Photos of the Week: The red toga & family

In Photos: Puerto Galera

A peek at our vacation.

Happy 2013!

Goodbye 2012, you've been wonderful to me!

Vacationing in Bicol

Our Bicol trip in photographs.

We stayed at the Azaña beach house in Dolo. This is the view as you walk along the shore.

Dog Portraits

 Today, I decided to take photographs of the dogs.

The ignorance and bliss of being younger.

One day, an even older me will probably laugh at this.

Mang Rudy's best friends

A while back, I found online the most heartwarming story about a man who lived in the streets and took dogs in. 

Portraits

Meet the ladies of my family.

Stop giving me that look

You've seen how much I love dogs. I love dogs so much, I look forward to passing through E. Rodriguez and checking out Mang Rudy and his dogs (I just saw them earlier and the sight still makes my heart melt.)

There is nothing quite like having dogs. Like different people, each dog has his (in our case, her) own characteristics, mannerisms, and temperament. 

Nala the dog, for example, likes attention so much she automatically rolls on her back, ready to accommodate belly rubs, every time you try to pick her up or give her the slightest bit of notice. Misty craves for attention and she'll take it from anyone who will give it to her. Mimi the smallest chihuahua, however, is aloof and uncaring. But then, she gives you that look– and then you realise: you love her already.

All dogs have that look. 

Tell me you love them already, I won't be surprised.

"Pabili po"

Bri, Jayce, Ian, and I visited the shooting range today. Such a cool experience, but that's for another time.

After shooting, Ian wanted to buy something to drink. He got us Cokes from a small store across the street.

Said store had very interesting personnel.

Sights from Boracay

As continuation of that previous Boracay post (Today we left the island), here are a few other photographs of the vacation we had. 

We flew to Aklan and spent the night there. A bus ride about an hour and 45 minutes long gets you to Caticlan. We were brought to this lovely waiting area before we took the speedboat to Boracay. 

On the speedboat, I took this photo of other ships docked on the beach. We were nearing paradise. 

Walking around the d'Mall/ d'Talipapa area, we spotted the most amusing thing. Ahh, I can only imagine the trademark violations.

A spacious Boracay tricycle. Fit my whole family of 5, Nanay and Tatay already on in this photo.

Interesting finds from a store we passed on the beach side. They had croc skulls and monkey skulls, and that crazy witch doctor staff Bri wanted. Their Facebook page here: MariItArtworks

And more colorful souvenir shops! I think my mom got one of these colorful masks.

The view from Station 3's Calypso Dive Center.

A quiet spot in Station 2, Mango Ray's beachfront bar.

Artwork in Red Pirates, a secluded bar in Station 3. Away from the hustle bustle of the island. Such a nice spot to relax in. Will be posting more photos on this place later.

The view from our hotel's pool side. Boracay Gardens took care of everything for us, from the Kalibo transfers to our breakfast and dinner buffets. Though not a beachfront hotel, Gardens was as good as that– there was a walkway from the hotel that leads directly to the beach, a mere 5 minute walk. 

I regret not having taken photos of the hotel room. This was because I was too busy lying on their really comfy hotel bed.

Of course, the white sands of Boracay. 

And, here I am underwater and scared out of my mind.

Today we left the island

In the first real break in this year's summer vacation, we left for Boracay. A few days on the island and that wonderful hotel bed has left me in a daze.

Will be posting more about this adventure later as I am now on another hotel bed in Aklan, bound for home tomorrow, and I need my sleep.

I leave you with a photo of this cute dog frolicking in the water among other things.

The Great Mr. John Lesaca

It was a great surprise when I came home Saturday afternoon to find John Lesaca setting up in our backyard. He was kind enough to play a little something for us and family members who've visited from the States. It's always beautiful to hear live music, so much better when the one playing is a master violinist. By the end of his performance, not only clapping, but also, screams and cheers could be heard.

 Thanks, Tito John!

Malate Church

Took a short tour around the city with family today. After a quick lunch at a nearby restaurant, we visited the Malate Church. It's amazing the beauty you see when you're actually looking.

Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2012 at Clark, Pampanga

Visited the annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark yesterday. Interesting day, it was. There were so many cool stuff to see but we got so tired we ended up in a place called Coffee Academy and continued on in our fabulous ways (inside joke).

I literally cried for these photos as I lost them when my iPhoto force closed (ugh, don't ask). After a lot of trying to cheer up, I finally found a way to get them back through a program I downloaded. Things work out. Yay!