The fun is endless in Costa Rica

      I first heard the name of this country when I was probably 6 years old or so because two of our neighbor's daughter flew to this country to work. In the country where I grew up, internet was not common or may I say not very popular at that time because computer was too expensive and having an internet connection was too high as well. So, I've known nothing about Costa Rica and besides during those time knowing about this place was not a priority because I was too young and my mind was fully occupied with playing and hoping that we can eat at least three times a day. The only thing that reminds me of this country is their beautiful beaches and tropical weather because I saw it in the postcards sent by our neighbor to their parents and I heard it in their stories during the time when they visited their family.

      When I first came here in the US almost five years ago, as curious as I am, I asked my husband a lot of questions and I remember he mentioned it to me he was in Costa Rica with his friend once. Their main purposed in visiting this country was just to see some vacation spots that are very popular with tourists. They went Zip Lining but not Bungee Jumping. At first they were hesitant in zip lining but did it anyway because they saw young kids and older people did it. He said it was fun and exciting after all.

      There are many magnificent places you can visit in Costa Rica as well as activities you can do that will make it a nice place to stay for a while. Since staying in a hotel for a longer period of time will cost you a fortune, Costa Rica Homes for Rent are available to people who want to stay in a place that they can call their own. If you want to experience your adrenalin going, try Zip Lining and Bungee Jumping. If you want to cool off yourself, you can plunge in to one of their beautiful beaches, if you want to see Costa Rica's rainforest you can go on a Sky Tram adventure. The fun is endless as long as you are into it. In fact, I am adding in to my list now Costa Rica and hopefully I have the guts to go on Zip Lining and the Sky Tram adventure. Bungee Jumping is out of the question at the moment.

Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort

      Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort is situated in Balingoan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines. The island you have seen in the photo is the Camiguin. I was happened to be in this resort when my Uncle and Aunt invited me and my sister to go with them for a lunch and quick tour of the resort. It was actually my second time to be in this vacation spot but as far as I can remember I did not have any photos to share when I first visited this resort. It was in the stage of my life when I was having difficulties financially. 

      Mantangale has a white sandy beach. The water was clear when we were there. My cousins went swimming even though we did not have a plan to go on a splash. The water was very inviting. If only I brought with me an extra clothing I would definitely plunge into the water. 

      We strolled around the resort's vicinity. We had fun taking photos especially with the dwarf coconut trees.

Me and my niece, Aimee

      Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort has an entrance fee of P150.00 or $3.70 per person (fee may varies). This fee is consumable, meaning you have to use it in either using their amenities or eat at their restaurant. If you decide not to use the fee you cannot get your money back. They have cottages and suites if you want to stay there for a day or a week. The place was great not only because of the beach but also with their swimming pool and the Orchidarium. 

      For my next visit to the Philippines, I will definitely come back in this resort with my family and few of my relatives and certainly I will bring an extra clothes.

I will Visit New York Someday

       I love traveling and I am quite certain most people do too. But the question is, what would you prefer to indulge yourself, in a big crowded cities or in a quite remote area or National Park? No matter where you want to go it would be nice if after a long and exhausting day of exploring that a comfortable and cozy room will await you.

      Although I prefer to be in the natural world, I would also like to visit big cities here in the U.S. that I've never been to like San Diego, Dallas, Orlando, Chicago, Houston, Seattle, Miami, Atlanta, Honolulu, New York and etc. My first choice to visit among these cities is New York because I heard a lot of things about this "city that never sleeps". Besides, a good friend of mine lives in New York. She already visited me once here in Los Angeles and I would like to return the favor. I can stay in one of the luxury New York City hotels and give her a surprise visit where she works. We can then go shopping, watch a movie or dine in at Todd English restaurant and go to her favorite bar at night. We have a lot of things to catch up on. 

      Just thinking about this possible visit to New York gets me excited. I don't need to be worried about getting lost because I will stay in the hotel that is situated in the heart of Times Squares and Broadway Theatre Districts where I just can walk to where I want to go.

