On Monday, April 27, Jen and Jeff arrived in the Philippines; it was a very happy time for us. I had kept their trip a secret from Patty for 4 or 5 months. We enjoyed their company. Thanks to mom and dad Whitehead for taking care of the children, allowing Jen and Jeff to make the trip. The flight from Canada to the Philippines is long. I think Jen and Jeff had a "day and a night and a day as if it were one day" either on planes or in airports. Here we are at the airport.

We spent Tuesday together and then early Wednesday morning we took Jen and Jeff to the airport for another flight. They spent a few days at the island resort, Boracay while we prepared for their return. When they got back we spent an afternoon in old Manila. This is the original site of Manila and is called Intramuros, meaning "within the walls"...or something like that. The ruins are hundreds of years old. Here Jen, Jeff and Patty are with a Security Guard at the Intramuros.
Intramuros has Manila Bay to the south and the Pasig River on the north. This is the Pasig River and a more modern Manila in the background.

One thing that never ceases to amaze us is the plants that grow here. There is such a variety of trees and flowers. We've heard it say that you can stick a pencil in the ground and it will take root. We haven't verified that yet but it wouldn't surprise us if it were true. Jen found some blossoms on the ground and couldn't resist sticking one behind her ear. Isn't that the most beautiful flower you've ever seen?....I think the blossom is nice also.