HOSTEL REVIEW: Hostal Mayrit and Hostal Ivor, Madrid, Spain

OVERALL RATING: 5/5

DATE OF VISIT: September 11 to 13, 2010 and September 15, 2010

PLUSES: Hostel Mayrit and Hostel Ivor belong to the same owner and are located in the same building. Ivor is on the 2nd floor and Mayrit, on the 3rd. The location of these hostels cannot be more impeccable. It's at the middle of the Calle Arenal, which means that you're near both Puerta del Sol (Spain's Kilometer Zero) and the Palacio Real, Catedral de la Almudena and the Plaza Mayor. The street itself is lined with shops, bars and restaurants, so grabbing a quick bite is not a chore. The nearest Metro stop (Opera) is a stone's throw away. The rooms are simple but are quite well-kept. There's airconditioning in every room should you wish to visit Madrid during the summer. There's a small TV, too, with the standard Spanish channels. The bathrooms are surprisingly very well-furnished for a budget hostel; there's free shampoo and soap, a hair dryer, and perfumed towels. The personnel has an outstanding rapport with the clients.

MINUSES: There's only a small elevator that connects the ground floor to the hostels above. If you're travelling with big luggages, the technique will be to send all the luggages upstairs in the lift while you make your way through the stairs.

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W.A.M.'s new look and great web find!

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! After resolving to post more blog entries after months of virtual nonexistence, W.A.M. has also been reformatted and has received a new header! The photo was shot in Caramoan, Camarines Sur, the newest tourist destination in the Philippines for beach and adventure lovers.

And while at it, I'm giving an added bonus: the best find in the World Wide Web for people who wish to explore Manila in public transportation! The webpage is called Metro Manila Directions and it provides a lot of info on jeepney routes, LRT/MRT combinations and other travel tips. Great for travelers!

Eating Valladolid

Valladolid, the place where I studied in Spain, is not a tourist destination. Save for a few monuments of note (San Pablo, Colegio de San Gregorio, Antigua...), the city can be rather tasteless. Not with their food, though, as Valladolid boasts some of the most sumptuous food finds in this part of the world.

Any self-respecting Vallisoletano will be more than glad to take his visitor to sample grilled sepia (cuttlefish) served with garlic mayonnaise in the bar called -- you guessed it -- Bar La Sepia. I used to go to the branch beside the Ayuntamiento, but there's another one in faraway Parquesol. At 7 euros a ración, it's a nice way to start the evening.

Since we're in the area, why not go to the nearby Restaurante Bar El Jero, a haven of delectable tapas (with cool name, btw) that will make you go wild! I personally recommend the shrimp and boletus with peanut brittle and cecina with dulce de membrillo. Be here early because people pack the place to bursting. Closed on Tuesdays.

If you're craving for something heavier, head to Restaurante Los Zagales and sample their delicious Castilian dishes. On a normal day, you can get the entire meal for around 20 euros. It becomes pricier on weekends and holidays. Do order stewed rabo de toro (bull's tail) as second plate and you'll never go wrong.

Pigging out in Lisbon

One of the best stereotypes people have of Portugal is that it's a place for good eats. The short distance between land and sea makes Portuguese cuisine a showcase of flavors from the ocean. A typical Portuguese meal consists of potatoes (boiled or fried), a salad, and a main course of meat or fish, all served on a big plate, with an appetizer of olives, bread and butter. Being the foodie that I am, here's my gastronomic escapades in Lisbon, Portugal's capital city

Bacalhoeiro, Rua dos Sapateiros 224, Baixa. Getting here can be a bit of a chore since the minor street where the resto is at doesn't appear on the map and the people in the tourist booths do not even know where it is. Rua dos Sapateiros is the street immediately to the right of Rua Augusta when you're facing the sea. Once here, savor some of Portugal's most authentic dishes (I got grilled squid and bread soup -- Y.U.M.M.Y!). Locals eat here and the food is insanely cheap and delicious.

Casa da India, Rua do Loreto 49-51, Bairro Alto. Their barbecued chicken is a must-have! It's nice, plump, juicy and cheap. The area where the restaurant is at is a popular place for Lisbon's nightlife.

Clube do Fado, Rua de São João da Praça 95 (beside the Cathedral). A bit pricey, considering that you can have a binge for 9 euros, but it's worth it if you're into fado. Try their fish of the day.

