trip highlights

So Feb was a month of trips! I loved loved loved these 2 trips. Some highlights:

1. HONGKONG
- We had a bit of a non-traditional itinerary, since we only spent about one afternoon in the shopping mall (but that didn't stop me from coming home with loot - more on that later). We went up the Peak Tram to reach Victoria Peak and see 360-degree views of HongKong. We also did the Lantau Island tour- which consisted of a white, shark-infested beach, a traditional fishing village with houses on stilts, the Po Lin monastery where we had a veggie lunch (which was surprisingly good!) and a visit to the Giant Buddha. A great sight to behold, even if you're not Buddhist. Obviously, it was more special for us since it's our faith, and I prayed fervently for the one blessing I hope to get this year.

- We also had the most romantic Valentine's dinner ever. We went to Caprice, the French 3-Michelin star restaurant of the Four Seasons Hotel in Central. It was the most romantic meal I've ever had - with warm, soft lighting everywhere and a sprawling view of Central Pier and the HongKong harbour. Dennis also went all-out in terms of what we got for the meal - we had pink-grape champagne (which I still crave for until now) and really good merlot wine, to go with our 5-course meal peppered with complimentary dishes from the restaurant. The service was also impeccable- they accompany you everywhere, even walk you to the restroom! Haha! At one point, Dennis was going to pass me his plate of bread (to have me try it with the foie gras terrine appetizer), and the head waiter beat him to it! Imagine that! Dennis was already sitting next to me and was just going to pass me a plate, and the waiter who was standing a few feet from us beat him to the punch and got me my own fresh plate of bread! Lovely lovely dinner - something I definitely want a repeat of in the future :)

- Just when I thought I was a good girl and didn't really shop save for 1 top in H&M, I spotted a Marc Jacobs newly-released, airport-exclusive bag in HKIA, after our Saboten lunch and while we were walking to the gates. It was in the Hillier design that I have always loved, but never thought of buying since the all-leather version it originally came in was far too heavy for my scoliosis-weakened back. But this bag that we saw at the airport was in beautiful, soft nylon and in a luscious color of brown! My loving husband saw my expression when I saw it and ordered me (yes, in a serious, commanding tone) to get it. It was "on him" daw. Yay!

So that recaps our short Valentine's weekend in HK. I love traveling with Dennis, discovering new places with him, eating delicious food and just wandering around the city- something that, if you think about, we don't really get to do in Manila. At least not something we can do without any regard for safety considerations. It's a blessing that we get to go on these trips :)

2. SINGAPORE
- This was Dennis' firm's first lawyer's outing that was set outside the country and included the spouses. Originally, the other partners were thinking of going to HK, but Dennis oh-so-cleverly swayed the discussion towards Singapore, because he knew I wanted to go there to watch Wicked, and what better way to do that than on someone else's tab! Genius! Haha! My husband is the best!

- So anyway, we did watch Wicked on our first night and it was the BEST! It's now my favorite play of all time, among all the other shows I've watched. Such a happy and powerful story about friendship and love. I love love love it! And as usual, my spoiler of a husband bought me the official soundtrack CD and a shirt to commemorate the show. I listen to it every chance I get now :p

- We also went to Universal Studios and to the Fountain of Wealth - a staple in all Singapore trips :)

- We also went to new places like Chijmes and St John's Cathedral. I wanted to show Dennis a more suburban, "old" version of Singapore. And mission accomplished!

- We ate so much too - including Din Tai Fung, our dimsum favorite, which we had also eaten in in HK just 2 weeks prior! :)

- I also showed him to Ikea (his first time, isn't that so cute!) and met up with Ranza and Van for a Singaporean night out 2nd edition :) The first trip Van and I took to Singapore was in 2005, back when we were on a tight budget and could only afford a 10-sqm hotel room, and Ranza slept over pa! Hahaha! Those were the days :P

- And, as if the HK bag wasn't enough, this Singaporean trip also had me coming home with bag loot! My friend Van called me when I was in Kinokuniya with Dennis (the giant bookstore is his happy place in Singapore and in Japan), and told me there was a private sale of designer bags just across the street from Ngee Ann City (where Kinokuniya is). How can I not check it out?! So I went and met up with her and found THE Fendi baguette I love! Yay! On 30% off and I get GST refund back too. So it was a definite buy. :) Happily, my husband liked the bag too and gave a thumbs-up to the purchase :)

OK, promise to self: No more bags for 2012. AT ALL. Enough already :p

So that's pretty much what the trips were about. Such a happy February :)

We have another one coming up - Bangkok for Holy Week. And we'll be on business class too, thanks to my parents who gave these tickets to us as a gift. I am excited for April! :)