a biking experience in ITALY

I began biking  at 9 years of age. It was my yaya Pacing who taught me how to ride a bike.  

Never thought I would cruise along the shores of beautiful Lago Maggiore. 

There are a couple of mild hills along the route, but overall it’s flat and easy.

my hubby was scared for me.  He thought that i cannot bike in the streets. 

Our Trafalgar tour starts at Baveno.  We stayed at Hotel Simplon. 

Baveno is a town in northern Italy and is located on the west shore of Lago Maggiore.



What’s my favorite spot on our route?  Riding through the part of Park and the Lake.  Baveno is also recognised as being a famous health- thermal resort.

this is me drinking water from Bo's Coffee Alabang

Everyone remembers the joy of riding a bike and when it’s free its irresistible.  Our free bike is c/o Hotel Simplon the hotel where we are staying.

Lago Maggiore is one of the best places to enjoy a bike ride.   the wind is running through my hair and the air is soaring through my lungs while i pedal and pedal and pedal.

i just wished i was more fit so i wouldn't have a hard time climbing uphill ;-)

the magic

The flight from Manila to California lasts nearly thirteen hours
via direct flight of philippine airlines. thanks to my friendship ivy lisa f. mendoza for giving me a book. i will truly enjoy my long flight.

test Driving a FERRARI

part of our tour is going to Modena -  the so called "motor valley" in Italy, which my husband didn't know,  for i was the one who arranged our tour with Trafalgar.  He was SURPRISED when we arrived at Ferrari town.



I made him test drive a "Ferrari California".  This is a must for car enthusiasts!

a 10 minute test drive costs 80Euros and 20 Euros for the remembrance video.  we visited the  Ferrari Museum in Maranello.


You will admire the private collection of classic and race cars.

When in Rome...

Every year millions of tourists come from all over the world to be in awe of the treasures and masterpieces of Roman art and architecture.



We landed at Fiumicino Airport. A train station is located inside and you can travel straight to Station Termini near the center of town.

From there you will need to take a taxi or a bus to get to your destination. If you're carrying a lot of luggage or just want to make things easier on yourself, take a taxi. It usually costs around EUR 50 and the no-stress factor makes it worth the extra money.

I was blessed and met Sister Agnes Catalan from St. Paul. We clicked right away when i told her i was a graduate of St. Paul Manila and that I met sister Lilia - the president during the centennial celebration last January.

Meanwhile, Tita Lina met Filipinos while getting our luggages and the relatives of kuya Dado Dolor offered his services to take us to our hotel at 60Euros.

Wennymel to Winnepeg - A Despedida Party

Today's lunch was very special. 

ADOBO GIRLS

It was the birthday celebration of Flordeliz Bacalangco Bermudez and Kitkat Ramos-Ofiana and also the despedida party of Bjay Prijoles Jaminal. 



Thank you for the delicious food. 



The layouts for Bjay were a wonderful idea, 

liza and bjay

and thank you for all the effort that went into creating these treasure. 

ria and bjay

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." (Dr. Seuss) 

dinah and bjay

And always remember, "ADOBO Girls just gotta' have fun!"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kitkat and bjay

my dedication to Bjay:

Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I'll miss you
Until we meet again in WINNEPEG!

me and bjay

i was so happy that we laughed and laughed till i cried. i know your day won't be complete without she-BANGS

april and bjay

King and I at Resort World Manila

Family Bonding today.  I availed the VIP SEATS Buy 1- Take 1 promo of Visa Card at the Resorts World Manila “The King and I”. 

Lead roles were played by Leo Tavarro Valdez (King) and Monique Wilson (Anna).

Winner of five Tony Awards, “The King and I,” which is based on the novel titled “Anna and the King of Siam” by Margaret Landon, tells the story of a British governess Anna Leonowens, who is hired by the King of Siam to take care of his many children.

The musical scores that i love were “Getting to Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “We Kiss in the Shadow,” and “I have Dreamed”

during the break, bebe wants me to take her photo



After the broadway we ate at Krazy Garlic restaurant.

a scrapbook layout just for me

I was touched and surprised today by my incredibly talented very good friend and scrapbook goddess Iris Babao-Uy.  The things she comes up with are really FANTASTIC and ADORABLE! from the bottom of my HEART thank you for the layout you made for me.  

Mwah mwah Tsup tsup! I am so blessed and grateful that I met you.  Thank you for sharing your GREATNESS!

Squeezing 12 Luggages in a Small Car

We met Filipinos at the airport who lived in Italy for almost 20 years.  They were kind enough to offer us a ride instead of taking a taxi.   Our hotel is near their home.  We paid 60 Euros. 

I was amazed at How Kuya Dado made our 12 luggages SQUEEZED in his Opel Zafiro Car.  Ate can’t barely  move  at the last row of the car.   four (4) of us were seating at the 2nd row of the car. Kuya Dado and Tita Lina at 1st Row. 

Iba Talaga ang Pinoy maParaan

instagram day

I had my hair digitally permed for the first time last Sept 1.  I wanted a new me, for my hair was forever straight.  Vicky Sumbillo of South Salon coerced :-) me to change my hairstyle.  Vicky said Big curls are big news this year.  Vicky just finished her training in Korea for Digital Perming and convinced me that I won't regret the romantic waves that curl into ringlets at the end just like the celebrities on TV and glossy magazines ads.

I gave in because i was tired of every other month Keratin Treatment that gives me only a month of smooth and shiny hair. 

I just loved my new look.

vivaldi and opera

tonight we Immersed ourselves in the culture of this fabulous city with a night of Opera. we watched at ateneo di san basco Vivaldi and opera. The program was Wonderful The Chamber orchestra was excellent as were the singers. I love the aria and duetto from la traviata, carmen and turandot.

celebrating 23 years of friendship

“This kind of certainty comes but once in a lifetime.” The Bridges of Madison County (1995) – Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood)

“To Travel is to Own the World.” – Burton Holmes

Venice is the place i want to go back to when i first travelled to europe in 1998. Never thought my dreams will come true this 2012.

My hubby and i are celebrating our 23 years of FRIENDSHIP in this bellissimo place.

To the man i have LIVE for DREAM with and LOVE happy Friendship day!

photo taken at Piazza San Marco using my iphone 4s

photo taken at the top of RIALTO Bridge at 5:30 in the afternoon with my iphone 4s