As the year 2011 is coming to a close, I find it fitting to write about our outings and travels as a family this year. We did not travel much, but we had fun. And in each trip, we make sure that we make the most of our time in a certain place so that we will not regret our trip.
Our two main trips were in Manila to attend a wedding and then in Sipalay, Negros Occidental, during the Holy Week. So here is a summary of our trips and outings as a family–for as much as I can remember.
Taking a bath in the hot waters of the Mambukal Sulfuric Dipping Pool.
January 1, 2011 – Mambukal Resort
Despite the typhoon, we were bent on going to the mountain resort on New Year’s Day. The whole family was there and we got to Mambukalaround lunchtime already. In the afternoon, we went for a bath in the sulfuric dipping pool.
A horse-draw carriage at Luneta Park.
January 31 to February 3, 2011 – Manila
We went to attend the wedding of Dennis’ cousin. But aside for that, we went to Manila Ocean Park and Rizal Park. We had a great time going around. The sad part was that I wasted one day when I got hit with a bad case of indigestion. Bummer!
Swimming at Palmas del Mar
March 13 and 18, 2011 – Palmas del Mar
On March 13, the son of a friend celebrated his second birthday there. After the party, we went swimming, of course. Then the following week, my brother was here in Bacolod City after a year in the United States and we had an outing at this Bacolod resortagain.
Swimming at the Las Villas clubhouse
April 9, 2011 – Las Villas Club House
My brother and sister in law has a home in this subdivision so we can easily go there for a swim, though for a fee. We like it here because there are not too many people using the pool and well, it is near our house.
On board a small pump boat from our resort to mainland Sipalay.
April 21 to 23, 2011 – Sipalay City, Negros Occidental
For Holy Week, we left on Maundy Thursday for a two-night stay at the Fiesta Cove Beach Resort–one of the beach resorts along Langub, Sipalay City. We spent time food tripping, swimming, and reflecting. It was a great family time with my brother and sister in law and her parents, who are also our wedding ninong and ninang.
The Water Garden
April 30, 2011 – Water Garden, Bacolod City
We joined my parents and their cell group when they had their outing at The Water Garden in Taculing, Baoclod City. Too bad though that a call center had a company outing there so the place was crowded. We still managed to swim in the small pool.
Swimming in Dindin's kiddie pool.
May 1, 2011 – Kiddie pool fun
When Labor Day came, we know that all the resorts would be really crowded so instead, we chose to spend time with my parents at their house. We had a sleepover and the next day, we inflated Dindin’s big pool. There, we took a bath. And that’s our breakfast on the foreground.
Resting in a cottage at a Pta. Tay Tay beach resort.
May 7, 2011 – Pta. Tay Tay Beach
We spent the day before Mother’s Day with my mother because the Sunday will be with my mother in law and my husband’s family. We took my parents for an outing at the beach. The beaches in Pta. Tay Tay were the only ones we went to when I was small and I wanted Dindin to go there, too. The problem was, the weather was bad and the shore was very dirty so Dindin was not able to enjoy playing. But we had a great lunch there.
Watching my father and uncle pick mangoes from a single tree in our garden.
May 20, 2011 – Mango Picking
My parents timed the harvesting of their mangoes during my uncle’s homecoming. And of course, we had to be there. That is farm exposure for Dindin. Not that we have a farm, but at least, just the mango picking.
A new resort in Alangilan, Bacolod City had a swimming pool filled with spring water.
May 22, 2011 – Alangilan Resort
This day, we went to Sta. Fe Resort but it was closed because of a call center’s company outing. So we drove further east. We learned that Buro-Buro Springs is already closed so we drove up to Alangilan and discovered this new resort with a pool that was filled with cold spring water! We had a really cold swim there!
Dindin became brave enough to float at this time. With floaters, of course.
June 6, 2011 – Las Villas Clubhouse
Again, we went swimming at Las Villas. It was during this time that Dindin was brave enough to float by herself.
Gosh this is already a very long post and it is only June. Maybe I should write a second installment to this travel memoir! LOL
