= Nelson & Stephen

Stelson

= Nelson & Stephen

Stelson is back and this time we are on our way to the Philippines and Southeast Asia for a Family Holiday and Homecoming!

During the last year and half since our Oceania Adventure
( see blog : http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Stelson/Trips/5273 ) , both Stephen and I have been able to travel frequently but were unable to find time to blog. If you haven't seen our last blog, check it out and our hope is to share with all of you some great pictures, stories and videos from the Philippines!

The Inspiration of this Philippines Homecoming was introduced last Christmas when my Lola (grandmother) decided to return to Manila for the winter. So my brother Brian accompanied her this past January. I told my Lola I would come this May to pick her up in time for the summer and for her planned hip surgery this upcoming July. As I planned the trip, Stephen was fortunate to get the time off and I was able to convince both my parents, brother, sister and two cousins to come along, thus making this a Philippine Homecoming for all of us.

It has been over 10 years since I have been back to the Philippines and I know things have changed. For Stephen this will be his first trip to our home country and I am excited for him to learn about history and culture.

Our plan is to leave on May 12, 2011 and travel nearly 4 weeks to the Philippines. Our first stop is outside Manila, where our family resides and where we will all be staying. For now, we have plans to go to Mindoro, an island where our family's business is located and we hope to show you all our fish farm, salt farm and factories. Weather depending, we also hope to make stops on the islands of Boracay, Cebu and the country of Laos.

Check out our May 23 blog when we will be attending Maroon 5 Live in Manila and meeting the band and my favorite singer Adam Levine!

We hope you enjoy reading our travelblog and keep up to date with our travels !

If you subscribe to the blog you get emails when we update them!

Thank you and see you all soon!

Nelson & Stephen
"Stelson"
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Nelson & Stephen's Australia & New Zealand Adventure

Greetings. I am Nelson and my partner is Stephen. We are "gay elites" located in the Commonwealth of MA. When we aren't anesthetizing kids or dispensing drugs, our passion is to travel the world and rack up the most memories possible with family, old and new friends.

The Inspiration of this Oz/NZ Adventure was introduced less than a year ago after the engagement of the A-Team. We have been planning this trip ever since our friends Alyson & Al (www.mytb.org/Aly-M) decided to have their 3rd Wedding Bash in Perth, AUStralia!! Since my Europa & Asia travel days, I have been longing to one day travel with my life partner. Now that I have my partner in crime, WE are officially ready to begin OUR first of many overseas trips!!

Our plan is to leave on October 28, 2009 and travel for 3 and half weeks to Oz and New Zealand. Our first stop is Perth, Australia to attend Alyson & Al's Wedding. I will be the "Gaid of Honor" for my darling Alyson. After the wedding bliss, we will be heading to Melbourne to see and stay with the newest newlyweds David & Sean. We will also be attending the Emirates Melbourne Cup- Banks Marquee Style...I am considering entering the Men's Fashion show in hopes of being the "Best Dressed at the 2009 Melbourne Cup".

After a week in Melbourne, Stephen and I will fly to the land of Kiwi's to meet my friend Jared in Auckland, New Zealand. From the airport, we will be heading to Jared's family vacation home in Waiheke Island. After the weekend in Waiheke, we plan to fly to Christchurch and rent a car. Our plan is to have Stephen drive through the South Island along the western coast all the way to Queenstown. In Queenstown, we hope to seek some gut-wrenching-adventure and lots of outdoor activities.

Our final destination before heading home will be Sydney!! Here we will meet and stay with my college friend Aimee and John. Aimee & John were recently relocated to Sydney from Kansas. We will be their second round of guests from the USA within a month!!

We will return on November 22, 2009.

We hope you enjoy reading our travelblog and keep up to date with our travels !

If you subscribe to the blog you get emails when we update them!

Cheers Big Ears!

Nelson & Stephen
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Maroon 5

Asia » Philippines » Manila » Malate May 26th 2011

Adam Levine & Nelson

Stelson

This past Monday, Stephen, my brother, sister, cousins and I attended the Maroon 5 Live in Manila at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay! It was a great concert and the group sang to a sold out crowd in Manila!! Before the concert, Stephen, Christine and I were able to meet Adam and the band! They were so much fun and Adam was a hottie!! :-) He was so suave dancing in the Arena. Check back later for some uploaded videos of the night. Adam Levine's rendition of Alicia Keys was delicious! Enjoy the pics!! Stelson... read more

Boracay 2.0

Asia » Philippines » Boracay May 25th 2011

Stelson on Jetboat

Stelson

Well, it has been a busy week and I am finally having some downtime to update our blog! We decided to return to Boracay Island, but this time with my two siblings, Brian and Christine, and my two cousins, Mikey and Steven. We departed early Tuesday from Manila after the Maroon 5 Concert at 4am! This time Stephen and I decided we would try the Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa on the other end of the island. My siblings and cousins decided to stay on the main strip at The Boracay Regency where we stayed last week. Today, I treated my siblings and cousins to a Lax Pass to the Shangri-La. Here they were able to enjoy all the amenities of the resort and we had a luncheon buffet. It was great having my family come ... read more

