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Once you set foot on a foreign land, you'll find how much you are missing from your home country. Me and my family have lived here in Canada for three years already. Unlike them, I was able to go home in the Philippines twice already. Although I traveled by myself in the airplane, the second time I went home as a "Balikbayan" as we call it, my family was with me already. It was a lot more fun. We went back home in the Philippines December 2007 for Christmas vacation. We keep telling everyone that no other country can beat Christmas in the Philippines.

I, myself arrived in the Manila International airport on Christmas Eve already. As we were driving on the way home I can already see the bright Christmas lights on the buildings in Manila and on the bay. When we got home, the whole family was there and there under our big Christmas tree lies the gifts that I couldn't wait to open. There in the long table lie the foods for "Noche Buena" not to mention my favourite Christmas ham. After having dinner and telling stories I was granted my wish to open the gifts whether it's mine or not.

The next day we went to the church for the Christmas day mass. After the mass we went shopping not to mention that the malls were all crowded since many people wanted to go out to dine and shop on that day. Shopping really is one of the best things when visiting the Philippines. The Philippines have a lot of shopping malls to choose from, whether you want high class or cheap finds you will find it there.

The visit would not be complete without seeing my crazy friends whom I miss so much. I went to meet my friends for a stroll in the mall and dinner. Ahhh the chit-chats and never ending gossips about old friends and old flames. After dinner over Yellow Cab's Manhattan Meat lovers' pizza, we then headed to Time Zone for some arcade games and for some karaoke. Filipinos loves singing so most get-togethers have karaoke sessions where you can sing you heart out. Nothing beats the company of your true friends. Every second is worth spending with them. I felt like no matter how far we may have been for the past year, nothing much has changed. They were still the same good old friends I have, even better.

The last thing I needed to say that my trip to the Philippines was worth the while was to go out of town to a beach resort. We went to Pangasinan City and went swimming on one of their best quit white sand beaches in Puerto Del Sol resort. The sunset and sunrise by the beach was just plain breath-taking. After the trip to the beach, we couldn't help it and needed one more swimming trip. We checked in at the Hyatt hotel in Manila and enjoyed their Jacuzzi and sauna there.

Overall I have to say the visit was one of the best travel experiences in my life. The best thing about it was that I was able to enjoy every moment of my short visit with my friends and family. I am definitely looking forward to my next visit.

Learn more about this author, Joelle Feliz Javier.
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