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.