Summer Break 2010

I'm still on vacation mode after 10 days in Thailand. A and I enjoyed playing cards, dice and charade games with the kids. Days were either spent lazing by the pool or motorbiking around the island. Unfortunately the beach was sand flies territory so no sandcastles this time. There was a 1-hour thunderstorm when we arrived and we got the chance to walk in the (quite) middle part of the ocean which the general manager said doesn't happen often there. The staff was super friendly, food was delicious, rooms had great ambiance and the spa *sigh*...every reason to stay.

Going back to the insy-winsy island was not a welcomed thought for all of us but we had to. Motivation being our dogs Jake and Jessie.

Breaks without breaking

Two weeks more and we'll be off to Krabi. I, A and most of all, the kids cannot wait! Not that they're not having fun while waiting but a beach break has always been something special.

The long, deep sleeps only vacations can perfectly offer. Breakfast buffets, board and card games by the pool, frozen fruits on a stick offered genuinely with a smile, numerous massage hours, snorkeling, sand castles, beach beach beach....

Best of all? After the flights and accommodations were paid...we still have enough to cover the rest without touching a cent more. Woohoo!

I keep coming back to Manila

Five days in Manila seemed short but my siblings and I made the most out of it, as always. Well planned places to go to and last minute changes all made the vacation typical of "US". In the midst of that full schedule, I was able to meet with good friends and have sinful hours of sweets at Cafe Breton.

I was shopping for Tees and pants and even kiddie schoolbags-cum-luggages like crazy because the price was so low and my suitcase was empty because I arrived with it full of "pasalubongs and padalas" an excuse to fill it up.

We went to Tagaytay Highlands and stayed there for 3 days. Swimming, eating, chit-chatting and simply catching-up with each others lives. My sister who is pregnant with twins, being the youngest of the Francisco girls, got all the tips and advices about this and thats. I got the chance to give some sermon-therapy sessions to my 4th sister who really needs to do some mild but serious exercising.

Til the next trip! Woohoo!

Another Thai Break

After some thinking and calculating, we have decided to go on a summer holiday working with a budget but without sacrificing the quality. I've always believed that it doesn't have to break the bank to be good. So, I scoured the net and A did some queries as well. After a week or two, we had a good list of choices and we checked them all out.

Some places were really nice but the price was too much. I guess if it's just the 2 of us, we'd go for the usual 3 days/2 nights offer but a family break is usually more than a week with the kids having their own room, so that would require deeper digging. Then we have to consider eating out and some recreation activities...these little things are the unknown budget danger so that has to be addressed right from the beginning. This time I'm not bending the bank---Not when the more important trip is 6 months from now.

We decided to inquire at Anantara and after a few email exchanges, they offered us a very nice package which we immediately grabbed before the wind changes their minds. So Krabi it is.

My Happy Birthday

After years and years of birthday parties and the usual gatherings, this year's 38th was celebrated differently. We had a beautiful weekend in Hong Kong and Macau where we met with my sister Jurist and my BIL Art for a just adults getaway-cum-birthday blowout.

Upon arriving HK around noon, we headed to Causeway Bay and decided to have a bite at California Pizza Kitchen in the frustration that we didn't know a better place and we were starved. My fear of flying activates my tummy acids which efficiently digests airplane food. So...

I was content with the birthday trip gift and wasn't expecting for more but I found A's offer to pay patronage to the Esprit, Mango and Zara shops hard to decline so I happily obliged for the "necessities".

I rarely buy branded stuff that aren't having the red tag on it coz fashion changes too fast nowadays---but that day, I told myself I should indulge. I challenged myself by NOT looking at the prices, however, my frugal and practical side over-powered me and I found myself in their SALE sections. Whew!

For dinner, I was craving for steak so my sister booked a place HERE and it was so worth it! The next day, we were off to Macau with the hopes that birthday luck would surround me in the casinos ;-) Before all the gambling and touring, we tried out the Portuguese restaurant Art's Dad recommended and we were wise to have done so. Food was excellent!

Tummies and wallets still full, we headed to Sands Casino. Soon as we entered, the feel of Vegas was immediately obvious given the gigantic chandelier in the middle of the place and the exagerrated blinking lights and gold tinted railings. We warmed-up there for an hour before heading to The Venetian Macau-Resort Hotel. I was transported to Europe in a blink of an eye. Seeing Plaza San Marco and it's skies was a sight! They had gondolas with singing gondoliers (just like in real Venice!)

