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Brugge Vibes

Filed under: Europe, Travel, travels — 2 Comments

May 29, 2023

It’s 2023 and it’s been 4 years since I first visited this capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. Just a day trip from Brussels then but as I mentioned in my last blog, I’d head back for at least a couple of nights here the next time around. And so it went, a weekend in Brugge or Bruges or however it’s spelled. Stayed in a hotel housed in a 17th century structure that used to be a brothel just a few blocks from the plaza.

As soon as we checked in, we stepped out to have brunch at House of Waffles. Easily found a table and enjoyed our savoury and sugary waffles and liege. The next few times we passed it, there was always a long queue of tourists. So we satisfied our hunger in a burger joint with the most splendid view. That, and a visit to the old brewery where locals congregate for happy hours. Proost!

There is this old brewery which seems to be favoured by many locals called De Halve Maan (Half Moon). We asked for the blond beer, which tasted a tad sweet, def not bitter, just like ale. From here, we walked back to the city hall area where a free concert was about to begin. We claimed our seats and listened as the orchestra played for a good half hour.

Enjoyed an orchestra playing for a half hour here.

We had a lovely weekend here. Our hotel provided breakfasts and we chose to have it in the tiny garden and braved the slight chill. Enough to perk us up every sunny morning. Choosing to stay nights here was a good decision. We found and enjoyed Brugge sans the tourist crowd. Indeed, this medieval city is like Disneyland. You get the crowds from morning till early evening, then have it quiet, serene and lovelier without the crowds by sundown. Perfect!

Have you watched the movie “In Bruges “? That’s the wooden house in that film.

Check out my blog on Bruges from an earlier trip:

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/2019/06/04/its-a-crime-to-miss-bruges/

Tags: Belgian waffles, Belgium, bruge, Bruges, brugge, Europe, Family, Family Travel, Food Trip, house of waffles, Musings and Ramblings, Travel, Travels

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Japan Is Always A Good Idea

Filed under: Asian Holidays, Food Trip, Japan, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

December 2, 2022

My last trip with these travel buddies was in 2020, returning back home just a mere week before a lockdown was declared. The idea of traveling together again gave us a high and by the time we were ready to go, our number has grown to 23 adults, 4 teens and 2 babies. A whole bus of happy travelers. It didn’t matter much where we were headed but Japan has always been a good idea. Besides, our last trip to Fukuoka in 2017 had a different itinerary.

On this trip, the abuelas fussed over the bebes while the abuelos trained the teens how to drink smartly. Cocktail hours were longer and more adventurous as the group now includes an award-winning barista who concocted cocktail drinks for the senior, middle-aged and young adults. As always, we enjoyed the company, the private jokes, the food and the onsen. The autumn colors provide good visuals but then again, Japan is good no matter which season.

The temps are dropping so we made sure to wrap ourselves good. The ryokan we are staying in now has an outdoor onsen and we made good use of that before our kaiseki dinner. Post dinner cocktails followed before we called it a night. It’d be a long next day with a long drive towards Takachiho Gorge plus a visit to a shrine where Shinto was born. So there. With the drop in temperature, wish us luck.

Tags: asian holidays, Family, Family Travel, food porn, Food Trip, fukuoka, Japan, Musings and Ramblings, Travel, Travels

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Anna Bay in Port Stephens

Filed under: Travel, travels — 2 Comments

July 3, 2022

The weather forecast was gloomy but we were dead set to spend our weekend with the boys in Anna Bay. The preceding week in Kiama was an all girls (errr ladies) bonding adventure which included a visit to our favorite Benedictine Abbey in nearby Jamberoo. So for this weekend, we were hoping to join the boys on some thrilling adventures. Anna Bay belongs to the Port Stephens area in the Hunter Valley region and is one major entry point to the beach and sand dunes of Birubi Point. Here, there’s an assortment of things to do. Whale-watching, fishing, surfing may sound exciting but many find more thrills with the camel and horse rides along the shore, sand boarding and 4 wheel-drives across the sand dunes.

We weren’t in luck with the thrilling rides. But we sure got extremely lucky spotting pods of whales. The downpour was put on hold to allow us some time at the Gangan Lookout, the beach and sand dunes at Birubi Point and lovely walks by the shore just right behind our crib here in Anna Bay. We could have waited for sunset (before 5pm!) but it grew cold and the looming downpour dampened our spirits. The waters were so calm and so soothing to frayed nerves. Many residents and guests like us spilled out of the apartment buildings to idle away the hours at the beach, playing with their dogs or even letting their toddlers play around the huge “sandbox”.

Back in Kiama, I missed the pods of whales. I saw more than enough here in Birubi point. The beach behind our serviced apartment here is another whale-spotting area but after putting on a show for us in Birubi, these aquatic mammals must have thought we’ve seen enough. Evenings here are so pleasant, if not wonderful. The waves crashing to shore lull you to sleep and early morns are marked by visits of different birds perched on your balcony. Imagine having your morning coffee while these birds chirp in chorus and while watching dogs frolic by the beach. Happiness!

