Bohol Country Side Tour(Oct.12,2013)

The nature and man-made wonders of Bohol will forever stay in my Family's
wonderful travel memories. The Family had seen these wonders 2 days
before the 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits Bohol last Oct. 15.

While seeing how Bohol was dilapidated by the quake through the news,
it breaks my heart to blog about our Bohol Country-side tour. I just pray
that through this post, I can speak with Bohol people to never lose hope
& faith and inspire them to get back on track. 

Here is The Family's wonderful, amazing, great(with all the beautiful adjectives...)
Country-side tour.

The Lamian World Cuisine in Bellevue satisfied our palettes with Italian,
Filipino, Korean cuisine which made us ready for the day's tour. 

I acquired the car rental service of Naldix Bohol Tour Packages being operated by
Kuya Naldix himself.  He was highly recommended by moms in our Smart
Parenting forum. And true to their experiences, we had Kuya Victor - our
driver-tour guide-photographer in one who made our Bohol Country Side
tour an awesome experience.

Started off at Hinagdanan Cave in Panglao Island, Bohol.  It is just a small cave
with plenty of bats as told by the funny and witty tour guide. Its quite slippery
as it is wet and with natural water pool inside.  I don't recommend to small kids
and oldies as the entrance is via a steep rocky stairs.  My son and mother-in-law
just waited for us upstairs.  Still, it is a great place for photo-op.
Entrance is 25PHP.

Second stop  was at the  bronze Blood Compact Shrine or Sandugo at
Bo-ol district of Tagbilaran City.  This is the first treaty of friendship
between the Spaniards and Filipinos performed by Spanish explorer
Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, the chieftain of Bohol,
on March 16, 1565.

Behind is a panoramic view of the Bohol sea.

One of the heritage churches in the Philippines - Baclayon Church.  Can you
see the image of Padre Pio in the side wall? Proud and blessed to have seen
this centuries-old church before the heart-breaking damage by the quake.

At the XZootic Animal Park at Agape, Laoay, Bohol. It is a small animal
park - monkeys, iquana, ostrich, squirrel and the python. We arrived at around
12PM just in time for the lunch time of the python(oh no..)

Still with a filled-tummy, we decided to have our Loboc River cruisin' buffet
lunch past 1PM. Photo-op at the river bridge. One of the popular tourist
attractions in Bohol for an hour of river cruising plus a lunch buffet
at the floating restaurant.  The Family enjoyed the lush greenery scene and
the water falls at one end of the river.

While cruisin'...River is clean and quiet.

At the most-awaited part of the tour - Chocolate Hills, Carmen Bohol.

Around 200+ steps going to the view deck.

One amazing place that Filipinos should be really proud of - The Chocolate Hills
in Carmen, Bohol.  I just couldn't count the hills.

Just a photo-op at the Shiphaus with my son as the captain.

The Butterfly Garden at Poblacion, Bilar operated by Simply Butterflies
Conservation Center.Bilar, Bohol. My son was entertained by the smart
and funny tour guide.

Inside are hundred of butterflies, feeding area, plant farm, breeding center,
nature trail, complemented with warm accommodation by the tour guides
with their photo tricks.

 

At the Hanging Bridge...

The Family's buwis buhay pose at the Man-made forest. This is a 2km stretch

of mahogany trees along the highway of Bilar, Bohol that give a chilly feeling 

of the mother nature. You will pass by this forest upon going to Chocolate Hills

in Carmen.

Tarsiers...

From the home of the tarsiers, we had our late dinner at the Bohol Bee Farm 

Resort and Restaurant as our last destination. Since we arrived night time, 

we haven't seen the resort part.  

Loved the 100% natural/organic products.  Some are honey spread, vegetable

muffins and chips, and a lot more...

Experienced organic delights...

For our Bohol Country Side Tour expenses: 2500 car rental, 690/adult for all the
entrance fees and buffet lunch at the Loboc River cruisin and 250/child.  Overall,
I gave 5K including around 700 tip.

Happy Grandparents Day (Sept.8, 2013)

One of the special days to show our love to our Lolos and Lolas -
Grandparents Day! We thank them for all the love, caring, and support.

