Dreaming of My Happy Place

Seriously, I. WANT. TO. GO. TO. THE. BEACH!!!

Yes, I am having a major hang-over from my trip to Palawan last week .  And despite the scorching heat, I cannot help but long to be in and dream about my happy place .

*Sigh*

I just love the soothing sound of waves crashing against the shore.

Or how mesmerizing it is to watch the water as it creeps up the sand.

Ofcourse I wouldn’t mind sipping a cocktail and losing myself in my thoughts as I watch the clouds and sky stretch endlessly for miles either…

*Sigh* I love the beach.

 

Just in case you’re wondering, these photos were taken by me at the Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa in Sabang, Palawan.  Home to the Underground River, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World.

Konnichiwa, Japan!

I’ve been to Japan numerous times, but unfortunately, I’ve never made it past the airport.  Hahaha!

Luckily, we were treated recently by my very generous in-laws, to a 6-day trip to Tokyo (technically, we were there for 4 days, the other 2 days were for travel to and from Manila).

Here are highlights of the things we did, the places we went to, and the sights we saw.  The best part, ofcourse, was the viewing of the cherry blossoms, which was why we were even in Japan in the first place, during this wintry time of the year.

DAY 1

Sanrio Puroland and Ueno Park

DAY 2

Mt. Fuji, Strawberry Picking, Hakone River Cruise, Shibuya

DAY 3

Sensoji Temple, Meiji-Jingu Shrine, Omotesando

DAY 4

Harajuku, Ginza

This was truly a wonderful vacation, and a much needed respite from work and the horrendous summer heat wave!  There are too many things to see, do and eat in Tokyo that 4 days is definitely not enough!

Hopefully, we’ll have the chance to come back and explore other neighborhoods in the near future.  Tokyo, I’m far from being done with you .

Singapore La la la la laaah…la la la laaaah!

My super sweet H knows how stressed I’ve been at work, especially these past couple of years (yes, years!).  Prior to all the challenges, I used to have more of a life–hahaha!–which included lots of travel and quality time with the family.

This year, though, I promised myself that things would be different, and that I’d make more of an effort to do all the things that I used to love doing.  At the top of that list is ofcourse spending more time with the little girl and the H, followed by making more time for arts and crafts projects, and going on trips!

If I had my way, I would love to escape somewhere out of town or out of the country every month!  Hahaha!  And so far, I think I’ve done pretty good!  While January had its share of day trips, February was a highlight because the H treated his ladies (that’s moi and the little girl) to Singapore!  Yup, a first for A, and a first for our family!

Here’s a photo diary of what went on during our 3-day vacation.  We also celebrated my birthday, so turning 38 (yes, I am proud of my age !) turned out to be extra special this year!

Day 1 consisted of a trip to the aquarium in Sentosa.  Thank goodness we decided to buy our tickets online!  We totally skipped the long queues and got in right away!  But it seemed like we were there with the rest of the world–so many people were in the aquarium that day!!!  Nevertheless, we really enjoyed ourselves .

Day 2, the busiest of all the days, started with a trip to the Children Little Museum, and ended with a visit to Singapore’s newest attraction, Gardens by the Bay.  We had an awesome time!

The Children Little Museum is basically a two-storey shop filled with curios and vintage paraphernalia.  That it was filled with a collection of items that would give one an idea of life during the “olden” days, piqued my interest.  I thought that it would be a fascinating experience for the little one too .

Located very near the Bugis area by the Arab Quarter, the Children Little Museum is identified by the tall robot standing at the store front.

Some of the merchandise on the first floor are for sale, but it is the display items on the second floor that people come to see, and where the real treasure lies.

Ascending the steps is like walking up memory lane–the items on display reminded me of a totally different era when things were much simpler, when children drew pictures and played games on the streets.  There were different types of toys mounted on the wall, different types of tricycles, rocking horses, strollers, a collection of school supplies, old musical instruments and equipment, and other interactive displays.

This was a really cute display of a street barbershop, the H pretending to give the little miss a haircut!

As you can see, we really enjoyed our visit here .  There are many things to explore so the little one was kept busy!

After the museum, we headed over to Gardens by the Bay, right by the Marina Sands Hotel.

Aside from the outdoor gardens, this place also has two huge conservatories. The one called The Flower Dome features many different flower species from various parts of the world, while The Cloud Forest mimics the conditions inside a rain forest.  Visitors get to walk through the “forest” via some ramps that go up, down and around a mountainous structure.

