Shanghai Sheri

Once upon a time, in a beautiful blue ocean far, far away, there stood a family of rugged mountain volcanoes. But there was trouble in paradise. The villainous ocean insidiously attacked and eroded it’s volcanic inhabitants. With time, the mountain peaks relented to the ever punishing ocean and eventually sank away, leaving only perimeter rings of earth material as evidence of their former presence. With time, coral colonized on the land and grew to create strange looking ring shaped islands containing large protected lagoons within. As with all fairy tales though, this ends happily ever after. For within the lagoons, life once again became a paradise providing for all sorts of creatures. Such was how we found existence on and around the atoll of Fakarava in the Tuamotu islands. Warm, moist, and oh so colorful. Like ... read more

It’s spring 2010. Expo Shanghai is crowded and hot. Kirsten and I venture into the South Pacific pavilion to escape the crowds and get a taste of island life. Numerous little grass huts are scattered in an air conditioned arena. Tahiti, Fiji, Vanuatu, Guam,....and Palau?? Hmmm, what is this place, Palau? Pictures of swimming with jellyfish and beautiful azure waters tweak my curiosity. Flash forward to fall, 2011. Matt and I are seeking a warm February getaway. That jellyfish picture calls out from my memory. And now the discovery begins! Every twist and turn throughout our journey reveals to us a place of surprising ease of travel, familiarity, and yet exotic pleasures. First it’s location: a mere 5 hour direct flight SE of Seoul AND using frequent flier miles, free for Matt! Widespread use of English ... read more

I asked God to put me in the presence of “Godly” people. People who could help me to see and know Him. People who could inspire me to think and act in ways which would lead me to be as He intended. I didn’t expect to find them on a short touring type trip to a country ravaged with violence, poverty, and corruption. I didn’t expect to notice them in short encounters. But yet they were there, revealed in many tales. Tales of wisdom, generosity, heroism, and persistence. So here I begin yet another travel blog. Yes, this one is filled with amazing sights and fun experiences. But also, this one contains a few tales which should be told. After all, there is much beauty and goodness in the world and it is indeed good to ... read more

We’ve now been together in Korea for more than 8 weeks. Still, it feels foreign and unsettled for me, while Matt daily plows into his job as if he’s thick in the trenches of war. Moving here without kids has meant there is more time but less sense of worthiness to my daily activities. Nevertheless, being an expat in a new city also means one can be busy from sun up til sun down simply by striving to keep the home organized, staying in touch with family back home, perusing markets and stores to stock the kitchen with acceptable yet healthy cuisine, learning the language and culture, prioritizing daily fitness, finding new friends, exploring what the city has to offer, and navigating the roads, subways, and buses to get around. So here’s a few interesting things ... read more

Bula. A simple Fijian greeting. I love the way the natives allow the “la” to float off their tongue, as if gently sending a kind “hello” into the warm Fiji breeze. Then there’s the way the manly men of Fiji thrust out the word from the back of their throat, with a guttural emphasis on the “Bu” – Bula!! Reminiscent of the past days when fierce warriors would cannibalize the missionaries and British sea captains who tried to change their native way of life. Or perhaps my favorite way to use this greeting is sort of like a dance for the tongue, “Bula Bula!” said in rapid succession. Like our British friends lifting off an upbeat “Cheeri-o!”. However you say it, this one word pretty much defines our Fiji experience. A bit of relaxed warm breeze ... read more