A weekend with Sue

Sue bused down from KL for a weekend with us and it was great to have a good catch up with her.One of the things we did was go on the flyer...and yes both Sue and I did even although we thought the height was going to be a problem but it actually was great fun and we had an amazing view of Singapore. This is down the bottom of the flyer in a purpose built rainforest.


















This is before we took off and we were lucky enough to get a carriage by ourselves.










There were so many wires holding this flyer together and it amazed us just how many and the thickness.
28 people fit into these capsules and this one is at the height of the arc.





















Sue is sitting in the middle of the capsule. She did get up and walk around a little.











This ride cost us $29.50 each. We came down and had dinner and a drink at a local eatery - Olearly's - and then took a bus home. The bus ride took 1 hour 37 minutes and costs us $1.58...good value for money...we saw parts of Singapore we had not seen before so that side was good. These bus seats do get rather hard though. .































Looking down on the mechanics in the middle of the flyer. Outstanding how this thing moves so slowly around allowing you to get such a slow half hour on the ride.







While waiting for the bus we looked back at the flyer and found it was lit up with beautiful lights

June Holiday

It was with deep regret that we had to head home for Wayne's dads funeral. We are going to miss him terribly...he was such a wonderful father-in-law to me and an awesome grandfather to the boys.

As a last respect for Poppa he was driven around his farm on the tractor. Charlie (Femy's son) drove while Wayne, Ian and David held him on.. The day was clear, crisp and sunny.




























As Poppa was put into the hearse we let some helium filled balloons go and watched them float away.











It was the first time that Poppa and Nana's grandchildren had all been together for a number of years so we took the opportunity to take a photo. Back row - Logan, Bradley, Craig. Middle row - Loryn and Katie. Front row - Jason, Lloyd and Geoffrey.






Being in Singapore we don't get to see the frost so it was an amazing feeling and sight to see. (My poor car.)









I had never been out fishing with Ian and it was a treat to have the time and weather to be able to do this while home. The morning was frosty and cold and there was some wind.
Ian's boat, Runaway Cash, is huge (especially compared to our little boat) and it had a cabin where I could watch us going out from Whakatane to the Raus. I was fine for a while and caught some fish but after a couple I had to just look straight ahead and only could look down when emptying my stomach contents...not nice for me but the crew were very understanding and kept very quiet with their comments.




We even went in closer to the shore to help but this didn't help me at all. I don't remember what fish or how many fish we caught but when got back home and had some for dinner they were very yummy.









The boys sat on the boat and ate sandwiches of cornbeef while I walked around taking pictures.











Whakatane is a pretty city.












Looking out to sea is a wonderful sight.












Another frosty picture.












And at last a real fire...and it did keep us warm...Beth's children (Jacob, Claudia and Dominic) are standing in front of it.

The Great Race

The amazing group of helpers Ben, Ruth, Jo, Tim, Wayne, Juliet and Chris...these guys were such a great help.











At the top of the Pagoda in the Chinese Gardens.












Re-enacting a scene.











Hougang Pernicious Pirates













Orhard Goodlookers doing their puzzle to start.












Bishan Babes











Simei Slingers












Goodlookers of Orchard











The Brotherhood of Bishan












Wayne and Juliet at the evening

Some Sights Around Singapore

This is across from Clarke Quay to Boat Quay....which is famous for its eating...you walk along the street and get accosted by restaurateur's to have a meal at their place and you can bargain with them and get a pretty good deal They have lots of live fish, crabs and similar in tanks for you to choose your meal. The boats in the front are bumboats and they are now cruise boats for you to see some great sights and hear some history of Singapore.









This hotel is The Fullerton which started its life as a Post Office. It is rather grand and amazing on the inside full of marble and great decorations and staircases. So much out of our league....not sure of the price but was so worth a look around.












This is a night view Wayne took while I was tutoring...Most of the buildings are banks.

A weekend in Bangkok

We arrived in Bangkok at 8.30 in the morning after a two hour flight with Tiger Air...the budget airline from Singapore. We took a London Taxi to the hotel and were able to check in straight away. We looked out our window and this is the view from the window.The area we stayed in was a few minutes walk from the skytrain and the area is Sukhimvit.

We took a river cruise up the river to visit the palace and the emerald temple. These buildings were so ornately adorned that they just glittered and sparkled in the sun.
This is a photo of a mural along one of the walls of a temple.
This is the palace. We couldn't go in as there was a state function being held. This weekend was their New Year celebrations.


















This bridge was awesome to see...we could see the wires from way back.

Another day we walked in a shopping mall and Wayne was able to dream about the car he would have liked to have. Just as well dreams are free.
Wayne was given some gorgeous flowers made into a circle by a delightful little boy dressed in national costume.






Overlooking the road we could see travel banked up for ages and then we looked up and we could see where the skytrain goes in the other direction - on top of each other. The pink cars are taxis but I couldn't get Wayne into one of them.
This family travels together but the youngster doesn't have a helmet on. Notice the water pistol in his hand. Used for squirting people during the Songkran New Year Festival.
This guy was sitting and having fun wetting everyone in either the car or on foot...he sent some children over to get Wayne as he saw Wayne taking his photo. The children came over and Wayne chased them and wet them as well. .As you can see the children were having a great time. We were just amazed during this weekend how many people entered into the spirit of it and if you didn't want to get wet all you had to do was hold your hand up like a stop sign and they didn't wet you. Absolutely incredible...not sure it would be like that back home. It is neat to see that all people of all ages and races could enjoy this festival, where if you get sprinkled with water it is like rubbing away the bad luck.











One night we decided to go to the night market...this was a big mistake...although we had heard that the night market was a good one to go to. We got off the skytrain and heard this loud hum...we looked over the side and this is what we saw...we were gobsmacked...you couldn't see the ground, only peoples heads, there was even a vehicle trying to travel along the road. The sounds were only happy ones and nobody seemed to be disgruntled. We decided we couldn't face all the hoards so we went up a side street close to our hotel for dinner and to watch the people.









After dinner and a couple of drinks we strolled slowly back to our hotel. On the way back we found the coolest little bar we have ever seen...brings a new dimension to the VW. We just had to stop and have another drink on our way...you know how it is.








One of the malls had all these sausage dogs lined up along the walkway...we just had to take my photo with one of them...isn't it quite cute?