The Gardens by the Bay is unlike anything I’ve ever seen or experienced so we really had a wonderful time!  It amazes me how the Singaporeans are able to come up with these unique tourist attractions.  Galing!

On our last day, we decided to take it easy and have brunch at one of our favorite restaurants, PS Cafe.  Since the Dempsey location was a bit too far, we decided to try the one on Orchard Road instead.

I really, really love the interiors of PS Cafe.  It’s very chic!

We decided to sit outside on the balcony though since it was a pretty cool day, and we wanted to take advantage of the sunlight and natural setting.

Aren’t these tiles soooo pretty?  I tried to take the token feet shot with the fam, but the little one couldn’t keep still!  Hahaha!

We left PS Cafe and decided to walk all the way back to our hotel.  When we arrived, we had just enough time to freshen up and grab a cab to the airport.

It was a really quick weekend, but I think it was a weekend well spent!  We saw a lot of new attractions, and a side of Singapore that we have never seen before! It was also wonderful to be able to get away even for a short bit to re-charge and spend quality time with the fam bam .

Next month, it’ll be a trip to Japan to see the cherry blossoms!  Woohoo!  I am sooo excited!  In April, it will be a Palawan trip with my colleagues.  I can’t wait to hit the beach!  I wonder what other trips this year will have in store?  Stay tuned!!!

Madrid Eats

After Paris, the parentals and I flew to Madrid where we spent the most time during our trip–8 days!  Luckily, the last time I was there was almost 20 years ago, so definitely there was a lot to reacquaint myself with .

We were billeted at a hotel called Hotel de Las Letras on the main road, Gran Via. It was a super nice hotel!  I loved that the interiors were very modern and streamlined, yet the hotel itself was housed in a restored, historical building.

The location was also very ideal as it was near a lot of shopping areas, restaurants, and many of the tourist attractions.  We were pretty much within walking distance of everything!  Definitely this is a major requirement for my family when we travel and book a place to stay .

So what did we do during our 8 days in Madrid? Because we had quite some time to spend, we pretty much did a little bit of everything  We ate, we shopped, and we toured, ofcourse!  I have so many wonderful experiences to share with you all!  However, this post will focus more specifically on the food, though, otherwise it will be a terribly looooooong article.  Hahaha!  More on my adventures in another post nalang .

Anyway, unfortunately for my waistline, we ate a LOT on this trip (good thing we walked a lot too!).  We gorged on tapas and other traditional Spanish fare.  We definitely could not pass up on having some authentic churros con chocolate as well.  Spanish food is soooooo good!  It still is no match for Pinoy food in my opinion, but good nevertheless .

Of all the places we dined at in Madrid, here are the ones I enjoyed the most and would definitely recommend you try:

1. Mercado de la Reina

Situated just right outside and across the street from our hotel, this tapas bar was such a delightful place!  Nicely designed interiors, great tasting food, and fast, friendly service are their winning combination!  And being our first stop upon arrival, we were definitely grateful for that!

2. El Asador de Aranda

As opposed to the Mercado de La Reina, this was a more traditional type of Spanish restaurant.  From the looks of it (even just looking at their plates and flatware!), it has been operated by a single family for many, many years and throughout several generations!  Located on Calle Preciados right by the Teatro Callao, it serves time-honored Spanish dishes cooked via asador or oven–hence, the name.  We were able to try their lechal–suckling lamb–and it was sooooo yummy!  I can’t actually believe I enjoyed this dish, especially since I’m not particularly fond of lamb.  But this did not taste at all like lamb but more like crispy pata (crispy pork knuckles)!  It was fall-off-the-bone and melt-in-your-mouth soft, and so simply cooked yet bursting with flavor!  Eating this dish was definitely memorable for me.  I was truly impressed!

3. La Paella

Paella is a must when visiting Spain!  On our third day there, the craving struck, and it struck hard, so I definitely had to satisfy it! Hahaha! La Paella came highly recommended by our hotel concierge.  When we entered the restaurant, the fact that it was fully packed only served to reinforce that it was popular amongst both tourists and locals alike.

My mom and I shared the house specialty paella, some chorizo, and a pitcher of sangria.  All their servings were huuuuuuge!  The paella could have totally served a party of 4, but it was indicated for 2 only.  I felt a bit ashamed though when my mom and I totally wiped out every bit of the paella .  Yup, it was that good! Hahaha!

