Galena, Illinois

July 2004

Illinois is the first state I've been to.  I was in the US for 3 months and Joel wanted to introduce me to his woman best friend, Maria. They used to live here in Long Beach but decided to have a quiet retirement in Illinois.  A quaint little town north of Illinois called Galena. I was surprised to actually see a farm town in the US because in my mind US is more like California.  Modern, crowded and filled with cars.  I never imagined it was vast ,vast land of corn field, cow farm, potato fields and lots of red big barn yard. I was glad Joel's friend was actually nice to me. Always made sure I was comfortable and  included in their conversation. They took me to a lot places like a town in Iowa and Wisconsin because the town where they live just along the border of both states. You can have lunch in Illinois and have dinner in Iowa. We also went to a car show which Joel really enjoyed. One day we drove alone on our own and went canoeing.  We also went fishing along the Mississippi river which I think is one of my most memorable fishing. I WAS ACTUALLY FISHING ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI!!!!". We also checked out some museums on both Iowa and Wisconsin. It was a fabulous visit that we actually went back again this year not just to visit them but also explore Chicago.

Caribbean July 3- July 11, 2006

My oh my, I can still remember how nauseated I felt feel when we were in the Caribbean. We have booked our vacation 3 months before.Joel and I were both excited it was our first cruise and destination was...British Virgin Island of the Caribbean. Yes..we were both excited!!!until we realized 3 weeks prior to our vacation that I was 3 months  pregnant! We didn't get an insurance for this particular trip so we have no choice but to go ahead and get on the plane to Puerto Rico no matter what.  My first clue that this vacation wouldn't be such a great vacation like we imagined it should was when Joel got a severe attack of food poisoning when we arrived in Tortola (the biggest island amongst the BVI). I was so scared i was ready to just give up the vacation and head back to the US and make Joel feel better. We went to a doctor but they would not open until such and such time. So we decided to go to a pharmacy and ask someone to give us something that will alleviate his stomach ache and puking. God must have been on our side that all those symtoms didn't really go away but at least made Joel decide that we will continue with our cruise. We we hopped on a Windjammer cruise to see all of the beautiful and serene British Virgin islands. 

And my dilemma begun. I had the worst morning sickness that would start from the moment I open my eyes until I go to bed. It kinda ease up a little bit when we dock at every island and have some party by the beach. I would just sit still most of the time trying not to move my stomach thinking it will help me not to throw up.  I must have at least one day of good day that Joel decided to take me up to the mountains on an ATV ride. That was a ride of a lifetime. I am a wimp and the slightest adventure would just make me automatically say "NO". But this time I decided to do it. A lot of the people were concerned because they knew I was pregnant and on my first trimester. Anyway I just went and did it. Looking back....I never regret I did it. I saw the Caribbean in a whole different view....

One more nasty experience I had was going back to Tortola to catch a flight to San Juan , Puerto Rico and I realized i don't have my wedding ring in my hand. I had to go back to the ship knowing that my flight is 2 hours away  and I did not find my ring..I was so upset that Joel assured me he'd get me a new ring. Also the ring was insured. But when we got home to Long Beach and I was unpacking my clothes my ring just rolled on the floor... Thanks goodness!!

Macau July 18, 2005

We went to Macau while we were In Hongkong since it was just a ferry ride away. Although you have to go through immigration it wasn't such a hassle so we decided to spend one whole day visiting church ruins and a glamorized city known for its title as " the Las Vegas of Asia". It has indeed the ambiance of Las Vegas except for the humidity.  I enjoyed our adventure walking around a place which was once a colony of Portugal. But just like Hongkong it has been handed back to its rightful owner , China. Joel and I were fascinated with all the things that we saw. Since it was 4 years ago I cant even remember the names of the bridge, buildings, statues that we saw.  We had dinner at a nice Portugese restaurant which was mostly run by filipinos. They were so nice and welcoming. Funny on our way home I have a very vivid memory of walking through the casino's realizing we were lost and we need to find our way back to the pier so that we can catch the last trip of ferry ride going back to Hongkong. We also did some more shopping there. Joel got a nice shoes that he still owns and wear to this day.

Hongkong ... July 15-July 22, 2005

My newest motto would be "it's better late than never". I have been to Hongkong 4 years ago, my first taste of another country where I came as a tourist. Looking back I have become a wiser more sophisticated traveller. The reason I said that is when we went to Hongkong I did not research about the weather of the country so we ended up going there at the peak of summer where humidity and heat could just wipe you of your strength. It was almost unbearable, that Joel started taking of his shirt while walking on the streets of Hongkong.  But overall our trip was fun, shopping was great and  it kinda like slowly started sinking in to my mind that I am gonna have a great life waiting ahead of me.

We stayed at the City Garden in Hongkong Island. We never wasted a day not exploring a single tourist attraction. We even went for a tour to see the fishing village, Stanley market, Kowloon and other places that was included in the itinerary.  I have actually gone back to Hongkong this year because we really wanted to see Hongkong again at it's best season (spring) and we also realized we missed one major tourist attraction in Lantau Island.  

I enjoyed eating in different restaurant every night and just walking along one of the major shopping district in the island where the theme was " shop 'till you drop". I was so amazed people still shop for all sorts of goodies from souvenir, clothing, shoes and  whole array of things until 1am. I guess thats why people call Hongkong as one of the worlds shopping mecca. I would love to go to Hongkong for the 3rd time if given the chance but for now Hongkong will remain a favorite of mine.

My first entry

I've always wanted to make a blog about my travels but procrastination has gotten the best of me. I wished for the longest time to have the will power to save all those precious memories I've written in my mind about all the places I've been to. I guess Confucius was right.. " A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". And here I am finally making my first step. My husband has been pushing me to make a blog about our trips and this is my way of showing him that his suggestion was right.

I had always been a traveller. Even if my parents did not have a lot of money, I was able to see some parts of the Philippines as I was growing up . For the most part I only saw the Southern parts of the Archipelago. I was born in Bukidnon, raised in Cagayan de Oro City and moved back to Bohol when I was 15.  During college I would beg my older brother to give me some money so that I can visit him to Pagadian City. From there I have explored a lot of cities in Mindanao. When I turned 20 I decided to go to Laguna and start working. I made friends with a lot of people from different province. I explored Batangas, cities near Manila, Quezon province and most of the different cities in Laguna.

Few years ago I met my husband Joel and thats how my dream  all started to really unfold before my very own eyes, I will be seeing more than just the Philippines. He loves to travel and it has also became an important part of my life. Before I came to the US we have gone to Baguio, Boracay, Tagaytay, Cebu ,Dagupan and stayed a lot in Manila.

My first taste of another country I guess would be the US when I migrated here more than 5 years ago.  Like I once said I am one lucky girl who is given the opportunity and blessing from God to see parts of the world one country at a time. To date I have been to 6 countries and 7 states. Not bad huh? before the year end I will be seeing 6 more countries and I it still never fail to amaze me what kind of blessing God has bestowed to me. So my journey begun when I first visited Hongkong...