Several years have passed since I have typed anything in this "Add new journal entry " box, and I am looking forward to once-again recording and keeping track of some international adventures! I have nothing of interest to say at this moment in time, but I always seem to enter in a before-trip entry, so here's one for good measure.
This adventure will differ quite a bit from past ones. Primarily because I will not be alone on this one. I will be accompanied by my fantastic and adventuresome father, who will be using this as his first experience backpacking at age 55!! *round of applause*
We will be leaving on the 14th of June, overnighting in Tokyo, and then moving on to Manila the next morning, before spending three weeks together traipsing around the Philippines attempting to see and do as much as we possibly can. Dad has started the reading for his PADI Open Water Diving license, and although I have no pre-reading to do I am counting down the days to my Advanced Open Water Diving license as well. We intend to see the provinces of Mindoro, Visayas and North Luzon, hopefully getting a healthy balance of diving, surfing, nature-watching, hiking and relaxation. When dad's vacation days run out after three weeks, I'll stay behind volunteering in and around Tacloban City, Visayas, in urban and rural health clinics.
That's the plan as it stands! With two weeks to go, we have already made lists and piles of things to pack around our houses, and are continuously texting "15 days! 13 days!" to each other in excitement.
14 days!
