Mt. Apo’s majestic view from Paradise Island

Oh my goodness. It’s already the 4th of January yet I have not blogged about our New Year’s celebration. Well, we are all crazy over beaches (note: white sand beaches that is) and we all so wanted to spend a day or two there last Christmas but our resources won’t permit. But that didn’t stop us from planning….and so we are talking about it non-stop right after Christmas. My sister will be getting her bonus before New Year so there is still a slight sign that we are really going.

So we did go and it was so much fun. The place is Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort. Not our first choice though but in fairness I liked it there. I’ve been there many times and I always love the place and the service. So clean and so accessible from Davao. We went there on the 31st of December. The place is not that crowded on New Year’s Eve so we had the best time there. We stayed at the beach-side. Cottages are so expensive and it is not worth it to get one (in our number we should get 3) because in my experience, you will be tempted to curl up under the sheets than go out of the beach. What really made this occasion so special was the fireworks display of the Blue Jazz Resort beside where we are. I have never ever seen a fireworks display that long and grand! It was very spectacular!!!! It lasted for three hours and yet I have just ONE picture that can at least give justice to the P500,000.00 (around $11,111) worth fireworks.

I know. It doesn’t give justice at all! Do I need to get a better camera? Or I should just watch next time and not bother taking photos?

It was low tide so we were able to watch it from where we were standing. Water can go over my head in this part if it’s high tide.

Daddy, Donald, Eman and Kuya Ace while waiting for 2010. Just a few minutes before 12 midnight, Daddy and Eman were knocked out.

We just had simple merienda of Smores Cake from Red Ribbon, biko from Jaltan, pork barbeque of Porky Best, bread from Boulangerie and some fresh fruits (watermelon, apple and grapes).

Ella was busy playing in the sand while we were endlessly posing for the camera. I don’t have a photo of us but there are lots of it at my sister and BIL’s camera. I even deleted some pictures I took while we are on the boat and some shots of the fireworks…..and our family picture at the restaurant area. I am such a moron! But anyway there are a couple good shots done using the SLR of my sister and BIL.

The best thing when you sleep by the beach is the sound of the water as it reaches the shore. So relaxing and so inviting!

Eman was staring at her big sister who was in her suit a few moments after they woke up.

I changed him on his suit too but we stayed in the water for just a little while because I don’t want him to get sunburned.

This photo was taken on his second dip that morning without his swimming suit on. No worries because there is enough shade in that part of the beach. I bought kids sunblock and applied liberally on their skin but  I am afraid I just want to be cautious. So while the ate was busy swimming, he spent good amount of hours sleeping and eating the sand playing in the sand.

Cheche rented a kayak for cam whoring (hehehehehe) and so Ella and Donald were able to try it.

Then Ella taught herself how to swim and float.

At the end of the day, she is pretty good in keeping her body afloat. By past noon, the tide is getting lower and lower and so Ella and her new friends played in the sand making castles.

I am glad I have some nice shots of her before she turned very very tan.

Daddy as the life guard.

But he also tried the Samal waters.

It was his first time because he didn’t swim when they went to Chema’s last year. While Ella was having the best of her life there in the beach, we roamed around the resort to keep the little man entertained and not fuss about the heat.

We were taking turns trying to distract Eman.

And he was a good little boy most of the time we were there except for when he so wanted to get down the water or not let go of the swing.

When we went back to our table (the resort was packed….there are people everywhere and all tables are occupied), Cheche and Ella was making a sign from afar. They wanted their pictures taken from the boat and our camera’s zoom can’t take picture that far! So I walked there (wearing flip flops because the corals hurt) just to take a picture of these two bratz.

Of course I asked Cheche to take a picture of me too so my effort of going down there won’t be futile. hehehehehe.

Then again it’s time for Eman to swim. I put sunblock again and let him wear his baseball cap.

We all had a blast and I wish we could do this again soon. Donald keeps telling me that he was imagining Mamang was there with us and if she was, it could have been more fun. He also said that many times during the Noche Buena at my sister and BIL’s apartment. Mamang sure was watching us from heaven with a smile that we were all together during that special occasion not to mention that her grandkids both enjoyed each moment.