Showing posts with label family vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family vacation. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Family Getaway: Our Misibis Bay Experience

It took me longer to write our Misibis Bay experience because I felt like I’m torturing myself. Not that I (we) had a bad experience whatsoever, but the more I recall our experience the more I long to go back to that paradise - sooner.  I actually had hard time thinking of how to write this but eventually decided to share our detailed experience rather than make a review. You can always check on their website, anyway. This is more of a personal account on our grandeur vacation at Misibis Bay.

DAY 1:

We went to NAIA Terminal 3 way ahead of our scheduled flight. Excited lang si esposo, but to my surprise even the kiddos were awake by 3 AM, but the long wait was not felt because these kids entertained me.

Uno was so excited, she watched the planes come and go. She explored the waiting area and gamely posed for me. She asked me every minute if it’s time to board yet. So cute.


Dos, of course, stayed still in his Tatay’s arm. He took a nap from time to time until it was time to board.


On board the plane, the 2 were curious and explored their surroundings a bit but not long before sleep won them over.


At the Legazpi Airport, the kiddos automatically opened their eyes, as if they knew that F-U-N starts at that moment.


We were greeted by the cheerful staff of Misibis Bay inside the airport and assisted us all the way to our service van. You know by then that luxury starts here.


Our service van was no less than the top-of-the-line Toyota Grandia – with all leather captain seats and super spacious leg space, we can actually lie down and sleep but the views along the way was so hard to resist. Travel time from the airport to Misibis Bay can be as long as 45 minutes to an hour but barely noticeable. Your eyes will not get bored with non-monotonous views, there’s the ever beautiful Mt. Mayon, the Pacific Ocean and urban to rural dwellers. Plus it also helped that we had chickadorang Kuya driver, who from time to time shared relative trivia about Legazpi and Misibis Bay. Did I mention there’s a bottle of cold water waiting for us inside the van which was given to us for free and I also saw candies and cookies by the dashboard nakalimutan siguro kami alukin daldal kasi naming lahat. Oh and btw, the van was all to ourselves, I can see the esposo was hiding his smile at that point.

After less than an hour (which seems like 5 minutes to me), we were welcomed by Ibalong Dancers at the drop-off area. Then a receptionist gave each one of us (kiddos included) fishlike-necklace made of leaf and cold face towel (which was so refreshing) and ushered us to the reception area where a welcome drink (lemon with carrot and cucumber juice) and kropect was waiting.


We were made to feel some VIP hospitality as we listen to the welcoming remarks of the front desk officer assigned to us. After her spill, she introduced us to the Guest Activity Officer assigned to us, oh diba, personalized lahat. She then planned with us on how we are going to spend and enjoy the rest of our stay there. Hassle free, all you have to worry is how to contain that giggling feeling.

Since we were too early for the standard check-in, we requested for an Eco-Park Tour right-away.

Our 1st stop was the High-Rope Course, there’s a 150 and 400 meter zipline waiting for the guest to try on. Sadly, the 400m line was close for maintenance, the esposo immediately tried the 150m, I on the other hand, stayed on the ground drooling because I was wearing maxi dress. I promised to be back the next day.


Next was the Cathedral. It was divine but there’s nothing there but for photo opps, unless of course you're planning to get marry there. 


Uno was more interested with the golf cart that she wanted to drive it herself which Kuya Manuel (our cart driver) gamely agreed.


The famous pit-stop of the Amazing Race Asia was our next stop. This Amphitheater with Stonehenge has a majestic view of the Pacific.    

         
Our tour (zipline ride, included) was complementary with the stay, btw. On the way back to the main resort, Kuya Manuel suggested we check Marina 1st so we can get a glimpsed on what to expect for the next day’s snorkeling activities.


Again, there’s free BMW (that’s bottled mineral water, Ms. Dette, our activity specialist, got us there.lol) was given during the tour. Hinding-hindi ka mauuhaw sa Misibis. Hehe

We paid a visit to the playroom after. The kiddos especially the bunso (aka Tatay) was so thrilled. Imagine toy overload plus a Nintendo Wii, Playstation and PS3 (I told you, the Tatay enjoyed as much).

   
Kahit hindi pa kami masyado gutom dahil sa dami ng nainom namin, we decided to have lunch at The Spice Market, since it’s still early for the check-in (more food stories here). 

Few minutes before 2 pm, a staff approached us and told us our room was ready. Finally, since we were all tired and sleepy and kiddos were getting cranky. A golf cart took us to our room, we thought it was far, we were surprised that it was only a good 2 minutes walk from the reception area. Another Misibis motto: "Bawal mapagod ang guests".


Welcome to our humble abode for 3 days, Villa No. 15. 



Our villa has all luxurious amenities tucked under 1 room. It truly speaks for its name. 1st class bed, linens and pillows, L’Occitane kit for bathroom, bath tub, huge LCD TV, mini-bar with hi-tech coffee maker (which esposo needed to call for operational guide.hehe), day-bed, verandah, beach-bed, our own access to the beach and to top it all, a private plunge pool. We can live and enjoy by just staying inside. 


All the things you need was inside. Noticed that weighing scale, would you really need that?



