Oh life!

Wouldn't it be nice if there's just this one day that you would be able to disappear from all your problems?

To be honest, if only someone could beam me up to another country or even just to some place where I don't know anyone, I would gladly take the opportunity. 

It's really hard to be fair in all situation. I can do only so much.

Take this instance when you did a lot of things in the past that's still not heartily accepted by people close to you and now you're trying to patch things up. Yet along the way, there's this crossroad and you're trying to do the best you could to decide which road to take. And no matter which road you choose, one is bound to be deserted.

That's how I feel. That's how I had felt for a couple of years now.

Right now, I really think that the win-win situation is just a piece of crap.

If only Papa God could whisper to me on how to do things correctly, on what I could do to make things easier for everyone, I will right then and there do whatever I could to make things right.

But that's just life. It's not always a bed of roses. It's just, yeah, complicated.

Vacation Destinations: D' Leonor Inland Resort

Last January 28, we had the chance of enjoying an overnight stay at D' Leonor Inland Resort which is located at Communal, Buhangin, Davao City.

It was an abrupt decision and we had to gate crash my sister-in-law's neighbor's birthday party. Luckily, my generous sister-in-law was sport enough to reserve and pay for our room to which we enjoyed totally.

Anyway, without further ado, here are a few photos that I am super willing to share to give you an idea of how much beauty the 29 hectare resort is and how much relaxation it can give you.

The entrance to the pool. The front desk is located here also. Inquiries to room rates, reservations, function hall packages and others are available at the front desk.

This is another entrance to the wave pool but apparently, it was not available for our use.

This is the entire pool that will greet you when you enter the wave pool area.
Swimming fees are Php 150.00 for kids and Php 250.00 for adults.

Surrounding the pool area is a foot dip. Slippers are not allowed at the pool area.

This is a closer look of the slide. The slide area is especially made for the kids.
The mechanical waves does not reach the kiddie pool area and is perfectly safe for the children.

These are the cottages that are located before the main pool area.
Day rent would cost Php 500.00 for single and Php 800.00 for the double.

Swimmers can make use of these when swimming.
Salbabida or the rubber tube is at Php 75.00 while the paddle boat is at Php 150.00.
Life vests are free for everyone to use and comes in different sizes.
Plus, 'D Leonor makes sure that they have a lifeguard on duty during swimming time.

The right portion of the front desk is designed with jars. I was too shy to take a picture of the front desk as the attendants were too busy talking to their clients. 

Also at the front desk for the guests to utilize while waiting for their room keys, gate passes and other stuff to be attended. My kids most likely enjoyed them while we paid for the wave pool fee.

Another set for guests to enjoy at the waiting area.

This is the room of the cottage that we stayed in. Overnight stay is at Php 2,400  a night.

The living room of our cottage. 

The little kitchen just beside the sofa. When we arrived, everything was prepared already on the table.

A microwave oven and small refrigerator is provided to their guests.

This is located at the back of our cottage.

Just near our cottage is a chapel. I'm not too sure if there's a priest who officiates Sunday masses though.

House rules.

Of course, hotel freebies are included!

Morning view across the cottage.

This duplex styled cottages cost Php 2,400.00 a night.

'D Leonor is constructing more houses for their guests.

We stayed in one of the duplex styled cottage. 

The restaurant area where we enjoyed breakfast for 2 pax. 

This is the hanging bridge and it's located just right in front of the wave pool.

The wall climb, also across the wave pool. I'm not sure if they charge any for their guests.

If you want to try out the zip line, they also have a booth right across the wave pool. It will cost Php 250.00 per pax for 2 rides.

Cottages that costs Php 5,000.00 a night. Inside are 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.

Open cottages at the wave pool area.

These are some of the cottages that will cost the guests Php 5,000.00 a night.

Too bad I wasn't able to take a few photos of the zoo, the mechanical surfing area and the entrance. If you opt to go for day tour, they will charge you an entrance fee. Overnight stays need not pay their entrance fee anymore.

The children had so much fun when we went there. Well, if you wish to relax, this might just be the place for you. 

Christmas Countdown: 2012 Holidays

Now that most of us are counting down days until Christmas, bonuses, 13th month and parties, let me take you back to a post I had shared with you earlier.

