Mum’s never ending birthday

It started on Saturday, the 24th. her actual birthday. We went to the The Sebel to try their breakfast buffet. It’s actually a very good deal for VT1500 pp. It was surprisingly awesome. Trick is to go there late (it goes til noon) so it’s considered brunch and heap it up!

I’m not trying for the celebrity hiding from the paparazzi look. The annoying truth is I’ve had this really fug eye sty throughout this weekend. I committed the mortal sin of wearing sunnies indoors. Outrage! I’ve always hated people who wore sunnies inside malls and shops. But I thought it’s better to commit the taboo rather than have people think I’m winking at them.

So after our posh brunch we walked to the market and I let mum run amok and buy to her heart’s content. I usually follow her around like a pesky mosquito reminding her not to buy too much as we can’t carry it, that we don’t need that, it’ll never be eaten and it will go to waste. But that day, I kept mum (pun intended) whilst my arms slowly got dislocated as she passed me bags of steak, star fruits, coconuts (4!!!!) and flowers. We then went to Au Bon Mache for a quick whirl for things we so desperately need.

Filos in Vila

My first week here I confined myself to our house – watching endless movies and TV shows and devouring the books I brought from Australia. I got to know our house girl Lorina and the different security guards that came to sit outside our house 24/7. I ventured into town twice. Once to do the grocery at Au Bon Mache. And the next when I had a sudden craving for beer and walked to find the first pub that would serve me a cold one. I didn’t mind going about it alone for a while. I needed to wrap my head around the place first by myself. But after a week I was getting a bit antsy and was looking for company I could talk to.

Good thing mum aranged for me to meet the Filipinos around my age. They picked us up, took us to dinner at the fabulous L’houstalet and then drinks at the Waterfront. I finally met people I could hang out with! Michelle, Ron, Jom & Kuya Rolex were awesome company! They were funny and they drink!!! There’s nothing like being around Filipinos in a foreign country.

After that first night, they’d always pick me up from the house and helped me adjust to the Port Vila lifestyle. We exploited the facilities of swam and played table tennis at Le Lagon. Went on night outs to Voodoo and Waterfront. And they gave me amusing running commentary of the characters here in Vila.

Here’s the people who gave me back my sanity on my first few weeks.

with my beloved friend michelle @ honeymoon beach on easter

mum & i at Waterfront on our first night out with the filos.

kuya lex, jom & ron after swimming at le lagon

i love these 2! my yosi buddy ron & michelle my partner in crime