We arrived a bit earlier for the Minoan Dancers presentation so we just enjoyed dancing together with others. Our cousin just snatched my hand and brought me and her kid son to the dance floor. The dance was actually a traditional Grecian dance in circular form and mostly of foot steps. It was fun trying it for the first time.



After the presentation my husband and I went to check the church tour where we stayed like 15-20mins but it felt like an hour for me already. I wanted to go out and been asking my husband if we can leave to see the exhibit and imports down the hall but he was interested with what the Priest was saying. Well don't ask me what was it all about because I was very much least interested (but I admit, hearing parts and bits of the church tour was not a waste of time and indeed very informative) since my eyes had a glimpse of those cute stuffs they had in the exhibit. I'm a girl, even how boyish I may be I have one character girls love to do most.... Guess?

Yeah, shopping! =D


Right after the church tour we went down to see the exhibit and grab some dinner. We didn't have to mind papa that much because he's enjoying his time with his dear niece. So much choices and it all looked good but we settled on the roasted chicken dinner. I wanted to get Gyros but I was already starving and had to get a complete meal. It's a bit pricey @ $11 but I think it's worth paying, it's a delicious half roasted chicken serving. Yum! Soon after the meal, we were given some sweet treats, loukoumades. Sounds complicated huh?


It's almost 9pm and it's starting to get freezing cold so everybody decided to go home. Seeing and learning about other culture was truly a great experience. We can never tell where we will be or who will cross our path in the future. Being exposed outside gives us the chance to gain knowledge and socially immerse to different people and cultures. How about you? Have you been to any cultural festivity lately?

Happy weekend to all!

I HAVE BEEN HONORED WITH THIS AWARD(MY WONDERFUL FAVORITE) BY Anne AT COMFORT FOOD WARMS YOUR SOUL THANK YOU!


These are the rules in accepting the award: Deliver this award to eight bloggers who then must deliver it to eight more and include the following text into the award. "These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends they are not interested in self aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propogated." Please give more attention to these writers. "I would like to honor the following bloggers." As noted in the text above my aim is to find them as friends.



I'm new to this blogger community and it's nice meeting and interacting with the bloggers everywhere. Thanks Monica & Lina for this tag!

Rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Copy the image above, the rules and the questionnaire in this post.
3. Post this in one or all of your blogs.
4. Answer the four questions following these Rules.
5. Recruit at least seven (7) friends on your Blog Roll by sharing this with them.
6. Come back to BLoGGiSTa iNFo CoRNeR (PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LINK) at http://bloggistame.blogspot.com and leave the URL of your Post in order for you/your Blog to be added to the Master List.
7. Have Fun!

Questions & Your Answers:
1. The person who tagged you: Monica and Lina
2. His/her site’s title and url:
3. Date when you were tagged: April 17, 2009
4. Feel free to grab this tag!

This one's another tag from Lina & Luna
The rules are simple: Tag and link back to the person who tagged you. List six (un) important things that make you happy. Tag six bloggers and let them know they're “it”. We all feel this blogging community to be one of inclusion and friendship.

Here are my 6 important things:

1. Bonding time with my husband doing simple things and relaxing
2. Chatting and hanging out with friends
3. Travelling
4. Eating out, watching movies
5. My afternoon walks
6. Going to spa and getting a full body massage

I'm not tagging names, everybody's free to play these tags. =)

Our stop over was just halfway our destination and it's still a long way to go. After we all finished our business there, we gathered back in the car and hit the road. About another 1-2hrs, we arrived at the main port area. To our surprise, there were many tourists and that means competition! Worrying about a place to stay since we didn't have any reservation, mom dragged me to go with her to check the tourist information area. We inquired for the port hotel facility and luckily a family just checked out in a room that can accommodate us all. Somebody actually booked for that room already but never confirmed...mom and I did our magic and there, we got a nice big room for the family. The hotel admin helped us with the boat rental so it wasn't a big deal at all. Almost lunchtime, everybody's hungry and some locals were selling freshly caught live crabs. Dad bought a bucket full of crabbies and had it cooked there by the eating stalls. I'd love to share this part of the story but no photos this time. I'll leave it all up to your imagination! I was anticipating the crab feast that's why no cameras allowed (can't eat crabs and take pictures the same time, haha). Seafood is what I love most in island trips.


Governor's Island, the first stop.

Finally the boat docked and we had our feet wet walking to the shore. The water was cold but tolerable. Can't really expect it to be nice and warm on a chilly holiday season. What's there to see on this island? The perfect view! This island has the highest peak of all islands with a view deck about 100 steps to the top giving the most view of the islands. I never really counted it so i wouldn't know if it's true whatever the "bangkero" (boat operator) told us. There's another surprise when you reach the top...an ice cream vendor. Who wouldn't want a cold ice cream after a sweaty climb?

Next stop, the Children's Island.

Having a long stretch of low tide shore, this island was named ideally good for children. You can actually go so far from the shore and still the water's only up to your waist. Sounds too good to leave your kids playing in the water? Nah, not a good idea. The current gets quite strong at some point and the sandy bottom has a lot of spikey broken corals. Best way to enjoy without getting all the ouch is to wear a swim shoes. We stayed for a while just to ease Elisse's swim hype.


Finally after those two islands, off to Quezon Island which was our last stop.

The package we got for the boat was just 3 islands, it would be so tiring for our little girl to do so much island hopping. Three for a start was good enough for her. Most of the photos were taken here. We spent more time and he rest of the afternoon there eating meals in between. Some people were there also but not that crowded for us to settle there.

my mom

my grandma

my mom-in-law


and to all moms,


.H.A.P.P.Y....M.O.T.H.E.R.'.S.....D.A.Y.

Like what I've said on my previous post Easter Prayers, our family goes to the hot springs at least once during the summer season. Why hot springs on a hot humid summer? That's for health reasons:

• Data show that hot hot bath can not only muscle, joint laxity, the elimination of fatigue; can expand blood vessels, promote blood circulation and accelerate the body metabolism.

• In addition, the majority of hot springs are rich in chemical substances, on the human body have some help. For example, calcium carbonate hot springs to improve the physique, the restoration of a significant physical role; and hot springs rich in calcium content, potassium, radon and other components of the adjustment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, the treatment of diabetes, gout, neuralgia, arthritis, etc. have a certain effect; and sulfur Stephen keratinocytes may be softening, sodium elements have the effect of bleaching the skin to soften.

I love the soothing effect on my tired muscles and my entire body. Nothing beats a very natural way of relaxation and healing. I'd love to go to the hot springs here but where? The nearest hot springs here is in Sierraville, about 245miles away and 4hr long drive (one-way). Not worth for a day trip, it would be better if we'll get to stay for 2 to 3 days at least. Quite impossible, there's work to attend to. I guess the best that I can do is just to soak in the bath tub with warm water and mineral bath salt.

My family managed to keep the tradition (first time without me). They went to the grotto early morning then drove all the way to the hot springs. My sister shared the photos one time we chatted so I have some fond memories of their outing.