Lloyd and Anna's visit

It was absolutely awesome to have Lloyd and Anna to stay, even if they were only here for two weeks. it was such a short time but was lovely.
We were able to show our little corner of the world that we are living in at this moment. They stayed a couple of nights and then went to Kuching for a few nights and then back to Singapore for a few days and then a resort at Bintan for a night. Such a busy schedule, I think they must have gone home for a holiday!
Below are some photos of their stay.
Along by Raffles MRT entrance is a Salvador Dali sculpture.

And of course in Singapore you have to visit the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel to have a Singapore Sling and to throw peanut shells onto the floor without being told off.
Celebrating at a lovely Indian restaurant in Cuppage, near our work. We are very proud the two of them. Congrats to you both...we love you both very much.
After going to Kuching for a few nights they were back in Singapore and we just had to have a cake. Lau Pa Sat is a favourite place to eat satay and no visit to Singapore is complete till you have tried this local delicacy.
We took the ferry across to Bintan to have a night of luxury. Staying in Mayang Sari. It was lovely and relaxing.
Playing in the pool while having a cocktail.
Part of our deal was some snorkeling. I hired a kayak and the others snorkeled. Some of us quite sunburnt! We saw some amazing fish, shells and coral.
Of course we had to visit the Kelong Restaurant on the water. Such an amazing place for a meal with breathtaking views and scrumptious food.
watching fish in the sea...the fish were small but many of them.
One day we were watching a snail in the garden. It was huge and it decided to eat a flower stalk...well suck it all in rather than chew it. Fascinating!
Having a meal and a well earned drink with this view was wonderful.

Patting an elephant was one of the many things you can do on Bintan. Not quite the same as in the wild but great to be up close and personal.
We now know how a dragon fruit grows...such a different type of plant with such a delicious fruit.

We had to go back in the daytime for a photo at the Calypso bar. The Kelong Restaurant behind Wayne.

With all this happening we did get to get a lot of time with them. Two boys over we are just waiting now for the last one to book his ticket. Hopefully they all have a taste of Asia and travelling and want to visit again.

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.