Camp Taiwan 2013

We enjoyed another weekend at Camp Taiwan this year, complete with big insects in the toilet and rain the whole time. Still, we had a lot of fun and it was so wonderful to be able to spend some time with our Taipei friends before the big move to Korea. Here is what we did this year:
 

Archery!  Of course, we had so much fun doing this last year that we just had to come back for more.  Here is a cute picture of Teddy and Michael waiting for them to set up the archery supplies.  Teddy is too interested in what is going on behind the camera to look my way!

Michael helped Teddy the first few times but...

The he got the hang of it himself.  Amazing!

Teddy was very proud of all of his shooting (although I'm not sure if every one of these arrows is his).

He tried rock climbing again this year but didn't like it at all.  I think this is the highest he climbed.

Daddy loved it though and made it to the top.  Just for the record, Shana made it to the top too!

Teddy loved looking for fish and shrimp in the little stream at Camp.  After last summer and the amount of time he spent hunting for salamanders with his cousins, I'm not surprised that he was so good at it.

Following Cayden's excellent ride on the big swing, Teddy wanted to give it a try.

It didn't go well...

Unfortunately for Teddy, we are his parents and we forced him to try it.  Not surprisingly, after he got swinging he actually liked it.

Super Teddy!

Of course, our big kid Michael had to give it a try too.  Mikey likes it!

Palawan, Part 2

After traveling back to the other side of Palawan, we set sail for a one hour ferry ride out to our private island resort called Dos Palmas.

Teddy got his own life preserve on and then worked very hard at making sure that Bunny would be safe too.

Here she is!  You might recognize Bunny as Shana's Bunny from when she was little.  Yes, Bunny is still alive and is quite the world traveler at this point.

On the boat out to the resort.

The first glimpse of Dos Palmas.  Such crystal clear water and a beautiful white sand beach.

Although these were under renovation, the floating hotel rooms were a very cool welcome to the resort.

As soon as we got checked in we noticed a storm rolling past the island.  It never came near us, but it certainly created some dramatic blue colors!

Our hotel room - we stayed in the one on the top left.

The view from our balcony overlooking the ocean.

After checking out our room, we went to the beautiful pool right next to the beach.

Teddy had an amazing time swimming everyday!  He is getting very adventurous in the water.  He is swimming by himself and even jumping in off the side.

Since we were on a small island, the resort gave us kayaks to explore.  We kayaked around the whole island past beautiful tropical fish, some really cool flying fish (which scared us a few times!), and through a mangrove forest. 

Looking for fish!

Teddy did an awesome job paddling and navigating through the forest.  He is turning into such a great helper!

Michael had a great time zooming in and out of the trees and turning the end of the ride into a pirate adventure for Teddy!

Back on the beach looking for shells and tiny fish that swim close to the shore.  I think Teddy could have done this for hours!

Where's my tropical drink?

Paradise!

Our beautiful baby boy enjoying the beach!

We got to sit in one of the cabanas to watch the sunset and play a few card games...and have a few tropical drinks!

Enjoying the sunset together!

And being a little crazy on the beach!

The next day we took a speedboat out to a float in the ocean near a coral reef.  Michael and Shana went snorkeling, while Teddy stayed on the float and fed the tropical fish bread!

Teddy being silly on the float!

Being silly back at the pool!

Another spectacular sunset over the ocean.



Our last day on the island!  This is the view from the resort out to the floating hotel rooms. 

Teddy wanted to take a picture of Mommy and Daddy before we left!

Back on the boat to take us home.  The boat behind Teddy was named Baby James (one of our favorite James Taylor songs).

Setting sail!

Totally passed out not more than 5 minutes after the last picture was taken!

 

Palawan, Part 1

We had an amazing spring break trip to the remote island of Palawan in the Philippines.  We flew from Taipei to Manila and then Manila to Puerto Princessa, followed by a two our van ride over the mountain to the less visited part of the island.  Shana got sick on the ride - it was very bumpy!



This is the hotel that we stayed at.  Rustic is an understatement but we got the opportunity to live like the locals.  This included Michael waking up with a big beetle on his forehead!

Down the beach from our hotel.  The mountains and the beach reminded me of Honolulu. 

Watching some of the fishing boats come in at dusk.

One of the boats from the town we stayed in, Sabang.

Teddy playing WAR (one of Shana and Phil's favorites) at a local outdoor restaurant.

And moving on to Indian Poker!

The next morning we took a small boat to the entrance of the Underground River, which was recently added to the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

We got off the small boat (pictured behind Teddy) after pulling into a cove with a hidden beach.  This is where our tour begins.

Teddy posing in one of the boats we will take into the Underground River.  The entrance is behind him.

Getting ready to go!

Another quick family portrait!

Watching boats head into the Underground River.  Can you see the entrance to the cave on the left?

Putting our life preservers on!

In the boat.  Teddy got to ride with his new girlfriend who took good care of him on the trip.

Ready to go!  Can you see the entrance to the cave now?

Here we go!

I usually only use my own pictures on the blog, but there was no way we were going to capture a really good picture from the Underground River.  This is what we saw, although it was much darker and there were more bats, but this gives you a good idea of what an Underground River actually is.  Beautiful!

Returning to civilization!

Teddy really enjoyed the trip although he first told us that he was scared.

On our way back to the boat, we were greeted by monkeys that liked sparkly jewelry a little too much.  I was told to hide my earrings! 

We also saw huge monitor lizards!

Overall it was a great trip!

The happy Russell family!

Returning to the boat to go home!