San Juan, Batangas, Laiya Beach and Much More...

Having a husband from San Juan Batangas has given me the privilege of exploring this beautiful town. This is one of the places we will surely return to, not only because our relatives are there but also because this location is growing and expanding as one of the new tourist spots near Manila, just two hours of land travel away. It is such a privilege to live near San Juan that we can visit from time to time.

Acuatico and Acuaverde - Laiya, San Juan Batangas

Acuatico's Swimming Pool

Acuaverde's Guest's Welcome Lounge

Blue Coral Beach Resort - Laiya, San Juan, Batangas

Kota Keluarga Parasol

Klub Keluarga and Parasol

Vigan : A must place to visit

Vigan Heritage, Calle Crisologo

 It could have taken us a very long journey to reach Vigan City, but in return, it gave us back more than we expected.  I am proud to have visited this place and will not forget an extraordinary experience comparing it to other regions in the Philippines that I have been to.  Some people do not enjoy traveling because they only see places that have no differences at all.  Typically, what you'll see traveling in the whole Philippine Islands are the views of the mountains, seas on the other side of the road, and rice fields.  Looking at that point of view will really make you realize that there are no differences at all, and you end up thinking of wasting time and money going out and visiting other places.  Pakner4lyf and I love to travel.  Whenever we visit new places, we try to observe and search for things that are not in our place, and you'll be surprised that there really is a difference, and we still appreciate the common things we share as we are connected as Filipinos.  That's how we enjoy traveling and most of all at the end of our travel we go home with lots of ideas we learned from the new people we meet.

Long Road Trip with Children: From South to North Luzon

Photo taken at Ilocos Sur

 I never thought this trip was really going to happen. A few months ago, Pakner4lyf told me that he had received an invitation to speak at a church in Mangaldan, Pangasinan.  He said he wanted us (me and the children) to join him. For some reason, I hadn't taken his word seriously.  It's hard to travel with the children, and that's one major concern. I have seen how serious my husband was about this trip.  He informed my parents about the planned out-of-town travel and asked if they could join us. At first, they seemed uninterested, but on the scheduled date of departure, I saw that they were as excited as we were.  It's great that they can come along so we have someone to share the expenses with.  Our original plan was to use my parents' SUV (Sportivo) because it is bigger and more spacious compared to our car (Toyota Vios). However, due to unforeseen circumstances, one of the SUV's tires was flat and badly damaged, and we learned that the tires were no longer suitable for long travels. Therefore, it needed a new set of tires. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to buy new tires and change them, so we ultimately decided to leave using our car.

We left Batangas City at noon on November 16, 2013.  We stopped at Petron in Lipa Star Tollway and filled up there while buying the limited Chevrolet Toy Car.  We always took the opportunity to fill the tank outside Batangas City because gas is cheaper there.  On our way to South Super Highway, Mom and I noticed that Eu-La started to look pale and complained of her stomach.  So we immediately found a nearby gas station to take a break and have our late lunch, which made Eu-La feel much better.  We asked Eu-La to sleep whenever she felt dizzy, and I was glad she was cooperative.  Our little girl slept most of the time during our road trip.  

My husband craves for Halo-Halo

The whole Philippine Islands is experiencing too much heat this past few days.  Here in Batangas City, expect a higher temperature having it located in a coastal area.  Cold beverages is really refreshing during this scorching heat of the sun.  With the temperature my children would always ask me to let them turn on the air conditioning unit in our office.  I wouldn't allow them for the whole day practically because we can't afford to pay the electric bill having it turned on for longer period of hours.

Since summer has started, pakner4lyf keeps saying that he wants eat Halo-Halo in San Juan, Batangas.  It's unusual to hear men craving for food.  I don't know if you'll agree with me.  Because of his craving we went to his home town to have the San Juan's Halo-Halo experience.

San Juan Batangas and Laiya Beach Experience

Batangas province is famous for beaches as our province is surrounded with waters.  For me, one of the best beach resorts are now in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas.  The nearest white beach in Manila that need not an airplane nor a boat ride to reach it.  To tell you honestly, I've never known that Batangas has white beaches too until I met my husband.  My partner4lyf was born and raised in San Juan Batangas at Barangay Palahanan 2.  What I only know before, that San Juan is the place to find a variety of beautiful clay pots in its cheapest price,most specially when buying in bulk. We usually drop by in San Juan just to buy clay pots and other stuffs made out of clay.  The pots sold here in Batangas City market were from San Juan Batangas.  Some of the potters and stall owners of clay pots in San Juan are relatives of my husband. And it never came to my senses that someday I'll be marrying a native from San Juan.  Whenever we had a chance to visit my pakner4lyf's place we will surely drop by there to look for pots and plants.

Photo taken at Rowena's shop, after the Typhoon Ofel

Christmas On Display In Batangas City

Are you looking for a place to stroll and spend the remaining days of your vacation? Consider visiting Batangas City.

The City Government of Batangas came up with an idea of placing an Animated Christmas Display so Batanguenos need not to go to Manila to experience the same show. Greenhills Shopping Center became popular because of this attraction every Christmas season, and it was known as COD - Christmas on Display.  This action also boosted Batangas City's economy because of the tourists who are coming to pay a visit.

Animated Christmas Display - Snow White at Batangas City Hall

H2O Hotel Overnight Stay

Hotel H20 is located at Luneta, Manila, Philippines (Behind the Quirino Grandstand) and the first marine-themed resort hotel in the country.   For a number of times, we were able to visit Manila Ocean Park attractions. My children are animal lovers including fish and with the accommodation and features the hotel offers, I have included it in my list of places we should visit as a family.

Countries that I wish to visit

Even though we experienced heavy rains this past few days, I am glad that we do not experience flood and comfortably safe in our home.  My prayers are for those who have been seriously affected that they can cope up with the situation.  

Travelling is really one of my interests.  I know it is hard to go out when it is rainy and most of all couldn't really go out with a storm signal.  As I was saying earlier, I am still comfortable here at the house having not much to do the reason why I am joining the BC Bloggers Meme.  This week's topic is "5 countries you want to visit before you retire".  It's about my wishlist of places to travel so I will not miss this post!

30 Things About Me : A BC Bloggers Meme

Thanks to Sanna of Woman Scribbles who hosted the BC Bloggers meme for the last week of July.  It is a good topic of getting to know everyone.

Here's my list:

• (1)  I am the most beautiful daughter my parents could ever have.  
My two brothers won’t complain.

• (2)  I had a lot of names.

Family Bonding

I was so busy over the past few weeks that I couldn't go online to post a new blog or check my email and Facebook accounts. However, I had a chance to check yesterday and couldn't resist joining the BC Bloggers Meme hosted by Verna of My Baby, My Star.

I have so many things to share about our family bonding.  We place importance on having quality family time.  We are to admit that budget would affect the activity for family bonding.  But, budget shouldn't hinder our family bonding.  The quality of family bonding will depend on the time spent and how the family activity is shared.