Shopping Malls and Birthday Parties

This weekend we went to "The Mall of Asia"  it is apparrently the 4th biggest shopping mall in the world?!  We got our driver Allan to take us out there - things have definitely picked up since we have had a driver!  Considering Martin walks to and from work - I have the driver at my disposal most of the day.  The only problem is I spend half the day sitting in traffic - I have now learnt to take my book with me - just read "Breath" by Tim Winton - great - and bizarre to escape to the surf of Western Australia when I am sitting in a traffic jam in the concrete jungle!


We had a great time at the mall - the boys went to kids universe - poor Martin offered to stay with them - while I got an hour of free shopping time - found a great uk dress shop Dorothy perkins!


After that we went straight to a 4 year olds birthday party in Fort Bonificacio.  We were completely unprepared for the occasion!  We didn't know that birthday parties are very important in the Phillipines and that they go full on!  It was like a wedding!  Waiters serving the adults food - a bar - and for the kids - a frozen yogurt vendor, hot chip vender, hamburgers and lots of organised activities with prizes, they had a ventriliquist and a funny rectangle man - must be a well known cartoon figure over here.


All the kids had their own yaya's following them around wiping their hands getting their food etc.  While the adults sat in the fine dining section eating, drinking and socialising!  All the mothers were dressed in high heels and pearls - while the yaya's were in sandles, pants and t shirts.  I looked like one of the yaya's in my birkenstocks running after William and Charlie with my packet of wipes.  While Martin looked like he was a wildlife photographer in his birkenstocks, army shorts and unshaven beard!!  It was quite hilarious to see the contrast!  I hope our $15 transformer present is not going to look really out of place as well!  The boys came home laden with prizes and gift bags and William said it was the best party he has ever seen in the world!?  He lost his 3rd tooth there! We have been invited to another one in 2 weeks time - better go and buy some heels!


We had one day of sunshine this week - and everything seemed so much brighter!  Looking forward to seeing less rain.

Eating $2 Pork skewers and rice at Market Market

Trying to get good coffee at Starbucks notice armed guard in background

Boys already sick of shopping - what's wrong with them?

Jeepney driver's always hold cash in their hand

Wildlife photographer holding sleeping party boy

Part of party activities

Mothers at the party - our very gracious host in foreground

William loves parties!

Charlie trying out the frozen yogurt