ColoradoDaze

Here is a sweet picture of …..?????

It must be something in the Philippine water…

Ava, very proud of her braided hair

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (aka Winter Vacation ’07)
written by Bill - pictures by Susan

This year, we had the pleasure of traveling with the Conradi’s

and Susan’s parents

Actually we never took a train but we did take a few ferries, some tricycle motorbikes and a few jeepneys.

Dalian to Shenzhen (Sex and Violence)

The layover in Shenzhen was uneventful for the Colorado’s but the Conradi’s had a bit of a sleepless night. They were kept up for a few hours by a drunken melee outside their bedroom window involving some policemen, nonetheless. Little did the Conradi’s know that this was part 1 of a double-bill. Once the skirmish outside was finally over a rather amorous (& noisy) couple in the next room took this as a cue to get things started. One hard Chinese mattress plus some unsolicited entertainment produced some blood-shot eyes in one Adrian Conradi.

Shenzhen to Macau (Mischa in Limbo)

After checking out of our hotel in Shenzhen we packed up our families and headed off to catch the ferry to Macau. Thirty minutes before our departure time we were allowed to go through the ticket-check and then off to customs.

The Conradi’s, who traveled lighter, were ahead of us and were through customs when we met up with our first snag. Apparently Mischa’s Chinese Visa had expired and she was illegally in the country, the country that she was born in mind you. So Mischa was not allowed to enter Macau but she was also not allowed to be in China. After a whole lot of cursing and a fine of 5000 RMB we were able to catch the next ferry to Macau. That night our stress level was reduced as we sat down with friends for a Portuguese-influenced dinner and a couple pitchers of sangria.

Waiting to find out if we can leave the country
Macau to Manila

On the steps in Macau

We met up with familiar faces in the unfamiliar place of Manila. Nick and Marie (Susan’s parents) were waiting in the lobby of our hotel in Manila and hugs were exchanged.

Some of the highlights of Manila: shopping, gambling, western food and the Pan Pacific.

Having a Margarita for Gracia’s Birthday

Manila to Tacloban to Sulanong (Are We There Yet?)

After Manila, we flew to Tacloban where we were picked up by two vans. We stopped for supplies in Tacloban and proceeded to the beach house in Sulanong. The drive ended up being 4 hours of winding roads with the last ½ hour being an unpaved bumpy dirt road.

It was dark when we finally arrived at the villa. Anxiety quickly turned to calmness as we entered the spacious house and Ava and Nadia (who are prone to motion sickness) quickly got their color back.

back of the house

front of the house

Sulanong

The next day we went for a swim with the local kids and spotted some sea snakes. The kids were very curious about the foreigners living in their village but they had no problem hamming it up in front of the camera.

Local kids

Not sure if she likes the beach yet.

More local kids

Playing soccer in the rain

Coconuts for goal posts

School boys

Everyday our neighbors would come over to ask if we would like to cook up the catch of the day for dinner - UG! No thanks

Maybe we’ll stick to the banana’s for dinner

San Miguel (the no hangover beer)

Grandma and 2 of her girls

On Sunday, Nick, myself and Adrian made our way to a local cockfight where Adrian found himself 100 pesos richer. After 4 days of clouds and rain, the Conradi’s left for Iloilo. Even with all the rain we managed to swim everyday.

We had 2 more days of rain before we saw some sunshine. Ava, Nadia and I took a break from the swimming that day and went beachcombing. We flipped over starfish and filled up 2 buckets with hermit crabs. We then spent the next hour racing these hermit crabs where an eventual grand champion was determined.

During our last week in Sulanong we explored the local village and made a couple of trips into the town of Guiain. We restocked on supplies and enjoyed some unbelievable fresh lobster while in Guiain. During our next few swims we discovered some nearby hot springs and Ava and I did a little snorkeling. We spotted some sea squirts, a few tropical fish and the shell of a giant clam. We retrieved the clam shell and it now sits in Nick and Marie’s garden.

