Why you should take travel insurance when travelling!

Why? Because you just never know what will happen! As you read, we had to bring our daughter to the hospital because of an UTI. Well, we had to go back a few days later has she was having a very bad reaction to the antibiotic given. As she was finally getting better, it was my turn to be hit. But not with an UTI... I caught Dengue Fever which sent me straight to the hospital.

Not the great vacation we had planned... In total 8 hospitals visited, over 15 blood tests, 3 nights in a hospital, 5 emergency visits and a very long bill which our travel insurance took care off!

That being said, we have now been home for 2 weeks. In the next few days, I will start up-dating my blog again. I will not conclude the trip to the Philippines since I doubt anyone is interested in looking at hospital pictures! I will jump straight to the Japan portion of the trip. 

Now just before I go... This is a picture of our little family as Hudson celebrated 9 months! With me, at the hospital. 

Breastfeeding ;-)

As most of you know, I fought really hard to be able to breastfeed Hudson. It did not come easily. I worked around the clock with the nurses and lactation expert at the hospital to be able to breastfeed. Actually Hudson needed some formula for a little while. Off course, for medical reason I was very relieved to have access to some formula but I also knew that for the sake of my baby, I wanted to exclusively breastfed. I was so thankful to be at an hospital that had the funding for a lactation expert, and even more thankful that the lactation expert was in my room at every feeding to help me out. Hudson has been exclusively breastfeed since she was 6 weeks old. Just a few days short of 9 months, she is still breastfed and actually eating really little solids. (We are working on that).

Now, I know some of my friends did not receive the support they needed to be able to establish a good breastfeeding routine. The hospital close to our home even cut the position of lactation expert. So you would imagine how excited I was to see these posters at the hospital we visited in Bohol, Philippines.

I don't know how I exactly feel about it. Part of me think it is a great initiative. But at the same time, I do find it to be a bit extreme. (After all, some people do have really good reason to resort to formula).  I am not from Bohol, so it is hard for me to understand the whole social context. Is there a milk bank available? But, still my husband and I agree that if hospitals were to put more effort in breastfeeding and less in giving out free formula samples, surely more people would breastfeed.    

 Later on in Manila, we visited another hospital and met with a (American) pediatrician. As we found out Hudson was getting her rash from an intolerance to the many mango I was eating, the question of breastfeeding came up. The pediatrician stressed many times, that I should NOT for any reason stop breastfeeding while we were getting her rash under control. And that she was really happy to see "me", a "foreigner" breastfeeding. I explained to her that in Canada, we get a whole year maternity leave and for that reason, it was "easier" to breastfeed. She was also very impress by my cloth diapers. She called herself a cloth diaper advocate in her time but was amazed at how "cute" they got over the year. I was expecting her to ask me to switch to disposable because of the severity of the rash but in the contrary, she kept praising us (me and my husband) for using such a healthy alternative. Can I say how much I love her! ;-)

Cebu or how to run out of diapers in a day

 

So the antibiotic is giving Hudson the run…. And so I keep on changing, and changing, and changing her diapers. At this point, I just know I won’t have enough to last through the trip…. And so I keep on washing and washing and washing….

The fever is also persisting. Not as high as before but still always there. We just arrived from Bohol. The temperature here feels twice as warm! It is blistering. I don't think I have ever encountered such hot temperature. We took a ferry between Bohol and Cebu. After a short stop a Jollybee for lunch, we headed out to our resort (Bluewater Resort in Mactan). Cebu is not at all like Bohol. Here it is crowded, dirty, loud and very poor. Our resort is man made and stands in the middle of a shanty. Hidden by oversize trees are very high walls topped by barbwire. Inside the walls, everything is pretty. clean, wide and "happy". It somewhat reminds me a lot of Jamaica.

When we arrived at the resort, we were just in time for shark feeding show. Yes, they have a shark tank with about 10 black tip reef sharks. We then made our way to our beautiful room overlooking one of many pools. It didn't take us long, we put on our bathing suit and jumped in the water! Hudson loved it! And for the first time since she got sick, she laughed! We stayed in the water for a good hour and than headed straight to bed!

Hudson still has severe diarrhea... For the first time ever! She slept through the night! From 7pm to 5am. 

Our second day in Cebu started with another spike of fever. We went swimming. The water seemed to help. I also had 4 mango for breakfast! We are in Cebu after all!!! Best mango in the world!

We checked out of our rooms and we headed out on a tour of the oldest city in the Philippines. The island of Cebu is a very important historical place! This is where the Spaniards arrived, this is also the place where Magellan was killed by Lapu-lapu. There are many buildings on the island dating back from the 1500's. We started our visit with a trip to Magellan's and the Lapu-lapu's monuments. We then went to Magellan's cross and St-Nino's church. We ended the tour with a short stop at the Fort. I off course ate a few mango shakes.

During that time, we still had to fight the high temperature, and Hudson's fever. By then, Hudson had also develop a wide spread rash while still getting none stop diarrhea.

