I Love NY

New York is such an amazing city. My 5 days there a few weeks back were such a whirlwind of activity, sites, and subway rides, and I can not wait to return. Numerous blog posts/recaps will not do this awesome trip justice, so here are a few highlights from my trip!

I traveled with my mom. It was such a great time to bond and just have a girls' trip.

One of the Macy's windows ready for Christmas.

We took the subway daily. It's just so efficient and seamless. I liked being able to hop on and get to where I needed to be in a few minutes. Also really liked the mosaic tiles that spelled out the names of the subway stops. So cool.

Saturday morning on the High Line Park. Such a cool escape while in the city.

We were in NYC for Unique NYC. Here was my table :)

Times Square was so bright. We mingled with so many tourists and had such a fun time looking at all of the ads and lights.

Rockefeller Center is massive. The Christmas tree was in the middle of being assembled. Hope to visit for a future holiday when it's lit up.

I love how festive the city was.

We stayed in a wonderful place in the West Village through Air Bnb. It was so cool to be in a neighborhood away from the tourists hustle and feel like one of the locals. There were so many small restaurants, shops, and bakeries to explore. The 5 floors we had to walk up were a bit intense, though ;)

I will definitely miss walking down streets that look like this daily.

Hoping to be able to visit NYC again next year :)

Manila 2012: Views: Up High and Drive By

Time spent in Manila brought me 2 different kind of views: up high and anything driving by. My grandma lives in a highrise condo. Spending time on the 22nd floor provided us with amazing views of the skyline and sunsets. These were up high views I could not get tired of. Also, we spent lots of time in a car, traveling from place to place. Sometimes we could stop, other times we had to keep going so I shot lots of drive by views from the back seat. Hope you enjoy :)

The weather was cooler and there was rain once a week, so we were blessed with smog less skies.

I am in love with the gorgeous sunsets we got to experience. The afternoon light was so flattering and the colors in the sky were perfection.

In contrast, the drive by shots consisted of lots of blues and greens. I did get to see the sky, but really liked seeing the countryside.

Palm trees were some of my favorite things to see.

I also enjoyed all of the fluffy clouds and seemingly endless sky of the provinces.

What are your favorite views: up high or drive by?

Manila 2012: Churches

We spent a day of our trip paying our respects to my father's parents. Both died years ago, when we were unable to financially make the international trip, and now was the time to see their final resting spots. On our journey to the different sites, we stopped through provinces and visited old churches. Some churches were on the way, the others had significance to the family. All were historically significant, and detailed beautifully.

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao is just a couple of blocks from my father's childhood home.




This Cathedral had my favorite interior. Recently renovated, the paint colors are bright and so full of life. We went by during their Thanksgiving mass.






Our grandma, Lola Felisa, is buried in the Cathedral Grotto.


Her parents are also buried in the Grotto, above is a photo of my father and sis by their space.


Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Malolos. Known better as the historic Barasoain church.




The church had gardens and statues in an inner courtyard.




Gallery of images at the Immaculate Conception Minor Basilica in Malolos.


My brother writing in the thanksgiving book.


I say a little prayer for you.


Immaculate Conception Minor Basilica, a mile away from the Barasoain church in Malolos. The statue is of the Philippines' first beatified saint, Lorenzo Ruiz.




Another favorite church was St John the Baptist church in Calumpit. It's about 485 years old and my grandpa, Lolo Sammy was baptized there in 1912, the year he was born.






Our last stop was the Samson mausoleum.


The name plates list 4 generations! It was crazy to see the years they were born.


And Lolo Sammy's grave stone behind the mausoleum.



This day was solemn and emotional and quiet. But it was also nice to see the sites, experience the churches, and share the day with family.

Manila 2012: Tagaytay Highlands

On one of our mini out of town trips we had an overnight in the Tagaytay Highlands. This secluded and luxurious city is located 34 miles from Manila and a great way to escape the big city hustle. The weather was so cool, clouds floated in the sky, and the humidity was light. It almost reminded me of SB. And it was so beautiful. Views were great and there was so much greenery. I would not mind returning again soon.

We stayed at a house with a great view of the Taal Lake, which is where the Taal Volacano is located.


Another one of the houses we looked at was reminiscent of a ski chalet or something in Lake Tahoe.


Brunch was at a golf club atop some mountains. We were able to enjoy so many views, including their awesome driving range.




Then we took a cable car down to another club house area.


My bro and cousin.


View from the cable car. It was so pretty but also so scary to be so high up!




Then some fun at the jungle gym area.




And one of many cousin photos.

It was such a wonderfully short retreat. Having spent time with cousins that I don't see often was a great way to recharge the batteries.