National Museum of Natural History

Last September 29, 2018, we are able to visit National Museum of Natural History and finally see with our own eyes what the rave is all about this place. I’ve been planning to go here ever since I heard about it’s opening last year. My son is a Nature Smart (he’s been getting that award from their recognition since K1) so I make sure to nurture the nature lover in him. And this museum is perfect for him! There is no entrance fee and it is open from Tuesday to Sunday. But first how again to go there:

at LRT 1. He's so excited! Can you tell?

HOW TO GET THERE

From Malolos, Bulacan we ride a van that will take us at LRT 1 Balintawak station. Riding the LRT 1, we alight at UN Station. From there we walk to the National Museum of Natural History.

I enjoyed my time there and I know my son did as well. It has 4 floors of various part of Philippine’s history and it was delightful to watch my 8 year old son marvel at these treasures. He was really fascinated with the artifacts and statues and replicas and photos. He was even jumping from one exhibit to the other. He’s favorite according to him are the dinosaur skulls replica at second floor. My favorite was the tree of life. This structure greeted us while entering the museum.

While there, you can also visit National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology and who can forget Luneta Park! We’ve managed to take photo at the famous Rizal monument then play at Children's Park nearby. I wanted to take a photo of Riley with Spolarium at National Museum of Fine Arts but the line is longer than I anticipated. It was a Saturday so crowd is quiet large. So I promised Riley that we will come back again! This time I’ll try to come during weekdays to have more time and the tour will not be rushed. 

That remind me, I wish there are more public parks every where in our country. And also if it can be maintained clean. But over-all it was a fun-filled and productive day!!! 

New Zealand Journey

Dream

It has always been a dream of mine. Ever since my sister and her whole family migrated in New Zealand back in 2009, I always dreamed of visiting this country. But, it's not as easy as that. I believe that God prepared everything even before I decided to finally go here. Few months before the date of our trip, my sister and I were praying about this. She said if this is God's will, then nothing can ever stop this from happening. But I was restless. Yes I was praying, asking God if He really wants me to go here but I was also so worried about the little details. What if the school that I work for won't let me take a leave? What if we got denied with our visa? What if my savings aren't enough to cover the airfare, etc. etc. And then when I finally decided to STOP worrying and trust God, that's when He begins to reveal His plan for me. I remember it was a Saturday, I was reading a devotional book Better Than Jewels. I came upon a line that says, "God words confirms" and how God promise never falter. I took that as a confirmation of my heart's desire so I tell my ate that I finally had a go signal from God. :)

Picking the Date
You think by now, it would be easier to pick a date, but NO. When you're a Christian everything you decide will not be based on your own choice, but it will be God's decision. Even if it's as insignificant as the date. So again my ate and I prayed for it. Then one night, while having a facetime videocall, my ate said that this is what the Bible tell her:

It says, the first day of the tenth month. This date happens to be October 1 and crazily enough that's my birthday! So it's definite, I'm having my 36th birthday in New Zealand! :) But I also learned that CCF New Zealand was about to have their 5th Anniversary on September 24 and Pastor Bong Saquing will be a guest pastor. I wanted to witness that because we attend CCF in the Philippines and I believe it is no coincidence that it falls on that day and so after praying about it, God has impresses on me the date September 21. So finally we have a date and now we need to prepare!

Preparation
This is where my patience was tested. Yes, this is God's plan for me but I need to do my part. First I need to complete all the requirements to take a vacation leave. Then fill out all the forms needed to apply for a visa. Then buy tickets and finally prepare not just physically but also emotionally to this trip. If only it's as easy as it sounds! Let's talk about my vacation leave first. I'm a teacher and I'm aware that school year is not yet over and I have classes to attend to. I needed the approval of our principal, school heads, and supervisor. I was grateful that these people understands and approved my leave right on. After I passed my forms on our HR Department, that's when an obstacle occurred. Imagine, I was waiting for about two weeks (because it is needed to be forwarded in the regional office) to know if my leave is approved or not, only to find out that my files were all missing! The HR people could not locate my forms. GONE. It was all gone. I nearly cried. And I was devastated because it was three weeks before my planned date which is September 21. I need at least a month because I need to forward that approval paper at the immigration for my visa. And our HR was telling me if I can pass AGAIN all the forms (meaning I have to talk again to our principal, school heads, and supervisor). I wanted to be furious at the negligence. But I remain calm, then I told my sister that maybe this is God's way of telling me not to pursue this anymore. I doubted God's affirmation because I encounter difficulty. I almost quit. But my ate, whose life has been orchestrated by God, told me not to quit. She told me that God permits that to happen because God wants me to trust Him completely. She said that we can always do our part but in the end if it's really God's will, then my papers will be approved even if we're late in passing the forms.

