30 Years + La Union

March 1, 1980

March 1, 2010

Sabi ng dad ko, mas kilig daw ang mom ko sa kanya. :-) My dad, however, is sooo different when my mom is not around. He's more serious. But when my mom's around, parang nag se-second childhood. Haha. Happy Anniversary Pepi and Memi! I've always dreamt of throwing you guys one big party for an anniversary, di natuloy nung 25th, at hindi din ngayong 30th! I hope I can afford one soon!

The anniversary weekend was celebrated with a long drive. First to Nueva Ecija to celebrate my father-in-laws 70th birthday (Feb 27) , then we pushed forward to La Union a.k.a Elyu to visit Sam's camp. It was a hot, grueling 8-hour drive! We met a fiesta parade in a Nueva Ecija town (1.5 hour traffic) and asphalt-laying during rush hour in Villasis, Pangasinan (1 hour traffic) - good thing some people pointed out a detour that would bring us to the Magilas road... an alternate route going to Elyu and Baguio.

On the first night, we stayed at the Navy guest house, "The Admiral's Cabin" -- big rooms with airconditioning! It was very similar to Nakar Hall in Baguio (a bit bigger and sunnier!). We shared the whole cabin with some pilots who were set to fly to Baguio the next day. (Ms Anna! Your husband was there..)

The following day we visited nearby San Juan to check out the surfers. I was itching to try it but received a bad look from the husband. Oh well, we'll take the baby surfing in 12 months or so :-) We just had a good time swapping stories with Badz, the surf school operator in the area. I bugged sam about him taking surf lessons on weekends.

By lunchtime, we trooped to the Thunderbird Resort (right beside the camp!) where we were able to get free accommodations, thanks to my dad's fraternity brother. The place was fashioned after Greece's Santorini Island (check out the movie Mamma Mia and the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2, and fall in love with the place). I guess this was as close as we can get to Santorini!

The atmosphere was very relaxing - but I just don't like the way the sun shines on you up north. Sobrang init. Make sure to bring your sunscreen and sunglasses - maawa kayo sa skin and sa retina! It was a great place for pictures and I think would be absolutely perfect for weddings! They have a pool, a short stretch of fine-sanded beach, a casino, and a collection of date-worthy restaurants. They have a golf course too (if you can stand the heat,, it was soo dry.)

It was a memorable, picture-perfect weekend for all 4 + 1 in the tummy for us !


More photos here: http://pacua.multiply.com/photos/album/56/La_Union_