Recreating PAPER AND CLOCK TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN VIETNAM

Yay, it's September and come September 21, we will be celebrating our #7thYear of that "day-we-kissed-after- saying- "I Do"" moment last September 21, 2013!!

Since we cannot do our yearly "going-away- together- tradition" this time around, we are rounding up our themed anniversary experiences in #21countries (coz that's #7times3equals21) if we don't count Philippines, USA, and Japan where we semi - lived not visit) from September 1 - 21 for our pandemic proof #7thJourneyToForever celebration! *Woot, *woot!

PAPER is the traditional symbol while CLOCK is the modern symbol of our first year of marital bliss. So for our 1st Journey To Forever, we traveled to VIETNAM.

For our PAPER Anniversary celebration, we did not simply gifted each other with MONEY (which is made of PAPER) to indulge in something we want - instead, we allowed ourselves to experience the simple joy of spending four different currencies - the Philippine Pesos, the Vietnam Dongs (VND), the Cambodian Riels, and the US Dollars - during our week-long travel around VIETNAM (Ho Chi Minh City and nearby province), (then a side trip to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Other PAPER gifts include Plane Tickets, Hotel Bookings, Travel Insurance, Restaurant Menus, PAPER ARTS, Books, and our WEDDING PICTURES.

For our CLOCK Anniversary celebration in Vietnam, we headed to the CHO BEN THANH (Ben Thanh Market), one of the oldest surviving structures of Saigon and one of the symbols of Ho Chi Minh City to take pictures with the CLOCK.

Today, we recreate that VIETNAM experience by travelling to Pho'Hoa at SM Fairview aboard our Volkswagen Caddy. At this Vietnamese restaurant, we ordered a typical #sevenpiecemeal of com (garlic rice), main dish (i.e. chili shrimp), rau (raw fresh vegetables), Canh (pho'ga or chicken soup), small dish or relishes, dipping sauces, and fresh fruits (i.e. pomelo salad).

After our lunch, I went grocery shopping at SM Fairview Hypermart while Red purchased tools and wood from Ace Hardware for the house renovation, our theme for COPPER Anniversary! Though both of us made really huge purchases, we didn't spend any PAPER money this time, just plastic a.k.a. credit cards!

We also bought a parchment PAPER and Cupcakes Liner for my baking at Mom and KK, a small baking supply store which Red happened to see along the way!

We were in SM Fairview for #7hours, from 12nn until #7pm!!

Our Top 4 Must-Have Items In 2017!

Mhe-Anne L. Ojeda - Isidro

Yay! We found  four multi-purpose items to complement our location independent lifestyle -  which for 2017 means being based in Costa Mesa, California near the BEACH, see the world and work just from anywhere! With super expensive rental in sunny and warm California, these beach or travel - inspired stuff not only represent our fourth wedding anniversary, but these also can save us vacation dollars  --

5-Position Backpack Beach Chair

For our frequent trip to the nearby Newport Beach and other beaches around the Southern California, this blue (to represent the color blue associated with a fourth wedding anniversary and our wedding motif color) Backpack Beach Chair will be our regular comp! The durable steel aluminum frame adjusts to five positions including lying flat and features a cup holder, cooler pouch and an adjustable pillow to rest our head. For easy carriage and storage, the Chair folds flat and has convenient straps for easy, hands free, backpack stylish walk to the beach.

     

Red Igloo Mini Retro Beverage Fridge

I can't drink anything not cold or chilled, so this Igloo Mini Retro Beverage Fridge is exactly what we need while on the road! This retro-inspired cooler can keep 6 cans of soda or snacks and can easily fit or plugs into any wall socket; two-prong plug (like car charger). The volume is 4L and 4 plastic feet. I can't wait to use it! 

Personal Power Blender with Sport Bottle

This JML Personal Power Blender with Sport Bottle was a gift from my friend Jun & Elaine Igot during our  law school buddies get-together-post thanksgiving - early Christmas party exchange gift last November 27, 2016 in the Philippines. With its one-button operation and touch pulse mode, this blender is my go-to item for its quick, easy operation and great results so I brought it with me here in the US and in all our travels! With this in hand, I can always make a delicious and nutritious grab-and-go fruit smoothies for me and hubby. And we love it! 