HOSTEL REVIEW: Rex Tourist Inn, Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Philippines

OVERALL RATING: 2/5

DATE OF VISIT: January 2 to 5, 2010

PLUSES: The personnel was nice, although they could be very lax or shy at times. They could fetch you from the port to their inn upon arrival. The island tour they organized was great and the food was always good. Showers yield abundant water everyday.

MINUSES: The room was very basic: bed, TV without remote, toilet and bath without toilet paper and mirror, and shower without heater. I would've wanted a window toward the outside instead of an interior window toward the hallway. The hostel should begin diversifying its fare for foreign tourists. I mean, food was great if you're Filipino and accustomed to eating rice and fish in the morning, but if you're from another country and you prefer bread, marmalade, butter and cereals, you might have a problem. The interiors and exteriors could be very kitschy.

Surviving Caramoan (Part II)

My dormmate from Spain and I went to Caramoan in search of adventure. And boy did we get the adventure we're looking for!

The trip started with an early-morning Cebu Pacific plane ride from NAIA 3 to the Pili Airport (which Cebu Pacific markets as "Naga" for better name recall). Budget flights are fast becoming popular in the Philippines and Cebu Pacific -- it has to be said -- is getting a lion's share in the low-cost airlines business here.

The flight to Naga was uneventful, save for the door of the stewardess' pull chair that got unhinged upon take-off. From Naga, the van that we had previously contacted fetched us to Sabang Port. The 1.5-hour trip from the airport to Sabang costs about Php1200 one-way (US$ 26, US$1=Php 46), so the more people that go, the cheaper the shared fare gets. Alternatively, tourists could take a van to SM Naga and from there take another van to Sabang. Travel time lengthens considerably, though.

From Sabang, we took the local outrigger boat to the island of Caramoan. This part of the trip was definitely not for the faint-hearted since the two-hour boat ride traverses waters of the Pacific. The trip costs Php120. Be sure to pee before embarking on this part of the trip, lest you expose all your glory to the fishes of the ocean and the passengers of the boat.

(To be continued...)

Surviving Caramoan (Part I)

First of all, Happy 2010! W.A.M. has been on a rather longish hiatus since I've been here and there and was -- am -- busy with professional commitments. Having said that, let's welcome the New Year with pictures from the latest trip I did... to Caramoan, Philippines.

Caramoan is an island belonging to the province of Camarines Sur, located on the eastern tip of the island of Luzon, right next to the Pacific. It first caught international attention when the French version of the world-famous reality show "Survivor" has been filmed on the island. Since then, several other versions (Israel, Bulgaria and Serbia) have been shot in this paradise on earth.

My secondary-information research pretty much ends here. I'm not the most physical person on the planet (as you might already know) and the beach will be the last place I'll ever find myself in. So imagine my apprehension when I found myself booking plane to Naga on my way to take a wooden banca to the island of Caramoan.

(To be continued...)

HOSTEL REVIEW: Pensao Nova Sintra, Sintra, Portugal

OVERALL RATING: 5/5
DATE OF VISIT: November 6-8, 2009

PLUSES: It has to be said that this place is one of those few hotels and hostels that you book with a bit of uncertainty, but would turn out to be the best choice you've ever made for a long time. Words are not enough to cover how great Pensao Nova Sintra is: the entire place is so romantic and enchanting (it almost looks as if it has come out of a vintage postcard or an Audrey Hepburn movie!) that staying inside when you don't feel like going out, or sitting in one of the benches in its porch with a fabulous view of the mountains, is an experience in itself. Everyone in the staff, led by manager Rui Bernardo, has mastered the art of hospitality and will be more than glad to help you out even with your minutest concern (case in point: my phone charger got broken and Rui had another charger to spare). When you google it or look for it in the maps, the pensao's location may initially seem inconvenient for walking to tourist spots. But lo and behold, all of Sintra monuments are on top of the mountain and you wouldn't even want to walk to any! The public bus (was it 425?) that goes to all these monuments departs from the train station, a stone's throw away from this hostel. If you're up for some traditional Portuguese dishes, you may opt to dine in this hostel's restaurant that serves quality food in generous portions, or go a nearby churrasquería (a stand for roasting meat to go) and grab a few humongous slabs of beef or pork or chicken.

