Day 11: Monday, June 29
Monday morning we began our slow trip that eventually lead us home. By this point, I was ready to be home. I was tired, feeling a bit sick, covered with bug bites, and missing my family. Kylie, however, wanted to stay longer! Carlyn's parents encouraged her to stay; Carlyn and Dave, Sid and Barb, all told her she would be welcome. There was no way I would have left her behind.
We left Manolo Fortich at 5:30 in the morning and headed down to Cagayan de Oro for the last time. White Water rafting was our first adventure of the day. And while there were rapids that qualified for "white water" status, it was more of a "brown water" experience.
We went through 21 rapids in all, but I couldn't really take pictures of them because I was too worried about staying inside the raft! At one point, the guides told us we could get out and swim. Kylie, Stephanie and Sid all braved the brown water. Apparently it was so brown because of all the rain mixing things up...what kinds of things? I didn't ask! 
The trip down the river took about three hours, and was a very nice way to see more of the beautiful country.
When we finished our rafting adventure, Carlyn showed us around the city a little more, including the Ward building she attended when she was first baptized. We got to meet some of her friends and avoid the heat for a little while as we sat in the air-conditioned building. She also took us to the outdoor market, which was the first place I felt nervous about being pick-pocketed. It was hot and very crowded and I felt completely overwhelmed.
The trip down the river took about three hours, and was a very nice way to see more of the beautiful country.When we finished our rafting adventure, Carlyn showed us around the city a little more, including the Ward building she attended when she was first baptized. We got to meet some of her friends and avoid the heat for a little while as we sat in the air-conditioned building. She also took us to the outdoor market, which was the first place I felt nervous about being pick-pocketed. It was hot and very crowded and I felt completely overwhelmed.Day 12: Tuesday, June 30
The next morning we were up early, again, and headed to the airport, bound for Manila. We thought the flight was at 6:50, but apparently the airline decided to change the departure time, so when we go to the airport we weren't in time for their "45 minute before departure" check-in. It was very frustrating to see the plane outside, closing its doors 1/2 an hour early. We had to pay a rebooking fee to get on the next flight, which was 2 hours later, and that one left early, too. I think it was a scheme to get more money, which really frustrated me because I was running out of spending money.
When we arrived in Manila, we were back in the dog's mouth. It was so hot and humid, I felt like I could hardly breathe. We went on a horse drawn carriage ride of the "Intramuros" or the old walled city, and I felt so bad for the poor horse! He had to pull 9 people in the horrible heat. The tour was interesting, but I would have enjoyed it much more if it had been 30 degrees cooler.
Our tour guide was "Georgie Porgie", the tour guide to the stars, including Michael Jackson, Princess Diana, Hilary Clinton, and John Denver, according to him. Who knows? He could play the piano, though, and entertained us with a few Beatles songs. One of the stops was at a replica of an old Spanish home.
I couldn't really focus and pay attention to what Georgie was telling us, so I can't exactly remember what the next few pictures are of, but they're interesting. 
This is the Baluarte de San Diego, an ancient fort built around 1663.
After suffering in the sweltering heat for a few hours, we checked into our hotel and rested for a little while. Later in the day we went to an indoor market, which I enjoyed much more. Maybe simply because it was air-conditioned! I was still overwhelmed, who wouldn't be by at least 100 stalls selling pearls? People were selling everything you can imagine, and I had a hard time not buying too much because the prices were so good!Day 13: Wednesday, July 1
And then we left the Philippines behind and headed for Hong Kong! Here's a few shots from the airplane window as we descended.
We met up with Emmy Hoi, another sister missionary who had served on Bainbridge Island with Stephanie. It was so helpful to have someone who knows Hong Kong show us around. She took us out to Stanley Market where we shopped for souvenirs, 
to the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, 
where you can take your pick of seafood...we didn't eat there, just walked around and admired their large selection. I felt like I was at an aquarium rather than a restaurant. 
and then on a boat tour of the "floating fishing village," hundreds of fishing boats that the fishermen live on with their families. 
We also ate lunch at a REAL Chinese restaurant, and ate delicious Dim Sum. I have no idea what any of them were called, but Emmy did a wonderful job making the selections for us. As we were walking around the streets, we ran into this familiar sign:
And went inside the Church office building for a few minutes. It's a beautiful building, surrounded by highrises in the middle of downtown Hong Kong. 
Later in the evening, we met up with Emmy's husband, Thomas, and they took us across on the Star Ferry over to Kowloon to see the fireworks that were supposed to be lit off celebrating the 12 anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China. We waited and watched a laser light show on the buildings of Hong Kong, and saw about 100 LDS missionaries who had permission to come see the fireworks. It was so fun to talk to them and see their faces light up when they realized we were LDS Americans. 
