July 4th Fireworks in the Bahamas

This is a late post. I had a very good trip in the Bahamas. One of the coolest thing was to celebrate with a free food given by the couple we've met when we had a morning swim in the hotel and joined them for dinner to witness this spectacular firework show.

All photos were taken hand held. I had fun taking all of these.

St Maarten 2013 Part 2

Though my heart is weary, looking at this video from my recent trip uplifted my spirit.

In this video I used my recent HD camera Sony HDR CX380 and D90. I wasn't fully happy on the quality of the video. I was expecting more of it which somehow was really a disappointment. But I have to use what I've got. Money doesn't grow on trees. I am practical, you know? Hmmm...

For me, this was only a little step up on our previously old Sony handy camera and canon digital camera. I think my D90 has more ability to take better videos if using prime lens. But on the other hand the panning is jittery. It's a disaster. So I really have mixed emotions on the video.

But at the end of the day, I am happy that I had something I could keep and remember through these videos.

St Maarten 2013

Hi Everyone!

Here's the latest video I made with my recent travel in the South of Caribbean. It's an island called St. Maarten. I had a pretty relaxing trip. I didn't explore the whole island. The intent was to simply take lots of rests and I did.

I will be making more videos later on. There are plenty in my archive and it's hard to choose which one could be good in one video. But hopefully I can make probably soon.. Watch for it!

As for now, hope you like this!

Turtle Bay Dive Resort, Moalboal Cebu

I spent one night in this proclaimed best dive resort in the south of Cebu, Moalboal. Hubby was the one who chose to book it and I got my surprise while I was there. The resort overall is clean. You will feel at home and will be able to relax your eyes from the eye sore of the city. There was silence. No guests in sight. I haven't seen anyone around though I saw towels hanging on some of the balcony in the 2nd floor. I haven't meet any guests at all.

The landscapes are well manicured, pool is heated and has a salt treatment. It maybe treated or maybe the dive masters are teaching the students with not so clean scuba gears. Who knows if it's really a salt treated pool. I forgot to ask. The staff were nice. They still lack foreign standard in treating their guests. I don't care that much since it's acceptable to me and I feel comfortable when they are around.

Durhan white beach, Tabuelan Cebu

This resort is located in Northern Cebu. I was coming from Talisay where my folks live. We took the new Consolation coastal route from Talisay taking SRP to Mandaue. And then, pass Liloan all the way to Sogod. There is a short cut somewhere in Sogod. We drove 30minutes or less riding the Cube Nissan which my brother had trouble driving with a spare tire but able to make it. It was such a relief to be able to get out of the road.

Fom the main road, you will pass unpaved dirt. A couple of areas are cemented. With having a low ride vehicle, it was a pain in the A**. lol! It was like heaven when we reached the entrance gate. I really expect a dramatic entrance but not Jose. The gate was not made of fancy decorated metal or wood carving, it was plain. You could not really remember what it looked like. hahaha...

A beautiful Beach

Kaanapali Beach is located on the west side of Maui. You have to passed the town of Lahaina and you could get to see this beauty. The beaches of Maui are property owned by the state of Hawaii. So every beach line and beach front, folks from every where either could be tourists and local could enjoy it. There is no restriction of using the property except no alcoholic beverage drinking in the premises. I would not agree to this restriction because I saw people doing it and so far with me being there I haven't witness any human casualties from drowning or whatever the circumstances might be because of drinking alcohol.

Anyway, I set foot on this beach the 3rd day of my stay in Maui. I really like the beach. The time I was there the beach was so turquoise and temperature of the weather was perfect too. Though it was a little humid that day, I had enjoyed my time.

My hubby and I were under a shade of a tree with some couples around us having a great time too. While I was done with swimming, we stayed there to enjoy just looking at the beach, feeling the breeze and people watching. It was so nice to get there.

A nice visit to the Beach

The 2nd day I was in Maui. Hubby and I explore the southern part of Kihie. We went to Makena Beach. It was a bit of an adventure for us to see how the beach could really look like. We already saw pictures and advertisement about the place. We were interested to see it in our own eyes and we did explore it by driving from our hotel down to Makena.

The beach was so nice. It was also perfect that time because the weather was not too hot nor too windy. Hubby and I enjoyed our time swimming. I also got the time to do my pictures. It wasn't many but it was good to keep the memory of the place.

