Day 27: The Legend Villa - Our Home for the Weekend

A few weeks back, I accompanied my husband to Manila for his diplomate exams.  We were booked at The Legend Villas in Mandaluyong for the weekend.

As a blogger, I may need to improve on some aspects like taking photos, and getting details about the place.    I was planning to explore the hotel on my own while my husband was reviewing, but I ended up catching up on sleep.  I actually scolded myself for that, but lesson learned and hopefully If I ever get the chance to go somewhere again, I won't end up curling in bed like the last time, lol!

This was the room we stayed in

The room we stayed in was what they called as a Studio unit.  It comes with a queen-sized bed, a cable television, a mini-ref and fully air conditioned of course.  The bathroom was spacious as well.  I guess my only complain would be our bed, because the mattresses were so firm that it seemed I was sleeping on the floor, and the pillows were the opposite, it was so soft that it felt like my head was drowning in pillows, lol!

Me smiling like a kid.  Obviously excited :)  

I was going over the menu looking for something to order, but we decided to go somewhere else to eat.

Hungry and tired from the trip, but still happy :)

Our room had a free breakfast buffet coupon so we started our Day 2 with a bountiful breakfast at Lola Maria's Restaurant.  They also offer lunch buffet's daily from 11 am to 2 pm.

Good thing there were still a few guests so I had the chance to have this photo taken by hubby :)

Breads and jams of all kinds

Aside from the food on the photos, they also had an area to order pan cakes and you can also order how you want your eggs cooked.  The dessert area had native delicacies like biko, sapin-sapin and puto.

Caught up with our friend/neighbor who also was there to accompany her husband for the boards.

After having breakfast, I had the chance to wonder around the lobby of the hotel and had the chance to take some of these photos...

I so love this sungkaan :)  This area was located at the side of the lobby and you can actually play sungka here.

A table with a tic-tac-toe board game :)

Part of the hotel lobby receiving area.

They also have a pool but I never had the chance to check or even get some photos, too bad.  During our stay, I noticed that most of the guests came in groups or families because they do have some family suites or rooms that could accommodate groups of six or more.

I liked the hotels architecture, the facade reminded me of Spanish Villas.  The room was spacious.  Service was good, they provided clean towels everyday.  I enjoyed my stay there and would gladly recommend it to friends who would be looking for a place within the area,

These are the things I would miss most about Legend Villa, the free newspaper hanging on your door everyday and these cute little things...

Looking forward to another weekend get-away :)

Day 19: A Picture of a Happy Memory

I took these photos of my kids last week when we attended the summer outing of CCMC's Tumor club.  I was sitting under the shade watching them in the pool, and just took these random photos of them playing, Andre carrying Micah on his back pretending to be a dolphin and later on Micah sharing her cookies with her brother.

Looking at them made me so happy.   I must have done something good in the past to be blessed with my kids. It makes me proud whenever I see how they take care of each other.  

I am just glad I brought the camera that day and was able to capture those special moments that are now part of all my happy memories.

Day 17: Photos of your most recent trip

Just last week, we went home to Tacloban to visit papa on his birthday and at the same time attend the baptism of my niece. (I will be posting the photos of the baptism in another blog ♥)

It was just a short trip and we had to come back to Cebu after a few days, but it was worth it.  Although I did not get to see friends, I got to spend time with my family which was what I was looking forward to.

Let me share a few photos taken on a lazy Sunday afternoon :)

Just outside our house

The mall is just one pedicab ride away, isn't that cool :)

Micah with the sun behind her...

Eating out on Sundays has always been a family tradition

Andre showing off his muscles just like Uncle Lucky

Always a Papa's girl at heart

Missing Cocoy and Althea

Micah with her funny antics :)

I could only count the times we are able to go home to Tacloban, so I make the most out of those few occasions that I am able to visit my family and luckily see my friends.  

Writing about this makes me homesick, but I am looking forward to my next trip back home.

