The Philippines

And so from Singapore I flew briefly into Hong Kong airport and then it was off to Manila. The flight was not very long, maybe 1 hour and 45 minutes? I dozed in and out of sleep and finally arrived in Manila.

It had been almost 8 years since the last time I was here. I arrived at the airport and I saw my uncle, titas and cousins waiting for me. I was going to be picked up by family friends and I did not see them. After initial hugs and kisses we were able to call them on the cell phone. Oh, I had forgotten how handy these things are!

The plan was to stay with our family friends in the city for a couple days and then stay with family in the provinces afterwards. So I said good-bye for now to my tito, tita and cousins and we headed to the gracious home of our family friends from the airport.

During the car ride, it is confirmed to me that the United States has a new president, Obama. Wow! I can't believe it. On the news there is rejoicing and I was able to hear a replay of Obama's acceptance speech.

I hope this fairs well for our country. So far it is amazing the reaction of the world to this historical event.


We'll see.

If you ever have a 6 hour layover in Singapore...

stay at the Transit Hotel. It is worth it. I was able to get my own room, sleep, shower and blow dry my hair. I feel pretty. The movie theatre was basically a lounge that had a big screen TV with the movie channel on it, but it was free and I was entertained. Can't complain.

Now I am in search for some food...and they have a 24 hour food court. I think they should make the way airports run a model for cities around the world. HAHA

Post Wedding Thoughts

Well, my main objective of attending my friend Karina's wedding has come and gone and it was a beautiful ceremony. The rituals were meaningful and the setting was beautiful. The wedding ceremony was at a villa nestled in the middle of a rice field and the guests were taking as many photos of the view as their fellow guests. There was a bit of rain, but it did not dampen any spirits.

The food was delicious and the slideshow was cute. I was honored enough to say a few words with the groom's best friend and the live band and partying went on for a couple of hours. To add to the festive mood of the evening people started jumping in the villa's pool and before you know it the groom, bride, all the american guests (yes, even myself) and even the mother of the bride were in the pool. A site to see and the photographers could not get enough of the scene.

The post wedding festivities include visiting a monkey forest...oh, yes, a MONKEY forest and a place called Uluwatu along the coast. There are photos of monkeys climbing my arm to get the banana in my hand and more, but that will have to wait.

I am currently in Singapore airport waiting for my flight tomorrow morning. Luckily they have a transit hotel and movie theatres for the people in "transit".

Lucky me. ; )

The East

From Rome to Singapore the flight was about 11 hours. It was overall pleasant and the food was delicious on the plane. I was able to see a couple movies on the plane-Speed Racer (I LOVED IT), Hancock (entertaining) and I Hate Sarah Marshall (hilarous!!)- I didn't sleep much on the plane...when I arrived in Singapore I stayed with my friend Chris and his family.

Singapore was beautiful. Very clean and very structured. I roamed around a bit and saw the sights-the Merlion, the Esplanade, Orchard Road, Raffles Hotel and a couple musuems. Signapore is also a big shopping place so I was able to pick up a couple things too.

I tried various fruits I have never had before- Bwasala and Mangosteen. Yummy! Mangosteen is officially one of my favorite fruits. I dont know if it will be anywhere when I get home, but it is so yummy. If any of you have the chance to try it, you should.

I was in Singapore for 3 nights and then Chris dropped me off at the airport. The flight to Bali was about 2 1/2 hours. Not too bad. I got to Bali and there was someone from the hotel to pick me up (swanky treatment) and I arrived at Pelangi Hotel. Very nice place.

As a arrived at the hotel a mass of people (Karina -the bride, Derek- the groom, and friends) were on their way to dinner. So I checked in and we were off to dinner at a place called Lotus Grill.

The wedding is tomorrow and I am just going to have a semi quiet day.
I can't believe it is already here.

A splurge

I am in Rome for one night before my flight to the east.
I booked a hostel and came to find that it was the sketchiest place ever.
Hostel/laundrymat/internet cafe...there was no way they were going to take my passport for ID.

And so I found a hotel. I am justifying it with the fact that I didnt even want to put my bags down at the other place. Sigh...

All in all Italy has been great.

Off to the east. Next stop Singapore

190 minutes

to do a wash and a dry cycle in Florence.

Yes, it is crazy...but at least I have clean clothes.

Everyone hug your american washers and dryers for me.

LOL

London, Paris, Rome..

And now I am in Florence. Oh, my deepest apologies for falling off the blogger wagon. London was a wonderful place, "rough and ready" where the men are prettier than me. Lots of hustle and bustle. I was sad to leave but of course the journey continues.

From London I took the super fast train to Paris and what can I say, Paris is lovely in the fall. I checked into my hostel and walked along the city streets. I stayed outside of the city center near a metro stop called Crimee. After a week of staying with family I was feeling a bit shy to meet people in the hostel so I picked up a glass of liquid courage and met two Canadians in the "chill out room" of the hostel. They ended up being great pals. One was a photographer and the other was a musician (two brothers traveling together).

I stayed in Paris for 4 nights and in the glorious days in Paris I saw the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Couer and the Louvre...I ended my stay with a visit to Versailles (I know I am murdering the names left and right, but Im sure you can forgive me). I took a day trip with three other fellow travellers and it was unbelieveable! Such luxury and excessive tastes...

From Paris I flew to Rome. Luckily my flight was not too long and not crowded. I can only hope to be as lucky with my next flight. I have to say up until this point all the places I have visited have been english friendly for the most part...that is until I got to Rome. Now the real adventure begins since I had to take a bus to my hostel...oh, yes, bus 280 (do you know how to say 280 in italian) I did not so it was ALOT of chirades with semi understanding strangers outside the bus stop. I finally check into my hostel and it was a nice hostel. It was an old convent with one computer for the internet and only women. Yes, Charity sure knows how to pick'em! HAHA at the least it was very clean.

My roomies were three girls who were travelling for 6 weeks. Nice girls from the states. They let me tag along for dinner and I laughed so much. It was fun hearing their stories.

I had three days in Rome so I saw the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel (I almost wept it was so beautiful...seriously), and the Colosseum....I had a nice dinner (recommended by the lady at the desk at the hostel) where she gave me a note of what to eat and where to go. I strange experience, but yummy food. I hope to go back to that restaurant after Florence.

And so I took a train from Rome to Florence and I am staying in a pretty neato hostel called Academy Hostel. I highly recommend to stay here. It is literally down the street from all the sights in Florence. Amazing.

I am here for one more evening after tonight and I have yet to decide what to do tomorrow. From here I am back to Rome for a night and then to Singapore.

I have yet to pick my favorite city, each has been beautiful.

I have been taking photos, but some of the places have a policy to not download files, so you may have to wait until I get back for the snaps.

I'll see what I can do though...I hope this finds you all well.

Talk soon.