TOUCH Concert ~ Nov. 20, 2009

I finally got to attend one of those Thai concerts that I have been missing out while living overseas. I know this sounds corny but this singer Touch is in his 40's (according to Ace) but I've actually listened to him back in the 80's...wow I feel really old. I know it is nothing big but why not? Michael opted out since he wouldn't have a clue as to what he is singing about so it was just me, Vster, Da & Ace our designated driver. Weather sucked since it was raining. We ended meeting up with some of our Ft. Worth friends at this sushi bar Mochi before the concert since we were actually early...that is a first for me hahaha. Touch still look the same; Of course we took alot of shots & I even managed to hang with the pros....dancing alot helps;-0 The whole night was hilarious yet fun; Ace acting goofy since he was enjoying it way too much but it was all in good fun. Reconnected with some old friends as well. Now only if Enrique Iglesias would come to town...

Photo Album-->http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/TOUCHConcert?feat=directlink

Rome, Italy ~ Sept 16-18, 2009

From Venice we took the train heading to Rome arrving @ night & were almost denied our room b/c I didn't have my passport; luckily I was able to provide my police report-whew!!! Ironically we got a room that had an American flag flying outside our window...that was unique! If not for these ugly Texans dinner would have been superb. During one of her many conversations this older lady flung her arm out & almost hit Michael in the eye & she didn't say excuse me or nothing. If you could only see my face - I was about to let her have it. Thank goodness for the delicious food otherwise I would have sock that lady in the eye - an eye for an eye lol. The next morning was partially spent at the US Embassy for my temporary passport which cost me $100. We then toured the Palatine Hill making our way to the Colossem. The next day was by foot looking for the Trevi Fountain, Navona Square, & the Spanish Steps before we head out to Munich to catch the opening of Okterberfest with the Herters, another TI family living in the Philippines. This has been a great adventure! I can hardly wait for Germany, Switzerland & our final destination...PARIS!!!

Photo Album-->http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/RomeItalySept16182009?feat=directlink

Vienna, Austria ~ Sept 13-14, 2009

On our way back home from living over 2 yrs overseas (Philippines) we decided that we would take advantage of the opportunity to travel Europe. It was now or never, a chance to travel without boundaries. Our first pit stop was Vienna, Austria - home to the Terminator. At the airport I experienced my first Mercedes taxi ride!! Only in Europe! Breakfast at the hotel was awesome, afterall Vienna are known for their bacon & ham. Since this is our first time in Europe we were trying to figure out how the transportation system works...it was confusing at first (language barrier), such a headache but we managed pretty well getting ourselves around without getting lost. We spent the morning going clothes shopping for jackets since it was a bit chilly & us coming from a tropical country forgot that Europe has 4 seasons. That left us plenty of time left to spend in downtown & of course Stephanplatz, walked passed the Parliament building & thru the beautiful garden. Then it was of to to Venice... Photo Album->http://http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/ViennaAustriaSept13142009?feat=directlink

Last Dinner w/ Friends

We spent our last dinner in the Philippines with our good friends the Luu's & Mejia's who will still be here for another year. The last couple of weeks that I had left were spent having girly fun with Thuyen & Thu. Actually Thu just finally came out of her shell & we were glad to see her enjoying herself;-) Unfortunately that is how it goes, you spend the first year getting to know your surrounding & getting settled, & the 2nd year making more friends and becoming a pro in working the "system" & boom! it is time to pack up & head home. But I am sure we will all keep in touch now since we all are connected one way or another to FB. Dinner was great except maybe I ate too much! Thank you guys for coming out on my last night here. And I will see you all back home. Take care always;-)

Photo Album -->http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/LastDinnerInPI?feat=directlink

