Off we go again......

So looking forward to this Summer Vacation in the Winter😜😜😜.

What is that, you ask?  Stay Tuned and you will see...

This time around, it will be Juju, GioGio, Johnny GeGe and I only...  

It will be an adventure to say the least - am sure!!!

Letting Go...

Letting go helps us live in a more peaceful state of mind and  restores our balance.  This also frees us from unnecessary stress.  It allows others to be responsible for themselves and for us to take our hands off situations that do not belong to us. 

#RandomThoughts #MyKindofMondayBlues

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

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.

Thoughtful Thursday

It was pride that changed angels into devils;

it is humility that makes men as angels.

-Saint Augustine

KHH for CNY 2014: Part 2

The rest of the time in Kaohsiung for the Chibese New Year Holiday was quite relaxing...  Especially with the Boys working and away in Military duties...  Still, we sure made the most of our time..... 

Mornings were spent on loooong walks with Liya and the doggies...  

Afternoons having coffee...  And evenings just relaxing...   

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Visited some FAVE haunts, Dream Mall - of course!!!

Thursday the 30th was extra fun as Both Todd and Johnny starts their CNY holidays..  So we get 2 days with them... Running around..  Helping prepare for the Chinese New Year's Eve....  Then the celebration itself...

Welcoming Johnny Wu Home with our versions of the Military Salute...  LOL!!!

Paper Offerings!

WHAT A FEAST!!!  Am still full just by looking at the photos!!!

Our last day, the 31st, was spent going to a couple of Temples...  Hanging out at the park with the whole Wu Clan...  And in the evening, going to Love River to see some Lanterns already on display...  And a boat ride around the river....

Gangs All Here!!!

 

BOAT CRUISE around Love River

Surprise Getaway

This is that time of the year when Shaun seems to get a few perks from various companies, through his work... All in the name of Happy Chinese New Year, of course.. :)

 

The ride is always a treat....  easy access....  plus the Special Train that takes you from BeiTou to Shin-BeiTou, the actual HAVEN for various luxurious hotels and hot springs is just too CUTE....   the Trains are painted in fun and colorful styles depicting the various activities one can do in the area...  The station are also decorated with Fun Art Installations - also using the theme of relaxation and hot springs....  These fun displays, as well as the view from the leisure walk, are truly eye catching took us a bit of time to actually get to our Hotel....

Always one to share, this time around we get to trek to Beitou for an overnight stay at this luxurious Hot Springs Hotel: Grand View Resort.  What a place it is....  soooo LUXURIOUS and pretty and serene....  Maybe it is because it is a Monday - or the HIGH RATEs for accommodation (About $400US a nite!) - but the place seemed empty....  as if aside from the staff, we were the only other inhabitants at the time.  Makes it even more FUN and RELAXING to be there...   Not only do we get to outdoor Hot Springs - our Suite also have a couple of Private Hot Springs overlooking the mountain scenery and the perfect place to catch the beautiful sunset....

The FUN Ride to BeiTou

Good Thing I can take my work everywhere and anywhere for the most part.... A fine way to start the work week, if I may say so myself!!!

Gorgeous, Gorgeous Suite!

Now this is what I call a Surprise Getaway Break!!!

Complete with a Beautiful Sunset to Boot!

KHH: Jan 2013

Started off the year with a week long (almost!) trip to Kaohsiung... Took the speed train early morning of the 3rd... Got to KHH for a quickie lunch, then on our 2 car rentals, headed on even further South: Kenting...

The 2 hr plus drive was blessed with beautiful ocean side views and a sunset.,. Plus nice stops for Java, delicacies, photo ops, and even a Temple stop.... Then we arrived at our Hot Springs destination, and refuge for the night.. Just in time for a dip in the Hot Springs to end the night.., but of course, the warm hot waters got us all hungry and we made a dash for some more delicacies for a midnight snack!

The following day, a local sumptuous breakfast greeted us, then it was another dip in the Hot Springs... It was way past 1pm when we finally checked out and be on our way for lunch and the drive back to Kaohsiung.,,

 

See More Photos Here - KHH:Jan 2013!

Moody Monday

Starting the week off a bit put off, really.....   such a shame as it is a beautiful Monday too....  just hope this is not an indication of the week to come....  Must Shake It All Off!

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Anyway,  here's why...

The last couple of days I have been having my own kind of fun, looking through my TRAVEL albums - as far back as the mid 80's....   looking through them... reminiscing.....  seeing old friends....  and basically reminding myself of all the places I have been the last decade and a half....  and thinking of all the people I have met, and beutiful places I have seen....

I enjoyed it soooooo much that I decided to create an album for them in my Facebook account...   to share them with my friends.... and especially with the ones that had been part of my many travels....  I came to realise that not everyone share my sentiments for old photos....  when sharing them with someone this morning, I was replied to with not just a sour look but with a really sad remark: "you look at your photos then - and you look at yourself now - and you can be Happy?"   OUUUUUCH!!!  And here I was, enjoying the photos - not even focusing on what I look like then or now....  :(  

It really bothered me the whole morning....  but as with every other negative things that comes into my life - i learn to be quiet...  and let go of it all....  so am over it....  over it in fact, to a point, that I will continue posting my photos for my pleasure and the pleasure of others who enjoys them, too....  and just let others be as miserable as they want to be.... 

OKINAWA DAY 3: Eternal Sunshine, NOT!!!

In all the brochures I have read - it states that Okinawa prides itself as an "Eternal Sunshine City"....   well, I must have brought the rain with me as, since arriving, it has been a bit on the cloudy side...  drizzling on the second day and the third day was full on rain... BOO HOO!!!  Still it did not deter us from going around and enjoying the day.....  started off by buying the 1 day pass...  for 680yen, one can really go from one end of Okinawa to the other - VIA MONORAIL.....  not bad considering it almost costed us that much to take the Monorail from the Airport to the city....  well, we did not know then... hahahahahahaha...

First (QUICK) stop, after breakfast, was the Duty Free Shop....  mainly just to admire their building, and the window displays....  and it did not fail to IMPRESS.....  it was quite nice....   lots of people/tours from China - so am sure they make the big bucks.....

And with the rain letting up a bit, we decided ti was time to head onto Shuri Area and check out the highly recommended Shuri Castle...   As they say, you cannot come to Okinawa without visiting this Castle where centuries and centuries ago - envoys from all over Europe and Asian Kingdoms have visited to pay tribute and have a big-to-do ceremony with the current Emperor.

The grounds are kept well....  and sadly, but in a good way, the actual parts of the Castles are none original....  most have been rebuilt, refurbished, recreated for today's revelers....   and we are told right down to the exact detailing, accents and colors.  Walking through it all, one cannot help but be AMAZED and even, FANTASIZE and WONDER what it would be like to live in such SPLENDOUR!   Aaaaaaaaah....  maybe in  another lifetime.....  :)

After the Castle, we walked a bit more around the grounds...  checked out other parts of the City of Shuri, then headed on to another destination: the Seaside.