A Day at Avilon Zoo

I have sorely neglected this blog.  It's time to remedy that.

This week is the start or our older daughter's sem break from school.  I was told that some schools do not have week-long breaks anymore, but allow for only 1-2 days off instead during this season.  It's quite fortunate then that our daughter's school allowed them two weeks!  My husband and I then filed for a week-long leave as well.  Hurray!

The ever-present questions these days are, of course, "What do we do?" and "Where do we go?"

We initially planned to travel to other regions in the country.  However seeing that our daughter had recently just recovered from a bout with bronchitis, we deemed it more prudent to stay closer to home and take road trips here and there.

Late Saturday night we decided to go the following day to Avilon Zoo.  Which is in Montalban (now Rodriguez), Rizal.  And we would be coming from Batangas.  How's that for a spur-of-the-moment trip?

So Sunday morning we packed some snacks and water, and hied off -- hubby, daughter and I.  We did not bring our littlest angel this time, as she was prone to motion sickness on long drives.  When she's a bit bigger, she'll surely enjoy coming along, just like her sister!

We surprisingly had an easy time going there -- in large part due to hubby's exceptional navigational skills!  It was a leisurely drive for the most part, except for the hair-raising driving evident within the Quezon City Memorial Circle and its environs.  City driving is indeed very stressful.

We arrived at Avilon before 11 in the morning.  The sun was already high up, although there were darker banks of clouds in the horizon.  This was our first sight of Avilon:

I found the ark quite an apt metaphor indeed.

While purchasing our tickets, the staff at the ticket counter told us that they did not have maps available.  I thought that was a bit strange, but anyway, we were told that the footpaths were easy to follow and that we woudn't get lost.  We did not opt for a guided tour, but instead chose to follow our feet (and our daughter's proddings) for our meanderings.

At the entryway near the canteens, I snapped this photo of a pavilion overlooking a pond.  I just liked how the reflection was captured in the still water.

The little girl got quite excited and was raring to go at this time.

I noticed quite a lot of small, quirky-colored birdhouses in the zoo, which was quite appropriate as the name "Avilon" was coined by the owner Mr. Jake Gaw from two French words -- "aves" (birds) and "lon" (land), so Avilon actually means "Land of the Birds".

The little angel was quite fascinated with all the fauna we encountered in the zoo.  Big and small, winged and hoofed, feathered and furred -- she was entranced!

She actualy trailed these ducks walking in single file.

Then we saw this peaceful little cascade of water...

... and some colorful koi which just clamored for the fish food we sent their way!

There were numerous paths and passageways.

I was waiting for this golden pheasant to do a full frontal so I could snap away.  I eventually had to sette for this shot instead.

There were hamsters and bunnies just waiting to be fed.

I've read that tortoises are among the longest-living animals on earth, surviving upwards of 100 years! This tortoise looked positively ancient -- I wonder how old it realy is? Think of the stories it could tell...

We found the deer enclosures quite serene.  I was lucky enough to get this shot of 2 deer seemingly nuzzling each other, and another one of a deer at rest in the shade.

The sweltering day seemed very conducive to naps.  Just have a look at this slumbering pygmy hippopotamus!

I wonder what this calesa was doing here?

The orangutans were pretty calm, with the patriarch sitting quietly observing the strange creatures who kept on pointing black boxes with flashes of light at them.  The matriarch seemingly was deep in thought.

The Philippine eagle owl was majestic.

Seeing the Persian leopard within the confines of a barred cage seemed so incongrous for such a proud beast.

I was able to take this (flash-free) photo of the macaques through the looking glass. One of them had a frog in its grip and appeared to be toying with it -- prior to having it for a snack, perhaps?  The smaller macaque was attempting to grab the frog away, to no avail.

The little girl wanted to look at the Arapaimas, which are considered as "living fossils" and are some of the largest freshwater fishes in the world.  They are native to the South American waters of the Amazon basin.  The caretaker at the arapaima area gave us some fresh chicken heads (plucked and cleaned, and provided along with plastic gloves, thank goodness) to toss into the waters.  Our daughter eventually passed on the chicken heads to Papa, as she said they were "too squishy and cold" for her.  We could hear the loud slapping of fish bodies and tails as they jockeyed for position to get at the chicken heads.