Kaui Attractions

Sorry about the late update on the trip that I did last month. I would like you to see which part of the island that I went to and got my adventures with. Our trip was short and there was no really set plans about going around the island but it turned out last minute to confirm our rental car and just have the car if we decide we might going out somewhere. We did go out and here are some of the sites that we went to.

Mini Circle Tour

The last day of the trip, we had booked a mini circle tour on the south east part of Oahu. It's much cheaper than the one I saw online. We tried to book it on saturday but apparently they don't do any tour on the weekends. That was a bummer. I prefer to spend our time that day. But we ended up booked it on a Monday. It was still fine.

The weather was kind of odd. The usual type of weather in Oahu. Part of it will shower with dark clouds and bright sunny day. It's hard to predict. Besides that we don't have internet in the room which we didn't pay for the service. What good will it do, when you only spend so little inside. We just talked to the concierge at the hotel where local expedia has it's own tour set up.

So this is the itinerary:

Obama’s birthplace
The president’s first home
Amelia Earhart lookout on the slopes of Diamond Head
Punahou School
Baskin-Robbins, site of President Obama’s first job Nu’uanu Pali Lookout
Punahou’s Circle Apts, where Obama was raised from 1971–79
La Pietra School for Girls
Drive by Makapu’u Point
Waiola Shaved Ice ( we didn't stop for this since it was raining that time )
Halona Blowhole
Hanauman Bay (not available on Tuesdays)
Sandy Beach, the president’s favorite bodysurfing spot

Haluna Blow Hole

The swimming area near the blow hole

This is the bus. Clean and nice ride with a very funny tour guide.

Hanauma Bay

Pali Lookout

Sandy Beach (body surf area)- Pres. Obama's favorite beach

Aston Waikiki beach hotel

It's been 3 days since we arrived here in Hawaii. Nice to be back and see the ocean. Though haven't walked from the beach yet, I have took a couple of photos but the kind of photo that I will be proud at. Still waiting for a bright nice weather. Hubby and I got stomach problem yesterday. That prevent us doing more since we have to watch our condition whether walking long distance is a good idea because we need to be near the hotel. We are glad it's not food poisoning.

This hotel is located at South of Waikiki. The dropping spot for the tourists. The shopping area is amazing. It's really walking distance. I haven't gone to this far end from the last trip I did year 2005. It's good to compare what it looks like. The building is pretty decent and clean. They only have 1 restaurant the Tiki Bar where music is inviting at night. The food was okay. I tried my very first loco moco. Hawaii is very famous of that. Rice, crab meat with 2 eggs on top with gravy. This is my replacement for burger steak from Jollibee and Orange Brutus in the Philippines.

The breakfast set up was kind of weird. They provide us a bag where you can put all your food in it. The variety of food they serve isn't that much. It's just pastries, fruits, juice and coffee. You have to chase the best pastries there is too while supply wont last that long. Not much of a good breakfast. It's more like carbs on the diet. They have a section of the omelet and waffle where you have to pay $5 each. It's a good size meal but not really great. The dining area is bad. Not many chairs and tables to sit so either you have to go back to your room or somewhere else.

The rooms are pretty okay. I don't have much complaints except the thin walls. You can hear the flash of the toilets and sliding doors from the balcony open from the neighbors. The loud noise itself on the street could get you too with that. A light sleeper could have a problem with it. But me, I don't mind it only my husband got some trouble with it.

The twin bedroom. Got this room since the king bed were all taken. We arrived 20 minutes before midnight which lucky we were able to get a room.

The small dining, dresser and Tv.

The Bathroom.

The Balcony.

The pool area is small. They have lounge chairs and beds. I used the beds twice. I stayed there to use the free wifi internet which the frequency keeps dropping. It could have been nice if it could have been in the room but Hawaii is pricey. Every thing speaks for the dollar.

This is the fountain at the ground floor at the waiting area for the guests.

Back to reality

I had just my vacation last month. I had a great time with my family. I spent most of my time with them, some good trips outside Cebu, food hopping, a day with friends and some real estate hunting. Overall, it was such a marvelous trip.

