Summer Vacation Pt. 1

This summer I, of course, got married. That is obviously the biggest part of my summer. However, that was only a part of the summer. Part of the reason we chose Cebu as our wedding location was so that friends and family could also have a vacation in the Philippines while they were at the wedding.

It started with me on a LONG haul flight from nanning to Xiamen, a lengthy stopover, and a flight to Manila. I had been worried about exchanging money in China, because the rates charged at the airport are extortionate. I would have cost me 9000 PHP ($220 Cad) to exchange my rmb, so I got on the pane to Manila with 600 PHP in my pocket. Charge for changing money in Manila. 50 PHP. Note to self, NEVER change money in China, just take the rmb out and change it at your destination.

Anyway, when I got there I met Darren, who had flown in to Manila from Daejeon. We then headed to Manila 101, a great hotel in Pasay, for a 1am check in. However, we were still hungry and so opted to head to a place near Sea Residences and MOA, a quick walk. We met two Spanish guys and chatted til almost 4. Then off to bed.

After a bit of a sleep in we decided to head up to Intramuros. I had not been there since 2013 when I visited the area with Mike on my first trip to Manila (about a month before I met Yen actually). We did the fort, art museum, and Luneta Park. However it was getting late and Mike (from UK, not to be confused with best man Mike) and his wife Xiaoshan had arrived from Guangzhou and we were going to meet them at MOA for dinner.

We went and went to the Pad, which has been a regular spot for me for years. However, the menu has changed and the food was a real disappointment, so we went over to Roadhouse for a cocktail before going to bed.

The next day we got up, checked out, and headed to the airport to catch the flight to Cebu.

"so, now that we are all in a free country,

we all agree Taiwan is a country right?"

Married

It is all done. Six months of incredibly hard work has finally paid off, as Yen and I tied the knot at Cebu White Sands on August 5th.

It was made all the more special because I had so many friends and family members who were able to make it from across Asia and Canada. My immediate family was able to come out and visit the Philippines and see other destinations in Asia as well. It was great to show them a place that has, effectively, become a second home for me. I also had friends come from Korea, China, and Vietnam for the ceremony, so a big thanks to all of them for coming. I also was happy that they had a chance to see a bit of the Philippines, and have vacations of their own, even if for some of them it was just a 3 day weekend. Also a big thanks to Mike for landing at 6am the day of the wedding and still being good to go on best man duties. Much appreciated.

The ceremony itself was held in the White Sands garden area. For Yen, preparation began at 10am with hair and makeup. For me it was far less work (as it usually is for men and women on wedding days). Still, I was very excited when the ceremony finally got started.

It is really a situation where pictures tell a much better story than words could, but I will just say that August 5th has now become the most important day in my calendar, and the event was exactly what I wanted it to be.

Babysitting duties while the women get ready.

Waiting patiently

Yen coming 

yes I may

Oh yeah, Mike is 6'3. I forgot about that :D