While walking along the tree kangaroo enclosure, we came upon this snake on the ground.  Luckily we saw it just in time, otherwise we might have stepped on it!

We came upon tha Malayan tapir at rest.  This is the only one of the 4 species of tapir that is native to Asia.  It's white saddle makes it an easily distinguishable creature.

The ostrich was busy pecking at something on the ground.  The lack of feathers on its hind parts seemed to me a bit out-of-whack.  Notice the "plucked" look?

The crocodile enclosures were a source of fascination and caution for us.  Who wouldn't be alarmed at the sight of all those sharp teeth peeking out?  We also saw how these reptiles looked like underneath the water while their beady eyes jutted out of the surface.

The sight of these turtles swimming in their little pools brought smiles to our faces.  They were just so adorable!  The two turtles swimming side by side were especially a hit with the little one.

This otter seemed to have a pleasant time frolicking in the water.

These lizards appeared to have had quite a good time sunning themselves as well.

I couldn't resist this white pigeon on top of a small roofed structure. She looked so calm on its little perch, surveying the world around her.

Amongst all the fauna we saw, there were pockets of shade where lone blooms flourished and gave out little bursts of color.  This mossy, sun-and-shadow dappled rock formation gave me a feeling of balance in nature, a sense of gratitude for all that we see around us.

As we were about to exit the maze of footpaths (and change out of our sweat-drenched clothes), we saw this billboard of the Philippine flag and the words "Pilipinas Kong Mahal". 

With its commitment to providing an environment where animals can be safey seen and appreciated by children and their families, engendering a deeper appreciation for fauna, Avilon Zoo is indeed one place the we can be proud of.

There's Something In the Air...

Yippee, it's December!

There seems to be a switch in my brain that makes the kid in me go oh-so-excited once December comes around. 

December means Christmas.  Simbang Gabi.  Piping-hot bibingka and buttery puto bumbong.  Yuletide carols that bring to mind a more innocent time (no, it is simply NOT the same having to listen to these ear-splitting songs blaring over the sound systems in malls!).

Nippy evenings that invite you into taking a relaxed stroll outside.  Dewy mornings that seem to bring promises of fresh starts.  Reconnecting with family members and last-seen-a-few-months/years-back relatives, all the while munching on holiday goodies that everybody has brought to share.

Gifts, gifts, and gifts! Thinking of what to give family and friends, and making endless lists (for me half the fun is in making them!).  Doing the rounds of countless bazaars, just taking a peek at all the gaily decorated thingamajigs that seem to beckon (oftentimes successfully) you into taking a second glance.. and a third... Wrapping gifts with brightly colored paper and ribbons.  And putting them under the Christmas tree.  And the fun part -- yes, even for adults -- receiving and opening presents!  

For me, the time for setting up the Christmas tree is right after All Saints' and All Souls' Days.  That's my mental marker.  After the somber mood and time of reflection during the early days of November, the stage is now set for merrymaking and laughter, for counting one's blessings and giving thanks.  Then it's time to take out the tree and star and boxes of lights and balls and garlands from the storage closet and start erecting that ubiquitous symbol of the season.

Our Christmas tree has been put up, just waiting for the presents to be placed underneath it.  My older daughter helped me, and she was so excited!  She wanted to put brightly-hued balls all over the tree, while I wanted it to have just gold ornaments this time.  We compromised -- I promised to hang the other colored balls around the house, as long as the tree was left in its monochromatic glory, haha!  She has also always been the one to put the star as a finishing touch -- quite a joyful experience for her every time.

 

Our little Christmas manger scene has also been set out. I like to turn the living room lights down low during evenings, turn on the lights, and just sit back with my husband and enjoy the soft, warm glow that watching the twinklers gives me.  It makes me feel that somehow, in that little pocket of time, everything is at peace in my world. It makes me thankful.  It makes me feel.. blessed.