NBA in Manila

I thought I was done going to Manila since all my personal belongings have been packed and on its way to Texas. But with a week left I had to run a last minute errand in Makati. It has been raining a couple of days straight and traffic was bound to be a pain in the butt...and wouldn't you know it...it took 3 hrs!!!! to get there. Did some light browsing for any last minute items & lunch @ Thai Silk @ the Serenade. Then went by to say my final goodbye to Liza. Didn't take too long to get my appt done so decided to stopped by Greenhills to kill some time and wait out the heavy traffic. Thuyen & I just walked and browsed the many vendors there...esp for good quality pearls but of course they all say that lol. As we were trying to make a deal with our fav vendor I noticed on my right just next to us were these tall black guys looking at pearls & jewelry & wheeling & dealing. Kinda funny cuz I recognized one of them...Dominique Wilkins from the Atlanta Hawks way back in the 80's. Also spotted there were Tim Hardaway & Robert Horry but Kareem Abdul Jabbar was no where in sight. I was tempted to go and get an autograph just for the sake of having it but decided to give them some space. Plus I forgot my digicam in the car...just my luck but really who would've thunk these guys would be here hahaha. I mean I knew they were here in town to play in the NBA Asia Challenge but Greenhills!!??? But I guess if you ever are in Manila you have to at least get the Greenhills experience, celebrity or not;-)
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/09/08/09/update-jabbar-wilkins-rp-nba-asia-challenge

Farm on...

We are in the mist of typhoon season so it has been raining hard for a couple of days...all day & night. Ugh talk about bad migraines for me ;-( Anyway thought I'd shared this tidbit...how important Farmville is. Since I was done with my farming in FB last night I handed the laptop over to Michael to harvest his crop. While I was just getting ready to dose off Michael noticed water drops coming from the A/C or so we thought. Come to find out there was a leak in the ceiling because of the heavy rain & being on the top floor of the hotel we get hit first hahaha. Well Michael didn't want to change rooms but I was like are you crazy!!!??? I know it is almost midnight & all but we are moving. Another reason why he didn't want to move to another room is that he was trying to finish his farming. Can you believe that!? Goes to show that we are sick sick sick people because we are hooked on Farmville hahahaha. Not that he has to worry since he is sooooo way ahead of me. That is my Michael...so competitive, with just me of course! I am so luck;-) hehehe

Moving Day...

My how time flys when you are having fun. I never thought I would get to see this day come...but alas here I am. It was tough getting things ready for the movers but we managed fairly well. Thuyen was here to help out monitoring them just in case we need to crack some whips;-) But in reality there was no need. They did a great job trying to assure me that my fragile things will be given special care & crated. I am sure they were thinking "good lord we have to deal with her". Didn't think we had a lot but it took 3 days to complete...imagine that! The sea shipment should arrive home safely since they brought the actual container and filled & sealed it up...and believe me it was very tight getting all those boxes in. They had to wiggle some of the boxes here and there for sure. After it'sall said & done, I will miss this old house that was a temporary home for us overseas. Lots of memories created here & will always remain with us.

Photo Album -->http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/MovingDay?feat=directlink

Luu's 19th Anniversary

We have been eating alot of Korean food lately. I have to admit it, it is pretty good. Tonight was supposed to be our going-away dinner w/ Nam & Thuyen. Thuyen brought a bottle of wine to Park De Gam Ne Korean restaurant on Friendship Highway. As we were getting ready to order the owner came into our VIP room and started chatting and asked what the occasion was. As it is w/ Thuyen & myself we always come up with something...be it true or false, all for fun, so I blurted out that it was their anniversary!!! And it truly was..19th anniversary on the 25th to be exact! Congratulations you guys for your everlasting love. To our surprise the owner decided to throw in free kimchi chinge soup which she said she has never done before. Hmmm...special us;-) It was like a feast...so much food & great wine. The owner even sat with us & chitchat for quite awhile. It was a nice dinner and I still have one more bottle of champagne left so maybe we might have to come back to this restaurant one last time before I leave the Philippines in exactly 2 weeks. Thx Nam & Thuyen for dinner;-) And again Happy 19th Anniversary!!