Tags: Anna bay, Australia, beach, birubi point, Family, Family Travel, Musings and Ramblings, New South Wales, port Stephens, Travel, Travels, whale watching

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Busy Since I Retired

Filed under: Travel, travels — 4 Comments

February 4, 2018

I kid you not.

My self-imposed retirement began in early 2001. I quit to have a life. And it’s been a life of adventures and nurtured relationships since.

I love to travel. And I travel with different sets and circles of friends. No better way to bond than enjoying their company 24/7. I’m one who easily gets along with most anyone on a trip. Perhaps because I’m in my elements when traveling. But I do realize it’s better to travel solo than putting up with bad company. I’m also hell-bent when I wish to be someplace and no one’s going with me. Guess it all started when I was a child standing in line to enjoy rollercoaster rides. I don’t do that now. Not because I’m afraid but more because I’m cautious not to break a brittle bone. I go visit family and friends whenever I can. I have always maintained that life is too short to waste it. As years pass, I appreciate more and more the value of relationship. I am happy I nurtured many since childhood.

2001:

USA Roadtrip

Beijing + HK

2002:

Spain + Portugal

Lourdes, Paris

2003:

USA East/West Coast

London

Roadtrip from Paris thru Tours,

Bordeaux, Lourdes, Provence,

Barcelona, back to Paris

2004:

St. Petersburg+Moscow, Russia

Switzerland

Provence+Paris

2005:

USA

2006:

Singapore

Europe

2007:

Alaskan Cruise

Vancouver+Victoria, Canada

Seattle+San Francisco+LA

2008:

HK/Macau

Taipei

2009:

Turkey & Greece

Indonesia

HK New Year

Shanghai

2010:

Siem Reap

Shanghai

2011:

Bhutan

Shanghai

2012:

South Africa+Zambia

Spain

2013:

Australia

Spain

Mongolia

Korea

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

2014:

Australia

Hanoi/Halong Bay, Vietnam

India

2015:

Myanmar

Spain

Berlin, Germany

Scandinavian Cruise

Bangkok, Thailand

Morocco+Spain

2016:

Italy

Tokyo

Sydney+Gold Coast, Australia

Japan

Bangkok, Thailand

2017:

Spain

Sydney

Tasmania

Miami/SFO/Vegas/Utah

Peru

Fukoaka

Spain

Paris, France

2018:

Sri Lanka

Central Vietnam

Vienna, Budapest & Bratislava

Kenya & Tanzania

Sydney

Bologna, Modena, Parma, San Marino

Vienna

Plitvice Lake

2019:

Brunei

Hokkaido

London, Bath & Cotswolds

Amsterdam & Brussels

Ljubljana, Trieste, Graz

Istrian Peninsula+Zagreb

Bali

2020:

Egypt

Easily, nearly 70 international trips since I retired in 2001. Way more than my combined trips before my self-imposed retirement. And a few times, I did back-to-back trips as well as “slow trips” counting up to 3 months home-based somewhere. I’ve also covered much ground back home. I’ve been quite busy. And very happy! Traveled with family and also with different sets of friends. Oh yes, I have no shortage of travel buddies. Outside of family, there are my camino buddies, a foodie group, college buddies, travel blogger-friends, former work colleagues, dormmates, childhood friends, etc. My friends would always ask which trips rank among my Top 10. And I’m always stumped for choice. How do you choose from among so many trips you’ve enjoyed and wish to repeat? But this I say, the more memorable ones are those where I learned the most, interacted with locals the most, or simply where “something clicked” to change my outlook in life. Not exactly an epiphany; just a simple discovery or realization from a meaningful experience.

PS. Times have changed since early 2020. We were lucky to do that Nile Cruise in Egypt. COVID-19 took over and our traveling life was put on hold. All 3 pre-booked trips this 2020 cancelled.

Tags: Family, Family Travel, Food Trip, Musings and Ramblings, Travel, Travels

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The Gift of Time

Filed under: Musings & Ramblings — 2 Comments

January 9, 2017

Please do not grieve

For I have truly lived

Every single day & second

Not one moment wasted.

I was born with some gifts

But later learned more tricks

To detach from wordly stuff

Love and harmony enough.

I’ve seen snow-capped mountains

And far too many ancient fountains

Sunrises, glowing sunsets & moonlights

As pretty as the skies at twilights.

Solitary walks my pleasures

Nothing fancy by any measure

In touch with myself, alone with my thoughts

While adding up all the naughts.

Yet there’s that time with you I relish

A memory I cherish

Just as my hair turned gray

Unmindful even when things go astray.

I have gifted you with experiences

Plus memories & all the time I could give

Continue on, my loves, and understand

How precious is the gift of time.

