Carnival Radiance cruise with children

Ensenada, Mexico Thing one and two, a carnival cruise experience for you It has been a long three months of Hiatus not writing or updating anything on this website. Life happens, beautiful memories unfold and I have to be there to capture it, to write about it in full circle. The last few months my…

Christ; the Journey to every man

Welcome to this website. If this is your first visit, I write about travel with young children and the journey we collect over the years as a family. Since it is a brand new year, it is most fitting to bring about a story of hope. I can’t pass on the greatest story told to…

we are the banyan tree

A welcome note Let me introduce you to the framed line of this photograph, the becoming of a curious mind and the vertigo of a wanderlust mother. Let me become anonymous and paint you a raw unedited version of my family. It is in those playful coffee hour of the tungsten lit room where Joycee…

A peek inside our one year annual pass at Legoland California

Building Lego(s) nurture the active and physical mind. It forms and build an inner creative process in a way that shelter the imagination, produce a self reflected satisfaction; Confidence within one’s inner child, over time build a concrete- stable judgement that can be applied to the everyday adult life, with a hint of a few…

Big Sur’s Ventana campground; the window to the pacific coast

How we spent the weekends camping in the redwoods to plug in to nature connected us to pure solitude and the very charming pacific coast. The Pfeiffer forest, the ocean and rolling hills collectively brought us to a peaceful retreat enjoying every element as we bonded together as a family. The cooler weather and the…

Explore Sedona in four days with children

An oasis in the dessert, teaming with vibrant rock buttes, surrounding itself with new age art galleries, sophisticated food entries and who can deby the mild weather, setting Sedona a destination for all seeking both inspiration and luxury in the dessert. This was a perfect getaway for my family and my two young children who…

Create your own passport photos at home

The easiest and most affordable alternative in getting your passport photos is by taking it yourself at home. Yes, at home, on your own convenience and time. It saves you money and saves you time specially having children to photograph. Here is my step by step approach that I have followed the last few years…

Beautiful Alberta

Have you awaken from a dream of pristine waters and un-ending stream of river that rest on a panoramic mountain rage of snow capped mountains? Captivating waterfalls and rolling hills of wild flowers and dramatic skies? Lakes that stretch for miles across vistas and evergreen that foil dramatic and ominous skies. I woke up to…

10 important photography tips to consider while traveling with children

Although smart phones are truly smarter these days, it still lags behind any digital cameras that are in the market. Most notably the use of an external flash, the low light capabilities digital cameras has; and how it out-performs mobile devices– with a few more important technical advantages it offers. Here are 10 of the…

What’s the best light weight camera gear to travel with kids?

A minimalist camera gear approach to traveling with children I have been asked many times on what camera(s) I use and the gear I bring in our travels as a family. As I have evolved from traveling with bulky camera gear to carrying a toddler with me– over the years, I’ve had the best opportunity…

Yellowstone and the Grand Teton in Autumn

Why a road trip through Wyoming is a great alternative to see the colors and foliage in the fall We all gravitate towards selected ideas and places for inspiration. A book, a meditational or inspirational music, and travel for many, including my family. The everyday mundane and the monotony of life can take a hold…

Your guide to Mindanao’s Mountain resorts

The beautiful mountain ranges of Mindanao from Digos (Davao Del Sur) to Kitcharao (Agusan Del Norte) featured photo: Alicia’s ridge eco park in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte with India and cousin Tan Tan overlooking a vast mountain ranges of Buenavista covered in afternoon fog creating an atmosphere of flattering diffused light | 2022 The mountain…

How to budget travel for a family of four

Planning for a trip with two children involves a lot of planning, research and proper timing. We have tailored 20 helpful ways to make the most of our travel without breaking the bank. Take each one with a grain of salt. We have worked around these steps to be able to continue to travel with…

Drive the beautiful 902 Surigao-Davao coastal route

If you were thinking about a road trip to the beautiful island of Mindanao and explore its hidden jewels, this post will cover a road trip journey from Butuan City to Davao and back through the scenic route highway 902 Surigao-Davao coastal road. Explore Mindanao with all its element from the beautiful open pacific coastline,…

bike the pacific coast with children

Southern California is definitely a warm welcome to families seeking to travel with multitude of activities in mind, from snowboarding the mountains of big bear lake to finding their way down the pacific coast just hours away- watching surfers riding a perfect barrel. Illuminated under the orange tinged pacific sun setting in the horizon is…

