Tranquility

Tranquility is what I felt upon seeing this sleeping island too early in the morning.  

If only we could freeze the time, it would be awesome then . . .

Seize every moment!

MANILA

Time will never come back, seize every moment!

BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

08.29.2010

B A T A N E S

I always dream of going to Batanes, Philippines. 
A very beautiful and pristine place.  

This is how travelphilippineisland.com describes BATANES:

The Batanes island group is the smallest province in the Philippines in terms of population and land area. The capital of Batanes, Basco is 280 kilometers north of Apari, Cagayan (the tip of main island of Luzon) while it is only 190 kilometers south of Taiwan. Batanes lies in the vast waters of the Pacific ocean where the Pacific meets China sea. An area that for generations is almost isolated from the rest of the Philippines. Batanes consist of 10 tiny islands and islets namely: Batan, Sabtang, Itbayat, Mavudis, Siayan, Diogo, North Island and Y'ami. Only the first three islands are inhabited.

The wind swept islands of Batanes are beautiful and enchanting and they are like no other in the Philippines. Since Batanes is separated from the country by miles of rough waters, the Ivatans (the name of the people of Batanes) have developed a different culture. Ivatans are honest, gentle and polite but brave and robust. They are proud of their their heritage and their land.

View overlooking the beach sea and mountainsThe landscape of Batanes is also distinct from other Philippine provinces - steep cliffs, rolling hills, deep canyons and boulder-lined shores - not unlike New Zealand in some way. But the most noticeable of all features of Batanes is the architecture of the houses - stone walled and thick thatched roofs to withstand the battering of typhoons.

Places of Interest in Batanes:

● House of Dakay (1887) a UNESCO heritage building
● Lighthouses of Batanes
● St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Cathedral
● Mt. Iraya - A 1008-meter mountain on Batan Island
● Mahatao View Deck
● Burial Caves - Pre-historic burial caves in the town of Itbayat
● Sumhao Wind Power Plant
● Nakaboang Beach, Ark & Cave
● Songsong Ruins
● Beaches - Chadpidan Beach, White Beach and more
● Payaman - known as "Marlboro Country", a pasture overlooking farm fields & the Pacific Ocean

http://www.travelphilippineisland.com/display_dest.php?id=81&tag=batanes_islands

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batanes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Goats_in_Batanes.png

http://www.femalenetwork.com/travel-leisure/destination-batanes-islands-of-the-winds/page/1

Things that I want to do in Wisconsin!

1. Hug my baby super duper tight!
2. Go to St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Whitewater to thank God.
3. Mingle, be merry and get to know baby's family.
4. Pay respect to baby's Mommy Debbie at Hillside Cemetery.
5. Go to the park - Indian Mounds Park, Kettle Moraine State Forest.
6. Visit the Whitewater, Cravath and Tripp lakes.
7. Get a studio portrait with the baby; take bunch of pictures for the entire trip.
8. Eat at Culvers, Rosa's, etc.
9. Go to the Driving Range, Cold Springs.
10. Go to the library - Irvin L. Young Memorial Library and borrow books and movies.
11. Watch a lot of movies at home - "a big fat elephant buttload of Comedy movies."
12. Watch a movie at Cinemas of Whitewater.
13. Watch old episodes of Family Matters together.
14. Watch a cooking show together - Emeril and make a fancy dancy dish together and eat it over a candle light dinner with a huge red bottle of wine.
15. Go to the SweetsSpot Coffee Shoppe in Whitewater.
16. Visit the Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago.
17. Visit the Milwaukee Art Museum.
18. Watch the Brewer Game!  Tailgating galore, eat burgers and brats.
19. Go on picnic.
20. Drive around the country.
21. Ride in motorcycle with the baby and wearing a helmet!
22. Take a picture during the snow fall and make a Snow Angel.
23. Cook for the baby, clean the house, mend the clothes, pamper the baby and do other household stuff.
24. Play with Houchie and Bobar.
25. Take a walk with the baby, watch the sunrise and sunset together by the lake.
26. Visit Mumc and Dudc at Oconomowoc.
27. Go to Ancora Coffee Roasters in Madison.
28. Witness the Fourth of July Celebration!
29. Go to Starbucks.
30. Eat fish fry at The Cold Spring Inn, Whitewater.
31. Go to Snug Harbor Inn - bar/restaurant/campground.
32. Go to the Kettle Moraine State Forest.
33. Visit the UWW, walk around the campus.
34. Visit the Hamilton House Bed and Breakfast.
35. Visit the Washington Elementrary School and Whitewater HS.
36. Eat at the fave Chinese restaurant of the baby - China House, Whitewater.  Eat chicken friend rice, egg foo young, chicken mi fun and others.
37. Take a picture at the Birge Fountain.
38. Go to the Historic Train Depot.
39. Visit the Flowing Well - Clover Valley Road, Whitewater.
40. Go to the Wisconsin Dells and go for water rides.
41. Go to the bars, dance and drink.
42. Go to the Christmas Tree farm, select a tree and cut it down together.
43. Decorate the Christmas Tree together, deck the house, listen to Christmas tunes, drink egg nog (spiked with alcohol), eat Christmas treats, snuggle a lot and open Christmas presents.
44. Cook the traditional thanksgiving food; Eat Thanksgiving dinner.
45. Visit the Cheese Factory.
46. Go shopping!!!!
47. Visit a Whitewater Bridal Fair.
48. Eat at Ryan Braun's Lake Geneva Restaurant - http://www.ryanbraunstavernandgrill.com/