A Better Solution to an Unfortunate Accident

     
      My husband had already purchased our house before we got married. He fixed a lot of things around the house right after he bought it including our front yard and backyard. But there was an incident wherein he really can't forget. It cost him a considerable amount of money and time. This is what happened. He forgot that he was washing his clothes in the washing machine in our back room. He went to the store to buy some items for his upcoming trip to Monument Valley. When he arrived at the house, he saw water flowing onto our driveway. Suddenly he remembered  that he was washing clothes and he immediately rushed to our back room. The floor was flooded with water. The hose from the washing machine where the water comes out accidentally freed itself from where the hose was inserted into the wall. He was so worried because the floor  was made of hardwood. He tried to dry it as much as he could but it was too late, the water had damaged the floor. So two weeks after the incident, he took the hardwood floor out himself and asked his friend to help him put in a new floor. Since it is very expensive to put in another hardwood floor, he chose to put a laminate floor instead.

      Although the floor in our back room now looks great, my husband would have been better off knowing there was a wood floor water damage repair austin. He would not have undergone all the trouble he went through. They have the right equipment and professional people who will do all the work and it would have saved my husband money and his original hardwood floor. It maybe too late now but at least if it happens again, we will know who to contact immediately. Also, aside from water damage, this company offers a variety of other services. You can visit them at http://www.thesteamteam.com/austin-restoration-services/smoke-fire.shtml to learn more about what they have to offer.

The Queen Mary

      Before the Queen Mary becomes a tourist attraction, it was once regarded as the only way to travel by the elite people since her first voyage in 1936. Queen Mary was one of the most world renowned and remarkable vessel and sailed primarily in  the North Atlantic Ocean until 1967. During the World War II, the Queen Mary was used as a troopship. 

     Today the Queen Mary is permanently docked in Long Beach, California and become a tourist attraction. I was given an opportunity to experience its remarkable history and elegance when we visited the ship almost a month ago. We ate at the Champagne Sunday Brunch which offer an extensive buffet selection with more than 50 dishes. The service was good, the foods were exceptionally great and the ambiance was nice. 

     After eating at the Champagne Sunday Brunch, we walked around the ship and took several photos. I've never been in a ship as big as the Queen Mary. Although the Queen Mary is more than 70 years old, I can still see its magnificent beauty and elegance.

" Forgot to take photos of the Queen Mary alone"

Camping at Yellowstone National Park

       I can't exactly remember how many times we went on camping. I am quite sure it was more than 5 times already. The last time we packed our camping gear was when we flew to Yellowstone National Park last year. For some, it might be not a wise decision but for us it was indeed a clever one. It was already an expensive trip by just the fare alone and so we figured out that if we go camping every other day we can save a lot of money. Lodges, hotels, inns and motels especially inside the park are very expensive. In fact when we stayed for a night at one of the lodges at Mammoth Hot Spring in Yellowstone, if I were not mistaken we paid more than a hundred dollars. 

      There were campgrounds around the park where we can choose to set up our tent and stayed for a night or so. Some of these campgrounds were on a first come first serve basis only and yet others will accept reservation for a very affordable price. When we arrived at the Madison campground one morning, different sizes, colors and shapes camping tents were already been erected. As we were setting up our tent, other campers who probably been there for a day or two were busy cooking their breakfast in their camping stoves. Foods and coffee aromas was up in the air which made us have to leave the campground as soon as possible to eat our breakfast before we have to scout for a place to photograph before sunset.

      I missed the fun of "real" essence of camping during this trip. There were many camping gears that we did not bring with us like our stove, foods and other very important stuff. Hopefully our next camping trip will be soon. I really like to stay away from work and this crowded city where I live for even just for a few days.

Grand Teton National Park

        Grand Teton National Park is situated near Jackson Hole in the state of Wyoming. I had the opportunity to visit this spectacular park last year with my husband. As my friends know, I prefer to be in nature rather than in a crowded, big city.

     This photo was taken in Oxbow Bend. The mountain in the background is the Grand Teton mountain range. I, my husband and other photographers were already in Oxbow bend before sunrise. We wanted to capture the best photo of the mountain, the snake river and the Aspen trees as soon as the sun rises. Unfortunately it was overcast, so we waited for awhile until a photographer spotted a moose eating the grass. I was totally ecstatic and anxious  in firing my camera to capture this very beautiful scenery. 

      I can't exactly remember what part of the park where I took this photo. I was mesmerized by the scenery,  horses eating grass and the Grand Teton mountain range in the background.

      Grand Teton National Park is a must see place for everybody.