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Posts Tagged ‘travel’

Abu Dhabi

November 24th, 2015 No comments

We have now lived in Asia for three years. Two years ago a good friend from Texas moved to Abu Dhabi and I wanted to go visit her. Then, when another family that we met in the Philippines moved to Dubai, I knew we couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit them both by taking advantage of Manila’s direct flights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). I had been telling Matt for nearly 18 months that I wanted to spend our fall break visiting these friends and exploring that part of the world. We had never been to the Middle East and were told that in October the weather would be cooler. So off we went, and the weather cooperated and we all had a wonderful time being with friends and exploring the UAE. Many thanks to our fabulous host in Abu Dhabi, Kym, for taking such good care of us and being our tour guide.

Philippine Air has a direct flight from Manila to Abu Dhabi that is nearly nine hours. To upgrade to business class is rather inexpensive for this flight, so that is what we did and even 16 month old Blake knows this is the preferred seating.

Philippine Air has a direct flight from Manila to Abu Dhabi that is nearly nine hours. To upgrade to business class is rather inexpensive for this flight, so that is what we did and even 16 month old Blake knows that this is the way to go.

We made it to Abu Dhabi where our friends were waiting to pick us up.

We made it to Abu Dhabi where our friends were waiting to pick us up.

Day 1

View from our friend's condo of Abu Dhabi.

Part of the view from our friend’s condo in Abu Dhabi.

First place to visit was the Grand Mosque.

First place to visit was the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Inner area of the Grand Mosque. Kalani was a little bit upset that women had to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and cover our heads, but the men could wear short sleeve shirts and didn

Inner area of the Grand Mosque. Kalani was a little bit upset that women had to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and cover our heads. Whereas, the men could wear short sleeve shirts and didn’t have to cover their heads.

Amazing chandeliers are inside the Grand Mosque.

Amazing chandeliers are inside the Grand Mosque.

We had lunch at a yummy Lebanese restaurant.

We had lunch at a yummy Lebanese restaurant.

We strolled along some malls and found a few "spices store". So many different types of spices before they are grounded up.

We strolled along some malls and found a few “spice stores”. Pictured: so many different types of spices before they are ground up.

We are friends from Texas, so we had to snap a photo in front of a Texas Roadhouse restaurant.

We are friends from Texas, so we had to snap a photo in front of a Texas Roadhouse restaurant…Blake’s never been to Texas, so he isn’t in the photo.

Farleys are in Abu Dhabi

Farleys are in Abu Dhabi

We didnave the

We were too tired to go inside and explore Ferrari World, but we made it to the entrance.

Day 2

We spent the morning exploring the UAE Heritage Village.

We spent the morning exploring the UAE Heritage Village.

Family photo with the Abu Dhabi skyline.

Family photo with an Abu Dhabi skyline.

Our first time seeing a camel up close. Mason was very comfortable being around it.

Our first time seeing a camel up close. Mason was very comfortable being around it.

Lunch at a Mexican restaurant where all of the staff were Filipinos. So of course they helped us take care of Blake so we could eat.

Lunch at a Mexican restaurant where all of the staff were Filipino. So of course they helped us take care of Blake so we could eat.

We had an appointment to visit the Falcon Hospital and learned a lot about falcons. If they are wearing a falcon hood they are calm.

We had an appointment to visit the Falcon Hospital and learned a lot about falcons. If they are wearing a falcon hood they are calm and can go on an airplane with their own passport. (in their own seat!)

Blake wasnt too keen on

Blake wasn’t too keen on being this close to a falcon. It was such a neat and educational experience for all of us.

Date Night at the Emeritus Palace. There is a strict dress code to enter, but you can never dress too fancy there.

Date night at Emirates Palace. There is a strict dress code to enter, but you can never dress too fancy there.

ATM machine where you can buy gold is inside the Emerites Palace.

ATM machine where you can buy gold, inside the Emirates Palace.

Night view of Etihad Towers that are across from Emirates Palace. The towers were used as a filming location for the 2015 film Furious 7. In the film, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) steal a Lykan HyperSport and drive it through three of the towers

Night view of Etihad Towers that are across from Emirates Palace. The towers were used as a filming location for the 2015 film Furious 7.

More photos of Abu Dhabi here.

Malapascua, Philippines

November 23rd, 2015 1 comment

In late September we had a couple’s get-away to Malapascua in the Philippines to do some scuba diving. We had obtained regular certification about six weeks previous to this trip and are trying to cram in as much diving as we can while still in the Philippines since the diving is so great here. Matt really wanted to go to Malapascua to see the thresher shark. Not only did we see the threshers, but we also saw some white tip reef sharks, sea snakes, eagle ray, octopus, cuttlefish, lion fish, nudibranch, eels, etc. We completed our Advanced Open Water and Nitrox Air certification and did seven dives in two days. (It was our first time to use a GoPro while diving and now have bought a red filter so our future photos should look better)

Link: Video of Thresher Shark Encounter

Within a couple of hours of arriving at the resort we were already in the water doing our first night dive where we saw this octopus and other sea creatures.

