Last week I told you we had been off the grid.
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.
We explored at low tide with morning coffee in hand.
We cruised on rivers.
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.
We saw the sights of the island, including geckos…
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.
We ate heaping plates of calamares and drank Coke in a bottle. Always a highlight for us Minnesota folk.
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.
We had lots of great food (did I say that already?) and took lots of pictures.
We experienced the Filipino countryside. Rice fields, free-wandering animals, and kids running around with wheels and sticks. It was enchanting.
And most importantly, my sweet and generous mother, father, and brother-in-law spent time getting to know the kids at the shelter.
They were kind of a big deal around here.
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.
