Hailey’s Blog

A couple of weeks ago I got an e-mail with a study abroad opportunity through A&M – to three countries in Asia!  I forwarded the e-mail to my mom, honestly not even thinking it would be a possibility of going…and she replied “you know, that might be a really good opportunity!”  So…the wheels started turning, I figured out vacation time (which, I still haven’t ran this by my boss, but I’ll have enough time by then, so it should be ok.)  Anyway, it is for 3 hours of credit – 17 days in The Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.  Below is a picture tour of our itinerary…I’ll see if the trip lives up to the pictures, which I’m sure it will! : )

Jan 1 – Leave Houston for Manila, Philippines (arrive Jan 3)

Jan 4 – Tour Manila

Jan 5 – Visit the Asian Development Bank

Jan 6 – Head to Los Banos, Philippines

Visit The University of the Philippines

And the International Rice Research Institute – the picture below is of Dr. Borlaug at IRRI

January 7 – Visit a Pump Storage Station in Los Banos

Jan 8 – Back to Manila

Jan 9 – Leave Manila for Singapore

Explore Singapore

Leave Singapore for Colombo, Sri Lanka

Jan 10 – Explore Colombo (I sure hope I get to see something like this!)

Jan 11 through 13 – Leave for Kandy

Visit University of Peradeniya 

the Royal Botanic Gardens

AND Sigiriya Rock

Jan 14 – leave for Ihala Milawa

Jan 14 – 16 Visit Nilmini Tea Plantation

And the Dellawa Forest Reserve (I couldn’t find any pictures of this

Jan 16 – head back to Colombo

Jan 17 – Fly back to Houston!

I’m super excited – now I just have to ask for the time off!

*Hugs*