For the information of Filipinos with foreign spouses and kids: your family don’t need visa if they’re traveling with you!

We almost made a mistake of getting a visa for M during this trip of ours. He went to the Philippine e
Embassy in Czech Republic to apply for a visa, and the embassy didn’t even advise him that its not necessary. M knows that Czech citizens are allowed to stay in the Philippines for 21 days without visa but since he’s going to stay for a month, he thought he’ll need it. Fortunately my friend L told us that on their recent trip to PH, her husband didn’t even get a visa and he also stayed for a month. We were spared from paying uneccessary fees and also getting cheap insurance, which is required when you apply for visa.

I think the embassy staff isn’t aware of this information. If the foreign spouse and kids are traveling with the Filipino partner or parent, they can stay in the country for a year without visa. BUT if they enter the country by themselves, they should get visa if they plan to stay more than 21 days.

The tension is high as we’re getting closer to our flight! We not only need to pack our things, but also make sure that the house is all tidy and clean.  The ref has to be cleared of contents so food items has to go (either for giving or throwing!). Luckily our flight is at night giving us more time during the day to finalize everything. If I we can only bring the whole house, then traveling wouldn’t be stressful at all. Sighhhhh! I plan to sleep early tonight to avoid any acne breakout.  It is the last thing I would want to happen! And it would take time to look for the best natural acne treatment to fix that problem. Huh! Prevention is still the way to go.

It’s time to hit the sack! Dobrou noc everyone!  Please pray for our safe travel.

The clock is ticking and we’ll soon be flying home to Philippines for our vacation. I’m feeling a lot of stress with the preparation. Since Monday and today, I stopped doing anything that has to do with packing! There’s one thing that looks exciting for our trip and that is Caity’s new Trunki!  It’s one of the things that I think will make the trip easier.  Caity can ride on it and she can even bring her toys, and place extra clothes in it.  That was my concern at first, having to carry either two bags (one for Adie’s things and the other one for Caity’s) or a big bag that will fit both their hand carry items.  Trunki solves my dilemma. The little girl will have her share in bringing her own luggage. 

We searched for Trunki last night in online stores and was lucky to find which probably is the last piece in the whole Czech Republic. hahaha And we already have it! Caity had a blast riding on it. She looked like a girl who had found the greatest weight loss formula!  Ahhh it will be more fun in the airport where the space is wide and floor is smooth! Yep, she’s definitely happy and I’m getting confident that our trip will be a good one. So tomorrow I am inspired to pack some more. teehee!

Hello again! It’s 36 minutes past 8 in the evening as I am typing this, swimming in the deafening silence around me. I am already sleepy but I still haven’t finished even half of what I am supposed to do. Huh! In case you didn’t read my previous post, I am not doing ab workouts my dear, but I am preparing for a long vacation with the family which includes an infant and a toddler. It’s extra tiring packing up for the little tots especially for their carry-on baggage. Yes they’re little, but the amount of things a mom has to bring for them is surprisingly plenty! Huhuhu I have a dandy checklist of the important items to bring, thanks to the internet! I’m still in the process of completing that list.

I have traveled already many times with my first child when she was still a baby, but mannnnnnnnn I still need to be reminded what are the things they’ll need for travel. I want to rest now, but it’s still too bright outside.  If I sleep this early, I am afraid I’ll be awake at 4am and won’t be able to go back to sleep. I’ve got a situation!

All pictures are taken in the Philippines, my beloved country.
Awesome!!!

I’ll be seeing you soon.

Thanks to Miss Jeanette Pactolin for allowing me to use her pictures.

Caity had her first international travel when she was 6 months old. This time, our baby A will be following her sister’s footsteps. Next week we’re scheduled to take a trip to the Philippines and incidentally, baby A will be 6 months by then. My family back home are already excited to see our little bundle of joy. I am sure they’ll love him much coz he’s such a good and cute baby.

I am also happy coz all of us, including M will be joining us.  In fact we’ve already planned some fun activities (most definitely in the beach!) that the whole family will enjoy.  My other siblings are also coming home, so it will be sort of a reunion.    I am looking forward to it already!

We still have a lot of things to prepare, but with baby A’s passport in hand, we’re assured that he can take the trip already.  Yep, our little boy is ready to travel!

My friend A, who’s currently on vacation in the Philippines with her two kids, just sent an SMS to my sis there, she was asking if the sunglasses of her son was left in my condo where they stayed overnight before going to their province. Oh well, she got it right, the cute Dickies shades was really left there in my condo. Just a reminder to those who are on vacation, whether you’re staying on a beach resort in Boracay or any of those Toronto hotels, be sure to check all your things before leaving. You might be leaving some really important stuff in your room and that would spoil the fun in your vacation.

Now “restricted” to the confines of home, what with two babies (an almost-three-year-old and a newly-born more-than-a-month-old), I dream of vacation sometimes. If only I could go home, my family – mom, dad and sis – would be more-than-willing to help in taking care of their much-missed cutie Caite and not-yet-seen baby Adie. Not that I’m complaining, as my thoughtful, helpful and able hubby gives me no reason for such (in fact I should say I’m very thankful to God for the gift of his person!) Yet, I can’t help dream of Outer Banks beach rentals – just reminiscing of the days when, together with my family, our own family bunch of three (yet!) were in a beautiful beach back home in our beloved Philippines.

It’s snowing a lot these days here in Prague. Not a nice time to go sightseeing for me especially with my baby bump, I just want to rest and stay at home. It would be nice to travel though to have a break from seeing the usual atmosphere here in the house. For those who plan to travel during spring or summer, it’s best to prepare some travel paraphernalia while waiting for the winter season to end.
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With the dirt cheap airfares from Cebu Pacific, you can fly to many destinations within the Philippines and even out of the country, to other great places in Asia such as Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh or Singapore, Osaka, etc. for less money. It makes me wish I’m in the Philippines.

From Manila to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh or Singapore for only P1599!

Sale period is from April 25 until 30, 2009.  Travel period within June 1 to August 31, 2009.