Thinking Of Getting Away From It All

Hubby and I are really feeling stressed for a while. We haven't had a vacation for what seems like ages. It's all about work, taking care of the kids. The last we REALLY had a vacation was our honeymoon, and it was only a 3 day 2 night break since we had to be back soon -- for work!

The next time we had an out-of-town trip, it was to Tagaytay for a convention. That was 3 years ago already! We brought along our then 8 month old son and we had a nice time, even if it was not much of a vacation, more of a convention. This year's midyear convention was in Cebu and we were thinking of going there, but then when I got pregnant, we decided not to because I would have been 8 months pregnant by then.

We hope that we could get away, even just to a nearby destination like Baguio, for a family vacation. If funds permit, a trip out of the country, preferably in one of Karisma’s five signature resorts, particularly the Azul Blue, which promises a family friendly and the world's first "stress free" hotel, with lots of pampering included. That I got to try for myself. Or maybe the Azul Beach Hotel which is family-friendly with conveniences for babies and kids, even kid-sized bathrobes! Or should we leave the kids and embark on a romantic "second honeymoon" at the El Dorado Royale Resort?

What do you think? Me, as long as it's a break from the usual humdrum of work! We need a recharge!

Myrtle Beach

The last I've been to the United States was more than 10 years ago already! I didn't realize that it's been such a long time. The next time I go there, I will have to bring my whole family and visit a place like myrtle beach. It's out of the usual path for the usual Pinoy but it offers a lot of things -- golf (what it's most famous for), nightclubs, aquariums, NASCAR-themed go-karts, amusement parks -- for the whole family to enjoy.

Golfing?

I started leave from work last week, but that's not because I'm going to one of those Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations. I'll be giving birth to a bundle of joy, a little girl this time!

Come to think of it, we haven't gone on a vacation in quite a while. That's the problem with parents having very young children. It's kind of difficult to plan for one if you will still worry about your kids. I've heard of a few of our contemporaries who are golf enthusiasts who really take the time out to enjoy their chosen sport and to socialize with other enthusiasts while they're at it. I think they've sometimes availed of some Golf Packages Myrtle Beach. I've looked at their site and the place looks great! Maybe we could go there someday, if there's a Myrtle Beach Golf Package that's fit for absolute beginners like us. I know our son would enjoy it. He has a toy golf set and he likes hitting the balls. Who knows, that just might be his sport!

We Want A Vacation!

My husband and I have always talked about having a break from work and the daily humdrum. Imagine, the last time we really had a vacation was our 3-day honeymoon in Hong Kong! But after that it was pretty difficult to get away, especially as I got pregnant soon after the wedding. Later, there was a small child to consider. While others may say that it's fun to bring the child along, we didn't really like the hassle. We did bring him to Tagaytay when we had a convention, after which we thought of exploring on our own. We brought along so much baby stuff then! His portable crib, his stroller, a cooler of expressed breastmilk, sterilizer, bottles, breast pump...We decided then that we'll just wait till he's older and probably have some memories of the trip.

This year, our convention is in Cebu and we had thought of going and extending a few more days for a vacation, maybe go over to Bohol too! There are all inclusive beach resorts in both Cebu and Bohol, so getting reservations would most likely be easier for all of us. Since our little boy is no longer a baby, it would be easier to bring him along. I was actually starting to look at all inclusive vacation packages so that we would be able to enjoy the trip without too much hassle. But before we could make any definite plans, we found out that I was pregnant! By the time the convention rolls around, I would already be in my 8th month of pregnancy. Although it's still safe enough to travel, we decide to postpone it again this time, since it is difficult for me, and also because we know we needed to save money for my Ceasarean delivery.

Still, we're trying to dream up and save for a vacation, with or without the kids. A "second honeymoon" at an all inclusive resort vacation, especially in places like the Bahamas would be very ideal. Or maybe Brazil. Then explore some interesting and historical places in South America. Ah, it's really fun to dream about exotic vacations with the love of my life (my husband, of course)! Just what a tired, working mom needs!

Not Too Prepared

Back in 1991, my family and I went on my first ever USA trip. Since it was a momentous occasion, we decided to visit as many points of interests as we can. Imagine, in the course of about three weeks, we were able to go to 4 national parks (if my memory serves me right) in 6 states on the west coast, enjoy Disneyland and Universal Studios as well as watch a show in Las Vegas!

One particular place that sticks out in my mind is visiting Yellowstone Park. It was snowing when we arrived. We weren't able to go through the whole park since some places were closed because of bad weather. My father drove around, but somewhere along the way, we got a little lost. Hungry and cold (I was not wearing proper Outdoor Womens Clothing but just whatever warm clothes I could find in my mostly tropical outfits), we were getting a little scared. We then came upon a small convenience store, where thankfully, food is available! Soup from the convenience store never tasted this good!

This is certainly a lesson for us. The next time we go to say, hike up a mountain, we should have the proper Mountain Climbing Gear. Men should also be prepared with their Outdoor Mens Clothing . It may not be so easily found back in the Philippines in 1991 but now it's so conveniently available online, so there is really no excuse not to be prepared.

Next Time I Go To Florida....

The first and only time I've even been to Florida was in 1998 (!). I was going to New Orleans for the convention of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. On the way to New Orleans, we stopped by Orlando, Florida for 2 days of vacation. We stayed in a motel operated by the Best Western Chain. The 2 days was not enough to explore Florida. We had fun touring Epcot Center despite rains during the time that we were there.

I'm sure it would be great place to bring my family. The next time I go, however, I'd look up some Florida rentals instead of staying in a hotel. I've recently learned that there are actually some vacation rentals by owner. I think these would be better options for a family on a vacation. In fact, I think I'd look up vacation rentals instead of hotels whenever I would be traveling with my family. It's more economical especially for longer stays, and the family have more space and more rooms! There's also a lot more privacy than the usual hotel.

