Pearl of the Orient Seas

What is the Philippines? Yep. We were just there, and that explains the inactivity here. Back in September, I was too busy making sure that I was packing everything that the little boy would need. I tell you, it was no joke... especially since I was packing for a family of three and we're flying to another country. Come on now, you can relate! It's a lot of planning and work and lists. I took over the guestroom, brought out the clothes and gifts and things and more things, and got crazy filling the luggage that I lined up on the floor. Sure, we can buy essentials that we may have missed to bring or we ran out of. BUT, this is a short vacation and I didn't want to be bothered with grocery shopping when I could be in Greenhills shopping for things that I want. Haha. I wish.


This visit was really just to be with family. We met up with dear friends as well. So much to do, so little time. We made sure Andrew had his taste of the Philippine scene. We did a pictorial in historic Intramuros. We took him to Manila Ocean Park, which was amazing. A family outing to Zoobic Safari was also arranged to celebrate two of his cousins' birthday. We also dropped by the 29th Manila International Book Fair, where I got him numerous bilingual (filipino-english) books. After a family day at the farm in Pao, we did a quick side trip to the Monasteryo de Tarlac in the Lubigan Eco-Tourism Park. The view was breathtaking! It. is. beautiful. up. there. You should visit!

I'll stop now and let some pictures do the talking.

approaching Clark Airport, partial view of Ortigas

swimming with Ate , "it's all mine now"

"cool chairs" , fish spa!

MOP

Manila Cathedral , Fort Santiago

Calesa Ride "I'm shy!"

Intramuros, Fort Santiago

Juan Tamad at the Book Fair, Monasteryo de Tarlac

Bronx Zoo's toyland

From August 18 to 24, Fisher-Price will be hosting Play Week at the Bronx Zoo from 11 am to 4 pm each day. It will feature a super-sized playpen with lots of toys, a driving track, a vanity station for some arts and crafts, and special appearances by costume characters. A free gift bag with activity booklet and the new Planet Heroes DVD awaits each child visiting the play area.

We've now booked that weekend for a playdate. :P

This weekend: Dim Sum & Museum combo

February's Kitty Party* was hosted in Chinatown (not the one by us, but in Manhattan) yesterday. It was market day, so it's extra busy. I was resolute to look for street parking, even if it meant walking a couple of blocks (after all, we were going to binge on dim sum). 'found a spot just a little past Chatham Square (by Madison St.) and it was not a meter! Yey!

Our group gathered at around 1:30pm at Ping's, a seafood place in favorite Mott St. 8 out of the 10 members were present, and 6 of the 8 were ready to win $2grand. :P So we feasted on dumplings, siu mai, har gow (hakaw), calamari, steamed buns (siopao), black bean ribs, and mango pudding. Good food, good company. I must admit, though, we've had better dim sum at Flushing. :P

Local tip: Filipino stops at Chinatown include Hop Kee (their peking pork chops, cantonese crabs, kangkong, house special fried rice are the ultimate comfort food), Mei Lah Wah (for the steamed/white or baked/brown siopao , sweet bread), and Fong Inn Too (hot taho). They're all in close proximity to one another (Mott St./Bayard St.).

******

After the mass, 'nixed the trip to Tanger today and headed up to Stepping Stones Museum for Children to meet with the original Flushing gang. 'learned last night that they were going, so we decided to go too. It's just an hour away, and it's a weekend treat for our kids. The museum has a number of interactive, hands-on exhibits that are great for exploration, discovery, play, and learning. Most of our time was spent at Toddler Terrain where Butchukoy had a blast. He also enjoyed himself at Healthyville and Waterscape. What's really neat about the place is the different kinds of gear that are available to kids. In Waterscape, waterproof smocks are offered . In Rainforest Adventure, the children can put on a vest and "become" a scientist, complete with plastic magnifying lens and maps. Around the Healthyville gallery, there are aprons, scrubs, lab coat, stethoscope, and other accessories that can be used for role-playing. So cool! My little boy has had enough of the action by 4pm, his nap time. Even then, he was fighting off sleep and was continuing to soak it all in. It's been a great family day.

Note: I'll write about our Kitty Party next time. For now, try and guess what it is.