For more blogs celebrating life, check out :

https://lifeisacelebration.blog/

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/liliram/

Like me on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Lifeisacelebration

Tags: amateur poet, Family, living, Love, Minimalism, minimalist, Musings and Ramblings, poetry, simple living

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NOT JUST A FAMILY REUNION

Filed under: Asian Holidays, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

July 12, 2015

Hi everyone! On our latest Bangkok adventure, here’s a blog summary. For updates, follow lifeisacelebration on Facebook and/or subscribe to this blog site.

Ayutthaya UNESCO Heritage Site

A Thai Engagement Procession

A Thai-Buddhist Wedding Ceremony

Art In Paradise Trick-Eye Museum

Chocolate Ville

Terminal 21

Keep reading!

Tags: Family, Family Travel, Manila, Reunion

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A PHLOG BY A PAPARAZZI GRANDMA

Filed under: Australia, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

June 8, 2014

Late Autumn Indoor Swimming

This photo blog (phlog) comes with more photos than text. The photos speak for themselves. More so with young grandchildren who are totally uninhibited in expressing their feelings. A kiss here. An ouchy look there. A playful mood. A “begging” stance. A proud moment. Boredom. Excitement.

Buddies. The 2 youngest.

Kuya and Bunso. Gigil?

Let’s go to Hungry Jacks please. And let’s not forget, Time Zone……

Mom, I don’t want to milk a cow ever again. So kadiri! Yuck….

We have a plan. Oh oh.

My Ate Patricia smells like strawberries!

Is this formal enough, Mom?

Hu Hu Hu. I want my own shake. No one elses’s spit on my shake please!

Ever since Ate arrived, Mamu became “laos”.

Hurry up with that shot, you camwhoring Mamu!

I love ate ❤

WHY NOT?

Unica Hija in OZ

Errrr, shall we try it? Sign says “shallow water”.

Ok guys, stay together. No jumping over the fence.

But Ate can jump…..

Jump down? Or climb up?

Go Kuya. You can do it!

Thank you, Nongkie, for the shakes.

A Moment.

THAT’s ALL, FOLKS. —– Elvis, the beloved family dog.

Tags: children, Family, reunions, Sydney, Travel, travels

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To My Dearest Sister

Filed under: Australia, Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — 1 Comment

May 21, 2014

Seventy Odd Years

We recall the early years
And thank God for these blessings
Such a delight this life
With triumphs and a few fights.

Ten years of separation and a whole ocean apart
Love spans many miles and travels over ebbs and tides,

Sisters at birth; joined at the hearts
Survivors, from the same bodily hurts.

What’s there to celebrate at 70?
God’s precious gifts of love & life

Family & Friends

Come, help us celebrate!

Tags: Family, Musings and Ramblings, Sisters

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Surprise, Surprise!

Filed under: Australia, Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

May 9, 2014

Call it a conspiracy. Everyone knew but her. Believe it or not, even the family dog seemed to be in on it, except her. Turning 70 is a milestone and we’re not leaving any stone unturned just to pull this big surprise.

I flew into Sydney with the 2 “elves” (grandkids). Took PAL thinking our flight’s ETD was 10:45pm. Surprise, Surprise! It was actually 9:10pm. Flight skeds changed without notice? Did we miss it? Naaahhh. We were at the airport thinking we were way too early. Took a pee break at 8pm, grabbed a drink, and trooped back to our gate only to find we were the last 3 to board! Ran for it and finally put on our seatbelts almost out of breath.

So we made it…. and landed 3 hours early in Sydney. My niece jumped out of bed at 7am when I messaged her that the “package has arrived”. By the time we reached the doorstep, all surprise plans went haywire. Lack of sleep and stressful departures do that to you. Just the same, we pulled off the surprise sans a video 😦

Two days after, a niece arrived. That’s surprise #4 (the first 3 being moí+the 2 elves). The following week my dear couple friends arrived. I’ve rested well enough by then and didn’t fail to document the whole surprise scene.

All set for the party now. April 27. Six surprise packages. Great Gatsby theme. Black, White, Silver and Gold. Only the 70 year old dons RED. Surprised? Yes. Happy? Yes. We did it! Friends and family all here to celebrate a milestone in my sister’s life. Life is a celebration!

Tags: Birthday Party, Family, Great Gatsby, Surprise, Travels, Turning 70

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Nearly The Last Day of School

Filed under: Musings & Ramblings — 2 Comments

March 26, 2014

An Autumn Glow

A YABU LUNCH

Just a day short. Waiting to pick up my elves today and then, just one more day. Tired from a week of exams, but giddy with excitement over the summer break. The chapel in school is where I wait for them. A good spot under the trees which by now seem to have an “autumn glow” after a couple of hours of rain. Kids even had fun standing under one tree as it sheds off its tiny orange-y flowers as the wind blows.

Summer beckons. What’s the plan, the elves ask? Well……

Tags: Family, Grandchildren, Musings and Ramblings

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