Author Archives: sheg4184

Mad About Malls

Bill Bryson once wrote “Where once we created civilizations, now we create shopping malls.” Nowhere is this more apparent than in Metro Manila, where new shopping malls seem to pop up daily, and like the Once-ler they ‘are figuring on … Continue reading

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Manila Interational Schools: part I

As the expatriate community in Metro Manila continues to expand, many of the better known International Schools are bursting at the seams, waiting lists are growing longer and parents are struggling to find places for their children. So I have … Continue reading

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Indonesian Dining

So there we were in Jakarta, hot, hoarse and exhausted after hours of cheering for the Athletics teams at the International School, in desperate need of sustenance and somewhere to celebrate our host’s birthday. Where else would we go but to … Continue reading

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An Arctic Anniversary

We had an anniversary recently, and sadly it was a bit of a fizzle, as I wasn’t feeling well and pretty much slept through it. So I am going to reminisce about a past anniversary instead, somewhere cool, as the … Continue reading

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Easter: More Fun in the Philippines

As a Protestant child growing up in Australia, I remember Easter as a fairly dull affair. The shops were shut for days, friends went away, and my mother always insisted we went to Church on Easter Day, so she had … Continue reading

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Just Another Manic Monday at TNK

Another Monday morning in Manila, and a group of regular volunteers is en route to Tulay Ng Kabataan, a home for street kids, armed with crafts and books and merienda.  We arrive to the usual excited welcomes and so many kids … Continue reading

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“I’ve Been to Bali Too!”

In the Redgum song of my youth, Bali was a land of monkeys and mercurochrome, Bali belly and mozzie coils. Kuta Beach was full of surfers and Ubud was a hippy haven in the hills. My first trip to Bali, … Continue reading

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Of Country Clubs and Cucumber Sandwiches

Hanbury Manor, Hertfordshire, once the home of English landed gentry, then a boarding school, it has entered the 21st century as a Marriott hotel and country club. Only a few miles north of Hertford, Hanbury Manor is a magnificent chapter … Continue reading

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Shanghai Nights

Tickets had sold out before Christmas – an unprecedented occurence even for an event as popular as the ANZA Ball, and it was obvious on the night that everyone had high expectations of a great evening’s entertainment. As usual, everyone … Continue reading

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Va Bene

Va Bene has been a firm favourite with our family for some time, despite its rather quirky location above the Petron petrol station on EDSA outside the gates to Dasmarinas, so it was our first choice for a birthday dinner … Continue reading

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