Aching for Summer in Winter

This month is the coldest winter I ever felt so far for my entire stay in Japan. I was born and raised in a tropical country and I am used to being hot. But as much I imagine going around in hot weather, summer is still way ahead. Though summer in Japan is hot, the humidity is high and your body ends up sticky seconds after jumping off the shower. You always got to have some packet of wet tissue in your purse for quick "shower" because it can be really uncomfortable. Don't forget the water too!

But wait a minute, why am I even talking about summer? It is still 5 months away, lady! Is it really because I'm tired of wearing these layered clothes not to mention the gloves, the scarves, the hat and the earmuffs? I don't know why but maybe it is. Or maybe because of the fact that there are lots more activities to do in the summer than in the winter. Maybe snowboarding, skiing, skating and name any other winter sports, are they fun? Yeah, maybe. But there are countless fun during under the sun! Just like my favorite. Swimming!

 

These shacks by this beach are temporarily built just for the summer. This place is where I met the old lady owner of a restaurant and shop. I came here alone with absolutely terrible Japanese. She made me comfortable by talking and asking me questions and telling me I'm pretty.  Although this beach has a free shower and changing area, this lady offers paid shower and changing area plus you can deposit your belongings at their security and you can sit by the beach  all day. Which I did.

                                                    

These umbrellas are also being rented for 3000 yen. It was a little expensive for me so I opted for my
 own beach mat. I was all set for my beach bumming. Had a liter of water and some snacks from the convenience store just 2 meters away across the beach. Though I had trouble with ordering food during lunch time, I was able to have a decent meal of fish and rice, some veggies and an ice cream!

 
These photos were taken last year at Houjo beach in Tateyama, Chiba. It is 2 hour train ride for Chiba station. But this beach is only good for swimming for two months because it gets really hot right away good for swimming, not human but jelly fish! After two months it is like a deserted island infected with sharks!

How I long for the tropical beaches where I could swim all day and night and all year long!
How about you? Which season do you like the best? And what do you do for fun?

Zoocobia and Paradise Ranch in Clark, Pampanga

Few days after arriving in Pampanga, I took my nieces and nephew for some adventure. Since we don't have a car, I had to look for a taxi with a reasonable fixed price. After quite a long walk, we found a taxi at SM mall taxi stand. They actually have a price list so you can be sure that they're not just making them up. I agreed for the price of 750 pesos one way and 1500 two ways. The driver had to wait for us till we finish the tour because there are no jeepneys or any public transportation that takes people to this place, which is pretty sad. Upon entering the premisses we had to pay 250pesos per head from 3 years old and above. It was kind of expensive but I guess they need it to improve the place.

This place has a lot more to offer. It was founded 5 years ago for the benefit of the Aeta's- the native Filipinos. I saw lots of Aeta's are employed. Like our tour guide. He's very friendly and knows  everything about the place, it's mission and about the ecosystem. This place is Eco-friendly.

 

They also have tree planting project which schools from this area plants trees during their field trips. You can also adopt a tree for 1500 pesos and they will put your name on a tag beside the tree and the place will make sure it's being taken care of.
 

One of the areas the the kids loved the most was the butterfly kingdom. It's a sanctuary of many different kinds of butterflies.

Overlooking the view form the top "Mini Baguio place" is the Pasig-Potrero river. One of the most active lahar(lava) channels after Pinatubo volcano erupted in 1991.

 

Behind is the small maze that the kids really enjoyed going before going up to a hill and ride the magnetic car. It was fun and exciting. I had to have our tour guide be our photographer for the rest of the adventure.

 

 

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They also have a mini museum where they have preserved bones and skins of animals found in the Philippines.

The whole trip was worthwhile. With various activities that they have, it was worthy to bring kids and the whole family. The kids had fun and so did I. We didn't notice the time. We weren't able to check out every corner of the place but will definitely be back one day. Which I hope one day, the government will do something about it especially the means of transportation so it's easily accessible to the public.