We were able to go to the Baguio Mission home to meet with the mission president and his wife. It was then that Steven was finally released to us. Let the fun begin...
We started our "official" tour of the Philippines traveling from Manilla by plane to the resort island of Cebu.
The colorful inlets of Cebu City...
We stopped at one of the most popular fish markets.
Dinner anyone?
Cebu City is famous for its homemade guitars...
You would be amazed at all the old...ancient...churches and buildings in the Philippines. Most of them used egg whites to cement the stones together and they are still standing! This one was built in the 1500's.
The Philippino's are very industrious and don't waste very many materials. Here they are recycling old tires...and making very useful items in the process.
Kayle would find the knives...and of course he and Steven would both have to have the largest machete's available.
Making Kayle and Steven their machete knives...
Almost done...
Time for a nice relaxing lunch cruise on the river...
The young boys living along the river loved to put on a show for us.
We then rode a super cat accross the ocean waters to get to the island of Bohol. This is the resort where we stayed ...
This is the view we enjoyed while we ate...
After two long years Steven was anxious to go diving again. The waters surrounding the Philippine islands are full of colorful corals and unique sealife...
We rode tiny little motor cycles to the Chocolate Hills...two hours each way!
These 2000 natural small mounds in the background are nicknamed the "chocolate hills" because during most of the year they resemble little chocolate kisses. We just happened to be visiting during the rainy season when there is enough moisture that grass covers them.
Thousands of natural hills unique to Bohol are one of the Philippines most famous sights.
Also unique to Bohol are the worlds smallest monkeys. What is interesting about these creatures is that if they are removed from this small area they will die within a few days.
Back to the mainland and more adventures...This is the beginning of one of the most intesting things we did on this trip. We started out being told we were going to take a boat ride to a waterfall...
Ready for the adventure...
The waters are getting a little shallow here. Our guide jumps out and starts to pull us upsteam.
The passages are getting a little narrow...and rocky.
Steven and Orlando are trying to help...
It is so steep and rough going upstream that they pull us over bamboo logs...
Time to give our guides a break. We are not there yet...
It's getting even rougher. Now I am starting to understand why they gave us helmets. The guides are still pulling us up river...
Once we arrive at the falls they ask us to climb on this little raft. I think I'll pass! I am not willing to brave the adventures of the next few minutes. Someone has to stay dry to take pictures.
Kayle and Steven strip down to their shorts and climb aboard...
...and into the falls they go. The guides are pulling on ropes to ferry the little rafts to the falls. Once there they are told to jump in...
I am happy. I am still dry! We are enjoying a little break in the middle of the freeway while our guides give the engine a little water...yes, car trouble. This might not be scary unless you realize how the Philippino's drive...and we are stuck in the middle!!!!
One of the Wonders of the World...
Get the cameras ready...
We stayed at a mountain inn and enjoyed dancing with the local people.
Some were better than others...
The morning sun on the rice terraces built thousands of years ago...still farmed today!
The farmers live right on the hills...
Drying the rice...
...anywhere there was space!
Along the road...
...on the road!
We met these two ladies waiting for a bus. This woman asked if we would take their picture and send it to her. She had never had a picture taken of her daughter.
A "comfort" stop.
Now I am getting excited!!!! Time to see the hanging coffins! Look closely...
On this rock face there are hanging coffins.
There are many ways that the Philippino's burry their dead. This is one of them still used today. They hollow out a tree and bend their dead to fit in these little logs. They then hang them from cliffs or put them in caves. Before doing so...they sit the dead in a chair in their homes for days, perhaps weeks while their family and friends visit them.
Sometimes after the dead are placed in their coffins family members still want to talk to them. The dead are then removed from their resting place and put back in a chair until the families are ready to burry them again.
If you look closely you can see the bones in the wooden coffins...
A closer look...
Resting under the shade...
The Philippino's are definitely smaller. You would be amazed at how cool it is in these little huts.
We explored the highest points of the country.
Above the clouds!
The people even farm on the tops of the mountains.
Roadside apartment...no vacancy!
This is another way the Philippino's bury their dead. Some people even design and create elaborate houses to place their loved ones in.
We visited a pottery factory. Kayle and Steven tried out their "lack" of skills.
One person usually creates the pot while another worker spins the wheel with their feet. Together the two can create up to 300 large pots a day. Kayle's foot was tired after 1/2 a pot.
Another example of the ancient churches in the Philippines.
Do you notice anything different about these Ten Commandments? Compare them with your scriptures...
After touring the country we went back to the areas where Steven served his mission. We were able to see the places he lived and visit with the people he worked with. By this time Kayle and I loved the Philippines and the people. We could understand why Steven had mixed emotions about leaving...
Perhaps Kayle was wearing the wrong type of shoes.
Steven with the ward missionaries.
Working in the rice fields.
I loved these tricycles. I tried to convince Kayle they would be alot of fun here in the United States and we should bring one home. We would definitely get attention while riding down the street. I am sure my little grandson Jack would look cute riding with me. Maybe for Christmas?
Imagine me zooming down the road....
One of the best experiences we had was going through the Manilla Temple with Steven.