We didn't really have lady luck with us but I brought in some cash back so playing wasn't all in vain :-) Dinner was at a Filipino owned Italian restaurant back in HK and before midnight struck, we had a nice drink at the MO bar at The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental. A good close to a day but a nice beginning to another year.

These are all nice things to thank for but most of all, I'm thankful for the immaterial blessings...Thank YOU.

Weekenders

The weekends of summer vacation before the planned trips aren't the most quiet. Being at home the whole day during the week makes the kids hyperactive. No matter what activities I've planned and set for them, they're still looking forward the weekend when Mom and Dad are at their lowest energy level...when usually we'd just say, YES! just to have some peace haha

So I've planned some extra weekend getaways before the Philippine trip. Yesterday we visited NANAS a paradise for animal (dog) lovers like me and my daughter. Its goal is similar to the regular dog shelters but the big difference is, the dogs aren't caged at all. They run freely in the 10 hectare land and have the dignity to enjoy life until their last day. I admire Raymond Wee and Lynda Goh for their dedication and so my daughter and I have pledged to share a bit by giving a monthly donation and perhaps, whenever possible, a visit to help in giving some cuddles and care.

Next weekend, my sister, me and the 2 small ones are going HERE. I was trying to get Alyanna a riding course over her summer break but the price tag and the scheduled trips ahead weren't really working out. Thank goodness I earn a little pocket money ;-)

We are going on a Summer Holiday

It's the children's summer vacation soon and the annual trips are planned.

First stop will be Manila of course. My youngest sister is tying the knot and I have to be there to make sure it's tight (baka mali ang buhol haha) It will be a short visit as I have to get back to work before taking off for 2 weeks.

Being more environmental as our kids grow bigger, we decided to go to Chiang Mai, Thailand and visit the Elephant Nature Park there. We'll spend a night in a hut and the comfort of our mosquito nets. I haven't told my kids yet or they won't stop asking me when when when are we leaving. I'd rather they don't look forward too much ahead so they don't forget to enjoy and appreciate "today."

Our connecting flights were pretty tricky to arrange but when there's a will there's a way, ey? Singapore-Bangkok-ChiangMai-Kuala Lumpur-Langkawi-Singapore. Thanks to the budget airlines and we didn't have to pay a fortune! After the 4 days in Thailand, we'll be flying to Langkawi and staying 10 days there. I found a 4-star resort with not so painful rates and gives me the peace of mind that my kids can still continue schooling after vacationing and also satisfying the hubs' standard (I think) ;-p

Am so much looking forward to getting away from city life. It really gets boring with just shoppers and malls around.

Life outside the bubble please?

Thailand hangover

Click on the Mosaic!

Am so looking forward to the weekend. After our Thailand trip last week and our daily never-ending adventures there; all of a sudden I just wanted to STAY home. Another sign of aging I guess haha Add to that the visit from the flu virus for some days and voila, home is the best place to be.

I've been a SAHM (stay at home mom) when the kids were little, not that they're big already and I enjoyed it. Heck I even told myself and others that I would not work and stay the same MomMe that I was in Germany. But, things don't always work the way we want it to and in my case, work, besides family and friends became a sanity saviour when times were rough. Hmm, what's the connection of this part to...

Aaanyway, Thailand was great. The kids being big now are able to enjoy certain adventures with us. Alyanna rode and drove the ATV (with just some slight assistance from a guide), Keanu was able to ride elephants without me panicking that he'd tumble, and Rex had his first motorbike youthful accident--some scratches to chat with friends about. We all went to Patong too, you know, Thailand's red light area. It's not as brutal as I thought. When I saw Alyanna with a questioning look, realistic, compassionate and eye-opening explanations were quickly given. I don't want the kids to think that life IS perfect. (I know what too much shielding does to an individual and my kids have to be stronger)

The food was great! We had the authentic Thai buffet dinner on our first night and it left us with tummies only our mothers could love. I loved the food so much that I'm actually looking around for Thai cooking classes. Yum!

Meet Anna by the way, the resort's gentle, gentle giant.

to sandy area we go

The kids' spring break has arrived and with this economic downturn, having vacations require more than second and third thoughts. Devising a good break from reality requires moolah of which I don't enjoy abusing but at the same time, living to just work isn't right either.  Am sure there's something in between...

