1st of the many, I Hope!

So we are off to a hood start in the Travel department, as I was Blessed enough to have been able to Travel this past January...  For over two weeks!!!

It matters not that it was just in the Philippines - Again!!! - as this time around I got to:

-Visit 2 new Destinations: Baler and La Union..  

-Wander about and see some old historical and marvelous churches....  

-And got to visit the island of Puerto Galera once more!!!

 

Yep, Yep... you read that right....  we hit a total of  3 BEACHES!!!   Just in time too as it was the perfect getaway from the cold and dreary winter of Taipei.....   First stop was Baler....  a looong drive from Manila but soooooo worth it....  they call themselves the Surfing Capital of the Philippines and judging by the folks surfing - locals and tourists alike - it surely looks like it!

The second beach town was La Union... used to be surfing Haven before it all moved to Baler...  I requested this place as I really wanted to stay at Thunderbird Resorts....  The Greek decor inspired resort that I first got to see in the movie, "The Other Woman", a few years back... and have been admiring posts by other on Facebook and Instagram....  It was A OK....  not as IMPRESSIVE as it looks in photos....  pricey for what it had to offer... but it helped that there were not many people staying at the time we were there... got to enjoy the pool very much...  especially since no one can really swim on their private beach...

a few days break back in Manila and we headed back to Puerto Galera in Mindoro....  it has been many years since we were there last, about 2008, and it was great to be back... has changed... has grown... and just have so much more to offer - young and adults alike...  the waters were so calm... not too cold....   even Juju did not scared and swam every chance she got....   The nightlife is soooo much fun - even if you do not drink....   lively entertainment right along the beach... one after another....  our last nite, we even went from venue to venue to venue... not wanting to miss out on anything...

I truly had a WONDERFUL TIME this trip....  it was a promising start to a brand new year of travels - and I hope that it will be just like that - full of firsts, fun times, unforgettable memories....  Here's Hoping and Praying!!!  

 

You can see more photos of the trip by CLICKING HERE!

 

 

 

 

Travels 2014

Travels 2014

So Thankful for all the opportunities to travel last year... Besides the numerous trips to see family in the Philippines , was able to fit in Nagoya, Okinawa. Thailand , Myanmar & Hong Kong.

Loved seeing the snow - in the Nagoya region of Japan - again, having not seen it for a long time; spending Holy Week in the Philippines for the first time - such an emotional experience; Disneyland through Juju's eyes; and being able to add another country, Myanmar/Burma, to the list of countries visited.  Revisiting Okinawa was a lot of Fun, and this time around, a tastier treat as we ate sooooo much!!!   And seeing the awesome Holiday displays in Manila and Bangkok are always a FAVE of mine.  So many first time experiences in 2014 - and I love them all!

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After all these years, I finally got to see Mayon Volcano in my Mom's Province Region of Bicol!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Nagoya, Japan

Hong Kong Disneyland with Juju n GioGio!

Foodies in Okinawa, Japan!!!

Goofing about at Terminal 21

Bangkok, Thailand

Travel Anyway You Can!!!

Rockwell XMas

Manila, Philippines

Awesome fishermen of Myanmar!

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Thanks to my families (The Palmas, The Teruels, The Wus),

and friends along the way, for making it all much more FUN!😚😚😚

Here's hoping 2015 will be just as Good to me!!!😃😃😃

#FlasbackFridays  #Happiness #Travels

16 Years!!!!

16 years ago yesterday, January 9th,  I arrived in Taipei, Taiwan to make a go of a new life...  And what a life it has been...  Would not change any part of it. Okay maybe one or two - but truly, for the most part it has been filled with adventures & happiness...  Got to spend more time with my family in The Philippines....  Got to spend tine with Mom and Dad before their passing.., see my nephews and nieces grow into adulthood...  and have been Blessed to be a part of another family, The Wus!!! 

To You, Thanks for being my Best Friend, Biz Partner, and my Family all these years...  Through the Ups and Downs we have managed to stick it out...  Here's to more years of adventures, more countries to explore, and more of everything to come...

OKINAWA Revisited!

With next week just around the corner, am getting more and more excited to the upocoming week long OKINAWA trip with the whole Wu Clan....  it made me look back at photos from my first time there....  Can't believe 3 years have passed already!!!  

Am sure so much has changed....  and with us renting cars to get around, am pretty sure we will get to cover more land and see more of the outskirts....  just hope it will not be as rainy as the first time.

Oh such simple pleasures that packs loads of delights!

Yesterday, Oct 5th, our little girl turned 4....   it boggles the mind how this could have happened... seems like she is just a little baby and BOOM... she is 4!!!  

Time really flies when one is having fun - and since she arrived on the scene, we have had a lot more fun...  Her personality is just so that she has always kept us entertained.... and if you are following me on Facebook, am sure you know that the two of us has become quite a pair when it comes to goofiness and having fun....  We make the most of each day we are together... and we always seem to manage and find something to do, rain or shine, and create our own fun!!!!  We share the same love for colors, toys, and music....   and this makes taking care of her a lot easier.... Thank God!!!

