Darci's blog

Welcome to my adventures. Happy reading!

The Day the Travel Stopped

With the COVID-19 virus sweeping the globe, and the edict from my employer that all company-related travel is postponed until 4/30/2020… this effectively put a hold on my May vacation plans. If my work was back online May 1st, I could not in good conscience go on vacation May 7-16. That would not be good for my career, and that has to come first.

Having just come back from vacation on March 12th, I thought it would be a good idea to postpone the next trip to a later date – like August. But, that timing didn’t work with other work priorities. So, it was looking more likely to just cancel the trip for now. With everything planned out to the T, it was heartbreaking to cancel each hotel reservation. I will wait to see if United will extend their cancellation policy (it is, as of right now, only through 4/30.) I assume it will be extended so I can at least use my ticket for a future date.

As I canceled each hotel the sadness set in: when will this get back to ‘normal’? Is there a new normal? What about my other trip in September/October? My dog trips? My (gasp) airline and hotel statuses? Granted people are dying so I should not be worried about trivial matters like these. Trips are easily canceled, for the most part. Statuses will likely be extended since this is so far-reaching. But people’s lives is something we cannot get back.

Not sure when I will get on a plane in the future — as the cancellations of all things March and April continue, I know this will trickle into May cancellations as well. For now, I will stay home, work from home, and enjoy the company of my 4 wonderful dogs who are undoubtedly grateful for their extended time with me. Stay safe everyone.

Cauayan Relaxation

WOW!! This resort and location is stunningly beautiful – pictures don’t do it justice!

The resort is very remote, which I absolutely love. The staff are amazing: kind, helpful, attentive.

The food is incredible and the chef, as promised, can make anything/everything gluten-free. It is exactly as I hoped, being able to eat and not have to worry about getting sick.

Lounging by the pool, our over-the-water bungalow to the left, a drink in-hand, and a warm day.

Today the schedule is: breakfast, lounging, lunch, a massage, more lounging, and a sunset hike. I could lay here all day for the rest of my life, though I do miss the Boys! We are so lucky to have Matt’s Mom take excellent care of the Boys while we travel. The Corona virus situation is getting worse in the world, and our friends in the States are very worried about us not being able to make it back home. I’m confident we’ll get home.

A Van in Palawan

Here we are after three plane rides, a brief night’s sleep in Manila, bouncing along in a packed van in Palawan. We landed at the Puerto Princesa Airport via Air Asia. Hoping to be greeted by our ride to a boat, and then a boat ride to our long-awaited island resort. Instead, I realized the grave mistake I made once we landed. We are at the wrong airport and now have to take a van ride to get to the pickup point. Ooops!

After our 1.5 hour plane ride from Manila, we deplaned, walked across the tarmac to enter the tiny airport and were promptly screened for a fever, sloshed our feet through some disinfectant (swine flu), and waited for our bags. I walked over to the transportation counter an was told there was a van ride for 700 pesos each ($14 USD) for this ride. Oh, good, I thought, well it can’t be that far then. That’s quite cheap. Hahahaha…little did I know.

We left the airport after collecting our bags from one of two carousels. Walked across the street to be greeted by the van people. I told them we wanted to go to El Nido, and they said “the terminal,” to which I agreed. No idea what I agreed to, so I showed the lady where we wanted to go (the name of the resort on my phone) and she said yes. After I paid with what money Matt had secured from the exchange that morning at the Manila airport, our luggage was whisked away to an awaiting van. I hurried after it, and climbed into the way back, by the window. Matt took the opposite window, and we saw there for what seemed like eternity (foreshadowing much?)

I decided to google map our location to the El Nido terminal and complete dread spread across my face. Oh my gosh – 5 to 6 hours in this van? With at least 6 other people. WOW – not at all what I planned or expected… and all for a mere $28. Uh oh. I don’t dare tell Matt. We continued to be packed in like sardines, sardines in a van that wasn’t running yet. It was hot, humid, and I was horrified at this now unexpected adventure that I didn’t really want to be on. Instead I wanted to be on the speedboat headed towards island paradise.

We finally get going and after 2.5 hours of watching the countryside through the window, we stopped at this Halfway Cafe – aptly named. At least we got to sit down, have a mango smoothie, see the ocean, and watch the stray dogs beg for food. It’s about the journey, right?

A Chance Meeting

Sometimes you’re in the right place at the right time. And, today was no exception. Some people make the world worth it just by being in it. And, today I got to know one of those people.

A chance meeting in the lobby of the Omni set off a fun evening with friends old and new. Connections are vital to my spirit, and this was renewing.

Work hard, play hard is my motto and I’m so lucky to have great friends in this industry who follow that same motto. Cheers to business and many more connections.

Bali Beauty

An iconic temple and this adventure has been everything we could have imagined — and more!

That’s me on the left, Michelle in the middle, and Brooke on the right. Who knew that when we first dreamt-up the idea for this trip, that the 3 of us would travel so well together? It has been so easy traveling with these ladies and I cannot wait to do it again!

After a 1.5 hour drive from our beautiful resort, we finally arrived at this stunning temple in Northern Bali. Sitting on the edge of a lake, surrounded by mountains, it wasn’t just the landscape that takes your breath away. The gardens are lush with gorgeous flowers, and despite the crowds, it is silent yet joyous. Buildings abound and the spotless pathways are adorned with art. Magical beauty in Bali.