Buntis in Bora

(copied from my Multiply post)

I was SO happy when my doctor gave the go-signal to travel. The travel bug has been biting for the past couple of months and I've been itching to hitch the beach! Thank God for quick flights to Boracay.

Highlight of this trip: Our bump and splash Paraw ride (sorry no pics. really gotta get a water proof camera) and out at sea adventure of fishing a bag that fell into the ocean amidst the huge waves!Special thanks to my hubby and friends D & P for taking in a pregnant travel companion who needs to eat on time, walks like a snail and can't do so many fun things one wants to do in the beach. We had to stay in sation 2 this time because it's too long a walk for me from station 1 to most restos and stores.

Hope you guys had fun! I surely did!

If you're brave enough to see more pregnant photos of me in a bikini, view at your own risk here.

Hoy! Hoy! Buloy!

I don't have household help-not in-house-just a cleaning lady who comes over once a week. So, whenever my husband an I are away, my brother house-sits AND dog-sits for us.

About 2 weeks ago, though, we went to the beach with my family and needless to say, my brother was with us. So, who took care of our dog? US! We brought him with us! Of course this was just a land trip, that's why it was possible.

It was our dog's first trip! Ever! And he loved it! Although we was just too scared to be in the water. He was content to be on the shore and just watch from afar.

We also had fun tagging him along that we, once again, brought him with us last weekend.

Everybody, meet our dog, Buloy.

Sinigang, kanin, patis, atbp.

Ahhh...it feels so good to be back home.

Anyway, I had a blast and have so much stories to tell but don't know where to start! Add to that, I am unbelievably jetlagged! Bangag is the word, as my hubby would say. Therefore, I will do what what I usually do -- show pictures and hopefully get around to blogging about this adventure. So, here are the highlights of our wonderful dream honeymoon (i'll try to upload all the photos in an album as soon as possible. meanwhile try to figure out the chronological order of our "stops" through the change in season or the gradual growth of my second chin. whichever is more obvious. argh!):

Wait, I don't need to tell you where we've been, right? :)

Weekend Getaway

Just got back from Boracay! I had an awesome, awesome time! It's my first time to go to Boracay this time of year, and the experience it different - and I will blog about it some other time. Meanwhile, here are snapshots of our wonderful weekend (Kathy, got the slideshow link from your blog. Perfect way to show pictures without uploading them one by one. Thanks!).

Pigging Out Weekend (an overdue post, i know)

We usually go out of town during long weekends. For this year's independence day weekend though, we didn't plan anything. We, however wanted to do something than just stay home or go to the mall. Little did I know that it will be an eating frenzy.

I've been on a strict no rice-no soda-no dessert diet for 2 weeks now. And this weekend just ruined it.

Friday. Red Box.

In between songs were spoonfull feedings of sisig and crispy pata. And how can you eat those without rice?!!

Saturday. Lunch. Kids At Work, Gateway Mall.

Children's party serving KFC Fried Chicken and ONLY soda for drinks.

Saturday. Dinner. At home.

Finished one whole fish by myself with I don't know how many cups of rice and finished it off with chocolate chip cookies.

Sunday. Lunch. Banana Leaf Curry, Power Plant.

One whole Roti Canai, some noodles and shrimp.

Sunday. Dinner. My in-laws' home.

A despedida feast for my father-in-law which I capped-off with a cup of hot chocolate.

Monday. Breakfast. Breakfast at Antonio's,Tagaytay.

I don't eat breakfast but I had 2 scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, potatoes and a HUGE schublig.

Monday. Lunch. Sonya's Garden, Tagaytay.

Oh, you know how much food they serve over there.

Monday. Dinner. Salcedo Village, Makati.

Birthday party with food prepared by an awesome chef (love them non showbiz, non commercial chefs)-- thai curry shrimp, steak, steamed fish, chocolate fondue and glasses and glasses of soda.

I think I have enough food in my system to last me for the next 2 weeks! Oh, you might be wondering why the non-food related pictures. I purposely did that to remember the good company I was with, rather than all the food I ate.

