Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Philippines, here we come!

We are so excited for our upcoming trip to the Philippines! This will be my first time back in 12 years and Jamie's first trip back since 2003. We have a busy 2 weeks while in there as we will be traveling the first leg of the trip with Jamie's parents, Don and Kristen and then heading off to the famous Boracay Island for our friends Jon and Anya's wedding celebration!

Set to leave Singapore this Friday the 18th, our first stop is Makati City, Manila. Here we are going to be meeting up with Don and Kristen and we will enjoying dinners with both my mom's and dad's side of the family. I am so excited for the local cuisine! Lechon, pansit, lumpia, adobo, bangus....ohhh YUMMY!!!! Our last night in Manila (20th) we are meeting up with Jamie's close group guys, "the nuts" as they call themselves, for a night out in town. This will be the first time since High School that these "nuts" are all together in Manila (Jamie, Jon, Grant, Troy and Andy, all were in our wedding party.) I anticipate that this will be a long night for the boys and that Jamie will be ready to hit the beach after our 7am flight on the 21st!


Makati City, Manila


For Christmas, we will be on the island of Siquijor, just South of Manila and located in the Bohol Sea. Siquijor is known as the "magical mystical island"of the Philippines. It used to be part of Negros Oriental (province) and it was at that time named by the Spanish as the Island of Fire, as the sun sets the island glows in red as if it's on fire. Siquijor is said to have witches and potions and yada, yada yada...... so most Filipinos will not stay overnight on this island because of this superstition. I'm in for a treat as I am super superstitious, CRAP! The island is quite rustic and is mostly known for it's diving. Apo island which is located just a few minuets away is 1 of the top 10 diving spots in the world! Wish I had my diving certificate! I will just be snorkeling while the Booths dive.


Siquijor

From the 28th through the New Year Jamie and I will be at Boracay Island while Don and Kristen fly off to Bangkok. Jon and Anya are getting married at the lavish Shangri La Hotel and we are so excited! I have heard so much about Boracay from Jamie and all of his friends, and now, I get to be there! From it's famous white powder sand beaches and crystal clear waters to it's rustic bars and restaurants, it will be hard find another beach that can compare!

While in Boracay I will also be meeting up with one of my sorority sisters from Seattle, Shauna, who has been in the Peace Corps stationed in the Philippines. I am so excited to see her and to be able to catch up!!!


Boracay Island



ahhh heaven!!!!!!!!

I am so excited for this trip! Looking forward to spending time with mum and dad Booth as well as my extended family and to exploring and experiencing the culture of the Philippines! I'm going "home!"



Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Bali......

Last weekend I attended our good friend Anya's surprise bachelorette weekend in Bali. (Going to Bali is a similar concept as to going to Vegas for us Seattle folk.) I was so excited not only for the big surprise but to also to see this exotic island that I have always heard so many great things about. Bali was wonderful, but I would have to say, if we were to compare the beaches, Thailand and the Philippines beat this island, hands down! What's great about Bali is it international flare, night life, restaurants, shopping and the stunning villas, all over the island! We stayed in a lavish villa located in the heart of the village, Seminyak, located on the west coast of the island just North of the famous Kuta Beach where all of the surfers and back packers are known to travel to (also known for having a big night life).

We had a wonderful girls weekend of tanning, bonding, great food and pampering! The villa we stayed at had a spa that would come to us to do pool side massages, facials and body scrubs (all at around $17 USD!!) What a great way to send Anya off to marriage!


The beach just a 2 minuet walk from our villa


Jackie, Sonia, Anya and I


Villa Shanti Dewi. I love this door! I want a Balinese door made for my house in Seattle some day!


Ahhh the entrance wall with a window view of the pool



View of the pool from the kitchen/dining area.
The building in front is the master bedroom, the whole building!



Living room


Upstairs living area, loved this space!


Dining area, the stairs lead to the upstairs living area


Me, Sonia, Amanda, Anya, Alesya, Jackie, Leanda


The bride to be and me

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Tree Top Hike - beautiful and lush and very very humid!!!!

On a slow afternoon Jamie and I decided to go on the well known "tree top walk" in the middle of Singapore with our friends Mike (Canadian) Kristina (American) and Grant (Super Canadian). It was lush and beautiful but as it is a rainforest, it was so humid!!! You literally sweat from standing!!!!

The "tree top walkway" is a free-standing suspension bridge spanning Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang, the two highest points in Singapore.

At 25m above the ground, the walkway gives you a wonderful look at the canopy. Some 80 species of birds and 18 rare trees have been spotted in the forest.

The walkway is the first of its kind in Singapore and in the region. Work on the S$1.6m bridge began in August 2002 and was completed in July 2004.

Jamie, getting ready to hike with his little pink backpack


Grant, Kristina, Mike and Jamie watching the turtles swim


look closer you can see a lizard climbing the tree



Mike and Jamie


Tree Top bridge