Day 48: The Long Journey Home

We left Salt Lake on a Wednesday and arrived in the Philippines on a Friday because of the 14-hour time change.  Going home we left on a Wednesday and got home on the same but very looonnnnng day (another 24 hour voyage, in fact).

Checking in to China Airlines in Manila...ready to rock and roll!

Sam had to snap a photo of this ancient plane in Taipei

The Hello Kitty wing of the Taipei Airport speaks to my generation.

The Lego station in Taipei...very kid-friendly airport!

Things got a little crazy on the 14-hour flight from Taipei to L.A.  But we survived!

Last photo of the trip!  Everyone had blood-shot eyes and was loopy by this point. 
Home sweet home...Salt Lake City Airport.

When people ask, "How was your trip?" I honestly don't know how to describe it.  Amazing?  Challenging?  Incredible?  Sad?  Insane?  A blast?

The only simple way to put it:  Life-changing.

Days 45-47: Last Days in Manila

I had mixed feelings about leaving Manila.  On one hand we couldn't wait to get back to the land that we love.  To eat fruit without soaking it in bleach first.  To drive my own car without traffic!  To drink pure water straight from the tap.  On the other hand, I knew I'd miss the simple life and all that uninterrupted time with the family.  I'd miss every day being an adventure.

We tried to fill our last days with all our favorite things:  the pool, church, Heat (the amazing buffet at the hotel restaurant), and friends who became dear to us in such a short amount of time.

Last time in our magnificent pool

Farewell meal at Heat

Saying goodbye to pals at the orphanage