Things we did in Singapore

This time, I didn't intend to bring them to theme parks or man-made entertainment places just for the kids' amusement, other than the dinosaur show.

Seeing them very rarely out in the open running about, playing catch or ball, or just walking, I wanted them to explore the outdoors and feel the air, feel the freedom, feel the wonderful nature we have. *arms opening up, eyes looking up, deep breathing...*

Too much of computer games, Wii games, iPhone games, I learned that all these have bad effects and create lots of social issues to children of our time. They do not know how to communicate with other children, play with them, talk to adults with good manners and ... you know any others? And I certainly can't deny that it's showing on them. I have indeed feel the pinch.

Regretted that I introduced all these games to them and got them addicted. Initially I thought I can control them but all they ever think about all day is when they get to play these games. Then again, their dad doesn't seem to think that it's a problem. Men! As insensitive as usual.

So....

This time, I had surveyed some parks and gardens I would like to bring them to explore in Singapore before we departed. I am amazed and always like to follow my friend, Mun Yee, footsteps to take her kids to walk for long trails in HK or whenever they go for vacations. Her boys can really walk! I am so so amazed. I wondered if my kids would be able to do that. Maybe yes, BUT with complaints ALL THE WAY! Not good, not good at all.

Shortlisted a few trails I planned to take the kids to, among those are the Southern Ridges and East Coast Park.

The Southern Ridges has about 6 sections from one end to the other, so I wasn't very ambitious and asked for recommendations from friends. Was told that the Henderson Walk and the Canopy Walk are good. So okay, here we go.

We reached Singapore very late at night on Thursday, so we just practically dropped our bags and went off to bed right after we arrived. The number of beds are just nice. Each one has a bed to sleep on.

Early next morning on the Friday, JM woke us all up and shoo-ed us to the pool. Really need to thank her for getting our lazy bums away from the bed for those 3 days, else we would have wasted all the glorious mornings for nothing.

We spent the time at the pool while I continued lazing around on the lazy chair. The rest of the day just whizzed by with lunch, dino show, and a very Very Vvvvvery awesome dinner treat by my hub's sis' hub. We gained a few couple of kilos from just that night alone, I think. And we (JM and I) were even MORE determined to walk the talk.

So.

Early next morning again, the koon-kar-poh knocked on our doors and yelled on top of her voice "WAKE UP, WAKE UP!!!" How I wished I could throw the pillow at her face then! But of course, I just grumpily got off from the bed and get the kids changed. We decided to head to Henderson Waves.



Yay! Henderson Waves, finally we were here!

The trail from the carpark.

Henderson Waves elevated from the highway. So high up that kor ALWAYS make sure he walks in the middle pathway. This boy, really scared of height. There! Now you know his greatest fear of all.

Meimei performing some stunts, following her dad's comical acts.

And 5 mins later, we reached the road which leads to Mt Faber cable car station. Aiks! Not even half an hour walk? And moreover, we fooled around, camwhored around, rested our legs every few steps, how la??

JM ditched us at that point to continue her high powered day of activities with her friends. We turned back to where we came from and went the other side of the trail to Hilltop Walk. It began to drizzle a little before embarking on the steps, and hub asked me to decide, go up or back. I replied UP, and UP we went!

Here we are. Overlooking the view. It was very peaceful and nice.

(A bag from the US. Love it!)

And that was our first walk, so to say. Not very impressive, but we shall make it better.

Then of course, I had mentioned earlier of the walk I took on my own from Esplanade to the Raffles MRT overlooking the Marina Bay.

Damn the darn drizzle!

The next early morning again, just like the alarm clock, very punctually and reliably, came knocking on our doors again. ARGHH!!! (But of course, I am ever so grateful for that, my dear friend)

This time, we just went out and about nearby her home. It was a nice walk around Keppel Island in the cool and crisp morning.

Partly didi had been nagging JM to go to the playground since he arrived.

Again, camwhoring is part of the game.

The kaki pose - on purpose one, ok? Like this, look more like going exercise.


Reflections. Will be another icon of Singapore later.

A vast green field for the kids to run around and play catch. I really loved watching them run and play. Beats staying home and play those devices games anytime.

There, I got to know of a game the kids play these days. It's called Ice Fire. 3 of them. 1 is the catcher. The other 2 run and when the catcher catches 1, he/she needs to freeze. The other runner is allowed to unfreeze him/her. So, didi played the catcher and he ALWAYS, freeze meimei. And meimei just stood there waiting for kor to come and rescue her. Then, we just laughed our heads off watching how these 2 boys run, 1 following the other closely. It was so so cute. When kor finally unfreeze meimei, didi immediately freeze her up again! Haha!! Meimei had no chance to run at all. Damn funny watching them play.

