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

Hamilton the Musical

 This was such a blast! 

I first learned of Hamilton when they won the Tony's in 2015. The year Zeke was born. I would always play and sing Dear Theodosia to my belly and when Zeke was a baby. 

When Zeke grew, he also had a Hamilton Phase, he would play the entire soundtrack the whole day. 

So when we heard that Hamilton was coming to Manila, we knew we couldn't pass up this opportunity. 

We were total fans! 

We ran outside to Stage Door immediately after the play

Watched with Gab, Sandra and Dri

Bye Daddy

 Daddy has returned to our Lord. 

Taal Vista Hotel and Tagaytay SkyRanch

Spending time with Mac's Mom before she returns to the states. 

We went to Tagaytay and spent a night. We always stay at Taal Vista everytime we go to Tagaytay. 

This time we took the Mountain View Room and also got discounted Sky Ranch tickets already from the hotel. Taal Vista is convenient if you want to go to Sky Ranch because they have their own entrance from the hotel. 

Mountain View room with 2 queen beds

Swimming Pool

Nice view of Taal Volcano

This boy rode the mini-vikings 5 times

Lunch at Sonya's

Memorable Baguio

Since getting diagnosed, my Dad has decided he does not want to continue treatment. 

He is a doctor so he probably knows better. All we could do was give him what he wants. 

He loves to travel ( I guess I got it from him). And he wanted the whole family to go to Baguio. 

And so we did. And we will never forget this trip with him. 

He told us how thankful he was and how happy he is that he was able to still go back to Baguio despite being sick. 

Dropped by Manaoag. This is a yearly tradition for my parents

Summer in Tokyo, Japan

We are finally back in our favorite country, Japan! 

It was Mac's Birthday but our entire itinerary was centered around everything that Zeke likes. 

So it was endless Pokemon shops, gachapons, Ninjas and Samurais. 

Watch our adventure here: 

Shanti Wellness Village - Holy Friday to Easter Sunday

We wanted a quiet and slow long weekend for the Holy Week. 

Specially since we have been stressed due to health issues with my Dad. 

It was indeed a slow-down at Shanti Wellness Village in Batangas. They had a lot of offering and activities that will all get you closer to nature. 

They have several dome tents which you can rent. Each place is secluded and you won't get to see your neighbors. You get your own bonfire. 2 queen beds, a small kitchen (you can bring your own food but you can also order food from them), a small private pool also. 

We enjoyed the hot water in the kawa bath. 

We had a forest bathing experience as well as a sound bath

At night, they will setup your own bonfire

The massages were very relaxing

There are a lot of places to walk around

Hug a tree

You can relax in your own hammock

They have this in the reception/parking area. Skye wants to play too

Spending Christmas with Family Across the Globe

We lost family during the Pandemic. So we wanted to spend time with them now that we can fly back to the US. 

We spent Christmas with Mac's relatives and I also got to meet some of my cousins who live there. 

In this episode of our family adventures', we went to LA, played in the snow at Lake Tahoe, celebrated Christmas Day with Mac's (almost) complete family, vacationed in San Diego. 

Watch our adventures here: