We've made it through our stay in the hotel. Our little suite at the Ritz became our home these past 10 days. On Monday we watched all our belongings packed and stuffed in crates for shipping. On Friday we said one last goodbye to our empty little home. Since then, we've eaten more than enough restaurant meals. We sold our car and shipped the Jeep overseas. Our bags are packed. The SUV Washington Flyer is due to arrive to carry us to the airport tomorrow morning. We have a staggering amount of luggage coming with us on the plane. Six suitcases, one dog crate, a stroller, car seat, mini cooler, and three carry-ons. I promise we left the kitchen sink at home...just barely.
We survived saying goodbye to all our friends and loved ones. We've cried too many tears while giving goodbye hugs. It's all been physically and emotionally draining and we are ready to get on the plane. Tomorrow at noon my dog, my baby, my husband, and I all begin the adventure of a lifetime. So, for now, we say farewell to everyone at home. You will be missed. Thank you to everyone who has sent us on our way with best wishes and good luck. We love you all.
We had our first adventure out of Manila on Mother's Day. A small caravan of friends drove with us south about 100 km to Lake Taal which was formed after a huge volcano eruption between 500,000 and 100,000 years ago. Tagatay is a little city up on the ridge above the lake. In the center of Lake Taal is Volcano Island which is still home to the active Taal Volcano that is responsible for the lake's unfriendly sulphuric content. We got a gorgeous view of Lake Taal and the volcano from the People's Park which is just a short walk to a lookout point. If you look in the lower part of the lake you can see all the tiny boats waiting to take tourists to the Volcano Island.
While in Tagatay we had the most amazing 4 course lunch at Antonio's. This 5 star restaurant is chalet-like and built on a ridge with wonderful views of the hills. It's tucked away down a long side street and you would never know that such a treasure is there. There were tree-top tented vaulted dinning rooms, koi ponds, lush rolling lawns, flowers, huge chandeliers, and antiques. The ambiance was like none I've ever experienced. The food was worth the hour or more drive. Antonio personally came to our table and introduced himself (picture below) and told us the specials of the day. There was salad, and creamed Chorizo soup, the grilled sea bass over truffle mashed potatoes was my favorite. The caramel covered, ice cream filled profiteroles were a perfect way to finish off the meal. It was a long leisurely meal, European style so we sat there for hours. I wished I could have soaked in the ambiance and relaxed on the benches with big pillows and stay all day but a tired and bored 11 month old wasn't having it. All in all Addie did really well at our fancy long lunch. She enjoyed the bread with olive tapenade and the beef tenderloin. She's developing quite a taste for fine dinning. I've already decided that we are going to Tagatay again just to stop in for another amazing meal at Antonio's. 
Mother's day with Addie and Justin and a beautiful experience outside of Manila was perfection. It wet my appetite for more adventures in the P.I.
