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.
Looks like such a wonderful week! So glad you got to soak up such great time with family. 🙂
What a wonderful blessing to spend time with family and have them share in your work with the kids. Oh, and my vote is for CHOCOLATE! Sorry, I get excited when I hear that word. 🙂
Looks like you had a lot of fun! It’s good to fall off the grid and take some time to relax and explore 🙂
BTW, totally had to reread that last section a few times. Thought you were suggesting you might have a chocolate lasagna recipe to share
Ha! no, sorry, I haven’t mastered that one quite yet. But now I’m thinking… 🙂
Pappardelle’s has chocolate pasta. Think you could find that over there? Oooo! Maybe try making your own? 🙂
Chocolate. No contest.
Gorgeous pictures! Is that one of the Loboc River in Bohol? 🙂
I must admit, I look forward to your posts about exploring the country as much as your food entries!
Yes! Have you been there? I’m impressed that you recognized it. I didn’t get any great pictures from the Chocolate Hills but we went there as well. Hopefully there will be more “Philippines” posts in the next few months as we start to have more time to get away to other islands on the weekends! 🙂
Yes, my family is from there. 😀 I love how lush the river looks, it’s one of my favorite memories so I definitely can recognize it.
It looks like you had a fantastic time ‘off the grid’. I am glad to see you are taking time to enjoy the beauty around you.
Beautiful vacation photos! I’m excited for the income report, as always. As far as chocolate or vegan lasagna, they both sound good… is it bad if I say lasagna first?
I do kind of love it, but I almost die every time.
hilarious!
I panicked the first time I went snorkeling. Totally freaked. I was calmer the second time. The third time I went w/ a marine biologist. I’m an emotional chameleon; I tend to absorb whatever emotions the people I’m around are feeling. Since she was calm, I calmed down. Even when she started to swim after the shark. I was like “oh well, if she thinks it’s all right she must know what she’s talking about.”
love reading your blogs.
also, I say chocolate!
Sharks!?!?! That’s big time snorkeling right there! I so want to be brave enough to swim with the whale sharks here, but I have a bad feeling that I would completely pass out from fear before I even got in the water.
The pictures look great! Glad you had fun!
Glad y’all had so much fun on vacation! The picture of that boy running with the wheel is precious. My vote is for the vegan lasagna recipe next!! YUM.
I know, I love that picture. Bjork took that one! Those little boys running around with their wheels were so cute.
Oh, I loved this post, Lindsay! This brought back a flood of memories from the few weeks that I spent visiting the Philippines on a mission trip in high school. We went to Negros Occidental/Bacolod City/Isabella, and spent a day or two vacationing at this “off the grid” type resort that we had to ferry out to as well. I think it was called Costa Aguada?!? I don’t remember for sure. But it was SO lovely and peaceful. We enjoyed every bit of it. Can’t wait for your income report tomorrow!
Oh, and, well, I’m basically vegan, so you probly basically know what my menu choice would be. haha!
I have never heard of Costa Aguada, but I do recognize the other places you mentioned. I’ll have to check it out for another relaxation spot! 🙂
OMG Lindsay, that sunset is unbelievable. Looks like you guys had a great time. It’s nice being “off-the-grid” for a bit.
It looks beautiful, what a wonderful experience!
What beautiful photos! I’m glad you had time to relax and spend time with family. I’m also glad your going to be back to posting delicious treats again! Chocolate. I’ll always vote for chocolate!
So beautiful and fun! I am also an occasional vegan, do chocolate vegan!
Hooray for vacation and hooray for another not-so-eager-snorkler. The few times I’ve gone, I psyched myself up ahead of time…”Liz, you’re from Minnesota…this is beautiful…take advantage of this moment.” And then I get in the water and freak out if anything (including plant matter) comes within 2 feet of touching me. I start backpedaling…which is really hard to do in water. Glad to know I’m not alone!
I’m so happy you got to explore that beautiful place and pretend to be middle-aged for a week!
Looks like so much fun Lindsay! I love these posts 🙂
Beautiful…looks like you two had fun! You both deserve it!! CHOCOLATE please….yummy….
I’m definitely jealous of such a relaxing-sounding vacation! As for chocolate and lasagna–I think as long as you aren’t actually making a chocolate lasagna, you’re good. 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful week! Glad that you are able to spend quality time with family!
Not nonsense… entertainment! Looks like a wonderful little getaway. The colour of the ocean is amazing!
Lasagna, please. 🙂
Yes! I vote for the chocolate lasagna! 😉 c@
Glad you got a nice vacation.
P.S. I’m with you on the snorkeling. I had no idea that fish had such big teeth!
looks like an awesome time! your pictures are beautiful–they really convey the “off the grid” feel.
Thank you! Sometimes it’s hard to capture the whole experience… but I tried. 🙂
what a wonderful family vacation!!!! and that is all SO adventurous.