Alone with ate Maisie

Maisie and I had a blast swimming at tinuy-an falls, enchanted river and at the different islets in Britania. My husband could not come with us because of his weekly meetings, this explains Jaden's absence also from our trip. I could not afford to bring along two hyper kids that needs equal attention from an adult, more so that it will be a long travel and that we will stay at a resort for one night.

Tinuy-an falls is approximately five hours from Davao City. And there starts my realization when traveling with kids, although I read a few tips but an experience is an expensive teacher. I should have bring rice and viand just in case ate will be hungry. I have biscuits and water, but she wants to eat rice. Rule #1 when with kids in a long travel, always bring her staple food. I was lucky because ate understood and she agrees to eat the cake and drink the juice given to her by a family in our group. Another insight was that whatever happens, put the safety first of your kid. We plunge in the lower portion of the falls which was rocky. I advised ate to wear her slippers. Unfortunately, she was not able to hold on to her slippers. I tried running after the slipper, in the water holding ate Maisie. It was very difficult, with the current and with the rocks. So I just let it be. It was a decision of whether to leave ate Maisie in the water all by herself and chase the slipper. With this scenario, what if ate will also stumble in the water? Or leave the slipper gliding with the water, anyway we can still buy a new pair. To my amazement, ate realize that the other slipper is useless without its pair, so she said that we will just throw it away. The hopeful in me told her that we will just keep it on the side. At the back of my mind I was hoping someone will return it to us, and fortunately one of our companion just did.

Here are some of our photos at tinuy-an falls.

She was very reluctant when i took this shot because she wants to take a dip right away.

This was when we were about to leave the area.

After 2 hours ride in a van, we reach our next destination, Enchanted River. It was best described by its name. The river is indeed enchanting. We were swimming on top and the habitat of the fishes is at the deeper portion of the river. We ride on a small boat to enjoy hopping from one island to another. I was able to appreciate more the beauty of the nature, and I hope ate Maisie did too.

We will spend the night at Mac Arthur's Place, Britania. This is again a 2-hour ride from Enchanted River. Ate had an undisturbed sleep. It did not even bother her that we are in an unfamiliar place. The best thing also was that she behaved. At 5:15am she woke up and when I told her that we are supposed to get up because our call time for island hopping is 5am she readily said we should go. It turned out there was a change in schedule. There were four islands and we dip in every one of them.As I predicted, ate was not even tired swimming. After visiting an island after another for almost 5 hours, she complained why we have to head to the resort and eat. The energy of a four-year old is amazing.

The bonus of the trip was the educational part. Ma'am Rosita Fundador was more than willing to answer ate's question about the star fish, and other creatures of the sea that she saw.

The 2-day trip was over and the time well spent with ate Maisie should be on a regular basis. I am proud of ate Maisie because she behaved and she socialized without me telling her to. On our next trip we will bring Jaden with us and will also share with you all our experiences.