Around the World

Sky Watching in Koh Samet, Thailand. Photos were taken many years ago.

This one was takenw hile we went walking..It was our 3 rd time going back there and it was raining most of the time. So, it was so hard to catch a sunrise and sunset..

And looking through the horizon..Waiting for the rain..Clouds are blocking off the sun..

Thanks for the visit!~

More participants, HERE.

Here are some tips that you can read on what to do, what’s not if you’re planning to travel with kids by air! I saw this here and thought this is a very helpful tips and ways specially to those Mom’s like me who frequent traveling by air! I remember when I traveled alone together my little boy from Manila to Japan. I saw an old classmate from college and he was so shocked to see how fast and how organized I am during the entire flight until we disembarked in the plane. He asked me twice, how did I managed traveling alone with a toddler! I told him, I travel kids alone always. He can’t imagine because I was so different during my college days he said! haha Of course, I wasn’t a Momma those days..

Where should I sit?

Where to sit depends on the age of your children and whether you are flying with a partner.

If you are flying with a partner, consider booking seats apart from one another so that one can get real rest while the other attends the children for a while. This way, neither of you will get too exhausted on a long-haul flight.

If you’re travelling with an infant less than 10kg in weight, your airline may provide a sky cot or bassinette for you. This will mean you are seated in bulkhead seats at the front of a section of the plane. Some airlines provide bassinettes on a first-come, first-served basis at check-in; others give priority to the smallest infants; others don’t provide them at all.

If you are traveling with an infant and a toddler, having the bassinette and bulkhead seats is a good option. You have more room for your stuff and the toddler is able to curl up on his/her own seat. But, if your child is not a curler or is older, note that the armrests that divide the seats do not raise on the bulkhead seats. This means that you can’t cuddle your child very easily and they certainly can’t lie with their head on your lap. In this case, consider seats elsewhere and hold the baby on your lap.

To board first of last - that is the question!

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Behind the huge buildings over in Tokyo Metropolitan. You can actually find something dramatic. The sun was about to go down. Just beside a construction area.

Thanks for the visit!~

More participants, HERE.

The longest flight I had was when I went to Vienna, Austria! I was with the husband and it was sort like a honeymoon! We boarded in Manila stopped over at the Malaysia then another plane to Netherlands then off to Austria! Long flight, huh! So, I was thinking this steps can help you with very long flights! I saw this while surfing and it’s very helpful! I can use this again someday:D

1. Reserve a good seat. Even within the same class and fare, some seats are far superior to others. Consider an aisle or exit row seat for leg room, or a window if you want to sleep. Try seatguru for aircraft-specific information on individual seat comfort and amenities.
   It is important to be comfortable on a long airplane trip.
2. Bring something to entertain yourself. Usually, movies don’t start for some time, and the built-in music selection can be quite poor.
3. Forget about the time during the flight, you cannot do anything about it and the flight will feel much longer if you always think of how much time is remaining. Do not check your watch regularly (preferably not at all) and try to avoid looking at the in-flight map showing the current position of the plane (if one is available).
4. If possible, go with an airline that offers AVOD (Audio Video on demand), which is a TV screen in front of your seat which lets you choose what you want to watch, play or listen to.
5. Bring your own headphones. The headphones available on the plane (whether for purchase or for free) are usually of poor quality. Noise-canceling headphones and in-ear headphones are great if you have them, and can help block out engine noise and the conversations of other passengers. But even standard headphones or earbuds will be a big improvement.
6. Minimize your carry-on luggage. One backpack is fine for the plane.
7. Bring a toothbrush, and anything else which isn’t a liquid or a gel, that you need to help freshen up before meeting your loved ones at the end of your long flight. They, and your neighbors in-flight, will be glad you did.

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Some photos of waiting for the sunrise.

From this.

To this. Worth it though.

Happy Sky Watching! To see more participants click, HERE.

I am a Mommy of 2 boys and since we like family trips and mini vacations. It is always very important for me to take notes of what to do and what’s not. I thought this one is very helpful for you and to the whole family!

1. Check the weather. You may not want to camp if the weather forecast says that it is going to rain six inches in a six-hour period with thunder and lightning.

