Cape Town, South Africa

After the ball in Maputo, Rocky and I flew down to Cape Town. This city is AMAZING! The trip went so far beyond our expectations. There was so much to do, the weather was perfect, the people were awesome, and it was just so much fun!

We spent our first day at Tabletop Mountain. It. Was. Beautiful. Totally breathtaking.

There are about 100 places and ways to see the sun set in this city. We decided to go to Signal Hill. We had heard that it's perfect for a picnic and a bottle of wine, so we did just that!

Even with the clouds, it was just perfect!

We made our way to the V&A waterfront a couple of times during the week. There were tons of restaurants, music, people, and we felt right at home! We went in the evening both times and it was so cold! Which was perfect because we were missing winter!

We took a Peninsula Tour on our last day. We booked it at the last minute, and I'm so glad it worked out. It was amazing!

Cape Point

 I have wanted to see the Cape of Good Hope since I learned about it when I was like 7. 

I was bursting with excitement to finally get this picture!

Cape Town definitely goes down as my favorite city I've ever visited!

Mozambique

In November I got to go see my man in Mozambique! It was a little scary flying to Africa by myself, but everything went just fine and Rocky was there to meet me at the other end! We were in Maputo for just a couple days.

We stayed at the Polana Hotel and it was so so pretty!

The reason I came..

The Marine Ball. :)

The next day we made a little trip out to the Maputo wood market. It was incredible! So many people with their little set up of things to sell.

So pretty fabric.

Beads that I loved.

These ladies were my favorite!

It was so awesome and eye opening to see where Rocky is living and working! 

Philippines

In November, over the Deepavali break, I headed to the Philippines!

This trip through me for some loops! But I enjoyed traveling to these cute little islands anyways.

I started off by flying into an airport that was NOT the same airport that my connecting flight was at. So I had to take a bus 2 hours to fix that. Thankfully, I had plenty of time. Then, my connecting flight to Boracay was delayed. Which made my boat ride to the island not possible that night. I had to stay in the little town of Kalibo instead.

I've never seen an airport so.. not airport-y.

It was all open, with that little roof on top. The baggage carousel was almost pointless, as I watched the luggage carrier put my backpack down and then ride its way to me. The hotel that I booked had their airport shuttle man just calling out my name, and since I was the only white girl it was pretty easy for them to find me! It was like a movie and I loved it.

 I finally made it to Boracay and was rewarded with this..

It was rainy and cloudy for most of the time I was there. That water was still so beautiful though!

A bit of sun! White Beach is lined with restaurants and shopping all along that walk way. It was perfect for wasting time when it rained.

Always some sunset pictures!

After a few days in Boracay, I made my way off the island and spent a night in Manila. The sun came out and it was a really pretty day traveling. Wish I had been laying on that beach!

Check out that beautiful blue sky.

Manila..

I didn't do much in the city. I got sick overnight and felt totally horrible the next day. I found some good soup, and laid in bed. Then made the long trip back to KL.

Overall it was a pretty good trip! I loved that it was still southeast Asia, but it had it's own culture for sure. They LOVE NBA there. Everyone has stickers on their car, the locals wear and sell the jerseys, and it was on half of the channels on the tv in the hostel. It was nice to have that little taste of home. I enjoyed the little spanish flair that was hiding in places too! And the locals are so sweet. Everyone I met was so helpful and kind. And I learned not to fly Air Asia to the Philippines ever again.

Perfection in Pangkor

Pin and her family invited me to join them in paradise at the Pangkor Laut Resort this past weekend. Just a 3-4 hour drive from KL and then a little ferry to the island, it made for the perfect little weekend getaway. 

Adorable Water Villas

Pangkor Laut only takes up 30% of the island it's on. The other parts are all natural jungle. It made for a pretty spectacular view and some interesting encounters with wildlife. 

Villas in the Jungle

Pin and I after dinner

Emerald Bay 

We got to go on the Sunset Cruise our second night there. It was amazing!

My favorite part.

I loved the way this looked after the sun was long gone!

 Leave it up to Pin and I to catch the most beautiful morning by the pool before checkout!

It's not easy leaving paradise for another week back in real life. But back to work I go!

Langkawi

I spent my my most recent long weekend in Langkawi, Malaysia. Air Asia had a sweet deal about 4 months ago, and I'm so glad I impulsively bought tickets. Langkawi was peaceful, adorable, and so much fun for a little weekend getaway.

Where I stayed, on Cenang Beach

So cute and quiet little road where the guesthouse was.

I passed by this multiple times a day, and just loved it!

 Underwater World:

Wanted me to be his mommy, of course.

Chillin' in the Arctic

Island Hopping:

"Pregnant Lady Mountain" Can you see her??

Pretty ride.

Eagle Feeding

Incredible!

Cute little island stop.

He wanted to sit with me. But didn't want his picture taken.

Maybe 2 minutes after this picture was taken we were all running for shelter from the storm that came out of nowhere. There were hundreds of people on the beach all crowded under the tiniest shelter to get out of the rain and crazy strong winds. Island weather doesn't play.

Cable Car:

Beautiful surrounding area!

Going up. The weather was bad, so we didn't see much. 

Good Eats:

Steamboat Seafood with new friends

The most delicious smoked salmon sandwich at Red Tomato

Sunset to end the trip!

Batik Painting

At a perfect distance away from where we live, there is a Craft Complex. They sell Malaysian handi-crafts and there's a little museum inside. My favorite part is the little hut where you paint your own batik. Batik is a piece of cloth, with wax drawn designs, and then dyed with ink to make some super pretty colors. At the do-it-yourself hut they have cutesy little designs to choose from. Pin, Kevin, and I spent a little part of our Saturday afternoon out there.

Before:

After:

With Pin and Kevin's 2nd pictures.

Me and my super fun batiks!