If you are definitely in the mood for some paella, consider giving this place a try. Do come with an empty stomach, or at least be ready to get your belly filled.  This is one restaurant where diets need to be left behind .

4. Mercado de San Miguel

I just looooove food markets!  I love the hustle and bustle of people milling about, I love moving from stall to stall, sampling the different delicacies or specialties on display…  There’s something about a marketplace that makes it such a fun and unique experience!

And fun is exactly what we had when my folks and I went to the Mercado San Miguel near the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

If I’m not mistaken, this is the oldest food market in Madrid, although you will not be able to tell since it recently underwent renovation.  Compared to La Boqueria of Barcelona, the Mercado San Miguel is not as big, but definitely much cleaner, and more modern inside.

As you enter, stalls upon stalls of different types of Spanish food will greet you. It’s up to you to choose which ones deserve a try, and which ones deserve some precious real estate in your tummy.  Hahaha!

Everything I saw definitely made my mouth water.  From various types of croquetas and cured meats, to cheeses, paellas and all the kinds of postres that you can imagine–this place is the bomb!!!

Mom, Dad and I had a blast trying out the different offerings.  It was like having an indoor picnic, with some vino too!  It was one of the best meals of our trip indeed!

5. Mercado de San Anton

Mercado de San Anton is another food market but with a slightly different twist. It is a multi-level building located on Calle de Augusto Figueroa housing a supermarket, a market, food stalls and a restaurant.  The first floor is where the raw meats, seafood, fresh vegetables and other produce are sold.  The second floor is where you can find the prepared foods.

While I prefer the selection of Mercado San Miguel, the food stalls in San Anton were also quite yummy.  Mom and I especially liked the pulpo or octopus cooked with spring onion and tomato sauce.  We also enjoyed the carrot cake we had for dessert.

I think that the feature of Mercado San Anton is the third level, which houses an outdoor, rooftop restaurant.  Unfortunately, during the time of our visit, it looked closed.  I heard that at night, though, it attracts quite a posh crowd.  I would have loved to experience the scene for myself but sadly, I never found the time to.

6. Chocolateria San Gines

For authentic churros con chocolate, the natives swear by Chocolateria San Gines.

Established in 1894, it is hidden in an alley near the Puerto del Sol that makes it quite easy to miss.  In fact, I didn’t know that I had actually walked past it already, on my way to the Plaza Mayor!  There is nothing fancy about San Gines, nothing that would make me stop and take notice–considering it is Madrid’s most well-known chocolateria.  However, once you step inside, you’ll find photos of alot of people, both famous and not, who have enjoyed their churros con chocolate throughout the years.

For a one-product establishment, San Gines is pretty much busy all hours of the day.  It is quite amusing to know that they are open from 9AM to 6AM! Apparently, Madrilenos enjoy having their churros early in the morning as a snack, after an all-night party session .  I so can’t relate.  Hahaha!

When my parents and I arrived at San Gines, both indoor and outdoor seating were packed!  Luckily, after we ordered our serving of churros, a table cleared up just in time.

I couldn’t wait to dip the hot fried dough into the chocolatey melted goodness.  I was surprised though that it tasted quite different from the churros that I am familiar with, but this version happily did not disappoint .  I noticed, however, that the chocolate was slightly runny, and it was quite sweet!  I was expecting it to be bitter and thicker, the way I know Spanish chocolate to be.  Oh well.  It was still an enjoyable treat, though, and a great way for us to end our evening .

7. Valor

Valor is a very popular brand in Spain.  They’ve been in the chocolate making business since 1881, and most of their products can be purchased in supermarkets and convenience stores throughout Madrid.

Their chocolateria is located right by the Teatro Callao.  I was very excited to try their version of churros con chocolate, and see how it fared against San Gines.

The verdict?  Definitely, the chocolate trumps the San Gines version.  It was darker, thicker, chocolatier, bitter, but with a good measure of sweet.  It was sooooo yummy, I could have licked my cup clean!  Hahaha!

For the churros dough, while I liked its consistency, I found it extremely greasy!  I actually had to dab it several times with a tissue to remove all the excess oil.  It also did not have the usual “gear” shape but was long and smooth.  I guess Valor’s churros must have their own unique recipe .

So that’s basically it .

I am very sure that these establishments are but a small speck in Madrid’s thriving culinary scene.  Looking through this list, however, I think we were quite lucky to be able to experience an entire range of dishes from the most typical and traditionally prepared, to the more modern fusion but still very delicioso types.

