Kids at work at Waitangi Park

Waitangi Park is a recreational area located near the Te Papa Museum and the New World Supermarket. It has a children's playground, a skateboard park, a grassy area, and a few minutes' walk leads you to the beach. The Waitangi Park is also host to a weekend market on Sunday mornings.

The first time we visited the New World Supermarket we had quite a culture shock. We had known that locals like walking around barefoot, but what greeted us at the door was a teenage girl with a tight shirt and skimpy swimsuit walking barefoot into the store. My wife thought she forgot her pants! We learned later, of course, that the beach was just nearby.

The kids had loads of fun at the Waitangi Park. With a playplace where you can play with water without being scolded by your parents, who wouldn't? :-)

Zealandia: wildlife sanctuary

When we arrived here in Wellington in 2008, I have been looking for an opportunity to visit the Wellington Zoo and the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. The latter held more attraction for me, because it is a fenced-off area where flora and fauna are encouraged to thrive in as natural a surrounding as possible.

Now renamed Zealandia, the sanctuary recently celebrated its anniversary and for two days, opened its doors to Wellington residents free of charge. That's quite a substantial saving, considering that an adult pass costs $28.50 and a kid's is $14.50. So off we went to Zealandia with some friends.

I would like the photos to speak for themselves the fun and beauty of Zealandia.

It's truly a magnificent place.  If you plan on visiting, check the weather as you will be walking on nature trails, the views of which are breathtaking.  Bring also liquids and food.  And most of all, do not hurry.  Just enjoy the leisurely walk and marvel at how the place was transformed from a mining area to a conservation park!

What's even more amazing is that Zealandia is only a few minutes' away from the city. For more information, visit the Zealandia website.

I'm 34 (according to Wii Fit Plus)

I couldn't help but smile as I see my high school batchmates receive birthday greetings in Facebook. For the majority, this year marks the start of our lives :-)

Personally, life has certainly been one big adventure so far. When I was still a college student, I didn't dream of grand things. I just wanted to have a good paying job, I thought about getting married in my early 30s, and stay in Baguio to live a relatively quiet life.

Well, life certainly did not want me just sitting around. I have a lot to be thankful for though, but there were also things that I regret doing (and even not doing). There are still things that I would like to do and along the way I know that I will inevitably make mistakes. But I know now that it's the learning and living that makes it all worthwhile.

I am thankful for my friends who stuck with me and accepted me as I am. My good friends Sonny and Leo way back in high school most especially. I look forward to coming back to Baguio so we can celebrate our birthdays this year together.

In the meantime, I bring out the Wii to get some much-needed exercise. Oh, my Wii-Fit age is 34! I like this game.