MINUSES: There is nothing to complain, but if I would really have to name one, it's probably the chore of doing the reservation. Since they didn't have any automatic reservation online, you have to e-mail or fax your credit card number to them.

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HOSTEL REVIEW: Smile Hostel, Lisbon, Portugal

OVERALL RATING: 4/5
DATE OF VISIT: November 4 to 5, 2009

PLUSES: The hostel is very home-y, a far-cry from the previous Lisboa hostel where I had stayed before. It's right next to the Sé, the city's cathedral, and very near the Castelo de San Jorge, Praca do Comercio and Praca do Rossio. You could also get Lisbon's mythical Tram 28, which goes around the main tourist spots of the historical center, at a stop near the hostel. The breakfast is nice and the fact that you could cook in the hostel's kitchen is an added bonus. Breakfast was okay.

MINUSES: The shared bathroom is small. In the men's room, for example, there two small shower rooms located right next to two toilets. The doors to the showers were also perpetually jammed. Ditto with the girls', I think. If ever you plan to take public transportation, locating the street, Travessa do Almada, will be tough because it's a minor road not located on any city map. The hostel has no sign whatsoever to indicate that you're there.

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Floating through Bangkok

One of the most importat tourist attractions of Bangkok, Thailand is its floating market. Located in Damnoen Saduak (about 109kms southwest of the city), any tourist interested to see a different kind of marketplace will be enthralled at the beauty and the quaintness of the place.



Tourists can arrange for special trips from Bangkok to the floating market (with a side trip in an elephant farm and zoo). Do sample the food Thai vendors sell in boats as you wade through the canals of the area. But be very careful about purchasing souvenir items as prices tend to skyrocket in this very touristy spot.

A budget traveler's guide to surviving SINGAPORE

Singapore is probably Southeast Asia’s cleanest and most disciplined country. Everything is timed and measured, and the feeling of security you get when you walk through even its unknown alleyways is different from when you venture out on your own in any other place this part of the planet.

Since it’s a small country (Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is bigger) with an obvious bias toward anything Western, it’s very easy to find your way with just a metro ticket and a tattered map. So you wanna visit Singapore? Get those backpacks ready as we say a big “Hello le!” to this wonderful city-state.

1. Pay attention. Do you remember the saying, “When in Rome, do what the Romans do”? It never gets any true-r than that when you’re in Singapore. If ever you’ve read that bit on a tourist being jailed for chewing gum or vandalizing, then you better pay attention and follow the rules. After all, it never hurts to wait for the pedestrian light to give the go signal, especially when you do your shopping along the famous Orchard Road, or to throw your trash in the proper containers.

2. Hear. Singaporeans speak Singlish, their own kind of English. The accent is a cross between Chinese, Malay and English, so people not accustomed to hearing other varieties of the language must be more patient in trying to understand what the locals are trying to say. To their credit, Singaporeans are very hospitable and would be more than willing to repeat what they have said if only to make you understand.

3. Get lost. In a country so orderly, getting lost seems to be a difficult task… which makes getting lost even more interesting! Try exploring places with minimal help from your city map: the small streets in Little India with its vast array of restaurants that serve curry and shops that sell spices, the quaint alleyways in Chinatown lined with souvenir shops, Chinese items and watering holes, and the bazaars in the Arab Quarters with their exotic perfumes, handicrafts and fabrics. Enter the numerous Buddhist and Hindu temples, and Moslem mosques that pepper the city. It’s an experience you will never forget.

4. Chomp. Since many cultures converge in this country, the place boasts of a wide array of cuisine to suit your palate. For adventure lovers, a plate of curry might make your day. You can also go for the honeyed chicken biryani that is served in the Arab Quarters, or some noodles and seafood in Chinatown. You can also go to Clark Quay where international restaurants abound, or simply opt for a McDonald’s or Burger King in one of the city’s many shopping malls.

5. Cruise. Singapore used to be a fishing village before Ruffles arrived in the country, so it’s no wonder that a river cuts across its central business district. Go for a 30-minute cruise for S$15 (if I remember it correctly). The best time to do so is at night when the skyscrapers are all lit up. The boat would even take you to the Merlion, Singapore’s most recognizable symbol, with a lavish hotel as its background, and the Esplanade, Singapore’s answer to the Sydney Opera.

