A Garden Walk

It was one of those unusual evening where the family decided to take an evening walk. Not around the neighbourhood but to The Botanic Gardens. It was back to nature. (Well, almost !!!)
Following its major renovation, the entire Garden have taken a new outlook from a new Food Court, large underground carparks and scenic landscaping to large open grounds for picnics and family outings. Being a hot day, Sarah-Marie just couldn't resist standing under the waterfall (without getting wet), to hear the gushing water. (Do notice the scarf ... her idea of being COOL !!!)
Natural maze and wild flowers lined the many walkways.

As night fell, the walk extended to Cluny Road which runs parallel to the Garden to catch a glimpse of the house that was decorated by Julius Ng. Quite a sight !!! (No need to get the light-up at Orchard Road !!!)

Golden Anniversary

Godparents (Joseph & Magdalene Lau) celebrated their 50th Anniversary on 26 Dec 2007. On the instructions of the "Principal Elf" (Bernie), it was to be a "Peranakan Nite" where the "Bibi(s) & Baba(s)" will attack the night.
Donning their Baju Kabaya was by itself a major exercise for the Bibi(s). Thank goodness for the simple Batik shirts which do not require all the complications. Together with the god-sisters/brothers and 3 specially selected elfs, co-ordinations were effected through whatever means of communications available .... emails, snail mails, pigeon mails, etc. Whatever the case, the evening went about like clock-work. With a mix of Thai/Peranakan makan and entertainment by the LOS PINTOS ... the party of the year was on. Some campfire items were also started at certain corner of the room. Godpa and Godma were of course the center of attention for the evening. Lots of action and happening throughout. Lots of secrets to be shared too ... of how they maintained their 50 Golden years.

Peranakan family

26 Dec 07 was by itself a day of discovery. Through a conversation with Mr PETER WEE (owner of the Katong Antique House), Elsie found out that her family, who came to Singapore from the Indonesian Island of BANGKA, qualifies them to be "Peranakan(s)".

[Come to think of it, GODMA and Elsie's MUM could both associate themselves with the same lamp post at BANGKA ISLAND. They also know similiar people who are related to the TJOENG family]
Looks like the children will have to start looking for their own BAJU KEBAYA and BATIK SHIRTs soon.

X'mas nite @ Tan Sim Boh

The annual Christmas day/nite ritual starts off with visiting Mom in the late morning followed by the evening visit to our God-daughter's home at Robinson Quay (This will be the last year there as they will be moving). After a quick meal and exchanges of family X'mas gifts, it was off to Tan Sim Boh Road (Our God-parents place) for Part II of the makan/merry making session.
This is where most of the "happening" will start. The children will link-up with the rest of the other like-minded people of the same age there (including Max ... the dog !!!), whilst the god-brothers and god-sisters will start their annual "suan-time". God-parents will ultimate blow the whistle to ensure that no one gets into any serious fights. (So far, well under control !!!)
OF course, no gathering is complete without the Makan Session. Pot luck is the order of the day. Julius & Dot will be there with their signature Soon-Kueh, whilst Mrs Rama provides the yum-yum curry. The rest will be a "surprise" but the bottom-line where food is concern .... its always GOOD !!! It was also agreed some 2 years ago that we'll do away with gift exchange (cos its mind boggling to decide what to buy every year). Instead, each family will make a cash donation in the Spirit of Christmas and these will be given to Fr Lau who will extended it to the less fortunate.
Ending the day is always difficult. Good-byes seem to take forever. Whatever it is, the day will always end up in a good, fuzzy note !!! Merry Christmas !!!

Christmas with Grandma

All dressed up for Christmas (Sarah-Marie, complete with scarf), the great children popped by BLK 111, Serangoon North, Avenue 1 to wish Grandma a Merry Christmas. It was also a face recognition exercise to help Grandma with her "dementia" as she has difficulties remembering faces and would require constant reminder. X'mas snapshot taken of Grandma with the 3 Grand-children, together with Yayuk and Reena

Thai Pineapples

Whilst enroute to the Pala-U Jungle Trail/Waterfall, our guide (known to us as "Chai"), decided to stop by a small Pineapple Plantation to break the almost 2-hr journey from Hua Hin. Each Pineapple, carefully wrapped in newspaper to prevent insects from attacking the young fruit, cost about 8 baht (about $0.25) when harvested. With fields of pineapples growing at various stages, no wonder pineapples are plentiful for desert at the end of each Thai meal.
With just a 20-30 min stopover, it was a good physical & educational break from sitting down (in the mini van) for the past one hour. Fortunately, it was not too hot (up in the mountains area).

A Thai Holiday

The day finally came for the family to proceed for a short holiday to Hua Hin & Bangkok. It was just so difficult to coincide all the schedule to have this ONE WEEK BREAK. Packing was done almost the night before and the morning prior to the trip.
It was like ages, since we have last managed to round up everyone for a trip. (There is usually one or two who just couldn't make it). As we prepared to board the aircraft, Aaron gave his sister ONE final PUSH to the immigration counter, T2 Changi International Airport. It was like planning for one major exercise.

With the help of Gregory Tan, a short ONE WEEK package was put together and off we went commencing on 15 Dec 07. The itinerary (a little "free & easy" bit) :

• 15 Dec 07 : Depart Singapore for Bangkok (via SQ 976 - dep 1410 hrs/arrv 1535 hrs) ; Stayed one night @ Novotel Siam Square.
• 16 Dec 07 : Quick visit to the Chatuchak Weekend Market (am), before heading out of Bangkok to Hua Hin. Stayed at the Hilton Hua Hin.
• 17 Dec 07 : Early morning pick-up (0800 hrs) to visit Pala-U jungle trail/waterfall & a visit to the Elephant Village + Elephant rides/shows.
• 18 Dec 07 : Free & Easy day at Hua Hin Resort.
• 19 Dec 07 : Check-out by noon and head back to Bangkok. Accommodation @ Novotel Siam Square.
• 20 Dec 07 : Very early morning pick-up for a private tour to the Bridge over the River Kwai and a trip to the Death Railway & the Jeath Museum.
• 21 Dec 07 : Free & Easy day at Bangkok.
• 22 Dec 07 : Final shopping spree. Return to Singapore via SQ 625 - dep 1830 hrs / arr 2245 hrs)

Details of the trip to follow .... (to be updated) as the days go along !!!! (More details at : http://nesac-07.blogspot.com)

As the sun sets ....

SINGAPORE in the late evening !!!

As the sun sets in the far horizon, as seen from the highest building in the Marina Square area (The Stamford Hotel), the busy traffic below continues to be as busy as ever. People are seen (little dots) moving all over the streets and the Singapore Straits (in the far end) was slowly transforming into little dotted lights, lining the dark background formed by the Indonesian islands of Batam & Bintan.
Suntec City and the Esplande suddenly glows making it distinct even from a distance. Aside from the change in light, the busy life below continues as a light on-shore breeze cools the evening.