Escape the school madness! Today's blog post is a quick run-down of my much-needed break from the chaos of schoolwork. We all deserve a little escape sometimes, so I hope you enjoy this little corner of the internet and my quick getaway.
Last Saturday was filled with excitement and anticipation as our family embarked on a much-needed vacation at my dad's workplace—a five-star hotel in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu.
It had been far too long since my last visit, and I was thrilled to experience the luxurious atmosphere once again. Every year, my dad's company generously offers employees a free one-and-a-half-day stay at this stunning hotel, but this year was particularly special. My sister and her husband were flying in from Finland, bringing my adorable nephew along! It was the first time in ages that we'd all be together—just immediate family, no extended relatives to complicate things, which made it even more exciting.
The excitement began early that morning. I woke up brimming with anticipation, not just for the trip but also because a scheduled practical exam at school had been thankfully canceled! This unexpected turn of events lifted my spirits immensely.
We spent the morning packing our bags, making sure to bring all the essentials while also indulging in a few fun items—swimwear, snacks, and games for the kids.
From GIF Peakd
As we tidied up the house, I made sure to double-check that we hadn’t forgotten anything important. We left the house around 2:30 PM, filling it with positive energy before our departure, and finally arrived at the hotel around 4:30 PM.
Upon arrival, I was a little nervous, unsure which room we had been assigned. The anxiety quickly melted away when we contacted my sister, who confirmed our room number: 757.
From GIF Peakd
As we entered, we were immediately greeted by a beautiful ambience and a breathtaking view of the hotel grounds. The lobby was adorned with elegant decorations, and the air was filled with a pleasant fragrance that made me feel at ease. The room was spacious, elegant, and inviting, featuring plush furnishings that promised comfort. However, the only drawback was the king-size bed, which proved a bit snug for our party of eight—five adults and three kids. Despite this minor inconvenience, the overall experience was fantastic.
Once settled in, we caught up with my sister, who was already in the room. Her husband and child were still sleeping, having arrived late the night before.
My sister, who had been traveling for a long time and was quite hungry, asked me to order some food. Eager to satisfy our cravings, I quickly placed an order using Foodpanda for Jollibee and Mang Inasal, ensuring there would be enough for all of us—enough for ten people! We eagerly waited for the food delivery, spending the time reminiscing about old family stories and how much had changed since our last gathering.
The view from our room was absolutely stunning, a stark contrast to our last visit when we only had a plain ocean view. This time, the landscape was vibrant, with the sun setting over the horizon, casting beautiful colors across the sky. As we waited, I couldn’t help but admire the breathtaking scenery, taking mental snapshots to cherish later. The excitement of being together again and enjoying the beautiful surroundings made me feel grateful.
As the minutes went by, the food delivery finally arrived. My sister and I ventured down to the hotel entrance to meet the driver. It was a bit tiring to walk all the way down, but it was worth it! As we made our way, we noticed a beautiful casino in front of the JPark Hotel, sparkling with lights and excitement. It was a sight to behold, and I made a mental note to check it out later.
When we reached the motorcycle parking lot, we met the delivery driver, who unfortunately didn’t have sufficient change for our payment. My sister and I asked him how much change he had; he only had about 200 pesos, while our total was 1,700 pesos, and I had given him 2,000 pesos. We decided to give him a 100-peso tip for his service, understanding the challenges of cash transactions.
As we walked back to our room, we felt a few curious looks from other guests. My sister and I were lugging a large bag filled with Jollibee, and I couldn’t help but laugh at how we must have appeared.
From GIF Peakd
Upon returning, we explained the situation to my older sister and mom, letting them know that we wouldn’t be going back down for the second order due to the judging looks we received and the delivery man’s change issue. My older sister agreed with our decision, and we all settled down to enjoy the food.
Finally, we began to eat, satisfying our hunger with the delicious spread before us. The familiar taste of Jollibee’s Chickenjoy and Mang Inasal’s grilled chicken brought back fond memories of family gatherings and celebrations. As we feasted, laughter filled the room, and we shared stories from the past year, catching up on each other’s lives. It felt wonderful to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company, making memories that would last a lifetime.
After dinner, it was already dark outside, and we decided to head down to the swimming pool area.
Since it was around 8:00 PM, only the adult swimming area was available, as the children’s pool had already closed for the night. It was a bit disappointing, but we made the best of it. We sat by the pool, enjoying the ambiance and the sound of water splashing,
while watching hotel staff perform a captivating fire dance for special guests. The performance was mesmerizing, showcasing incredible skill and artistry, and it added a magical touch to our evening.
As the night wore on, I realized my father had just finished his work and was heading back to the building. He didn’t have a keycard to access our room, so I made my way back to give him the keycard. However, as I climbed the stairs, I felt my stomach rumbling uncomfortably. It seemed that all the excitement and rich food had taken a toll on me. Instead of going back down to join the others, I decided to rest, hoping that lying down would help ease my discomfort.
Eventually, the stomach pain became too much, and I woke up again to drink some medicine my older sister had given me earlier. I was grateful for her support during the trip, as she always knew how to take care of everyone.
After taking the medicine, I felt a little better and managed to drift off to sleep, dreaming of the wonderful day we had spent together.
Reflecting on the day the next morning, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for my family, our time together, and the beautiful memories we created. It was a day filled with love, laughter, and connection—exactly what we needed. I looked forward to the adventures that awaited us in the days to come, knowing that this vacation would be one we would cherish for years to come.
From GIF Peakd
Thank you so much for reading look forward for the second part