First week of my stay, the family and I had our adventure at Crown Regency and the swimming in Mantalupan Falls in Barili. The 2nd week my husband and I flew to Boracay for 4 days where we just spent it together. That very same week I met up with 3 of my friends and attended parties. On my 3rd week, we tried zip line adventure in Mountain View and our out of town trip in Bantayan with the whole family plus 2 of my relatives. They all loved the experience in the island. There was shortfall with our booking for the van when we were heading to Hagnaya but when we arrived the awesome experience was great. I am so loving to make my family happy and I am proud of myself and my hubby that we did it for them. I have such good memories of that trip. I will be posting some videos on that when I could have the chance to make one. The last week of my stay in Cebu was spent with real estate people and land hunting. I had never seen Cebu like that. Actually the experience thought me how big of an island Cebu is and there are still lots of places to explore. We had another site seeing again in Mountain View but just closeby zip line. I had organized that so everyone can see that especially my parents whom I believed never stepped down in the area. So it's good to have them see what I've seen. We also went that night in IT Park. It was previously known as the village before. Now, it's a call center location. It's a nice progress for the city and it's a clean environment. Hope they can maintain it. The food was great in Moon Cafe and Casa verde. And for our last night, my mom cooked dinner for us. My brothers gave us some firecrackers to lit and they were all happy to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary.

My time was great in Cebu and I had wished for more days. I know one day I will be back then and live there for long.

One Sunday Afternoon

I went somewhere in Highway 1 before with hubby. We stopped in the middle of nowhere. We adventure to walk from the road going down the hill over the beach front. It was that afternoon where I took a very good picture of a hill where in the middle there was a whole. It was sunset that time and rays from the sun was very nice. I was happy in that very instance knowing I have a very good picture taken. When I got home, I uploaded it to my photo transfer. I was thinking that just leave it that file temporarily and will get back to it when I got the chance. So one day, I was looking my documents to my photo transfer gadget. No luck was found. I got so upset. It was a very good picture that I lost.

So my husband and I tried to search for that location where we spotted it. We took half moon bay route going right. We didn't find it. Darn! But ended up discovered Montara State Beach. We didn't go down the shore. We were up on the hill capturing the picturesque view of the hill and the ocean. It was a good thing. Maybe one day, we can find that very location where I had lost some pictures of it.

Again in Santa Cruz

After a day of looking for places, hubby decided that we will go to Santa Cruz last Sunday. He let me drove part of it going to Highway 17. When the zigzag road started, I pulled over he replaced me. All through the miles remaining he did it as well as coming back. We spent a time in the boardwalk. Got some pics on the surrounding. After, went near the tower and just spent sometime to look over the horizon as far as our eyes can see. We've heard the sea lion squeaking in the background, waves crushing on the rocks, breeze caressed our skin, a loving warm hug by each other was a good feeling in that moment. I was so happy to had that experienced just beside each other with the nature in our background.

An Easter Sunday

I started my day with hubby at 9am in St. Justin Church for the mass. We were a little bit late but a good time before the Gospel reading. The most important thing in the mass is the Gospel so you could reflect on what's the message for the day. The church was packed. I stood in the side aisle againt the decorative wall where hubby was at my back. We were at the very end. Spiritual enlightenment these days is most needed.

Past 10am left the church and had breakfast at Mcdo. We came to change clothes and head for the beach. I checked with Ji-ann on the phone. She's on the road to Santa Cruz with hubby. I heard her hubby in the background teasing me. It's just very pleasant to know this couple. An hour passed, I called Josie and all the girls in the beach. We were the last person to arrived but told them that I will be late. We ate the food we bring, took a lot of pictures, enjoy the sun, the rides in the boardwalk and this get together was fantastic for Easter. I had a very good time.

A DaY WeLL SpEnt

Hubby and I spend our morning at home relaxing. I made a breakfast for us and we ate together. We missed to have that and I can only do that every weekend. From the time I started to work, I spend my morning alone and prepare something for myself. I can only bid him with a kiss either in bed or when he wakes up early.

Some days ago he asked me to spend quality time and his looking forward to it over the weekend. It was a great idea and I granted his wish wholeheartedly. He is a very thoughtful guy and he always makes sure he can spend more time with me as possible. The weekday schedule is quite busy for us and the time to spend when we are off from work is something that needs to nourish.

We are on our 2nd year in marriage. The time to fritter should be worth it to make the relationship sturdy. He doesn’t want us to be distant to each other. He looks up to the consequence of the marriage. And by no means wouldn’t squander the time by an uneventful ways.

We drove to highway 92 passed the beautiful hills and scenery and stopped at the beach in Poplar St, Half Moon Bay. Got out from the car, walked to the edge of the hill, oversee the picturesque view of the bay, heard the splash of the waves and the medium sound chills from the wind. We just stood there up on the hill didn’t walked barefoot down to the shore but it was a moment to spare with an alluring thoughts.

