A Seaside Paradise owned by Filipino-American Retirees(David Balleza Katague & Macrine Nieva Jambalos)Boac,Marinduque, Philippines
WELCOME TO CHATEAU DU MER BEACH RESORT
If this is your first time in my site, welcome! Chateau Du Mer is a beach house and a Conference Hall. The beach house could now accommodate 10 guests, six in the main floor and four in the first floor( air conditioned room). In addition, you can now reserve your vacation dates ahead and pay the rental fees via PayPal. I hope to see you soon in Marinduque- Home of the Morions and Heart of the Philippines. The photo above was taken during our first Garden Wedding ceremony at The Chateau Du Mer Gardens. I have also posted my favorite Filipino and American dishes and recipes in this site. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own, but I have no intention on the infringement of your copyrights!
Marinduque Mainland from Tres Reyes Islands
View of Marinduque Mainland from Tres Reyes Islands-Click on photo to link to Marinduque Awaits You
Our THD New Director of Resident Services, Jimmy V Clark first day is today, Monday, March 23. I did some googled search and here's what learned from his Link-In Page
As the Resident Services Manager & Home Care Administrator at Touchmark, I lead dynamic teams dedicated to enriching the lives of our residents through exceptional service and care.
My role involves guiding residents and their families through Touchmark’s continuum of care, providing support and solutions that align with their individual needs. I am passionate about creating a welcoming environment where residents feel valued and supported, and I work closely with my team to foster a culture of ETHIC - excellence, teamwork, hospitality, integrity and compassion.
With a strong background in leadership and a deep understanding of the senior living industry, I strive to contribute to Touchmark’s mission of enriching people’s lives, while also driving the professional growth of my team and enhancing the communities in which we live.
Looking at Jimmy's previous experience, I have a feeling that good things will be in our future here at THD. Again, my personal welcome, here at THD. May your employment be a happy and a long one.
Again, with the hiring of Nisha and Jimmy and perhaps a new Activities Manager, THD will continue providing the best possible quality of life to all its 158 THD residents. I hope that THD mission to help its senior residents stay healthy, active, and engaged in the community through meaningful activities and programs that promote physical fitness and mental well -being will continue and flourish with this new THD management team.
I also hope that my daily blogs will continue promote a sense of community belonging, inform and educate residents in my Distribution List. I would also hope that the new THD management continue support my blogging activities via positive comments, both written and verbal.
Personal Note: I was introduce to Jimmy this morning by Nisha. Meeting him in person gives me hope that a better Residents communications/relationships will be in the Future to all of us. I told Jimmy I gave him 6-months to memorize all the names of the 158 residents. I also told him I write a daily blog and he will be featured today. He appeared to be ready for the challenge. Again, I have plans to talk to you and with Nisha, my hopes for the enhancement of our quality of life here at THD.
Benicia is known for its dozens of 1850s-era buildings and museums, mothballed ships, and for housing California’s state Capitol for 13 months in the mid-1850s.
The Solano County city of fewer than 30,000 residents is also an easy day trip for visitors from Sacramento and the Bay Area, with a 10-block stroll along Benicia’s First Street providing a unique opportunity to visit 300 eclectic businesses amidst 19th-century Victorian buildings, all while basking in bay views a couple of blocks away.
An eclectic mix of businesses line First Street in downtown Benicia, with a variety of eateries, antiques and vintage stores for the intrepid shopper.
Visitors can check out Benicia’s community garden, Avant Garden, in the middle of all of the other First Street businesses.
“There’s pretty much something for every visitor along First Street,” says Randy Young, CEO of the Benicia Chamber of Commerce, who also pointed out that one of the first businesses a visitor encounters at the north end of First Street is the locally owned One House Bakery, run by co-owner and head baker Hannalee Pervan. “People come from all over California to go see her.”
A walking tour of downtown, according to the brochure map provided by the Benicia Historical Society, lists 13 buildings, from the oldest- St. Paul’s Rectory at 122 East J St. (1790) - to the more recent Southern Pacific Train Depot (1900) and Royal Bakery (1909). The brochure notes that on the walk, “you will be swept back to an engaging time, when day-to-day life was a struggle but the reward was to watch a city and state being born.”
The Filling Station Goods & Gifts is one of the businesses located along First Street.
Looking out at First Street from inside the 200-square-foot Cartel Crystals shop in downtown Benicia.
“Anybody coming to Benicia always has a good time here,” says Jack, owner of The Golden Horse Shoe, an antiques store in the old City Hotel building on First Street since 1962, who only wanted his first name used.
Benicia’s downtown features a diverse array of pubs and restaurants, from the waterfront eateries Bella Siena Restaurant & Bar and Sailor Jack’s to the more casual Char’s Hot Dogs and Nine Zero Seven Mexican restaurant, as well as other businesses such as spas, thrift stores, ice cream shops and a public garden, all close to the popular marina. Visitors can also visit a wide range of antique stores and specialty shops like the 200-square-foot Cartel Crystals or the larger Pocket Monkey Vintage.
