Shrimp Salad
Banana Pudding
It’s the last day of January and I’m still not yet done with my holiday diaries! I’ll get it done…somehow….someday. :P I’ll continue where I left off. Oh, may I just warn you that this is going to be a picture heavy entry. New camera, remember?! 
28 December 2007 - Dallas Day 1
Today is the first day of our 3-day/2-night Dallas weekend getaway. This is my Mom’s first trip to Dallas and the second for the rest of us. Although last time, we practically just drove by Dallas and spent most of our time in Arlington…at Six Flags. We planned on leaving at 9am but as always, we left later than the appointed time. So late in fact that our getaway technically became a 2-day/2-night thing. Hee hee! It was already almost 3pm when we reached downtown Austin. But no worries, we weren’t in much of a hurry anyway. And that’s just how vacations should be taken…leisurely. 
We reached our hotel, the Hampton Inn around 6pm. Hubby is a Hampton Inn suki while it was a first brush with the hotel for the rest of us. It was love at first sight for me. True, it’s no 5-star hotel but it’s got everything one will need for a comfortable stay….free internet access, free buffet breakfast, a small gym, and a pool (but who swims outdoors in winter?). The beds are very comfortable with pillows that are not overly fluffy. There’s even a lapdesk! This particular hotel had a microwave and refrigerator, too! The bathroom was a little cramp but it boasts of a bathtub and fresh white soft towels. 
Our room at the Hampton’s…Hampton Inn! Hahaha! ;) I just wanted to see how it feels to say, “the Hamptons”. 
We only stayed in the hotel briefly ater checking in and headed out the door to salvage what was left of the day. It was early evening but we did manage to spend about 2 hours at one of Dallas’ tourist attractions…the Galleria Dallas. Nyahahaha! Gabi na, wala nang mapupuntahan…kaya mall na lang! ;)
Galleria Dallas is a shopper’s haven, if I may say so myself. People who go ga-ga over name brands will love it here while the more, er, practical, among us will also find shops that will suit their budgets. Hahaha! And there’s an ice skating rink too! Abby loved watching the skaters on the ice. She watched them so intently. Maybe sometime soon, she can skate on ice, too. We’ll see.
We didn’t come here to shop. Promise! We just wanted to “take a look”. ;) If anything, our purpose was to have dinner! We ate at a Japanese fastfood and we all smelled of chicken terriyaki by the time we were through with dinner. Abby played for a few minutes at the children’s play area and by 9pm, we were already making our way out of the mall. We needed to get some shut-eye soon as tomorrow will be a long day. We have to take in as much of Dallas as we possibly could.
Take a good guess where we are!
Hubby, Abby and Mimi
The Dallas Galleria’s indoor Christmas tree is supposed to be one of the tallest, if not THE tallest indoor Christmas tree in the US.
We’re not wearing jackets to be “japorms”. It was c-c-cold that weekend! :P So you see, winter does find its way to Texas!
Somebody wants to ice skate!
These life-sized fiberglass sculptures stand guard just outside the children’s play area.
Back at the hotel, Abby chillaxes with a slice of orange. ;) She loves staying in hotels. Hahaha!
End of Day 1.
That was only the evening of Day 1. Are you still with me?
29 December 2007 - Dallas Day 2
Today’s going to be a long day and we woke up early, eager and hungry for sightseeing…and breakfast, too! Hahaha! My Mom and I were pretty impressed with the hotel’s breakfast. Normally, smaller hotels only offer coffee and an assortment of breads for breakfast. But here, there were eggs and bacon, fresh assorted breads and pastrires, a variety of cereals, coffee, tea in different flavors, fresh fruits, yogurt, etc. It looks like we can afford to have a late lunch today! Yey!
Dallas Arboretum
After a hearty breakfast, we drove off to our first stop…the Dallas Arboretum. It is very rarely that my Mom gets time off to relax, which is why this month-long vacation with us is such a welcome detour for her. And one good way to destress is to be “nurtured by nature”. ;) We took a 3-hour leisurely stroll through all the gardens that make up the entirety of this beautiful place. Every now and then, we would pause, take lots of pictures and let Abby run wild on the grass.
Because it’s winter, most of the prettier flowers were not in bloom. If one is fond of leafless trees, then this is a good time to visit. Hahaha! I made hubby promise to bring us here again in spring time..”when the flowers are in bloom…we’ll walk into the meadows…in all that sweet perfume.” Heard of that song?
The sun was obviously in our eyes. Hee hee!
Not all trees were without leaves.
See?! I told you. Thank God!
Abby had a lot of fun playing in the miniature houses. She’s taking a break in this pic.
One of my favorite shots of hubby and Abby. :D They look like celebrities here taking an innocent stroll. Hee hee! Sige na, agree with me!
Figuratively speaking, Abby has every reason to look up to the fabulous lady with her.
Awesome threesome!
Mimi found a new friend!
Oh get a room, why don’t yah?!
*sigh*
Whenever there’s an opportunity for a family pic, we take it.
I took a lot of pictures at the Dallas Arboretum. I’ll post more of my favorite pics at a later time. Promise!
West End Historic District
From the Dallas Arboretum, we drove to Downtown Dallas’ West End Historic District, one of the city’s leading tourist attractions. I dare say that when one has been to West End, one has definitely been to Dallas. :D Cold as it was, we spent the rest of the day exploring the district on foot. I have plenty of pictures again kaya sabay na lang ang kuwento at litrato, ok?
As you can see, West End has so much to offer including, but not limited to, history and food.
We had lunch at the Spaghetti House (or is it Factory? Whatever!) It was almost 3pm and we were starving.
For $35, a family (or group) can comfortably tour the district on one of these horse-drawn carriages.
I love brick roads! Streetcars run the length of Market Street.
Abby sat on her stroller during “walk times” and got down during “explore times”.
The newly restored John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza (Read more about it here.)
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza - This site was the location of JFK’s assassination and on the 6th & 7th floors of this building is a permanent exhibition detailing the life, death and legacy of JFK.
In the evening, we drove to another part of the historic district so we can do some more walking…at Victoria Park. We visited the American Airlines Center, an all around events venue but better known as the home of the Dallas Mavericks, Stars and Desperados.
Abby the Zamboni driver
As a special treat for being a good sport the whole day, Abby got to ice skate for the first time. :D She always seemed interested in ice skating so we let her decide for herself if she wanted to do it or not. She finally agreed after walking around Victoria Park. :D This was how she and hubby looked in their early minutes on ice.
After two gruelling rounds of the outdoor rink, mukha ng expert…but still unable to skate on her own. Next time, perhaps?
We had a quick dinner at Jason’s Deli before finally calling it a night.
End of Day 2.
Will you still be able to handle reading about Day 3? ;) Nah! If you got this far, you deserve to rest your eyes already. Hee hee! Next installment coming up in 24-48 hours. :D Hopefully, I’ll get to the New Year’s kuwento. Cross fingers.
