New Zealand Bound

Hi Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends~

Just wanted to keep you posted on my crazy life.  Big news - I've decided to go to New Zealand with two friends of mine in February for about 6-8 weeks!  The dates are still TBD, but my friend Kelly (one who I will be going with) is coming over today so we can plan exact dates and details.  Basically we are going to be wwoofing (a.k.a. working on farms) for about two weeks, then travel for two weeks, wwoof for two weeks, travel for two weeks, etc.  Wwoofing has become a popular thing to do down there.  In exchange for our work, the farm provides us with food, a warm bed, and I believe a small stipend.  During the weeks we aren't working, we'll be hiking and exploring the beauty of New Zealand.  Sky diving is at the top of our list as is scuba diving.  

We might jump over to Sydney, too, as we have friends that we met in Korea who will be moving there at the end of January.  I also have two girlfriends from college who will be there as well - Christie O'Rourke (my freshman roommate) and Carly DeLine (of the DeLine clan).

I'll keep you updated as travel plans become more definite.  

Boracay, Philippines

I have died and gone to heaven!  Boracay is one of the most stunning places I've ever seen in my entire life.  White sand, crystal clear aqua water, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and sail boats lining the horizon.  It rivals Grand Cayman for the best beach.  Plus, the country is 80% Christian and I think 40% of that is Catholic. Saw a few statues of Mary while walking around today. There are lots of Christmas decorations up and restaurants and stores along the main strip were playing Christmas music today.  I've spent two glorious days soaking up as much sun as possible before I return to the freezing winter cold in Korea and Colorado.  Tomorrow I'm going scuba diving and then I'll spend my last two days lounging around in the sun again. 

As much as I love Boracay, part of my heart is still back in Thailand.  Chang Mai is a beautiful place, but what made it a highlight were the people I met.  Our "Chang Gang" consisted of Clare (Canadian), Nat (Aussie), Yelle (Dutch), and Nate (American). A few other people would hang out with us on a daily basis, but the five of us got pretty close.  Clare and I met on the LONG bus ride from Laos to Chang Mai and after that we just clicked.  I didn't think we'd be friends at first, but after chatting and hanging out the first day together, we became inseparable.  We're trying to plan our reunion, and Boracay would be 1,000 times better if she were here.  But, I've met some nice people here and I'm so happy to be in such a beautiful place on the last leg of my trip.

I fly to Korea on the fifth and back to Colorado on the seventh.  I can't believe I'll be home for the first time in fifteen months!

Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving.  Can't wait to be home for Christmas.

Thailand

Hi everyone, and happy early Thanksgiving!

After 21 hours I finally made it from Vang Vieng, Laos to Chang Mai, Thailand. I believe I filled you all in on Luang Prabang (if I didn't I apologize, I can tell you in December). LP was awesome and very relaxed. I took another cooking class and then spent two full days in Vang Vieng. The ride down there, which lasted eight hours thanks to the slowest driver on the planet as opposed to the five they said it would take, was stunning. V.V. is one of a kind. The town doesn't have a lot, but it's known for the crazy, highly un-intelligent, but crazy fun river bar scene. There are about five bars set up within 50 meters of each other, but it literally takes all afternoon to do it. You're supposed to tube down the river, which takes about two hours, but only a very special and determined few are able to do that. In conjunction with alcohol, they also have slides, a platform to jump off of, and a trapeze to swing on and fall into the water. Don't worry, I was careful, but there are a lot of stupid people out there. I saw so many unintentional belly flops I lost count. But it's one of those things that you have to do, and it was totally worth it. I met an awesome group of about seven English boys, a Canadian boy, and a Dutch boy who were so fun to hang out with. A couple of us went to a blue lagoon that had some of the bluest water I've ever seen. We jumped off trees, swam around, and worked on our tans. But after two days at the bars, I needed a break.

I left Tuesday at 10 a.m. and arrived in Chang Mai at 7:20 a.m. on Wednesday. Four tuk tuk rides and three bus rides later, I eventually made it to my guesthouse. Luckily I met a really nice girl from Canada on our crazy journey so we walked around town today, we're going to the market tonight, and tomorrow we are taking a cooking class. On Friday I'm going on a jungle trek that includes an elephant ride, rafting, hiking, seeing waterfalls, and spending the night at a local hill tribe village. When I get back I'll have three days before I leave for the Philippines, and I want to take a Muoi Thai boxing class, see some of the temples, and maybe bike around a bit.

