Typhoons etc

This week we had 2 typhoons and an earthquake!

The earthquake was only small and I only heard about it the next morning.  Since then though we have done some earthquake preparedness just in case....(We keep on taking the chocolate out of the bag(earthquake) for our after dinner snack!)

School was cancelled for the typhoon.  So I had the boys all day in the apartment.  We managed to amuse ourselves - doing some research on the internet on snakes and crocodiles and then doing drawings of it.  We eventually decided to go out to the shopping mall.  The typhoon here was nothing but a bit of rain - but apparrently in other parts of the country it was alot worse.

The other thing we have to not worry about is dengue fever.  We were not aware of it before we left Australia - but we have heard of some people getting it here - due to the wet season - so now we are prepared with mosquito patches and lots of spray!

The boys are getting to really like their school - Charlie went swimming there on Friday - and has already had two birthday party invitations - William was a bit upset he hasn't got any yet - and to make matters worse Charlie was given a beautifully wrapped present as he walked out the door from another boy in his class who had a birthday!  I think the custom here is that when you have a birthday you give everyone else a present!?  The present was from the exclusive department store "Rustans" and was a good quality sigg drink bottle.  Apparrently the school is in the most prestige part of the Phillippines (I was wondering why all the drivers were saying to me"very nice place ma'am"!)

We now have a driver!! Yippee - he seems really nice - and hopefully drives well??  We went to Greenhills yesterday and I bought a great fake Jimmy Choo and Prada handbag - can't wait to go back!

I also tried the Bikram yoga for the first time - the room is heated to 40deg and you sweat like anything for an hour and a half.  I will go back - but might look for a yoga I am more used to.  Had a beautiful Japanese lunch and got my nails done afterwards with my new Japanese friend after!  This is more like it!!

Satellite photo of typhoon over Phillipines

Boys on typhoon day in the shuttle bus going to mall

Boys at martins work - very impressed with the lemonade from the free vending machine!

A fun day of fighting in the rain around the hotel pool!

Sunday party!

Our first Sunday here and we are preparing to host some afternoon drinks!  We have met 2 Australian couples at Frazer's Place with children and decided to get together - with the husbands.  Both of them have come over to work in Manila.  Yoko and Nick are staying for 1 year and Sonja and Mark are staying for 2 or maybe more.


It seems like the thing to do over here.  We went to the Sunday markets -but it is very hot and muggy outside and the city is really very ugly!!  They have great shopping malls - with all sorts of amazing shops - which I am looking forward to exploring once the boys are at school - but apart from shopping and swimming in the hotel pool - there doesn't seem to be much else to do other than socialise!


We have found a fantastic apartment to move in to in mid August - it is huge like a penthouse - really well renovated with great views and a resort like pool and tennis courts.  The only thing is that they normally want 12 months leases - they said they will give us a 6 month lease - but we haven't seen the documentation yet.  I think everything is at a slower pace over here!


We are also looking for a driver and a ya ya (maid).  It is turning out not to be that easy.  Apparrently we should get a recommendation from past expats - that is why I am joining two groups ANZA (Australian and New Zealand Association) and MADS (Mothers and Darlings).  There are a couple of afternoon teas next week - have to see what eventuates!

William and Charlie thinking they are very good serving themselves at Breakfast time

Martin and William in the Breakfast room

Charlie after watermelon

William doing some work - a very rare sight

Charlie and some big avocados!

William and Charlie trying to work out what's in the bag?

Cute face from Charlie

Phillipine national dish!

Photos

Vanessa in the first class lounge waiting for breakfast before the flight.  A bit of luxury before the flight - it was different at the other end!  The lounge is designed by Marc Newson and is really impressive! 

The boys in the Qantas lounge - excited to go to "Vanilla"!

The view from our apartment - it's a HUGE city

The boys doing what they do best - playing in the apartment

A roast cow at the Salcedo Markets today with friends Ewan and Kiera

In Manila now

We are here - boys are at their first day of school at Montessori - actually the first day without me.  We all went for an hour yesterday and the day before.  They are a bit hesitant about it - probably too much discipline for them - but that is exactly what they need at the moment!


Martin is already fully in to work - getting up at 6am for calls to US and then rushing into the office for 7am meetings.


We are still trying to organise a driver and a maid  - won't that be luxurious!  Meanwhile - I have been trying to do the washing in an industrial room next to our kitchen - the washing machine leaked everyewhere!  They were pretty good here though and sent up a different washing machine straight away!


I cooked for the first time last night - it was an experience going to the shopping centre with the boys - William nearly fell backwards out of the trolley.
In the afternoon we went to a little boy (Declan)'s birthday party around the pool - who we have just met - they are from Sydney as well and really nice. Will try to post photos soon.