Our Holy Week-end 2012

It’s over a week now since the long weekend holiday here in the country.  It was Holy Week, the time of year when the weather temperature usually gets high and people take advantage of the long holiday to escape the humdrum of the demanding city life.  I found my family not exempted from it.  Even only for a couple of days (Black Saturday and Easter Sunday), my family along with my nephew and his own, headed to Liliw Resort in Liliw, Laguna and took refuge in its natural surroundings.

We have attempted to come to this place years back, but we lost our way and ended up in an inferior resort in the area instead.  Funny but we still lost our way again this time despite the GPS gadget of nephew.  Hubby was misguided by the newly opened Star Toll after SLEX.  Nevertheless, we were fortunate that we eventually found the place.

Earlier on, people here in the house were unaware that I have reserved for an overnight stay in the resort.  I was anxious if they would approve the place, especially the daughter who’s a little picky when it comes to resorts. I haven’t actually seen the place, as usual, but the photos of the awesome waterfalls and swimmer- friendly river prompted me to send our 50% reservation fee thru LBC.  I know a one bedroom hut would be quite uncomfortable for 6 people but had no choice cos it’s the only one left unreserved.  Otherwise, no overnight outing for us.

An entrance fee of P50/pax was collected at the entrance of the resort then we were directed to our reserved hut, named  “House of the Rising Sun”. (Ha ha.. what a name!) For P1,700. we settled in a small hut like the one you see in the country side.  It is devoid of modern tech items like air-con or even just a fan, TV, ref and WI-FI!  Nonetheless, I liked its barrio style ambiance.  For the simple me, as long as there’s a private bathroom, I’m fine.  Good thing, no one complained.   Hubby expressed liking the place better than beach resorts.  Surprisingly, the big kiddos, especially the picky girl uttered fondness for it too, requesting that we spend all our coming Holy Week vacays in there. Their reason? It isn’t crowded and very peaceful especially at night.

This is for those who are uncomplicated as I am and wanting to escape to a peaceful hideaway.  It's simply awesome!


Sharing here some photos:

photo taken  by daughter.

Thank you for your time reading this post.  Hope to see you around again.  Have a great day!

Stormy Outing

I should have been invigorated after the long holiday. But it looks like it's the contrary. I caught daughter’s colds virus and they are seeking their way to bring me down again. I just hope the anti-flu pills I took would topple these stuffy nose and aching joints. Never mind, it's not the topic anyway!

Last Friday, we headed to Balanga, Bataan once again to take advantage of the long weekend. My sis reserved two-aircond room cottages for our overnight stay in La Vista Balanga Resort not minding the whether forecast. Friday was a bright day without any sign of Typhoon Santi. Everybody, (which included Sis and her children and grandchild, Sil with her boyfriend, nephew and his family, plus my own) have been enjoying the pool at the farm-like resort that much. Food was aplenty, though I didn’t bring any. Nil told me not to, so I just obeyed her, (lol!) Sis’ and Nil’s generosity in bringing food were always there, so what else is there to worry for me? ha ha ha…
We were aware of the coming typhoon alright! But we weren’t aware that it would hit the place like in bull’s eye. Heavy rains started in the evening yet we didn’t mind. We still had fun despite the brown out. The following morning, we woke up to the pounding of strong winds. The cottage’s windows swung to and fro until broken; wall frames were falling to the floor, the trees were swaying vigorously with branches breaking off. Some trees had fallen to the ground and the swimming pools were all covered with leaves and twigs. Our dining and cooking place was in total disarray. The lighter stuff like plastic plates and cups were blown away together with even heavier ones like pots and pans. It was a complete chaos. Fortunately, typhoon Santi's havoc lasted for only few hours. At around 9am, the sky was clear again and the sun was up. As if nothing happened if only for the scattered debris around the resort. And everybody was back in the pool once again despite the tons of leaves on the water. Do you think we would have allowed it to stop having fun? No way!

Sharing you these photos:(click to enlarge)

Fallen tree after the typhoon.

Aborted Despedida

My Mother-in-law is leaving tomorrow to fly back to Sydney, Australia. Last Friday, we (especially our niece-in-law) prepared a lot of food for an early despedida to be held on that weekend in a beach in Bagac, Bataan. Then Saturday came, all was set. Most of the foods were cooked, our clothes were packed, the utensils and each and every need were all ready to be boarded in the car when suddenly the rain poured heavily. There was a long discussion on whether to push through or not. NIL who's in Pampanga, requested that we push through our plan coz she was done in cooking lots of foods. Thus, despite the furious weather, we decided to board the car and drove through the rain. But after only few kilometers from our place, the traffic wouldn’t move. We were stuck in the midst of traffic jam . We learned later that streets were in deep waters, that's why.