After running out of breath and sweating all over, we went back to the condo's compound and played at the basketball court and the playground.

And that was Sunday. We went to a market for breakfast right after and then went home to clean up. I stayed home with JM to babysit the kids, together with my sil's toddler while she went for kick-table-legs with her hub for the first time since they have their child, and the other 3 adults went to Chinatown to stock up food for CNY. *rub hands, lick lips ...*

After forcing the kids to an afternoon quick and power nap later, we set off to another crowded spot. Marina Barrage to fly kite. What can I say, it was such a fantastic time for the kids and for myself. I just love the open air and the cozy wind on my face.

We went to Orchard Road for dinner followed by a walk on the road itself to admire the colorful christmas decor. But I wonder if the kids were too tired or just not appreciative, they didn't think it's anything to shout about. Frankly though, I myself do feel the decor had slacked from the way they did it years ago. Or was I too innocent still last time?


The entourage.
Didi looking not very enthusiastic about the surrounding.

The next day, JM went to work and expectedly, without her to move our asses, we slept in and hang around doing nothing all morning. But to be fair, hub did work on something. After all, it was a working day and he was up reading his mails and well, working.

We met his sis and the rest up for dimsum lunch after that and then we stayed at her home ALL afternoon, toddler taking her nap while the rest watched Jurassic Park. Wanted to go to a park in the late afternoon but rain spoilt our plans. What a bummer.

We drove out and ventured into a prawn fishing site. So there we were, ngong kui kui, spent 15 bucks, waiting for the prawns to fall prey.


After a loooooong time, only this prawn got into his hands. 2 other more tiny prawns came into the picture to join this tailoe, and that's it! Sucker!

Feeling deprived and wasted of our time, hub wanted to go somewhere before heading home the next morning. So, we went off and looked for Alexandra Arch, also a section of the Southern Ridges trail.




Alexandra Arch joins the Jungle walk and Hort Park. Jungle walk is a elevated steel walkway joining somewhere from the earlier Hilltop walk which we went to the day before that.


It was a nice day indeed. Too bad we don't have much time to walk leisurely, else it would just be perfect!

And here it's Hort Park, a floral and vegetable and herbs garden. Very educational for kids. We didn't linger around or explore the area, we had to save it for another time. On our way back, hub wanted to stop by at Mt Faber and take a short walk up to the cable car station. It wasn't a very good idea as I had thought, because the kids were nagging to be IN the cable car instead of just looking. See? Men? What do they ever think in their heads?

And this sums up the vacation we had in down south this year. Rather boring, eh?

Walking with dinosaurs

Our highlight of this trip is to watch the show "Walking with Dinosaurs" at the Singapore Indoor Stadium here.

Having absolutely no idea where the place is, relying totally on hub's phone GPS software's help, we only started our journey slightly more than half an hour to the showtime. Fortunately the device didn't let us down and the traffic was smooth, we managed to be seated before the show begins and waited anxiously for some awesome dinosaurs to blow us away.

While I was hurrying with meimei in hand to the stadium, I told her we had to hurry, as the dinosaurs were getting restless and hungry already, we need to be there for feeding time. While this info is being digested in her head, when the first few dinos came out on stage and ate some plants at the side, she gasped and asked me "eat one person already ah?"with wide eyes. Very funny!

And albeit didi being "cool" and putting a brave front, he still insisted that I sat next to him and that I hug him before the show began. These little things... made my heart melted like chocolate on BBQ grill.

Most importantly, they enjoyed themselves and made the trip and the tickets all worthwhile.

When I was a young and svelte 17...

... I walked with a handsome young chap on Marina Bay here in the midnight hours. That was the one night stand I had.

That was one of the many sweet memories of this place I have here. It's so far different now.

I was happy walking alone on my own absorbing the beautiful scenery around. The air was cool, with a light drizzle and the atmosphere so cheerful with christmas decor all over the place.

Reason why I was alone, the kids followed their gugu home, my mil and taiyima (real one, not that kind which comes visit every month) followed my hub to Sands casino and I was about to meet a schoolfriend at Orchard for a drink and a chat. It was ironic, I was actually feeling happy to be walking about on my own! Oh, did I already mention that? I do not know why, but it was such a pleasant walk.

