When it was announced that the Pope's visit meant no work for three work days, Mike and I knew we wanted to take Nate to another zoo. We initially planned on taking him to Avilon Zoo, but with a storm coming, we decided we were better off in familiar territory. So Mike, Nate, Ate Nene (our super angel/nanny), and I headed south to Residence Inn Zoo. Here's the buchopoppins with his signature back against the wall pose.

It was also a chance for me to break-in my new zoom lens (Fujinon XF 55-200) which I paired with Ewan (X-E1), while the trusty 35mm prime was paired with Tighten (X-T1). I used Tighten with the 35mm for the most part, but also cranked Ewan with the zoom for the up close and personal shots of the lion and lioness, tiger, monkeys, and birds.

We had to pay P299 each while Nate got in for free. The pictures with the owl, iguana and cockatoo cost us P20 each. You can also take your picture with the Mikay the tiger and the albino python for P50, but we opted not to do that anymore.

The best part for us was seeing Nate fascinated with everything. Right off the bat he was pointing and cooing at everything he saw. He especially enjoyed feeding the camel and would giggle and laugh after the camel ate whatever he was giving it. But we got the best expression from him when he fed the lovebirds. He had his curious face on when the birds were pecking the food from his palm. He even grabbed one bird and nearly threw the bird across the cage. He kept on giggling, screaming and laughing throughout the experience. I guess he really enjoyed his visit to the zoo, because he would still laugh, giggle and point when we were checking out the pictures I took.

After our trip the zoo, we had dinner at Bag of Beans and then headed home.

Some travel tips: We never got to check if Residence Inn Zoo had a diaper changing area because we just changed Nate's nappies in one of the benches at the zoo (his bum enjoyed the fresh Tagaytay breeze). It's not the most stroller friendly place, so if you find lugging the stroller around to be useless, you can leave it at the entrance and they will give you a number for it. Using one of the huts outside at the parking lot of Residence Inn meant paying P150. Better to eat before going there.

It doesn't get more candid than this.

Even though Nate woke up at midnight to welcome the New Year along with the Dayacaps at his Lola Vicky's house, he still got up at 7 a.m. come New Year's morning. The warm sun and chilly air greeted us, and when I saw Nate's uber cute jammies, I knew a photo shoot was in order. I let him loose at Lola Vicky's garden and clicked away. It was an awesome practice photo sesh.

When the rugrat got hungry, he and his Tatay had their fill of watermelons.

Hay, THIS is how you greet the New Year. Happy 2015!