The children of Talaingod

After a recent completion of a paved road connecting Davao del Norte to Bukidnon, travel between the two cities have shortened the distance and time significantly. The two lane road run through the municipalities of Kapalong and Talaingod. What we have encountered here have been an eye opener- a life changer, perhaps with how the…

what’s your story? The fujifilm instax share sp-2

The magic of the moment Travel is a wonderful experience. Being able to share that experience with people you meet is a blessing. Being able to learn about their story, build a connection, make friendship and leave them with a physical memory of that very momment is something magical. We communicate in an acceptable behavior…

Siargao Island

From the pristine beaches of Siargao Island, vibing with the locals, learning to surf, exploring the hidden waterfalls and secluded gems of Camiguin island, to the very peak of the Mindanao mountain ranges- a sweet serenade and early sunrise glow from the very mount Apo backdrop and trailing morning dew and fog. The newly opened…

When do you start to travel with children?

A milestone approach to traveling with children So when do you start traveling with the baby? The answer is now. Whether you have an infant, a toddler or a school age child, the perfect time is now. This is a bold statement to make but ultimately possible for any parent. It may sound cliché but…

10 easy ways to pack and travel light

1. What’s in the bag? We use two travel luggage(s). One smaller size luggage for the kids and larger one for myself and my wife. The bags contain comfortable mix and match clothes, one extra pair of shoes each, extra underware, socks, and toiletries. The duffle backpack/bag, which also serves as the the carry on,…

What does a 12 hour flight look like traveling with children?

Many of our international flight usually follow the same routine in four separate phases. (1.) The first meal, (2.) sleep, snack(s), (3.) second meal and (4.) preparation for landing. This is a small peak in to our travel with a toddler and school age children. Hour one and two, take off and the first meal. …

Why you should ‘Minimeis’ when traveling

Here are five reasons why you should consider the minimeis as an alternative baby carrier to maximize your travel experience. Take it from me and my wife. We have traveled with the two children around the world. Used the Minimeis extensively for over three years. Both children as early as 10 months old internationally and…

Roar and Snore

A sleepover adventure in the San Diego Safari Park! October 2021 | Imagine a night that’s captured the intimate darkness, the late October sun not hesitating to delay and retire itself to pave the way to a clear autumn sky. The crickets chirp loud and clear this pandemic uncertainty. Everyone is just about in their…

Important life skills for children to develop while traveling

Packing light with a well set out planned itinerary is a pillar for anyone traveling with young children, but life skills is just as important for children in traveling as in the everyday life, school or anywhere else. Here are few of the most important things to actively engage with as you travel with your…

Ha Long bay Orchid Cruise

One night, two days, and a lifelong hospitality. Welcome to Luxury Orchid Cruises. Kuya Ronald comes around the corner to check on the guest at Dinh Vu port in Hai Phong City. He serves a welcome drink on this humid day as sweat drips down my forehead trying to contain the kids with a doodle…

5 best memories traveling with children

Travel is more than the beautiful places we visit. Travel is the apogee of past experiences that linger within our soul connecting us back to the beautiful and culturally diverse, non pretentious and magnificent way of acceptable social norms. The very bare bone of our existence- the wonderful unique individuals within us that thrive a…

Britania charm

Ate Lourdes sits on a shaded part of the island surrounded by pristine blue waters against white sandy beach shorelines. The calm breeze inviting a slow morning crawl of tiny crustaceans and pulsating waves. She hand picks sea urchins in a bucket. Next to her, a pile of seaweeds and few fresh catch of the…

fuji x-pro 1 for a traveling dad

the extension to the photographic soul The nervous system is wired through repetitive learned behaviour. It branches out to multiple series and complex integration of skills that become a muscle memory. The simple task of bending an extremity to a finer tuned pincer grasp- is how I associate my passion and journey in photography. There…

Ilocos

A journey; a self reflection | A road trip to the ilocos region, Philippines. At the break of dawn Joycee and I headed down quaint Crisologo street. The cobble stone pathway is the most authentic at this hour with the dark blue moonless sky and the ambient tungsten light illuminating the picturesque 17th century structures….