Photo Album --> http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/LuuS19thAnniversary?feat=directlink

Mejia's Get-together ~ Aug. 22, 2009

The Wade's & Luu's packed up in our car and headed to Subic for a little get-together @ Mario & Thu Mejia's house. We picked up Kha @ Brent Intl School since he spent the night @ his friend's house. But before we arrived @ the Mejia's we stopped & showed the Luu's some of the bats that were living in the area. It was something kewl & interesting. There were so many and I was able to capture a nice pic of one that had its wings spread. We saw small monkeys along the way also. I've heard they can be aggressive. We had heard that a co-worker was curious about those lil creatures & decided to get closer for a better look. That was a big mistake because before he knew it he was being chased by those very monkeys! Hahaha...at least his guys were entertained by the sight of him running towards the car....FAST! Anyway back to the party...quite a few people showed up. It was a nice place with a great view of Subic Bay. We met some TIers that had arrived in the Philippines & who will be here for another year or so while we are getting close to closing our journey here in the Philippines. There were also a couple of TIers that were just here for a couple of weeks, traveling for TI in Asia. We met the landlord of the Mejia's Jo & Boy Lim & their beautiful twin daughters. They are a very nice family. We had a wonderful time, good food & good company. As usual with the Wade's we were the last guests to arrive & the last to leave. Right before we left I had to get a picture of Mario covering his car mirrors with plastic!!! For some reason or another there is this particular female monkey that will steal mirrors; Even if you fold the mirrors inward that monkey is truly very clever to find a way to get what she wants...sounds like a typical female hahaha.
Photo Album --> http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/MejiaSParty?feat=directlink

Makati/Pililla w/ Friends

This past weekend we headed down to Makati to run a few errands and also spend some time with our good friends the Huehne Family. Liza, Mattie & I went to this province town Pililla to pick up her new maid & also to drop by for her friend's birthday party. She didn't tell me until we stopped in front of this funeral parlor that the party was up on the rooftop...if you saw my face you would die laughing hahaha. Definitely a first for me but it wasn't as bad as I thought since this was where they only sell the caskets and not the actualtualeral home. Of course with any filipino parties there will be a karaoke machine & lechon baboy (roasted pig). The birthday girl, Sarah, was entertaining guests all day; Filipino culture is that it is an open invite so expect the whole town to show up for food & merriment;-) I also got a Pililia souvenir on my arm...got bitten somehow:-( We stopped at this cute lil coffee shop; Had southwest feel to it and made me think of home. On our way back to Makati we had the driver dropped us off @ Greenhills for a lil shopping spree for gifts to take back for family & friends in the states. Time flys when you are having fun becuz before we knew it we were getting texts from the guys. Must be dinner time hahaha. When we finally got to the condo both Michaels, Charles & Tata from the band The Bottleneck were either laying around or sleeping; Must have been buzzed from drinking @ Havanna Cafe. After driving in circles around Manila Bay (Malate area) we finally found the Seafood Market Restaurant. Chinese restaurant but looks like a supermarket...fresh seafood & veggies you can pick out and have it cook anyway you want. Too bad I left my cam @ Liza's place & my cell in the car. Awesome dinner with awesome friends! We didn't venture out after dinner cuz Charles has a recording early in the morning & truth be told we were all stuffed!! Sunday lunch was @ Hooters in Manila Bay. Good but not as good as back home. It is always a pleasure to spend time with the Huehne family. Then it was a long hour & half ride home.

Photo Album -->http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/MakatiPililia?authkey=Gv1sRgCOr-s8-TkKHgpAE&feat=directlink

Encounter w/ Golf cart

Today was supposed to be nice...as in a nice lunch with Michael & Thuyen, which was not the case. The day started out as yuck! It rained most of the morning, giving me migraines, so call me Grumpy. Since Zen was closed for lunch we walked over to Korea House Restaurant. Lunch was so-so since I had my heart set on Zen. So as we were walking out to the car, Hermes (our driver) backed the car up and was waiting for us just ahead. From my left comes this maintenance guy in a golf cart speeding down & TEXTING mind you...head down looking at his phone and not paying attention to where he was going. I yelled for him to stop but too late. The back of my car stopped him. He slammed into my poor car!!! Pretty good damage for even a small cart. Of course the cart driver said his break was not working and I said of course not since you were texting and that shut him up. Needless to say we were the center of attention since everyone had to come by and check out the commotion. Seems like there is nothing better for anyone to do or places to be. It took about an hour just to get his sup over and then the cart driver started apologizing to me in Tagalog, I am guessing trying to apologize so that he will be forgiven and won't have to pay for the damages since he said he has no money....mute since I am not a Filipina. And yeah I forgave him but I sure hell am not going to pay for the damages that he caused. Up until now I wasn't fretting too much since I know our car leaser JC will take care of everything & make it all go away...his father is a very influential judge in Makati/Manila. Heck anytime the so called police tries to give us tickets for bogus reasons we get JC on the phone and hand it over to the police and before you know it the police is apologizing to us for stopping us...now THAT is power! Anyway, Michael had to cancel his meeting so time was lost due to stupidity. Once the CDC police (5) came it was pretty clear to me that they were going to gang up on us. I mean there were about 12 men on one side of the road & us 4 on the other. I want to be fair in making assessment of the situation but I felt it was clearly divided...us against them. The CDC didn't even come ask us what happened, took the statement from the cart driver & interrogated Hermes. They saw an opportunity to make $$ or was in favor of trying to help the cart driver from any wrong-doing, even though we were the injured party but unfortunately for them we had surprises of our own (car was leased & we had our own ammo).We felt like we were on the defensive mode and then I was like oh yeah let's bring in our guys...so Michael called Dino, TI Head of Security (ammo), and had him sent his two supvs for reinforcement since I was not liking the way the investigation was going. I had a sneeky suspicion that was what they were trying to do since the CDC police wanted to have my driver go give his statement @ their office and they were interrogating Hermes as if he was the party @ fault. Well let me tell you, that was not going to happen on my watch. I told the TI security supvs to accompany him for backup if not for anything else. I am sure all those filipino guys (CDC & crew) love me...especially when they are not accustomed to a very opinionated female like myself;-) About 4 hrs later & them trying to pin it on Hermes, I got a txt from Hermes that the cart driver finally admitted that he was in the wrong; apologized to JC on the phone and his fines were reduced. He's lucky it was JC & not me. So everything was settled and no worries for us except the poor car will be showing her bruises for awhile. She won't be going to get a facelift anytime soon since we only have her for 1 month. Lesson learn...regardless whether you are at fault or not, as a foreigner, you will always be in the wrong. Don't get me wrong, there are alot of good people here but unfortunately you will come across alot of rotten apples. And yet we were able to find humor in this whole ordeal...Michael asked me tonight during dine-dine:

Following convo>

Michael: What did you learn from the Philippines?

And he answers for me: That you didn't trust people before & now even more! LMAO

Photo Album -->http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/EncounterWGolfCart?feat=directlink

Hanging out w/ "Chump"

This weekend we hung out with one of Michael's coworkers from the states . He and his crew (MEI) were here last Fall so this is nothing new to him. We took him to Al Bacio Italian restaurant for lunch. Had a glass of wine or two so we were all feeling good. Mike Piscopo wanted to get some stuff to take back home so Fields Ave would be the place to find anything you want...plus we can also sit and do some people watching @ this bar called Kokomo's. Fields Ave is known for lots of bars & "entertainment" if you will for foreign men. I've been down there once to meet up with our friends Matt & Tamra before they headed back to the states but other than that it really isn't a place a female would normally hang out. All I can say is to each his own. Mike P. was wheeling and dealing w/ the local street vendors and it was actually a fun experience. Cracks me up when I think about it. I, on the other hand, couldn't hang (mixing drinks is never good) w/ the boys so they pretended to understand and took me home. All I remembered was waking up 2 hrs later after being dropped off (drunk as I was I was still keen on the time hahaha), disoriented and my hubby is no where to be found. Boy let me tell you...I was NOT a happy camper! Somehow they managed to continued partying. But I was too busy trying to keep the room from spinning that at this point it was mute. Hangover is a b*tch!