Marlon’s Singapore Route (1-2): It’s a small city which can be explored easily, even without an itinerary. If you want to go to Sentosa, the country’s famed leisure resort, it’s best to reserve one whole day for that. During the summer months, the period from 1 to 4 PM is very hot, so you might want to squeeze in your visit to the shopping malls around that time to avoid the heat.

Marlon’s Budget Tip: Ask your hotel or hostel if they have any SG card to spare. It’s the transportation card you acquire at S$7 that allows you to travel throughout the island. The money serves as your deposit and will be returned to you once you surrender the card. To avoid the hassle of returning it to the metro office, some hostels have cards ready for their guests, which the guests would have to load themselves and return to the hostels when they check out.

HOTEL REVIEW: Baiyoke Boutique, Bangkok, Thailand

OVERALL RATING: 5/5
DATE OF VISIT: April 30 to May 2, 2009

PROS: For people who think of Bangkok as a shopping Mecca, this hotel is perhaps one of the best choices. It's right in the heart of a shopping district of the city, with daily night markets that sell from souvenirs to clothes, from faux bags and watches to electronics. The buffet breakfast is superb, since you get a hearty selection of Thai, Asian and Western cuisine. The hotel staff is very nice and responsive and the rooms, well-kept. The complimentary water on each day of your stay adds a nice touch of warmth.

MINUSES: Don't ask for a room with a view because the hotel is right at the back of its bigger sister, the Baiyoke Sky, Bangkok's tallest building. And if you like Classic Bangkok (temples, palaces, the River), you might be disappointed because this hotel is far from those places and the mythical Bangkok rush-hour traffic always gets in the way.

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Hot, hot, hot

Summer has come to the Philippines, you guys! How's everyone doing?

I've seen in the news that this summer will be particularly long and hot, so it's important that you keep safe. Drink lotsa water (the pure, unadulterated variety and not some bottled juice) and as all Pinoys would know, take frequent showers. I find twice a day refreshing.

Dermatologists also advise putting on sunblock; I started doing so just recently and I find it very useful. I also would advise against putting hairgel so often because it adds to the heat.

Have a happy summer!

A budget traveler's guide to surviving KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

With the low-cost airline Air Asia making a lot of impact in the Southeast Asian travel scene, cities that are generally considered exotic are now within reach at an affordable price. Of course, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city and main hub of Air Asia, has got a lion’s share of visitors from all over the world and is proving to be an exciting destination for people in search of Asian cultures in one compact site.

Whether as a stopover on your way to continental Southeast Asia or a visit done because of low fare rates, Kuala Lumpur (or KL among people in the know) may just be that very elusive hideaway that you are looking for. So wanna visit KL, Malaysia? Take out those passports and say a big “Halo! Apa khabar?”

1. Ride. Whether you’re in a low-cost flight or in a normal transnational airline, you would have to go to the KL International Airport that is about an hour and a half from the city center. Transport is incredibly easy since you could take a cab (about RM 80) or a bus (RM 9) that takes you to KL Central Station, depending on your budget. Whatever you choose to ride, it would be a wise move to have a lot of leeway in both time and money especially if you’re backpacking. Buses start their operations from the KL Central Station at 3:15 AM while the Metro starts at 6 AM.

2. Fall in line. KL’s main attraction for most tourists is the Petronas Twin Towers, which could be visited for free. About a thousand tickets are distributed daily for visits that start at 9 AM with a 15-minute interval for each visit. Do be there early (around 7:15 AM) if you don’t want to spend half a day in the queue. You may also want to visit Menara KL near the Petronas, but you have to pay for this one. The view is more spectacular here but if you only want to be in some tall building in KL and stare at the city, Petronas is more than enough.

3. Savor. What’s KL without its yummy delights? If you’re big on spices and flavors, KL may just be the right place to splurge. There are many self-serve canteens in the city where you could have your binge (and I mean, scoop to your heart’s content) and then the waiter gives you the bill; alternatively, you could just sit and have someone take your order if you totally cannot relate with the procedure. Do try the curries (ask for the least spicy if you can’t stand the heat), and seafood. And please do yourself a favor and drink Malaysian coffee (plain or with milk, hot or cold), the best coffee there is.