It is a must for me that when I visit a place, that I get to sample the local cuisine, especially the ones they are known throughout the world for.  In some way, like culture, it is a type of education–this time for my tastebuds, though.  Hahaha!

And despite the fact that I am now a couple of pounds heavier because of my eating adventures, I console myself with the fact that these adventures made my vacation in Madrid all the more enjoyable and memorable .

J’Adore Paris!

It has been my dad’s dream to walk the camino to Santiago de Compostela (actually, the town is really just called Compostela ).  I wrote a bit about it here.  His dream finally came true two weeks ago, and my mom and I were there to provide the moral support for his journey .

Aside from cheering my dad on and a bit of R and R, there’s another reason for this recent trip to Europe, actually .  I was there to keep my mom company while my dad was on his pilgrimage.  I had to keep her in line just in case she went a bit too wild with her credit card–hahahaha!  Kidding .

Our trip started in Paris, the city of lights.

*Sigh!* To say I love Paris is an understatement.  Next to New York, it is one of my favorite cities in the world!

Everything about Paris is so terribly refined, elegant and romantic.  I love the wide boulevards, the chic cafe’s, the beautiful people, and the majestic architecture.  I also love, love, love the art!  We have the French to thank for producing artists such as Claude Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne.

Here is my attempt to share with you some of the things I love about this amazing city.  Although there are still many things to uncover and discover, Paris has definitely left its indelible impression on me, and it will forever be a place I will love coming back to.

1. Sidewalk Cafe’s 

When I think of Paris, images of very chic people sitting in sidewalk cafe’s immediately fill my mind.  It seems to be the quintessential place to pass time–sipping a cup of coffee, reading a good book, socializing, or just watching the world walk by.

Many of these sidewalk cafe’s can be found along Paris’ streets and boulevards. During our visit, we enjoyed whiling our time away at the Cafe de Flore on Boulevard Saint-German in the 6th arrondissement, and Le Select on Rue Montparnasse.  Both cafe’s offer traditional french fare served any and all times during the day.  When we were there, I had my fair share of club sandwiches, croque madames, lattes and eclairs.  Simple, but very comforting food .

And not only is the food good, but for some reason, I just love the feeling of being able to sit in a cafe, unbothered, just observing the people around me.  The vibe is also very relaxed and it made me feel as if I had all the time in the world.  Very different from the frenetic pace that I am usually used to .

2. The Eiffel Tower

Paris has its share of historic monuments and breathtaking architecture. Ofcourse, one cannot leave the city without a visit to one of its most famous landmarks, the Eiffel Tower.  In fact, every trip I’ve made to Paris included a stop and the requisite photograph here.  I especially love it at night, when the lights are turned on .  It makes the tower look all the more awesome and breathtaking.

3. The Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees

Another well-known structure in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe.  It stands right at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle, and is usually a starting point to walk down the Champs Elysees.  Commissioned by Napoleon as a symbol of victory after the French Revolution, it is truly a beautiful and imposing structure.  For a tourist, this is definitely not one spot to be missed!

4. The Musee d’ Orsay

While Paris is known throughout the world to be the home of the Louvre, my favorite will always be the Musee d’ Orsay or The Orsay Museum .  I can spend the whole day there getting lost amidst all the wonderful pieces of art!

Many of the works of my favorite artists are displayed there–the Impressionists, for example.  Monet and Degas are like rock stars to me .  To be able to see their actual paintings with my own eyes is so nakaka-kilig talaga!  It makes me feel really happy–giddy, almost–and inspired!

I also love that the Orsay used to be an old train station.  I think it just makes the architecture of the building all the more interesting–from its facade to the interiors.

5. The Tuileries Gardens

The Tuileries is one of my favorite spots in Paris .  I find the gardens so beautiful, so relaxing, and so inviting.  I love the colorful flowers, and the soothing sound of the fountains.  It’s the perfect place to slow down, read a book, have a picnic, and enjoy the weather.  It’s also conveniently located right next to the Louvre!  Haaaay!  I wish we had more parks like this in Manila.  You would definitely find me and my family there every weekend, soaking up the sun and the tranquil atmosphere .

6. Rue Saint-Honore and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore

I looooooove shopping in Paris!  Parisians are known all over the world for their impeccable sense of style.  The Rue Saint-Honore and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore are probably two of the most fashionable streets in the world, being the address of most of the global high-end brands.

