Beth and Claudia's visit

It was with some excitement that we went to Changi Airport to meet Beth and Claudia. We planned on being early to have a dinner before we me them but their plane was early. Luckily we had read the flight times at the airport. It was great to actually see them waiting for their luggage at the carousel and then finally they were through the doors. Then it was home and time to put the roast and chocolate fish and jaffas and real hokey pokey Easter eggs into the fridge(to save for a rainy day).
It was magical to have them here, to watch their faces when they discovered something new and different. Allin all the two weeks went way to fast and then it was time to say goodbye. Below are a few photos of their two weeks with us.
Eating Thai in Chinatown

Actually touching a snake - well done - they aren't as bad as you think they are - still don't want one for a pet!

Doing the washing the Singaporean way.

Claudia made a bear - and yes it is PINK. Filling out their arrival cards for Bintan...after they finally let Beth through.
One of the highlights was to see a seahorse in the water.
Swimming in the pool at the resort was sensational - especially with this view of the sea beyond.
Eating satay at Lau Pa Sat
Going to places we haven't been yet.
Learning to fold napkins.
Enjoying cocktails at the Pool Bar.
Being pampered.
Discovering the wildlife.

Relaxing in the condo pool.

Eating Mexican on the waterfront

Fish eating the dead skin...yuck but was fun.

And of course having a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar at Raffles.

They packed so much into the two weeks and I am sure they had to go home for a holiday! It was sad to see them go but was great to see them here and to see our corner of the world. I hope they can now understand why we are happy here and are enjoying our life and lifestyle here.

Thanks Matt, for being an awesome brother-in-law - think I might owe you big time now...or maybe that has made up for the untruths in 2007?????

Mt Faber and Hort Park

Isn't it beautiful, don't know what type, do you?

We had heard and read that there was a new tree top walk at Mt Faber and decided to check it out. we were pleasantly surprised at how wonderful it was. We were expecting one like at MacRitchie but it was totally different which is good. The walk took us much longer than we expected but was well worth it. The best part was when we happened upon Hort Park! What a beautiful oasis in the middle of the walk. The little garden areas were sublime and we wanted to spend more time there but at this stage had not reached our target.

Here are some photos of our walk. A sqrirrel running along the rail. He stopped and posed for us!

One of the amazing murals. There were many of these 3D murals.

An orchid...this one grows on a climbing frame.

Turtles sunning themselves.

This how high up the bridge was.

Henderson Wave. Great bridge.

Cambodia

Leaving Singapore at around 6 am and arriving in Siem Reap just after 7 and being met at the airport by our driver and being taken back to our guesthouse in a tuk tuk was an experience and wonderful. Mom's guesthouse was an awesome place to stay (highly recommend it), it was close to town, near the river within walking distance to anything you needed. We were lucky and had a drive on hand for the while time we were there. The cost for him was US$60. He took us anywhere we wanted to go with our grumbling, explained a lot of things to us.

First stop was a floating village...hard to believe these people live on these boats and only go onto land for serious shopping. the have boats that visit them that are like our Four Square back home...they sell anything and everything.

The next morning we went to Angkor Wat...I was not prepared for how huge they actually were and how impressive. We had done some reading about them but this didn't prepare me! The other thing I was not prepared for was the heat...Singapore is hot...but this was in the high 30's. We went to see the sunrise but there was too much cloud.

The floating shop.
young boy filleting fishing

Firewood for the cooking fires

on the boat on our way to the floating village.

looking down a long corridor
The many faces of Bayon

A great view of Angkor Wat

The only bit of sunrise we saw at Angkor Wat

We have so many photos of these lovely temples but can only put a few on here for you to see. We wandered around the temples for 3 full days and didn't get to see them all. After spending the days walking around the temples we were pleased to get into town and find a happy hour place to have a drink and quiet meal. Beer was US 50 cents a mug, and cocktails and spirits for under US $2.50. so we made the most of it!