I was wrong when I said that we were tired and sleepy because the moment we smelled that fresh scent inside the room, nabuhay kami lahat and became energetic. So after putting our luggage into place I invited Uno to try the plunge pool right away.


The only advantage I saw in having a private pool was that I was able to wear my 2-piece bikini shamelessly, other than that, no more.lol The private pool was a Jacuzzi after all, that I didn’t know until a staff who just passed by turned-on the machine that makes the pool bubbles. May effect palang hindi ko nalalaman. That's another plus point about Misibis' staff, they can read minds. Motto #3: "Bago magtanong ang guest, sagot agad".

After we swam, the kiddos and I slept the afternoon away. Since the esposo was still overwhelmed by the VIP treatment (feeling artista daw siya), he explored the whole place by himself. He then saw some staff preparing for a private dinner set-up by the beach. He inquired about it and thought he could surprise me with a romantic dinner on our anniversary night, ang sweet diba? But upon hearing the “P10,000 minimum” he changed his mind. Asa pa ko.lol
    
We skipped dinner on our 1st night, busog pa din sa tubig.hehe Seriously, we still have my lunch’s take-out and the complementary merienda untouched, so we didn’t really starved. We watched the peaceful sea at the comfort of our day-bed, munch some snacks, played around, enjoyed our villa until it’s time to call it a day.


Friday, June 28, 2013

My Flawlessly - Imperfect Love Affair

"Five years ago, our journey began, chasing down this cure, no plan in hand. Just your pulse, my racing guide in the dark, just knowing with conviction from the start. The moment your eyes made an introduction, I felt my second violent breath of life. Flawless to the point of being godly, yet I fell hard for your imperfections. And now we're slightly weathered, we're slightly worn. Our hands grip together, eye to eye through the storm, yet I still believe in ever after with you. Cause life is a pleasure with you by my side, and there ain't no current in this river we can't ride. I still believe in ever after with you. Nothing compares to the good times. Feels like we're floating, when the rest have to climb. You made me believe in love, and not the perfect kind, a real messy beautiful twisted sunshine. Emotions, volcanic eruptions, we both still care, so we're still alive. Tunnel vision, determination. I want you, I want to make it right."
If you’re familiar with the song Ever After by Bonnie Bailey, then you got it right, the above is its lyrics (excerpt and with alteration). I like it so much that I used this song to kick-off the open-dance during our wedding reception. I think it perfectly describes our relationship. We may not have the perfect one, we may have flaws as individuals, but love and care are enough to make everything amendable and help us live happily ever after.

And yes, fairy tales are real. As of the moment, we’re here in this fairyland called Misibis Bay enjoying the luxury of what life has to offer, all in celebration of such milestone in our life – in our family life, our 5th anniversary.

Cheers to forever! 

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

This is 8!

My baby Dos is 8 months old today. I am so glad he’s becoming more interactive nowadays. He crawls a lot and knows me so well. Not that he doesn’t know me before, what I meant was, he’s more clingy now. I like the fact that he’s close to his older sister Uno, too. They share things that only them understand. 1 moment I heard Uno shouts at him and then the other time she pricks on him, but I cannot stop her from doing so because he likes it. It makes him laugh out load (I would laugh myself without knowing why). Hay siblings! J

But that’s not the only thing they have in common, tomorrow Dos will take the 1st flight of his life (Uno was about his age when she had her 1st plane ride, too). It would be Dos 1st outer-town escapade, this is in celebration of the Family’s 5th Anniversary (aka Wedding Anniversary). I already prepared the things that would help him enjoy his 1st plane ride. 1 of which was, by practicing him in using a pacifier, he really don’t use one at home. But I think it will serve its purpose well now because this will help him pop his ears on-board. I prepared headset for his sister on the other hand, but I will also bring her, her pacifier in case, you know, she misses the old times.

I am so excited. I hope we’ll have an enjoyable trip and an experience to treasure.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Oh, Sheep!

When I was canvasing for the airfare for our fancy vacation comes this June, I realized that we might face some technical problem pushing this plan. There is a chance that Dos’ authenticated birth certificate will not be available on time. In case you don’t know, it requires at least 6 months before our dear NSO can provide us with the authenticated copies of documents, if filed for the 1st time. In order to avoid untoward incident, mi esposo and I agreed to postpone it again for next year. He asked me to present a “Plan B”. Who says alternates should be of lesser fancy? Actually, my substitute plan out-do the original. We’re set to go to this luxury island playground. I’m so thrilled! 

Yes, it is already set. I already booked for our vacation today (just 2 days after we changed plans). I’m excited I told ya. Haha The price for this vacation is steep, yes, but luxury has its price, right? I’m sure the comfort and cosiness of this resort will compensate its price. I also think that staying in a secluded paradise would be best for vacationist with infants like us. We will not be compelled to walk, carry and stroll a lot. Relax and comfy vacation is what we all need after all. 

Mi esposo was not available for consultation while I’m booking, since I have to act fast, I decided for him. The vacation was booked when he returned my call, I proudly reported my accomplishments and he felt the excitement as well. Then I told him the total cost, he uttered “Oh, s---! Don’t say bad words my labs. hehe