Good Bye Busan ...

After being home for nearly a month now, I finally feel ready to add this last chapter to our year in Korea, the final chapter. It has been very difficult to be home. Yvon and I were very happy to see family and friends, though we have felt out of place in the lives that should feel so familiar.

Our last few weeks after we returned from the Philippines were filled with spending quality time with good friends and really soaking in what had been the best year of our lives thus far.

Now back to our regular Canadian routines, we long for Juante's taco shop, Dakgalbi, Pizza Bingo, various forms of cabbage, living across the street from Haeundae Beach, temples in the woods, the notion of not understanding anything and therefore pleading ignorance!! The list goes on. For me, I certainly miss the company of good friends who will hold a very special place in my heart for a lifetime.

Kamsahamnida!!!!!!!!!!!

Yvon, Juante and I our last night in Busan.
With Jenn at WA Bar.
Visiting Bemoasa Temple our last weekend.


Farewell dinner with LIKE.

Yvon and I with our security guard.. the happiest he has ever looked!
Yvon, Jesse and I with the Beach Boys!
Eleri's last dinner with us :(
The beach in its prime!

The Philippines July/August 2007

Yvon and I have just returned from an amazing trip to the Philippines. Our good friend Nancy lives in Manila and we had the chance to be visiting while Sindre was staying there with her. I think Yvon and I have been spending this week trying to process our trip, trying to hold on to each moment and every memory.

We feel very lucky that we were able to see so much of the country in just 9 days. We spent the first weekend in Manila, with a special reunion with the delegates from last summer, a birthday party for Nancy's father and a small spin through the city. We then spent 3 days on the island of Boracay and the last three days in the northern region in a city called Baguio. Baguio was extra special for Yvon because he was able to meet with the delegates from his village three years ago. We then returned from the north, had one last dinner and were off to Korea again.

Here are some moments from our trip. I hope you enjoy them!

Our arrival in Manila!
Hanging out at Sindre's apartment.
Nancy, Mika and Annina by the swimming pool.

Mika, Annina, Jello, Anton, Sindre, Nancy, Yvon and I. ( I think with Anton's little sister as well!)
A very fast Jipney bus in Manila.
Just a little bit of icing ... having fun at Nancy's father's birthday party.
Some of Nancy's wonderful family!
Maybe the icing was a little too much!
Such a lovely couple!!

Our arrival on Boracay. Small trikes are the main mode of transportation.
The walk to our bed and breakfast.
Dave's Straw Hat Inn!
The walk to the white beach.
Hello!!!

The most beautiful beach I have ever seen!
The rainy season did not dissapoint!
Moments before jumping in the crystal clear water!

A magnificent sand castle... that stays on Boracay day after day, year after year!
The small outdoor shopping centre on Boracay.
Some little guys showing us their fish... while trying to sell us some magnets!

Sunset starting!



A little rock climbing!!

The sand was so white, and so soft!!

Some good Mexican nachos!
Dave's Straw Hat Inn at night time.

Yvon in a bit of a basketball showdown.

The main road that divides the island.

Fridge Anyone?

Yvon's first sighting of a monkey outside of a zoo!
The opposite side of the island. It was a little calmer than the main white beach.

Tree Hugger!

Dinner at an Italian Restaurant.
Saying goodbye to the staff at Dave's Straw Hat Inn.
Door to Door Service!!!??!!
The airport in Caticlan, leaving Boracay!

Goodbye Boracay!

Small shop in Baguio.
Nancy and I sitting in Baguio
Yvon and three of the kids from his camp three years ago.

A great game of mini golf.

The entire group at dinner in Baguio. The kids from Yvon's camp and their parents.
Meeting some of Nancy's CISV friends in Baguio.
A giant dream catcher in an old traditional village in Baguio.
The view between the clouds in Baguio City. The market in Baguio City

The drive through the mountains to Baguio City.
Some houses in Baguio.
Baguio and The Philippines in general has so many of these jipney buses. They are all decorated differently and have their own character. I liked these a lot!
Whilst visiting an old working village in Baguio.
This was where we stayed in Baguio City. A friend of Nancy's offered us a basement apartment for the weekend which was wonderful!

Thank you Nancy and Sindre for an amazing trip to the Philippines. It is one we will never forget!