Author Archives: sheg4184

Israeli Cuisine: Exotic Simplicity

Down a narrow residential street behind Rockwell is an exciting new restaurant, Atelier 317. Opened in November 2012 it is the brainchild of local chef and newly-wed, Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi. The menu is a wonderful potpourri of all her travels and … Continue reading →

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To Taal with TourFlair

Taal: not just a volcano and a lake, but also a UNESCO heritage town in Calabarzon, overlooking Balayan Bay, about two hours south of Manila. Recently, I went on a fascinating expedition to Taal with food safari TourFlair. The drive … Continue reading →

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‘Just because we can’

Hong Kong: tower blocks rising in stately splendour around the harbour as if reaching for the clouds, bedecked in brightly coloured light displays that have us craning backwards to gawp through the rear window of the taxi, mouths wide open … Continue reading →

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An Oriental Afternoon Tea

I know you have been to afternoon tea with me many times before, but not in Hong Kong. Yet. As a former British colony, one would expect a more polished job here than most other cities outside the UK, and … Continue reading →

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Shoes: the Fetish of a First Lady, or a National Passion?

Imelda Marcos, wife of Filipino President Marcos, became internationally renowned in 1986, not for her charismatic personality, her movie star looks or her contribution to Filipino culture, but for her butterfly sleeves and her infamous collection of shoes. When Imelda … Continue reading →

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Sensational Gourmet Dining!

Antonio’s has long been a popular destination with wealthier Manila residents for a luxurious Sunday lunch away from the madding crowd, so I  had booked a table  for a special family occasion. It is a bit of a trek – … Continue reading →

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Kuala Lumpur Revisited

I have not been to Kuala Lumpur in years – since 1998 to be precise – and my goodness it has changed! Development has obviously been fast tracked since we left and I found myself feeling quite bemused by the … Continue reading →

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Departure Lounge

“Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion is starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see … Continue reading →

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A Park of Remembrance

A calm, peaceful escape from the endless traffic; an oasis sitting at the highest point in Fort Bonifacio, you will rarely find more than a handful of visitors at Manila’s American Cemetery and War Memorial. On a rainy day, it … Continue reading →

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The Art of Terry’s

Terry’s has become something of an institution in Manila for authentic, Spanish, tapas-style eating. This long-time favourite is owned and run by Juan Carlos de Terry,  who now has three restaurants under the one banner: one in Salcedo; another in … Continue reading →

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