Siquijor Island, Philippines

A small island south of Bohol. Better beaches than the infamous beaches of Boracay. Stayed at a small hostel, JJ's Place, right on the beach. Amazing at low tide.

Cebu City and Bohol Island, Philippines

Bohol Island: Stayed 3 days, 2 nights with a local homestay in San Miguel village near Maribojoc then huts at Nuts Huts in the jungle outside of Loboc. Walked 1.5 kilometers, rode two hours on the local bus, and paid a moto taxis to see the Chocolate Hills for exactly 5 minutes before heading back. Really, they are just large mounds of dirt covered with brown grass.

Iloilo City and Guimaras Island, Philippines

Shacking it up in a tree house for two nights at a mountain resort.

Starting the 30's Out Right - on the famous beaches of Boracay, Philippines

In April, I made my 3rd return trip to Siem Reap in 5 nonths. It’s the charm. It’s the expat community. It’s the unique art scene. I’m seriously thinking of deferring from graduate school to stay an additional year to work for Senhoa (pending registration). Things are still up in the air regarding this decision; I will have a better idea in the next couple of months. It was in April that I learned that bravery  doesn’t come without consequences and that I rather endure another Mongolian winter than suffer through a year under the Cambodian sun. I also turned 30, celebrating it with one of my dear friends on the island of Boracay, Philippines. I spent the day eating Mexican food, sailing, snorkeling, singing with live bands, and walking barefoot on the beach in the dark. It was wonderful. The rest of April, I will be island hopping around the Philippines (Iloilo City, Guimaras Island, Cebu City, Bohol and Siquijor Island) before heading back to Manila in May, then Binh Duong for my cousin’s wedding, and back to Siem Reap to officially start working for Senhoa (formerly VOICE) from May-July. 

Halong Bay and Cat Bat Island, Vietnam

Halong Bay, THE natural wonder of Vietnam: 3000 islands & limestone islets rising out of the Gulf of Tonkin. " Halong" translates to "where the dragon descends into the sea." Pictures are of Hai Duong province,  Halong Bay (on the Cristina boat), Hang Sung Sot cave, kayaking around Luon cave & a floating village (one of 9), Catba National Park (hike to peak), and Monkey Island.