilocano)

After lunch, we went to the "Burnayan".  As we entered, there were many defective pots scattered on the ground.  There were also bits of shattered pots.  We thought of doing the pottery ourselves but when we watched manong, we got intimidated.  Manong said that to be a potter you have to have the energy, talent and inspiration.  He declared that he could make 100 similar pots a day because his family inspires him and that those pots are being sold for 300 php.  He also added that among all those who have tried, no one has successfully made a pot.   Before leaving, we bought souvenirs.

                            

• Vigan Food

"The Sisters" bigger store without any sign

On the way back we went to "The Sisters"to buy a well-known Vigan delicacy, royal bibingkas.  During our purchase, there was a car that stopped over asking for Marsha's.  We used to buy from Masha's too until we tasted "The Sisters" royal bibingka.  "The Sisters" had two stores along the hi-way one across the other.  We noticed that the smaller store had a sign while the other just looked like a green house.  We also bought "Jat'z" chichacorn (worth 40 php).  It was very crunchy yet not difficult to bite.  It was very addictive that we kept on munching on it on the way back.