We enjoyed the light show, but were pretty disappointed (as were all the missionaries) when there were no fireworks. For some reason we were never able to figure out, they didn't happen this year. I really enjoyed visiting with Thomas and Emmy, though, and they took us out to dinner at a fabulous Vietnamese restaurant. It was a LONG day, and still 86 degrees and very humid at 10 PM, but I realized I probably won't get a chance to see Hong Kong again any time soon, so I tried to make the most of it.
to the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, where you can take your pick of seafood...we didn't eat there, just walked around and admired their large selection. I felt like I was at an aquarium rather than a restaurant. and then on a boat tour of the "floating fishing village," hundreds of fishing boats that the fishermen live on with their families. 
We also ate lunch at a REAL Chinese restaurant, and ate delicious Dim Sum. I have no idea what any of them were called, but Emmy did a wonderful job making the selections for us. As we were walking around the streets, we ran into this familiar sign:And went inside the Church office building for a few minutes. It's a beautiful building, surrounded by highrises in the middle of downtown Hong Kong. Later in the evening, we met up with Emmy's husband, Thomas, and they took us across on the Star Ferry over to Kowloon to see the fireworks that were supposed to be lit off celebrating the 12 anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China. We waited and watched a laser light show on the buildings of Hong Kong, and saw about 100 LDS missionaries who had permission to come see the fireworks. It was so fun to talk to them and see their faces light up when they realized we were LDS Americans. We enjoyed the light show, but were pretty disappointed (as were all the missionaries) when there were no fireworks. For some reason we were never able to figure out, they didn't happen this year. I really enjoyed visiting with Thomas and Emmy, though, and they took us out to dinner at a fabulous Vietnamese restaurant. It was a LONG day, and still 86 degrees and very humid at 10 PM, but I realized I probably won't get a chance to see Hong Kong again any time soon, so I tried to make the most of it.Day 14: Thursday, July 2
Thursday was our last day of this amazing vacation. We took another ferry ride, this time out to Lantau Island to see the Giant Buddha. It was quite an amazing sight, even though I didn't know until we got there that it was built in 1993. I thought it was an ancient statue, so I was a tiny bit disappointed. 
Kylie, Stephanie and I hiked up the many stairs and then walked around admiring the stautes and browsing through the museum underneath the Buddha. 
After we had our fill of giant statues, we walked over to the Po Lin monastery for lunch. Everything was vegetarian, and delicious!
Then we walked around the grounds and admired the beautiful buildings.
Kylie, Stephanie and I hiked up the many stairs and then walked around admiring the stautes and browsing through the museum underneath the Buddha. After we had our fill of giant statues, we walked over to the Po Lin monastery for lunch. Everything was vegetarian, and delicious!Then we walked around the grounds and admired the beautiful buildings. 
Instead of taking the ferry back to Hong Kong, we rode a giant cable car up one side of the mountain and down the other. The view was breathtaking!
The cable car dropped us off near the train station, so we took the train back downtown. I love Hong Kong's transportation system. It would be so easy to get around...double-decker buses, trams, cable cars, subways, trains, taxis...if only I could read the signs! (No, really, most were in English, too.) Victoria Peak was our next destination. There is a tram up the very steep mountain, and another gorgeous view from the top. I thought it would be more "natural" at the top, but of course they have to capitalize on tourism and there is a big building full of restaurants and shops.
On our way back to the hotel we walked through Hong Kong park, which is a beautiful park right in the middle of all the huge buildings, a bit like Central Park in New York. I wish I would have known about it sooner, I would have liked to spend more time there. But as it was, we were starving and wanted to go eat dinner. Carlyn had a restaurant in mind, a small Chinese BBQ place. The only trouble was, she couldn't remember exactly how to get there. Just a tiny problem in a HUGE city. Fortunately we found a taxi driver who knew the area very well and he took us right there.
It was definitely a place where locals hang out. I trusted Carlyn and ordered the BBQ pork, and it was very good. While we were exploring during the day, we came across a fruit stand and bought a dragon fruit. This is the outside:
And this is the inside: It tastes a lot like a kiwi, very yummy!
Here are a few signs we came across. The first one is for Brooke:
And this is the inside: It tastes a lot like a kiwi, very yummy!Here are a few signs we came across. The first one is for Brooke:
And I know you all want to know what the bathroom in our hotel was like: (Yes, it had pull down shades.)
Day 15: Thursday, July 3We woke up excited to finally be on our way home, but sad that we were leaving behind friends, and the wonderful things we'd experienced. I was ready to be home, though. Two weeks was a long time to be away from Brad and the kids. We were also nervous about getting on the flight, since we were flying standby again. All went well on the first leg of the trip, except for the fact that Kylie had to leave behind the birthday gift she bought for Jillian, a large Mancala game, because at security they told us it was too big for a carry-on. (It would have fit!) After a few hours of tense waiting to see if we would make it on the flight, they cleared us and we ran to the gate, and even got seats in business class again. Here's a picture Kylie took of me trying to sleep. Even though we had these comfortable seats, it was still hard for me to sleep.
