Dolphins in Bais

Every year we make it a point to bring the kids to at least one local destination so that they realize and appreciate how beautiful the Philippines is. 

This particular trip was to Dumaguete in the Visayas. Dumaguete is on the southwest part of Negros Oriental. We stayed in a resort in Dumaguete, and from there, took a day trip to Bais, where we could see dolphins in their natural habitat.

A Cookbook Giveaway on My 100th Post!

To mark my blog's 100th post, I'm giving away the

Assumption HS79 Cookbook, 

The PEARL Edition, to one lucky winner! 

This cookbook is a compilation of 202 favorite recipes contributed by members of 

Assumption College San Lorenzo High School class of 79.

All you have to do is leave a comment after this post!

Winner will be chosen by noon of Nov 15, Manila time. 

That's less than a week!

The book will be mailed to you anywhere in the Philippines.

(okay, United States included too since I have a sil leaving next week and

she can probably hand carry one to the nearest US post office!)

Manila Sunset

I usually write about places far from home, another country or another province--not usually about Manila, because well, maybe I take it for granted. But on days when the weather is nice and cool, 

and in the company of good friends, I am reminded how nice it is to just be here. 

We had just taken off from the yacht club on Manila Bay, for a sunset cruise. 

This is the view looking back at Roxas boulevard.

Picking Pumpkins at Hacklebarney Farm

 Semestral break is one of the few times in the year when all the cousins in different schools are off school at the same time. When my father-in-law learns that all the grandchildren have more than a week off, he immediately plans a trip!

This particular trip a couple of years back started off in the US east coast and we were able to  catch the last week of pumpkin picking at  Hacklebarney Farm in Chester, New Jersey.

I Am Love

I've been so busy with local-ongoings that I've been keeping in touch with the world out there through the internet and blogs. One of my favorite local blogs, Chuvaness, keeps me abreast with the latest that's happening in the local scene.  The author of the blog, Cecile, is smart and witty, and she has about 20,000 to 30,000 readers a day--approximately 29,980 more than mine!

Looking for Nice Lockers?

Lockers have become stylish over the past decade 

because of the proliferation of high end spas. 

Most clubs have upgraded to wooden lockers, and steel lockers are usually 

now only found in the most functional settings like gyms, schools and offices. 

But for lifestyle-type applications, these are some of those I saw online.

Gelateria del Teatro, Rome

It isn't flashy like other gelaterias. In fact, it's tucked into a little side street off the lovely Via dei Coronari, the antique street of Rome--which I just happened to find it quite by accident! 

But since Gelateria del Teatro in Rome always appears in the shortlist of "best gelaterias in Rome",

I recognized the name immediately. 

The low-key, antique-y looking sign attracted me.

10 Fun Things for Kids to do in Honolulu!

My friend Anna is in Honolulu with her family and three little daughters 

so I'm listing the ten things my girls like to do when we're there. 

My girls are now 8 and 9.  

Honolulu is not about flash and theme park glitz. 

I love Honolulu because it has that relaxed "retro" feel of simpler days when all one needed 

to soothe the soul was great weather, nature, and fresh air. 

But while the adults are soaking up the "relax" vibe, kids might be getting antsy. 

Here is a list of ten unplugged things for them to do in Honolulu.