The Yucatan​

A road trip to the lost civilization Spring of 2016; Setting out early in our rental car- an avocado colored ford fiesta as our vessel, Joel is strapped in his car seat in the back at 16 months, his bottled milk ready for the trip, and we took off to our first family road trip…

The Lone star state

Hold the fort. ‘Remember the Alamo!’ To where it stands now, unparalleled structures rise around, not a cast of shadow gloom over this historic land. Dwarfed building pave way to the Alamo as it hold its ground. The reminder to the very foundation of this land. From the Spaniard’s settlement and their missions- the origin…

Travel light essentials for children

Traveling with children involves a well thought out plan and the right amount of drive to make the plan work. Traveling with my two children since they were a few month old gave my wife and I a front row seat of the adventure that’s played before our eyes and the long night’s research in…

The road to salvation

Leonard Knight: The artist heart Have you ever been in a place so desolate, uninspiring, neutral? We all have been to that daily mundane routine in life. Where part of us is a desert- our thoughts wander like the tumbleweed in the vast and open dry land. No growth, just stagnant air.  The war in…

ABC’s of flying internationally with a baby

When my son was only 10 month old we traveled a total of 12 hours flight to the Philippines and an extra two hour connecting flight to my City. I like to share a few things that might come in handy as you start your wonderful journey with your own children. Ask for a basinet…

Summer, coffee and play

Summer Solstice; an introduction Ideally I would stow away the camera and claim a corner spot in the bed. This is usually when the coffee is just about digesting my breakfast I just consumed and conserving every calorie for the full day ahead. Cover photo: I saw this nice diffused light trying to encamp around…

Travel in Friendship

GoeuGo bus tour with children | part 2: Bonn | Cologne | Amsterdam | Zaanse Schans | Keukenhof | Brussels | Paris | On this journey we continued our travel to Germany, Amsterdam, Belgium and back to France. Day 3, bus stop # 6 | The city of Bonn. The ex capital city of Germany before the east and…

The compass and the journey

GoeuGo bus tour with children | part 1: Lucerne | Zurich | Rhine Falls | Titisee | Frankfurt Travel re-kindles a deep passion for new ideas. A quaint place to reflect. It recharges the soul for new adventures and culinary experience. It satisfies the longing for bond and new friendship. It is a compass that guides you to…

The train to Paris

‘It’s only a matter of time when the kids grow up and we can plan this trip to Paris’. A conversation late at night and into the morning. I dismissed the thought of it immediately. I mean, how can we ever travel when we are not even halfway a parent. Let alone have two young…

Barefoot in London

It has been four years since we made a bold decision to venture out to travel to Europe. We had a one year old and a three year old then. Tagging them along seven different countries in a span of eight days was incredible to say the least. I don’t know how we managed it…

The journey to mile zero

A road trip to the deep south | Part 4: a Florida birthday special The final part of this travel series to the deep south encompasses a magical journey to my daughter’s fourth birthday interlaced with Joycee’s birthday week make for a double celebration. It is a different charm the Florida keys bring when traveling with…

The southern welcome fragrance

A road trip to the deep south | Part 3: springtime in Savannah Pulling up to a valet in the sidewalk on a warm and humid spring afternoon a nice gentle man greeted us a welcome note in a creole accent. The streets has soaked up tourist on this early afternoon while I scan for…

The road to sunny Auburn

A road trip to the deep south | Part 2: the road to Alabama and Georgia. As I find my bearing and buried myself in mental preparation for the many miles ahead- I turned on the local radio listening to an opening piano piece and ensemble of wind and brass as it picks up to my…

The road to hospitality;

A road trip to the deep south | Part 1: New Orleans. Around every street corner a trombone catches a note of invitation along with the band bringing a pace of left, right and a thumb snap, maybe even a whistle, skip and tip toe if you like. Music and expressive colors from one painted…

The world of Hyatt globalist experience

I love to be able to find home and comfort when traveling locally and around the world. It has to accommodate my family and focus on the immediate needs of my young children during a transit without compromising the time. How an accommodation can integrate local food and hospitality show that they set high standards…

Mission Pacific

A weekend getaway: Oceanside, California On this very first review I want to talk about a local favorite beach front hotel my family and I continue to enjoy in many weekends away from home. The World of Hyatt’s Mission Pacific Hotel in Oceanside California. A boutique hotel that sits on the pacific coast highway quite…

Resilience and the island of Phuket

Clothed with white Burmese white jade- the Big Buddha in the island of Phuket sits atop a peaceful hill, that when hit in a perfect angle, it glistened and shines- multiple diadems of dancing lights with the sun. As you get closer to the top of this hill on a winding road you start to…

Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnam was an incredible place to visit with the kids. It allowed us to immerse in a rich culture of tradition, food and a sense of family on every street corner. A little bit of walking and you blend in to the vast array of side walk vendors and food served on a sidewalk. The…