in the fog and playing in the rain

A secret garden with floating lilypads, a mountaintop escape in the middle of rainy season tucked in a vast green rainforest. Just the perfect spot to run to when the city gets too claustrophobic, the perfect for city girls to escape to when they just want nature. We do need it too, you know.

With truffle oil and honey to complete our cheese and biscuits evening, her with her pinotage and me with my chai tea, we sat on a 'floating' lanai and caught up with our lives. Our last one on one was in LA, the day we cruised through the beachfront and drank wine like our lives depended on it. 

Couldn't think of anyone else to have shared this weekend with.

More about Moon Garden? Jump over to here.

I'm gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down and all that jazz

An unexpected evening in a little road just off the centre of the city.

Who knew that a place like this existed, with a cabaret fit for Vegas {okay, maybe not so grand} but nevertheless, one that made a very happy person last night. They constantly brought their audience into their world of glitz and glamour, from the roaring 20's to scenes from Miss Saigon. With men who moved their hips like the ladies they were dressed up to be, with legs that went on for ages and bodies that put me to shame. 

My trusty iPhone captured as much as it could, but I would have loved to have had the big camera with me to capture the fantastic glitter of the costumes, lighting and all else that mesmerised on this one Saturday night evening in little old Manila.

ordinary days. extraordinary moments.

The three of us.
Dinosaur rides. Pirate ships. Log rides. A walk through an vintage, make-believe Brooklyn town.
His happiness was contagious and he skipped his way through this little amusement park that seemed bigger than the universe to him.

A place of my past where weekends were spent when I was a teenager. My son's new obsession. My husbands new discovery. Full circle that's come straight back to me.

when the fire lanterns became stars in the black sky

This weekend:

... I was a bridesmaid.

... And at the same time ran front of house for Pi Catering.

... I watched the red sun set behinds my friends as they sealed their marriage with their kiss.

... I lit a fire lantern with Cameron and sent our wishes up into the blackness of the sky.

... I savored the ocean air and sat around a bonfire with some of my favourite people.

... I watched my little boy wonder at the sand on his feet

... And became proud as he found more courage to sink his little head under the water.

... I remembered some of the reasons I moved back to Manila.

... But am now even more convinced I belong by the ocean and not in the city.

...This weekend.... It was hard to let go.

a day to unwind

                                                 ... Just what I needed. Wish we were complete though.

fell asleep in Manila and woke up in LA

One day. Ten years later.

Old friends. 

I kinda like spending my (unexpected) Sundays in LA.