Yup, again God was affirming me and can you guess what is the message on CCF on that Sunday? It was about quiting or QUIT-ITIS. Hehe. God has ingenious way of talking to us. But we must have a receptive heart so as not to miss what He wants to tell us. :) So anyway, to make the story short, I didn't quit and I passed again my forms and after two days, my leave was approved. Then I read it will take 20 days to know if our visitor visa will be approved or denied, but the process only took us three days and we were granted multiple entry visa! :)

New Zealand
And now were here in New Zealand! It is not by chance that we are here. God wants me to be here! This trip maybe many years in the making but I believe that God's perfect timing is what leads us this year, 2017, to finally take the plunge and have the courage. This journey has humbled me in so many ways and it taught me that I can make a lot of plans in life, but if it is not aligned with what God plans for us, then it's pointless. And knowing God, I am 100% sure He is devising a grand masterplan for all of us. So why worry?

PS.

Who have thought a trip to other country could make me contemplate about life and faith? :D

Baguio Escapade

Where were we? Ah yes, our 4D/3N journey in the North. That was a month ago but I want to blog it so I wont forget all the fun that we had. And Riley can read all about our exploit when he's older, so here it goes. After we had the best two days of our lives sightseeing Ilocos, it was time to leave and embark on a new adventure. Next on our travel plan - the "Summer Capital of the Philippines!"

We've been to Baguio before as you can see in our throwback photo. That was in Lourdes Grotto and I think may be I was in my high school years on that picture. It was a long time ago so we thought of revisiting the City of Pines and set it in time for Panagbenga. Panagbenga, which means "season of blooming", is a month-long annual flower festival. We feel festive already just by being in Baguio but witnessing the Panagbenga Festival makes this trip a truly memorable one. On our first day in Baguio, we saw the street dancing parade and I am impressed with the costumes adorned by beautiful colorful flowers. On our second day, we woke up very early to be sure that we have a nice spot to see the Grand Float Parade. Our efforts were rewarded and we were able to see the floats up close. They are so beautifully (I'm running out of adjectives!) decorated and so gorgeous. World class craftsmanship! Yung tipong pang Rose Parade sa US. All I can say is "bravo!" Filipinos are really talented and artistic. You must see Panagbenga, it is so worth the time!

There are more or less 30 floats and they are a feast to the eyes. After the parade, we went to the usual Baguio hangout places: Mines View Park, PMA, Lourdes Grotto, Burnham Park, The Mansion, and Strawberry Farm in Benguet.

at Lourdes Grotto

wearing Igorot costumes at Mines View Park with these two rascals

at PMA

a boat ride at Burnham Park

at Strawberry Farm

It was a fun-filled quest with my family. I wish we can do it more often. Eddie-boy pakasal ka after mga 3 years para umuwi ulit sila ate! Hehe. Vacation is more meaningful when you spend it with your family in your own dear country. Discover Philippines and you discover your heritage. :)

I already miss the cool weather and the lush scenery. Sigh.

The Great Ilocandia Tour Day 2

This is the continuation of The Great Ilocandia Tour of our family. You can read what happened in Day 1 here. Our Day 2 started out great! We're excited to discover Ilocos Norte more. The day was perfect and I remember waking up in a chirpy mood - singing Titanium while taking a bath. :) I am always the second one up (my mother is number one) and all set ahead of our call time. And that says a lot about me because I am not (and will never be) a morning person. Riley is in a happy mood as well. He's always ready for any adventure!

6:37 AM (Friday)
Ate breakfast courtesy of NorthView Hotel. Then checked out.

Well GOOD morning!

8:30 AM

Our first stop: Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. It was built in 1890 and still serves as a guide to international ships that enter the Philippine Archipelago from the north. A cultural heritage established during the Spanish Colonial period. It's on a hill so the view from above is spectacular! 

9:18 AM

Next is Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in Burgos. The wind is blowing wild in this part of Ilocos. There are two ways in reaching the rock formation. By walking or by riding a horse. I had no choice the moment Riley saw the horses. He was pointing at it persistently and yelling "horse" over and over again! A mom has got to do what a mom has got to do. 

