Hog Island Oyster Co.

Another nice new resto we discovered on our trip was Hog Island Oyster Co. in Marshall, California. We dropped by at the resto after eating at Cafe Reyes. Thing is, except for my dad and uncles, none of us was able to eat oysters since we developed a terrible stomachache that morning. Must be something we ate the night before). Anyway, the place was nice so I just took a lot of photos. I couldn't vouch for the oysters but I'm assuming they're really good since they distribute them to several popular restos/bars. I'm so useless like that. Haha 

Point Reyes

Yes, I'm still on tour. My sched's been crazy the past week - from Manila, we had a stopover in Tokyo before flying to Sanfo, then we went to Ohio. 'Had to stop over in LA (there was no direct flight to Ohio on Delta Air). Then yesterday, we flew in to Maryland (with a stopover in North Carolina) from Ohio. My biological clock's messed up, but it's all good since I'm with my entire family now.

Anyway, I decided to post all the tourist spots and quaint little restos we encounter along the way, so this blog is going to turn into a travel/foodie blog for the next few weeks.

One of the nice places we visited in California is Cafe Reyes, located in  Point Reyes Station, a small, quiet town almost two hours away from San Francisco. My aunt, who was riding another car, asked if I took a lot of photos on the way. I was actually asleep going there. Hehe. On the way back, I realized how nice the scenery was going there.

A Tourist Again in Sanfo

I went to Sanfo for the first time when I was 11. I only remember doing the touristy things there back then, but never on the trips that followed, when we would mostly go to theme parks and outlet stores. Since it was the first time my sister and her family have been to Sanfo, we went around the usual tourist spots that make the city so popular. Here's a list of must-do things when you get to Sanfo:  

Family Ties

 

If there's one thing I'm extremely grateful about from my Sanfo trip, it's the reminder that I have a bunch of crazy/funny, ever reliable and hospitable relatives in the U.S. who always make sure that we have a good time whenever we go there to visit. I've been there several times before but I still feel overwhelmed from the warm welcome they give us every single time. 

Last Saturday's Shoot

Killing time before we go on a tour.

Crap it's so cold. I didn't realize it would be this cold here. Anyhoot..

Last Saturday, Erron Ocampo posted on Facebook: "VIP Ninong today, CJ Corona."

Dylan of Vatel Manila replied: "Si Sec. Bert Romulo and Shalani & Roman naman here at the Farm. Pero winner kung si CJ!"

I wanted to comment: "Guess who's at our shoot today? The freakin' singer/composer of the song, Seiko wallet (ang wallet na masuwerte)":

He was really funny, like your favorite lolo. He didn't sing the Seiko jingle but he sang "It's a Wonderful World" beautifully.

In Between Shoots

I just came from a birthday/baby dedication shoot in Crowne Plaza in Ortigas. Now I'm at the A.Venue in Makati for shoot no. 2, a silver wedding anniversary in CCF Makati.

In a few hours, less than 12 to be more specific, I'll be leaving for the U.S. with my sister's family. I'm super excited about this trip for several reasons. It's the first time we're going to be complete again as a family since my brother's family migrated to the U.S. in 1999. It's also been a while since my last U.S. trip, the last time was in 2006. This is also the first time I'm going there armed with my DSLR. Traveling hasn't been the same since I took photography seriously and invested in gear. Being a photographer has given me a better perspective on things and allowed me to see beauty in the most ordinary places. The past few days have also been quite stressful for me and I need a change of scenery.

As expected, my mom hoarded a lot of items from the grocery/market. It looks like we're putting up a sari-sari store in Sanfo:

 

Mama's Travel Quirks

My mom at the airport, hating me for taking this photo. Haha

Living with my parents is one thing; traveling with them is an entirely different story. Don't get me wrong - I love traveling with my parents especially when they pay for everything. It's not always pleasant, but 99% of the time, it's very interesting. 

March 2003

Japan Japan with college friends. Woohoo! Haha!

A Very Late New Year Post

For the first time ever, I didn't spend new year's eve with my parents. My sister's family was booked to stay at Shangri-la Hotel in Makati for new year's eve and I decided to go with them while my parents celebrated at home with my aunt, uncle and cousin. (who messaged me through Skype later on complaining that we left her with the "thunders." Haha) There was a street party that night along Ayala Ave. and we decided to join the crowd for the bands, countdown, and fireworks.

I wish this year would be full of more family bonding moments, great company, lots of photo ops and good food.