While in Phuket we took a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands. It was a very bumpy boat ride & very crowded once we got there but it was worth it.
I spent the rest of my time in Phuket by the pool…
Thanks again, Ellen for coming to visit!
Back when I was employed I had a pretty awesome job as an International Recruiter at Microsoft. I worked with a wonderful group of recruiters. Ellen was one of those peps. She came to visit Singapore a few weeks ago. We had originally planned to travel to Bali but there was a mishap with Ellen’s return trip so she found herself with four more days in South East Asia. We pooled our Starwood points and found a Westin Hotel in Phuket so a little trip to Thailand was also booked.
First up Ubud- Bali (one of my new favorite places)
Like a good wife I used, Expedia & found a great deal to stay at Bebek Tepi Sawah.
We went on a wonderful bike tour around Ubud. It started off at a coffee plantation, took us by rice fields and through varies villages. It was the highlight of my trip!
I can’t wait to go back with Matt!!!
Before we headed home for Christmas we checked out Nathan Sawaya’s The Art of the Brick at the Art Science Museum. The sculptures were created solely with LEGO bricks!
On the way home we came across the Tintin shop. I think the pictures speak for themselves!
Em & Matt (aka Tintin)
In November Matt and I were finally able to take a trip together in Southeast Asia. The opportunity to explore this part of the world was one of the reasons we decided to make the move to Singapore so it felt good to take our first trip. We chose to go to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Our timing was perfect because we were there during Loi Krathong (Lantern Festival for those of you who don’t speak Thai). During the festival thousands of people release sky lanterns made of paper into the air they also release floating banana-leaf containers decorated with flowers and candles onto the rivers to worship the Goddess of Water.
My camera was not behaving (AKA- I’m not a good enough photographer) so I had to borrow this picture to show you what it was like.
We made friends while having a beer at a riverside bar. In our little group of 6 we represented France, Spain, Holland and US. We did a group Lantern and wrote wishes/ messages on the sides.
The rest of our trip included exploring the beautiful Buddhist temples, Matt getting a 2 hour Thai Massage, eating amazing Thai food, shopping at the night bazaar and spending time lounging by the pool.
It was such a great trip! We highly recommend Chiang Mai.
ลาก่อน,
Em & Matt
Way back in September I was able to tag along with Matt on one of his work trips to London. I’ve never been to England before so I was super excited. We also made a quick trip to Amsterdam to visit our dear friends Kirk & Bre and meet their new baby girl!
First stop Emirates Stadium, Go Arsenal!
Our first EPL game! QPR vs Chelsea
Had to have a few pints before the game…
Tower of London
Big Ben
Westminster Abbey
Amsterdam it’s good to see you again!
Baby Teia
Hi All!
It’s been awhile since I’ve updated our blog. We’ve been racking up the frequently flyer miles! In the last six months Matt has traveled to Australia, Amsterdam, London (twice), Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand (Chiang Mai & Bangkok), Malaysia and the US. My list isn’t quite as long… I’ve been to Malaysia, London, Amsterdam, Thailand (Chiang Mai & Phuket), Korea, US & Bali. Our passports are quickly running out of room. Per usual I took a ton of pictures hope you enjoy!
Big Hugs,
Em & Matt
Hi All,
It’s technically Thanksgiving here but it sure doesn’t feel like it… I think this may be the most homesick I’ve felt since our move. I’ve spent the last 31 Thanksgiving with my family, that’s right I have never missed one! Even after Matt and I got married we would go to both our families on Turkey Day. If I were home right now I would be helping my mom in the kitchen, decorating the table and drinking a pumpkin spice latte. This is also the first time in the 7 years that Matt and I have been together that I won’t be spending Thanksgiving with my love. He is on a business trip to Sydney. I think not having him around is amplifying my homesickness by about 100%.
Now it’s not as bad as I’m making it out to be. Tonight I’m attending a Thanksgiving dinner with friends from Matt’s work (sans Matt so we will see how that goes). I’m bringing my friend/former Microsoft colleague Keith who is currently living in India & is visiting Singapore this week. I’ll be making my mom’s AMAZING stuffing so as long as I don’t screw it up I will have a little taste of home during my first Singapore Thanksgiving. We have another Thanksgiving gathering on Saturday so Matt will at least get one Thanksgiving dinner.
To everyone back home, we miss you like crazy and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Big Hugs!
*The picture on the left is from our first Thanksgiving together & the one on the right is from last year.
Waiting for our burgers at Fatboy’s so yummy!
I’ve been busy cooking and baking:)
Lunch with the lovely Azizah & Matt stealing my hot chocolate
The girls
Enjoyed some coffee at Group Therapy, such a good name:)
Out and about in Tanjong Pagar & Chinatown
Enjoying some amazing seafood not the most fancy setting but super good!
Hope you all are doing well!
Big hugs,
Em & Matt
This gallery contains 12 photos.
Hello All! I promise I didn’t forget about our blog. Time has just flown by since my last post! Matt has been busy at work and traveling like crazy. I’ve been busy settling in to our new place & exploring … Continue reading
The Hulen's Abroad 