When we got to San Francisco, we didn't have much time until the flight to Seattle, so we rushed and then ended up waiting, and waiting, and waiting. We didn't get on the first flight at 9:45; we were #25 and 26 on the stand-by list and only five seats were available. We didn't get on the second flight at 12:45. We had moved up to #11 and 12, but then somehow dropped back down to #26 and 27, with only one seat available. The next flight was at 6:00, we knew we were at the bottom of the stand-by list, and after being awake for almost 24 hours with little sleep, I just wanted to get home NOW. So we bought tickets on another airline, departing at 3:00. Of course, when the plane arrived and they did the safety inspection, they found that the brake pads had to be replaced and the flight was delayed an hour. Finally at 4:00, we got on the plane and by 6:00, we were back in Seattle! Brad, Jillian and Ben were there to welcome us home, and it was a very joyful reunion. Nathan had gone to EFY that week and wouldn't be home until the next day.
Looking back on this amazing adventure, I have so much to be thankful for. The little things, like a flushing toilet and hot water. The big things, like family, a beautiful home, a more than adequate income, health, and moderate weather (although this week is an abnormality, with temps in the high 90s!) I don't know if I can say that I came back "changed" in any measurable way, but I do appreciate my life and the place I live more. And I have a greater sense of the vastness of the world. There is so much out there, so many people and places; it really is mind-boggling to know that I am just one of the billions of people on this planet, but that I am important, and that Heavenly Father knows me personally, just like He knows each and every one of His children. Truly amazing!
Then had a 30 minute lesson (which would have been a 2 month course at home...)
And an introduction to breathing with the tanks (another month of lessons....)
and they were ready to go!
I have to admit I was a little freaked out when I saw Kylie disappear under the water. But Carlyn reassured me that the instructor would be with her the whole time and they only go down about 35 feet, for about 45 minutes. 
Here are some of the things she saw....
Which I was able to see, also, but from the surface of the water looking down. The dive instructors gave us food to feed the fish and the fish swarmed around us to get it from our hands. It was like jumping into the middle of an aquarium! The water was warm, perfectly clear, and the colors were amazing. The pictures don't come close to showing how beautiful it was. I could have snorkeled all day, but we had to head back to shore after about 2 hours. We left 
Others said "Health is Wealth," "Wear your 
Friday evening was the "legal" wedding ceremony, which was a little like a counseling session for the bride and groom with parents and close relatives in attendance. The 
Stephanie, Me, Mao (the groom) and Kylie:
This is where the bride and groom would sit during the ceremony:
The cake:
A view of the garden surrounding the tented building:
The beautiful bride, Jasmine:
Dave and Carlyn were "cord sponsors" which means they wrap the bride and groom in a cord that symbolizes a life-long bond. There was also a couple who were the veil sponsors, who wrapped the bride and groom in a veil, which symbolizes unity.
After the ceremony was a big feast, complete with the 
The garden site had a big greenhouse behind it where they grow these beautiful plants:
We celebrated until afternoon, then headed back down the mountain. On the way down, we stopped at this waterfall:
And at a broom stand, where I bought two brooms, which are what they use to sweep their houses, (but ended up leaving them in the airport in San Francisco, because we thought we were going to miss our flight and couldn't wait for them to come out from the oversize baggage.)
Here's another example of a house was saw driving down the mountain:
Day 10: Sunday, June 28
Our drivers were cautioned to take good care of us by Carlyn's father, and not to go too fast. I was a little nervous at first, but once we got out into the country, I relaxed and really enjoyed the ride. My driver was very safe and I felt like precious cargo, the way he carefully avoided potholes and puddles. We saw some wonderful sights, like this family riding on their cart:
and a grazing bull:
Our first stop was the lime 
Our next stop was at this rice paddy. That's the farmer's hut:
and in the middle of this picture, you can barely see the little stand he sits in all day. There is a series of ropes running through the rice paddy, all attached to his stand. On the ropes are cans full of rocks, and when birds come to try to eat the rice, he pulls the ropes and rattles the cans to scare the birds away. 
We stopped at this small family farm:
So that Kylie, Barb and Stephanie could ride their caribou. I think they were shocked when seven 
The country-side was so green and beautiful. I love the rural areas so much more than the cities. 
Our last stop was this Catholic Church and Monestary. It was out in the middle of the fields, surrounded by God's beautiful creations; a perfect setting, away from the world. 
When we got back to the Dumotan's, Boyd (Carlyn's dad) offered to take us out in his "Super Bug" for a tour of the Dole Pineapple plantation. 
As far as the eye can see, pineapples are growing. I never knew they grew on bushes, I always thought they grew on trees. Apparently they take 14 months to mature. The fields are in constant rotation: planting, growing, harvesting.
The platation includes an entire city: housing for the workers, stores, hospital, and this school that Boyd was principal of for nine years. 
After our pineapple tour, we came back to the Dumotan's home where Mao and Jasmine were opening their wedding gifts. Much like here, it seems one type of gift is in abundance. For them it was drinking glasses! We enjoyed visiting with them and wishing them well on the start of their life together. 