Photo Album-->http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/HangingOutWChump?feat=directlink

RHLI Party ~ July 24, 2009

As the project comes to an end so does the QC contractor RHLI who have been doing a great job for Michael. They are from Manila and stay at a Staff house during the week. Since they don't have much of space we offered our place due to the fact we needed to get rid of our alcohol before we head home. Most of the food was catered so not much work for me to which I am grateful! Check out the Lechon Baboy (Roasted pig)! It was a nice gathering (rocking to retro music)...they were a little shy @ first but with alcohol comes courage hehehe. At least they put good use of the pool. Party didn't stop til 1am...sign that they had a good time...some survived the shots (moi included) and one didn't;-)
Photo Album --> http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/RHLIParty?feat=directlink

Feeny Ladies Farewell Lunch

Departure day for the Feenys is just around the corner so Thuyen & I took the Feeny ladies to lunch on Thursday @ C's Italian Restaurant. I am sad and feeling left behind...first the Subic crew (Tamra, Amberly & Julie) and now the Feenys...wonder if I will survive 2 mths on my own (Thuyen doesn't count because she is from the 2nd Batch but still love you Thuyen hehehe). Food was delicious..my usual (Insalata Catherina & Chicken Parm). Great food great company..what more could you ask for? As always the case when Cynthia, Thuyen & I are together there will be plenty of laughters. We have had quite an adventure...from getting locked out of the van (my personal fav), Flat Stanley, forgetting to put the gear on PARK (Capiz Lantern trip), tagalog class, Pampang market trips just to name a few. Going thru our many personal experiences w/ maids & trips in & around Angeles City has made us tougher and appreciate some of the things that we left behind & taken for granted. The experience I take with me from this friendship is learning how to bake (and yes they are edible) & that it is ok to have different viewpoints & still respect each other. One thing is for sure, we have built a great friendship and I hope we can continue when we all get back to Dallas. Once there were three musketeers now there are/will be two. See you guys in a couple of months! I will miss you ladies :-(

Photo Album---> http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/FeenyLadiesFarewellLunch?feat=directlink

Cambodia~ July 7 - 10, 2009

The highlight was definitely the last leg of our trip....Cambodia. We flew out of Vientiane, stopped @ Savannakhet Airport & then to Siem Reap (Thai Defeat). We got there about midday, checked into our room, had a late lunch & then started planning for the next two days. There are lots of ruins & temples to see so we decided to tour 3 major temples the first day. In all the temple ruins that we explored were Angkor Thom, Bayon (2nd fav temple), Baphuon, Royal Palace (Phimeanakas), Terrace of the Leper King along with the Terrace of the Elephants, Ta Prohm, & last but not least my favorite Angkor Wat. I was in awe the whole tour viewing the ruins, carvings, & history of the people who once occupied these temples. Alot of walking & climbing in the heat but it was worth the experience. And just like I always do, fall on my face a couple of times due to my 2 left feet. Something to remember Cambodia by hehehe. The last day we just relaxed by the pool, then doing a little drinking downtown watching locals & foreigners alike passing by, & ending up strolling through the night market. I love the idea of night markets...after a tiring day in the sun it is always relaxing to just meander through the market and shop for souvenirs @ our own leisure. My 'artsy-fartsy' side appreciated the great artwork by the local Cambodian people;-) Another item we can also scratch off our list of things to try...fish spa ($3/person for 30 min)! Little garra rufas nibbling away your dead skin, at first it was ticklish but then it was kinda fun. Could be a lil painful if you are the first person (fresh meat hahaha). We travelled by tuk-tuks almost everywhere due to the fact that is was easy to get around. Just make sure you have your hotel call one for you so it's a lil safer and if anything was to happen at least the hotel knows the tuk-tuk driver. Good thing about Laos & Cambodia is that US dollars is the preferred currency. This Asia trip has enriched me in so many ways; I am blessed to have this great experience & thankful to my husband Michael who made this all possible.

