Disaster struck when I returned to Amsterdam from Manila: my entire hard drive crashed. I last backed up right after learning I was pregnant, which means all my digital keepsakes from my entire pregnancy—ultrasounds, weekly belly photos, videos—except for what’s on this blog, are gone. I don’t want to think too much about it, it hurts my heart.
Thank heavens for small blessings. While trying to piece together what little I had left, I discovered the pictures from our fifth wedding anniversary still in my SD card. Marlon and I like to celebrate anniversaries at the beach, but I couldn’t bear another flight on top of two long-haul ones between Manila and Amsterdam. So this year, we opted for a weekend staycation at the Sofitel Manila, which we’ve never been to and had an appealing resort-in-the-city feel.
I’m so glad I still have pictures to remember this wonderful weekend: breakfast in bed, with a side of something special…
which turned into lazy afternoons (we had two!) by Sofitel’s gorgeous pool, lined with tall coconut trees and directly facing Manila Bay.
I know these simple pleasures—uninterrupted lazing by the pool, with a tall icy drink and an extra-thick book—will give way to other things soon, and I’m grateful for the chance to have savored them for the last time in a long while. Also, I turn into a calamansi shake monster whenever I’m home; I loved it even more being an overheated pregnant mama.
What is bliss? Watching clear blue skies turn into hazy gold…
and getting front-row passes to the best free show in town: the famous Manila Bay sunset.
The almost-daily occurrence of a spectacular sunset is one of the things I miss most about home.
I could have stayed here drinking in the sunset forever, but golden hour close to the equator is a lot shorter and faster than it is up here in the Northern Hemisphere. I just let Marlon hug me, and took as many pictures as I could. And yes, I’ll remember to back them up this time.
