Travel to Banaue (Bah-now-wee)

This week we traveled to the ancient rice terraces (Banaue).  Some refer to these as one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.  Our mission president likes to give all the missionaries an opportunity to see them just prior to completion of their mission.  It takes 5-6 hours to drive from the mission home and much of it is on extremely narrow and winding road. The place is beautiful with lush greenery and about 6000-feet in elevation.

(I found this cute little cub-scout leader there and couldn't resist giving her a hug)

 I also ran into a little trouble with one of the natives.  We got into a lively discussion about infant baptism but ultimately decided to agree to disagree.
















From the road, you must hike down a very narrow and steep trail and cross a footbridge over the river.  Then you have to climb back up the other side to get to the terraces.  Sister Roberts and I got wobbly legs just getting to the bottom so we climbed back up and waited for the missionaries to complete the round trip.  Our thigh muscles are still complaining!  We did not know what to expect and are not in shape for such a challenging hike.  Next time we will act more our age and shop at the souvenir shops on the road while waiting for the missionaries to return.

Somewhere along the line, I caught a little something that is giving me congestion and a sore throat.  It doesn't feel too serious however and I expect to be better tomorrow.  Another set of Senior Missionaries arrived yesterday.  The will make 3 Senior Missionary Couples all together.  We enjoy our association with them.

Today was a nationwide broadcast to the Philippines from Elder Holland. He was speaking from Manila.  He gave a wonderful apostolic blessing to these kind and humble people.  We feel very privileged to be serving here. - Elder Roberts