ANZAC Day

On the 25th, we celebrated ANZAC day here in Manila. The NZ and AUS embassies put on a very dignified, solemn and actually quite moving service for us expats here. The Philippines helped with the ceremony by providing military salutes and escorts. Nigel and I and the two older girls went to the early morning gathering, but we left Tessa at home, knowing she wouldn’t be able to sit still for any length of time, let alone in the heat! The ceremony included guests from Turkish, British and Canadian embassies, and all attendees were welcome to wear military uniforms. We sat next to a man in his 70s, who was a veteran of WW2. He used to parachute out of airplanes! It was striking to see him, and a Canadian veteran in the row in front, salute each of the national anthems, and stand at full attention as required throughout.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a full breakfast provided for by the two embassies.

It's great to be able to have a piece of NZ away from home.