More

    Family Vacation


    Woman looking at a wall.

    Last week I told you we had been off the grid.

    People near an ocean.

    But this week, with Bjork’s parents still visiting, we were REALLY off the grid. Like, take a ferry to a different island and brave a muddy pot-holed road over the ocean to get to another tiny island and finally land at a ma-and-pa beach resort out in the middle of nowhere.

    It was a clean-air, blue skied, quiet ocean paradise.

    Sunset over the ocean.

    We explored at low tide with morning coffee in hand.

    Man on an ocean shore.

    We cruised on rivers.

    River view.

    We snorkeled, which for some of us meant hyperventilated/drowned. Could you guys hear my panicked breathing from the other side of the world? Because I am incapable of being relaxed while trying to breathe underwater. And the ocean creatures. Shudder.

    I do kind of love it, but I almost die every time.

    Two men in the water snorkeling.

    We saw the sights of the island, including geckos…

    Man on a ledge overlooking some trees.

    and the oldest church in the Philippines, where I was given two lovely shawls to cover my bare arms and legs before entering the sanctuary. It was the real deal.

    Woman smiling.

    We ate heaping plates of calamares and drank Coke in a bottle. Always a highlight for us Minnesota folk.

    Black and white photos of people sitting at a table.

    We had late-night talks until, oh, I dunno, 9pm. Is that late-night? I loved the slow, easy conversations followed by an early bed time. I think I might be middle aged.

    Black and white photo outside.

    We had lots of great food (did I say that already?) and took lots of pictures.

    People looking out at the ocean.

    We experienced the Filipino countryside. Rice fields, free-wandering animals, and kids running around with wheels and sticks.

    It was enchanting.

    Young boy playing near a field.

    And most importantly, my sweet and generous mother, father, and brother-in-law spent time getting to know the kids at the shelter.

    Woman teaching children.

    They were kind of a big deal around here.

    Man holding a child.

    Income report tomorrow (see more reports here), and then should we do chocolate or vegan lasagna next?

    …Because apparently I’m both addicted to chocolate and an occasional vegan.  I don’t know how you guys deal with all my nonsense.

    Related Posts

    Unsurpassable Worth

    -> CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE HERO ROSTER <- This post has been simmering away in my head and heart for a long time now. […]

    Camote Tops (Camote Fritters)

    There they all, all purpley and wonderful. Today’s post is a throwback to when I said I was going to do a ten-week series on […]

    Sweet Corn Maja

    {First, some sad news. There was a major earthquake in Cebu on Tuesday. While the kids and workers at CSC are safe, there are so […]

    Banana Cue

    This was one of my craziest and most fun days in the Philippines. And it is without a double THE MOST delicious snack. We made […]

    Filipino Humba

    Ok, so Filipino humba. I feel pretty comfortable calling this my favorite Filipino food, although it’s a close tie between this and Pancit. It is […]

    The Highlight Reel

    Whenever a visitor, staff, child, or adoptive family leaves CSC to go back home, the kids sing a goodbye song and everyone hugs. Like literally, […]

    When It’s All Said and Done

    What was the best thing about the year? Okay, what!? How am I supposed to answer that? There were so many incredible things about this […]

    The Journey Home

    I just ate one of my sister’s citrus scones with butter and honey that was in the welcome home basket from my family and I’m […]