It's been ages since our last blog post. Apologies to the 3 people following us who haven't received any blog feeds. Hahaha... :) Though the date on here says February, I'm actually writing this in September. Yikes! We've been busy these past few months mainly with work and traveling.
In February while my parents were here they went to the Philippines and we joined them a few weeks later. We stayed in Manila with my Tito Pete and Tita Tina. As soon as they picked us up from the airport we hit our favorite spot, Aristocrats. It was great to be back in the mother land! http://www.aristocrat.com.ph/
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| Their famous Chicken BBQ with Java Rice |
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| Pancit Canton |
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| Lumpia Shanghai |
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| (Almost gone) Bibingka |
We only stayed in Manila for one night since my parents, Tony, my Dad's 7 siblings, their wives and kids, and myself were all flying to Ilocos Norte the following day. We were a Filipino tribe about to take over the Spanish town of Laoag. Hope they were ready for us! Laoag is also where the former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos was born and raised.
My Uncle Egay planned the trip and booked tours of Laoag both days we were there. The trip was also a family reunion for my Dad and his siblings. It's been 16 years since they were all together. Here are photos of the many festivities commemorating this homecoming.
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| At Laoag airport |
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| Such a small terminal |
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| First lunch in Laoag |
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| View from our hotel room |
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| Our Balcony |
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| San Miguel welcomes you! |
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| Dad & Ian at Happy Hour |
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| Cheers! |
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| Mom & Ian |
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| Parents, Tito Egay, Ian, and Tita Beth |
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| Family Dinner |
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| Tita Beth, Tito Boying, Tita Baby, Tito Carling, and Shar |
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| Family Portrait |
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| Dancing the night away |
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| Riding in the tour van |
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| Tito Egay in the back-back seat |
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| Day 2 - Laoag City |
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| Vendor selling coconut drinks |
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| Ferdinand Marcos' Vacation Home |
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| Family Reunion (1 brother missing) |
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| Woo-hoo! |
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| Boo! |
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| The Next Generation |
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| Lake View |
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| The Marcos' Staircase |
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| One of Imelda Marcos' Dresses (I couldn't find her shoes...) |
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| Marcos Family Photos |
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| Family Library |
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| Laoag's delicious empanadas |
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| Best empanada ever! |
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| Inside one of Laoag's oldest churches |
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| The church's water tower |
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| Where you can find traditional Ilocano food |
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| Let's go for a ride! |
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| Lunch Break - what to order? |
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| SPAM, a Filipino staple |
Tony loved seeing all the different modes of transportation. He even jumped out of the van to take these photos.
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| A Calesa at the gas station? |
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| One of the many Jeepneys |
After visiting many sites we wanted some adventure. So Tony, Ian, and I rode an ATV through sand dunes. The rest of the crew stayed in the van, but had to pose with our ride.
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| Tito Pete living extreme! |
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| Beautiful Sand Dunes |
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| The Crew |
To cap off the day we had a feast back at our hotel. My Dad asked the hotel's owner to special order a roasted pig (lechon). His excuse was that his son-in-law never had it before (not true), and it was a family reunion (yes true). Ang sarap!
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| Sorry piggy...but you're delicious |
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| The Carver |
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| Ian the Ninja Chef |
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| After 3 helpings of lechon |
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| Sorry PETA... |
Day 3 - The previous day had a jam packed schedule, so this day was more chill. We started off with tours and ended the day at Pagupud Beach, a hidden gem in Laoag.
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| Tour of a salt plantation |
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| No it's not cocaine. :) |
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| They put us to work! |
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| Top of one of the lighthouses |
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| View from the top |
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| Bangui Windmills |
Our tour guide took over as photographer and did these Filipino drama-esque shots.
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| T&T |
Beach Time!
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| Pagupud Beach |
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| Tito Egay sporting his shark tooth necklace |
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| Utter Relaxation |
It was a short but extremely enjoyable trip. Until next time Philippines. Mabuhay!
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| Jeepney in Motion |
