Man is at this moment getting his first. Boys and I are at home, waiting; wish I were there to see how he's handling the pain. And of course for support. Man is getting a big tattoo, his first and he's going all out. I'll post a picture once it's healed but will tell you that it's on his upper arm and chest, has the African continent on it, and some of our boys' names in ancient Filipino script. There, aren't you curious?
This is my latest tattoo:
Not my body, and my tattoo has 5 birds, one for each of my kids, but this is what my tattoo guy, Chuckie, used as a guide. I really like it. I have always loved dandelions, bright yellow flowers, tough as nails - Seth and Ethan called them 'whishes' when they were little. My tattoo represents our raising our five boys and sending them off to be planted where the Good Lord wills.
Finally I am posting the last of our vacation pictures.
The sun was setting as we hurried down the road in our hired van, trying to get to our destination before dark - we had been told that there would not be electricity at our next stopover.
Pulling into the town of Tibiao, it was dark. Our driver was flagged down at the road turnoff and told that due to heavy rains the road was closed to all but motorbikes. What a coincidence that there were about a dozen bikers waiting for us? So we piled on bikes, no helmets, hugging strange men, backs loaded down with packs and food for the next three days....and screamed up the mountain. I was not happy thinking of my kiddos clinging to these guys as we sped through the dark, up a dirt track made slick with rain. But again I found myself going along with insanity.
In the morning this is the view we woke up to.
Amazing!
And this, rice terraces across the river. I wish you could all see this place.
Snug a bug on the deck of a nipa hut.
This was our hut. And that big wok - what is that! Well it is a big wok and you get in it and the guys light a fire under it. Lovely.
Here is man helping the staff cook our breakfast.
While man cooked and I oggled the view, the kids found puppies. This is Yo with his little puppy I nicknamed Roo.
Breakfast compliments of Man and men.
Boys floating bamboo poles down the river.
This is a tree house Filipino style!
The first full day at Tibiao we headed through the village to hire a guide to take us into the mountains in search of water falls.
This beautiful girl had very good English. She spent the next few days chatting with us, especially enjoying Shan and her girls.
The way to the falls.
The hike took us out the back side of the village, through rice terraces, past carrabao, along narrow paths, up....
Past the piggy in a harness.
Right at the pineapple.
To this place!
The water was cold, too cold for this wimp.
Then back down the mountain, to the hot woktubs!
My man and Shan's man. They crack us up. In a land where every family has at least one gay man, they are most assuredly assumed to be gay around here. That would not be funny any place except here.
Boil boil toil and trouble, cauldron boil and cauldron bubble! Yum
Oh that Ethan.
The guys head out to buy more bottled water and snacks.
The rest of us headed down to the river to play with the kids.
A local kayak guide had taken gear to the river and let the kids play with it.
Shan with a crowd. I envy her natural draw with people.
The boys wanted one last go in the woktub.
By moonlight.
Man has been at the tattoo studio for about 4 hours now....hoping he's not bled out or something!
I'm just catching up on my emails. What's up with Nakey Boy up there? Shed his clothes or doesn't have any? That waterfall looks awesome. It made my asthmatic chest ache looking at the steps to get to it though! Can't wait to see Man's tattoo. :)
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