Our next destination...

Grandma Karen with boys watching our plane be loaded

We had a good time seeing friends and family, and even had fun on our 'Adventures in (an) Odyssey,' traveling around the US.   There was a new adventure awaiting us though, and we were ready to begin a new chapter once again.  This time it was off to Asia, to live and work in the Philippines. 

Emma waiting for our plane from Chicago to Seoul

We left from Columbus on April 23, with stops in Chicago and Seoul (South Korea).  As always, the boys were excited to be on an airplane (and in airports) again.  Emma was a little more of a challenge than when we left Africa, because she has become more mobile, restless and awake since then.   However, she proved that she can be as good of a traveler as her brothers and did well on the long flight across the ocean. 







We arrived into Manila late at night, and everyone was tired.  It was also extremely hot and humid after the cool days we had been experiencing in the US leading up to this day.  All of our luggage made it, and we found our way to the pick up area where new friends were waiting for us.  After a quick stop for a snack for some of the hungry travelers, we arrived to our new 'temporary' house around 2am.  We were able to sleep (with the assistance of the air conditioner in our bedroom) and all got the rest our bodies were craving by that time.

 From that point, we started looking forward to exploring a new culture and country.  Everyone has been very friendly and helpful to us.  The climate may be our biggest adjustment, after living in the mountains of PNG and then the elevated city of Johannesburg.  Heat and humidity were only experienced on our visits to the coast.   The tourism slogan here is "It is More Fun in the Philippines," so maybe the climate won't matter.  Let the adventure begin....