Hong Kong, China: August 20-25, 2005

On Saturday, August 20 we flew from Cebu to Hong Kong. The weather in Hong Kong upon our arrival was terrible. A tropical low was sitting off the coast nearby causing heavy rains and flooding in the countryside. Fortunately, we had changed our plans about visiting mainland China because of warnings concerning malaria and avian flu. Although I was disappointed about that, it was just as well, as we heard that the weather was also very bad where we had been planning to go, resulting in flooding and washed-out roads. Entry into Hong Kong through immigration and customs was fast and efficient. We took a shuttle bus to our hotel, BP International House (http://www.bpih.com.hk/welcome.shtml), located in the heart of the island of Kowloon, near Kowloon Park. The hotel (shown in the website photo taken from the park) is a modern, high rise structure. Like most hotels in Hong Kong, the rooms are small. However, our rooms were clean and well-appointed. The room reserved for our family of four had two bunk beds. Luz and Christopher were next door in a standard room with two single beds. The hotel staff is courteous and helpful. Most understood and spoke English. The hotel location is excellent, only a half a block from Nathan Road, the major thoroughfare on Kowloon. It's proximity to the park is also great, as you can take advantage of the indoor and outdoor pools and other recreational facilities there. Shopping and a variety of restaurants are within walking distance, as are bus or subway transportation to other parts of Kowloon or Hong Kong island. We spent our five days (the first three of which it rained heavily) sightseeing and shopping. We got around using buses, subways (MTR) and the Star Ferry. Besides the Kowloon Park, we visited downtown Hong Kong, including a nightime trip to Victoria Peak via the Tram; Ocean Park (a marine and amusement park) and shopped in a variety of stores and markets in the area. We all enjoyed our time in Hong Kong, but after five days of hotel and city life, I think we were all ready to come home to rest and relax a little before the start of school and work. The flight home was rather uneventful, with the possible exception of some unexpected scrutiny from Hong Kong customs. As the final photo shows, Chris and Adrienne seemed to enjoy the apparently endless number of movies and cartoons available on the flight.

Coral Point Resort, Cebu, Philippines: August 18-20, 2005

On August 18 we ended our stay in Leyte. I think we were all sad about having to leave Carigara, particularly the family members and friends we had so enjoyed spending time with. We left by van in the morning, accompanied by Danny and Jerry, to travel to the second largest city on Leyte, Ormoc. From there we caught a Supercat ferry to neighboring Cebu. We were met in Cebu by Anna, the caretaker of the Coral Point Resort condominium, on Mactan Island, where we would stay for the next couple of days. The first picture is a departing shot at our house in Carigara, the rest are of Coral Point. As you can see by the photos, Coral Point is a beautiful, well-cared place. We stayed in a studio condo owned by retired Hong Kong physician, Dr. Peter Lee. Anna got us settled and then showed us Dr. Lee's impressive personal residence at Coral Point, for which she is the caretaker. We spent the remainder of our time at Coral Point relaxing and swimming in the freshwater and salt water pools. Before leaving Cebu, we did some last minute shopping for souvenirs from the Philippines, including a handmade guitar. The last picture is of our group before departing Coral Point. Shown with us are Enia's sister Luz, her son Christopher, brother Danny, cousin Jerry, Anna, Elena (Dr. Lee's maid) and our driver.

Lunch with Josie and Lee, Carigara, Leyte, Philippines: Tuesday, August 16, 2005

We had the pleasure of having our friends Josie and Lee, from Manassas, Virginia visit our house in Carigara for lunch. They are staying with relatives in nearby Santol. It has been 5 years since we last saw them; we hope it is far less time until our next visit and perhaps we will be able to manage it in North America (instead of Asia)!

Visit to the San Juanito Bridge and MacArthur Park, Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines: Monday, August 15, 2005

Today we visited Tacloban to do a little sightseeing. We traveled across the San Juanito Bridge, the longest in Asia, to the adjoining province of Samar. We also visited MacArthur Park Landing, the site of the World War II landing by General Douglas MacArthur, the start of the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese control.Besides the monument of MacArthur and other military personnel wading ashore, there is also the original imprint of footprints when stepping ashore and messages from world leaders when the monument was dedicated in 1993. Visiting the MacArthur Park Landing was particularly meaningful for Adrienne, as she did a report on MacArthur last year.

Party with Enia's High School Classmates, Carigara, Leyte, Philippines: Sunday, August 14, 2005

Today we hosted a party with Enia's high school classmates at our house in Carigara. It was an afternoon of good food, conversation and song. It was a pleasure spending time with them and we look forward to future opportunities.

Visit to the Department of Education, Palo, Leyte: Thursday, August 11, 2005

Enia and I visited the city of Palo, just outside the capital of city of Tacloban to meet with the superintendent of schools for the island, Aurora Aquino-Villarente and her assistant superintendents, Mr. Segio Samoria (standing) and Mrs. Vicenta Alibangbang (seated to my far left). Mrs. Lilia C. Arbas, a retired teacher, was kind of enough to escort us to the department headquarters and introduce us to the superintendent and assistant superintendents. She is the second person from the right.

The Leyte school system is the largest in the Philippines. There are 246,000 elementary students and 86,000 high school students. The system employs more than 9,000 teachers in 62 school districts comprised of 1,152 elementary schools and 112 secondary schools.

We discussed a number of ideas for collaboration between the Eastchester Schools and schools on Leyte.