How much fun we had packing shorts and swimsuits instead of coats and gloves!!!
Off we go!
In a little over 4 hours, we were landing in Cebu, Philippines, along with 6 other families from our school in Tokyo...15 kids among us!
The view from our end of the hotel.
A little slice of paradise...
Oh yes, I can definitely get used to this.
While I was still checking in, Jane Ellis made it her mission to try out all the different swimming options.
We all enjoyed exploring the resort and having some down time by the water.
Later we enjoyed a spectacular sunset on the beach.
The next day brought lots of sunshine and a full day of beach activities...
While the little girls snorkelled and swam, I went with the boys for an afternoon of JET-SKIING on the ocean. My first time and it was way too much fun!
The Shangri-La is packed with fun activities for kids and adults!
The Shangri-La is packed with fun activities for kids and adults!
Jane Ellis and friends also played every day in the hotel's massive 2-level indoor Adventure Zone.
Our activity-filled day at the beach was topped off with another perfect sunset.
Later our group of 7 families gathered at the pavilions for our private Thanksgiving feast...featuring slow-roasted, succulent, traditional Filipino lechon instead of turkey.
Tropical Thanksgiving Cebu-style is a good thing!!
Our beautiful pavilion dining venue!
They took "salad bar" to a whole new level of delicious variety...25 different fresh toppings, including shrimp, scallops, crab, edamame...and all the usual lovelies like walnuts, roasted sunflower seeds, crumbled bleu cheese, tomato, cucumber, broccoli, garbanzos, bacon, onion....I can't remember them all!!
One of two middle school girls' tables
Upper school table
Jane Ellis and Olivia...Besties for Life!
Not much better than a tropical vacation with an awesome friend!!
Big kids posing again...
Then, amazingly, we corralled all the kids for one great group shot!!
Then some of the moms...
Then some of the dads...
Finally a night cap of Manila Sunsets all around...tasty!
The next day was my "spa day" at Shangri-La's Chi Spa.
Walking thru the spa campus to my private cabana for 120-minutes of heaven.
I chose a traditional Philippine Hilot massage using warm coconut oil and banana leaves.
Loved the private jacuzzi for the spa guests.
I chose a traditional Philippine Hilot massage using warm coconut oil and banana leaves.
Loved the private jacuzzi for the spa guests.
That night we enjoyed dinner with friends at Cowrie Cove.
More fun beverages of course!
Still bloated from the huge Thanksgiving feast the day before, we opted for sharing appetizers. We ordered the Chilled Seafood Platter with Lobster, Prawns, Mussels, Squid and Crab, as well as the Seared Scallops with Mango, Miso, Chili and Mint, and finally the Crab Cakes with Mango, Pineapple, Chili and Scallions. YUM!
The day ended with yet another spectacular sunset!!!
Our last day in Cebu-paradise began with the guys going out for a little golf.
I spent a few hours on the beach with friends.
At 3pm I went back to the Chi Spa for one final indulgence.
This time I chose the Futuresse Caviar Treatment...a 2-hour facial plus massage.
I fell asleep for part of it. And drooled a little.
They said it would be relaxing. Oh yes.
For our last dinner we went back to Cowrie Cove with Linda and Mike.
We had fresh bread with several herbed butter options.
Then we couldn't resist ordering the Lobster & Scallop Tower of Fire!!
Finally we all enjoyed the beef tenderloin served with garlic fried rice and sautéed zucchini, mango and red onion. Perfection!
While we dined, we were entertained by traditional Philippine dancers.
The women danced while balancing "hats"....stacks of heavy ceramic bowls weighing about 50 pounds!
Such a fun evening, already, but it wasn't over yet!
After some of our other families finished their dinners elsewhere, they came to join us at Cowrie Cove for music and dancing!
As they say...a good time was had by all!
It was not easy to go back the hotel to pack after such a perfect holiday!
Saying a sad goodbye to Cebu...boo-hoo.
Tune in next time for all the beauty and fun that is Tokyo at Christmas time!!!