We woke up at 5am two days in a row to see the rare thresher shark.

We woke up at 5am two days in a row to see the rare thresher shark.

We took a boat to Groto Island and found some white tip reef sharks.

We took a boat to Gato Island and found some white tip reef sharks.

We watched this really long sea snake rise from the bottom of the ocean floor.

We watched this really long sea snake rise from the bottom of the ocean floor.

We saw various sizes of cuttlefish.

We saw various sizes of cuttlefish.

After seven dives in less than 48 hours we are now certified to dive down to 30 meters 100 feet).

After seven dives in less than 48 hours we are now certified to dive down to 30 meters (100 feet) and to use Nitrox air which allows us to stay under water longer.

We rented a motor bike and drove around the island of Malapascua. Not many roads are paved.

We rented a motor bike and drove around the island of Malapascua. Not many roads are paved.

We found this make-shift basketball hoop nailed to a coconut tree.

We found this make-shift basketball hoop nailed to a coconut tree.

Even on a small island in the Philippines, basketball games are still played.

Even on a small island in the Philippines, basketball games are still played, with or without shoes.

We wanted to get to the lighthouse, but were not certain how to actually get there since there was no visible road when we got near.

We wanted to get to the lighthouse, but were not certain how to actually get there since there was no visible road when we got near.

These kids became our guides and showed us how to get up to the lighthouse through some foliage and brush.

These kids became our guides and showed us how to get up to the lighthouse through some foliage and brush.

These plant was growing all around the light house. The red color on the leaves make it look like it is a flower from a distance.

These plant was growing all around the light house. The red color on the leaves make it look like it is a flower from a distance.

It was long weekend to be able to spend time together as a couple and enjoy a new hobby of scuba diving together.

It was long weekend to be able to spend time together as a couple and enjoy a new hobby of scuba diving together.

More photos of Malapascua here.

Baler Vacation 2.0

November 22nd, 2015 No comments

With so many islands and countries to visit, we don’t normally go to the same place twice unless we have family there. However, we did make the exception to go back to Baler. In mid-September we made the five hour drive from Manila to Baler and met up with some close friends. We stayed at Costa Pacifica again for two nights and spent a whole day with our friends having a BBQ and playing at some beachfront property they recently purchased and plan to develop. It is was a quiet, beautiful, and relaxing weekend.

We started off the morning having breakfast at the resort and then saw these four LDS missionaries. We paid for their breakfast buffet.

We started off the morning having breakfast at the resort and then saw these four LDS missionaries. We paid for their breakfast buffet.

We had the whole beach to ourselves. Everyone had a great time playing in the water.

We had the whole beach to ourselves. Everyone had a great time playing in the water.

There is clean water on their property, but you have to use the spigot to pump it out. Mason really liked using the spigot.

There is clean water on their property, but you have to use the spigot to pump it out. Mason really liked using the spigot.

The kids also liked playing on the hammocks.

The kids also liked playing on the hammocks.

We had a super yummy BBQ for lunch.

We had a super yummy BBQ for lunch.

After lunch we walked to another area of the property to have a friend climb up the tree and get us some coconuts.

After lunch we walked to another area of the property to have a friend climb up a tree and get us some coconuts.

A beautiful location, good food and great people about sums up our weekend in Baler.

A beautiful location, good food and great people about sums up our weekend in Baler.

More photos of Baler here.

Puerto Princesa, Palawan

November 10th, 2015 No comments

It took us nearly three years, but we finally made it to Puerto Princesa in Palawan (along with some friends)! The Underground River was the main attraction and reason for our trip. So we decided to stay at the Sheridan which is near Underground River, but it is a two hour drive from the airport. The weather was not the best since there was a typhoon in the country, which meant we got some heavy rain. However, that didn’t stop us from having fun and doing everything that we wanted to do. We were able to stay for three nights and had a wonderful time.

Our flight was delayed in Manila, so to pass the time the kids shared the iPads.

Our flight was delayed in Manila, so to pass the time the kids shared the iPads.

Sheridan resort had nice rooms and friendly staff, but the food wasn't great...we discovered Daluyon Resort/restaurant nearby that had AMAZING food

Sheridan Resort had nice rooms and friendly staff, but the food wasn’t great…we discovered Daluyon Resort/restaurant nearby that had AMAZING food

The clouds were coming in, but we still stuck with our plan to do the Underground River

The clouds were coming in, but we still stuck with our plan to do the Underground River

The kids waiting for the paper work to be completed before boarding the boat for the Underground River tour.

The kids waiting for the paper work to be completed before boarding the boat for the Underground River tour.

Other people waiting to board the boat for the Underground River asked to take photos with Matt.

