Ringing in the New Year with Sun, Sand, and Swimming

Life for the Lopinas seems to be busier than ever.  Between Holiday parties for church & Hope for Tomorrow, family coming to visit, and getting things ready for our big adventure to the US we can't seem to catch a moment just for the two of us.

Since getting married, Gepher and I have always carved out time just for the two of us.  Time to get away from the hustle and bustle of ministry life while we focus just on our relationship.  New Year's Eve was the perfect opportunity for us to do just that (especially before Jeremiah arrives in April)!

Living in Cebu one of the many perks is having gorgeous beaches within a short drive.  The beach is the one place Gepher and I can totally relax and enjoy the beauty of nature and one another.  We love exploring new places and this getaway was no different.  We packed our bags and headed for a two day getaway to Imperial Palace. 

Imperial Palace sits on the beaches of Mactan Island and is the home to Cebu's only water park.  When we arrived in our room we were immediately greeted with a gorgeous view of the resort and sea.  The balcony quickly became one of our favorite places to enjoy the sounds of the sea while diving into a good book.  It was exactly the peace and tranquility we'd both been looking for.

 

The resort was not only a place for us to enjoy some peace and relaxation it was also a place to enjoy some fun!  The water slides were definitely a highlight for Gepher.  (I must admit I was a little jealous I couldn't enjoy the slides.)  Riding the Amazon River floating on a raft was definitely my highlight.  I so enjoyed the two of us floating down the river hand in hand on a raft.  It was a great time to share some laughs and enjoy reconnecting!

New Year's Eve would not be complete without a grand Firework Show.  Cebu definitely knows how to shoot some Fireworks.  We stood on our balcony watching fireworks from as far away as the small islands in the sea to as close as the ones the resort shot off right in front of our balcony.  It was a great way to ring in the New Year!  I cannot think of a better way to spend New Year's than enjoying some fun and relaxation with the man I love!