4,755 Miles to Home

Four hours down, nine to go from Japan to WA.

Arrival in Narita.

5SS is hungry. Dangerously hungry.

Do you think the burgers are from Kobe beef?

Netty goes for local.

Udon with sweet beef. Ah, Kobe soup for the traveler's soul.

And perhaps a little pampering too?

What does "ostomate" mean?

Ooh, I don't know if I should be eager or afraid to try this...

Hmmm, ostomate...

There once was a girl who lived in a little village...

... where the people climbed trees to collect silk...

... to weave into fabric for the girl's beautiful kimono.

Seriously, would someone please look up the definition of ostomate?

How about a magazine for the long flight home? Maybe the meaning of ostomate is written in those magazines...

Would someone please translate for me.

Fed, ostomated, and culturized, we get on our plane.

Boeing 747.

You think they got ostmate facilities in First Class?

Translation:

4,755 miles to destination

90 feet about sea level

42 degrees Fahrenheit

Translated into American units, that is.

4,755 miles?! Oh boy... I'm gonna be sick!

Be not afraid, help is here!

Eight hours and fifty minutes later (we had a tailwind):

Stretch out!

Are we getting pulled over?

"You were doing 80 in a 60mph..."

"Thank you," the driver said as the Stater handed him a ticket.

Why did the driver thank him?!

I don't care, just take me home now.

At last...

LUCY, I'M HOME!

The Fast Boat to Bohol

Terminal 1, Cebu.

That's our ride, the Bohol Star Craft.

Notice the Security Guard's hand on my bag, holding it as if he were getting ready to take off with it.

He's just resting his arm. Apparently it's break time, and he and his partner are mingling with the passengers.

What's with the bars?

No, Terminal 1 isn't a prison holding. The grill doors let the sea breeze flow through.

All aboard! Bohol Star Craft bound for Tubigon, Bohol now boarding all passengers!

That's my suitcase they're handling...

Ummmm, what the...

Don't drop it in the water!

"Puera bisita! Bisita Puera, puera, puera!"

(Visitors de-boat! De-boat visitors, de-boat, de-boat!)

Approximate duration of voyage: 1 hour.

(Notice the securit guard waving goodbye.)

Leaving the Port of Cebu behind.

No, this is not a pirate. He's the conductor. He's raising the tarpaulin flaps on the side windows of the boat to let the breeze through.

Get your drinks here, snacks here...

That's me, on deck.

That's the MV Jade Star, on the port side of Star Craft, en route to Cebu from Bohol.

Approximate duration of Jade Star voyage: 2 hours.

(That's why we took the Star Craft.)

The landmark that let's you know you are in Tubigon is the lone conical mound that resembles a chocolate hill.

Star Craft docks at Tubigon pantalan (pier), Bohol.

The passengers crowd to the exit.

The Porter

His build is slight, his appearance in dire.

But his strength has might, his will on fire.

For the burden upon his shoulders

Feeds his wife, sons, and daughters.

Porters cart off my luggage.

Tubigon Light House

The 30 minute drive home, passing rice fields.

The sun dipping behind the island of my final destination, Panggangan.

Dalmacio (see Two Dog Crew), the greeting party.

Welcom Home!