Gruyéres - the misty mountains of Switzerland

When wonder | wander | women touched down in Switzerland for the very first time, it was the wettest, gloomiest day of the summer. Sometimes even storybook wishes can be granted in mysterious ways.

signs of life

After months of darkness and rain, wonder | wander | women were relieved to finally see the sun out for a whole day! We've had weeks of false alarms and hints of spring, little signs that warmer days were coming.

Gardenias blooming early

medicine songs & healing circles

Our high school classmates gathered recently to celebrate our May celebrants. Being seniors and elders the talk quickly turned to the state of our health. While we were enjoying the gift of our good health, a few recent scares reminded us just how precious life is. 

shamanic wisdom from Shamans Cave

As our meal was served and we gathered together in laughter and conversation, our voices dipped and rose, joined in a cascading torrent of words. Competing to be heard, constantly interrupting challenged trains of thought, punctuated by loud howls of laughter. 

friends al fresco

After who knows how long, vaccinations in the UK are at the point where it's finally less risky to go out to the park and have some snacks and drinks with friends (at a safe distance) again. 

42 - the answer?

I was so excited to turn 42 this year. In the Douglas Adams science fiction series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the number 42 is given as the answer to "life, the Universe, and everything." 

Art corner at VANS in Seven Dials

Season's greetings, social distance style!

Like many other people who celebrate Christmas, wonder | wander | women changed plans this year to celebrate at home. Like many other Filipinos, we're used to spending the holidays away from our families, and have our own long-distance traditions. 

My favourite window: sun in the daytime, Christmas lights at night

distant socials

It seems like only a little while ago we were looking forward to the clocks moving forward and the sun coming out. Now in isolation, we cherish the times we spent with each other in natural sunlight and fresh air.

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!! This Christmas we greeted faraway families and celebrated with friends as the winter got chillier than ever.

Photo by Jamie Kurihara

summer (is) social!

While the US is celebrating Independence Day, summer finally comes to London after a long season of rain, cold wind and grey days - and with summer come other visitors!

Filipino delight: BBQ Dreams at Meatliquor!

Wrapped up a pretty intense week this past Sunday by meeting up with a dear friend for one of our favourite treats: Filipino food!

Photo by Jamie Kurihara

39th birthday: life, love, London

The great joy of living in a big city is what writer Julia Cameron calls the 'art date': a day of wandering and gathering inspiration. After a glorious month of running around New York, I felt like I hadn't gone on a 'date' with my own adopted city in a while.  

The Shard and Southwark Cathedral

Eating with friends: a birthday celebration!

Every birthday marks a new year, so why not treat it like a true New Year's celebration? Some years it's good to spend the day alone in contemplation. Some years we might throw a huge party, or have family dinner on top of the world. This year I wanted some quiet time, but also a touch of sparkle, and the company of a dear friend.

Image courtesy of Jamie Kurihara

holidays with friends

This year in London was all about partying with friends! Having family a Skype or Facebook call away eases some of the loneliness of living overseas, but having friends living in the same city means that the holidays don't have to be lonely at all.

holiday preparations

'Tis the season to plan parties! Everyone is getting ready for holiday celebrations and pre-holiday celebrations. People are planning flights and get-togethers, practicing their special dishes and holiday 'looks'. Cafés replaced the pumpkin spice lattes of autumn with their 'Christmas menu' and it's a joy for wonder | wander | women to discover who puts the most marshmallows in their hot chocolate.

We vote for Benugo.

a visit to the Savoy

This month wonder | wander | women had drinks with hometown friends at the world famous Savoy Hotel.

Photo courtesy of Londontopia.net

We spent the evening in the Beaufort Bar, sipping cocktails, discussing the art and designer market and listening to piano stylings by the scintillating Sarah Hawkyard. Enjoying some glam life!

over the hills and far away

In these days of connectivity and fast travel, a friend leaving the country isn't the end of the world like it used to be.

It still aches though - especially when your friend is an expatriate like you, the two of you bound by a common love of your adopted homeland.

Happy Holidays!

Some friends in the more suburban reaches of Greater London invited us for a glorious Christmas weekend. We spent three days in the company of dear friends and revelled in eating, drinking, playing 'auntie' to our friends' children, and enjoying time with people we love but don't seem to see often enough.

Picture courtesy of Jamie Kurihara, via Facebook

travel on a plate: culture & cuisine

This past week wonder | wander | women were lucky enough to get family and friends in for a week-long visit, and we were busy tearing up London! One of our favourite things to do here is sample the local cuisine - which, like many large cities, often turns out to be international.

open city | open heart

Living on the fringes of big cities as the wonder | wander | women do, we often get friends passing through. But after hitting the big tourist attractions, taking in a couple of shows, and having tea at the Savoy or drinks under the King Cole mural at the St Regis, our friends can tire of the crowds and famous sights. So we take them to places beloved by locals.

Image courtesy of Lola Abrera

queen of the south: Cebu City

Before the grand old city of Manila ruled the galleon routes, Spanish explorers first colonised the twin islands called Cebu and Mactan, making Cebu City the oldest and most historic city in the Philippines.

Cebu is a smallish, eclectic city that rambles through several hills and valleys. Its citizens, called Cebuanos or Sugbuanons in their own language, famously love food, music, street parties and celebration in general.