Day 14: What was your most memorable vacation

I would consider every vacation to be memorable.  Whether it's going to my home town, heading out to the beach over the weekend or a quick trip somewhere new.  But one vacation that stands out so far was the weekend we spent at Badian. A friend invited us to stay over at their beach house so we decided to grab that chance to go on an adventure.

The best part of that weekend was when we went to Kawasan Falls.  We had to walk about a hundred or so meters to get there, but it was all worth it.  The place was soooo beautiful! 

Here are some photos of our weekend at Badian :)

The beach house which was built by the owner himself, literally!  With the help of his workers of course, lol!

It was low tide when we arrived so we just enjoyed playing in the sand :)

Sea shells by the sea shore :)

We had a little camp fire by the beach after dinner.

This little girl was up way past her bedtime :)

Day 2 in Badian started with a long walk to Kawasan falls

The souvenir shop we passed by on the way to the falls...

Are we there yet? 

This was the first falls.  The view was breath taking, but I almost lost my breath when our guide told me we had to climb up to get to the second falls, lol!

The water was crystal clear and really cold...

Thank you Lord for the gift of nature :)

At last after all the walking and climbing through steep terrain, we arrived at our destination.  

The water was so refreshing, and we had fun riding the bamboo raft :)

Sunset at Badian...

It was indeed a memorable weekend.  A much needed break from our usual routine.  I guess every once in a while, it helps to just stop and appreciate the beauty of the world around you.  

Take things slow, enjoy life and all that it has to offer. Make beautiful memories you can always look back to :) 

Insta-Friday: Sinulog Week

It's the 1st day of February and the last day of the week!  Whew!  How time flies!  Since I promised to dedicate Fridays to sharing photos I post on Instagram, here are some photos taken during the Sinulog week.  Enjoy!

Magellan's Cross

Micah enjoyed watching the colorful floats

Candles being offered, it almost filled up the shrine...

One of the parade participants who managed to flash that sweet smile!

Colorful key chains being sold in every stall I see around the city :)

One of my favorite floats during the parade

A photo with a Festival queen in SM

Too bad we were not able to get the kids matching t-shirts :(

A pyromusical was a great way to end the celebration

It was a fun week.  My favorite part was watching the fire works two-nights in a row :)  We were at the parking lot of a mall waiting for the fire works to start,  just enjoying watching the kids goofing around, sitting beside my husband and feeling so happy and contented.  

These are the moments that makes life so beautiful.  Until our next Sinulog!

A Visit To St. James Amusement Park

Every once in a while, we skip our weekend visit to the malls and head out somewhere new.  So on Christmas day, we decided to go to an amusement park.  The St. James Amusement Park across Parkmall is still in operation and now has put up a mini-zoo or mini-farm as you may call it inside the park premises.

The kids were actually more thrilled with the animals rather than the park rides.

Cute baby sheeps and even a deer

The park also has a camel, a few ponies and two baby tigers, and an ostrich.

For one token, you get a chance to feed the baby sheep and deer.

The kids got the chance to ride a pony

Andre would not miss out on the disc hockey and Micah never too old for these baby rides, lol!

This was Micah's favorite event, jumping up and down on the trampoline!  I had fun watching her and got the chance to rest from all the walking around!

Micah posing in front of the farm entrance and the other photo  was taken with the intention of capturing the ostrich, but I guess it was camera-shy so it walked away :)

It was a fun-filled day!  Walking around the park can be tiring, but looking at the kids having a blast was enough for me to disregard the aching I felt on my foot, lol!  Andre enjoyed feeding the baby sheep and Micah loved jumping on the trampoline.  But the highlight would probably be seeing the baby tigers and the pony ride.  I would love to go back and hopefully muster up enough courage to ride the Black Ship and the Lantern Wheel, *wink*!

Special thanks to Uncle Cocoy and Auntie Thea for some of the photos here and for spending Christmas day with us.  Until our next weekend getaway!