Like in our previous holiday back in 2009, the hubby and I prepared our itinerary a month before we left. The big list included the things we needed to do (i.e. pay advance property taxes, renew licenses, visit Pag-ibig office, sort and dispose of old stuff), things we need to buy, people we wanted to see and places we wanted to visit. The “to do’s” and “to buy’s” were all ticked but too bad only about 20% of “places” and “people”. There is just not enough time.
There are so many things to remember from that trip:
• Getting items from the Duty Free shops at 10% additional discount because A works at the airport. Yey!
• Stop over at Brisbane International Airport. We left a very cold Sydney and arrived at a very humid Brisbane but couldn’t change our winter clothes because everything was checked in.
• Meeting the Kuas and Acuins in Manila despite the very short lay over. I also got to see my very good high school barkada, Badah, after 11 long years.
• The many trips to the spa with hubby for the massage that’s aptly called “hagod”- wash out jud tanan kakapoy and worth more than the measly P600 charge.
• Filipino food- lechon, mud crabs, fresh prawn kinilaw, chicharon, mangoes, suman, native chicken, and the list goes on
• Food again but this time our favorite kanding. Papa Nick got one for us which he and the hubby made into papait, kaldereta, sinigang and adobo. I’ve never had too much goat meat in my life! All so yummy—all cooked from the heart.
• The many hours spent at the duyan in Tubod and the never ending exchange of stories over extended meals with my family.
• Trip to Davao, for that unexpected cash (weee!blessing!) and seeing good friends from our military days. We also made a quick visit to hubby’s cousins who have made big businesses in Davao, inspiring us to dream some more. Haaaayz! Big thanks to the Dongail family for being our gracious host- for organizing two dinners with the mistahs and their families, for lending us their Pajero so we can visit Tagum and even go all the way up to Mawab. Grateful for the mistahs who came to see us and stayed until the wee hours of the morning for the big catch up. And if you’re reading this Marnellie, thanks to you and Julien, too
• Visits to MOA, Divine Mercy Shrine and Dahilayan. Short but really memorable.
- Short drives on hubby's big bike- adrenaline rush!
• My boys bonding with their relatives- priceless! I took a lot of photos so the kids will always remember their family back home.
• Boating inside the fish pond, Kuya Vince learning how to paddle and Rafa doing his bit by putting more water into the boat. Haha!
• The boy’s excitement over seeing real eggs hatch from Lolo Nick’s chickens.
• Crosswind XUV 2011 Moroccan Gold (big, big smile and big thanks to you oh, Lord!)
• Short meet ups with old friends. I promise to see more next time.
We squeezed in as much as we can in those three short weeks. I am grateful most of all for time well spent with family- the very reason for the holiday.
And now I’m counting the days to retirement so I can go back. Haha C’mon y’all, give me a huge smack!