Crock's Pot

We won this Crock's Pot Original Slow Cooker during a Christmas Game at my client's office last December 21, 2016. from Hamilton Beach has a gasket lid and canister-style clips to prevent spills. For a person like me who doesn't know how to cook or prefers to work on stuff, this slow cooker is a no brain-er eh because I just plug it then select the Dial Selector for Low, High and Warm settings and leave it and work on my stuff. This appliance is perfect for conveniently warming my canned soups and cooked food while at home and for bringing our favorite dish to the beach and while traveling as it comes with clips and gasket-sealed lid for spill-free transport. The removable oval, nonstick stoneware and glass lid are easy to clean too!

2017: The Year For Our 4th Wedding Anniversary!

We will be celebrating our 4 years of marital bliss this year (September 21) so we are planning and coordinating our travel destinations around the number "four",  "fruit or flower", being the traditional symbol of a fourth wedding anniversary and "appliances"  being our anniversary's modern symbol.

According to eternity rose website, "during the fourth year of marriage, flowers represent the growth and blossoming of the relationship, and subsequent ripening as symbolized by fruit. Flowers nurture the soul, and fruit nourishes the body, hence, the expanding commitment and nurturing love of the couple is signified.Appliances symbolize the everyday practicalities and the settled nature of the relationship."

To kick off the celebratory mood, we stayed in the Los Angeles (CA) area for the Pasadena Rose Parade  on January 2, 2017! We also decided to rent an unfurnished room (instead of AirBnB accommodation!) near the Newport Beach, so we will definitely be BIG on buying beach or travel - inspired, multi-purpose appliances fitted for our location independent lifestyle.  Earlier, after our 3rd Wedding anniversary celebration in Cottonwood, Arizona, we visited the Four Corners Monument in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Four Corners is the only point in the United States shared by the  four states  of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. 



Do you have any must-do or must-see related to a fourth wedding anniversary symbols? Write away please!

Welcoming 2017 With Our BIG Take on Location Independence Lifestyle!

We bid adieu to 2016 with travels around 10 US States,Brazil,Peru and Costa Rica 

We came to the United States in mid- December 2015 for what was intended to be a six - week vacation that will allow us to find "leather" or "crystal" - inspired travel destinations for our advance 3rd-wedding anniversary celebration. Since all Philippine courts are on recess during the holiday and the whole month of January, Red and I envisioned ourselves of being in Utah to experience the Greatest Snow on Earth rush, the snow being like "crystal" the modern symbol of a 3 - year marital bliss; then in Arizona for the feel of the Old West since "leather" is the traditional symbol for our anniversary. Instead, we conquered the Americas - North (United States), South (Brazil and Peru) and Central (Costa Rica) and racked up our numbers in travels to an unprecedented record high -flown  38 flights, 4 round trip flights to the US from the Philippines, visited 10 US States, taken 11  road trips around the US West Coast, and now back in the US, still traveling.  

Achieving our 12 highs in 2016 (click the link for our best year in travels)-- certainly was unexpected, and unplanned. It just sort of happened. And without ever having meant to do it, we've began a location independent lifestyle last year - a lifestyle where we maintain a virtual law office and run the business online with a laptop in tow from anywhere in the world! And we LOVE it! 

So in 2017, we are continuing our location independent lifestyle! And we chose the BIG "O" for Orange County in California as our base. At exactly 1 o'clock in the morning of January 1, 2017 we moved to our rented place in Costa Mesa, California after welcoming the new year at Tony Ps Dockside Grill in Marina del Rey! That again is the beauty of being location independent - we get to move anytime to a place where the weather is nicer, the food is tastier, and the BEACH is closer. Yes, we live just 5 minutes from the Newport Beach!

Costa Rica Anniversary Travel Diary: Our Stay in La Villa Segundo Rio B&B in Alajuela!

By: Mhe-anne O. Isidro

Costa Rica which literally means "Rich Coast" is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island. Administratively, Costa Rica is divided into seven (7) provinces namely: Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas and San Jose.

Christmas Bear at Juan Santa Maria International Airport in Alajuela, Costa Rica

Departure & Arrival: Wearing our matching couple shirts from Palawan and our navy - blue high cut Chuck Taylor shoes, we took Delta Airlines direct flight from Los Angeles, California at 1 o'clock in the morning of December 10, 2016 and arrived at 6 o'clock in the morning at the Juan Santa Maria International Airport. Although called the San Jose (Costa Rica) International Airport (SJO), this airport is actually located in Alajuela, the second  largest province next to the capital San Jose. 

