Baguio is such a nice place to go to for a summer vacation. Honestly, the pine trees make me feel like I’m in the States. Vacation would mean riding an RV with the entire family. And like a friend of mine, I’d look for the most affordable motor home repair just before summertime to ensure a smooth ride.

Inside Camp John Hay, beside the historical core, there is one good adventure spot called the Tree Top Adventure.

There are just 5 simple steps:
1. Briefing. Choose your activity.
2. Pay at the cashier.
3. Claim your tickets and sign the waiver.
4. Wait for your number to be called.
5. Gear up and enjoy the ride.

Disclaimer: she didn’t ride. She just put on the helmet to pose for mommy.

Since we were situated at the end of the canopy ride, others ended up riding the canopy ride from that point back to the other end of the ride, then trekking uphill. So a little advice, observe where you are situated (at the start or end of the canopy ride?), then decide. If you are at the end, then start with the trekking first (assuming you are getting the basic package: Package A) so you’ll do it downhill, and start the canopy ride on the other side uphill.

It was double celebration for us last Sunday. It was mother’s day and my parents’ anniversary. My parents treated the entire family to buffet lunch at the Manor inside Camp John Hay. It was my first time there and my impression of it was the place was so nice that it seemed like those lavish dual diagnosis treatment centers for Hollywood celebrities.

Since it was a weekend and mother’s day, we had to wait for 40 minutes to be seated. We didn’t mind because we had a blast taking photos inside and outside. Hahaha.

The food was worth waiting for too.

In celebration of my parents’ anniversary, we went to Baguio last weekend. The plan was to have lunch at Isdaan in Tarlac before going to Manaoag church then head to Baguio. It was 11am when we arrived so it was so hot that I was sweating profusely (not just because I’m pregnant).

I had to talk to some clients so while waiting for our orders to arrive, I set up my laptop to do some MegaMeeting video conferencing. Anyway, I’d like to share a review of my experience in this floating restaurant in Tarlac.

Good points:
First, the location is good. It is conveniently located in Gerona, Tarlac. Anybody going to or coming from Baguio/Manila will say that it is a good location for a stopover.

Second, the place is picture perfect. Imagine a big pond with structures and nipa huts, some of which are just floating, but anchored, which made my parents thought there was some sort of an earthquake. But unfortunately, the weather was just too hot for me, I didn’t take much photos as I would want to.

Third, kids were given feeds to give the fish. Also a life vest for safety reasons.

Fourth, the Tacsiyapo wall. One may buy a plate, cup, or even a TV, then throw it at the Tacsiyapo wall for some tension-releasing fun. Hahaha.

Fifth, food is good. (Take note of the word I used: good, not great.) I liked the kare-kareng gulay and its bagoong, and my watermelon shake. I liked the calamares and inihaw na pusit. What I didn’t like was the chicken (Marinated Fried Chicken sa Gata).

Bad points:
First, it was just too hot for the customers. I guess the best time to go here is dinnertime, not lunch time like we did. I would have enjoyed the experience more if I wasn’t feeling too sticky.

Second, service was a bit slow. I’m not sure why. There weren’t too much customers when we were there.

Guest post written by Jean Saunders

My house in Georgia is very well insulated, and now that the weather is getting warmer, it has turned into a little oven. My husband and I find ourselves sweating when we are barely moving. When you are overheating at the dinner table and when you are watching television, you know it’s time to run the cooling system. However, the other day we attempted to turn on the cool air and we didn’t notice much of a difference in our little sweltering house. As much as it pained us, we knew that we had to get our cooling system taken care of. We quickly found some options at www.Homeproimprovement.com/sears-home-improvement/. We knew we had to act fast or we were going to be in for some uncomfortable times.

Now that we’ve regulated the temperature, we are feeling like we want to have some friends come over to watch college basketball. We were reluctant to have people over before, but now that we have a comfortable place to offer guests, we are going to start getting our friends together.

Last Saturday, we attended a really nice wedding. There are many factors that made the wedding really amazing. First, I guess, because the couple had been civilly married for years now and their guests somehow knew and at ease with each other. Second, their kids are included in their entourage, making it definitely a great family event. Third, the couple rendered a very sexy/provocative “first dance” (as opposed to the traditional) which the oldies won’t find indecent as the couple had long been married and with kids.

And lastly, there’s a photo booth that we so enjoyed!

Because of the photos we got from events like this that I want to venture into the photo booth business. I’d probably add something else like photo coverage or direct mail marketing products such as business cards and postcards on the side. I can always design invitation layouts too. But I guess I’m too busy to even conduct a feasibility study on this, much more to maintain the business.

I’ve always been proud how skin in my belly can be so elastic, carrying a baby bump with no stretch marks. Although it may be the genes (my mom never had stretch marks and I got 3 siblings), I still don’t dare scratch my belly when it’s super itchy. I noticed though, that my face gets dry during pregnancy. I guess I need to veralyze regularly to maintain moisture.

Also, skin on my arms and legs down to my feet are so dry. My ankles now feel so dry and hard unless I put moisturizing lotion twice a day on it. Lastly, I noticed that during this pregnancy, I am so vain!

The last time I went to Boracay was in 1990, long before the place was considered a “party” place by yuppies. I’ve been wanting to go back with the husband and kids. I don’t plan to party hard. I just want to stay in the sand, with beer in my hand and watch the sun to set beautifully with my loved ones around me. I knew I won’t be able to do that summer this year as I am pregnant but I’m hoping we would next year.

I’d also like to have a full body massage there. I know, I know. I can have a massage anytime here in Manila. In fact, husband and I can always enroll in a massage therapy program online and give each other kick-ass massage every night. Hahaha.

Just recently, I saw that dealgrocer is offering a discounted package (including spa) at Discovery Shores but valid only from June to October this year. I hope they’ll have something like it again for next year. Keeping my fingers crossed.