Hi y’all! We’re back!
We took some time off here on the blog to really focus and enjoy a month of vacation in my home country, the Philippines, for the month of June and July. It has been six years since the last time we were there so we made sure to enjoy our time there immensely. It is such a long and exhausting trip to get to my hometown, but it’s definitely worth it. I’ll give you the details on how to get there later on because this is only the beginning of the story of our wonderful vacation.
WELCOME HOME PARTY
Our family prepared a sumptuous dinner for us the night we arrived and it was filled with delicious Filipino food (they knew how much I’ve missed it). And my cousin Leah was sweet enough to bring this ‘Welcome Home’ cake.
Yum!
FAMILY GET-TOGETHERS
We hadn’t seen them in six years so our vacation was full of family get-togethers, not to mention, there were a lot of celebrations that were celebrated in the month of June – our parents’ 49th wedding anniversary and my mom’s birthday. There were other family get-togethers that we had even though there were no specific celebration to observe and that’s because we just felt like going out to eat and enjoy everyone’s company. Our last night was spent in a Karaoke bar and everyone sang the night away!
Celebrating my parents’ 49 years of marriage.
Celebrating my Mom’s birthday.
Dinner date!
Karaoke night!
ENJOYED SOME SUN AND BEACH FUN
Our hometown is just a few minute drive from a ton of beach resorts – beautiful resorts at that and we all sure enjoyed some fun in the sun.
My son enjoying the beach with his cousins.
That’s the hubby enjoying the beach himself.
My son and I together with my aunt (in pink), sister (in blue), nieces and nephews.
INDULGING IN FILIPINO FOOD
And of course, I’ve so missed my native food so I truly indulged! I think I actually gained weight over the last 30 days! 🙂 I’ll be sharing more of the goodies I chowed-down-on later.
One of my all-time faves – Taho!
Buko Halo and Siakoy – a treat from my Aunt and she delivered these right to our doorstep!
CAUGHT UP WITH FRIENDS
We’d all been raring to see each other and we all finally got to meet again!
My friends since our medical transcription days! We trained at the same time and then became colleagues. Our friendship started in 2007.
And these are my friends since college. Seemed like things have not changed much.
SOAKED UP THE NATURE
The beauty that our tropical country provides is amazing. Anyone would sure soak up in its beauty.
Love that tree on the water!
I think the only thing missing at this magical spot was a mermaid. 🙂
FAMILY TIME IS ALWAYS A GOOD TIME
Our little family with that gorgeous view!
It was definitely a wonderful month of vacation for us that is one for the books. We made such sweet and great memories that will forever be written in our memory book. If only we could have stayed longer, but there will always be next time and that’s what we’re so looking forward to happening. So until then, to family and friends in the Philippines, we send you ♥!
That is amazing that you were able to travel for such a long time. Glad you had a good month back at home 🙂
I would love to be able to take an epic vacation like that. A month of relaxation sounds AH-mazing.
Oh wow what an amazing thing to do to be able to have a month long holiday, I bet it really allowed for a nice relax as well as time to explore.
Wow how wonderful you were able to be there for your parents 49 wedding anniversary and your mom birthday. Your pictures were wonderful.
Such a wonderful thing to not just take a break but to do so with family! Is Taho the same as Boba or is that Boba in the Taho? LOL it looks fun and adventurous and I would love to try it!
Yup, that’s actually Boba or what’s locally known as “sago” in the Taho. Taho is made from processed soybeans and topped with those tapioca pearls or sago.
What a great way to take a break from blogging. That is wonderful that you have a nice big family and such a beautiful place to visit. That water looks amazing.. and the food! I would love to read about some Filipino recipes.
Sounds like an amazing one month for your family. Your hometown is beautiful. I love taho!
The Philippines has so many beautiful places to offer. It is so nice that you had a chance to go back and spend some family time. I know you enjoyed food and family time 🙂
It’s so important to take a break from the daily routine and find a way to escape the monotony of everyday life. It sounds like you had a great time on vacation.
I am jealous , it’s been 8 years for me since my last visit. The food, the beach, and the happy faces of your family makes me homesick and make me determine to really visit next year.
It’s nice to be able to get away from work even if only for a few days. A month would be great!
I would absolutely LOVE to take a month long vacation somewhere — as long as I could take my puppy with me.
That looks like so much fun. It would be nice to have a vacation for that long. That is certainly something I could use.
Good for you for taking a vaction! How I’d love to unplug from life for a month and spend it with family. My goodness, how amazing is it that your parents have been married 49 years. There aren’t many marriages like that anymore it seems. Also, I’m really excited for, and will be on the look-out as you to share some of your favorite recipes from the Philippines. x
I’m so glad you got to go back home – it looks like every minute was a fantastic reunion. I go back to my hometown at least once every two years, and even though it’s not nearly as far away it still feels wonderful to be home again.
I am so glad that you were able to go back and enjoy time with the family. I know how important that must be to you and the family. I can’t wait to hear about the things that you did while you were there too.
It looks like you had a wonderful time! Sometimes a break is needed to decompress.
Family time is so important. I am glad that you took a month off and enjoyed yourself. I have a really small family you are so lucky to have such a large family!
Family time is great fun! Love all the diverse foods and catch ups. Great photos on this post.
Now that is a good vacation. I’m glad you got to go back home, I know they spoiled your rotten. It is important to hold on to your culture and expose your children to it as well. The beach looks beautiful.
It looks like you had an amazing vacation!
This looks like an amazing time! Family, friends, food, relaxation with nature!!
I so need a month long vacation! I really need to spend some time with my family. Work has been consuming me lately and I feel as though there is nothing I can do about it.
So happy for your family’s happiness!
Thank you, Summer! 🙂
What an amazing trip. I can’t imagine being 6 years away from my homeland.
I can’t even imagine going on a month long vacation. That would be amazing!
Where is that spot that is missing a mermaid? So cute! Looks like your family had a wonderful time! 🙂