Other people waiting to board the boat for the Underground River asked to take photos with Matt.

On the boat ride to the Underground River we could see the "Sleeping Giant" in the mountain.

On the boat ride to the Underground River we could see the “Sleeping Giant” in the mountain.

We made it to the Underground River.

We made it to the Underground River…Blake stayed at the resort with a babysitter.

Our group is ready to enter the caves of the Underground River.

Our group is ready to enter the caves of the Underground River.

Bats and sparrows where the cave.

Bats and swallows were in the cave.

After a huge downpour, we all decided to go swimming. The kids really liked this trench and spent a good portion of their time here.

After a huge downpour, we all decided to go swimming. The kids really liked this trench and spent a good portion of their time here.

The dads did boogie boards and had some pretty decent size waves.

The dads did boogie boarding and had some pretty decent size waves.

After swimming we decided to do the zipline over the ocean. Mason was a bit scared and probably too young as well to ride by himself, so I went with him

After swimming we decided to do the zipline over the ocean. Mason was a bit scared and probably too young as well to ride by himself, so Tia went with him.

Kalani got to ride the zipline by herself and we bought the photo the company took of her.

Kalani got to ride the zipline by herself and we bought the photo the company took of her.

We did a mangrove tour and saw 2 different snakes in the trees...and we got wet with another downpour.

We did a mangrove tour and saw 2 different snakes in the trees…and we got wet with another downpour.

We waited for the rain to stop and then used these umbrellas for the tour which came in handy since the rain started up again. Tia's three-year old friend had a nice nap towards the end of the tour.

We waited for the rain to stop and then used these umbrellas for the tour which came in handy since the rain started up again. Our three-year old friend had a nice nap towards the end of the tour.

Dinner buddies...this little three-year old LOVES Tia.

Dinner buddies…this little three-year old LOVES Tia.

We went to Daluyon Resort for lunch and saw a monitor lizard. The kids were all very impressed.

We went to Daluyon Resort for lunch and saw a monitor lizard. The kids were all very impressed.

The walk between the Sheridan and Daluyon was along a dirt road and the kids had a great time exploring.

The walk between the Sheridan and Daluyon was along a dirt road and the kids had a great time exploring.

Palawan 2015 was nice and we are so glad that we were able to be with friends.

Palawan 2015 was nice and we are so glad that we were able to be with friends.

More photos of Palawan here.

Sumatra – Indonesia

November 9th, 2015 No comments

We came home from Thailand on a Sunday in June and the very next day on Monday morning Matt, Blake and I took another airplane to go to Indonesia! We flew from Manila to Jakarta and then to Sumatra. While on our layover in Jakarta, Blake received a lot of attention from the airline employees. Once in Pekanbaru, Sumatra, one of Matt’s co-workers picked us up and showed us around a bit and took us to dinner. We were able to stay at the CR compound at another co-worker’s home since he was out of the country. The co-worker graciously let us use his home for the three days that we were there (and he had his maid stay to help us too!). We received such wonderful hospitality from the Indonesian people.

All of these ladies loved Blake at the airport while we waited for our next flight

All of these ladies loved Blake at the airport while we waited for our next flight.

Our first stop after getting off the airport was to An-Nur Great Mosque

Our first stop after getting off the airport was at An-Nur Grand Mosque.

We ate dinner the first night at a local restaurant. One half of the restaurant is enclosed and has air-condition. The other half is for smokers and is open air seating.

We ate dinner the first night at a local restaurant. One half of the restaurant is enclosed and has air-condition. The other half is for smokers and is open air seating.

We got to visit and stay at CR Rumbai Camp

We got to visit and stay at CR Rumbai Camp.

The home on the compound that we stayed at while in Indonesia

The home on the compound that we stayed at while in Indonesia.

These ladies took me out shopping and to lunch and just really made me feel welcomed.

These ladies took me out shopping and to lunch and just really made me feel welcomed.

So many different Batik material to chose from.

So many different Batik material to chose from.

Lots of different Indonesian accessories at a store I was taken to.

Lots of different Indonesian accessories at a store I was taken to.

Ancestral home in Indonesia

Ancestral home in Indonesia.

Lunch dessert was a type of sticky rice. It was good, but I like the Filipino Mango Sticky Rice better.

Lunch dessert was a type of sticky rice. It was good, but I like the Filipino Mango Sticky Rice better.

Blake got to experience a real play ground and he LOVED it. A boy with a stick is a pretty great day.

Blake got to experience a real play ground and he LOVED it.

Breakfast that was on the table waiting for us when we would awake.

Breakfast that was on the table waiting for us when we would awake.

Compound commissary had a descent selection of things in the store.

Compound commissary had a descent selection of things in the store.

All over the compound you would see monkeys

All over the compound you would see monkeys.

A super yummy treat is fresh and hot rotiboy!

A super yummy treat is fresh and hot rotiboy!

More photos of Indonesia here.

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