There are actually so many things to do in Florida. There's the world famous Disney World, which is not just one park, but 4! You'd need at least 4 days for that. There's also Sea World and Universal Studios. I've been to Universal Studios in California but not in Florida so I'd love to see it too. I'm sure my family would enjoy it too. Now, when to go is the question.

The Love Boat

I was a child of the seventies, so one of the TV fares that I've watched with my older cousins, aside from Charlie's Angels and The Six Million Dollar Man, was The Love Boat. Unlike the other shows I watched back then which were more of the adventure type, this was a TV series about the crew and passengers of a luxury cruise ship who invariably find true love at the end of the episode after going through a series of conflicts.

I did not realize that Princess Cruise Lines was the actual Love Boat introduced back in 1977. That would have made an interesting honeymoon for me and my husband, if we had known about it, had enough vacation time, and enough money to spend on it. You see, we have not been in an actual cruise before. Sure there were boat rides within the Philippines, but not the type that shouts luxury like the Cunard Cruise Lines.

We would love to have to have a vacation with a trip to the United States, preferably the East Coast since I've already been to the West Coast. Then maybe choose among the available Cruises from New York. That would make for an awesome holiday. Even more so for my husband since he has never been to the United States before.

Cruisin'

My husband and I have always wanted to travel, but because we cannot find the time and the money, we haven't really gone anywhere yet. The last time we went out of town was not even a full fledged vacation, since we were also having a convention at that time. It was in Tagaytay, and our then 8 month old son (he's now 2 years and 10 months old) tagged along, together with my sister-in-law and the nanny. That trip was very memorable since it was my son's first out of town trip. It was only about 2 hours by land. The main reason for the trip was actually the midyear convention of the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology and we really didn't get to go around, given the limited time (3 days and 2 nights, including the convention proper), and given that we have a small child to take around. We enjoyed ourselves nonetheless.

The trip before that was no less memorable, although it was just a short 3 day 2 night trip too. It was our honeymoon. Since it was my husband's first time in Hong Kong, I enjoyed showing him around. :) It was the first time that we were truly on our own, and travelling together as husband and wife. But I've got to admit that 3 days 2 nights is not a lot of time.

See? We haven't really enjoyed an honest to goodness vacation in a long while!

We've been talking about taking a vacation for a while now, but we haven't gotten around to it. It would be nice if we could just go on one of those cruise holidays. Neither of us have joined any cruise at all so it should be very exciting for both of us. Some of my family friends who have actually joined one of those cruises that went around Alaska (if I'm not mistaken) told us that it was very enjoyable. Not only were they able to have a relaxing trip aboard a luxurious liner with good entertainment on board, they were also able to disembark at designated stops and tour some places that they've never been to before.

I just wonder if such a vacation would be better if we treat it as a second honeymoon and leave our toddler behind with grandma, or if it will be just as enjoyable with a small kid in tow. Anyway, knowing us, we'd most likely take the trip when our kid (and future kid/s) get older so that we all can enjoy the trip fully.

Coffee Break Version 1.7

This weeks challenge by Jan:

Share with everyone the fondest memory you have of you and your family.

There are simply so many! There's the good, the bad and the ugly. I think I'll just stick with the good for now :D.

• Vacations with the family! My favorite would be the Summer of 1991. Because I truly felt that our family bonded through that memorable road trip. This was a trip taken by my Dad, my Mom, my brothers and I. I hope that I'll be able to have another trip like that with my children.
• My wedding day -- Finally getting married to the man I love. And he's proving that he's worth all the trouble that came before the wedding itself. Everytime I see him I thank the Lord for bringing us together. Not everybody is that fortunate. And, of course --
• Our honeymoon trip! -- This is brief 3 day 2 night Hong Kong trip. We stayed in a pension house instead of a hotel because it was peak season then. But we were able to cover most of the places we want to go to.
  
• The birth of my son -- I've always wanted to be a mother. I am so fortunate that I got pregnant not long after I got married.
• Family dinners, especially when my mom did the cooking. Also, we used to have dinners outside every Sunday at a restaurant which we always looked forward to.
• Conversations with grandparents. Their stories always inspire.
  
• All my son's milestones!
• House hunting! Back in the early nineties, we decided to look for a house. The house hunting is a fun adventure with the whole family! I loved looking at houses for sale, and discussing with the family the pros and cons of each house.
• Weddings in the family. Birthdays in the family.
• Cooking with grandma! My grandmother is a traditional Chinese housewife. Certain special dishes are events at our house. The making of lumpia (spring rolls), ma tsang, zhong gwan i (potato flour balls with peanut filling) etc. is often an endeavor with all the female members :). We didn't have that for many years already :(
  

There are so many more! This is all I can think of for the time being.

There are also the "bad" ones. Truth is, I believe that everything -- good memories, bad memories, bonding, quarelling, fighting, celebrations -- every little thing brings my family closer together.

The most unforgettable vacation

For me, it would definitely be the Summer of 1991. I know it was already a long time ago, but the memories are etched very clearly on my mind as if it happened only yesterday. We still have the videos of that trip, but they are all in Betamax format and the photos are prints from films. I hope I would be able to convert them into digital files.

What made the trip memorable was the bonding that our family had. It was a road trip through the West coast of USA with no set itinerary. I wish we could have that same experience with my husband and kid/s someday. A local trip would have been nice, since the Philippines has so many beautiful places. But sadly, it's not easy to do a road trip here because we don't have as many good roads and lodging facilities along the way. It's more of a "road trip to a specific location". Maybe when my kid/s are old enough, the roads will be better and we'll have more lodging places along the way. I hope I won't be too old to enjoy it by then. :)