Gardens by the Bay

Our itinerary today - Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Flier and a touch of shopping. With so much travel on the underground, the girls were mastering the process. Each taking control of their own ticket and making their (mostly) own way through the (man eating) gates!!

The hot and humid conditions seemed to affect Katy. She would struggle walking outside - complaining, dragging her feet and eventually have a 'cuddle.' However as soon as we came into an air conditioned section she would perk up again and be off chasing Ella. Thus it was quite a long and hot walk from the train station to the Gardens. We did have some distractions - within the station there were large floral images combined with mirrors which proved to be a bit of a distraction.

We concentrated our visit on the Bay South Garden. The overall concept of  its master plan draws inspiration from an orchid - a representative of the tropics and Singapore. The orchid takes root at the waterfront (conservatories), while the leaves (landforms), shoots (paths, roads) and secondary roots (water, energy and communication lines) then form an integrated network with blooms (theme gardens and super trees at key intersections.

Leaving the unique Marina Sands Bay Hotel (ie the hotel with the boat on top as it was known in our family) behind we crossed over Dragonfly Bridge. The Supertrees and conservatories dominate the skyline making for a spectacular image.

The Supertrees are just amazing. They range between 25 - 50m and are vertical gardens that perform a multitude of functions, which include planting, shading and working as environmental engines for the gardens

Next were the two conservatories - Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, which won World Building of the year at the World Architecture Festival 2012. The Flower Dome replicates the cool dry climates of the Mediterranean regions - South Africa, California, Italy, Spain and Australia.

The more impressive conservatory was Cloud Forest. It boasts Cloud Mountain, a six storey artificial mountain which one ascends to the top by lift before descending via two walkways. The mountain has been densely planted with a mixture of orchids, delicate ferns, bromeliads, bergonias and also carnivorous pitcher plants! Each level was named - The Lost World, Cloud Walk, The Cavern, Waterfall View, Tree Top Walk, Earth Check, +5 Degrees and Secret Garden. It was great to see that the topic of climate change was being address in two different areas inclding a short video which predicts what will happen in the years to come if we do nothing about the impact on the environment.

As it was overcast, we decided to give the Singapore Flier a miss as we thought the views would be suboptimal, so instead we headed for one of the large electronics malls where the family purchased an iPad mini for my birthday!!

A Long 39th Birthday

Celebrations began at 4.30am when Katy woke up and an hour later Ella joined her! We tried desperately to convince them it wasn't time to get up but didn't have much success so by just after 6am we all got up. Luckily breakfast was served from 6.30am.

After a continental breakfast, we walked to the MRT station to catch the underground train, then Sentosa Express monorail to Sentosa Island our destination for the day. First port of call was the butterfly and insect house. The girls were enchanted by the butterflies. There was a butterly hatching house where one could observe the different stages of chrysalids and even butterflies emerging! They were very excited however when asked if they wanted to hold a baby butterfly - those butterflies who are too young to fly just and so are mostly happy to be held!

Within the next enclosure, we were introduced to Jerry, the 51 year old green tipped macaw along with many other smaller parrots. After many attempts, Ella was brave enough to let Jerry stand on her arm. Further exploration of the Butterfly and Insect house revealed scorpions, spiders, stick insects and tortoises!

Soon it was time to move on. Andy suggested packing our bathers and towels in case we were able to go for a swim. We trekked down from Imbiah Lookout to Siloso Beach. A picturesque but manufactured beach. The texture of the sand felt wrong and there were massive container ships just offshore! Despite this the water provided a refreshing break from the hot and humid singapore weather.

 We had some delicious pizza before tackling Underwater World.  Underwater World was quite similar to the other aquariums we have visited in our travels - touch pool, underwater tunnel, ray touch pool, reef section..... Most memorable though was the Japanese Spider Crabs and the pink dolphins!

Then it was home via the monorail and train with a very heavy Katy, who was completely tuckered out and promptly fell asleep! At our apartment we cooled down and caught our breath.

Next on the agenda was a trip to Little India for dinner. It was always going to be a risk venturing into the unknown on a time schedule and finding child friendly food. We eventually found a little restaurant down a side alley. By this point Katy was melting down. Dinner was very yummy but spicy and as if Andy wasn't already sweaty enough! The girls meanwhile just ate plain rice and chapati.

To finish off the birthday celebrations we caught a taxi to the Light Show Spectacular viewed at Marina Bay Waterfront. A 13 minute light and water show called Wonder Full with images projected onto a screen made of water all synchronised to music from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. A wonderful way to complete my birthday!

Singapore

We survived the 4.30am wake up for the 8am flight from Sydney as well as the 8 hour flight. The girls were real troopers. By the time we arrived at Singapore it was 2pm (actually 4pm for us). Initial thoughts on Singapore - hot (33C), humid, lots of lovely gardens and busy but well organised. Our apartment is great except for the construction site next-door, oh and the pool which is under renovation!

After settling in we decided to explore and try to scope something out for dinner. We are located near Clarke Quay a popular spot on the banks of the Singapore River. Restaurants were in abundance but finding something that was not too unfamiliar for the girls was quite difficult. Eventually we settled for Tomo Izakaya, a Japanese restaurant but unfortunately it didn't open until 6pm, so we had 45 mins to kill. In the heart of Clarke Quay is Central Fountain - jets of water spout upwards from the pavement at random intervals under the 'angel sky.' With so much time to waste, we decided to head there - we could admire the water fountain while having a beer!

