How I Define Luxury..

In this time of gadgets and TVs, my heart always cries “send him outdoors!”. Glad that my son’s school is into soccer for the physical activity that he needs but I still want him to explore nature more.

Traveling is a part of my family. As much as I want to imprint that it is a privilege to travel and stay in hotels, it is hard to let a child realize when he is used to traveling due to our respective work. We stay in hotels to catch some family time and I take my kids when I visit destinations when on assignment.

With a week for a short school break and a travel writing assignment to work on, we kicked off early. And we traveled for five days -stayed in two different hotels in different provinces. I still feel dizzy while writing this post but my happiness that I reached my goal is overflowing. Finally, my son verbally expressed that nature can give the best entertainment.

While going back to our room from swimming..Akira said ” I don’t need iPad Mama. I love this place. This is a wonderful place”. He kept on saying “wonderful place” and it was an “I-did-a-great-job” moment as a mom. Forgive me but I cringe looking at kids playing with their gadgets while traveling totally missing the point of a beautiful scenery in front of them.

During our five-day family time, he never touched our iPad ( we have to bring for work) and only watched TV while I shower. Most of the time, my kids were outdoors. Exploring. I just love the feeling. Letting their eyes watch the hues of green and blues.

This is our best vacation so far…

Swam in a natural kiddie-pool in Jawili Falls in Aklan

Enjoying the ocean view with tweeting birds

Made new friends while getting their hands dirty..

Showed a rose-colored stone from the beach

A real scenario on his Social Studies lesson on community helpers like fishermen

Soaring eagle on our way home

Nothing can beat the chance for my kids to see a school of jumping fish, a lone “zebra” fish as my son says swimming around their little feet, a gecko staring at us ( I was petrified) while having dinner and “white” crabs going back to their holes.

These may sound normal for us during our childhood but now, it is pure indulgence. And I feel the luxury to be able to give that gift to my kids. As the line goes, ” give them the gift of travel”.