Oh Canada

We were supposed to go to Canada to visit Mac's brother last 2020. But then the pandemic happened so all flights were cancelled. 

So this trip was a long time coming. 

What's better for this trip was Mac's mom was able to also go to Canada and spent time with us. 

Watch our adventures here: 

 

Celebrating New Year in Nagoya, Japan

Back again to our favorite country. 

This time, we went to Nagoya Japan. 

Every Japan trip we get to do new activities and it is always a different experience. No matter how many times we go back, we will still continue to return again and again. 

Sharing our relaxed itinerary

Day 1 

• We arrived around lunch time and had lunch near the hotel. It was a Sumibiyaki lunch where we grilled items
• We checked in to our hotel JR Gate Hotel. This is located at the JR train itself. You can see the trains from your room window
• Went around Sakae, walked around Hisaya Odori Park, Oasis 21 and dropped by Bic before going to bed

Oasis 21 at the background. There was an ice rink below. 

Nagoya Tower

Day 2

• After breakfast at the hotel, we went to Nagoya Castle and Honmaru Palace
• Ate lunch at Yabaton
• Went to Nagashima Farm for Strawberry Picking. This was so good!
• Nabana No Sato

Samurais in front of the Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle

Yabaton for lunch

Sweetest strawberries ever

Nabana no Sato

Day 3

• We hired a private car to take us to Shirakawa-go
• Walked around Takayama and bought a lucky bag
• Dropped by Hirugano Kogen Ski Area

Shirakawa-go

Hida Beef

Day 4

• Spent the day at Legoland

Day 5 (New Year's Eve)

• Shopped at Mitsui Jazz Outlet Park in Nagashima
• Waited for the Onsen to open again at 8pm for the New Year's Eve Countdown 
• First Onsen experience
• Nagashima Theme Park for the New Year's Eve countdown

Waiting outside the park

Onsen

There were girl groups and boy groups having a concert

Fireworks

Day 6

• Shopping around Osu
• We experienced an earthquake 
• We wanted to shop around unfortunately most of the shops were closed during January 1. We ended up at Don Quijote

Nagoya is quiet on Jan 1

Train tracks. View from our room window

People go to their temples for New Year

Watch our adventures here:

La Playa at the Strand, Bataan

We were not able to go to the beach for the entire year. So before the year ended, we booked into La Playa at the Strand. 

We got the Mountain View Regular Room. They were fairly easy to talk to and coordinate with. I booked a month before. 

They had 2 bedrooms with 2 queen beds per room, a private pool, complete kitchen and utensils. 

It was a short walk to the beach since we were facing the road. 

The pool

2nd floor bedroom

Beach front, they have tables and chairs that you can occupy

Balcony view

We also went to the Pawikan Center and released baby pawikans

Run baby turtles

Kitchen with range. They also have pots and pans that you can use. 

Complete utensils