The First of Summer
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| Baguio (Circa 2007) |
Summer breaks are what my siblings always looked forward to, especially when the month of April finally reveals itself on the calendar. No more home works or exams to study for this time around. These trips would usually come to them as the ultimate freedom -- their energy jumpstarts the coming of summer. This automatically translates to having another trip out of town with the whole family.
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| Enchanted Kingdom (Circa 2007) |
My family and I would only plan one 4 or 5-day trip every summer. Everybody was obliged to squeeze this into our busy-or-not-so-busy schedules. And as a family of 13+ members, traveling becomes a costly thing on its own. Regardless of, these trips always catch on to us as an unforgettable escape.
We're certainly a family that loves to travel, as we’ve already been to parts of Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Nueva Ecija, Tagaytay, Laguna, Baguio, Zambales and to Aklan (this being the farthest and the first plane trip to some).
Moreover, family trips give off a good energy for each and everyone. It turns out to be as a time to bond with one another. It also becomes a time where all the cares and worries of this world are left behind for a time. Everyone is relaxing, laughing and exchanging stories all day long.
These scheduled vacation breaks during the summer is what we’ve always looked forward to, most especially the older ones in the family. It’s a time for them and for us to be together in one place. And as everyone’s growing-up real fast, this becomes an opportunity that never goes unnoticed.
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| Nasugbu, Batangas |
Moments like these are grabbed without hesitation, so that when the time comes when we no longer can make it through these trips, we’ll know and be able to look back and say that we made it through these adventures as a family. But this wayfaring story doesn’t end here. Well not yet, at least…
"The family that TRAVELS together, stays together!"
Explore & Be Free!
Mai
89 comments
I think everyone is excited with summer vacations. No school or work related stuff to think about. And that is the time to relax and bond with your family and friends :)
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more, Mei. =)
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for summer too!
ReplyDeleteAren't we all! =)
Deleteits really fun bonding with your family..
ReplyDeleteTrue! Wouldn't trade it for anything else. =)
DeleteMy family hates travelling they just love to eat out e =(
ReplyDeleteWhy not travel with your friends instead? =)
DeleteI kinda like the cool temperature of november and december... summer is so hot that I can't even run my computer.... but yes, lots of people enjoy the summer... swimming, outings, etc...
ReplyDeleteHi ROMELo.. don't we all love the latter parts of the year? =)
DeleteIts really fun to travel in groups especially if your with your family. Ang laking tipid kasi when traveling in groups. ^_^
ReplyDeletetotoo yan, mark.. =)
ReplyDeleteWe used to travel a lot but when my brother migrated, my mom and dad prefer staying at home. So I get to travel with my friends this time.
ReplyDeletehttp://chelinumerable.blogspot.com
Traveling with friends is a different adventure on its own.. pero as much fun pa din. =)
Deletethe first photo made me wana jump too hehe :)
ReplyDeletethe best of times are spent with people who matter
ReplyDeleteLike I always say, the family that goes bonding together, bonds forever. :) It's good that your family knows the value of activities like this. It's all worth the expense! We also do that as a family. When I was a kid, we used to spend every Christmas in Baguio. Now that we're much much older, my bro and sis still take my mom out on a road trip...like in Batangas and Laguna, as you do with your family. :)
ReplyDeleteLike you, I also look forward to summer or even just long weekends for family gatherings similar to this.
ReplyDeleteIt's been years since we've traveled as a family. I miss those times :(
ReplyDeleteFamily bonding time is something that is never taken for granted.
ReplyDeleteWhat a joyful family bonding ! Very nice! Grab every opportunity to bond with each family members. We also do the same from time to time especially during summers!
ReplyDeletegrabe mai, how you've grown! :D great to see you here din! and i agree, the family that travels together, stays together! :D
ReplyDeleteYou have 10 siblings? riot!!!
ReplyDelete10 siblings? grabeeeee! I wonder kung gaano kayo kagulo but then its fun having a lot of people by your side diba.
ReplyDeleteI miss traveling with my family. I think the last time we traveled together was 2 years na ang nakalipas. But I really enjoyed it so much. :)
ReplyDeleteAwww, this reminds me of growing up in the Philippines.
ReplyDeleteIt's a long time ago but I missed those Summer road trips I shared with our clan.
Here in Europe, having vacations is a lifestyle. But I feel in the Philippine culture it's another way to bond with the family, as you said aptly at the end of your blog:
The family that travels together, stays together!
andami nio grabe! cool! :)
ReplyDeleteFamily trip is really unforgettable and most precious memories .But as you grow older and have a family of your own .you'll stay apart and no more complete family trip.
ReplyDeleteindeed very true!!! haha thats travelling gets everyone to excited as well with the family! its that time when everyone opens up! xx
ReplyDeleteindeed very true!! it that time when everyone opens up! xx
ReplyDeleteHehehe! :)
ReplyDeleteSo true Leira! :)
ReplyDeleteI am indeed very grateful, AJ. :) And you and your siblings are also doing a great job -- taking your mom on trips is definitely very thoughtful on your end. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you're still taking the time to hang out with your family -- it truly is one to cherish. :)
ReplyDeleteAwwww.. how come? Are you away from your family now?
