It’s no joke to travel in a big group not only because of the logistics but because there are many personalities involved and you need to know how to make “pakisama.” With this group it was not a problem! Though we all had our own quirks- everyone was so patient and understanding of each other. No drama! haha!!
The first discovery! When we arrived in our hotel, we realised we were all using Rimowa luggages!!! One of the few things we have in common! haha!!
As my husband always says, when you travel together, it is a different type of bonding 🙂 You have no choice but to hangout together! haha!! But seriously – travelling is like living together …for a limited time ( thank god haha ) ….enough time to enjoy and at the same time you get to know each other better – more than the usual friendship you already have! So it is nice!!
Though we knew already how Steve and Lindy have their own requirements in travelling, we accepted that already before travelling so we knew that we would not be with them in everything but it was alright. No complains or tampuhan – we actually just laugh about it and enjoy them/love them for who they are. How boring life would be without them! haha!!
I loved this sweet and pretty lady ever since but i discovered one thing more this trip – Cherina @cheriris gets “hangry” if she does not eat on time!
And how sweet her husband Steve @stvsy888 is and brings her food right on time 🙂 For that you deserve a photo ( even walang connection ) haha!!
Everyone was so accommodating and giving. These Sy brothers are so quiet!! But this Andre was always caught being so helpful:-) he even tried to help me when my snowmobile got stuck ( because I was blocking his way haha ) and apparently he is a good cook!!! Hoping he can cook for all of us one of these days! HINT HINT! 🙂 
Even Jancis was quiet! Hoping to get to know these two more 🙂
And apparently these two Sy brothers are Ramen partners with Elbert Cuenca!
It’s nice to see cousins close but even nicer to see brothers that are close! Like how these two brothers are so so close!! They lived all together ( married already 🙂 ), they travel together and will soon be moving to their new home and still together! haha!! They are inseparable! How nice!
And even their wives and kids are close to each other! James is good friends with the two brothers and I am happy to be in good company with their wives!!
We are so lucky to be friends with them and we are looking forward to more adventures and spending more time with them!! 🙂 
We were so lucky to have with us Kapibarasan Tina Tinio @tinatimeofficial who is a native in Japan! She loves the character Kapibarasan and has a collection of over a hundred things from stuffed toys to home goods! Thanks to her she is the guide for the skiers ? in the slopes and can translate for us! She helped us talk to the owner at Bang Bang and helped us in ordering. Tina studied with full scholarship in Keio University ( the Harvard of Japan ) through the help of the Laurel Foundation ( grandfather of Rajo @rajolaurel )
She needed 2 years of immersion to get into Keio. The 1st yr she had to learn Japanese in the Philippines in PIJLC. After 5 years in university she went back to Manila and worked as the overall producer of Oh Tokyo, then became PR and events manager of Joey 92.3 radio and was a Freelance PR on the side. She then worked for
L’Oreal from 2002-2007 and launched Shu Uemura and Khiels. In 2007 she became Regional operations for Shu Uemura and Khiels in Singapore for the ASEAN region. After which she worked for LVMH ( based in Tokyo ) handling Parfums Givenchy from 2008-2015 and now she is presently the President of Dita Eyewear. And by the way, she is also the niece of Chef Vicky Tinio of Mammas Table in Baguio 
And after having said all that – we get this good news after a few weeks!! Congrats Tina!!!
We also discovered during this trip that Anna is a popular target for guys in bars! Twice in one night when we went together in two places two guys tried!! What woman! 🙂 Here is proof! haha!! 
We also realized why Chut fell in love so easily with Kim because she is just so easy to get along with and we loved her right away! It’s so hard to catch this couple because they are so sweet it seems they are honeymooning already! haha!! Since he has been to Niseko already he tried other places instead of repeating with us in some.
Chut is a great resource for food discoveries or anything in general!! So we always follow him! Heart2Heart has many resources and he is one of them! He is way ahead of all of us! So what’s “next” Chut? 🙂 
My eating partner and partner in general during the trip! Preggy pretty mommy Kai @kaisterprimo who is carrying her third daughter! How blessed!! She can’t ski so we hang out together. I was so lucky because I was the only one who could not ski ( due to spine recovery) – and even if this lady can ski she could not this trip. She is actually a very adventurous mommy – when I am trying to watch out for her – she just keeps walking and moving around making me nervous she might slip or fall! I miss being with her! 
Though I knew Kai liked to eat, I did not know how grave and serious the problem was ( haha!! ) til this trip! I saw how she ate and now wondering where all the food goes because she manages to stay so trim even when she’s pregnant!
She researches and knows all the food places and what to look for. When we see a restaurant directory, she really looks and studies it! 🙂 Super enjoy eating with her. Problem is I like to order one order and share – she wants to order one each! haha!! Never mind that way we get to try more things! 🙂
Another “takaw” in the group is Lindy! My gosh! Who would think that this sexy pretty lady eats so much! SHE DOES!! WHERE DOES IT ALL GO?? NOT FAIR! But we love it because she always shares them with us 🙂 
We try not to stick too much with these two because they are always so fashionable we look shabby beside them!! ( That is us photobombing their photo! haha ) But I don’t care ever since I discovered that Jackie is a snack hoarder!! I will stick with her wherever she goes haha!!
You can’t imagine what this group would do for food!!! Even if at times we are not together eating, we share with the group in WhatsApp where we are going to eat, what we are eating, what we are dreaming of eating and where our next meal will be ?? Super enjoy eating with this group!!!
One year ago, we planned this trip to Niseko. And finally it came true. We were 21 in the group and spent 9 days together. Our friendship will never be the same again! Because we now have a special bond not only with the individual friendships that we already had but the friendship we have as one group. Niseko and Sapporo was beautiful and it was meaningful because we were together! It would not have been as fun without the group! The best time ever!!!
I love whoever invented WhatsApp – we are in touch as a group even on a trip and even when we are not 🙂
Looking forward to more adventures and memories…. and overweight! 🙂 Mommy Carmina where is our next adventure? We have to vote and start planning already! 🙂 We will have to change the name of the group again 🙂