We safely flew back to Manila and decided to head back to the doctor early in the morning.   

Catherine goes into survival mode

I promised Tristan I would blog about this mishap! So here it is…  As we were waiting for our ferry boat to Cebu, I decided to go to the washroom. I left all my things with Tristan in the waiting room and without any second thoughts went to the toilet. I relieved myself in more than one way only to find out (as it is very common in the Philippines) that there was no toilet paper in the stall. So I sat there for a while… contemplating what to do. My predicament was such that no one else was in the washroom. So I sat there and waited a bit. After a short while, I decided to reassess the situation. What could I do? Or more precisely… what could I use? (what would I sacrifice…) So I took an inventory of what I had. Shoes! No use. Shorts! I need to keep that. Underwear! That could be a possibility but these are brand new…. Shirt! I need it. Bras! Too expensive to sacrifice. Glasses! Useless. Hair tie. Hum. Scrunchy hair tie. Ok. A fabric hair tie from Dolarama. That could work… I think.

And so the hair tie got sacrificed. I went back to the waiting room, with my hair down. As I casually told Tristan “a girl has to do what a girl has to do”. Now earlier that morning I had cut a layer of ruffles of Hudson’s new dress (yep my daughter is so short that clothing for her age is always way too long). I took it out of my purse and made a makeshift hair ribbon with it.

Alcona Kew White Beach Resort or Hudson at the beach

First time at the beach!

Not the greatest resort….

Very old and somewhat falling apart…

Spam for breakfast (yes… served in the buffet)

And I am heartbroken… Hudson was not impressed by the beach… nor did she seem to care about the ocean. My water baby. My future Olympic swimmer. My little Tuna actually cried and wanted out…

I am simple heartbroken. 

La turista

I knew it was going to happen! I just knew it! But when? That was the question! Well on the fourth day, out of nowhere… not just me! But Tristan too! Spent an evening (and a night) running for the washroom! Ah… yes…. The dreaded turista! The funny thing is that before coming to the Philippines, I had never been afflicted of this ailment. I have traveled many times to the Caribbeans, even Mexico… but never had to face the washroom paralyzing, humbling and tantalizing stomach bug! I remember the first time I had it… On my first trip to the Philippines! I seriously thought I was dying! I got so sick… so dehydrated… and off course I was “Oh-so-ashamed” (I was after all visiting my now-husband’s family). This time, I came prepared. I had a suitcase dedicated to medicine! In expectation of the trip, I raided Shoppers Drug Mart! I intended to declare war on the Turista! And so I did! As I sat on the toilet for hours, I drowned myself in Gatorade while popping Pepto bismol tablets. Once more I felt like I was dying, but this time I intended to beat it! 24-36 hours is it’s normal course… unless aggressively treated! And that is what I did. I spent the entire night up… 2 am came, it was time to go to the airport for our flight to Bohol….  The drive to the airport… just over one hour. (oh-oh…. How can I stay away from the washroom that long????) I seriously considered putting on one of Hudson’s cloth diaper… you know… just as an extra precaution… But in the end, I made it to the airport (so did Tristan by the way). In all this, I kept thinking: “as long as baby is fine… we will be fine….” Little did I know……

We hopped on the plane and by then… less than 12 hours after my stomach turned upside down, I was “fine”. I was even able to enjoy the flight without having to keep my eyes on the “occupied” washroom sign! I was able to enjoy a guided tour on Bohol… in a car… without access to the washroom… \

I did it! I beat la turista!    

A serie of unfortunate events!

Well.... who knew taking a holiday with a baby could end up being so... hum... what's the word... so... "interesting". Poor Hudson! Kawaiso Hudson! The next few posts can all be grouped together as "A serie of unfortunate event".

If there is one thing I learned from my family trip to Bohol and Cebu is:

 " You don't realize how far from home you are until you need a doctor for your sick child"

La turista

Bohol or Hudson at the hospital

Alcona Kew WhiteBeach Resort or Hudson at the beach

Catherine goes intosurvival mode

Cebu or how to run out of diapers in a day

Back in Manila, at the hospital again

SM Megamall

Day 3 was... well... you know! It's Manila... so yeah... Day 3 was shopping day! But let's go back to the start... We got up later than usual since Hudson decided it was "daytime" from 2 am to 5 am. We got ready and went out for lunch at a very fancy Chinese restaurant with Tristan's Aunts and Uncles. We had dim sum. It was good... But here is my pet peeve! So. It is 47 degree outside. Yes, I know that is warm. Yet, I froze all day! I actually was shivering and wished I had a jacket. That is because here in the Philippines people have an obsession with AC. It's like there is only was setting! Freezing! So as I tried to enjoy my "warm" meal, I ended up downing hot tea just to stop myself from shivering. I wished this restaurant was an exception but it is actually the norm. Now, off course I am thankful for the AC (I mean who really wants to do anything when it's 47 degree) but does it have to be so darn cold people!!!??? So then we headed out to Greenhills for some "fake" goods shopping (I write Fake in quotation mark, because it is not actually fake. Most of it is legitimate product that did not meet the brand's standard, such as grade B and C merchandise.) I almost bought a pair of Toms but they didn't have my size in the color I wanted. 

