Well, January to Panama didn’t pan-out. And with the cancelation of the May trip to Ireland/Scotland… we had some time on our calendar. So, we rescheduled to Panama! It will be a low-key vacation with limited movement (the same hotel the whole week!) It’s what we need as some downtime and to reconnect.
Countries
Welcome to my adventures. Happy reading!
As we face the cancellation of our third time rescheduling the Ireland/Scotland trip… I know that this year will bring us bucket lists fulfilled, some trips, and a hopeful return to normalcy. While I can’t help but be disappointed to cancel this trip – the silver lining is that United fully refunded our money including our upgrades. So, all is not lost. We’re tentatively planning for Spring or Fall 2022…with an eye on reasonable airfares and whether we can travel there. Regardless, 2021 will be a great year! On a dog family note, I was there to witness the birth of my first co-bred litter of Pharaoh Hounds – all 7 puppies are perfect and healthy. I cannot wait to bring home my newest addition!!
I booked a cheap flight to Cuba, in January 2021, a few weeks ago – we’re talking $289 (yes, US citizens can still visit there.) Sadly, United Airlines canceled our flights today. My good friend and travel buddy looked on the bright side and we started checking out what was safe and open to US Citizens (in January.) After a lot of searching and comparing destinations, we’ve decided on Panama! Hopefully we can make this work. After a long and stresse
The second Zoom call tonight to plan our Peru trip, hoping against the odds that we are able to travel in November! Our trip will be me, Michelle, and Brooke – the same ladies that ventured to Singapore and Bali together. The excitement is building for this bucket list trip! We’ve chosen most of our hotels, booking ones that are refundable. We’ve held off on buying train tickets and inter-country plane tickets, as those schedules will likely change. We have our plan and I’ve begun my packing list (what can I say, I’m a planner!!)
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.
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?
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.
Words cannot describe the feeling of being in Bali, Indonesia. Today we ventured all around Bali with our wonderful guide and driver, Wayan. He took my ‘plan’ and made it even better than what we had in mind! Although, he was a little freaked out by all the sights I had packed into the plan.
This picture was taken at Swing Bali – quite the sky-high adventure. While it was overrun with instagrammers trying to get their ‘best’ pic for the ‘gram, the experience was unforgettable. The three of us did not don flowy dresses, hair extensions, or copious amounts of makeup. Nor did we hire a personal photog to pose us. Instead, we took each other’s pictures, braved the heights, and laughed a lot! The men working the swings were helpful and hilarious… “next pose” is something we will never forget.
High above the jungle tapestry, this bed swing was comfy and not at all scary compared to some of the other swings. It was an amazing view and feeling… just soaring above the trees — and what a pic! Don’t worry we were ‘safely’ roped into the swings (note the light-colored rope in contrast to my black dress. I’m so glad we forked over the $30 a person for unlimited swinging and a light lunch.
Our first full day in Singapore! Here we are on our river cruise: Michelle (left), Brooke (middle), me (right.) We spent the morning walking around the city, took this fun river cruise, walked through the gardens of Fort Canning, shopped the local street markets, grabbed a light lunch of pineapple rice, and explored this stunning city.
Everyone we have met is very friendly! I’ve been able to eat with my Celiac restaurant card, and we’ve easily navigated our way around. The buildings are gorgeous – and it’s so exciting we are here!!
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!!
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