Walking down the street made me feel like I was almost fashionable myself! Bwahahaha–NOT!  Kidding aside, even though I know I could not hold a candle to the polished and sophisticated women shopping on Saint-Honore, being there made me a witness to the elegance and chic-ness of this city.  I swear, everyone I saw just looked so wonderfully put together. *Sigh!*

So even if you may not end up buying anything here, to walk down Rue Saint-Honore and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore is quite a thrilling experience, especially if you are a shopper like me .

7. Laduree

Paris is the birthplace of the french macaron.  This double-decker “biscuit” with a creamy ganache filling was invented and made popular by Laduree.

One of the items on my to-do list during this trip was to visit the Laduree shop, and sample its famous macarons.  There was a long line when we got there, but I was determined not to leave without giving the original pastry a try.

To be honest, it didn’t taste any different from some of the other macarons I’ve tried here in Manila, but to be at the place where it all started, and to see the familiar celadon green colors of the store exteriors was still a nice experience . I was charmed too by the interiors and the lovely colors of the macarons.

Again, it has such a different ambience from our local cafe’s and dessert places.  I don’t know what it is about these French people, but they just know how to make things more delightful and enchanting!

So there you have it .  It’s not a complete list, but based on my 4 extremely short days in Paris, these are some of the reasons why this city has truly captivated my heart.  I can’t wait to bring the H and the little miss here!  And I am glad that there is still much more of Paris left for us to discover together.

I have no doubt that they will love it as much as I do .

The Weekend That Was

It was a lovely, relaxing, albeit fast weekend.

My PIL (Parents-In-Law) treated us to an overnighter at Anvaya Cove.

It was soooo nice to get away from the city.  No fail, the scenic views on SCTex did its job of taking my breath away, and mesmerizing me.

I was once again reminded of how beautiful our country is and how the H and I should really make more of an effort to explore…

To get to Anvaya, we had to pass through Subic.  It was nice to see this familiar sight on the road.

Hahaha!  Some things never change .

There were also a lot of curvy, twisty roads we had to maneuver but I was loving the forest-y and nature-y vibe.

Anvaya at last!

Isn’t it purdy?

The warm blue water of the swimming pool was so inviting.  And the lush landscaping made for a peaceful, relaxing environment.

The beachfront also looked really quiet, the waters still.  Too bad we ended up not having time to take a dip .

This was where most of my time was spent–the spa!

Two hours of pampering was just what I needed to start off the weekend on the right foot .

Speaking of feet, I just love this basin of water and the native scooper used for feet cleaning.  So much more visually interesting than the usual faucet or shower head.  The yellow flower is a nice touch, as well .

These are what some of the casitas look like.  We were at the bottom floor of a two-storey structure.  It was nice because all our rooms were adjoining, and we also had our own verandah.

This is our huge, comfy, king-sized bed.

Sorry, I forgot to actually take a picture of our room!  Hahaha!

Anyway, I am ending this post with some pictures of the little miss and her cousins.

They obviously had a blast!

Hopefully, this will be one place we will be visiting more often .

A’s Vacay in HK

This is another delayed post .  So many things to blog about, so little time! Hahaha!

August was a month of holidays–first the 4-day weekend that I just wrote about in my previous post, then followed by a 3-day one.  While we opted for a staycation the first time around and did things around the metro, the last 3-day holiday we spent in Hong Kong with the little miss.  It was her first international trip!  The H and I figured it was about time to expose her to foreign shores.  That HK is just an hour and a half away made it a no-brainer choice for us!

Thankfully, A is a pretty good traveller–at least for the most part.  While she usually hates feeling restricted and has a tendency to get antsy, new things tend to intrigue and captivate her–enough to keep her distracted from tearing her seatbelt off!  Hahaha!  And when the novelty of her environment has worn off, the iPad helps to keep her busy.  I know, I know.  It sounds like really bad parenting, but honestly, it’s been a lifesaver on many occasions such as this one.

I love that this trip was a great opportunity to expose A to new things and new experiences .  As someone who has travelled all her life, I can see how instrumental it was in shaping the way I think and act, how it has influenced my tastes, and how it has made me a more confident, self-assured person.  I truly wish the same for my A so the H and I agreed early on that we would take every opportunity we had to go on trips with her, and to teach her the “ways of the world.”

