In the Philippines, we vacationed in a really small village (2 by 4 blocks) on Palawan island. There were only two hotels with swimming pools, bungalows and a few guesthouses. Our hotel had kayaks and naturally every day we ventured to explore the shores. To our dismay, turning the corner we discovered the most magnificent beach, a Coconut Grove without any hotels, restaurants or people. We enjoyed this peaceful heaven every day. The kids proceeded to peel coconuts with sticks and stones and we enjoyed eating these daily. This became our favorite Spot on Earth.

Food photos: 1. Mango smoothie breakfast bowl in Siargao, Philippines. 2. Epic breakfast salad at our favorite hotel in Doha, Qatar.

Our Inspiration

I was told “The best gift you can give your kids is to show them the wold.”

Traveling makes our children grounded, open minded, stronger to face adversities and apt to embrace people who are different.

When we travel we connect. No chores, laundry, cooking or homework. We can focus on each other and together discovering new, interesting and unique sites.

It’s a challenge to explore where you’ll eat next, how to take the bus to the next village and what is the best way to and from an airport. We solve problems together and the kids aid in making decisions. We build trust.

We make memories that mark a time in our life. We remember what size the kiddos were and the funny things they said or did on that trip. I will always remember when I took my daughter to NYC and Italy at 4 months. I would have never thought the subway steps would make it nearly impossible to travel with a stroller. Since that moment for the rest of our trip, and even at home, she lived in the wearable front baby carrier. I changed her diapers on the piazza stone benches and nursed her in the Vatican. As we walked the cobblestone streets every day, every Italiano came up to us and had something lovely to say to “la bambina”. It was a magnificent trip!

Drawing our names in the sand, dripping sand castles on the shore, kayaking in choppy waves hoping to beat the storm that came out of nowhere while we were on kayaks are the memories that we make and they stay with us forever.