The subsequent days were spent snorkeling the Belize barrier reef, the second longest barrier reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia (we'll get there, no worries).

Fun fact: One of the reasons why Belize remained un-colonized by the Spanish was the barrier reef blocking direct access to the country. This barrier reef provided a natural blockade against the Spanish ships. Source: Salvador, our cool tour guide

We spent less time taking photos during our snorkeling trips and more time floating about in the warm waters. I also only had my point and shoot camera in a water resistant baggy, whereas most other people had their waterproof GoPros... Ahh, it would be so nice to have a GoPro for water activities like these. 

We did make several underwater videos, all of which are potato quality but here is a video that is somewhat decent and features a one Mr. Didinchuk swimming alongside several sting rays.

It was manatee mating season and we were extremely lucky to see a manatee! It was a majestic beast with the most adorable face. However, we have no photos of the manatee or sea turtles as I didn't bring my camera for our 1 hour + swims to the coral reefs. This girl had to focus on staying afloat in the water as my treading skills are still pretty weak. 
0/2 drowning scares as of this trip.

Bonus: Check out our meals ♥__♥

A sea turtle with dreads and the phrase "Go Slow" are really all you need to know about Caye Caulker.

Taiwan epitomized the height of our gluttony in Asia. Well, mainly my Canuck and Aussie friends. If you guys are reading this, you know what I'm talking about.

Exhibit A 
A typically slender Aussie very proud of her 3mo food baby. 

Exhibit B
This is honestly not even 20% of the food  consumed.

Okay. Vietnam. Of course the first thing I will talk about is the food...the glorious glorious 50 cents to 3 dollar meals we had everywhere! Just think - fresh and crisp vegetables (an absolute rarity in HK cuisine), tangy and spicy flavors of fish sauce, and bountiful, delicious, picked-right-off-the-tree-down-the-road fruit. But honestly, pictures will do more justice to the foods we consumed so do contain your drool as you peruse the gastroporn below.

These are notes I typed furiously onto my iPad on the dusk of my first trip this year.
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Recap
Day 1
Flight @ 7:45 am/Left HKU @ 4 am
Kinabuch
First tuk tuk ride (30 pesos!)
First time experiencing everyone in your party being called m'am/sir

Day 2
Island hopping
Snorkeling
Pandan Island aka The Most Beautiful Beach in My Life

• Dragon Henna (a poor decision in retrospect as it is still quite present on my arm nearly 4 months later)
• Buko buko buko ("What is buko?" x a million)
• Halo halo
• People tossing (partially successful)

Luli Island 

• Gorgeous but wildly windy crescent shaped island that disappears under hide tides

Delicious lunch on the beach
Balisasayaw (sp?) dinner
Tuk tuk funsies with extreme overcrowding (I've learned that there are very few laws that rule the road in SEA)
Chocomucho and mangos - a defining aspect of our culinary existence

Day 3
Underwater cave tour (...I didn't mean to fall asleep there...)
"Spelunking"
Zip lining
Amazing boat rides
Mango boom
Kahlui dinner
I love rum
Bumming in front of the ABCD store

• Durian disaster

Tiki bar
Raging Tom and the hunt for a finger pricker

Day 4
Late morning
Kahlui ♥ again for lunch
Glorious half hour massage
Glorious passing out post massage
Fireflies

• First evening boat ride...and very likely not the last
• Ridiculously romantic

Dinner at Gypsy's
Souvenir shopping
Realized that pinoy bands are really quite good
Nyquil drinks....

Day 5
6:30 am 
Amazing amazing day of motorbiking 
New marriage requirement = ability to ride a motorbike
Iwahig minimum security prison
Gangnam style with inmates
No mo' pesos
Sonny Serna
False alarm of Jonah crashing
Followed by Danny falling off his bike :(
Amazing local beach with only us

• White sand, shallow water, lone tree

Funny little kids at the beach
Badjao restaurant by the seashore
Lessons on mankind and myself
Crocs do not fancy me
Bye bye A&A Plaza

Day 6
Manila...is awful
Abandoned baby in subway station
I hate Manila
More lessons on mankind
Ariel - 20 minute boyfriend
Mabuhay Manor
Sharp contrast to Palawan
Midnight wandering