My siblings Brian and Christine with their Kuya

Kuya Nelson & Stephen treating the kids out

Last Day in Boracay

Asia » Philippines » Boracay May 19th 2011

Arrrrr

Stelson

This trip to Boracay has truly been relaxing and the weather could not have been better. While back home in the States, I was worried it would be raining here, but its seems like the summer has come late this season!! During the last few days here in paradise, both Stephen and I have energized, spent quality time together and made our own lasting memories. If anyone ever visits the Philippines, you must visit Boracay Island!! There is something here for everyone; you can relax, scuba dive, island hop, or adventure throughout the land. To all our family, friends, and fellow bloggers, we hope you enjoyed our trip to Boracay Island. I hope this inspires you to come visit! We will be heading back to Manila tomorrow and will be seeing my sister (who arrived tuesday) ... read more

Cocomangas Mission

Asia » Philippines » Boracay May 18th 2011

Cocomangas Bar

Stelson

Greetings from Boracay Day 2! Today, we really enjoyed the island life and relaxed to the max! Stephen and I actually worked out this morning and I returned in the afternoon, just so I could continue eating the way we are! Since being here in the Philippines, we really haven't had to do much except eat; you are driven everywhere, the maids bring you everything, you ask for something and its done...all you need to is choose what meal is next or where to go! After some beach time and massages, I dragged Stephen to Cocomangas. It was a bar, my cousin and I found over 10 years ago. The bar offers15 violently sick shots and if you finish all of them you receive your name on a plaque and a free t-shirt! Well when I ... read more

Day 4: Boracay Island

Asia » Philippines » Boracay May 17th 2011

I made it back after 10 years!

Stelson

Early this morning, Stephen and I headed out to the Philippine domestic airport to fly to Caticlan. From Caticlan, we were shuttled to a boat which motored us to the island of Boracay. Boracay is an island of the Philippines located approximately 315 km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. According to many travel magazines, it was voted by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook as one of the best beaches in the world and also as the world's number one tropical beach. It's famous for its white sanded beaches. The last time I visited Boracay Island was in 2000 and it has grown and modernized over the past decade. I first noted that the island has become more commercialized ... read more

Day 3: Tagaytay, Philippines

Asia » Philippines » Batangas » Taal May 16th 2011

Uncle Ferdie's home

Stelson

Last night, Stephen and I moved to my Uncle Ferdie's home for the next week. His home is just 15 minutes from my aunt's house in Ayala Alabang. This morning, Stephen and I woke up early to take our daily walk around his neighborhood. After our morning breakfast made by their staff, my family and I headed to Batangas, a region of the Philippines where the world's smallest volcano resides. Taal volcano is a living "active" volcano that is located in the resort town of Tagaytay. We had lunch at Josephine's Restaurant and ate so much yummy authentic Filipino dishes. After lunch, we drove to Monte Maria where Father Suraez is currently builing a shrine for Mother Mary. Fr. Suarez is a Filipino Catholic priest who has performed faith healing in the Philippines and all over ... read more

Day 1: Arrival in Manila

Asia » Philippines » Muntinlupa May 14th 2011

Stephen pre-flight

Stelson

Stephen, my parents and I finally made our arrival to Manila after a 30 hour flight which started in Newark, through Anchorage and Tapei. When we arrived, my mom's sister Malou, brother Ferdie and brother-in-law Louie picked us up at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. They needed 2 of the drivers and 3 cars to transfer our 10 luggages and boxes. It was so great to see my aunt and Uncle after many years and as we met outside the 34 C weather and humidity felt so so good! We headed to Ayala Alabang Village in Metro Manila where my aunt lives. Here we were welcomed by my Lola, cousins and a feast of filipino food!!! After unpacking and giving out our gifts for some family members, we ended up relaxing and planning out the first ... read more

Enjoying the "relax mode" on the business class seat

Philippines Homecoming

North America » United States » Massachusetts » Boston May 12th 2011

The Aquino Family

Stelson

Last leg of the trip: SYDNEY!!!!

Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Sydney » Balmain November 18th 2009

Bondi Mosaic

Stelson

Our last leg of our month long vacation to Oceania ended in Sydney, Australia!!! When we arrived to Sydney, one of my best college friends Aimee was there to pick us up!! It was great seeing Aimee after almost 5+ years! Aimee and her husband John were recently relocated to Sydney from Kansas City. Although they only have been there for 4 months, both of them have aclimated themselves to Sydney life. John and Aimee have a 3 bedroom apartment with amazing harbor views in the Balmain area of Sydney. The night we arrived Aimee made a delicious welcome home dinner using Australian ingredients such as prawns, capsacium, cheeses and wine. After an 11 day non-stop adventurous New Zealand gig, this hit the spot as we ate on their balcony. Later that evening, John arrived from ... read more

Last Day in New Zealand...

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Queenstown November 17th 2009

Thumbs up!

Stelson

Today was our last day in New Zealand. Just before leaving, I completed my 15,000 foot sky dive in Queenstown! I had to wait 2 days because of the cloudy weather. Some of the people waited up to 9 days!! Crazy!! But today, I made it up to the highest peak and survived!!! I would have to say it was one of my best days in my life!! The jump didn't start until 9am. I was the first jumper out today which set the tone for the rest of the day! I can not even describe the amazing feeling I had being up so high and seeing the awe inspiring scenery. My tandem master Alex and videographer John were the most professional and awesome people. When we got to NZONE, we changed into our gear and ... read more

Joined	September 26th 2009	Trips	2
Last Login	May 30th 2011	Followers	0
Status	BLOGGER	Follows	0
Blogs	30	Guestbook	45
Photos	1,214	Forum Posts	0