Travel: Las Vegas - Venetian (Again -- but with Family!)

So, I went to Vegas this past weekend -- this time with my family (second time doing this with them). We stayed at the Venetian at my mother's request. We were treated very, very, VERY nicely and even placed in a room with a view of Tao Beach and the other Venetian and Palazzo pools. It was a different experience hanging around the Strip with my family but we all had a good time. I saw the outdoor water displays at the Mirage and Bellagio (the above picture is inside Bellagio's conservatory), went shopping, skipped the massive line for the buffet at the Bellagio, escorted my parents to Wynn's dinner buffet, and watched a whole lot of gambling. It was fairly sedate, but good enough to want to do it all again next month. ;)

Travel: Philippines - Mother Hen & Baby Chick

This is probably my favorite shot of the whole trip and the only photo I took with a serious intent. It was raining that afternoon and no one was around but a few hens and their baby chicks. I crouched down low and held my camera as still as possible as there was very little light that day (way, waaaaaay too cloudy), and I sure as heck wasn't going to use my flash to blind these poor creatures. This was one of two shots and boy am I pleased with it. :D

Travel: Philippines - Shabu-Shabu

We had lunch at Greenbelt in the Ayala center at a shabu-shabu restaurant. We grilled and boiled our own food (with some assistance from the waiters). The mango smoothie was the best I'd had. We had SO MUCH FOOD. Then again, we did have like a 4,000 peso meal for 6 people. Fun experience for all. :D

Travel: Philippines - Rain/Rock Sculpture

This is one of my favorite sculptures on Bonifacio High Street in Global City. It's a rain-like waterfall from an elevated stone. It looks so much better than the other ones in the mall. We stopped at the Coffee Bean here. I'm always surprised they have a Nine West here as well.

Travel: Philippines - Jabbawockeez Wannabe

So we were strolling along Manila Bay when we saw this unidentifiable street performer mimicking the dance moves of the real Jabbawockeez team. I thought that was cute. We stopped and watched until the rain forced everyone to run for shelter within the nearby restaurants (which aren't that great, btw).

Travel: Philippines - Jollibee

We had a few obligatory trips to Jollibee throughout the course of the trip. This is the one in Intramuros where we had breakfast before touring the area. It was so rainy that morning, but by the time we passed by it during our carriage ride, things had cleared/dried up.

Travel: Philippines - Pencil Holders

I was perusing a souvenir stand within the Manila Cathedral when I spotted these pencil holders in the style of the Philippine Flag. I thought that was so cute! I, of course, didn't buy them (see my post on souvenirs).

Travel: Philippines - Manila Cathedral

We went to the church and museum otherwise known as Manila Cathedral. Really, we were just escaping the rain after our kalesa ride, but were pleasantly surprised by this church! It's not as pretty as other churches I've seen in Europe, but for whatever reason, famous and/or wealthy people in the Philippines come here to be married, buried, etc.