It was like seeing myself in an old movie, transporting me back in the old times where I had a good long walk/chat with this guy, encouraging him to take up a course and strive further than surrendering to a life of a mundane bank teller's job. And he told me he always has been grateful for that night's walk/chat with him.

This country is such a safe haven. I don't feel threatened or worried to be walking alone day or night. I am having such a nice time, taking the kids to the park, running around, playing catch and just being out in the open. I don't want to go home!!!

Where to go on a 4d3n Singkapoh trip

Too tired to pack our things up the night before our travel, I woke up early to get all the things packed and everything else in order on that Haji holiday. By the time we were on the highway heading down south, it was almost close to 11am. CK and his family were already 30 mins way ahead of us.

The highway wasn't very jam packed, though there was a stretch before Seremban where the cars were all slowed down. By the time we caught up with CK, they were done with their lunch. We went ahead on, munching buns in the car. Surprisingly, the journey seemed to be very short, in less than 3pm, we arrived the 2nd Link and on the way in to the island.

Google Maps were really helpful, we found our way to our expat friend without any hassle. The guard at the post told us, "Ms. C is expecting your arrival"... wahh.. so glamer macam.

Awed by the place she's staying, we hang around for awhile admiring her home, before moving to the pools for a dip. By then, there were some minor accidents, like her glass teapot's cover was broken, CK's son's glasses fell down inside below the lift from the celah, and his left eye injured by his sis from the slide. Boy! Really hope there wasnt' going to be more in the next few days.

After our shower, we went to dinner by JM's recommendation, the food was real good. She was so relieved when CK himself said it's good, considering how fussy he eats. We took a walk to the West Coast Mall just opposite the road and then back to her home.

She suggested us to take a walk at Keppel Island just right outside her condo, and we did. Turned out it was rather a big round. We walked by the various parks in her condo compound before moving out to Keppel Bay Bridge, and it was really quite a pleasant place to stay in.

Keppel Bay Bridge, just right outside the back door.

Strolling on the bridge and admiring the night view. The kids and the guys were already way in front of us leaving CL and I walking slowly, enjoying the night air and the serenity of it.

By the time we came back home, the kids were so tired. Meimei and didi slept with JM while the rest of the kids camp outside at the living hall. They looked so enjoy the "camp" together.

The next day we set off to Science Center after eating simple breakfast from home. Meimei was crying of hunger by the time we reach there and so, we ate McD before going in. Damn! We only realised the lunch value pack was just 15 mins away, but we were too late as we already paid for the food.

Didn't take any pictures inside the Science Center, just had an equally stressing time making sure all 6 kids do not stray from us. Lucky there are 5 of us adults to see to that. Boy! What an afternoon it was. Felt so relieved to finally sit back and relax in the Omnitheatre. Watched a doc about the ocean underwater, and we nearly fell asleep in that half an hour. tee hee!

We came back home, and made some maggi mee to eat before taking a break and our shower to meet my bro and his family for dinner at the city center. Lucky for the GPS, we found our way without much fuss, but the parking was quite congested at that mall, and so my bro directed me to another one, but we had to walk again for another few hundred miles to the other mall for the Jap "ala Marche" style dinner.

The food was good, and the kids had fun in the play area. I had a really nice time seeing my nephews and niece too. Happy.

Came back home and discussed where to go the next day. Finally settled on Sentosa, from the various choices like Henderson walk, East Coast Park, Bugis shopping spree.

The next morning, I saw them sprawled on the floor in various styles like this. Meimei cried the night before, begging to let her sleep with them. Poor her! Cried until mata bengkak mommy also don't care. Only made JM can't going to meet her chaukoong then.

We set off by foot to the Vivo City just next street. Had toast and half boiled eggs for breakfast and then the guys went to the counter to bargain for tickets while we took the kids out to wander a bit.

Saw a big Xmas tree outside and shallow little pools around the place.

JM ber-posing dengan amat gayanya.

We discussed what kind of package we would like to have, must make it most fun and best value for money one.

One of those rare moments where they sat obediently and quietly without them all over the place. Foot reflexology ah?

And I had fun snapping their pics away. The papas told us we can go now, and off we went, to the Sentosa station right inside the mall as well. Very very convenient.

By the time we reached Sentosa, it started to drizzle and our first stop of fun, they closed because of it. Our moods also dragged down with it. Never mind, we hopped on to the tram for a ride first. And it took us along Siloso road, looking at the beach, the sand, the people picnicking.

One U-turn back, the rain stopped miraculously. We went on the Skyride first. There wasn't any Q, it was really great.

Meimei, the youngest and shortest of all, passed the height criteria test. *whew*, all can go onboard!

