Mona Vale Garden

I'm alive. Yes I am still alive! Its been a long time since you've heard from me. And I assure you guys, I MISS YOU ALL! Today I have a treat for you, let me bring you to a place where you can see me most of the time. Probably reading a book or just staring on a blank canvas feeling the wind and getting one with nature. 

It's a place called MONA VALE GARDEN located in Fendalton Rd, Riccarton. It is a very good place to unwind and walk and enjoy the beautiful garden beside the river. 

"Mona Vale Garden is an historic Victorian Homestead surrounded by gardens that feature English and European trees, herbaceous perennials and beds of annuals. Frederick and Alice Waymouth commissioned the buildings in 1899 and were responsible for much of the planting seen today. When Annie Quayle Townend became the second owner, she was responsible for the addition of the fernery along with further expansions. In 1960s the property passed into city ownership and continues to be managed by the city council, with help from volunteers and enthusiast."

Let me share with you some of the photos I've taken and let the photos speaks for itself. Enjoy!

 For more information click here

Till we meet again! Ciao!

Akaroa Harbour

Hi there peeps! How have you been? A month has passed since I last wrote something. I'm still getting acquainted with my new environment here in Christchurch. I'm still not used to the cold weather it'll probably take time but I'll get there.

What I love about Christchurch, New Zealand?

• Ironically, the weather (even if it's too cold) the thing is I haven't had any allergy attacks since I left Manila. The fresh air  makes breathing easier it's a big YES for me. I don't have to worry about my eyes being swollen and itchy, my nose being runny all the time. 
• The gardens/park. Christchurch is a Garden City for a reason. It is a very beautiful place to see, relax and have fun. And by fun means reading a book in a quiet corner or just laying on the grass, enjoying the breeze under the sun. No one will mind. (that's the bookworm in me talking) 
• The people. They are generally friendly and accommodating. 
• The Sunday Market. I love the bargains.
• The view of the mountains, river and the nature itself. It's like a 360 degrees outstanding paradise. It's like I walk right into a book, a fariytale. The trees, the flowers, the water is in perfect synchrony. 

Those are the few things that I love about being here I've been here for a month I still have a lot to explore and know more about this beautiful place.

...And I love the weekends... weekends are for traveling and exploring places such as these...

Breathtaking view of Akaroa Harbour

 

These pictures are taken at the Hill top. I just fell in love with the place. I totally cried. My dad would have loved it here. I'm so thankful I get to experience such beauty. God is really amazing, fantastic, marvelous. He is incomparable! I'm really great full for such awesomeness. 

Weekend Life: Potipot Island

Whether it's because of towering paper works or your boss bitching you around or you merely wishes that somehow you have a better high paying job or you broke up with your man or for whatever reasons you have in mind... we all need an escape. A breathe of fresh air from the hassle and dazzle in the city. An escape from reality, even for a day or two.

Exactly what I did one Friday morning of August. Me and a group of friends boarded the bus all the way from Manila to Zambales, we are gathered only for one reason... to have fun. Our destination: POTIPOT ISLAND. Well, its an 8-hour ride and that's definitely a no fun but I slept through most of it anyway but still my bottom was hurting but there's no other means of traveling. This is the time that I wish that you can be magically transported with a blink of an eye. I know right, that's not gonna happen.

We arrived at our friends at around two in the afternoon. Some went to the market to buy things that we needed while the others including me stay behind and played pusoy dos. I'm not a gambler and I usually don't play cards, that was my first time and they taught me how. You had to have your own strategy and an ounce of luck to beat the others. It was so fun! If I ended up being addicted I am reminding you it is because of my friends *kidding*.

The weather was a bit glum and the waves are crashing temperamentally when the others arrived from town. We left Manila with a good weather but ofcourse no one bothers to check on the weather report. The locals told us that in order to cross the sea to Potipot Island, we had to have a bigger boat. Small ones is on danger especially with the erratic waves. Our host told us that we should bade our time and board the boat the next day but due to our limited time we still insisted. We're hopeful enough that somehow the sky will be at our favor.

Waves or not. Potipot Island here we come.

View of Potipot Island from the shore. It's approximately a 15 minutes boat ride from where we're standing

Here are some of the amateur pictures that I have taken 

"There is something about the ocean that makes you feel eternal"

Truly, the view of the ocean makes everything worthwhile, the sounds of waves crashing, the feel of the wind in your skin, the sand on which you walk makes you appreciate life to its fullest. This is truly the best way to relax after hard days at work. No matter how it ended whether a storm is on its way with your friends with you on your journey it will always be the best. 

Till then! See yah on my next journey! :)