Now, if you'll excuse me, gotta shed off the pounds I (re)gained.

Boracay Revisited

My husband and I share a pact to visit a different place each year -- one place in the country and another outside. For some reason, our local trip for the year lead us to Boracay. A place we've both visited more than once. After our flight and hotel was booked, that's when it struck me -- why are we going to Boracay again? And when I asked my hubby the same question, he said: yeah, why? To which I answered: Because I thought you wanted to...to which I replied: I thought YOU wanted to! As much as we wanted to get to the bottom of it, it was futile. So, we just agreed to make this Boracay experience different from our past visits.

First, the flight. We decided to take the fastest way the island -- Sea Air. It was booked. Found the next fastest -- InterIsland Jet - 5 minutes longer travel time. It's a 30-seater jet plane, that's very cramped! But hey, it's fast, so we lived with it.

Flying on a jetplane

Next our accommodation. I usually prefer staying at the border of boat station 1 & 2 because it's near everything -- the stores, restos, bars, events and parties. This time, we decided to stay at the end of boat station 1, away from the maddening crowd. Our friend Paulo Tirol recommended the new resort their family opened -- SUR. I usually prefer staying in places where my friends (specifically those who know how particular I am with bathrooms) have stayed in. But what with the discount he gave us, how could we resist?! Hehehe. But seriously, aside from the great location, the ever so friendly and accommodating staff, the cozy ambience, they only have enough rooms to accommodate around 30 guests, so it doesn't feel crowded if you decide to just stay in.

Interested? Send them an email

Of course there's the never ending decision of where to eat. Of course you can't leave Boracay without gorging on grilled seafood -- which you can get practically from every resto. And no one is his right mind would go to Boracay without having Jonah's shakes (and my personal recommendation, their army navy sandwich)! Then there's our ever favorite Cafe Breizh (try their sausages and chicken cordon bleu! of course, their crepes, too!). Of course, with the developed (still developing) d*mall, you can surely pick out a resto that will delight your taste buds. But there is this particular resto we discovered (a place which i want to, but don't want to blog about. if you know what i mean.), it's called Palomaria. Located at the other side of the island, this quaint place offers great food (as in yummy food!) at really low prices (as in cheap! below P200 for a hearty meal!)! They also offer accommodations called The Lazy Dog (inspired by their dog Milo) bed and breakfast (which only has 4 quaint rooms. drop me a note if you want the contact number. i don't want to publicly post it without the owner's permission. but i must say that we spotted several artistas checked-in there.).

A pleasant discovery

The resto is so close to the other beach side -- Bulabog Island (where wind and kite surfing are done) that we decided to walk down the road to check it out. The water is crystal clear! None of those lumot (algae). Plus, it's not (yet)inhabited by resorts. A peaceful refuge, I must say. This must be how Boracay looked in the 80's or 70's.

Virgin Island

Of course there are several activities you can engage in while in Boracay. And since we agreed to make this trip different, we decided to do the following:

• Paraw Sailing - I did this last year, but I wanted my hubby to experience the same. It's such a peaceful way to ride across the sea, to the nearby islands. Unlike motor boats, you just cruise along with the wind, on the sides of the boat without the noisy motor ruining the moment.

• Skimboarding - they say that this is more difficult that surfing (surely surfers will have a different take on this) because the board you use will not float on the water unless it's moving fast -- on shallow water at that! I am still sore and bruised from all the falling, but it I sure learned to glide on the water! Fun!

• Parasailing - we've always wanted to do this and always inquire about it whenever we go to any beach that offers this adventure. finally, we did it. the experience was worth the wait, worth every peso -- the rush of being pulled away from the boat is inexplicable. the awesome view 500 feet above sea level, in open air is just breathtaking.