10:20 AM

Bangui Windmill is the most anticipated part of this trip. I told my sister "di bale ng hindi mapuntahan yung iba wag lang Bangui!" When we saw the windmills from a distance we were filled with eagerness to reach it fast. It's just awesome! These "malaking bentilador" (as Kuya Jerwin called them) are towering on us majestically. It was a heady feeling. 

11:48 AM

Less than two hours from Bangui is the Pagudpud Arc. Now, I say arc because we didn't go to the actual Pagudpud beach. We have little time to spare since we'll still have to travel to Baguio. It would be a hassle going to the beach and not be able to swim because of time issue. I wish we can see the beach but at least, we can say we've been to Pagudpud, right?

1:38 PM

We're back in Paoay for the famous Paoay Church. It's a picturesque church no wonder it is one of the tourist destination in Ilocos Norte. Built in 1710 (man, this church is old!), it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one best examples of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines in 1993. I pray it won't collapse or anything if ever an earthquake hit it. 

2:38 PM
Lunch!!!! We have foods during this trip but nothing beats sitting down and eating leisurely. We had lunch at - oh, oh I don't remember the name of the restaurant. It was something Rafael's or Rafaelito's? Nothing outstanding about the food. But we were hungry folks so we attack the food ravenously!

Pinakbet and Poqui-poqui

That wraps-up our Ilocos Sur/ Ilocos Norte Tour. Happy times! I already miss my ate. :( She's the mastermind behind our travels. Anyway, our adventure is not over yet. Next destination: Baguio. It was "legendary" as well. I'll write about it as soon as I can. Ciao for now! :)

jump shot at Ilocos - checked and done!

The Great Ilocandia Tour Day 1

This tour is one I've been dreaming of for so loooooong. Yeah, the wait is that long! Even before I became a mom, Ilocos is on top of my list that I want to visit. Numerous vacation plans had been devised, but every time, it fails! This year when a "momentous" occasion happened in our family, I told my sister we just have to include ILOCOS in our itinerary. Nothing can go wrong this time. Please!

Wish granted and I was a happy camper! We were able to see the places I've only seen in photographs. It was a whirlwind kind of vacation (being a 2 day tour only) but we succeeded in going to our desired destination. Thanks to our driver, Kuya Froni, who willingly oblige to our every whims. We told him the places we want to go and he knows the shortest way and the best time to go. It's easier to rent a van all through your trip so you won't have to worry about going to one place to another. I highly recommend Kuya Froni if you plan to go to Ilocos. He's affordable too! :)

So here's our adventure and the sequential order of our journey.

DAY 1
2:00 AM (Thursday)
Getting ready to depart. Double checking the things we're gonna bring and needed. Feeling excited.

10:58 AM (Thursday)
Yey! Finally in Vigan. Our first activity is the Kalesa Ride. It's P150/hour and group of 4 per kalesa. The tour will take you to Burgos Museum, Bell Tower, a pottery place, Hidden Garden, Calle Crisologo and back to the plaza. How long the ride is, depends on the places you want to visit. We didn't get off the kalesa in some museums. We decided not to go to Baluarte too because we will pass it on our way to Laoag later that day. So it only took us 2 plus hours. And cost us 350 pesos.  

1:20 PM

Time to eat! We have a pack lunch so we just eat at one of the carinderias near the plaza and order empanada and okoy ala Vigan style. Nomnom!

2:00 PM

After eating and taking a rest, we stroll Calle Crisologo. You know what happens next - souvenir shopping galore!

3:28 PM

Baluarte is next. We ride ponies and took some photos of the animals. There are ostriches, deers, sheep, tigers and dinosaurs! The last not being real of course! Then we hurry up so we they can still sandboard at Laoag. It's a two hour drive according to Kuya Froni.

5:59 PM
Arrived at Sand Dunes finally. It costs us P2,500/4x4 vehicle but it was worth it. Roller coaster lang ang peg! I didn't have the strength (with all the screaming and the dizziness!) to try sand boarding. But my son Riley did! He's 3 and he did it twice with his cousin Nyle. He enjoyed that so much!

7:16 PM
Ready to hit the sack at NorthView Hotel in Laoag. We were all tired. We ate dinner then off to dreamland we are!

That's how our first day ended in Ilocos. From Bulacan to Ilocos Sur to Ilocos Norte. What a marvelous escapade! And it's not finish yet. Our Day 2 was just as exciting. But I'll save it until my next post. So stay tuned! :)