Starting as a Bay Area pop-up business before moving into a small store on First Street prior to its current 1,300-square-foot site, Pocket Monkey Vintage found a home in one of the two smaller boutique malls off First Street, says owner Jay Brome. The colorful store has a little bit of everything collectible, specializing in men’s, women’s and unisex vintage clothing, as well as hard-to-find items like an impressive assortment of authentic tour band jackets from performers including Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash.
Jay Brome, who operates Pocket Monkey Vintage, displays one of the jackets for sale in the store, located in a boutique mall off First Street.
The Washington House, built in 1850, is one example of a local business in Benicia, Aung MayLika Burmese Restaurant, sharing space with an historic building.
“What makes us unique is that it’s all vintage,” Brome says, adding that he cleans everything in the store and provides a changing room. “Vintage is just better because it’s not ending up in landfills. Stuff is made better, and it lasts longer, and it’s nice to go somewhere and not have 20 people wearing your same outfit.”
Benicia was one of the first 40 cities to participate in the California Main Street Program, which sponsors numerous community retail promotional events geared at bringing visitors downtown. Last June, legendary Golden State Warriors’ basketball player Stephen Curry teamed up with SIPS Bottle Emporium on First Street for the first signing promotion of his new bourbon brand, Gentleman’s Cut, telling KTVU-TV he chose Benicia because the community has “authentic energy.”
Those walking down First Street who turn onto Peggy Martin Lane will encounter this view of the Carquinez Strait and Southhampton Bay.
The old City Hotel, built in 1879, has housed The Golden Horseshoe antique shop since 1962.
“We had thousands and thousands of people lined up to get in the store and get an autograph or a picture of him,” Young says. “We set up a basketball court outside, and he came out and shot with a bunch of the kids. He did this 40-foot hook shot, and it went in and was on ESPN. That was a big thing for the town.”
For those looking to explore Benicia further, Young points out that the city also features a 550-business industrial park off Interstate 680 in addition to the downtown district. One of the businesses there since 1965 is Dunlop Manufacturing, which Young says produces about 90 percent of the guitar picks made in the U.S.
“You can basically name a pick, you name a band Metallica, Aerosmith, Dave Matthews and they’ve probably used the Dunlop pick that was produced in Benicia right here.”
I treated Ditas( my youngest daughter)💚 on her 61st Birthday last night (Sunday) to a Burmese Restaurant in Benicia, Aung Maylika. In our party were: Dinah, my oldest daughter, Dodie ( my oldest son) and his wife, Ruth Carver. This was my first time to enjoy Burmese food. My impression is : It is delicious and flavorful and it reminds me of some Filipino dishes that I love. We ordered the tea leaf salad, samosa soup, eggplant/shrimp dish, mango lemon shrimp, pork and vegetable in oyster and both white and brown rice.
The samosa soup has both tamarind and curry. So it taste like the Filipino sinigang and the Indian curry soup. Burmese Food like all Asians Cuisines has to be Shared.
I took some pictures during and after our dinner as follows:
My Two Daughters- Dinah and Ditas
Dodie and Ruth
Waiting To Be Seated
After Dinner we went back to Dodie's House, Play Chinese Mahjong and open Ditas gifts. Ditas won our mahjong game with her 7-pair hands below.
Playing Chinese Mahjong-13 Tiles, Point System ( Minimum 8 pts to win) and No Jokers
Ditas 7-pairs Mahjong Winning Hand-24 points
Ditas Birthday Card- Destined to Fly
Meanwhile, here's the AI overview of the Restaurant:
is a family-owned Burmese restaurant located in Benicia, California, known for its authentic home-style cooking and fusion dishes. While it previously operated a second location in Concord, that branch closed in April 2024.
Location & Contact
Downtown Benicia (1st Street): 333 1st St, Benicia, CA 94510
Phone: (707) 361-5152
Hours: Monday–Thursday & Sunday (11 AM – 8 PM); Friday–Saturday (11 AM – 9 PM)
Popular Dishes & Menu Highlights
The restaurant specializes in fresh, from-scratch Burmese favorites.
Tea Leaf Salad: A signature dish frequently praised by reviewers for its unique flavors.
Burmese Chicken Wings: Deep-fried and seasoned with paprika, onions, and bell peppers ($11.00).
Coconut Chicken Noodle Soup: A rich and comforting traditional soup.
Other Favorites: Pumpkin Salmon, Eggplant Garlic, and various Palatha (flaky fried bread) options.
Dietary Options: Offers extensive vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-freeoptions.
Dining Experience
Atmosphere: Casual, cozy, and contemporary with a "hidden spot" feel.
Amenities: Features a gorgeous back patio for outdoor seating.
Service: Known for fast, friendly service; the staff often explains Burmese cuisine to first-timers.
Booking:Reservations are accepted via Yelp but are generally not required as there is rarely a long wait.
Ordering Options
For those not dining in, you can order for pickup or delivery through platforms like DoorDash or directly via the Aung MayLiKa website.
Personal Note; I am now 50% in my goal to taste all Southeast Asian Food. In my list for future tastings and outings are Indonesian, Cambodian and Malaysian cuisines.