So since this was a pretty momentous trip for our family, we decided to make it even more memorable by including a visit to the “happiest place on Earth”–Disneyland!

While I honestly did not think it would be an age-appropriate experience for A just yet, because she loves watching Disney Junior and loves the story of Snow White, I relented.

True enough, she wasn’t very interested in the rides, and the lines were too long to wait for.  However, she really enjoyed watching the Flights of Fancy parade, browsing the merchandise at the Disney Store, and when she saw Minnie Mouse, her favorite character, her expression was priceless!  She was like an awestruck groupie!  Hahaha!  I think that’s what made the heat, and the trip to Disneyland more than worth it .  To see the look of happiness on A’s face made everything worth while!

Looking through these pictures, I’m a bit wistful that our time in HK was too short.  All of a sudden, after Disneyland, our vacation just zoomed past us!  I didn’t even really have time to shop!  Hahaha!  Maybe it’s the H’s answered prayer?  Hahaha!  But like I said, the entire trip was definitely a memorable and fun experience.  Haaaaay, how I would love to do this more often!

Next up?  Probably Singapore and the Night Safari–the little miss looooves animals.  It will definitely be something to look forward to .

Fun Farm

During the previous 4-day weekend in August, a bunch of my friends and I planned a trip to the Fun Farm with our families.

Fun Farm is located at Sta. Elena Estates off the Cabuyao, Laguna exit on SLEX.  Despite it being less than an hour away from where I live, being in Sta. Elena feels like you’re totally far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  It is quiet, green and serene.

Aside from residential areas, a golf course, an organic farm and guest amenities, Sta. Elena is also home to the Fun Farm.  If, as a parent, you are looking for a different, educational, hands-on and fun experience for your child in an environment that is other than a mall, then this is a great place to go .

Here you will find a variety of animals such as chickens, roosters, horses, carabaos, guinea pigs, rabbits, pigs and ducks.  Your children will be able to experience feeding them, petting them, and even riding them!

The little miss had her first horse ride in the Fun Farm .  I was surprised that she quite excitedly got on the horse’s back, and actually stayed there for a while before deciding to get off.

She also loooooooved feeding the rabbits, and giggled at how they would quickly nibble the carrots she held out to them.  Gosh, my A is really brave!  First, the horse, and then the rabbits!  If that was me, I don’t think I’d be as fearless as her!  Hahaha!  I was actually cringing inside the rabbit pen, but tried my best not to show it .  And I don’t think I’ve ever ridden on a horse either .

A was also fascinated by both the guinea pigs and the pot-bellied pigs.  :)  To this day, she always asks to look at the two pictures below in my iPhoto album.  I’m wondering why they made such a lasting impression?  Hmmm…

Other than the animals, Fun Farm also has a fishing area, a boating area, a covered playground/sandbox, and a pavilion that is perfect for picnics!

On this day in particular, though, we unfortunately had to seek refuge in the pavilion for most of the afternoon because the weather was quite uncooperative.  Definitely, it would be a good idea to check the forecast before heading out to the Fun Farm.

The rain came down pretty hard during the time we were there so we didn’t even have a chance to go on the carabao ride .  We also wanted to go on a boat ride with A, but again the rains did not permit us to .

So instead, we decided to have our birthday celebrants blow out the candles on their cake from Tita C. Including A, two of the other kids in our group were also celebrating August birthdays.  Here they are in action!

Despite our issues with the weather, we all had a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon.  It was a wonderful way to bond with friends, while spending precious quality time with our kids as well.

Seeing the look on A’s face as she saw and interacted with the animals was priceless!  Aside from the fact that she’s never really around animals that often,  I think she also enjoyed being able to run around in the vast area with other kids.  Being a “city girl”, she is cooped up a lot of times, and as a parent I am often wistful that she doesn’t have the luxury of open spaces.

Personally, I also thought it was nice to be in a very green, natural and peaceful environment.  The downside to living in a concrete jungle is that there is a lack of trees, grass, shady areas and fresh air.  Sta. Elena provides the perfect refuge from the city–a place for families and friends to get together, in a lush, verdant backdrop.  Haaaay!  It would be such a dream to live in a place like this!

But since I’m also not quite ready to give up city living yet, occasional trips such as these to the Fun Farm are just the thing me and my family need to rest and recharge from our busy schedules and fast paced lives.

Hooray for the Fun Farm!

The Weekend That Was

I am honestly still hung-over from a most amazing weekend .

