It had been a challenging year - career wise. It was a roller coaster ride emotionally. Until now, I'm still waiting for the final moment with my company. I can only hope for the best and be confident that everything will be OK.
It's "us" time for me and my hubby. I can say that this is our fist honeymoon since we didn't have one when we got married and this is the first time that we traveled alone, just the two of us.
1. Macau - It's his first time and my second. We are fortunate to have his first cousin M to be our tour guideagain. He took us to an old village and some local restaurants that offer authentic Chinese and Macau dishes for affordable prices. We also saw the posh restaurant, Belon, where his GF works.
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| cable ride in Ocean Park |
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| cable ride in Ngong Ping 360 |
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| celebrity for a day |
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| trying to endure the very cold weather |
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| amazing dolphins in Ocean Park |
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| helping TW for a perfect shot |
3.
Staycation in Oakwood Premier in Ortigas for the debut celebration of our eldest child PY. A lot of thanks for my friend J for giving us a voucher so our stay was discounted. I fell in love with this residential hotel. I love the kitchen, soft bed and pillows, spacious rooms, bath tub, swimming pool and the ambiance. I spent the night just soaking in the tub while watching my favorite TV show.
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| the Master's bedroom with a bath tub |
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| souvenirs from our dearest debuntate |
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| with her close friends |
March 2015
4.
Hotel Kimberly, Tagaytay - despite the uncertainties in the office, our Division held a team building cum General Assembly in this hotel. It's quite far from the famous attractions in Tagaytay but with a very relaxing ambiance. Since we didn't have a car, we just stayed in the hotel drinking and partying.
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| the farm |
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| the lobby |
5.
Real, Quezon - I joined Bes J in going home to Laguna. The next day, we visited this place for a seafood tripping. I love how fresh the produce are. After eating, we passed by little Baguio where the weather is cooler and the clouds are just within reach. The home owner is so gracious in letting us in and check their vacation home.
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| what a big catch |
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| Real shoreline |
April 2015
6.
Anvaya Cove, Bataan - our Windangan group decided to go to this exclusive resort again for our yearly summer get together. It's still well maintained and clean. The beach is still inviting and relaxing.
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| Anvaya beach |
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| the huge pool |
7.
Subic Homes, Subic - again, after Anvaya, our group stayed in this village. It's way cheaper here but with great amenities. The group never run out of stories to tell and share.
May 2015
8.
Three Falls in Sta. Maria, Laguna - The Windangan Group tried the adventure going to these falls. Trekking was challenging for us adults but just a play for the kids. These hidden falls are truly a gem for Sta. Maria.
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| load test for the bridge |
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| giant trees |
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| the unsafe bamboo bridge |
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| the 2nd level falls |
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| father and son stone balancing |
9.
Liliw, Laguna - after seafoods eating in Real, our group headed to Liliw for shoe shopping since this is the shoe capital of the South. My girl pals enjoyed shoe shopping while I'm more into old churches visiting. I love their old church that is made of bricks.
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| Laguna de Bay |
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| the altar |
10.
Pililla, Rizal Wind Farm - before heading home, we passed by the newly installed wind mills in Rizal. It has a closer look of the wind mills but not as close like in Ilocos Norte.
This is my first and last regional assignment for this year and maybe for this company. It has been more than a decade already from my last visit here in 2001. I'm so excited when I learned that I will have to go here for my work.
11.
Legaspi, Albay - It has some developments but the ambiance is still the same - relax and slow. It's nice to see Daragang Magayon again. It's still majestic. I again tasted Bicol delicacies. I love their food.
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| majestic Daragang Magayon |
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| booming cafe |
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| Cagsawa Ruins |
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| Legaspi Cathedral |
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| Daraga Church with Mt. Mayon on the side |
12.
Naga City, Camarines Sur - I had little time going around so I just visited the church of "Ina" and the town center. It's more like Manila now with jam packed establishments. A lot of restaurants had opened so more choices in terms of dining.
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| Villa Caceres |
June 2015
13.
Aquaria, Playa, Calatagan - I volunteered myself in joining Bes J's company outing. It's an emerging residential resort. It boasts its spiral swimming pool and the clean beach in Calatagan. Amenities not yet fully completed but within two years, I'm sure it's one place to be famous during summer time.
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| kiddie pool |
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| the beach |
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| splash fun |
August 2015
It's a long weekend during the end of this month and our family got bored so we decided for a nearby travel. We have been Manila residents for a couple of years and still not totally toured around it. It's a perfect time to introduce to kids what Manila can offer.
14. Paco Park, Manila - I've been meaning to go here. I can't find the reason why I haven't for the past three decades living in the Metro. It's a tiny park but with serene environment. It's a best place for communing with nature and just letting the time pass by.
