Montemar Beach Club In Bataan

 

These photos were taken two months ago, on a perfect cool weather of January. While today we are trying to survive this summer heat via inflatable pool under the protective shade of our garage, because I am a wuss who won't be able to take the heat of the sun and sand. I cocoon in summer and I am lame.c",)

The Beautiful Bantay Bell Tower

Three and a half years ago, Jayson and I were here, at this beautiful Bantay Bell Tower, where I also met these little girls.

So please be kind and excuse me if am feeling all dreamy right now as I look at these pictures, enjoying this place as a family of three. At first, Yllac was a bit frightened. Of course am not sure why. But after a while, as he slowly familiarized himself with everything he decided he wanted to explore alone. He's my brave little boy! And I am pretty sure it was the longest run of his life. The loooooongest! As soon as he reached that wall, we called him and he came back to us. I honestly thought he was gonna trip and fall or lose his pants. Be he did not. I am so proud of my Yllac.

So We Danced At Bangui Windmills This Time

It was more than 3 years ago when Jayson and I first visited this beautiful, giant, windmills at Bangui Ilocos Norte. (blogged here) Back then we just screamed and screamed and jumped for joy. It was the hottest day on the month of May and we were the crazy couple celebrating our first anniversary by jumping at the brightest, hottest time of the summer. The sun was burning us but we didn't mind. We had fun. That was three years ago. A lot has happened since then obviously. Now, we're not just Jayson and Denise. We are a Mom and a Dad. And this time, for our second visit after 3 years we didn't jumped much. But we danced. Yllac and I danced to the cold, very loud, deafening wind two weeks ago, just before the sun disappeared from the sky. It was a beautiful experience. It is definitely so much fun being a family of three. I got to be honest though, traveling was so much easier and convenient being just the two of us, but it's more fun now. And more meaningful. My heart swells with so much love seeing this little person God gave us, who took after us with so much likeness. He is so much like me when he's loud and angry and when he's silent with a thoughtful look on his face, I can see so much Jayson in him. It was like he's wearing his father's eyes. My goodness, really, that feels weird. And good. And so right now, we're looking forward for more happy travel memories and of course, my favorite - impromptu dances in the middle of road. 

The Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse is more than a hundred years old. WOW! I've never been to many lighthouse but this Parola is probably the one with the best character when it comes to structure, design and location. Look at the levels of stairs leading up to it. It is pretty and spooky and "eerie". Our timing was perfect. We were the only ones up there so it was really silent. There's something about Cape Bojeador Lighthouse that sparks a feeling of mystery and the supernatural. So I wonder how it was back then. You know, the usual life more than hundred years ago, when it was still busy and full of people coming and going and work up there. And the stairs! The stairs! 

Have you been to Cape Bojeador Lighthouse? Isn't it beautiful? 

Monasterio De Tarlac

I never knew this awesome place existed until one day I was sooo bored and googled Rio de Janeiro. Thank you Yllac and his Rio!.And after a couple of clicks I was led to this. And WOW!!!! And it was just in Tarlac. The Monasterio De Tarlac is a beautiful beautiful place. It is located at a very high, peaceful place and silent and windy and their CR is clean. Which is kind of important for me.  The Latin choir music can be heard all over the place, so it gives you the impression that there's a mass going on soon as you arrive. They say, the monastery holds a piece of the actual cross which Jesus was crucified and the only monastery known to have such a kind of relic in all of Asia. As said here - " The Relic was enclosed in a silver arquetta (ark) engraved with catholic symbols of crucifixion such as a pair of dice, the garment of Christ worn during his passion, a hammer with nails, and a ladder. The relic was enshrined beneath the altar. It was authenticated by a papal seal as proof that it is, indeed, the true cross of Jesus." Well, we did not see the relic, but it's super cool to think that we have something like that here, in our home. And to think how it survived and lived hundreds of years and finally took refuge in Tarlac is beyond me. And if I understood it right, we have the chunk of wood of the cross where Jesus was crucified? WOW! Can you believe that????

Have you been to Monasterio De Tarlac? Isn't it beautiful? 

A Little Family Road Trip To The North

My parents came home last weekend so Jayson took a week off from work to finally take that much awaited road trip to the north. We haven't had the chance to take a trip since Yllac was born. Also we kind of thought that since babies won't remember or enjoy any kind of trip, it is best to wait till Yllac gets a little bigger. We knew it would be very challenging so we decided to wait for my parents to come home for this trip. I love how traveling seems easy when you have your parents with you. With a baby under two, long  hours of driving can be a bit too much for them, so it's really fun to have my mom and dad entertain, play, and read to Yllac whenever he gets bored. So far we're enjoying every thing. Every food is delicious. I love Ilocano food. I am part Ilocano. yes! Yllac's having the time of his life running around and enjoying the feel of sand all over his body. (Hello sand on hair and diaper???) Which can be a sign of impending crying spell when it's time for a break or in most cases - falling asleep and dropping his head on the bed of sand. Like he's expecting to wake up on the beach. Yllac hates hotel rooms that's for sure. If that makes him a cool traveler then good for him when he grows up and decides to do his own traveling.

We're enjoying the last days of our family trip and taking as many photos as possible to take home with me. I love road trips. This has always been our thing., Jayson and I. There's so much fun and pain whenever we do this. But I wouldn't trade the feeling of total numbness of my butt for anything in the world.  It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling thinking about our lives before and now that Yllac is with us. I always thought we had a perfect chaotic  life, Jayson and me. Well until Yllac came....he made It more perfect and more chaotic. That triple combination, of chaos, bliss and butt numbness makes life so much beautiful.

ps. 

..more little photos from instagram.