I'm pretty sure that there will be plenty of surprise airfare ticket price discounts for the year 2012 and because of that, you have to plan ahead. By the time that airlines post their ticket price slash off, you are more than ready to book your own flight anytime and anywhere.

There will be plenty of long weekends, if the government is willing to move their holidays to the nearest Monday.

Check out this site for the list of Philippines holidays.

Don't forget to mark your calendars.

(updated) Vacation Destinations: Red Parrot Inn, Samal

For the nth time, we're having another expense free chillaxing Sunday today courtesy of my sister-in-law, Emy Zeng. My husband's niece, Michelle, picked out Capt. Hook's Red Parrot Inn located at Kaputian, out of the different resorts in Samal. Apparently, she saw this flyer from Zest Air and took an interest in the photos that came with it

Anyway, we left Davao a little after 10 am. Took the barge to Samal and travelled more than 30 minutes of more than halfway of zigzag roads to reach Capt. Hook's Red Parrot Inn which was owned by Brock and Cleo Hook. My husband actually compared our short trip to the last one we had at Caraga, Davao Oriental.

Honestly, I wasn't really expecting anything impressive of Capt. Hook's Red Parrot Inn. Quite frankly, the pictures that we saw posted on the internet wasn't really that appealing. At the back of my mind, our Sunday will be spent ordinarily . Much to my surprise, I find the area serene and cozy, just like a typical rest house where you want to enjoy alone time and/or bond with your family.

So, here are a couple of photos I took of the 3 bedroom building of Capt. Hook's Red Parrot Inn which costs at Php 5,500 a night. Like most hotels, check out time is at 12:00 noon. Sorry if the photos I took isn't as good as professional photographers. I'm just an amateur but I hope I'll be able to show you photos of how nice this inn is.

This was what greeted us when we reached our destination.

Entrance was supposed to be at the other door but apparently, the inn was occupied so we had to use this gate here.

The island you see is Talikud. Somewhere in that strip is the famous Isla Reta.

To be honest, this is the first resort I went to that posted a warning at the gate before you proceed to the beach and I highly appreciate their safety precautions for their guest.

The tempting beach.

Their mini bar and store. Although a little expensive, the customer service is superb and they have free purified water for their guests.

The birds that greeted us with their whistles.

The open shower located before the entrance of the inn.

The top view of the stairs leading to 2nd floor.

Before you reach the 2nd floor, Capt. Hook's Red Parrot Inn made sure to provide their guests with a fire exit. I'm sure this will be highly appreciated by the guests who are going to check in. Oh by the way, other than the fire exit, they had also provided fire extinguishers in different areas of the inn just in case of fire.

The 3 bedrooms is located at the 2nd floor. The masters bedroom door is at the left side (not shown in the photos).

The master's bedroom with 1 restroom looks this nice.

The 2nd room looks this pretty also. They provided 2 double decks for 4 guests.

Just the same with the 2nd bedroom, the 3rd and last room is provided with 2 double decks.

The inn's living room and kitchen.

A relaxing Sunday wouldn't be complete without fun companions and, of course, food! Thank you sponsors! By the way, my sister-in-law is the one in black and white stripes. Beside her is her husband.

I noticed a few quotes posted on the wall. I thought it would be fun to share it.

The other cottages that are for rent are located at another area. Other cottages available ranges from Php 1,200 to Php 2,000.

Currently, we're still here at Capt. Hook's Red Parrot Inn. I'm pretty much enjoying the free wifi here which is ultra fast but you have to request for access before you can start browsing. 

I'm honestly looking forward to coming back here on December. As early as now, my sister-in-law has reserved the 3 bedroom inn we're staying now.

In cases that you may want to drop by at Capt. Hook's Red Parrot, make a reservation or just inquire, you can contact the following numbers listed below:

• Landline Numbers: 
• (082) 286-1658
• (082) 305-9257
• Mobile Numbers: 
• (0908) 944-7805 for Cleofe
• (0907) 122-2091 for Aries 
• (0930) 304-7055 for Caloy
• (0919) 443-6080 for Boyet

If you want to check out their website, you can just click on Capt. Hook's Red Parrot Inn or type in http://www.redparrotinn.com.