Marie and Michelle on their way to Guian

Sulanong to Tacloban

On Feb 20th Nick and Marie began their journey home and we accompanied them back to Tacloban. Ava, Nadia and Mischa struggled with the 4 hour bumpy ride and about 2 hours into the ride, Mischa emptied the contents of her stomach all over Susan. We quickly cleaned up Mischa and Susan changed at the side of the road. I took Mischa for the rest of the ride, which meant Nadia went to sit with Susan and we were on our way. About 30 minutes later I heard an “Oh Shit!” from the backseat. Susan was again covered in sick, this time, thanks to Nadia. After one more cleanup and a little more time on the road, we finally arrived at our hotel. We had lunch with Nick and Marie and said goodbye to them in the lobby as they headed back to Canada.

The view from our hotel in Tacloban - Bye mom and dad we love
and miss you.

Tacloban to Boracay

After a few days in Tacloban we headed off to Boracay where we were reunited with the Conradi family. The kids were so excited to see each other and they acted like they hadn’t seen each other in years. The next 12 days were spent swimming at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, which was interrupted by eating and drinking and not much else. Those were some lazy days.

Ready and lovin the beach and the water

The tattoo gang

Can you believe this sunset!

After Boracay we returned to Manila for a few days to get the sand out of our shorts, have a few good meals and begin our journey home.

Manila to Dalian

We left downtown Manila to Clark Airport to catch our return flight to Macau. The airport was 2 hours away and this time it was Ava’s turn to get sick. She got sick in the van, she got sick on the plane and she got sick back at the hotel. It was a tough day for her but she was better by morning.

When we got to the hotel in Macau, we were informed that there was a reservation for the Colorado’s but there wasn’t a room for the Conradi’s. These people knew how to take a reservation. They just didn’t know how to hold the reservation, which is really the most important part of the reservation. Eventually the Conradi’s got a room right beside us.

The next morning, we were off to catch the ferry to Shenzhen. When we got there we passed Adrian who was on his cell phone and looking somewhat stressed. Thirty seconds later Sara informed us that our ferry had been cancelled and we were going to miss our flight. Less than 30 minutes later Adrian had rebooked all the tickets and in the end we actually saved some money.

After the ferry we went through customs and Mischa was allowed back into China. We then headed off to Shenzhen airport where the kids had McDonald’s and the adults had dim sum. Three and half hours behind our scheduled flight we boarded our last flight (or so we thought). Two hours into our flight we heard an announcement that we were heading to Changchun due to the fog in Dalian (that’s like going to Prince George instead of Vancouver). Half the flight cheered while the other half turned into angry mob. The mob made life miserable for the stewardesses and when we landed they tried to recruit us for a sit-in on the plane. Obviously we walked away from this nonsense and headed off to one of Changchun’s finest airport hotels.

The next day we had a Chinese breakfast followed by a Chinese lunch, which we swore were the same meal. After lunch we got a phone call telling us to be in the lobby. We crossed our fingers and an hour later we were boarding a flight home. After one puking child, one lost hotel reservation, a cancelled ferry and a rerouted airplane we finally made it home.

Mischa and Susan on Boracay

Bill enjoying some coco

A FAMILY PHOTO - BORACAY - PHILIPPINES - Feb. 2007

Note to self - pack less luggage

One of the most asked questions since we have been back from holidays..

Has Mischa’s hair grown..??
See for yourself, that hot weather made it grow like a weed.

My husband LOVES hockey, I’m sure almost all men do, but there’s this little story that follows him around after one of his hockey trips. Hearing about it upon his return, I kind of rolled my eyes and thought how finicky he was, but after reading this article I’m starting to realize how right he is. Please read….

If you’re getting sick repeatedly and illness travels throughout your home in a seemingly endless trail, the culprit of your poor health may be the most innocent-looking item in your house: your toothbrush.
Each time we brush our teeth we are inserting germs which have been flourishing on our toothbrush. These bugs are often the major cause of recurring infections, colds and gingivitis. “Food and water becomes the source for bacteria to feed upon,” says Dr. Richard T. Glass, D.D.S., PhD., professor emeritus of oral pathology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Glass, a top research authority on toothbrush hygiene, has studied the relationship between illness and toothbrushes for the past 15 years.