I'm bummed to be missing another Thanksgiving, but that just means Christmas will have to be an even bigger celebration. Love you all, and happy turkey day.

Laos

I LOVE LAOS!!!! Laos and Cambodia have been my favorite countries so far. I've realized that I enjoy smaller, quieter towns much more than loud and busy cities. I was ready to escape the craziness of Hanoi - streets crowded with people, cars, scooters, shouting, and more honking than I've ever heard in my entire life. The driving in Bali and Hanoi have been the worst by far. Coming to Luang Prabang was a breath of fresh air.

A Japanese guy I met in Halong Bay was on my flight to LP so we shared a cab and stayed at the same guest house. We woke up at 5 a.m. yesterday to watch the Buddhist monks collect offerings from the locals. After, I rented a bike and slowly made my way to some beautiful waterfalls. I was advised to take a tuk tuk instead of biking, but of course I turned that down. However, the ride wasn't exactly a walk in the park. 32 km to the falls sounded easy enough but on my heavy, single speed bike, the 30 km uphill ride was a little more than I bargained for. The tuk tuk drivers were impressed that it took me only 1:50 min to finish...apparently that was a good time. Wish I had known about the mountain bikes with gears that were available beforehand. But the waterfalls were beautiful and totally worth the trek.

Instead of catching a rose back to town, I decided to brave the bike ride back. I stopped halfway for lunch at a little local joint. There were two older gentlemen in the army and one of their friends having lunch as well. They invited me over to join them but spoke no English. Anyways, they offered me beer and I accepted. But apparently when you "cheers" in Laos you have to chug your glass. Luckily the glasses were pretty small but I can't chug and they continued to fill up my glass about five or six times. I was definitely feeling the effects but thankfully they drove me back to town and even oUr for my meal. The food is really delicious and so cheap! I tried dried river weed which sounded disgusting but was really tasty and dried buffalo skin which tasted a little like beef jerky.

I biked around town, went to the Phu Si temples, and walked around the night market. LP has the best night market. Delicious food with fresh veggies and fruit shakes, tummy baked goodies, and tons of cool artwork, bags, jewelry, and other fun things. I'm currently drinking a latte on a crisp morning overlooking the Mekong river. LP was a much needed breath of fresh air after Hanoi.

Tomorrow I head to Vang Vieng and then Chang Mai, Thailand after that. I can't believe I've made it to five countries so far and only have two left! It's been an amazing journey so far and I feel so blessed to be able to do this. I definitely caught the travel bug....if only there was a way I could get paid to travel. Know of anyone who works at a travel magazine? :)

I can't believe I'm missing another Thanksgiving, but I'll enjoy some Thai.curry while you're all feasting on turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie.

Vietnam

Hey Gang,

Hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit!

I arrived in Nha Trang, Vietnam on Wednesday night and spent two great days on the beach. I met a few older gentlemen (one  was probably in his mid-thirties and he was there his his father and father's friend) from Wales who were really interesting and so nice. I stayed in an awesome hotel for only $15/night.

I was planning on going to Hoi An next but there was a ton of flooding earlier this week and the city is still recovering. So instead I'll fly to Hanoi tomorrow and then start making my way to Halong Bay. Getting there is quite a trek...a bus from the airport to the main bus terminal, a 3-4 hour bus ride to Halong City, and then a 6 hour boat ride to Cat Ba island. I was planning on taking a 2-3 night boat cruise but after reading reviews and talking to some friends, I think I'm going to skip the cruise and just stay on Cat Ba island. From there I can take a little day cruise on a sailboat or rent a kayak.

Hopefully everything goes smoothly! See everyone ons less than 4 weeks!

Bali to Kuala Lumpur

Last night I flew from Bali to Kuala Lumpur.  I'm only here for a quick trip, only about 36 hours.  I'll spend today walking around the Golden Triangle (the main shopping/business district), Little India, Chinatown, and Merdaka Square (where they won independence).  Early tomorrow morning I head to Siem Reap/Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Here are some highlights from Bali:
1. The "groovy" Australian couple I met at the airport - they were total hippies from the 60s but so kind.  They invited me to visit them down under.
2. Soaking up the sun on Kuta Beach.
3. Meeting Janna, a Dutch girl, who I hung out with for a day.
4. Ubud - I don't have anything bad to say about this town.  From the Monkey Forest to the beautiful rice fields and finally the food and cooking class, this town was everything I had hoped Bali would be.

