First-Time Mom

Showing posts with label Family Escapade. Show all posts

No, we are not celebrating Halloween in advance (hehe). These were our photos last year and I failed to blog them. And more blogs are coming by the way. They are now sitting in my document folder.

Without further ado, I would like to share where we went last year during Halloween. It is one of the most frequented places by the people of Prince George. The spot is called Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum. By the word "museum" itself, it is a place where they preserve the railway and forestry industries. While roaming around, we saw many old trains, heritage buildings, artifacts, forestry equipment, and more.

The weather was already cold at that time so we wore our jackets and bonnets. You would need a private car to get there because no public transportation was available. Our landlord just drove us to the museum and it took us 10 minutes to reach the place from the downtown area.

We rode in their mini-train and it was really fun. The driver will take you around the park. Their parks were filled with Halloween designs.

That was so far our experience at the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum . For more information, visit their website about the entrance fee and how to sign up for membership.

I can feel my kids' covid-19 fatigue. What I mean is they have been stuck at home for over two months since the Delta variant cases escalated.

So what happened is that I didn't let them visit their cousin near our village for them to play nor bring them when we ran errands, in the fear that they may get infected by covid-19.

Also, Chesska was just recovered from her cough where she got it from my mother who just had a cold. I thought it was already a covid-19 (knock on wood 3 times). I sometimes feel paranoid.

Although I just work from home where I can supposedly provide them plenty and productive activities to keep them busy, my time was also limited.

So right after Chesska's online class and Psalm's homeschooling lessons which would only last for about one hour, they would already spend their time playing gadgets and watching TV. Though they are timed, I still feel guilty about it.

I also feel the fatigue, you know! Same with you all. I did what I need to do to help myself be encouraged and upbeat - exercising, meditating, reading devotionals, and detoxifying social media.

So a few weeks ago, when I heard the news that covid-19 cases started slowing down, my husband and I decided to bring our children to Camp With Me, Catigan Toril.

This tourist spot in Catigan is highly popular right now because it's not only affordable, but it's also a haven for those who want to de-stress from a busy life.

The place is highly elevated in which you can see the Davao gulf with a beautiful sunrise when you try to come early in the morning. Please see our photos below.

Sunrise captured by our camera around 6:00 am.

We had to climb in order to reach the peak so we could take pictures of the entire place. There's nothing really fancy about the place except the small huts built by the owners for campers.

They had also a small hut where you can order some chichirya to munch or coffee to drink. They also begin to offer grill-all-you-can. It seems like a buffet where most of their foods are grilled (I supposed). And I am not sure what time they operate. I did not ask.

They also installed wooden chairs where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the fresh air. We only spent about 30 minutes at this place and then we left to go to Eden garden as our next destination.

Kids were so happy after spending quality time together in nature. They were able to breathe fresh air again, exercise their body while climbing up, and help ease their mental stress during the times of long quarantine due to covid-19.

I thanked God for this wonderful opportunity. I believe He will put an end to this pandemic if we continue to pray, surrender our worries, and cast our cares to Him. With God nothing is impossible.

We hit another milestone. Yay! Ronan and I loved to celebrate anniversaries far away from home. Far away from chores. Far away from responsibilities. And for this, we thought of spending this eventful occasion at Malagos Garden Resort since we have never been to this place. Ever!

Interestingly, it was not a typical wife-husband date, but a kind of group date where my mother and some friend joined in. As the old saying goes, "the more, the merrier", isn't it? Actually, we already make this out-of-home celebration a family tradition yearly. Just last year we went to Eden Garden in Toril, and this year we settled into Malagos Garden after our deliberation, (lol) . And hopefully at Pearl Farm next year. (Ronan take note, wink...)

Back to Malagos...

Malagos Garden Resort is a 45-minute drive from Bago Gallera where we live. Ronan drove the car. The trip was smooth, no traffic at all. We got there safe at noon, just in time for lunch.

Welcome Signage

Reception Area for Guests

At a very affordable price of 2, 400 per night, we stayed at Standard Room (Medenilla) which can accommodate a family of five. The cottage is air-conditioned, provides hot and cold showers, has 4 bedrooms and closet, lobby for TV viewing, and a little veranda with overlooking on the nature that gives a delightful ambiance, making us forget the daily worries and fast-paced lifestyle in the city. The room rate is inclusive of breakfast, use of swimming pool, plus a free watch of Bird Interactive Show.

Standard Room

The Interior

Little Veranda

Lobby

Free Use of Pool

Children's Playground

Giant Chess

Being raised in barrio for most of my childhood years, I must admit I haven't ridden to kalesa yet, so we seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Kalesa ride. For 50 pesos each, it wouldn't harm our pockets. We were being ushered by this horse (of course with the tour guide, lol) to round the Malagos garden for 10-15 minutes. An awesome experience, indeed!

Life is short. Don't miss opportunities to spend time with people that you love. -John Osteen-

Kalesa Ride

Ring

Jump Shot at Soccer Field

To be one with nature once in a while is one way to improve our quality of life. It gives us happiness, inner peace, and harmony. It will also help us reflect that we are connected with nature, without them our life is not balanced.

Treat the earth as if your life depends on it. Genesis 2:15

Malagos Garden

With loved ones

Just Me

Orchids

Blooming Flower

One of my favorite aspects of the trip was the INTERACTIVE BIRD SHOW, designed to entertain guests through spectacular birds tricks, and educate everyone as well about birds' habitats and behaviors, and how global warming has impacted their existence. Don't miss to watch it, otherwise, you'll miss half of your life.

Ducks Evacuation Scenario

The amphitheater was filled with the audience including students and day tour guests.

Birds Performing Tricks

Picture taking after the show.

The foods offered make our taste buds happy. Though pricey, but worth trying. What I liked most was the sinigang where they used batuan (freshly picked from the garden), to make the soup sour. The sourness has a distinct taste and it's heavenly.