Bahamas 2013

Sorry if this is a late post from my travel to the Bahamas. I've got long videos and it's hard to chose which one to add. This is only a bit of my what I have but I want you to see how beautiful the island is.

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!

Camotes Island Experience

Camotes Island is 2 hours away from Danao Cebu. You can go to the island either by a ferry, ro-ro, fastcraft, and a pumpboat just whatever suits your budget. I took a ferry from Jumalia Shipping Lines that left the port at 12noon. The boat arrived at past 2pm in San Francisco. We got out and were directed to a private van by the staff of Mangodlong Paradise Resort. They took us to the resort in silence. Hubby tried a few questions but the staff was not too friendly with us. Maybe it’s the heat or something. There was all silence in the car.

What a scene to enjoy your afternoon?

Cape Cod

When I plan a vacation, I always think about the beach. It relaxes my mind and spirit. I have been to Atlantic City, Florida and Hawaii where these places has really nice attraction like the beach. The whole country itself has many places to explore and one particular place I have not travel yet is Cape Cod. I want to go there one day.

My husband has distant relatives that live in Massachusetts. I want to know them as well as checking out the place too. If by chance we could have the time to visit them in the future, I prefer not to burden them with providing us accommodation. It’s always my choice to use hotels and book it online. Recently, I come across this site www.weneedavacation.com. It has lists of properties that are pretty reasonable. The lists of price range they have for Cape Cod vacation rentals are very attractive. I want to use this service or recommend this to any of my friends and relatives who lives there.

To my readers out there, if you live in a nearby state and have not seen Cape Cod yet, plan your trip now. Don’t forget to use this link at Cape Cod vacation rentals for your stay. Find the best price and you will not regret it.

Orlando Vacation

Before summer ends, people from the south or nearby state should not miss using their paid time off. It’s the time of the year to spend that Orlando vacations. Theme parks like Walt Disney in Orlando should not be missed. I have been there twice. All the time I was there, I explore and see things differently. It was indeed a memorable journey.

There are many things that you can do in the area. It’s really up to someone their choice of preference. I love Walt Disney and so I stick to it. But there are many things to explore beside Disney. Hotels in Orlando are abundant too so there’s nothing to worry about booking hotels for accommodation. I have not visited all the theme parks yet. I only visited two. There’s a reason for me to go back there again. It will be nice if I could bring some friends to join the fun. Also, it was memorable the last time I visited. I stayed one of the Disney Resorts Orlando. It was a small villa but complete. We had a full kitchen, Jacuzzi and 2 rest rooms. The hotel was not too far from the park. I had enjoyed my time and I always remember the excitement I had staying in the hotel and the moment I had in the theme parks.

Marriott Kaui Resort & Beach Club - Hawaii

We checked in Friday September 3rd til the 7th. Though it has been paid til the 10th. It's the time share that would let you use for a week. I was really glad to be able to get in a right timing during labor day. I am glad too that hubby was up for it as well.

When we got there from the other hotel and our little excursion of the island, we rested in a grand place. We checked first one room that was offered. We went there and it wasn't the room that we are hoping to get. So we asked the front desk to change rooms and we got a better room overlooking the pool and ocean. It was one of the best accommodation we had.

The road going to the building

Hubby took a pose

Side view of the covered valet servicePillars

Nice building design - so hugeI have to take a pose for a souvenir.
Escalator going to the hallway and lobby to check in

Hallway

Lobby
Elevator - Kahili Tower

Entrance of the room (villa)Living room

Another shot with living room together with the kitchenette.

kitchenette

Another angle shot with the living room this time with the small dining area where the mirror is.

Guest vanity area.

Bathroom - same style with the master bedroom. I have no pictures taken inside but it's a little bigger then the guests room.

Bedroom

Me and the bed
The angle view of the room
More shots with the bedroom.

Patio chairs outside the bedroom and living room. Same style.

The view from the patio.

Kauai, Hawaii - Adventure

I went back from a 6 day trip in Kaui Hawaii. It was very nice relaxing island. I had enjoyed my stay. We rented two different hotels. The first day we had rested in Aston Aloha Hotel. Pretty much older hotel. It still clean but needs more tender loving care. The rate was good because it was way much cheaper. You can get what you pay for. On the resort, you can walk to the beach area. There is a swimming pond there for a family to swim. The dike was made intended for a pond. It's a nice touch.

What is surprising to see in the island is the wild rooster. I had read about it but I didn't know that it's everywhere. I could imagine the respect the locals show for the balance of nature. They are all untouched. The island is pretty laid back. If you get the rest you need, this is the place for it. Me and hubby had so much on the island. Though we didn't plan about touring around, but we did explore 3/4 of it. Nice beach area and scenery.

The remaining days we stayed at Marriott Kaui Resort and Beach Club. A perfect place for swimming in the pool and beach. We were able to swim in the beach and swim in the pool. They have the biggest pool and very pretty. I will attached some pictures later in the next post.

So far the vacation that we need was achieved. It rejuvenate our spirit and energy. It's really nice to be able to get that days off when you need it the most.

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

Marlin's Beach Resort

The awesome van pick up/drop off service.

This year was my second time to visit Bantayan Island. The last visit if I may recall was year 2002. I don’t really remember if it’s the exact year since my mind was screwed up that time. Something awful happened to me I just don’t want to remember and maybe that could be part of it.

Anyway, I went to this place together with my family. The booking part of this hotel was a little bit worrisome because they are not fully equipped. Though it was said on the website that they do accept credit cards, but when you book a room you need to call the hotel and talked to their representative. Since I was also in another island that time when I planned it, I sent them email and made a follow up call when I made my deposit to their bank account. It wasn’t twice or thrice it was a lot of calling and emailing because of the number of rooms I booked. I wanted to make sure I was clear with it. I don’t prefer to do such a thing and that kind of transaction but because it’s an island, communication in the sense could be a question.

My family stayed in the hotel for 3 days. The staffs are friendly. The restaurant is clean. Every morning we filled up the restaurant by ourselves and their kitchen quite lagged on the service but we did understand. The hotel is very small and they maybe only one cook for the day. But definitely the dining experience was good. Over all our experience was nice and the family enjoyed the beach as well.

The walkway towards the bar & restaurant.

The bar & restaurant.

The restaurant.

The beach ocean front view room.

The bedroom.

The balcony.

The view.

The deluxe rooms.

This can be occupied by 6-10 people. But I've stayed here just with hubby.
The view on the balcony.