August 24, 2009 - Back to base camp

Four weeks of happy holidaying – check! Five pieces of carefully decorated luggage that never went astray – check! An undisclosed number of extra kilos around the belly – check! A much leaner bank account – check! Three of us home safe and sound – CHECK!

Here’s Ma’s fridge’o’travel – complete with the new destinations we recently visited. Time to plan my next adventure… stay tuned.

August 22, 2009 - Leaving Day

Our flight isn’t until later tonight, so we spent the day at Lola Diane’s house. With about an hour before we had to leave, Ma and Pa decided that it might be nice for a little impromtu photo shoot. Here’s a photo of Ma and a similar one of Lola Diane who used to be a famous international model. Now I know where Ma gets her poser genes from.

So long to Lola Diane, Lolo Mandy, and their family. I cant wait to see them again on our next holiday. I’m looking to visit them again next August perhaps. Just need to raise some funds. Time to get a job or ask my grandparents for money.

August 21, 2009 - Farewell Dinner

Lolo Mandy and Lola Diane took us to Henry’s, one of their favourite Filipino restaurant’s complete with a live band and dance floor. The whole family came, including Uncle Alexis and Uncle Andrew’s girlfriends, who must choose me as flower girl for their big days.

As soon as the band came on I could feel the rhythm in my feet, but I couldn’t very well let-a-rip with everyone there to see, so I snuck into little spaces away from the audience. I was having a great night…

Until… Uncle Alexis had to leave for another party he was attending that night, and although I didn’t think I was too attached to him, I felt really heartbroken and empty when he left. I looked and looked outside to see if I could find him, but he was no longer there. I started to cry… a lot.

To make matters worse, Mama tried to trick me that I can spend time with Uncle Angelo instead which was just really annoying because he looks nothing like Uncle Alexis, so my temper flared up again, and before I knew it Lolo Mandy was already asking for the bill. Apparently it’s the earliest he’s ever left Henry’s… how embarrassing.

August 19, 2009 - Chillin' Out

I’ve come to decide that San Francisco is just like Sydney – but better. I love the food, the people, the places to see; and if only I could export all of my loved ones over, I’d be happy for all of us to move here.

Lola Diane took us to a Filipino restaurant called Mana and we had the best karekare, crispy pata, and pork barbeque ever! I feasted on their steamed rice, which I thought was just divine, even if it was only steamed rice!

Uncle Alexis later drove us to a mall and had Jollibee chickenjoy for dinner, then Red Ribbon sansrival for dessert. I told you this was the best place!

August 18, 2009 - Pig Out at In'N'Out

The time had finally come for Ma and Pa to quench their craving for In’N’Out burgers and fries. I’d heard all about it in the lead up the holiday, but now I know what all the commotion was about. Yummmiiieee! Papa had a double serving just to make up for lost time, while Ma and I raced to finish our share of their fresh-cut fries. (Mental note: must come back here again).

We then dropped by the local suburban mall and Ma finally got her way and bought me a Mickey. She couldn’t help herself and also got me a Minnie while she was at it. My interest is soon to wane I’m sure, but for now I’ll make her happy by walking around the shops like I love it.

We had a nice family gathering later that night and met some other long-lost relatives of mine from Lolo Robert’s mum’s side. I was well-behaved.

August 17, 2009 - San Francisco

A very early flight from Orlando had us landing in San Francisco at 10am. Our hotel was great and we were spoilt rotten with freshly baked choc-chip cookies every day and warm popcorn every night.

I met my Lola Diane and her family for the first time, and although they all wanted to get to know me, my attention was squarely on their big, friendly dog named Rocky. He liked me so much he could have licked me all day (which Ma wasn’t too keen about) and because he was much bigger than me, I was half excited and half anxious about being too close to him.

I really enjoyed being at Lola Diane’s house and felt quite at home straight away so I pranced around as I normally do (ie. like I own the place) which they all found strangely amusing.

August 16, 2009 - Crossroads

Our Disneyworld hotel was near a place called Crossroads that was just a little town centre where we often had dinner and did our groceries. Papa’s favourite place was a steak and seafood restaurant called Johnnie’s which was a bit on the pricey side but too yummy to pass up – especially for our last night in Disneyworld.


Time for Ma to pack our things, and for Pa and I to pack up all our gadgets. Here’s a photo of my personal collection.

August 15, 2009 - Return to Magic Kingdom

We are again at Magic Kingdom to finish off what we didn’t get around to seeing when came the other day. This is completely fine by me because I looove it here. We started the day riding the famous cups of the Mad Tea Party, and then flew on Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Afterwards we visited Ariel’s Grotto to meet the Little Mermaid, and then hopped on a boat for a Jungle Safari.

Our last Disney attraction was a train ride called Snow White’s Scary Adventures (which I must admit was a little scary indeed so thank goodness for having Mama to cling onto). And that basically caps off all of what we wanted to do at Magic Kingdom… and Disneyworld on the whole.

As our time here drew to a close, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad, so Ma and Pa took me to the store so I could choose which Mickey Mouse stuffed toy I wanted to take home. They were practically begging me to choose this humungous one that was as tall as me, and I knew Pa had his cash out already, but as far as I’m concerned, if it doesn’t talk, sing and dance like the real Mickey, then it aint Mickey enough for me!