CNY in the Philippines

Andrew and I decided some months ago that we'd like to take a vacation/ our "official" honeymoon over Chinese New Year. First, and most importantly, Intel gives three days holiday to their employees for Chinese New Year, so Andrew wouldn't have to take as much time off of work to see another beautiful Asia destination. Secondly, we've discovered that it isn't very fun for westerns to be in China over Chinese New Year. Think of Christmas for most westerners, except with lots and lots of fireworks and a continuous 15 day celebration versus 2 or 3. Translation, it isn't easy to sleep because fireworks are going off all hours of the night and you can't shop or go out to dinner because everything is closed for two weeks, plus the busy Chinese streets are even busier. 

Based on our friends' recommendations we decided to go to the Philippines. We decided on a five day eco-friendly tour where we'd be island hoping, camping and on a boat with 7 strangers for five days, www.taophilippines.com, and a five day stay at a lovely resort located on a secluded island where there are a maximum of 16 guests at any given time, www.mangenguey.com. Needless to say we had a fabulous time and hope to return at some point in our future, maybe our 20th wedding anniversary...

Paradise

The boat

Caught from the sea and on the plate in 15 minutes. The best tuna sashimi we've ever had & probably ever will.
A highlight of the trip for both of us.

Beautiful Philipina we met in a very small fishing village.

Andrew the fish

Beautiful sunset

Accommodations

A trip to the tropics wouldn't be complete without Andrew climbing a coconut tree

Five days hanging out on a secluded beach isn't bad...

Our suite in the "big house" on the secluded island