Smart storage
“Everyone is quite fastidious when it comes to washing their hands or their clothes,” says Glass, “but when it comes to their toothbrushes, most people keep it in the most unclean room in the house.” Dr. Glass says it’s not a good idea to keep toothbrushes in the bathroom. “Every time the toilet is flushed, millions of germs are propelled into the air, many of which settle on your toothbrushes.” He also advises against storing in a medicine cabinet, because bacteria prefer darkness to propagate and nixes the idea of storing your toothbrush in a plastic case where moulds will flourish.

Regular replacement
Although the Canadian Dental Association advocates changing our toothbrushes every three months, many people hang on to their toothbrushes for six months or longer. Dr. Glass’ research recommends that, ideally, you should toss your toothbrush every two weeks. He would like us to start thinking of our toothbrush less as a life-long friend and more as a temporary houseguest.

Better brushing
A brand-new toothbrush comes fresh out of the package with rounded bristles, but in as little as two weeks, they become sharp daggers which create minute cuts in our gums. “We transmit this bacteria into our bloodstream via overzealous brushing,” says Glass. “The harder we brush, the more likely we will get these germs.” Dr. Glass is also opposed to motorized toothbrushes as he has found that they cause the most damage to gums.

Here’s how to stay healthy while maintaining that perfect smile:

1. Ensure that everyone in your family has their own colour-coded toothbrush to avoid cross-contamination. Don’t share or borrow a toothbrush.

2. Use a soft-bristled brush, advises Dr. Glass. This will be the easiest on your gums.

3. Change your toothbrush every two weeks or four weeks at the most. Toss out your toothbrush after any illness and if you drop it on the floor.

4. Use a small-headed, less densely-bristled toothbrush. Buy a translucent or light-coloured handle preferably, as it’s been found to harbour fewer germs than opaque-hued — possibly because bacteria thrive in dark spaces.

5. Don’t store your toothbrush in the bathroom. The bedroom is usually the cleanest room in the house.

6. Always use a new toothbrush when travelling. From hotel rooms to suitcases, toothbrushes are in contact with many surfaces and are prone to more germs.

7. You can buy ultraviolet-light sterilizers designed specifically for toothbrush sterilization. They are a bit pricey and may not be necessary for a healthy person.

8. It is better to buy cheap toothbrushes and not feel guilty throwing them out, than to buy an expensive one that you’ll keep and possibly compromise your health with.

9. Remember to rinse your brush with water after each use and shake it gently until it’s dry.

What’s so great about travelling… One of the things…..

Toilets and not holes..

I will miss you.

Hello to all! We arrived home yesterday Feb. 22nd. after basically 48 hours of travelling. Transfers, cancelled ferry’s, fog, flight delays, it was definately an adventure to end off a fantastic trip to the Philippines. We all made it healthy, happy, and a little bit tanned.

It was great to sleep in our own beds, and fall asleep with Chinese Fireworks and Firecrackers going off outside our window until all hours of the night. HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR - MAY THE PIG BRING YOU HAPPINESS AND JOY.

HAPPY VALENTINES TO YOU ALL!!!

This was our view last night at dinner, we sat at a restaurant about 10 feet from the ocean, hot summer evening, wind blowing just the right amount. We shared a big seafood platter, prawns, tuna, lumaluma - a white fish, and some calamari, and a drink the size of a wheelbarrel.

All is well here, the girls are having a fantastic time, we enjoyed our time at the villa with Mom and Dad, and now we are on an island called Boracay. We stay until Sunday and then fly back to Manila for a couple of days, and then back to Dalian on the 21st.

We are all enjoying our time. miss you all.

Enjoy the day of RED AND WHITE.

Happy Anniversary to Brian and Debbie and Sara and Adrian, may your love grow more and more everyday.