Next year John and I will be traveling the world for several months.  We’re saving up money, and most of our international dream destinations, for that larger trip.  So this year, in lieu of our regular international jaunt, we decided to take a more low-key vacation – camping in Wyoming.

Before this summer, I had never camped (at least not since I was old enough to remember.)  But for some reason, we decided a week-long camping trip in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks would be a fun adventure.  In preparation, we took a single overnight camping trip with a few friends a few weeks ago, and then set off for seven days on our own. » Continue reading “Wyoming”

San Fernando is the surf city of the Philippines.  After our surf adventure in Panama, I was super excited to try it again (only without the wicked sunburn this time.)  Unfortunately, whatever was wreaking havoc on my body had other plans.

By the time we rolled into San Fernando from Sagada, we were exhausted.  A full day of riding buses from city to city had worn us down.  But it wasn’t until the next day when we both became violently ill that we realized how much.  I have no idea what made us sick – water, bad food, a bug caught in transit, who knows.  But we were both terribly terribly ill.  Stomachs were not happy.  Fortunately, John is awesome.  He trekked out and found us a super swank beachside resort to stay at while we recovered.  » Continue reading “San Fernando, Philippines”

Honeymoon – Part Three

“I’m pretty sure I could bike that faster,” John stated, after discovering that it would take us 7 hours by bus to go approximately 50 miles.  30 minutes into our bus ride to Sagada, he was singing a different tune.  The roads were absurdly windy, taking us up narrow dirt roads with incredibly steep hills.  It was a smidge terrifying, but at least the ride came with stunning views of the rice terraces that the Philippines is famous for.  And he definitely could not have biked it faster – far too hilly :) » Continue reading “Sagada, Philippines”

Honeymoon – Part Two

Manila had little to offer.  Our first impression of the city reminded me heavily of Panama City, only far crazier.  People everywhere, abhorrent air quality, and masses of fast food restaurants that blew me away (a McDonalds, KFC and Dunkin’ Donuts on every corner.  Literally.)  So when our flight from Boracay landed in Manila, I had no interest in staying 2 or 3 days in the hectic capitol city as we had initially thought.  Instead, we went straight from the airport to the bus station and high-tailed it to the mountains.  Tagaytay sits on the ridge above Taal Lake, which is home to Taal volcano.  Most of what this small city boasts is incredible views of the lake below, and after one night here we opted to visit the smaller community of Talisay, right on the lake. » Continue reading “Tagaytay and Talisay, Philippines”

Honeymoon – Part One

Travel books often call Boracay the “Pearl of the Philippines,” and I can certainly understand why.  Perfectly soft white sand, crystal clear warm water that’s as calm as a swimming pool, beautiful sunsets, and lots of cocktails.  It’s island paradise.  We spent the first three days of our honeymoon just relaxing in Boracay, splurging for a change on a nice beachfront resort.  (Ok, really the first three days of our honeymoon were spent in transit as we followed this path: 2.5 hour flight to LA, 4 hour layover, 13.5 hour flight to Seoul, 2 hour layover, 4 hour flight to Manila, overnight stay in Manila, 1 hour flight to Caticlan, 20 minute boat ride to Boracay.  We left Denver on Tuesday night and arrived in paradise at noon on Friday.  But the three days after that were spent in Boracay :) ) » Continue reading “Boracay, Philippines”