From here we caught the bus to Phenom Pen which took 6 hours including a half for lunch. We decided to stay a bit more upmarket here and were pleased with this decision...the only thing wrong with this was that our river view was of road works being done outside our hotel... I guess you can't get it right all the time.

We visited the Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum and this was so sobering and thoughtful and upsetting that it was a relief to leave it. Although e knew what had gone on it hadn't really hit me as too how much affect it had on the country and people. I guess I have now grown up a bit more.

Eating our Amok Fish, that we had cooked.
Making the spices for Amok Fish - mine had no spices, and Wayne's had chili.

An amazing number of different eggs available at the market.

The supra at The Killing fields

This flower smelt so sweet...the sign says you will pay for your sin by picking a flower.

a weekend in ho chi min

We left Singapore at 7.15 am for a fun packed, full on weekend in Ho Chi Min in Vietnam. We arrived at 8.15 and headed for our hotel. Empress Hotel is in district 1 but not on the tourist path. It was only a short walk to the tourist things across a beautiful park but first we had to cross a couple of roads and that is scary. you have motorbikes coming at you and you just have to keep walking and walking without stopping. we were fascinated by how many bike there are on the roads and what they carry on their bikes. Push bikes were the same...many variations and many things added to make it a versatile bike for many purposes.

We walked to many places, saw many things and bought some bargains...well we think they are bargains. We finally managed to get out to Cu Chi tunnels and this was fascinating and incredible. The tunnels had very small entrances and my hips would not fit into the small hole. The people who lived and worked in these tunnels were very clever with what they created in the way of tunnels and traps. We did manage to go through a small tunnel area that had been enlarged for the 'western' people. Our guides father lived in the tunnels and had passed on to him many tales of what it was like. This did make the visit exciting and really worthwhile.

Another highlight was bargaining for some lacquer ware. It is a beautiful and we had decided before we went that we were going to buy some. you will have to visit us to see what we did buy,

We also went up to the 23rd floor of the Sheraton after walking around trying to find a building that was right in front of us! the view was absolutely breathtaking and we even got to see a sunset!

I am amazed at how people carry there wares, hanging on each end of the poles in baskets. some then set up on the roadside and peddle their wares,

Beautiful houses but spoilt by the power lines!

Wayne coming out of one of the tunnels! It was dark and hot!

The sunset overlooking The Rex Hotel from the Sheraton.

It was a squeeze to get through the tunnels.

Wayne at an entrance! I didn't try as my hips are wider than Wayne's.

At the entrance to the tunnel complex.

A banana bike! well he has got a bananas in the front trailer!

The Empress Hotel, a lovely boutique hotel in District 1 but not on the tourist walk. It was only a few minutes walk from all the spots we wanted to visit.

We had a lovely weekend in Bintan, a small island off Singapore but in Indonesia. we caught the ferry at 9.15 on Monday morning and arrived back onthe Wednesday at 12 midday, in time for work at 2 pm.
We stayed in Nirwana Gardens in small chalets and it was a very reasonable cost.
We went for a walk around the rocks and it was great to scramble up and over them. But we were disappointed with the rubbish we found among the rocks. The day was very hot and we were pleased to get back to the resort for a nice cold drink in the pool bar.
The view we had at breakfast time...amazing aye?
I am not sure how they do this but they seem to be able to have 3 different coloured bougainvillea flowers on one plant and not it does not appear to be grafted.
My favourite fruit over here is Dragon Fruit and this is the what it grows on.

Breakfast In Botanical Gardens

Staff were invited to meet and share a breakfast in the Botanical Gardens adn then enjoy a walka round the gardens. The gardens are beautiful and we saw some areas we had not seen before.
While walking past the lillies we found this from shading from the hot sun.



I was taking a photo of the lilly and Wayne was concentrating on the frog.

A bonsai area was incredible....such amazing plants.

And then this spider was waiting above us in another area. He was huge!


Wayne drinking Asahi beer at our local, Cable Car