2. If driving the family car, have it checked over before you leave. Having a broken-down car in the middle of nowhere can dampen cheerful spirits.

3. If flying, get to the airport early, particularly during a holiday period. It is always better to pad a little time into your schedule to go through security rather than miss your flight. Also, the rules of what you can and cannot carry onboard change rather frequently, so check ahead to make sure that you are not going to get into trouble or leave something at home that is no longer prohibited.

   More in HERE.
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We all know the “travel light” mantra. But sometimes we tend to forget that it’s way better than traveling light..Here’s some steps on how to make your travel less hassle if you’re bringing only the must bring things!

1. Get a small bag. The bag should be lightweight and easy to carry. It is helpful to have a bag that can be carried as a backpack, or as a shoulder bag depending on the circumstances. It is also handy if it has wheels. It is quite common to have to walk long distances, climb stairs and have to do many things at once, all while you have your bag with you.

2. Determine the climate conditions of your destination. Check the weather report, so that you know what type of clothing to bring with you. For example, if the weather is going to be warm, then there is no need to bring a heavy jacket. If it is going to be sunny, then bring a hat, etc.

3. Plan your wardrobe so that everything matches with everything else. This does not have to be monochromatic or boring. Rather, it suggests a minimalist approach to fashion. One skirt and a single pair of trousers can be matched with a t-shirt, a fancy blouse or a tank top to make six different outfits–plenty of clothes for a week journey. You can get fancy with a scarf, bandanna, hat or other uniquely “you” wardrobe piece. Also, be sure you have appropriate clothing for area you are visiting, and for holy sites if necessary. If done right, you might be able to get away with one load of laundry rather than ‘darks’ and ‘lights’.

4. Bring enough clean underwear so that you can get through at least half of your journey’s time without doing laundry, up to 10 days time. After that, you will have to do laundry anyway. This also goes for socks, if you will be wearing those daily. And, bring laundry supplies, if you are planning on doing laundry. (Note: just put enough dry detergent in a ziplock bag for as many loads as you plan to do–don’t bring the whole box.). Alternatively, if you are not moving much you can pack 3 days worth and regularly sink-wash them, allowing about a day for them to dry.

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That since we’ve stayed around a lot of hotels in and out of the country, I will just do some personal review to all the hotels we stayed at:D It’s countless already…hmmm..I’ll gather some facts and infos first and will post the first one soon. Hmm..:D

And I removed my tag board. I’ll put it again until further notice;)

I love the blue sky..while we were waiting for the sunset along the bay..

Happy Sky Watch!

Before we went back here in Tokyo we had a week blast of fun. From the Christening of my little Axel, spending time at hotel pools in Royal Mandaya Hotel and Grand Regal Hotel & Casino for 3 nights then the celebration of my Mom in-laws retirement party. She had 3 times celebrations and one of that one was her birthday party. I posted photos in my flicker already. If you fancy you can check it out here. Then the overnight stay at Blue Waters Resort was a great time away from the hustle and bustle! I was with my 3 boys, my brother then our 2 yaya’s! It’s located in Garden City of Samal. A little off coast to Davao City. We paid 200 pesos for the boat ride. It’s around 10 minutes or 15. The perks of going there at weekdays? Is that we were the only guests in the resort! It’s a nice place if you really like to just relax.

Here are some photos. Click to view them bigger.

We rented 2 family bungalows. And can you imagine that it’s only 1,800/night? It’s not with breakfast though but it’s very cheap already. Don’t expect too much from the room but it’s clean,with aircon, huge beds, toilet is clean,cable tv and a terrace to view the beach! The bungalow where my bro and the yaya’s stayed has a little kitchen. With 2 rooms plus each rooms has 2 beds! With toilet as well. Friendly service and the resort is very clean! they have beautiful flowers, sandy white beach, they got a pool and you can go up the hill to view Davao City!

I have a lot of flower shots there because they have a garden that has abundant of flowers:)

The boys had fun swimming plus the yaya’s too..hehe I was the photographer so, I was in the side always. lol But I took a swim in the pool later that night!

Anyhow, it was a nice getaway..Hope we can do it again next years summer vacation;)