15. National Museum, Manila - it's one of the Museums in the Philippines that must be visited. It houses a lot our National pride in terms of the arts. You will have a look of the authentic paintings of our renowned and famous artists from the early times like Juan Luna, Jose Rizal, etc.
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| Sarimanok sculpture |
September 2015
Our second "us time" travel. We've been adventurous this time by trying to hike the seven falls in Mambukal nature resort. We also enjoyed the food most.
16.
Silay City - I want to retire here. I love that they maintain and restored the old Spanish houses. Life here is so relax.
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| Balay Negrense |
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| first US pocketbooks version |
17.
Bacolod City - I want to go back for the food. It's really a food lover paradise and with affordable prices.
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| the Capitol |
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| 7th Falls |
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| Talisay Ruins |
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| Natural Sulfur pool |
October 2015
18.
Marikina City - We were invited by our friends for a house tripping here (yep, we are starting to scout for a home we can call our own but the cost is too feverish). I never thought that house hunting is so tiring. Good thing that it was not so hot that time. Since Marikina is also known for emerging small restaurants, we tried what they can offer. We fell in love with Rustic Mornings for its ambiance and great tasting food.
November 2015
19.
Birthday Celebration in Oakwood, Ortigas - It was a spur of the moment decision for my dearest friend A to celebrate her big "40" in this hotel with close friends (including us of course). We brought food and drinks and chat all night long. The next day we enjoyed the pool and sauna. It was a fun weekend without the kids in tow.
20.
Staycation in Alabang - with a long vacation brought by APEC meeting here in our country, I booked 2 nights staycation in Alabang. Our family never been here since it's quite far from where we live. The kids enjoyed the pool and shopping in ATC. I had the chance to meet my longtime friends which I rarely see.
21.
Outreach in Munting Tahanan, Mabalacat, Pampanga - this is where our Windangan group held its first outreach activity. It's quite stressful to organize an outreach but so worth it upon seeing the smile on the residents faces during the program. For this year, a silent promise of doing more meaningful activities is on my bucket list.
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| loving this tiny brick chapel |
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| birthdays celebration |
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| with the residents |
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| fun game for adults |
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| a great singer from the residents |
22.
Abe's Farm, Magalang, Pampanga - after our outreach, we had lunch here. I ordered in advanced so when we arrived, the food is ready for us. We love its farm ambiance. The kids ran and played.
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| our next generation |
December 2015
This is my time for BFF A and her family. Whenever she visits, I made sure to organize her vacation very well and worth it. Hubby and I were able to join them in two of their travels.
23. Bohol - Its charm is still haunting me. After seven years, it's still enchanting and alluring. The quake did little to shake its guts and beauty. Most of the old churches were affected and for renovation but the natural parks are still open and standing might. Panglao beach is still clean, charming and pristine white as it was before.
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| playing on the pristine white beach of Panglao |
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| at the blood compact site |
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| the ever loner and snob tarsier |
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| jump shot fail in man made forest |
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| Chocolate hills with hubby |
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| famous Loboc river cruise |
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| all smiles in Hinagdanan Cave |
Before the year ended, our families (A's and mine) went for a long trip to the North. I was not ready for the influx of people during the holidays. The trip became so tiring and unpleasant because we have to wait for hours during lunch and dinner and all of the famous tourist spots were crowded. Though the views are still picturesque and amazing, it's a different scenario when they are jam packed with people.
24.
Ilocos Sur (Vigan) - It's with my family and her family this time. We lived along the heritage street Crisologo so we got a nostalgic feel of the place. The museums are now being renovated. I'm disappointed with Baluarte because a few animals are in the zoo. It's not being maintained properly and nothing spectacular being offered to the guests. It's totally a waste of time visiting it.
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| came early in the morning to enjoy the village street with few people |
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| jam packed in Bantay Tower |
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| the dying art of pottery |
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| Calesa ride |
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| in Crisologo Museum |
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| in Syquia Museum |
25.
Ilocos Norte (Laoag) - highlight of the trip is the Sand Boarding activity. The kids enjoyed it so much that they keep telling about it over and over again. We also visited Juan Luna's home (unfortunately close for renovations), Paoay Church, Marcos home in Batac and Malacanang of the North.
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| at Paoay Church |
26.
Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud) - we passed by Cape Bajeador, Bangui Windmills, Kapurpurawan Rock and Patapat Duct. The kids enjoyed the horseback riding going to Kapurpurawan. We settled in Suad Beach for a night. Though the sea is not ideal for swimming due to big waves, the kids spent their time swimming in the pool.
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| at Cape Bojeador |
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| the amazing Kapurpurawan Rock formation |
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| Bangui Windmills |
It's proven, the way to handle stress is to forget about it by being busy.... with travels that is ^-^. Thank you so much Lord for all the blessings, trials that made me stronger and the people that keep me grounded, feel loved and happy.
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