29 May 2010

Summer of 2007, close neighbors organized an outing to help us cope up with dad's death and for us to just have a great fun time together. Since then, we have organized an outing every year, and if the first three ones were all located in Bulacan, we decided to go to Antipolo this time. Even before we planned this year's outing, I have already found a resort's website and was able to download their brochure, but I wasn't able to get the name of the resort. When we started planning, we were a bit on a stand still because we cannot decide which resort to go to, until the Raboys have suggested Loreland Farm Resort. It was the same resort I found a few weeks ago.

We left our place around 5:30 in the morning so we could arrive early. It was a bit sad that it was mainly our family and the Raboys going out on an outing because the Jacelas cannot come, and the Villarandas went out the day before and got home a bit late. Still, tito Euling came with us and even drove us to the resort.

We arrived around 7:30AM. It was a beautiful resort, and as soon as we settled, we quickly confirmed that this resort was better than Amana (in Pandi, Bulacan), where we went to last year. The sun wasn't shining so bright, so in no time we already changed clothes and hit the water. I pretty much just let the pictures to our other companions, but from time to time, I would get my camera to take pictures. But then, picture taking wasn't my top priority that time - enjoying a great time was. This was my last trip for the summer, and I just want to soak up the sun!

It was only 10AM when we had lunch. I guess most of us (including me) weren't able to eat breakfast, and staying in the pools may made us hungry. :) The Raboys brought Pancit Bihon, Lumpiang Shanghai, and Pork Adobo, while we brought marinated pork, chicken and liver, which brother grilled in the resort. Some of them took the time to take a nap after eating, while I went with Charm, her husband & baby, 'te Cha, and 'te Indang to another pool that looked like a jacuzzi.

When brother came to meet us, I found out he already roamed the resort to take pictures, and I didn't want to miss out on pictures, too, because I didn't want to deprive my other persona. We then took pictures of us first, then brother went with me to roam the resort. I have a great brother, I know! :)

By 3PM, everybody seemed to be ready to go home, but some of us still wanted to have a massage, so we just waited until they were finished. Most of us wanted to visit the Antipolo Church, but it was already past 5PM when we left the resort, so tito Euling didn't want to go to the church anymore and just head home straight because his family will still be traveling tomorrow.

We took a different route going home, and when we reached Marikina, we got lost. We got tangled in the jungled streets, and after conquering that hurdle, we were faced with another situation - the very congested Katipunan road. At one point, we had to stop and they had to put on water because the engine was overheating. While waiting, I was told of a personal viewpoint - that maybe we got lost because we decided not to visit the church and something (someone) might be upset, hence the consequence. I told it to brother, and after a while he told me that following the logic that I just told, it's quite freaky to know that the patron saint of Antipolo City is the "Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage." Good voyage... get it? Freaky.

It was already around 9:30PM when we got home. While traveling home we were quite hungry and all, but we can just joke about it because we didn't want to upset the elders. Actually, mom got a little irritated when we would point at every food place we saw on the road, and I just told her not to take it seriously because we were just amusing ourselves. It was a good thing that we passed by Tri Mo Shawarma in Lagro, Quezon City where we bought our would be dinner. We were hoping to eat it in the service, but we decided to just wait until we get home.

Tired, body was aching... but I was happy. Just making this outing come to life was already satisfying enough for me.

*** Jenn ***