Having visited just last year, I was surprised to see the many, many changes that the island has embraced. The boats from the jetty port now have bus-type seating arrangement to accommodate more passengers, there's the P50 environmental fee to help preserve the island, hotel buildings rising left and right, d*mall now has a concrete strip and a ferry's wheel right in the middle! No wonder Boracay is now tagged as the most cosmopolitan beach in Asia!

concrete mall

tsubibo at tsinelas sa Bora

bus-like bangka

now open 24 hours

they make the P50 environmental fee worth it

Boracay is indeed a place to go back to every now and then. There is always something new to do and discover. Plus, nothing beats it's clear waters and powdery white sand -- something that will never cease to take my breath away.

I'll be back again someday

Tidbits

Finally got to see Rent the movie! I am such a huge fan of the musical -- I watched it 5 times on stage, I memorize most of the songs, I know most of the lines! So imagine my excitement when they announced the movie version (I almost watched it in Singapore in the fear that they won't show it here in the Philippines!). I was not disappointed at all. I couldn't help but sing in the movie house. I loved it, like I did the first time I saw it. I clapped at the end of the film. Of course, Angel is such a darling. I just love her. I can't wait to see it on Broadway and watch Jai Rodriguez as Angel.

***

The other night, I swam with ear plugs on. Not that I have a problem with water getting into my ear while swimming, but I just wanted to see how it would feel like. It really blocks water entering your ear, but what I like about it is that it drowns out all the noise around (including the splashing of fellow swimmers), letting you concentrate and focus more on your exercise. I should get my own (those were my hubby's, hehe). And maybe I should get a swim cap, too (my hair is too long already, it gets in the way. Or maybe I should just get a haircut...)

***

I gained weight (eek!). And I blame it on this. I can't wait for my next shipment.

***

Finally got to go to Plantation Bay and contrary to popular belief, it is not expensive at all. Okay, okay, it's not cheap but the place and the experience is well-worth every penny you spend. Check out their website and I can attest that they definitely have truth in their advertising (I'll blog more about this place and other beaches next).

***

Just found out that Rotiboy in Singapore closed down (all branches!)! And I was looking forward to Myke bringing some home last weekend! WHY?!!! It is by far the best bun I have ever tasted! I swear, my mouth is watering just thinking of its buttery goodness! Oh well, when we just go to Malaysia then.

***

If you see me on YM, you would know that I'm back in the advertising world. Temporarily. I was hired as a consultant for a month and a half. I figured, since our house is fixed, we have house help already, I might as well do something with my time as I wait for that teaching job (which i will hopefully get in time for the next school year). And I must say, it is a VERY lucrative racket. Of course you don't get benefits, but that is well compensated, believe me.

***

This corporate stint is making me miss wearing my flip-flops, smoke more often, skip lunch again and most of all wake up early!

***

It's been a month since I requested for certified true copies of our marriage contract and until now it's not available yet. How inefficient can NSO get?! Now, I cannot have my name officially changed, can't open a joint account with my hubby and getting confused with what name to use. Even the renewal of my passport is pending! Augh!

***

I really, really want to buy a new camera, but I'm getting myself a new PC and broadband internet first. Sigh. Hopefully, I get to purchase it before we travel.

***

I can't wait for Easter, when I'll be able to start drinking soda again! No colored drinks is usually my Lenten sacrifice and believe me, IT IS a sacrifice because I am a Coke addict. Plus with the summer heat, who wouldn't want to sip into a glass of refreshing fruit shake?!

***

We felt so bad we ran out of tickets when it was staged. Thank goodness Zsa-Zsa Zaturnnah (Ze Muzical) is having a re-run! And we grabbed our tickets the day it hit the ticket stands.

***

Pardon the disorganized thought-flow. I'm just taking a break. Alright, I better go back to work.

Time Out!

With less than a month to go until our big day, despite the frenzy of the wedding preps and house renovation, Myke and I managed to take a break by flying of to Singapore (why Singapore? long story...).

It was indeed a welcome break from all the stress, anxiety and worries that the wedding preparation was bringing...we were already getting on each other's nerves! So now, we are back to the wedding grind, refreshed, recharged and finally (it just came now) excited about the wedding!

Here's a photo log of our trip (click on thumbnails for larger pictures).

Getting around Singapore

Eating Singapore

Going around Singapore

Friends in Singapore