Marinduque Awaits You: Why am I still Happy After Retirement

WELCOME TO MY SITE AND HAVE A GOOD DAY

If this is your first time in this site, welcome. It has been my dream that my province, Marinduque, Philippines becomes a world tourist destination not only during Easter Week but also whole year round. You can help me achieve my dream by telling your friends about this site. The photo above is your own private beach at The Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort. The sand is not as white as Boracay, but it is only a few steps from your front yard and away from the mayhem and crowds of Boracay. I have posted some of my favorite Filipino and American dishes and recipes on this site also. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on infringement of your copyrights. Cheers!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Why am I still Happy After Retirement

Golden Wedding Anniversary Photo, 2007

I have just finished reading an article about an American Citizen who is married to a Filipina and decided to move permanently to the Philippines about 10 years ago. At first there were a lot of cultural shocks but after two years of acculturation and adjustment to the life in the Philippines, the couple claimed they are very, very happy today in the Philippines. The article also reminded me that indeed happiness is not a place but in your heart and mind. The article also inspired me to write this short article on why I am very happy even after my retirement.

Happiness is not the same for every person, once the basic necessity of life has been achieved. In my case, what makes me happy is not a lot of money but personal achievements. Another item that makes me happy is my personal relationships with my family, relatives and friends. In addition, one must have an achievable goal in every stage of his life even after retirement to be happy.

The most important item that makes me a happy is our lifestyle. If you have been reading my blogs, you probably already know that my wife and I are practicing the snowbird lifestyle between US and in the Philippines, every year, since 2002.

In 2002, I retired from the Food and Drug Administration. Two years before my retirement, my wife and I started building our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. After the main house was completed we decided to add a servant quarter next door to the main house. Two years later we built a beach house followed by a conference hall At first we did not plan on opening the beach house and conference hall to the public. However, because of popular demand, we decided in 2006, that the Hall and Beach House is now publicly available for rent. This is the beginning of my small beach resort and Conference Center. We named it Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center.

How about you, my dear readers? What makes you happy? A lot of money and a prestigious job? A Happy Marriage? Good Health and Family Accomplishments? Lifestyle ? I will be glad to hear from you!

ABOUT ME

I am a retired (Chemistry Team Leader from USFDA) Filipino-American who loves writing, gardening and photography. My wife (of 63 years) and I enjoy the snowbird lifestyle between the US and the Philippines. We have a small but very private beach resort (above video) in the beautiful island of Marinduque, Philippines. I have several blog sites(ten), a personal blog, blogs about Marinduque and about our beach resort and conference center-CHATEAU DU MER. I also write for for www.squidoo.com now owned by Hubpages.com

I will appreciate if you drop by and make comments on my postings. Thank you for your visit.

Ten Things to Do in Marinduque

There are numerous things to do in Marinduque during your vacation. But the following ten items are my recommendations: 1.Beach combing, snorkeling, bathing , scuba diving and sunset watching This photo was taken at the balcony of the Beach House. Note that low tide is starting and the corals are starting to stick out also.

2.Caves Exploration-Spelunking. There are two caves worthy of exploration-Bathala in Santa Cruz and Tarug in Mogpog. The Bathala Cave consist of eight other caves. One of the caves has a resident python. Photo by Flickr.com

Resident Python-photo by 4.bp.blogspot.com 3.Island Hopping- The Tres Reyes Islands Marine Sanctuary, Polo and Maniwaya Islands. This is Maniwaya island being develop as an alternative to Boracay, photo by panoramnio.com

4.Shopping for Morion masks and native handicrafts- nito products,wood carvings and potteries. This is a nito handbag, a popular gift item. Photo by handicrafts.org

5.Trip Around the Island-Sulfur and Hot Springs, Poctoy White Beach and Mt Malindig This is Poctoy White Beach with Mt Malindig in the background in Torrijos, the most popular beach in the province.

6.Partaking and Enjoying the island delicacies- Ginatan na Manok sa Gata, bibingka, kare-kare and ulang-ulang soup. Photo of bibingka by wikimedia.org, yum, yum, it is delicious.

7.Join or just watch the Moriones Festival during Holy Week. Women Moriones Participants-photo by etravelpilipinas.com

8.Visit 400 year-old churches, ( Boac, Gasan and Santa Cruz )and antique homes in downtown Boac. This is one of the many antique houses in downtown Boac. This one is owned by my sister-in-law, Mrs Siony Jambalos. It is located just across the Boac Hotel.

The Green Mansion photo by Dong Ho 9.Watch colorful butterflies (in the butterfly farms) or native birds ( bird watching) in the foothills of Mt. Malindig. This is a monarch butterfly. Photo by howdididoit.com

10.Treat yourself to the most expensive and luxurious resort in Southern Luzon- The Bellarocca Resort and Spa in Buenavista or pamper yourself to an affordable private beach resort at Chateau Du Mer in Boac. The Beach House and Bridge at twilight.

For details visit the following websites: www.chateaudumer.com or http://marinduquemyislandparadise.blogspot.com

I love Sunsets! How About You?

1. Sunset from Balcony of the Beach House, Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque Over the years, I have seen and photographed several dozens of sunsets in several countries that my wife and I have visited. We have been to Marbella, Spain, Rome, Italy, London,England, Vancouver, B.C., Cancun, Mexico, Aruba, Hawaii( Maui, Kawaii, Big Island), Puerto Rico and most of the US big cities, New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago, Kansas City, St Louis, Miami, New Orleans, Washington, D.C. and other small cities . But the two most beautiful sunsets that stirs my emotion are the one at Amoingon Bay ( taken at the balcony of our Chateau Du Mer Beach house-photo # 1) and the one over Manila Bay(# 9 photo). You will probably say, I am partial since I am a Filipino-American, but judge it yourself. Below are ten of my favorite sunset pictures for your viewing pleasure. Comments, anyone?