Alone? I can do with a budget getaway. But if the family has a certain criteria then I'd have to do better than the simple ones I have in mind without bleeding the pocket. Luckily, Asia offers alot of options and budget airlines are also there to lighten the weight a bit.

So, after gathering tips, repeated calculations and considerations, we decided to go here. The travel agency gave me a good deal for 5 people for almost a week's stay so I hope I did well like last summer.  

The rates would have been better if all of us would be in one room but peace has a price. I want to spend time with them and their enjoyment counts the most but I would also like to take advantage of  my self-proclaimed me time. 

Bacolod: Feb 13-16, 2009

Though I have gone home for surprise visits to Manila many times, I still find ways to make it a surprising one.

One of my brothers-in-law have family in Bacolod and getting out of the city with good food and just simple living--this is a place to breathe out stress. It was over the holidays that they planned to make a weekend getaway out of Manila and I, on the other hand, was hoping to get a break (any break) after the action of searching and moving homes so this was the perfect timing. With one of my BIL as an accomplice, it wonderfully happened as planned.

There were doubts that I might be there given that I've popped-up several times for special occasions or family outings but when it was time for them to board and no ME on sight, doubts slowly disappeared. 

It was when they arrived the place and were just checking-in when I and A suddenly entered the reception area.....a second of silence then screams, hugs and laughter followed. See, Friday the 13th's aren't bad after all.

It was a weekend of eating. Good food and company is something I never disciplined myself against from. My family (clan) appreciates food so A had to keep up. He didn't seem to have a problem with it though coz every restaurant we went to had delectable dishes. 

The weather wasn't permitting us to do our sugarmill tours but when you're with my family, boredom is the least of your problem. Some will laze around and enjoy the relaxing effect of the rain, some will go to the malls...there's surely something going on. Not to forget that we had our niece, Lara, to keep us on our feet. 

Going to the casino to play on the pula/puti (red/white) table and betting just FIFTY pesos was making me nervous while my dear brother was embarassed for my stinginess haha    But I won P300 after a couple of rounds so that was fun. A wondered why everyone bet only on the RED but as Filipinos would do it, Valentine's Day had an influence. 

Pirates of the Andaman

Besides lazing under the sun, reading a book, swimming and all those usual to do's in the beach, Treasure Hunting is definitely a MUST. When A and A took the role of treasure keepers, they made sure that we get to do a real hunt.

I was designated navigator to Captain Keanu but turned out that I was better off as Mommy---having no sense of direction, I didn't really make it easier for the little pirate. They say "Women can't read maps?"---yeah, I'm learning.

But, despite the lack of navigational skills, we succeeded. The treasure was found. 

It was an enjoyable activity for everyone and perhaps next time, I should do the keeping :-)

Where do I begin?....

dadadadadadadadadadadada......so many daily episodes have happened and now I'm left with the dilemma of where to begin where I ended. Ergo, I have obliged myself not to succumb to the excuse of having no time to do so. For one, I do owe (a big) part of my sanity to the emotional release whenever essential.

Thailand proved to be a peacemaker. Not only for the war that is not seen by strangers but for the soul. An eye-opener of where to go from the place that used to be nowhere and no longer afraid whether it will or will not be. Was ready without knowing it because of the fear of the unfamiliar. Truth is, I can exist as is. It's the thought that made me think I can't.

Nuf said for now.

Here are some scenes of more stories to come...suites facing the beach, sunset view from the pool villa area, lighthouse in the eastern part of the island, sunset shot from our place, who else ;-) and the lounging chairs we owe our fabulous tans from.

Three months LATEr...the BORA trip!

How overwhelming can daily life sometimes be that one forgets to share a beautiful break? Ah, am guilty of such. Nevertheless, as it has always been said, better late than never...

The white, powdery sands in the beaches of Boracay in the Philippines are still a beach lover's paradise. Despite the touristic times, (READ: Holy Week) that we've been there, a little bit of walk or a ten minute trike ride is all you need to get away from it all---Except of course from my 15 member clan of whom each did not fail to entertain.

***I miss the barbecue hotdogs and longganisabuns for midnight snacks by the beach as the karaoke guy (who really couldn't sing) gave his all!

So what comes in mind when you hear Boracay?