For this blogger and his missus, revisiting Florida was for only one urgent reason - to see long missed family. These kin migrated en masse from the southern Philippines about 2 decades ago and chose this sunshine state for very obvious reasons. Not seeing them for that length of time created a void in the heart that needed to be filled and the only way to do it was to hop in a plane across the pacific.
The first stop was in Valencia, Sta. Clarita, California for a night with Daphne - Jo Ann's niece. This was our first time to meet her husband and kids.
The first stop was in Valencia, Sta. Clarita, California for a night with Daphne - Jo Ann's niece. This was our first time to meet her husband and kids.
The temperature was 16C/60F in LA
The next stopover was Chicago and the temperature
was -13C/7F with the whole city blanketed in snow.
Finally Tampa, Florida (26C/78F) and these love-ones where
already at the airport waiting for us. Mervyn (in shorts) is
Jo Ann's first degree cousin. Beside him is Ronnie his wife, and
the 2 ladies are Jo Ann's nieces - Asset and Momo.
lunch with the welcome committee at an asian
resto in Clearwater.
Dinner was with cousins Dr. Alfred & Momo Martin
and daughter Celine at BJ's resto and brewhouse.
Brunch the next day was hosted by cousins
Eddie and Baby at the Olive Garden, who drove all
the way from Zephyrhills to see us. Orlando is the
next stop of the day...
Eddie and Baby at the Olive Garden, who drove all
the way from Zephyrhills to see us. Orlando is the
next stop of the day...
...for a spin in the Orlando eye...
...a pose with the greatest...
...deep freeze at a Swiss alpine village at Gaylord resort...
...and a stroll in the Disney Springs resort...
the night at Orlando was spent at Harold D'Big
and Cecile's house.
a reunion potluck is next at Clearwater
...and the next day Noah rides to
Fort de Sotto...
...for some fishing at the pier...
...with cousin Blas Dabucol. The next day
is a drive to Avon Park...
...for lunch at cousin Pelvina's house (we
stayed with her in this same house in our
first visit)...
...and a back-to-the-past game of
pingpong with best friend Gershon at his
home in Sebring.
dinner that evening was hosted by cousins
Blas and Mary Ann Dabucol at the Golden Corral...
...and then a stroll at the Clearwater marina.
deep-sea fishing is next at clearwater...
...where Noah gets a chance to ride a
different kind of ark.
...that night was outdoor dining at Main street
Dunedin with gorgeous niece - kleng.
the next day Noah had to burn the fat
that was slowly building up in his belly
by riding the Clearwater - Tampa loop.
Finally, after 8 days in sunny Florida, it is goodbye to the family that was host for our vacation. The guy at the right is Howard D'Tiny who took a long break from his work to be with us throughout
our entire stay. His dad - Mervyn D'Ben and mom - Geronima D'Ronnie, and brothers Hardin D'Londong and Harold D'Big untiringly took us to
all the places mentioned above. Their home in Dunedin was our comfortable base and we felt loved and pampered throughout our stay.
Thank you guys for a wonderful time. May God keep you happy all the days of your life.
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