ReplyDeleteTrue, indeed! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ric! :) And I so agree with what you've said. :)
ReplyDeleteHahah! Grown talaga ate? :P
ReplyDeleteHi Cai! Nope, I don't have 10 siblings.. where did you get that info? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Angie! I don't have 10 siblings.. where did you get that info? :)
ReplyDeleteAwww... then it's probably time to plan a new one, Noks! :) Plan one na, kahit nearby province lang or do a staycation with the family. :)
ReplyDeleteHi ate Joanna! :) Aww... how long have you been away sa Pilipinas? :)
ReplyDeleteHeheheh.. indeed! The more, the merrier. :)
ReplyDeleteI know, Ms. Tess.. kaya as much as possible, we really make the time -- no matter how packed one's schedule is.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right sis.. hehe! :)
ReplyDeleteOh ok, I just assumed hahaha! you said kasi you're 13 in the family so i thought immediate family!
ReplyDeletehehehe.. I actually have one brother lang.. the rest our pamangkins and cousins. :)
ReplyDeleteFamily travel is a special opportunity for each family member to reconnect, relax, and recharge. :)
ReplyDeleteI love family trips!!! I miss my family in the Philippines though. Great you all find time to connect, just have fun and travel during summer times! love it!
ReplyDeleteSo true, Malcolm. That's why we always make time for our family planned trips. :)
ReplyDeleteAww.. when was the last time you were in the Philippines, Gemma?
ReplyDeletetrips may be expensive, but the cost is just something temporary. what you'll buy for every trip is experience. :)
ReplyDeleteNope. We just don't got out on out of town trips anymore :( we do have dinner once in a while.
ReplyDeleteI'm
ReplyDeleteHi Mai, I couldn't agree more with your last statement. Happy to see you finding time for the family in spite of your busy schedule.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to more of your fun adventure with your family :)
Great family trips bring good memories. My family loves to travel too. The only problem is, we don't always have the money for it. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Athena.. costs are yet temporary. The experience that we'll get from every bonding moment is worth more than gold. *not that I have it..lol*
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristel! Indeed.. we should all set aside some time to be with the family.. regardless if you're already some big shot tycoon. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Ms. Rossel! We also have the same concern.. but we do try to set aside some money for our future trips, so that we'll be prepared by then. Plus, we try to plan these a few months early so that there'll be time to save up. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Ang saya saya nyo naman. Nung bata ako nakakapag ganyan kami pero madalas hindi kami sinasama nung ibang mga kapatid ng mom ko. May discriminasyon. LOL. Good for you, you have close family ties. :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha.. bakit naman may discrimination? Daya naman! :P
ReplyDeletehi!, wow, like 5 years ago na!!!! wahhhh
ReplyDeleteWow! It's been so long Gemma! Do visit soon? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Mai,
ReplyDeleteWow, nice blog and used the same line in one of my posts "The family that travels together, stays together."
Awww... so true, right? And wow! We have the same nickname.. bright minds and Names think alike.. hehehe! :)
ReplyDeleteIt really is fun together with the whole family especially in a number as big as yours! :D
ReplyDeletefamily bonding is great in summer. Most kids always look forward to summer vacation. Right after Christmas, my son and cousins are counting days to summer, :)
ReplyDeleteSummer really calls for family vacations because children have school vacation and the weather is just right for excursions to resorts and beaches.
ReplyDeleteFamily travels are really the coolest way to bond. You look so thin in the jump shot photo.
ReplyDeleteIf everybody have grown ups and build their own families, it is difficult to organize travels like these. It's good that you have grabbed the chance to don something like this as a family.
ReplyDeleteI love family bonding, it makes life happier , livelier, and there's always something to look forward to the next time.
ReplyDeletefamily bonding is the best because every moment will be enjoyed without thinking of the time!
ReplyDeleteWow! I admire your family for being able to squeeze the time to travel. The family that travels together, stays together.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love browsing through old pictures. It brings so much memories. Family bondings are really worth the nostalgia. =)
ReplyDeleteI miss a lot of summer events with my family and its all because of my busy schedule. It's really nice that you guys had the chance to bond together last summer. keep it up :)
ReplyDeleteI also miss having a good summer break. Good thing I can visit a basketball park and play there.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jerwel! Our number has actually grown through the years.. it's nearing the 20th mark! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Leilani! Do you have plans for next summer already? :)
ReplyDeleteThat's true! Good thing we have such a great summer weather here. :)
ReplyDeleteHahahaha! FRANC! You and your observations. Ikaw lang lagi naninita ng pag"Progress" ng katawan ko..lol!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more.. especially now that some of my siblings are having families and babies of their own. Time flies!
ReplyDeleteSame sentiment here, Ms. Teresa! I love summers.. and the other family bonding sessions that happens even after summer. :)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, Sef! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, that's so true! No one is that busy.. Plus, life is short. So we all got to make time for our loved ones. :)
ReplyDeleteSo true, Kim! :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Love the name, Tay! Siguro kanya kanyang diskarte at bonding nlng pag Summer. At least, yung tatay niyo po imparted some of the lessons that you'll need pagTanda.. and that's to learn to be an all-around man. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mommy Life! :)
ReplyDeleteKanya kanyang diskarte na lang noh, Ivan? For a time.. di ako nakakasama sa family ko, especially when I had summer classes noong college.
ReplyDeleteOh! summer back then for me is what my late dad called 'Spartan life'.. Why, it is the time that dad will teach us new skills. Though we will have a free beach trip but I and my brother spent much of our time doing 'adult' thing. just like carpentero, mekaniko, tubero, electrician, ref/air tech, and worst maging mason sa construction. Ganyan kalupet ang tatay ko. Nevertheless, what he taught us come handy for me. Now, ako na si Papaleng of all Trade.
ReplyDelete