The New Year has brought on New Adventures, New Friends and a New Beginning.  And yes, I'm referring to the Vietnamese/ Chinese  New Years.   This year, it landed on February 7, where I spent some time in Palawan visiting the Vietnamese Village as well as one of the islands in the Philippines where many of the Vietnamese refugees resettled.  I enjoyed great company, good food and an 8 hour bus ride cram with 60 people for a 30 seat vehicle up to El Nido.  What has been raved as one of the most beautiful locations and compared to that of Ha Long Bay; I truly disagreed and would have to say that Ha Long Bay brings more mystery and natural beauty then that of El Nido.  We spent days visiting the beaches, visiting our clients and nights drinking, partying and being silly.  It was great times... One of the more memorable moments since I've been in this county.  I was in Palawan for almost a week starting the 6th of February....Some photos for your enjoyment....

My next destination took me to Tagaytay, a mountain region 1.5 hours outside of Makati, Manila where fresh air exist, beautiful greens were present and the opportunity to ride a horse for the first time was an experience to remember.  The first weekend we went up was Feb 15-17 where we visited the Moon Garden, showered with the view of a volcano, greens and lake in front of us and indulge in the lifestyle of beautiful architecture and serene surroundings.  It was breathtaking indeed... even just for a moment. 

The following weekend Feb 22-24, we were asked to return to Tagaytay and prepare a 10 course Vietnamese menu for 24 of the owners closes friends at the Moon Garden.  It was hectic, tiring but all in all fun for all of us to experience.  I had the opportunity to wear an Ao Dai which i miss wearing.  I enjoyed it a great deal and hope that the rest of the staff enjoyed it too.  Here we went to visit the volcano, rode a horse to the top and got haggle for our payments coming back.  Too bad for them, I'm a professional when it comes to winning arguments =o)

February 29-March 2nd weekend was spent catching up with guest in town, saying good bye to staff and clients.  No traveling for this weekend was absolutely crucial to refresh and restart.  It was a crazy weekend of outings, eating, drinking, dancing, doing pushups, shooting pool and lots of walking.  Photos will be posted when I write more about my non travel weeks.

The following week March 6-March 13, I visited Vietnam and Cambodia.  Vietnam was fabulous where I attended numerous exclusive parties in Saigon and enjoyed the company of good friends.  Cambodia was necessary for a possible next project and a definite opening of VOICE to focus on human sex trafficking of women and children.  It was another crazy weekend with meetings booked one right after the next starting as early as 8am and ending as late as 9pm.  However, all in all; I enjoyed it a great deal and am glad I had the experience of revisiting my country and exlporing a new one.

The weekend of March 14-16 was a time to recuperate from my week in Vietnam and Cambodia.  Another weekend to say goodbye to yet another staff and also to enjoy the company of new friends that I met.  It was a good weekend filled with dining, karaoke, dancing and relaxing......

March 20-23, Easter weekend, I set off again to explore another island of the Philippines; Mindanao...Where I spent my time in Davao with a few clients, went to the beach, explored the mountains and just enjoyed a relaxing weekend away for the bad Manila air and traffic...For the first time I enjoyed my favorite fruits Rambutin and saw a Mickey Mouse Tree (photo with yellow tree).  I brought back with me 40 kilos of fruits which ranged from rambutin, pomelos, jackfruit, durian and a few avocados.  It was lots of fun, with delicious fruits and great hosts....

March 28 - March 30 was another weekend of rest and hanging out with new friends.  Of course during these time, extra work is sometimes needed and the best thing for me was the opportunity to lounge on a couch.  I even got to shower at a proper shower with a shower head and hot water!  Oh it was divine!!!

April 4-5 Weekend I explored another area of Philippines which was a 2 hour ride.  Batangas, a beach area up the cost of manila.  We sat out on a house boat, got hennas, and enjoyed fresh seafood that was properly bbq.  It was nice indeed....

April 11-13 another rested weekend... We were preparing ourselves because we would lose our great cook.  Her family got approved and was getting ready to go to Canada.  She adored me so much that everyday she would make one of my favorite dishes.  To top it off, we had steamed crab, bbq prawns, chicken salad with onions and herbs on the last meal.. It was scrumptious!

April 18-20 I travel to Hong Kong for the first time.  It was definitely a memorable experience, loads of fun and very eventful.  I survived a category 3 typhoon and was wet from head to toe.  Shopping was short because of the weather but still it was great fun!

Apri 25-27 is another rested weekend.  I finally found Mexican food.. granted it's no where near the places I've eaten at in San Diego; but it's better then nothing. 

May 1-May 4, I explored another country with 13 and 1/2 other individuals I've met recently.  Why 1/2? Because we had one of the couples son accompany us... he's just absolutely adorable.  It was wonderful because the couple is from Taiwan so they planned the entire trip.  We explored the farmland the first night, the mountainside the second night and the city life the third.  I drank one of the best teas I've tasted ever, had my very first hot springs experience and attempted to fish for our own prawns for lunch.  I found a shop with my name Thi Pho and almost got lost in the crazy night markets.. I tried a lot of new things and realized that shopping in Taiwan isn't that cheap after all.  It was great going with a bunch of people who knew the language and knew where to go and what to do..

Next destination?  perhaps Singapore, perhaps Cambodia and if I'm lucky South Africa ;o) 

It's been great having the opportunity to explore new places and meet new people... I'm definitely enjoying myself and enjoying the new friends I've met.  If it wasn't for all of this, I don't think I could spend much more time here in the Philippines because it's just not my cup of tea... Till my next adventure.. I hope you guys all enjoy the short excerpts of my trips...And again, sorry for taking so long to write..