My Travelling Buddy Bear Photo Essay in Shanghai & Philippines March-April 2014

My travelling buddy bear's first ever vacation trip. I'm taking him to the Philippines with stop over in Shanghai China. We took the National Express going to Heathrow T4 Airport, the coach was comfortable, after an hour and a half ride we arrived in Heathrow- we drop  off checked in luggage and collected our boarding pass and off we go to the VIP lounge and sneakpeak up to the viewing deck, we had 3 hours till boarding time, so have plenty of time to laze around and people watch. Our departure time is 9pm DST local time.

Checked-in

Heathrow T4 Viewing Deck

We arrived in Pudong International Airport in Shanghai at 4pm. We went through the Customs and had our passport stamped for transit visa. We drop our hand luggage trolley in the airport locker room and off we go to stroll downtown Shanghai. We purchase a Maglev Card that includes  the fast train from the airport to Longyang Rd then connecting Metro trains to Shanghai valid for 24 hours.

Puddong Airport in Shanghai

SMT- fast train 300km/hr

Buddy bear with Maglev card

Inside the train

Let's have a break 

Downtown Shanghai

Selfie at Pearl Tower

At Metro Station 

We landed in Ninoy Aquino International Airport 1 (NAIA 1)  at 4am, the airport is quiet so was collecting the luggage's in no time. Off we went to a fun filled vacation awaiting ahead of us. 

Cooling off with refreshing icetea

Lazying with a good book

At Playa Tropical Currimao I.Norte

Enjoying the Sunshine

Bamboo rafting experience 

At Kapururawan Burgos I. Norte

Jollibee Time yummy chicken joy

Was a fun filled vacation first time with my travelling buddy bear but for sure not the last. Next destination is booked Belgium here we come our  May Fever Travel...

Picnic by the Riverside Pond

I was invited  by my  friend Mely to go to  a picnic at Cabitaogan Sta. Catalina by her fish pond. She warned me to wear slippers and I asked why, the picnic venue needs to crossed a river, that excites  me- using a bamboo raft to cross the river something I was looking forward.

On the following day .... Hurray its picnic day by the riverside-pond. I was tagging along my  nephews CJ and JB, AJ my niece and  sisters Flor and Jhell together with Paul my brother in law. We took the tricycle driven by my Paul. We drop by at my friend  Nora's house, she's our guide to the riverside or else I haven't got any clue where it is. Its a short scenic drive about 10 minutes along the cornfield then the stretch river on the left side. The kids was ecstatic when they see the river and bamboo raft, I warned them to behave while crossing the river or else they might fall. The tricks did work well. I got 3 behave kids.

Nipa Hut along the river bank

Me and the kids crossing the river

 bamboo rafting ride

Enjoying the Sun

As soon as we reached the other riverbank side, we were greeted by a familiar face Ate Mely, there were already visitors when we arrived her relatives and friends. What a beautiful scenery, river on the right side and ponds on the left. It was a gorgeous sunny day and fresh breeze good timing for a picnic.

Kids getting off 

Other side of the riverbank 

Me by the bamboo bridge

Sumptuous lunch is served, there was a big hog roast and its yummy crackling, king prawn, grilled Tilapia fish, there's also Dinardaraan ( a pork dish cooked in pigs blood) and Kaldereta ( a goats meat ). 

A beautiful day out spent with the company lovely people. Thank you Ate Mely and Kuya Marcelino for the great picnic experience.

With Ate Mely & Kuya Marcelino

Family Day out @ Playa Tropical

Summertime feeling the scorching heat of the sun wanting me to soak in the beach or by the pool, its good that the kids enjoys  to go swimming. We decided to have a family day out, we drove up north to Curimao Ilocos Norte, and at the same time  I'm meeting  my friend Gina and her family from Marcos Ilocos Norte in Playa Tropical Resort. We set off late about 12:30 pm it was an hour drive and we arrived about 1:30 pm, we had lunch at the resort in Amarra Cafe its an alfresco style dining , lunch was delicious we ordered seafoods- grilled squid stuffed with tomato and onions, seafood mix sweet and sour, nilagang baka (beef stew ), sizzling mix seafood, whole roast chicken, and  chopsuey. Tummy was full and satisfied. Kids was excited to go for a puddle.

Just after lunch we moved by the swimming pool area where the cottages lined up by the poolside. The infinity pool view was magnificent. The floating cottages and villa looks lovely. The kids enjoyed swimming, and of course the picture taking. Beating summer heat lazing by the pool is splendid, while spending time with my nephews and niece  is more than perfect. Life is a bliss when time is spent with family.

I enjoyed the time in Playa Tropical, the kids are ecstatic with their experience at the resort. The kids can't wait for their next swimming adventures.