A max of 3 per gondola, so we split up. Hub and didi in the first one, I went with JM and meimei, the 2 boys with CK and CL with her dotter and youngest son at the back.

The view was magnificient as it climbed up. We were enjoying ourselves as much as the kids did.

My son, have a height issue, and CK was seen teasing him here. Hmmph!

Surprisingly, the ride wasnt' as short as we imagined. It took us beyond a little hill and back to the northern side of the island.

Run for your life! The gondola won't stop for you to disembark, just like the cable car system.

We then went to ride on the Sky tower. It was similar to the one in HK's Ocean Park, but the view is different, of course. We saw here the Resort casino development in progress. Reported to be opened in 2 months time from now. Can meh? We think most likely gonna be delayed.

Saw the Luge from that sky view. Gonna go for that next!

And the place where JM stays. Luxurious anot?

Came back down and take a group picture first. It was really a nice weather, after the rain and not so hot.

Then went on a "nature walk". It's an elevated plank walkway along the flora and fauna system in Sentosa. OK ler.. not much of a eco-person we all, we just walked and U-turn balik, polluting the environment with noise as we went along.

Next was the toboggans ride called Luge. Wheee!!!!!!!!!!!!! All the way back to the Skyride station. Fun!

And it was back to the first stop, our Eco-bike who let us down from the drizzle earlier. JM and meimei didn't go. We were trained for a bit at first, and hit "the roads" very soon. Looking at the smaller kids, they were really too cute. Can laugh your heads off watching them heading straight into the bushes.


See here? Didi looked anxious, yet adventurous, yet scared, yet exciting. After that, hopped back onto the Skyride and to Subway for lunch.

The last enjoyment was to Fort Siloso in our ticket package.

2 men and 1 woman with 6 kids. What a fukchap relationship it seemed.


Fort Siloso brings us back to the past history of WWII, but the kids were just running around, climbing up and down the cannons and displays only. Haiyah.

One more group picture. See the yauying pose tak? Hiao doe sei.

Walked back to Siloso beach. Easy and relaxing from now. Just let our breath slow down and enjoy the evening away.

Siloso beach seemed like more popular now, compared to the XX years ago when I was visiting. I guess last time, Sentosa was more focussed on the northern region. As it's making way for the Resort casino, the attractions are shifted to the southern region more.

We walked to the other small island via a plank walkway. The kids played with teh sand while we sat around and drink in the sights and the sounds.

The case of 1 fallen shoe into the sea (didi's one!)

Making dunno what castle and runway.

We took one last ride on the skyride, to and fro, catching the sunset, before heading for home.

We had dinner at Vivo city and took some nite pictures with the xmas deco there.

And that was our trip! Ended pretty soon when you had a lot of fun. But not until that last night, poor meimei and didi, were boycotted in a way. Both of them were so eager to join the rest of the kids in the living hall, so they early early took their pillows out to chup space. Korkor and the other younger boy asked to sleep in their positions, in JM's room, while the older 2 wanna bunk in with their parents.

Their faces that night broke my heart so much. Meimei was softly sobbing while didi was looking up at me with puppy eyes, wondering why the rest didn't want to join them. I told them I gave them the best sleeping spot to them the days before, they gave it up, so the rest of the kids mah happy to take over their place lor. Didi even said "So, tomorrow, I'm gonna sleep back in JM yiyi's room". Poor babies.

I didn't have the heart to leave just the 2 of them alone outside, so I pushed our own beds aside to make way for them in our room at the end.

It was easy peasy finding our way to the Causeway, and on to the highway to KL. On our last pee stop in a smaller rest area, hub was bugged persistently to buy a handphone from a very suspicious-looking-foreigner (or might be local), and realised later it was just a pirated Nokia phone. I was furious with my hub for even entertaining him at the beginning, but later, realised, fortunately nothing far worse happened to us and the kids.

For all I know, he might even had snatched or robbed us since he was just standing just next to hub, blocking the door from closing in his driver seat, and didn't want to take NO for an answer. Come to think of it, it can be considered a robbery, but probably from this tactic, he is saved from being questioned since he can argue it's just a transaction. Boy! Muggers these days are using different tactics really. I'm glad we are not harmed in the end, but RM200+ poorer for a ciplak phone. Hub gave it to korkor and I think it can be used as an alarm clock for him next year on. Quite an expensive one though.

I was so tired that day, I didn't bother to unpack or clean whatsoever, and left everything to be done the next day. And life resumed back to the norm very soon.