Photo Album--> http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/CambodiaJuly7102009?feat=directlink

Laos II ~ June 29 - July 7, 2009

The 2nd leg of our trip was to Laos. From Bangkok we took a puddle jumper to Luang Prabang the former capital in northern Laos. We got there around midday and checked in to our nice hotel cottage. We got settled then explored the town a little bit. The next day was a full day for us despite misty weather. We toured Wat Visounnarath along with That Makmo referred to as "Watermelon Stupa". Next was the infamous Wat Xieng Thong (Golden Tree), one of the city's oldest & most important temples which is closest to the intersection of where the rivers Nam Khan & Mekhong meet. Our last temple was Wat Phousi to which we had to climb 400 steps or more...more climbing then I really care for hehehe. Then it was a 2 hr boat ride up the Mekhong River to see Pak Ou caves. Tham Ting (lower cave) & Tham Theung (upper cave) is where there's an impressive collection of Lao style Buddha statues assembled for centuries totaling approximately 4000. Each night we headed out to downtown to explore the night market where the locals would bring their silk fabrics, handicrafts, etc... This was my first experience in the night market and I truly loved it! The trick is to smile when you bargain but it also helps if you look & speak like the locals except for having a tall white guy around hehehe. The next morning we headed to Kuoang Si waterfalls. At the park entrance I almost took a spill near the bathroom wet tile but was able to compose my balance even though I had to sacrifice my upper leg muscle which stayed sore for almost 2 days. It would have been a nicer day if it hadn't rained most of the hike up to the falls, but it did stop raining just in time for our lunch/picnic that the hotel prepared for us. Our last day in Luang Prabang was special to me as an American raised by buddhist parents and native of Laos. We woke up @ 4am that morning so that we could go and see the monks collecting alms around 5:30am downtown. The weather finally cooperated for us so we could enjoy the early morning offerings to the local buddhist monks of about 200 or so. Later that morning we were on our way to Vientiane to surprise my relatives from my mom's side. Since we last visited over a year ago there were some new additions to the growing Inthavong clan. The rain plagued us once again throughout our stay there but we managed to make a day trip up to Vang Vieng to visit a limestone cave called Tham Jang (more climbing in the rain). It wasn't about the cave but more about spending time with my family whom I rarely ever get to visit. They want us to come visit every year so that we can explore Laos together since they usaully always just stay in their own village and work on the rice farms. It was however too short of a visit but Cambodia was calling us for our next adventure....

Photo Album--> http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/LaosIIJune29July72009?authkey=Gv1sRgCMX23qOjzeOaBA&feat=directlink

Bangkok ~ June 27 - 29, 2009

The first leg of our Asia trip was in Bangkok. Arrving later in the day we were able to squeeze in a dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River. I was a lil disappointed at first because we were seated inside but thank goodness because it started pouring down rain just as we sat down. The next day we took an hour drive outside of Bangkok to see the floating market. It is quite an experience; the food was tempting but somehow I wasn't up to being adventurous (last thing I want is getting sick)...afterall I do have Laos & Cambodia to think about. On our way back to the city we stopped by the teakwood factory & saw how most carvings are done...such great work. They have orders from all over the world and this one table piece that was going to Turkey cost $41k! Yikes! Our last stop was the Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Temple. Spectacular & so much history I could hardly keep up since my brain can only absorb so much;-)

Photo Album---> http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/BangkokJune27292009?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ6bwraNw6_ozwE&feat=directlink

Manila Ocean Park ~ June 20, 2009

Since we are coming close to heading back home we wanted to do as much as possible on weekends. And being that it is typhoon season & weather was unpredictable, an inside activity would be best. So off we went south to Manila for a little ocean adventure. On the way traffic was horrible but to be expected on a Saturday. Seconds...minutes...& hours...sitting in traffic isn't exactly fun. However, I was able to take some fun pics along the way. I even got a kelasa on a typical packed street next to cars...as if this was the norm. But it was a fun trip...marine life is always intriguing to say the very least. My very first to see a Stonefish & other foreign species...

At the end of our tour there was a fish spa (where fish nibbles on your feet) to get all the dead skin off...kinda kewl but Michael didn't have his flip-flops on and he didn't want to have wet socks afterward so we decided against it. Maybe another time:-( We ended our day in Manila with a nice dinner with our good friends Arnold & Jing Anteojo for dinner @ Crustasia. Great dinner! The crab we had were sooo gi-normous!! We had such a great time that we lost track of time & most of the staff were going home, just only a few were left to close after us. I hope the guys left them a hefty tip. But I think it was cool since Arnold & Jing are regulars there. Wow...quite a day...we didn't head home 'til 12:30am and it was a long 1 1/2 hr ride back home.