The H and I were invited to an out-of-town wedding on Sunday, so we decided to make a weekend trip of it, and brought the little one along for the ride.

Before getting to the wedding destination, however, we decided to spend the day in Tagaytay.  It’s been ages since we were last there, so I was excited to soak in the cool weather, marvel at the fabulous view (it never gets old), try a new restaurant, and give A a fun-filled, enjoyable weekend.

Looks like I wasn’t the only one who was excited!

 One of the weekend’s highlights was lunch at Marcia Adams.

Tucked away in a side street not far from Residence Inn and the Tagaytay Arch, Marcia Adams is a beautiful, rustic restaurant that can easily be mistaken for a Tuscan countryside home.

While the food is simple but flavorful, it is the ambience that is, for me, the biggest draw of this place.  Big windows that overlook lush, green fields showcase the Tagaytay countryside at its best.  Having just endured a hectic and stressful week, the serene landscape and relaxing ambience was just what the doctor ordered.

Prior to the wedding, we also had time to sneak in a visit to the Animal Farm at Tagaytay Highlands.

I was amazed that they had a pretty decent selection of birds and animals.

As expected, A had a really great time!  She enjoyed petting the parrot, was captivated by the eels and big fishes, and giggled when the monkey would make faces at her.  She is definitely an animal-lover like her dada!

Finally, after all the family bonding, it was wedding time!

My colleague A, tied the knot with the love of his life K, in a beautiful, intimate and very personalized ceremony.

It made me want to get married all over again–hahaha!

I love how A was involved in all the details, designing everything from the invitations, to the banners, to the tablescape.

As you can see, he did an AMAZING job!!!

And ofcourse, it goes without saying, my team had an AMAZING time!

Alas, all good things must come to an end.  But as we drove back to Manila in the heavy downpour, plans were already being made for our next out-of-town weekend–I can’t wait for it!

*Sigh*

I wish it was the weekend already.

To Alaska and Beyond!

My family loves to cruise.  Ever since our first one on the Mediterranean 7 years ago, we’ve been hooked!  Not only is it a great way to travel and to see different places all at once, but because you eliminate the need for making hotel reservations per destination, and are guaranteed food supply 24/7, then it is more bang for your buck as well .

This year, my dad decided to treat the fam to another cruise.  While in the past we’ve always opted for some European itinerary, this year, we decided to do something more nature-y and different.  So off to Alaska we went, for a little bit of outdoor adventure .

Our first stop was a town called Ketchikan.  I was amazed at how small and sleepy this place was!  My subdivision in Quezon City is not only bigger in size, but in the amount of residents as well!  Hahaha!

The main attraction of this town is Creek Street.  Formerly home to Ketchikan’s red light district (with over 30 brothels!), today it is basically a row of shops and galleries where tourists can sightsee and do some souvenir shopping.  In fact, Creek Street has earned the distinction of being the “Most Photographed Street” in Alaska.

Aside from this, Ketchikan also holds two other noteworthy titles.  It is the “Salmon Capital of the World”, as well as “home to the largest collection of totem poles in the world”.  Not surprisingly, there are more than 80 kinds of totem poles displayed throughout the city!  Not only do they serve as a reminder of the traditions and values of tribal culture, but are also an imposing and awe-inspiring example of Alaskan native art and craftsmanship.

According to our port guide, totem poles are either commemorative, memorial, or lineage poles that celebrate a tribe or family’s unique heritage.  I was surprised to discover that the most important figure in the totem pole is the figure at the bottom, and not the one at the top .  I guess you really do learn something new everyday!  Hahaha!

Our next port of call was Juneau, Alaska.  It was a bit of a shock for me to find out that despite it being the state capital, there are NO access roads leading to Juneau.  To get here, one must go via boat or via floatplane!  Talk about hard to get to!

The downtown area is again very small, comprised mostly of souvenir shops and restaurants.  One of their must-do activities is riding on the Mount Roberts tram. It has the best view of the Gastineau Channel, as well as that of downtown Juneau.  At the very top of the mountain is a restaurant, where one is encouraged to have a meal, or to enjoy a steaming cup of coffee (Alaska is proud of their brews ), while taking in the breathtaking sights.

The most popular natural attraction in Juneau is the Mendenhall Glacier. Nicknamed “the drive-up glacier”, it is about a 20-minute drive from downtown. Once inside the Tongass National Forest, the glacier is easily accessible by foot, allowing one to actually walk up right to it versus viewing it from the air or by sea.

