Farvronski Family Fun Tour!

At long last here are some photos from Erin's Mom's fun-filled visit to the Philippines at the end of March. We had a wonderful time. It was so good to see a familiar face and fitting that she arrived on our exact one-year anniversary in country. We spent an exciting 12 days traveling, catching up, playing games, swimming, hiking, and more. . .we can't wait for our next visitors!

So, due to a canceled flight, Mom was able to experience travel in true Philippine fashion. Unfortunately for her, the first two days of her trip were spent on buses. This is one of those buses. Actually, one day of our trip involved just about every mode of transportation used here. . .we went from the island of Boracay to our home in San Jose by tricycle, pump boat, jeepney, another tricycle, a bus, and another tricycle! Mom was an excellent traveler!


Just one of the many breathtaking views of mountains and rice terraces along the long and bumpy bus ride


Our first official vacation spot was the beautiful mountain town of Sagada. This place was unlike any we have seen in the Philippines, the weather was refreshingly comfortable, not unbearably hot, there were no vehicles and therefore no fumes and no noise, we walked everywhere, the views were breathtaking and we saw it all. . .rice terraces, waterfalls, hanging coffins and caves! It was great and a big thank you goes out to our fellow volunteer, good friend, and tour guide, Kelly, pictured here with Mom and Erin!


Our comfortable, cozy Sagada cabin

Enjoying a break from all the hiking by the cold water


Scott making the jump from the waterfall. These beautiful little falls seemed to come out of nowhere in the middle of rice fields. It was a great hike through the farms down to the river and falls.

Scott and Kelly spent one afternoon spelunking in the local caves. . .here is one pic of their exciting adventure


It didn't take long for Mom to make some friends!


A quick pose along the path through the rice terraces

One of the mountainsides with the famous "Sagada hanging coffins" If you look closely toward the bottom of the picture, the coffins are hanging off the side of the cliff. There are a few different theories about why and how people were put to rest this way . . .protection from grave robbers was one we heard quite a bit. . .


Bones from a coffin that didn't stay "hanging." We found the fallen coffin and these bones in a small cave along the trail.


Ready to board the small plane and head off to the next adventure. . .


The next stop on our adventure was beautiful Boracay Island, just off the northern coast of our island of Panay. Here we enjoyed a luxurious hotel and swimming pool,parasailing, gorgeous sunsets and great music on the beach. This was truly vacation!


The beach was full of sailboats offering sunset cruises.


As well as professional sand castle constructors!


And of course the beautiful sunsets. . .

IN MEMORY: Julia Campbell

As many of you have probably already heard, this month was a tough one for Peace Corps Philippines with the unexpected death of fellow volunteer, Julia Campbell. She went missing Easter Sunday and her body was found a week later. Julia arrived in the Philippines a year before us and would have closed her service and returned home in June.

The following is an excerpt from the program at Julia's memorial service.

When Julia entered a room she filled it with her love for life which infected all people. Julia's curiosity gave her the ability to live each day to the fullest, never leaving a rock unturned or a question unasked. Julia's compassion for others led her to join the Peace Corps. Her love has changed many lives, both in the Philippines and in the Peace Corps community.

Julia, you were: a friend, sister, mentor, teacher, leader, a great cook and a catalyst. You were courageous, adventurous, spicy, caring, dedicated, sharp, quick, curious, strong, ambitious, confident, intelligent, independent, stylish, compassionate, giving, zesty, spunky, humble, driven, radiant, and we will miss you deeply.

Love,
Your Peace Corps Family.