Photo Album --> http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/ManilaOceanPark?feat=directlink

MacTan Island, Cebu ~ June 5 - 7, 2009

At the last minute (and I mean book-airfare & hotel-the-day-before last minute) we headed to Cebu for a lil R&R. We left on a late flight and it started pouring rain right before take-off. To make matters worse there were some turbulence and I really thought this was it..yikes...but we managed to get there in one piece. Such a wonderful resort. The beach was awesome & the water was just beautiful! Perfect place for snorkeling but we didn't get to do that. Our intent was to snorkel but with me being a finicky person I was not going to use the community snorkel mask & fins they provided for us. I mean once someone was done they just throw it back into the pile for someone else to use...hmmm...not going to happen, not with me anyway. It wasn't like Palawan where you were assigned to those equipment for the duration of your stay. Alas it was a boring lazy day at the beach for us. Our last day was a trip to the Chi Spa.

Just what we needed. We are hoping we can fit a 2nd trip there before our stay here in the Philippines come to an end. And....we mos def bringing our own snorkel gear...hahahaha

Photo Album > http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/MacTanIslandCebu?feat=directlink

Palawan Island El Nido Resorts~ March 13 - 17, 2009

We went south to the Island of Palawan El Nido Resorts. Our flight was uneventful...thank goodness! We were greeted by the resorts' tour guide @ the open airport terminal and taken to a banca boat for our tranfer to the resort. Such a beautiful place and many water activities to fill each day that we were there. We did alot of snorkeling, bottom fishing, exploring the lagoons, hiking just to name a few. We were even able to squeeze in a romantic private island luncheon;-) But the most exciting new thing we did was Diving 101!! I was thisclose to chicken out but I had the banca captain cheered me on so I couldn't let him down hahaha. Big mistake! I fought the coral and they won...just my luck, come to find out I was allergic to coral/sea anemones. Another battle scar to add to my messed up knee already! At least Mer-Michael got to swim with jackfish! What a great vakay!

Photo album > http://picasaweb.google.com/malaywade/PalawanIslandMarch13172009?feat=directlink

Banaue Rice Terraces ~ Feb. 19 - 21, 2009

We visited the infamous Banaue Rice Terraces about 6 hours drive northeast of Clark. We stayed at the only decent hotel there The Banaue Hotel. First thing in the morning we signed up for a Rice terrace tour ( fee includes tour guide & an hour jeepney ride up to the saddle). There were many rice terraces to choose from but we chose the Batad Rice Terraces because of its beautifully contoured amphi-theater like terraces. It is not recommended for the faint of heart. But being a true soldier that I am (joke) I toughed it out...almost did me in. The hike up the mountain trail was about 2 hrs (for a strong hiker) & many mini stops for me hahaha. You really don't appreciate it until you are finally up on top and looking down and wow.....it is quite a sight! Makes me think of my mom, she always tell me stories about her growing up in a farm and working in the rice field back in Laos. Our tour guide Darwin said that it is better to go in April as the rice planting is done and you can see the different shades of green in different rice paddies. As we near the end (and i am exhausted as ever!) we came upon a restaurant/inn just up the hill above the village; just in the nick of time. Thank goodness we had health bars & bottled water to snack along the way. There is a waterfall another hour hike down but we opted not to since the water was dirty that day. Best decision ever!...because once we got back to the saddle & jumped in the jeepney it started pouring down...HARD! Had a really difficult time coming down the mountain. The next morning we went to the many viewpoints of Banaue. Got some friendly Ifugao natives to pose for us...quite a cultural experience!

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Flat Stanley ~ Touring the Philippines

Thanks to our nephew Dylan from Albuquerque, NM: For his school project, he sent us his Flat Stanley who is a boy that got flattened by a bulletin board and now gets to go on many adventures. This also gave us a good opportunity to show our family & friends what life is like in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. Needless to say, Auntie Malay took him to all the cool places while he got stuck looking at boring things with Uncle Michael;-) We hope you enjoy the pix as much as we enjoyed showing him the town.

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