We arrived and the fountains weren't going. Nevermind a few random family snapshots to help pass the time. It wasn't long before the fountain burst into life and the girls were off to explore. Andy reminded them not to get too wet as we were going to dinner shortly. Famous last words!! Within a few minutes both girls were utterly soaked and soon became the tourist attraction with random people stopping, watching and taking photos. We just let them be - it was hot, they were tired but more importantly they were happy!

Finishing Up

Last week was a flurry of activity in preparation for our trip to Oxford. Luckily for me I had the week off - after resigning from CIG. I'd like to say that I was happy and excited on my last day, however it was more of a bittersweet occasion after 9 years of service. Anyhow as I've said to various people it looks like for me, 2013 is the year of gaining perspective both professionally and personally.




Ella also finished her first term of full time school. The school cross country carnival was held on Wednesday. Ella is in Unmatijarra (red) house. The kindy kids course was around the four light poles of the oval. All the children were encouraged to jog and not sprint and looked to be having fun! Stunning day for it too.



Friday was crazy hat day at Aranda. Ella made a purple cone hat and decorated it with fake flowers, ribbon, stickers and jewels.

Katy cooked a chocolate brownies for a farewell at Kanookas. She was happy that the children sang happy last day!

We had friends over for dinner, a family dinner, farewell party for Andy's student, unexpected and expensive visit to the dentist, house cleaning and organising (including a spring clean of clothing resulting in 5 bags to salvos and half a bin full of rubbish clothes!) combined with the normal chaos of school/ daycare drop off pick ups!

Good news is that we got there, we are still sane and talking to each other! Drove out on Sunday at 1pm bound for Sydney.

Easter @ Bendigo

With our departure to Oxford only 2 weeks post easter and without a car, we had pretty much decided not to take the trip down the Hume Hwy for Easter. However buying a new car, we made a snap decision  to enter with only an hour to spare!

With Andy taking the jump (some may say plunge?) to M40 and not running elites we could take advantage of driving the 7 hours to Bendigo on Good Friday. This included stopping at Holbrook and exploring the submarine (along with the hundreds of other travellers!)

With such a late decision to enter our only real option for accommodation was to camp on the cricket oval with a crowd of other families - both Andy's sisters, Jones/Walters and Candy's. A total of 10 children ranging from 1 - 8yrs in our gang. Great for keeping them all entertained! We were fortunate with the dry weather although it did get very nippy at night.

This year's easter had a fantastic string course. In fact it was so long, that we didn't feel the need to do a enter-on-the-day easy course. The string course focused on Bush Babies and was total SI. Each control had a specific character - with a representative toy too! The map was carefully and cleverly hand drawn and even had a story on the back.

And while they weren't on the string course, the kids were busy building cubby houses, climbing trees, playing in the dirt or generally soaking up the atmosphere in the assembly area.

As for the real courses, each day had different terrain to keep us on our toes - gold mining, granite and spur/gully. Andy enjoyed his battle with the other M40's and even managed to hold off the challenges!

Weekly Routine

After returning home from the coast, Grandad became involved in our general weekly routine. He did the Ella school run on Monday (which in the afternoon wasn't that enjoyable due to a 5yr old girl going on 15! Sorry Dad.)


Tuesday Grandad accompanied Katy to her gymnastics class where she showed off all her moves.


Wednesday we ventured into the The National Arboretum. Stunning views over Lake BG from Dairy Farmers Hill where an eagle guards it's nest! Enjoyed the architecture of visitors centre as well as  the bonsai exhibition.  Coffee wasn't too bad either. Will be fantastic up there in a few years when everything grows up and the playground is established.
Finished the day at swimming lessons at the AIS where both girls have shown great improvements in their swimming abilities.

Thursday and Friday were rest days for Grandad.

While I worked on Saturday morning, Andy and Grandad took it easy. The Aranda School Fete was in the late afternoon. The girls enjoyed face pairing, jumping castles, made a few small purchases while my bike had a service.

We had worked up quite an appetite by this stage and thought the Turkish Pide House would be a great spot for some dinner. We were joined by the Jones/Walter clan. Banquet was delicious and filling as always. The kids became quite rowdy by the end...I'm not too sure why!!!!





Sunday while Andy was out doing orienteering stuff for the Oz carnival, Grandad and I were doing the birthday party rounds - Jackson's 2nd birthday party in the morning and  a classmate of Ella's in the afternoon. Home for a few hours enabled Grandad to pack up his belongings, have a shower and head to the airport.

South Coast with Grandad

Ok so I'm quite behind with our blogs...Dad come over for 10 days before easter. The first weekend, we drove down to the south coast for Isa and Diego's wedding. Staying at Tuross Heads, our unit had beautiful views of the lake and ocean. We did try to swim on the Saturday however were slightly hampered by the chilly water and cool conditions. Instead we made sand castles and explored the rocks for the morning.

That afternoon we prettied ourselves up for Isa and Diego's Buddhist wedding at a secluded beach at Mullimburra Point, about 15mins north of Tuross Head. The ceremony conducted by a local celebrate was simply lovely. It was a pity that the weather wasn't so kind - clouds had rolled in and the wind was very chilly. After the ceremony, we dropped the girls back off at the unit, fed them and left Grandad in charge of bedtime and headed out to the reception held down the road in the local hall. Isa, Diego and co did a fantastic job of self catering for the 35 or so guests.

 The weather conditions hadn't really improved by Sunday, a bit disappointing for Grandad not to see the girls in full beach mode, however we left Tuross Head for our favourite haunt Mossy Point. A play in the river with the boogie boards followed by lunch at the Muffin shop was a great way to finish the weekend before driving home.