There is no visa requirement to get to Costa Rica so our arrival was fast and smooth. The arrival card is filled up and collected by Delta Airlines, so we just get our entry stamp at the Immigration section upon arrival  and present the custom's form upon leaving the airport.  

There is free wifi service at the airport. After changing $300 into colones (with exchange guarantee for the remaining amount), we booked Uber to our accommodation at the La Villa Rio Segundo Bed and Breakfast. 

Our Room Exit to the Swimming Pool!

Accommodation: La Villa Rio Segundo Rio B&B  is located 8 km from Alajuela City Centre and just 10 minutes drive from Juan Santamaría International Airport which is La Villa Río Segundo B&B's greatest advantage (but the greatest disadvantage to guests!) since you can hear the noise from airplanes taking off and landing in at the airport. The property has an outdoor pool, a beautiful garden, hammocks, a terrace, a shared kitchen and barbecue facilities for guests. There is a free WiFi available in public areas, a tour desk and luggage storage. 

Our double bed comes with a swan styled towels

Our room is by the pool with a view of the garden. At $44, the room has a shared bathroom with hot & cold shower and complimentary breakfast offered from 7:00 to 10:00 am. of the next day. 

Breakfast consist of scrambled egg, ham, bread, juice and cereals 

Activities while in La Villa Rio Segundo B&B:  Although we read that an array of activities can be enjoyed in the surrounding areas such as Poas Volcano National Park, Zoo Ave, La Paz Waterfall, and Laguna de Fraijanes, we decided to take it slow, sleep in (to recharge!), enjoyed swimming at our accommodation, and visited the City Mall which is located only 7 km from the property. 

Alajuela City Mall's Food Court

Since check - in time at La Villa Rio Segundo B&B is at 12 noon, we left our stuff at the counter and took Uber to the Alajuela City Mall . The mall has only been operating for a year and is hailed as the biggest mall in Central America (but really it is much smaller than our Mall of Asia). The mall hours works well for us as it opens from 9am until 10pm. We had our brunch at the Cajun Grill ($8) and a yogurt fix at the Yougurt Mania ($5). We were also able to visit Movistar for our phone essentials for our week-long stay in the country.

We enjoyed a dip at the La Villa Rio Segundo B&B Swimming Pool

TRAVEL TIPS (that works for us today!):  (1) Upload an Uber application in your phone. Uber is the safest (and cheapest!) to go around from SJO airport to / around Alajuela since Costa Rica has no address system and asking for directions might be a problem if you do not speak Spanish like us!; (2) Buy a sim card good for one week at Movistar for only $5 and data for $2.5 for 1 GB; (3) Exchange rate at the airport was only $1 = CRC 477 (while it is $1=CRC 560 outside). But it would be good to have colones right away, for transportation and other stuff. So when exchanging dollars at the airport, choose a money exchange that offers an exchange guarantee for the remaining colones at the end of the trip. Global Exchange offered such guarantee if exchanging $300. 

3rd Wedding Anniversary US Travel: Our Top 3 Historic Things To Do In Monterey, California

by: Mhe-anne L. Ojeda

This year is our third wedding anniversary so you can understand that we are suckers for "three"! So while in Monterey, a city in the rugged coast of California about 115 miles south of San Francisco (about two hours drive) and 350 miles of Los Angeles (roughly six hours drive)  last November 11, 2016, we chose to do just three things to get a glimpse of the interesting and diverse history and culture of this so-called "California's First Capital City" as it was in Monterey's Custom House that the first American flag was raised which declared California as part of the United States of America

1. Stroll along the Historic Fisherman's Wharf 

We begin our self - guided immersion of the unique maritime history of Monterey at the Old Fisherman's Wharf which was constructed in 1845 and reconstructed in 1870. At present the Fisherman's Wharf is a bustling commercial shopping and restaurant district where we played with seagulls, hear barking sound of sea lions and checked out the restaurants operating at the end of its pier for its fresh crabs with an impeccable ocean view.

2. Follow the "Path of History" Walking Tour

The "Path of History" is a self-guided walking tour of California's first theater, public building, public library, publicly funded school, printing press, and newspaper and more than thirty carefully preserved historic buildings and sites throughout Monterey. Most of these buildings are adobes built in the mid-1800s like the Cooper Molera Adobe, Robert Louis Stevenson House, Casa Serrano, The Perry House, The Customs House, Colton Hall, Mayo Hayes O'Donnell Library and The First Brick House.