Today, we also commemorate Mama Mary's Birthday.

The Family had a sumptuous lunch with my mother-in-law @Dolcellate Cafe and
Gourmet Bakeshop.

 

My son enjoyed his Ripe Mango Shake, Vegetable Salad, French Onion Soup 

and Italian Style Chicken Kebab.

 

 

The husband had his Smoked Pork Ribs. Mine was Bacon Wrapped Shrimp.

Classic Carbonara, Dolcelatte Club Sandwich and Green Mango Shake for my 

mother-in-law.

Ended up with the house's Syphon Brewed Coffee and Cappucino with 

the Choco Chips Biscotti.

 

 

After lunch, my son's favorite Carrot Cake from Cake 2 Go for his

Lolo Dictol and Lola Ming.

September's Best @ Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

The BER month has come and what a great way to had started it  - family
bonding.

Thanks to my ever-generous sister-in-law for her birthday celebration
treat in Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.

It was one luxury accommodation - my son had a great time with his cousins,
savour buffet dinner and breakfast @ Spiral, swimming and exclusive access
to Club Millésime lounge.

 

 

One great moment....

Salamat Rebisco and my CITD Family for this Chairman Award for Commitment
received during the Rebisco's 50th Anniversary at SMX Convention Center
August 23, 2013.

Commitment - my love and dedication to my work, to my colleagues
and to Rebisco.

Long live Rebisco...Thank you Lord...

Long weekend family bonding(Eid-al-Fitr - Aug.9,2013)

First, happy Eid-al Fitr to our Muslim brothers - after a month of fasting and prayers.

Today is just the 1st long weekend in August.  We still have 2 long weekends(Aug.19
QC Day and Aug.26 National Heroes Day) + 1 mid-week holiday(Aug.21 Ninoy
Aquino Day).

Yehey!!!!!! These mean more family time and re-charging.

The Family woke up late and had a great lunch with my mother-in-law @
Mesa, Tomas Morato.  The Father and Son had the Smurfs 2 movie date while
I was doing  my inet-surfing stuff over a hot caramel machiato.

As of this writing, Husband and I are watching how Gilas Pilipinas is outscoring
Kazahkstan. Go..go...go..Gilas guys. Then the Forever Young movie with my
husband will end the night.

Tomorrow is another long day for us - my son's Taekwondo session and
my office assignments. But come Sunday, another swimming bonding with
my husband's family side.

Swimming bonding @ The Rockwell Club Pool

Lately, The Father and Son had been addicted to swimming.  No swimming invite
was turned down.  Who would not love to swim @ The Rockwell Club's Pool
anyway? It is really one great place to swim and relax.

It has 25-meter lap pool where you can swim laps for health and fitness,
play pool for toddlers, a 7-feet deep pool and a SPA pool with Jacuzzi beds. 

My son enjoying fun swimming with his cousins.

With great menu for lunch or meryenda after a tiring but fun swimming,
clean shower and comfort rooms.

Big thanks to my ever-generous sister-in-law for this one great place and
swimming bonding with relatives. 

Laiya, Batangas - Virgin Beach Resort(April 6, 2013)

In our unplanned travel to the South to show our relatives from Canada the
nearby beautiful places in the South of Manila, we found ourselves
stepping on the white sand beach in Laiya Batangas.

Finally, after 5.5 hours of travel from Quezon City and almost an hour
of looking for a great accommodation, we just settled for a day tour in
Virgin Beach Resort and decided to just spend the night in Tagaytay.

 

 At the reception area.

Day Tour Cost:
   Adult - 1,100 inclusive of buffet lunch
   Kids(3-10yrs old) - 700 inclusive of buffet lunch

Inclusions: Use of resort facilities such as the pavilion, the beach, bare bed
parasols, and common showers & toilets.

Had a great view of the beach while having lunch.

No swimming pool but the clean white sand beach with its crystal-clear water
should had been enough if only without the plenty jelly fish scattered around.

 

I asked a resort personnel why there were many jelly fishes, he said that
between April to May, there are really lots of it.