I've posted some pictures on Facebook for those of you who are on it.  I'll try to attach some to my next e-mail, but since I've only used my phone to take pictures with, finding wi-fi and waiting for all the pictures to download sometimes takes more time than I have.

So far I've had no problems.  No missed flights, I have been ripped off, pick pocketed, or felt any danger at all.  Thanks for all your continued prayers, love, and support.  I'll be home soon!!

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Hi hi hi!!

Wow, is Cambodia beautiful. The second I walked off the plane I immediately felt the calm and peace that this place exudes. Life here is slow, the people are extremely poor, and the land is untouched. After talking to many natives, I really.appreciate all.the blessings and opportunities I've had in my life. Things like education, traveling, and a running toilet are practically unheard of here. Most people can't afford college, even though it only costs about $500 to pay for an entire year of school. Most people live on $30-$50 a month. 


Despite all this, they are some of the kindest people 
I've met. Because they depend on tourists for information, many of them are practically fluent in many languages despite having no formal training.

Being here has really put life in perspective for me. I want to help these people somehow...I just need to figure out how I can do that.

On to more touristy things - the food, digger, and people are unreal. Yesterday I hired a tuk-tuk driver to take me around some of the temples. Today I biked and walked around even more, finishing my day with Angkor Wat. Although it's the most famous one, it wasn't my favorite. 

Tomorrow I am taking a Khumer (Cambodian) cooking class and then I'll head to the market for some shopping. I fly to Nha Trang, Vietnam on Wednesday. 

Lots of love,
Haley


P.S. Here's my favorite Khmer dish, it's called "Amok Fish" (I made it with shrimp, but you can make it with chicken, fish, pork, etc.).  ENJOY!

A Cambodian dish of curried monkfish or codfish gently seasoned with
coconut milk, turmeric, paprica, ginger, garlic, chili and fish sauce.
The pale yellow curried fish sits prettily in a lettuce leaf. 

Ingredients

• 1 pound monkfish or cod fillets
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon curry powder, optional
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh Thai chili pepper, seeds included
• 2 teaspoons Southeast Asian fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
• 12 baby bibb lettuce leaves
• 1 tablespoon shredded fresh kaffir lime leaves, if desired.

Directions

1. Cut fish into 1/2-inch chunks. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, combine coconut milk, turmeric, paprika, curry
powder, ginger, garlic, chili pepper and fish sauce. Mix well. Add fish
pieces, and toss until well coated. Let marinate 15 minutes.

3. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Heat oil, and add
onions. Saute onions until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add fish
mixture, and saute until fish is opaque, about 3 minutes. Remove from
heat, and allow to cool to room temperature.

4. Spoon into lettuce cups, and place three cups on each of 4 plates. Garnish with kaffir lime leaves, and serve. 

Indonesia

October 28, 2011
My first stop is Bali, Indonesia.  Unfortunately it's still raining but I'm not going to let that stop me from seeing the island.  Although my main goal was to surf, I'm now hoping to get to two or three cities and do some indoor activities like taking a cooking class.....


October 30, 2011
I'm here in Bali. It's been raining off and on but I already have a fun story. Was adopted (or commandeered) by an Australian couple at the airport. She's been to Bali tons of times so she's told me about all the yummy food places and good shopping areas.  Plus they paid for my hotel room last night. I'll send out an email soon.


November 1, 2011
I've had a great couple of days in Bali. I've spent the past three nights and two days in the beach towns of Legian and Kuta. I met a really great Australian couple at the airport that showed me around the first day and also paid for me to stay at their hotel the first night. Yesterday I spent the day at the beach. I met a girl named Janna from Holland and we hung out the whole day. I wanted to surf but my arm isn't strong enough yet to paddle. Right now I'm about to head out to a town called Ubud. I've heard from many people that its a great town so I'm really excited. The food here is good and really cheap. And the fresh fruit juices and smoothies are to die for, not to mention they cost less than a dollar. 

Hope all is well in the U.S. and happy belated Halloween!!