Family Vacation - Manila & Boracay *Edited*
Since the maid is on a month's long home leave, we decided to use this opportunity to go for a family vacation. Coincidentally, my best buddy from Manila invited us to Boracay with them. The timing couldn't be any better! So we set forth on the 10 June and only returned last Sunday night.
Day 1 - 10 June 2014
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| that's us @ Changi Airport |
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| the plane we were going to board |
We took an afternoon flight, hoping that the 2 boys would fall asleep on the way there. Fat hope! Both only fell asleep almost at the last leg of the journey. While Jonathan enjoyed the flight, Matt was a different story. He fussed and cried very badly and absolutely hated the seat belt. Worst was that his diaper overflowed and I couldn't change him in time, so he peed on me.
Best buddy and hubby came to pick us up but traffic was bad. So in the midst of the car ride, Jon wanted his milk and boy, he kicked up another big fuss. What a start for our vacation.
Finally we reached their place and was awed by the space they had. 800sqm landed house with big yard and garden. 5 large bedrooms with attached bathrooms. We were shown our big room and then hurriedly got ready for dinner. Day 1 was just spent having home cooked food by Jaz and a visit to the supermarket next door. Then it's off to bed as we were going to Boracay the next day.
Day 2 - 11 June 2014
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| with iconic Jolli Bee |
We left the house at 8am and reached their Terminal 3 airport for the domestic flight. After all the checked in was done, we adjourned to Pancake House for a heavy breakfast because lunch would be late. Both boys started to warm up with Jaz's children - Lance & Lauren.
Then what came next was 3 experiences we were not forget.
Experience 1
The plane from Manila to Boracay was a very small one with propellors at the wings. It was so small that we had to use the bus transfer to the plane and then climb onto the plane.
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| boarding the PALexpress |
The photo is uploaded. As you can see, the size of the plane was really small and we were standing right in front of it.
Experience 2
Darren had forgotten the hot flask and when the 2 boys fussed again for their milk, we were completely flustered. We were so lucky that the small plane we were in had hot water.
the 3rd experience came on the 2nd day we were at Boracay.
So finally, the plane took off and both boys blissfully sleep on the flight. Then it was another short ride to the pier from Caticlan airport. There we transferred to a boat ride and finally got to Boracay!
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| blue lilly |
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| our suite |
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| Welcome to Boracay |
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| the cares of the world is behind me |
Loren actually wanted to book True Home but it was fully booked so he tried Blue Lily which was no frill and clean enough for us.
We had a quick lunch and then we adjourned to do our own stuff. Matt was so excited that he changed into his swim suit and walked down to the beach. The white sand beach is truly awesome and the multi colour of the sea is truly breath taking.
However, it rained from late afternoon onwards and we were kept indoor. We ordered dinner from Obama Grill and was delighted with their grilled tuna belly and their chicken soup.
Day 3 - 12 June 2014
We were going on a day trip to outlying island and we were hopeful that the boys would enjoy tremendously.
However, the boat ride was something we didn't expect. Loren got us the traditional boat which was fine except that we all were to be seated at the netted areas which were just above the open sea. Gosh! we totally freaked out! Big time!
We held on to our dear life with Jon and Matt and I was so afraid that Matt would go into high fever because we were directly under the sand and the boat is really a sailing boat with no oars or motors. So it sailed along with the wind and the lack of it.
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| swish swash |
This was certainly one of the unforgettable experience in our whole life and this would sure be a dinner topic in years to come.
However, the outlying island is really perfect. Pristine fine sand, clear water… delicious seafood but with 2 young boys… all I tasted was my own salty sweat.
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| the boat (another type) |
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| taking his nap |
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| swimming |
The initial plan was to stay till 3pm then we headed back to the main island but the hot weather made an extreme grouchy Matt. He cried and cried that we decided to head back after lunch.
But once the weather turned cooler, he started to feel better. We even had an encounter with a star fish.
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| strolling along the beach |
For dinner, we strolled along the beach and beyond our hotel, was a whole new exciting Boracay with eateries and coffee joints. Loren had earlier went to the market and got us 2 groupers, 1 kg of live prawns which he had a Korean restaurant to cook for us. Fresh seafood was our staple at Boracay. After dinner, we watched an exciting Fire Dance. No photos taken as we were carrying the boys to have a free hand. Yes… I practically carried 12kg Matt all the way, everywhere.
Day 4 - 13 June 2014
It was our last day at Boracay and we checked out at 12pm to return to Manila. For lunch, we went over to Obama Grill and we had again the grilled Tuna belly, grilled squid with tomato stuffing, grilled Salmon and tried their local version of stewed beef. Highly recommended Obama Grill for a nice meal.
By the time we got to Manila, it was near 7pm. Dinner was settled at Sentro 1771, a popular Filippino restaurant with the locals at Green Belt.
We had their house speciality, Sinigang with Corned Beef ( their local sour soup with corned beef and many other ingredients), sizzling tofu, Tilapia fillet in coconut sauce, their local version of crispy trotters, chicken soup and green mango salad.We really couldn't take any photos with the 2 active boys. But Sentro is one place I would go each time I'm in Manila. Highly recommended
We were completely exhausted by the time we got back to Jaz's house. We quickly settled the boys and went to bed as tomorrow would be another equally exciting day.
Day 5 - 14 June 2014
Day trip to Tagaytay to enjoy the cool weather. Set off around 10.30am and reached our lunch pit stop at Gourmet Farm. I really would this place, more than Sonia's Garden.
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| Gourmet Farm's dining area |
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| Their farms |
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| the store |
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| coffee beans |
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| rosemary |
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| home grown veggie and fruits |
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| plants for sale |
At the dining area, we had fresh garden salads and mushrooms soup. Really delicious. Their serving portion of pasta was huge and I really like it. There was live piano music to set the ambience right.
Then, we went to their garden to look at their home grown crops and visited their store for some awesome organic products.
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| my mocha |
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| La Pinay Crepe |
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| smallest volcano in the world |
We then went over to the Cliff house for dessert - Cafe Breton's crepes and coffee. It is another must-have for me when I'm in Manila. Nobody does crepes as good as them and I was completely satisfied with my crepe and mocha. It would be perfect if I didn't have to mind over Matthew.
We also viewed the smallest volcano in the world at Cliff house and bumped into a wedding couple who hosted their wedding at the Inn there.
On our way back, we made a pit stop at their Factory outlet. Shopping was done with me carrying a sleeping Matt (without any carrier). You could imagine how tone my arms would be after this "boot camp" holiday.
Dinner was another home cooked food by Jaz and Loren stayed behind to babysit the children so we could go for a foot massage. Really appreciated his help because the foot massage was really needed and very good (and cheap SGD $12.85 for an hour of massage from head to toe).
Day 6 - 15 June 2014
Last day of our stay and we went to Greenhill for some shopping. Bought toys for the children and 2 pairs of fit flops for myself. Left the shopping area for lunch with Loren's family. The crab restaurant was packed to the max on that day because it was Father's Day. Sensing our anxiety that we needed to rush to airport, Loren and Jaz went to hurry the kitchen. Thereafter we were zoomed to the airport by Loren.
Afternote:
Travelling with the kids is really tiring. Hardly any relaxation for us but we were happy that Jon really enjoyed himself. From this trip, we got to know the boys better and we also probably can handle all kinds of situation from now onwards ourselves. Once we were afraid of dining out with the boys without a 3rd adult, now we breezed through meal times outside and handled them with ease.
In fact, this trip had not made us shy away from holiday although the Poh boys fell sick for a week when we came back to Singapore.
We are now planning our next vacation, probably going to travel even further.
*wink*
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