We turned back when we had the chance, only to go through deeply flooded roads. We were lucky that we got back just in the nick of time. We could have been caught and stranded in the depth of Ondoy’s flood along North Luzon Expressway if we went on. We were glad we made it home with only little difficulty but it was so depressing to see what other people went through of which, amongst those was my SIL and her family. Her house was submerged in water more than six feet high. She’s lucky that they have their second floor where they took refuge together with their neighbors.

Ondoy’s havoc is unbelievably catastrophic and so distressing. Ondoy is gone but the aftermath will linger for long. Let’s pray for all the victims and give help in whatever way we can. There are many Operation Tulong where you can send your help. Let hope and pray that all the victims can recover soon and that our government officials won’t feast on those countless financial donations being sent by other countries for their own personal consumption. If they do, I pray, may God bless their soul.

Going Back to Subic

I ought to sleep early tonight coz tomorrow we’ll be on the road to Subic before the sun rises. Yup, we’ll take a break from the hustle and bustle of life. It’s been a while since our last trip to Subic where we didn’t have enough time to at least wade by the beach.. This time around we plan to hit it off to one of the beautiful beaches that can be found inside the Freeport Zone. Been so busy the whole day to make some food preparations for tomorrow. I don’t think it would be a problem anyway. We could buy food anywhere along the way or even inside Duty Free shops. My eyes are drooping now. Got to go!

Back to Sun Moon Beach

The beach lover in me struck again. Last Saturday, I longed for the Bagac beach that we used to go. I wanna be with my own kinfolk but they couldn't come along due to unavailability of their own vehicle. I couldn’t force them coz I couldn't provide them their need. Anyway, I just sent text messages to my sister and my niece-in-law informing them that we’re going to Sun Moon Beach on the following day, Sunday. The replies were “where do we meet?”. I called up sis-in-law and her daughter but they didn’t want to come. So with those available people, (Sis, her son, her daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and d-i-l’s mom, also with hubby’s nephew and his wife, with my family and daughter’s friend) off we went to Sun Moon Beach for a whole day of fun.

Lunch was aplenty. Each one brought lots of dishes, fresh fruits, snacks with some sodas and beers. How I love being with the people I care and at the same time being in a place I adore. On good times such as that, I could feel the goodness of life!

Jaja, Pie, Mae, Iya, Tatie and Little Lianne

Pie, Mae, Iya, Tatie and Alvin at the background

Little Lianne and Mommy Iya

Ryan cutting the sweet watermelon

Celebrations in Baguio

As mentioned in my last post, we were going up to Baguio to have a joint celebration of birthdays for daughter and sis-in- law and a sort of bienvenida for nephew (sis-in-law’s eldest). It was indeed, a great weekend of pure fun and relaxation. Food was abundant, thanks to Pie, nephew Ryan’s wife. She brought a three day supply of crabs and shrimps and lots of snacks. I brought some chicken adobo for extra fare. Elvie and Janina took charge of the house we rented in Baguio for two nights. Being a true blue Kapampangan, Pie impressed us with her cooking prowess. She did the cooking all the time. She could be a real chef! And the boys had their uncle-nephew bonding time over bottles of wine. Sunday was spent in San Fabian PTA Beach Resort in Pangasinan. Ryan's two kids enjoyed the pool and the sand on the beach. That weekend celebration would be like a reunion for hubby’s family if only the two other sisters and their mom are not residing abroad. Nevertheless, the three day celebration was a real blast for our family, Elvie’s and Ryan’s.

Lunch in Bahay Pawid, La Union on the way to
Baguio.

Baguio's initial landmark - Lion's head

The view of Kennon Road from the view deck.

The Mines View Park - already dilapidated.

The house that we rented. Our unit is located down under.

Posing infront of the Mansion House.

In case you run out of film for your cam. (LOL)

Pie with kids Denise and Ram.

Went shopping in SM Baguio for Jackets and other stuff.

Baguio's pride - Sweet red strawberries.

Crabs and shrimps in coconut milk and pineapple juice.

Pie's quesodillas.

Reminiscing their honeymoon days. OMG!!

Shops inside Camp John Hay.

The real honeymooners - Ryan and Pie w/

Raymond as camera man

The sisters.. err.. mother and daughter, Elvie and Lizeth.

Our adopted children.(Joke) Luigi, Jaja
and Potpot he he he...


The road up hill fronting the transient house.

Will be posting our San Fabian, Pangasinan picnic on my next post.