4. Shop. Malaysia seems to be placing a lot of emphasis on shopping. Now most people prefer to go to Jalan Petaling in Chinatown to shop for souvenirs, imitation bags, sneakers, belts and electronics, or even to the Saturday night market in Little India. I personally recommend, however, going to the Central Market instead. The items may be a bit pricier but you get to shop in an airconditioned place, something which would prove to be valuable on KL’s intensely hot days.

5. Revere. Malaysia breaks the stereotype most people have on Moslem nations for its being very tolerant toward a lot of faiths. Go to the Masjid Negara (National Mosque) to see how Moslems do it, then to any Buddhist temple especially on a Saturday to see people offering incenses and food. In the outskirts of KL you could visit the Batu Caves, a stronghold of the Hindu religion in the city. There’s a bus that goes there for RM 2 (which could take a lifetime). What I did was to take the Kelana Jaya Line of the Metro to Terminal Putra (about RM 2) and then a cab to the Batu Caves (RM 10). After climbing its 270 steps and ogling at the monkey-filled shrines, I took the bus toward the city center.

Marlon’s Kuala Lumpur Route (1-2 days): Start with Petronas. Then walk toward Menara KL either for a pic or a climb. Then off to the Batu Caves. The period from 1PM to 5PM is hot so either do your shopping in Central Market or the KL Shopping Mall, or eat and relax in Jalan Petaling. Try visiting the National Mosque and taking a pic in the nearby Old Train Station. And then go back around 8PM to the Petronas area to see the Twin Towers all magnificently lit up.

Marlon’s Budget Tip: It’s tempting to think that KL doesn’t have to be a budget destination because it’s budget in itself. But please don’t get too excited with the shiny and sparkly things you see in the bazaars or the insanely low prices for watches and the like. Look for quality and for something which you *really* need.

Eat, shop and see in ZARAGOZA, SPAIN

You might be in Zaragoza on a package tour to visit the Virgin of the Pillar and some R&R, but that doesn't mean that you have to suffer following your tour guide all day, right?

• Eat. Buffet restaurants are hard to find in Spain, which is why I was so happy to find out that there is one in Zaragoza and it's near the Basilica del Pillar. Called the Restaurante Las Palomas, it boasts of a delectable array of veggies, meats, seafood, fish rice, pasta and desserts. It was priced at 12 euros some two years ago, so I'm guessing that they've raised their prices a bit. Budget tip: buy your drinks elsewhere and bring 'em to the restaurant.
• Shop. Most souvenir shops in Zaragoza are near the Church and the majority of what they sell are religious items, although the staples of Spanish tourism like the mantón, fans, castanets, etc., are also sold here but can be very expensive. A very cheap and emblematic alternaive that could be bought in bulk and easily transported back home is a ribbon the size of the actual image of the Virgin of the Pillar. It's obtained in the sacristy of the Church (at the right-hand side if you're facing the image of the Pillar) and you get it with a one-euro donation per ribbon.
• See. Don't enter all the Roman archaeological sites in Zaragoza (you could see some even without entering... the Roman Theatre, for example). Just go to the one right at the Plaza del Pilar (entrance near the Seo) since it's the most developed and equipped for tourists, plus you save precious time. And oh, do see the World War II bomb meant to destroy the Basilica of the Virgin but didn't inside her Basilica.

HOSTEL REVIEW: Matahari Lodge, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

OVERALL RATING: 4/5
DATE OF VISIT: February 5 to 6, and then 11, 2009

PLUSES: The location is excellent: it's in front of the Metro, near the main bus station and a stone's throw away from the Central Market and Chinatown. There's a 7-11 right downstairs. Lee is very friendly, helpful and accommodating, and speaks very good English. Zack is also nice, although that other guy, Mann, is not especially friendly to Asians; and I was with my Malaysian friend who spoke to him in Malay as he responded haughtily in English. The schmuck suddenly changes with Westerners. Water is no problem and the beds are comfortable. Everything is squeaky clean.

MINUSES: It's claustrophobia galore with windowless rooms whose only opening is an exhaust fan. The walls are thin, so hope your neighbors are not fond of talking or throwing stuffs around at night. I would've wanted a fluffier pillow, as well. Oh, and have I told you about that guy Mann?

