I moved in at the start of May 2022 and my scholars, partners and brothers helped unpack my belongings from Bahrain( all 66 boxes which had been in storage here for 18 months) and set up the house. You can read more about that by clicking the link below:
There are also a couple of Vlogs - for example this one:
Over the following 16 months the Pinay landlady , Maggie, who lives next door with her American Husband, Mickey ( hence M & M) managed to let all the other properties at the compound and we ended up with a vibrant international community here.
Benny and his new BBQ
One of the American's, Benny, and his Pinay wife Lelan, was a keen Barbecue fan with a fondness for steak, ribs, and especially smoked foods. We became friends and constantly swapped details of places we had been to eat or quite secluded beaches etc. Next Andy arrived, a Brit who had lived in Africa and who has a daughter here ( who is taller than him). He is a keen fisherman and recently shared a picture of him on the cover of a fishing magazine 33 years ago with a huge fish that he caught.
After that Chris arrived from Australia ( Perth- where he lived near my University Girlfriend Annie in Basandean- what a small world! His wife , Josie, from the Philippines is a great cook making her own bread and desserts.
Finally another American, Chris, spookily from the same state as Benny, arrived with his Pinay wife , Ann , and son. Everyone is very friendly and we all help eachother with advice - Andy wanted to get an SSRV, everyone wanted to know where to put their trash and so on. We even shop for eachother. I give Andy wine after I have used what I need for cooking ( as I do not drink Alcohol). Benny brings back sweets from his trips and I try out my new food on him and Lelan.
Chris and Josie have 2 small dogs and we are always comparing notes. Everyone has been very supportive when my dog Chester was ill and Chester, after initially growling every time he saw Andy , made friends with him.
Chris has been the most social inviting me and the others for drinks, individually and then a group for dinner . As I dont drink and as Chester did not like being left alone and we went to bed early ( 7 pm) and got up early ( 6 am) I declined the first few times. In September they organised the first M & M Compound International Feast. Chris and Josie put so much work into setting up a canopy with Christmas lights.
It's the BER months here and the Christmas decorations are up in the Malls and Christmas music is playing with national Christmas Icon Jose Marie Chan having his songs on the radio daily . You can here his most famous song by clicking this link
I also included more information on this icon here;
The table looked like it was set up for a wedding and Benny moved his BBQ over and got it all fired up. Lelan cooked the chicken , I bought some bread rolls, Andy made salads and there was an ice bucket of soft and alcoholic drinks. It was a great night and lovely to finally talk to everyone and find out more about them.
The next day Benny posted a memento on Facebook:
Sadly as Chester had kept me awake for 3 nights being sick after he ate some poison, I had to go early and keep checking on my doggy patient during the event. I was also unable to get better bread ( my allocated dish!) as Puerto Deli had run out and then I had to take Joven home and collect Chester from the vets.
However I promise I will contribute more next time , as we all agreed the event should be repeated. Normally I love entertaining and for those who are not aware hosted a massive Christmas dinner last year, for my first Christmas in Palawan, for all my scholars and their partners ( you can see the vlog by clicking the picture below)
So I will end by once again thanking our hosts and everyone who contributed the lovely food and made it an evening to remember.
Here's to the next one!
Hello, I am The British Kabayan! Feel free to read my stories.
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