Amazing how I have seen this girl grow....  from being born...  to her first step, first smile, first word, and a bunch of other firsts!!!   And each day, she does or say something that amazes me....  even her comprehension and command of English still surprises me....  so many words am pretty sure a lot of others I know cannot even say - much more know the meaning of - but this girl picks up fast....  unbeknown to us until she utters them....  and she now speaks complete sentences in ENGLISH!!!  I for one am HAPPY that am able to help on this part - ut if you ask her - she will say: "I taught myself English!" - LOL!!!

I had a few things planned for her SPECIAL DAY - since Mami N Papi are both working, and GioGio is working in Italy,  I made sure I get her on her BDay - so as it will not pass without marking the day with any kind of memorable event....  so I planned.... at first I thought it was not to be so as she had a little bit of accident at her home before coming to me....   but after an hour's rest... she woke up with a smile and asked: "When can I wear my Sofia dress?"  Her birthday present from me.... Put it on her, much to her delight and she said:  "let's go out!  I want to show everyone my Princess Gown!"   Not sure if she is really OK already, I decided to just walk over to Dajia Riverside Park... get some fresh air and take a few shots....  She was in Heaven... acting as if she is really Sofia....

This was not enough...  she remembered my promise...  Hello Kitty Cafe for her 4th BDay....   since this was already on my schedule, and she seems to be doing fine...  off we went....   take the bus and walked a couple of blocks over to the Hello Kitty Heaven....  the whole time she is in full Sofia costume, high heels even!!!  Such a delight to see her happily stroll the streets in her costume....   savoring every minute of it....  Made the whole trek worth it for me...  it mattered not that the food was not really that great....   and a bit overpriced....  every minute spent, as I can see in Juju's eyes, was like being in her idea of Heaven!!!

The night did not end there... she is still energetic, raring to go... and wanted to still be walking the streets in her Princess costume....  so we walked a bit more....  stopped by a Temple to give thanks....  and walked to Breeze Center to window shop and take a few more photos....  Juju was in heaven, remembering I have taken her here before....  loved the Castle looking buildings in the backdrop so she wanted to take loads of photos.... and she even chatted up with a few passers by - in Chinese and in English - proudly explaing why she is dressed as Sofia, The First! 

Oh such simple pleasures that packs loads of delights!

 

Mission Accomplished! The day turned out to be as memorable to me, as it is for Juju....

  and for her 5th BDay - I already promised The Barbie Cafe... LOL!!!

 

Just a Couple of GooFBaLlS!!!

"We are Sparta!!!!"

 

I think it is already no surprise to anyone how when am with Juju, rain or shine, we still pretty take advantage of the day and we make our own kind of FUN!  We try to still go out and see where our feet and our umbrellas would take us....  and at times when the weather is really bad and we have no choice but, so as to not go too crazy, we just do goofy to be stuck at home, we get goofy and just do some  selfies...  and to PROVE it, here's a few outtakes...  LOL!!!

On The Bus!

 

"At The Park!"

 

"Bored Out of Our Heads at Home!!!"

 

Yellow Mellow

Yep....  that is just how we entertain ourselves and each other....  

and so far, so good...

Ghosts of Christmas Past!

"A Happy Memory is a hiding place for Unforgotten Treasures."

-Paul L. Powers

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With Christmas fast approaching - it is  always good to look back

at some of the past ones...

 they bring back memories that are dear to us...

1993:  XMas totally dedicated to that loving Pooch, Baxter! 

San Francisco, CA - USA

2003: Narita Airport

Narita, Japan

2007: XMas with the Family

Taytay, Rizal - Philippines

2010: Attending an  XMas Pa.rt given by

the PNN Group

Manila, Philippines

2011: last Christmas spent with Mom

Rizal, Philippines

2011: Hanging with Juju, GioGio, Lisa et Gaspard

Taipei, Taiwan

Happy Birthday, Mom!

You are surely missed..  

Forever you will be   in my thoughts and my heart...  

Here's hoping you are looking down on us, and feeling happy..  I love you, Mom!

Mom: 1st year Death Anniversary

"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure."

Mother's Day 2013

Well, I know it is the day after...  I did the ritual:  thought of my Mom a lot, prayed in Church, and tried to smile through it all..  It, being the fact that it is the first Mother's Day since her passing...

 

Having left my Mom's side at a young age to live with my Dad in the US, I have spent many a Mother's Day without her... not to mention, living apart for so many years - me in the US and now in Taiwan - while is in the Philippines with her 2nd family...  so, not having her around really is nothing new...  I should have been used to it....

 

Still, this time it was different...  I ended up feeling such emotions as longing and wishing...  Longing for my Mom...  and the opportunities to see her now and again....  Longing to see her smiling face when I come through the door to wish her a Happy Mother's Day - with or without flowers in tow...  she always have the same smile - happy and full of life.... and Wishing I could just pick up the phone and call her on this very day, even if I could not make it to see her.... 

 

But that is all quite impossible now... but I do know in my heart that she knows how am feeling... how she is missed and loved... and will be forever more....    and in some ways, I do know that she is looking after me....  still dream of her now and again....  having conversations with her....  though I do not see her face in my dreams - I do know it is her am talking with... sharing some times with....  and for this, am Happy!

Above Photo:  Possibly the only photo of me with her, when I was a little boy, in existence.... the Baby girl is my half sister...  not sure who the teenager girl is though....

 

Happy Mother's Day, Mom... 

Simply, I Love and Miss You!!!