San Diego

One of the fantastic perks of our jobs is R&R. During our four years in the Philippines we are eligible for two paid trips basically anywhere, as long as it is not more expensive than a ticket to Sydney. In 2012 we went to San Diego and had such an amazing trip that we decided to go back. This time for 26 days in a rental house in Encinitas. It was a perfect home base, with Moonlight Beach and a playground just two blocks away.

After living in Manila for three years, the best part of San Diego was just being outside in the fresh cool air. In the words of this little one, "There's so much space!"

The entire family was able to spend a week together, and although it was crazy, it was really fun.

Towards the end of the trip we spent three days in Joshua Tree.

Other Highlights

Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park
Nutcracker at the Civic Theater
Garden of Lights at the San Diego Botanic Gardens
San Diego Zoo
Best fish tacos at Haggo's Organic Tacos
Siblings Brewery Tour
Sunsets at Moonlight Beach
The baby really learning how to walk
Playgrounds at Balboa Park

R&R in numbers

Mountains hiked: 5; 26 miles total
Breweries visited: 8
Miles ran: 27
Yoga classes: 3

Until next time San Diego!

Kid-Friendly Nail Salon

Toto has shown interest in girly things like makeup, dresses, princesses, and nail polish. Instead of fight it, we are just going with it (while also offering other things like basketball and toy cars). Since Tita R was in town we booked a girls morning at Coco Nail Studio. All their polish is free of the nasty stuff, and the small, cozy salon is kid-friendly! There are little chairs, kid-safe nail polish, and a play area. 

The salon opens at 11am, but they opened early for us so we could squeeze it in before Toto's nap. On the weekends you can have a tea party with scones, macaroons, and cupcakes (you must book in advance). Toto was thrilled that I let her have a cupcake at 10am.

Tea Party packages:
Saint Germain package for 2: regular mani with paraffin pedi (P2,300)
Las Marais package for 2: mani-pedi spa with premium polish (P1,800)
Toto got the Coco Petite - not sure how much that was :)

Directions from Makati: Take SLEX, Exit Sucat, cross to West Service Road, make a R at the Total gas station, Don Jesus building on left (above Pancake House)

Call or Text: 0917 561 9555

Daddy Daughter Christmas Fun

I find it difficult to find out what is going on in this city, which is too bad because there is a lot happening. We learn about most events through word of mouth or through MADS (not a member and have kids under 5? Highly recommend you join). I also frequently check TicketWorld to see what's playing at the theaters throughout Manila. 

The Shark recently attended a work event at the Fairmont Hotel and found out they had some kid's Christmas activities. Two weeks ago he took Toto to a gingerbread house event. She had a blast.  Not only did they decorate the house (and eat some candy), there was a choir, Christmas movies, and Santa.  

For P925, each kid got a beautiful house, 2 tubes of frosting, and a cup of decorative candy.  I have enjoyed picking at it all week.

Last week the Shark geared up again and took Toto to a Teddy Bear Tea while I stayed home to get ready for our Christmas party. On her way out, Toto waved goodbye to me and said, "Bye Mama, I'm going to have coffee with teddy bears." She came home on a sugar high and added to it with some cookies at our party. By the end, she was bouncing off the walls and shrieking with her friends. All in all, some great daddy daughter memories!

Wet Lunch

On the recommendation of a friend, we braved Monday traffic and headed down to Hacienda Escudero, just past San Pablo City.  It took almost 2 hours to get there, but only about 90 minutes on the way home.  A day visit includes a tour of the museum, a carabao ride, lunch at the waterfalls and a bamboo raft tour (I think).  

The museum was not air conditioned and lots of the artifacts - religious, stuffed animals, old clothes and weapons - were looking a little rough.  One chimp was degrading so badly that his foot was all bones (they did not allow pictures or this part would have been well photo documented).  The carabao ride was fun.  A guitar player and singer serenaded us for the 3 minute ride to the resort.  We checked out the swimming pools, but they were not clean, so we headed to lunch. 

At the awesome waterfall restaurant.

It had been described to me as a "floating restaurant," but turned out to be tables in a river.  We started out sitting at the table, then Toto wanted to dip her toes in, then we peeled her down to her undies and she was full out swimming in a couple feet of water.   

The food wasn't amazing, but Toto loved it - chicken, fish, pork, and her favorite, WHITE RICE. She's a Filipina.  The total price for 2 adults and a 2-year old was P2,500 ($58).  While the rafting looked fun, Toto was ready for a car nap. 

No reservations in advance, just showed up around 9:30am.

Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort

San Pablo City, Philippines
(632) 521-0830
(632) 523-0392
(632) 523-2944

E-mail: info@villaescudero.com

Take the South superhighway and exit at 50A (Lucena, Legaspi, Batangas exit).  Turn left at the Sto. Tomas junction. Head straight down, by-passing the town of Alaminos and San Pablo City proper. Slow down upon seeing Quezon arch and turn left immediately after.

Fun Farm

The Fun Farm really lived up to its name.  Visiting requires a reservation, which is unusual for the Philippines.  Some months are literally booked everyday, but this weekend with Typhoon Santi expected to make landfall, no one had booked for Sunday.  We left Makati at 7:45am and were there before 8:30am.  We spent the first half hour playing in the sand house, which is fun except for the duck poop.  There are tire swings and a slide.  Afterwards, we fed rabbits and guinea pigs, checked out the pigs, walked over the bridge on the fish pond, and even rode a horse.  Then they put a wagon on the caribou and we took a ride around the grounds.  The only downside was there was nowhere to go to cool down or even buy a cold drink.

The Fun Farm is open everyday from 9a-4p and costs P300 per person over 2 years old.

High five, Manila

After our visit to the "conservation" zoo (have I gone into that horror?), I set my expectations pretty low for Museo Pambata, the children's museum. I mean for $2, broken, rusty and generally unsafe exhibits must surely be the case.

Imagine my surprise when we arrived and not only was it clean and air conditioned (thank god), but it was well done and clearly maintained. Bring your kids here! They won't need a tetanus shot, or therapy.

Lots of information on protecting the environment.

An herb garden!

The human body.

Interactive Philippine street scene (Toto spent a long time cooking for me).