
When I first moved to Manila, in the beautiful Islands of The Philippines, I left behind my old life and embarked on an exciting, new adventure, at the ripe old age of fifty-one.
Was it a midlife-crisis?
Hardly, at fifty-one I’d like to think the whole mid-life thing was well behind me. My reasons for making the momentous jump were many and varied, but needless to say it was something I absolutely felt I had to do...and I haven’t regretted it since.
As with any move to a foreign country, we give up some precious and treasured things, some “comforts”, but we do so in the belief that the rewards we discover will outweigh the losses we feel at the things we left behind.

I looked at my new wife and smiled, before answering, “Yes, New Zealand is indeed a beautiful place, but so is this country.” Giving my wife’s hand a squeeze, I added, “and anyway, home is where the heart is and my heart is definitely here.” There were no more questions, he smiled indulgently at the two “young” lovers in front of him, stamped my passport and lo and behold I was a permanent resident of The Philippines.
I can honestly say it hasn’t always been a bed of roses in the past six years, but if I was back in New Zealand today, faced with the exact same decision and knowing what I know today about this brave, new, world I’d embarked on, I wouldn’t hesitate for a heartbeat, before getting on that plane and heading to my new home. Sadly, due to lack of finances, I haven’t managed to go back to New Zealand for a holiday in those six years. For me, it is fine, but I would love to show my darling wife, the country I grew up in and my family. She has already missed out on meeting my Dad, who sadly, passed away a year ago, and my Mum, who died just a year before I made my sojourn here. Still, it is in our long-term plans to head back for a visit sometime. But, for me, The Philippines, in general, and Manila, in particular is my home, sweet, home.
It is true; I do miss some things from my old life. Some are big and important, like family and friends, but most are minor and inconsequential, yet there are times when I pine for certain things from “back home”.






You should come visit sometime – It’s More Fun in the Philippines (Don’t ya know!)
EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES LIFE PRESENTS TO YOU AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!
HAVE A GREAT LIFE AND SPREAD THE LOVE!
CHANGING THE WORLD – ONE READER AT A TIME