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Eat, shop and see in FLORENCE, ITALY

Let's cut the crap, shall we? While most travel guides provide their readers the standard, sponsorship-driven tips, W.A.M. inaugurates its newest section, Eat, shop and see, to help readers find their way in the city of their choice. And what better way is there to kick off this section than to start in Florence, Italy.

• Eat. Other than the usual finds of gelato and bistecca fiorentina, three things in Florence are worth sampling. For cheap but filling pasta and gnocchi, I strongly recommend La Cantinella on Via Borgo San Lorenzo (Tel nº: 055-213-525). Do go downstairs in the tavern to have an extraordinary Florentine gastronomic experience. Then if you're on Via Isole delle Stinche go to the salumería in front of the gelateria Vívoli and sample the shop's herbed cheese in olive oil. Simply divine! And of course, go to the revered lampredotto store in the Mercato Nuovo.
• Shop. If you're looking for something to bring home, try the Enoteca Lombardi inside the Mercato Centrale. Their sun-dried tomatoes are yummy and hold well during long trips. The lady who speaks impeccable English is very accommodating and suggests products you could take home.
• See. In the area of the Ponte Vecchio in an obscure corner near the opening of the bridge is a metal stand teeming with padlocks. Tourists from the world over are just dying to come back. Who wouldn't?

HOSTEL REVIEW: Superb Hub @ Bugis City, Singapore

OVERALL RATING: 5/5
DATE OF VISIT: February 8 to 9, 2009

PLUSES: The sharp difference in terms of prices of everything in Singapore can be noted when you're crossing over from Malaysia or Indonesia (and I'm thinking in Philippine pesos here). That said, you get your money's worth in this hostel. The hosts (mother-and-son tandem Sim and Ronnie) are so courteous and helpful. There's air conditioning *and* electric fan in the rooms to help combat the sweltering Singaporean heat; water in the toilets and shower room is abundant 24/7. The minute details of giving you bottled water upon your arrival and lending you the ez-link card (the transportation card in Singapore which otherwise you would have to buy for SG$7) are an added bonus. The location is fantastic. It's in the Arab area of the city filled with bazaars, thrift shops, Middle Eastern restaurants and a 7-11. The Raffles Hospital and the nearest MRT station are about a minute away walking. Strongly recommended, especially if you're backpacking.

MINUSES: There's no elevator here, a problem Ronnie resolves by helping guests with their luggages. Since land is a precious commodity in Singapore, each room (I stayed in Room N) is maximized by integrating the bed with the cabinet and the table. You have to climb up to reach your bed and go down to get things from the table. The setup is sturdy although you could sometimes feel the floors shaking because of people trying to get down their bedposts.

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HOSTEL REVIEW: Akinabalu Youth Hostel, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

OVERALL RATING: 4/5

DATE OF VISIT: July 4 to 6, 2008

PLUSES: The place is located in the central part of the island and is near the Sunday flea market. The back of the hostel is filled with typical Malaysian delis so you wouldn't have to worry about getting hungry. Westerners will likely fall in love with the interior design as it is very Asian (you have to remove your shoes when you enter the premises). The common room is spacious with a big TV with cable connection. Bedrooms are simple but well-maintained. Ditto with the bathroom.

MINUSES: Well, it's free breakfast alright, but for my Filipino tummy, instant noodles or jam and bread just doesn't work. English-speaking tourists might want to be more patient if at first they fail to understand what the receptionist is saying. No elevators.

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HOTEL REVIEW: Shi Ji Huang Shan Hotel, Beijing, China

OVERALL RATING: 3/5

DATE OF VISIT: February 21 to 23, 2008

PLUSES: Though a 3-star hotel, it is a very affordable place to stay in the heart of Beijing. It's located in a minor road, which means that you could get a quiet night after a day of sightseeing. My major horror before going to China was having a dirty room, so it was a happy discovery that Shi Ji Huang Shan is VERY NICELY kept. Big bathrooms for big people.

MINUSES: Well, as in any place in China, it's the communication problem that gets you. I was expecting people in the hotel to at least be able to get what I'm saying in English. But no... it's totally a lesson of doing sign language and charming you way to get what you needed. The breakfast was buffet, which was good, but it's über-Chinese so people who're not used to eating greasy noodles and rice in the morning should be warned.

Contact details to follow