Enchanted Cave, Bolinao, Pangasinan

Or you may call it underground natural swimming pool, albeit the water is cold, people who visits the place still take a dip in the pool (well, except me) because I wasn't that brave enough.

Because we were staying in Solomon's which I think is the farthest resort ever in Patar, we rented a tricycle that costs us 400.00 (for six adults and 2 kids) to go to Enchanted Cave.
Entrance fee as listed below;

 So if you are not going to swim, you will only have to pay 90.00 :D

 us at the arch entrance going up the cave

and some more pictures :)

Solomons Paradise, Bolinao, Pangasinan

I found Solomon's Paradise also in the internet and decided to try it because of the good reviews, but this is small place with only 5 native cottages in a secluded area. So if you want a quiet place, this can be for you though you might find it boring if you stay too long because there is no other activity you can do here except to just marvel at the beauty of the horizon.The nearest beach where you can swim is White Beach which is 10 to 15  minutes tricycle drive.

We have this beauty all for ourselves during our stay in Solomon's Paradise because we were the only guests at that time. (December 29 to 31, 2013)

This was our temporary home, not bad for 2,500.00 including breakfast for 6 people. The huts are quite old considering it was built 2008 pa. Some windows were already broken but we didn't mind, we felt safe naman all through out  our stay. We occupied 2 cottages. If we divide the cost to six people, it was only 416.66 per person. Quite cheap di ba? (But the kubo/cottages along the white beach are even cheaper)

The only thing I didn't like is that the CR/Shower rooms are located at the building which also serves as the office, reception/kitchen/bar all in one.

The owner whom I spoke to is very nice and gave us huge discount. The caretakers are even nicer. They prepare our breakfast every morning and help us with our lunch and dinner as well. I think because we were the only guests that time so we were given all the attention :) 

Our breakfast on the first day was hotdogs, eggs and  fried bangus. On the second day, it was tocino, eggs and danggit. Served with coffee and rice :) Yummy!!

I just hope they will have some activities in the resort soon so people will not get bored. 

Solomon's Paradise is located at Brgy.Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan. You can rent a tricycle from the Bus terminal to go there, it's 250.00 per trike. Travel time is 30 to 45 minutes.

my husband and our godchild :) she looks so scared..haha!!

More Bolinao post coming up :)

Household budget and expenses

 image source : http://momitforward.com/home-management-7-items-to-track-on-your-family-expenses-sheet

They say keeping track of your expenses will help you manage your budget/finances effectively. I attempted to do it many times but I failed in keeping it up. I am really not so good when it comes to budgeting and expenses but I will not give up. I will try again once more.

So beginning this month, I started listing down again every expenses and guess what?  I am surprised to know how we are over spending as against our income..tsk tsk. Such a bad practice. I know I deserve a scolding  for that or maybe even more.

I need to be disciplined and do something about it, otherwise our dream house will remain a dream forever. And more than that, we should be good steward of what God has entrusted to us.

But honestly, I really do not know where to cut off from the list of our expenses because most of it are not for ourselves naman except for the local trips and short vacation. Oh well, whether I like it or not I have to do some trimming or maybe have an extra income besides our monthly salaries. Sounds good but for now our only source is our salaries eh.

Nevertheless, this "listing down all expenses" is doing me good and I pray I can stick to it until it becomes a habit and hopefully our finances will soon be better :)

Do you also keep a list of your expenses? If not, try doing one, you might also be as surprised as I was :D

Happy Birthday Tatay

Tay,

This could have been your 77th birthday. I can't express how much we miss you, specially on every family occasions, it is painful that you are not here with us anymore, but we are comforted by our countless happy memories when you were still with us.

We will forever celebrate your life and I will forever miss you.

Love,

Your bunso

2013 Recap

So we all said goodbye to 2013 and welcomed 2014 with open arms. I am one of those million people who eagerly awaited for the ending  and the beginning of the year because well, for one reason, 2013 was a major heartbreak for me.

But still, despite that it was loaded with hurt and pain, I cannot deny the fact that there are still plenty of good things that happened. And before I really (literally) move on to 2014, I just want to recap some major events in 2013,  just to remind my self that even if it was not completely beautiful year, it was still very very meaningful.

JANUARY

1. We celebrated Tatay's 76th birthday, not knowing it would be his last birthday with us.
2. We went to Davao (first time) for a coordination meeting for the mission camp)

MARCH

1. Spent the Holy week in the province with the whole family, went swimming and we even had a whole lechon (roast pig) just for the whole fam. It was such a nice week :)

APRIL

1. Tatay was rushed to the hospital (in Cabanatuan)-it was here that a very careless doctor told him that he has cancer and that he needs chemotherapy to survive and etc..etc.. without any of us there at his side. Back then, i wanted to go and punch the doctors face for being so insensitive. She could have talked to us instead. I think this made my Tatay weaker :( and secretly admitted that he will not get any better soon.

2. Went to Youth Mission Camp in Davao  for a week-April 20-26. (while I was there, I keep praying that God will spare me of losing my Tatay while I am miles away from home)

MAY

1. May 1 is a Holiday and I went home to visit Tatay, this time, he can no longer eat well and has become bed ridden or rather wheel chair ridden.

2. May 4, I went back home again to bring him his e-bike (one of his last requests). When we were about to leave home, I kissed and hugged him. Back in the car, I kept on crying because there is this feeling that it might be the last time.....

3. True enough, early morning of May 5 ( less than 12 hours since we left home) I received a call from my sister. Tatay went home to the Lord and up to this day, I still remember the pain of that phone call and I know I will remember it for a long time.

Grief consumed me for the following weeks and months..went to roller coaster of emotions, from shock to anger, guilt and sadness and slowly to acceptance and moving on.....

JULY

1. We made a major decision this month as husband and wife, we purchased a lot in Cavite, in a very nice community/subdivision. We are still paying it by installment and hopefully we can start to build our own home in few years time.

2. We also started successful savings (Pru-Life), I started reading about finances and  investments.

3. Went to Baguio with my Brother in law and his wife to celebrate their wedding anniversary. It was a happy and relaxing trip.

SEPTEMBER

1. We celebrated husband's birthday in a small hotel.

2. Passports renewed :)

OCTOBER 

1. My mother was hospitalized (her first time). To say that I was worried is understatement and certainly staying at the very same hospital where my father was confined brought a lot of sad memories. Good thing she got better and is ok now.

DECEMBER

1. First holidays without my father-it was sad but I know he won't like it if we stay that way, we celebrated at my sister's house with all of us present. The kids are happy.

2. Trip to Bolinao, Pangasinan- a beach vacation at last!!

~*~

Oh my, it was such a long post :) Thank you that you read up to this point and most of all thank you for being with me in my journey last year.

Hoping that we will all have a BETTER year this time. Happy New Year!!!