3. Explore Historic Cannery Row

Cannery Row is the historic industrial district located from Foam Street to the ocean just west of downtown Monterey. It operated several large canneries, mostly packing sardines from the 1920s until the 1950s when the sardines were over-fished and the industry collapsed. This old abandoned sardine canning district  by the shore of the bay is a point of inspiration for author John Steinbeck in writing a well-known novel "Cannery Row" that tells of the tale of the unemployed Mack and his friends who wanted to plan a party for their friend Doc, but things don't go as planned.

Steinbeck Plaza

In 1953, Ocean View Boulevard was renamed Cannery Row street in honor of John Steinbeck. Since then, Cannery Row has now become a tourist attraction with numerous establishments located in former cannery buildings, including the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium annexed to the Hovden Buiding, the Cannery Row Antique Mall, Wing Chong Market, and The American Tin Cannery which is a shopping mall.

Leather Anniversary US Travel: A Western Experience At Blazin M' Ranch in Cottonwood, Arizona!

Photo, hats and my shirt all courtesy of our host, Ruby Evangelista Tuttle

As leather is the traditional symbol of our third wedding anniversary, we were seeking for a place that will cater to our inner cowboy and cowgirl, soaking up the old-timey Western fantasy of donning our cowboy hat and breaking our boots & spurs. Thankfully, our thoughtful hosts, Spouses Roy and Ruby Tuttle, surprised us with a dinner invitation at the Blazin M' Ranch on our anniversary night (September 21, 2016).Oh boy! Not only we had a taste of chuck (that's what all cowboy food is called!) but one memorable experience, a giddy ride back into the Old West that let us live the John Wayne in us and said, Yeehaw!!

Behind us is the climate controlled barn

Blazin M' Ranch is a family -owned facility in Cottonwood, Arizona with all the trappings of a fun little "western" town - saloon, a cornerstone of any western town, mercantile, bank, hotel, jail, and vintage farm equipment and tractor. Aside from the diners who are expectedly in their cowboy and cowgirl attires (except for a few KJs lol), there are real live cowboys who simulate western life here and there like robbers, trick ropers and rugged outdoorsman on a horseback with rifle and revolver for that authentic Western feel. Before dinner, guests can ride the classic 1940 John Deere tractor that pulls riders in wagons for a spin around the Ranch, or take a roping lessons with the full-sized stationery horse, or just like us, you too can become an outlaw by throwing yourself into the jail and viewing the outside world from behind bars! 

We Are Behind Bars for Three Years now! Yeehah! behind the bars of love!

Chuckwagon Supper

At 6:30pm, the chow bell rang and all pioneers knew it was time for the Western - style chuck wagon dinner! All guests were ushered to a climate-controlled barn reminiscent of a dinner around a campfire over century ago, and seated in picnic style tables lined up with Old West tin plates, tin cups, mug glass and utensils. Dinner is served buffet style. For the initial serving, we had to line up, grab a tin plate and head through the "chuck wagon" serving stations where we were served with BBQ chicken and pork ribs, foil wrapped baked potato, cowboy beans, luscious flying biscuits aand their signature prickly pear cole slaw. 

For drinks, the complimentary lemonade, iced tea or coffe, or water, or a purchased beverage are served in pitchers. The delectable caramel apple crisp a la mode is served for dessert to round out our dining experience.

Our Dinner Table with our Anniversary Sponsors, Ate Ruby and Kuya Roy

Cowboy Stage Show

After dinner Bill Basset of the Blazin M' Cowboys opened the show, welcoming everyone and announced our names since we were celebrating our anniversary! Then for one hour, or so, Bill with Jim and Jeanne Martin entertained us with their award - winning old style, western swing, country music mixed with cowboy poetry and humor. 

Jim & Jeanne Martin, Tom Jepperson a.k.a. Otis and Bill Basset

Tom Jepperson or Otis, named Cornville's most eligible bachelor since 1986 also appeared to relive the good old days and heavy doze of Western tunes. Towards the end of the show, there is a light and sound featuring the Ranch most infamous occupant, the Ghost Rider, who "stole us away forever to ride the devil's herd across the endless skies".

Blazin M' Ranch is located at 1875 Mabery Ranch Rd. Cottonwood, AZ 86326
All activities (except photo opt and shooting) are free with the Dinner Pricing.
Adults - $39.95
Seniors (65 & Better) - $34.95
Children (5-12) - $19.95
Toddlers 4 & Under - Free