Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Budapest, Hungary, Aug. 2015



It's been a while since I blogged about my travels, so do not be surprised if I am blogging about a trip we took in August of 2015. I just realized it is easier for me to find pictures that I want by searching on my blog, but of course they  have to be there first. So, since I am staying home due to the Covid 19 pandemic, I know I have more time to blog. I am therefore, restarting to blog about travels, my intent is to archive my travels and travel photos so I can easily access them. They will not be in order, I hope you don't mind.
 We were so fortunate to be there during their most important and popular holiday, St. Andrew's Day, who is their patron saint. There were people everywhere, just walking around. Vehicles were blocked so we were able to walk around safely. Festivals were everywhere, food, parades, processions, music, entertainments, you name it!
  We took a Viking River Cruise on the Aegir stopping at various countries and Budapest was our last stop. where we checked into the Marriott's Hotel overlooking the Buda Castle across the Danube River, and stayed there for 2 days. The city is breathtaking, I thought I was looking at another Paris.
 John and I traveled with family and friends, particularly my sisters Fe and Tessie and nephew Jonjet and his wife, Lourdes.

Below is St. Andrew's Church where John and I posed.
We walked around leisurely with my sister, Tessie and a friend from Hawaii, Judith.



How I miss the time when John could still walk fast and we did not have to haul an electronic scooter with us, where ever we went. But we are very thankful that we are still able to travel.

 This was a place where a lot of eateries were and we had lunch almost across that big Budapest sign. Of course, we had to take pictures first.

We must be approaching the hotel since I see the Buda Castle.
 I am so in love with their famous exquisite china, Herend. Nope, not buying this time. Our 4 luggage were all already up to the weight limit that I had to leave our toiletries behind.
Beautiful view at night
 Spectacular view to wake up to every morning while having my coffee.


We toured, ate and shopped at the Marketplace, so huge and so crowded!
 The Marketplace is behind us and my sister Fe can't wait to go inside, lol. She is a shopping addict.
 Of course, we had to visit the famous Hero's Square, noted for its iconic statue complex featuring the 7 chieftains of the Magyars and other Hungarian national heroes.







 Good thing we brought our Marriott elite member card and we were able to upgrade our room to a high floor and we had access to the top floor which offered free snacks and an open view of the city. We took advantage of that during their awesome display of fireworks. We were even able to bring my sisters up there.
 Chain Bridge showing the Parliament in the background.


We enjoyed the fireworks at night

I hope you enjoyed a mini tour of Budapest. Thank you for stopping by. Stay safe always!

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Lunch by the Waterfalls at Villa Escudero, Philippines, 6-2018

In case some of you do not know, my mom passed away on May 23, 2018,  two months and a day short of her 100th birthday. We had services held in Illinois and then we had her body cremated so that I and my 2 sisters along with my granddaughter, AJ, took her ashes with us to the Philippines to be buried next to my father.

We had a wake in our ancestral home, mass and then burial. We were so surprised as to the crowd of people who paid their respects, considering that all her colleagues have long been gone and we really did not have any formal announcements there except for what I have written on FB. The house was packed with people with no parking space left on the ground.

After we took care of the reason we went home, we explored the Philippines, since it was my granddaughter AJ's first time there.
We went to Villa Escudero for lunch one time and she had such a good time.

 We ate lunch with our feet soaked on water by the waterfall. It was hot and humid so we welcomed the cool water.

 Yummy Food!

Refreshing sweet watermelon and fried bananas served on a table with coconut palm leaves skirt..
 We ate on banana leaves.


 Enjoyed slurping my soup from a coconut shell bowl.
My 2 sisters, cousin, AJ and new friends we met there, Jen and Alex. We had the best table, right in front of the waterfalls.

They sat us here while we were waiting for our table in front of the falls.
Aside from being by the waterfall, we were right by the food table too, best of both worlds!
And while we were eating, AJ was absorbing all its grandeur. It was so good seeing her have so much fun. She quoted, "I wanted to see a waterfall but I never expected to eat in it.", lol.
I am so sorry for the blurred pictures. I think my lens was fogged up due to the high humidity and mist.


As a matter of fact, even the adults enjoyed it all.




We also enjoyed sightseeing within the resort. We visited the museum but weren't allowed to take pictures.



We also watched the cultural show, which was very entertaining.

 And this is how we moved around within the resort, via a caretela being pulled by a carabao.
It was a great experience for all of us especially for my granddaughter. I am so glad my cousin Gem, brought us here. Thank you, Gem.

I hope you enjoyed seeing one of our adventures in the Philippines. Thanks for stopping by my blog and thank you to the hostesses of the memes I am joining.

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