Having never seen a glacier before, I have to admit that for my first sighting, Mendenhall was pretty impressive .  According to my research, it is about 12 miles long, half a mile wide, and about 300-1800 feet deep.  But unfortunately, because of global warming, the Mendenhall Glacier is not as massive as it used to be.  It has  been slowly retreating since the early 1700′s.  Size aside however, this glacier has been able to survive much longer than other glaciers in the North American region.  The geography and unique climate of Juneau contribute to this.

Though I dislike gloomy weather, glaciers are actually best viewed on overcast days.  We were “lucky” that this was the kind of day we had when we visited Mendenhall.  I thought that the bright blue glow that the glacier emitted was very pretty and magical-looking .  Apparently, this is caused by the ice’s absorption and reflection of light .

Our third port on this cruise was Skagway, Alaska.  It was actually my favorite among the Alaskan ports.  It was also the most modern-looking and the least deserted–the streets were bustling with tourists exploring the town, and scouring the shops for souvenirs.

Interestingly, Skagway is the least populated of the Alaskan cities we visited. Year round, it only has about 750 residents.  During cruise season, however, this number swells immensely.

Another interesting fact about Skagway is that it is considered the “Sunshine Capital” of Southeast Alaska.  Unfortunately, the morning we landed, the sun was nowhere to be found .  Hahaha!

As for attractions, Skagway’s must-do for visitors is the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway ride.  It is basically a 3-hour scenic ride up to the Canadian border. The railway was built during the era of the Klondike Gold Rush, and took 35,000 men 26 months to finish under extremely treacherous conditions.  This engineering landmark climbs up to 3,000 feet, and is held in the same esteem as the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and the Panama Canal.

Even though the train ride itself costs a pretty penny, I think the experience itself was worth it.  I thought it was interesting to hear stories about the railway’s history and to learn more about life during the Gold Rush.  It certainly made me appreciate all the modern conveniences I now enjoy.  It also made me appreciate the work that went into building the structure, considering the materials and equipment that were available during that time.  Factoring in the weather conditions that the men had to endure… *shudder*…definitely this railroad is an amazing feat!

And the views? Ofcourse, they were nothing short of spectacular–nature at its finest!  There were parts where we saw lush green forests, flowing streams, snow-capped mountains–a little bit of everything!  We even saw a baby brown bear and a mama black bear scrounging around for food!  Now that was pretty awesome, especially to see them in the wild .

Skagway was indeed a wonderful way to end our short tour of Alaska.  Our next and last stop was Victoria, British Columbia.  While it was the prettiest port in our cruise, sadly, it was where we spent the least amount of time .  We only had 4 hours!!!  Waaah!  But I guess cruises are really meant to give tourists just a taste of a particular place–enough to make them want to come back for more. And from what we saw, I definitely want to visit Victoria again someday .

Victoria holds the distinction of being the most “English” city in British Columbia.  Its charm is evident in the architectural landmarks that can be found along the Inner Harbour–both the majestic Fairmont Empress Hotel and the stately Legislative Building are truly a sight to behold.

Considered a National Historic Site in Canada, the Empress is one of Victoria’s oldest and most famous hotels.  In fact, it has pretty much become an icon for the city itself.  I just love its ivy-covered brick walls and enchanting facade! Had we had more time, it would have been nice to enjoy some high tea at the historic lobby, where it is said that many members of royalty and other dignitaries have had their share of scones and clotted cream .

Constructed in 1893 in honor of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, the Legislative Building is a must see whether during the day or at night.  We were lucky to catch views of this impressive structure during both times, although I must say that it is definitely more wonderful to see at night.  There are about 3300 bulbs that illuminate the entire building, making it look even more striking and captivating.  I had a field day capturing it all with my camera!  Hahaha!

Sadly, all trips must come to an end, but I’m glad we ended this one with such beautiful and extraordinary sights.  It made me wistful of what more I could have seen, had we had more time.  Oh well…I’m sure there will be a next time .

As I sit and write this post, it again hits me how lucky I am to able to travel and see different parts of the world.  I am so fortunate to be able to have new experiences that enrich me as a person, and that make life interesting for me. Most of all, I am extremely thankful to have such wonderful parents that I can travel with, and who continue to give me these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. I am truly blessed!  I only hope that one day I can provide my daughter the same experiences that I have been so generously given .