After Greenhills we headed out to SM Magamall. I have to say: I love SM (Giant department store... kind of like a very nice looking Walmart with staff that calls you mam.) We bought lots of things for the baby (including more flats because I definitively did not pack enough in my suitcase). 

Am I the only one who thinks these pillow are funny!

 We ended our shopping trip with mango shakes and Bibimka (my favorite). And here too I will open a parentheses... No matter how fancy the Chinese restaurant food is... I always end up liking the Filipino style restaurant much better! You seriously need to try a Bibimka if you haven't yet! A mix between a coconut sponge cake with cheese and butter. Baked in a banana leaf! So yummy! This pretty much sums up our day... Shopping-Cold-Eating... a far cry from Hidden Valley... but it had to be done. And the mango shake and bibimka made it worth it!!! lol

Never was a Valley so well named as Hidden Valley!

Today was our first real adventure! And what a day we had! Amidst the rain forecast (it is raining season after all) we drove 1 hour south of Manila to the town of Alaminos Batangas.

On our way there, we saw Banana farms, Coconut farms and we even saw a monkey road kill! Was I ever glad to be wearing a good bras! As I had found out in my first trip to the Philippines. When riding in car outside of the city of Manila, you often feel like you are sitting in an old wooden roller coaster! Even though it was suppose to be just about an hour away. It took us close to 2 hours to find Hidden Valley. Because Hidden Valley truly is hidden! 

We had to stop and ask our way around multiple times. We also stopped for some white corn. I will open a funny parentheses here... Everything is sweeter in the Philippines (mango... pineapple... avocado...)  Well... not corn! Our good old Peaches n' cream corn back home is so much sweeter. White corn is actually pretty tasteless.

So we finally found Hidden Valley. Because it is an actual hot spring resort, we registered for a day pass (about 50$ per person). The pass is good for a whole day and includes your lunch and dinner at the restaurant. Since it was already lunch time, we headed straight to eat! It was a buffet style Filipinos food buffet. Everything was delicious. There was also live music going from table to table. We got serenaded by a great rendition of Justin Beaver's Baby Baby. Hudson LOVED it and spent her whole time listening to the music.

As soon as we were done lunch, Tristan, Hudson and I headed out on a hike to the Hidden water fall. It took us about 35 minutes on a bamboo bridge path to reach the waterfall deep in the valley. Although the fall in itself is not the most amazing sight. The actual hike was great! We saw lots of different lizard and heard really cool bird signing. 

 

After visiting the fall, we headed back to the hot spring area and swam for the whole afternoon. I will let the pictures talk for themself!    

The long way to Manila

 

Here we are! In Manila! We made it... with an 8 months old! 18 hours on a plane, 3 countries, 3 airports, long car rides... 27 hours in total! 

 

We left home early to be dropped off to the airport. Check in was a breeze. Our carseat was packed in the original box and we were way under baggage allowance. We had no problem getting through security with the extra baby food. 

Our first flight to Tokyo was right on time. We had good seat with lots of leg room. Unfortunately for us, the seat belt sign was lit most of the way. Hudson did not seem to approve of it and 3 hours into the flight, Hudson had a huge melt down. She was angry and screaming at the top pf her lung. It lasted a while.... a very very long while.... 

 

She eventually settled and slept a little. I would like to take this time and mention the landing! It was the most amazing landing I had ever experienced! We did not even feel the touch down! Tristan and I were both amazed at that! By far the smoothed ride ever! 

We arrived in Tokyo at 3 am (our time) and quickly went to met up with Ayumi! We had just a few minutes to spare. Just enough time to take a picture and rush to our connecting flight! The second half of our trip was with ANA. I love ANA! The service on this airline is amazing! Hudson even got her own meal, and toys and bassinet. My limited kanji knowledge was enough to "know" that Hudson had yam and yogurt. She really seamed to enjoy Japanese baby food! As for me, I enjoyed watching her sleep in the bassinet while enjoying a complementary Asahi beer.

We arrived in Manila without a hitch. To our surprise, they are finally using the new airport! It is so much better this way! Lots of room to move! Tito and Juanita picked us up and off we went! Overall, the whole trip was a success! We finally got to the house at 1130am (our time). We went straight to bed. Hudson did not seem to be bothered by the time difference. She seemed however confused as to why it was so dark. But the good sport that she is... she accepted to sleep (at least a little)... and was up at 630 for business as usual!!! 

First day in Manila.....rain. Because of it the weather is a lot cooler than expected! Which is great! Actually, it is cooler here than it had been lately back home with the heat wave.

We stayed in. We worked on getting Hudson back on her regular schedule. (food, nursing, nap) So far it seem to work. Most of the day was spent with people visiting. Both side of the family came for lunch and an informal meet and greet.