I’ve heard DJC Halo Halo and Snack Inn in Tiwi, Albay from my mother and friends who had tasted their creamy halo halo with their comment, superb! For our 2014 summer vacation in my hometown, I vowed myself dropping by here with my family. Aside from pili, pinangat, and chilly ice cream, Bicol has this cheesy halo halo that will complete your Albay getaway.
after so many summer vacations, finally, we’re here!
It was my fascination with collecting elegant vases and jar ceramics that brought us back to Tiwi, Albay. Part of our 2014 summer vacation in our hometown is to visit PHILCERAMICS (Philippine Ceramics Arts and Crafts Center) in Barangay Putsan and be amazed by their beautiful products. Memories of the past flashed remembering my childhood toys, the reddish little cooking clay pots, and the chicken coin bank we bought a long time ago in Tiwi town proper after our beach escapade in Sogod Beach Resort. Those were the days of traditional pottery-making in the municipality.
the lovely decorative vase and clay jars at a cheap price
Sky Fun is the amusement park inside the Sky Ranch complex in Tagaytay City. This was opened in March 2013 and is one of the emerging projects of SM Land. The first time I heard about Sky Fun there were only a few rides to enjoy with. Now there are twelve with the newest Jump N Play, Zipline, and Horseback riding. Instead of soaking on clear blue waters and basking in the sun this Lenten Season, we veered ourselves into a fun ride in Sky Ranch. Good-bye momentarily to wet and wild adventure.
the Riding Loop and the Sky Eye at night
Our morning walk in Kaputian Beach Resort and swimming in Capt. Hook’s Red Parrot Inn’s clear water were the initial activities done for the day. Fortunately, Barney’s family was so generous for bringing us all to the Giant Clam Sanctuary, a fishing village across Barangay Adecor. We were told that it was one of the exciting spots in the Island Garden City of Samal to explore. Getting aboard in our hired boat hit the adrenalin rush.
Setting foot at Samal Island or the Island Garden City of Samal in the province of Davao del Norte is the most exciting part of our Davao City tour. The island which has been said the largest resort city in the Philippines boasts of the famous Pearl Farm Beach Resort, pristine white sand, rich marine life, waterfalls, and other exciting tourist spots that will surely make your stay so memorable.
the stunning view from the veranda of Capt. Hook’s Red Parrot Inn
I was amazed when I saw pictures of Puting Buhangin in Pagbilao Grande Island in Quezon. When my family rejected the idea of going back to Baguio for a Holy Week vacation, I showed them pictures of this island. Beaming with excitement, they all voted for a Quezon family beach getaway.
Puting Buhangin is radiantly beautiful from afar
Panagbenga Festival or swimming in a beach resort? “Swimming!” Pao chose the latter eagerly. Our son is not a finicky lad, he doesn’t care if it’s a black or white sand beach as long as we are all together in a family getaway, that would be it. And so for his 14th birthday, we will go back to Villa Sulit in Baryo Hugom in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas. Cheap resort but with clear water and breathtaking view.
Stepping atop this awesome big rock will bring you closer to nature and this is the reason why we went back to Villa Sulit
For our last day in Boracay, we woke up so early to visit the most photographed spot, Willy’s Rock. I coerced my hubby and our kids to visit this early morning as it is at its best for a memorable photo shoot. We will never leave Boracay without a picture with the famous iconic symbol of the island.
We woke up early to catch a sunrise photo of Boracay. But to our dismay, it was a gloomy morning. It did not dampen our mood and wishing that the weather would cooperate for our island hopping today. This is our second day on this beautiful island and we are looking forward to a happy adventure in what has been called, the beach capital of the Philippines.
Boracay nearing sunset
My good friend Alma prided the beautiful beaches in her hometown in Bolinao, the third class municipality in the province of Pangasinan. With this, we opted to stay for the night in Bolinao after my son’s 13th birthday celebration in Hundred Islands. Pao and the kids enjoyed much the sun and water fun and are all excited for another beach getaway.
Clean and shallow waters, so safe even for the kids