We left the place to look for food, ate at Popeyes and safely get back to home. Relaxed a little bit, made to think of seeing a movie. Browsed the internet and read reviews and arrived at AMC Mercado in Mission and watched the “Vantage Point”. It was a great movie. Filled with plotting scene and you keep on guessing who is the terrorist. I just don’t like the way the scene were divided by each character. It bore me parts in the middle but the last scene was touchy. It took us an hour and a half in the theatre, home at last and ate ice cream sundae from Mcdo and finishing up this writing. Until next time.

Marriage Proposal

This has been the most common thoughts for all ladies. Started dating at tender age of 13 or others could be late bloomers. No matter what age you started, it somehow put you in time to think about who could be your partner for life, soul mate, lover and a friend for keep.

How many times our hearts are broken? How many promises made not to fulfill? Tears flooded, hopes denied but we keep on going forward. We may stop moving to the next level when we are hurt, devastated and failed but eventually time heals. We learned from the mistakes, become a better person and able to love again.

I was hurt so many times in my life. I couldn’t count as to how much. I have a heart that is so pure that I can easily fall in love. I met a lot of wrong people at different times. I thought I could never really find that someone who I can connect with for a bliss. It took me time and years. I already have considered happy to be single with no passion for a man but then fate changed in some way. I was bitter but softened and become a person that I am today.

I don’t want to narrate how my current story goes but I am happy. I reached 2 years with happy memories in marriage. It is not perfect but it’s growing. Quality time and respect is the main focus of our relationship and we want to always put that in our hearts. To love each other until the end is a working process and we are progressing. Thunderstorms will always be there. It could shake, rambled us for a better reason and we just hold on.

Since this is the commemoration of our renewal of vows, I looked up to the day I was proposed on the day of my birthday. My husband flew half way around the world to see me and to kneel down under the tree in one of the finest beach in Cebu and asked my hand for marriage. It was a very memorable day.

These are the actual pictures that was taken after the proposal was made and answered.

Maribago Blue Waters, Cebu Philippines Dec. 24, 2004

Family Bonding

The main purpose of this trip is to have more family bonding. I tried my best to spend time with my parents. I didn't do much here except kept on strolling the mall, eat Filipino dishes and sweets, and having cheap massages at body and soul in Gaisano Tabunok.

Yesterday, I had organized a small get together of my family and few friends. Most of them came and the others did not. It didn't spoil my night wherein some of them I haven't seen averaging to 4-5 years. I was glad to see them all. We had held at "Port Seafood Restaurant" in Waterfront Lahug. It started past 7pm and ended at 10:30. I will post some pics when I got back from my trip.

Today, we went to Portofino. My dad decided to have a beach outing. It was a debate first whether it will be in Portofino or at Moalboal and the votes went to nearest location in Lapu-lapu where Portofino is. I didn't bring my digital cam so no pics for the day. I will just have all the memories in my mind. I had a great time. Wish to spend more bonding like this one. Hoping to get back someday with a better plan.

To see familiar faces

It will be less than 2 weeks from now, I will take my vacation off to Hongkong. I am excited to see the place. I only have been there inside the airport, and looking down from inside the plane, see the city from up above. I had seen it twice and from the pictures that my husband took when he had visited the place. This time with a good timing for convention for Fashion Exhibit this Jan 14-17, I am excited to be there and a prospective buyer as well. Just have to take a look first as to what products and designs they're promoting. I love to see current fashion and near future trends. For sure this will be an eventful week for me and hubby.

Just a week stay there in HK, we will go straight to Cebu, Philippines. The island I grow up, where my town and home is kilometer away from the beach. The familiar smoke of the cars near SRP, at the new coastal road. The barbecue from meat to fruits. The loud karaoke machines of the neighbors and just the warmth of the people. There's no place like home.

I am looking forward to see my family and friends. Visit the beach in Talisay, Lapu-lapu and wanting to see Malapascua or Bantayan Island. My itinerary is not set to beach outing yet but i will just plan it when I get there. My mom and I talked days ago about letting her know I wanted to organize a party for friends, and she said she wanted to invite others and she will partake to pay some too. It will be such a good idea. I wished all the friends I wanted to see will come and I hope to have memories to all in just an evening night with them. I am thrilled to and anxious to be home and see all those familiar faces.