Thinking of you, from Cebu

The Creature from the Cebu Strait

One of the few disappointments of the Great 2013 Clark Family Trip to the Philippines was Casey's inability to find a pick-up basketball game. The Talisay court was under construction. Added to his nightly prayers is a request for the speedy and successful completion of a high-quality basketball court that welcomes American players.

Another disappointment was the separation of the family at some beautiful resorts! The photos from Cebu were incredible, including this one of a rare aquatic life form that dwells in the Cebu Strait. Margie took this photo while staying at the Cebu Shangri La Hotel. 

Theo, Natalie and Margie, along with Ninang Beng and little Erin enjoyed the layout, but poor Casey was back in New York with his nose to the sawmill. 

The Clarks of Arabia

Thanks to Miss Margie's worldwide connections, the Clarks of New Jersey (with the exception of Casey) visited Dubai at the tail end of the great family trip to the Philippines. One of the highlights was a visit to the top of the world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, measuring 2,716 feet and six inches from top to bottom. Whether the building actually "belongs to the world," as they say in the United Arab Emirates, is a matter of opinion, but the family seemed to enjoy the views. 

Here was Theo's report from Dubai: "In the Philippines, it was so hot that you didn't want to go outside. In Dubai, it was so hot that you couldn't go outside."
Traveling through Dubai is an indoor activity. 

Judging from the pictures, the malls, the airports and the vertical cities were very impressive in oil-rich Dubai -- a nice balance to the wealth of natural beauty the family enjoyed in the Philippines. 

Margie, Theo and Natalie looking out over Dubai from the world's tallest tower.