The past year has been a blast! And I thank God for the many blessings. 🙂

To look back, here are some snippets of the year that was…

JANUARY :

It was my first time in Tagaytay. So the experience was exciting for me.  Thanks to our friend Marlic who drove us there. And to Mita, who lent us her condominium unit for a few days. 🙂

FEBRUARY:

At a restaurant in Otsenta, on our way back to Davao from General Santos City.

Our trip was work related. But I didn’t mind. I welcome any opportunity to get out of the city. 🙂

MARCH:

Lunch with James Betia of http://www.journeyingjames.com 🙂

James is a famous blogger. And yet, he has remained down to earth.  Visit his site, www.journeyingjames.com, for backpacking tips and trips all over the Philippines. 🙂

APRIL

Good friday sunrise. Taken at Aundanao, Island Garden City of Samal.

Group picture of family, friends and employees.

We rented Island Hills Resort in Aundanao , Island Garden City of Samal for 3 nights exclusively for our family, friends and employees during Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday. 🙂 Check my blog entries dated April 2012 for the details.

MAY

Revisited Hagimit Falls with friends.

My friend, Ruby , wanted to take her visitor to Hagimit Falls. So of course, proud Samalnon , that I am – I offered to take them there. It was John’s first time in Hagimit too. So I was glad that him and my friends liked the place. 🙂

JUNE

I almost died this month. I had a gallstone that got stuck in my bile duct. And was about to rapture. It’s a good thing John took me to the hospital. Or as my doctor said, I had 3 days to live. Whoa! Thank God for an extension to my life…

JULY

If you haven’t been to Surigao yet, you really should include this place in your travel plans. It’s amazing. I have no other words for it, specially our experiences at Bucas Grande Islands in Surigao del Norte. We visited the stingless jellyfish sanctuary.Went through a cave going inside Sohoton Cove. Then there’s Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted River in Surigao del Sur. This family trip was a blast!

Inside the cave, going to Sohoton Cove. One has to wait for low tide to get inside the cave.

Lunch at Cinnamon Island. Fresh crabs, lapu lapu and the likes. 🙂

The beach at Cinnamon Island in Bucas Grande, Surigao del Norte.  

At the Stingless Jelly Fish Sanctuary. Read my July-August blog entries for the details.

Tinuy-an Falls, Surigao del Sur.

AUGUST:

Ahh.. who would forget the famous Kadayawan Festival sa Dabaw? Certainly not me… 🙂 Despite the heat, locals and foreigners alike  come to watch the parade during its culmination period.

SEPTEMBER:

Underground River in Palawan.

When you plan a trip to the Underground River in Palawan, it’s better that you do it during summer time. When we went there, it was rainy season. The waves are big when there’s a typhoon. And the tour gets cancelled most often than not. That’s sad right? Specially if that’s your main reason for visiting Palawan.

OCTOBER:

Who would have thought that this beautiful river at Shiloh National Park in Tennessee, USA was once a battlefield? After watching the show, I felt really sad. Thousands of people died for nothing… 😦 I still think that wars are stupid. Its not worth dying for….

John brought me to his favorite place at Tishomingo State Park.

Most people love to go to the City. But having lived in a city all my life, I welcomed the peace that Tishoming County brought during my first visit to the U.S.  The parks are gorgeous, specially during autumn / fall season. I found the kaleidoscope of different colors so beautiful.. Unbelievable! 🙂

At my sister inlaw’s yard in Mississippi, USA.  Autumn is awesome! 🙂

October is my birthday month. And you know what, in October 2011, I prayed that I get to meet my husband’s family. God granted that prayer a year later.. So yeah, I have an amazing God. 🙂

At a cotton plantation in Tennessee , USA.

NOVEMBER:

Our newest project in the Island Garden City of Samal opened. We’re selling it on a Straight Monthly basis for 5 years. So if you’re looking for an investment, please email me through lea@davaoproperties.com .

DECEMBER:

So I finally get to meet in person the world famous Mayor of Davao City, Rody R. Duterte. Woo hoo!!! 🙂

My long time dream, granted! 🙂

I have always wanted to see a Pitcher Plant. So when I found this resort in Malaybalay, Bukidnon through www.agoda.com,  John and I went there. I know this is weird. lol But I found the fact that it’s a carnivorous plant really cool.. hehe.

The cottage at the Pitcher Plant Farm in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

I took this picture from the frame at the Pitcher Plant cottage. Yes, pitcher plants grow as big as this! Volker the owner, told me after reading my blog, that this photo was taken in Agusan , Philippines.

Seagull Steak House, revisited. If you’re in Mindanao, include a trip to Buda. You will not regret it. The mountains of Buda provide a cool breeze while each visitor enjoy its panoramic view. If you love nature, you will understand why I love this place a lot. Plus you get to buy colorful plants, fruits and vegetables on the way home. 🙂

So as I start the new year, I would like to thank God for a wonderful 2012.

I am praying for a beautiful 2013 filled with love and fun!

God bless us all!

Lea C. Walker

www.davaoproperties.com