It may sound naive to some, that I still hold a feeling of wonder whenever Christmas comes around, esp. in this day and age when life is so fast-paced and modern and diverse. Christmas just brings me hope that there is still a lot of goodness in the world.

This is what I would like my daughters to believe. This is what I hope they will remember when it is their turn to set up their own Christmas trees with their own families.  

It must really be something in the air -- I feel so hopeful and lighthearted, grateful and at peace. What I would give to have this feeling stay on even after the holidays!

Happy holidays everyone!

Learning from the Negotiation Masters

I've always believed that children are natural masters at negotiation and manipulation.  The statement "She had Daddy wrapped around her little finger" packs more truth than we realize.  How many times has the little one asked for another toy or book that you did not plan on buying, but after disarming you with her cuteness and other tactics, you end up capitulating anyway?

I wonder if it's a skill that is genetically hardwired into each one of us, that is then subsequently lost as one grows up due to social unacceptability of some of these behaviours.  You know, Nature vs. Nurture.

A book I read echoed this idea.  The title first caught my fancy -- How to Negotiate LIke a Child: Unleash the Little Monster Within.  It's a tongue-in-cheek take on some negotiating techniques that at first glance one would not associate with adults, but are surprisingly effective when wielded by kids.  Upon closer reflection however, it appears that we may actually be using variations of these at one time or another!

Some of the things I found striking:

• Throw a tantrum and cry.  We've all seen the toddler who screamed his head off at the toy shop when told that Daddy and Mommy would not buy him another Thomas the Tank Engine train, or the little girl who lay sprawled on the living room floor bawling because she was not allowed to watch another Sesame Street video?  After the accusatory looks in the shop and the neighbour's complaints, who do you think won?  The power of a well-placed tantrum in the workplace could swing things one's way, but it has to be planned for and timed very, very well.  One can also exploit the very human tendency to side with the underdog.  Sometimes, he who screams loudest, gets heard -- but if overused, one becomes just another troublemaker or crybaby.
• Pretend you don't hear or understand what the other is saying.  Grown-ups are primed to respond to verbal or even electronic cues, and oftentimes one is put on the spot trying to come up with a coherent answer to something one is not knowledgeable of nor ready for.  Children have no such compunction; they do not respond if they do not feel like it -- a delaying tactic that gives one the time to regroup and gather one's thoughts.
• Play your best game and change the rules.  How to tackle a situation where one is at a disadavantage?  Countless kids do this instinctively -- they just change the rules of the game to something they have greater chances of winning!  Quite logical, if you think about it.  As long as it is within the bounds of ethics and propriety, why not try to move the negotiating lines towards your benefit?
• Ask the person who is most likely to say "Yes".  A little boy wants to have his fourth chocolate cookie after dinner.  He knows that Mom will not allow him another sugar-filled treat.  But there is another person in the house who has the power to grant him his wish, one who the little boy knows will be more inclined to acquiesce.  "Dad, may I please have another cookie?"  In the end, the little boy grabs the cookie triumphantly, simply because he asked the right person with the right level of authority. 
• Play one side against the other.  "No, you are not allowed to watch another cartoon video." "But Mom said I could." "Really? Ok, then."  Knowing when to play one side against the other is a talent that is most useful, if one can find the appropriate champion.  If done properly, the desired outcome can be achieved with minimum effort. 
• Keep coming back to the same question.  In negotiations or management discussions, does a "No" the first time automatically translate to another "No" an hour, a day, a week hence?  Not necessarily!  Children are quite persistent in asking for what they want.  They can wear parents down with their relentless questions, hour after hour after hour.  In the end, the prize becomes theirs for the taking.
• Don't fear failure.  As one matures, the fear of failure seems to grow proportionally as well.  But kids don't care if they fail this time; they just try again.  And again.  And again.  No guts, no glory, right?

I quite enjoyed reading the book, which was a refreshing change from the more serious management books out there.

Maybe I can also learn to unleash the little monster within.