After a 16.5 hour flight from SFO to SIN, we’re here!  All in all, the flight wasn’t bad at all. A quick 20 minute car ride from the airport (thank you BlackLane), we arrived at our hotel for the next 2 nights, the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites on Beach Road.  We booked this hotel using Agoda.  Located in downtown Singapore, it is easy walking distance to many sights and shopping.  

We booked a family suite to fit the 3 of us.  Complete with two separate rooms and a shared entrance.  Comfy beds, great living space, kitchenette, and views for days!  The rooftop pool is fantastic offering more amazing views!  After getting settled, we set out on foot for some dinner.  We felt completely safe walking around and made our way to a mall where we enjoyed a quick meal.  We have the whole day tomorrow to explore Singapore, and only have one thing planned – a river cruise!  Other than that, we can get some rest and sleep in.  Until tomorrow!!  

I’ve always been a nerd, and something for which I was horribly teased throughout middle and high school.  Now, I wear it as a badge of honor.  Yep, I’m 100% That Nerd!  I made a PowerPoint for my upcoming girls trip to Singapore and Bali – 31 slides to be exact.  I shared it with these ladies at our pre-trip dinner tonight.  I cannot believe we are going – three generations of leaders of Mile High Weimaraner Rescue, all in different phases of our lives.  It’s going to be the MOST amazing experience.  To my good friends, Brooke and Michelle, thank you for being adventurous! 

Whenever I book a trip, I look to see what attractions are nearby.  This helps to plan the trip and determine what are “must sees” and what are “nice to sees” and what don’t hold my interest.  

When planning the Central European trip for August 2019, I came across this stunningly beautiful image – Predjama Castle in Slovenia – a castle bit into the side of a mountain with an intricate cave system beneath and behind it.  

Matt readily agreed it was a “must see” – so we set out in the early afternoon from Zagreb, Croatia.  It was a quick 2-hour drive through some lovely countryside in Slovenia.  We arrived in time to tag along to the last cave tour of the day.  Well, I was hardly dressed for the occasion, pun intended.  I was in a navy dress and silver ballet flats – not exactly cave hiking attire.  There was no time, so I threw caution to the wind and traversed the slippery, cold caves in style.  We saw the usual cave formations, bats, and glowing bacteria.   Well-worth the visit.  

We stayed at Hotel Jama,in the Postojna Cave Park, a former soviet-era spy hotel.  Incredible view from our balcony, and well-appointed room.  

China was not on my bucket list – full disclosure, as I previously visited for about 72 hours, for work.  As a Celiac, a FODMAP follower, and not eating meat, China poses substantial challenges for my dietary restrictions.  The past few years have been easier for these restrictions, and the advent of nutrition bars makes travel easier.  

After my visit to Angkor Wat in Cambodia in 2016, I began tracking sites I wished to visit throughout the world – my “must sees.”  The Great Wall was on my “must see” list, with the goal of spending a full day hiking the wall.  

That pesky Scott’s Cheap Flights sent me an unbelievable fare from DEN to PEK, on United Airlines, for a mere $500 round trip. (J/k Scott’s – I LOVE you!!) Simply an offer I couldn’t refuse.  I booked two tickets, and dreaded telling my husband, Matt, that he was going to China.  It was not on his radar whatsoever.  

This is a picture taken atop The Great Wall – an unforgettable experience, with a talented guide.  I hiked 10 miles that day, and cherished every single step.  

A day I will never forget.  My good friend Brooke and I have talked about traveling together for about 9 months.  We would often trade emails on travel deals, time frames, destinations – a fun exercise in dreaming.  Apparently the percolation ended, and Brooke called me on her way to work.  She gave me specific dates, in either October or November 2019.  I told her I’d check Google Flights, and get back to her.  

Within 20 minutes I found an incredible deal from DEN to SFO to SIN, a 2 day stopover, then SIN to DPS for 4 days, back to SIN for 1 day, then home, via SFO.  The icing on the cake was the flights were all on my preferred airline, United, and Star Alliance partner, Singapore Airlines.

I snipped a screenshot of the itinerary, sent it to Brooke and waited.  Less than two minutes later, she called me screaming  “yes, let’s book this!”

I booked my flight, called the 1K desk and booked her flight (so she could get my benefits.)

Then, we both went back to work like nothing happened.  Until that night when it finally sunk in.  I booked a trip to the #1 place on my Bucket List (Bali!!)  And, it was happening THIS year.  Not on my vision board, but hey, I added it.  I’m still shaking – this is real, and we are GOING!!

I’ve never met an ocean view I didn’t like – and Bora Bora was no exception. 

The crystal clear waters in varied shades of blue – a glimpse of the colorful fish, all off our little bure, perched over the ocean.  

I loved the experience of waking up in the mornings, throwing on a bikini, and diving off my deck into the ocean – all before an impressive buffet breakfast.

The Conrad was exceptional – from the service, to the bure, and the food.  

It is difficult to get there, though.  We spent a few days in Moorea before heading to Bora Bora.  Once again, I figured if we went all the way there, that we needed to see as much of French Polynesia as possible.  

Since the only flight from Moorea to Bora Bora was sold-out, we had to take a ferry from Moorea to Tahiti, then hop a flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora.  Once we arrived in Bora Bora, the hotel had a representative (Caroline) meet us to take us to the Conrad, via speed boat.  Except, it was pouring rain.  It was a wet and bumpy ride, but we arrived in one piece.  We were greeted in style with warm towels, a drink, and shown around the hotel property by Caroline.  The upgrade to a larger bure was icing on the cake.  

Well, it’s official.  I’ve been hoodwinked by Scott’s Cheap Flights, AGAIN!

Not that I’m complaining… it just feels a bit impulsive.  

So, where to this time?  CROATIA!!  

I nabbed a killer SUMMER deal from DEN to ZAG (Zagreb, Croatia) for $572.  

I booked my ticket and used miles for Matt’s.  

 We’re slated to travel June 2019!  A nice 10-day getaway.  He’s excited to see Dubrovnik, the whole Game of Thrones thing…never seen it (gasp, I know.)  Little does he know, we’ll need to cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to get from Zagreb to Dubrovnik.  What other countries can I squeeze in??