City Stay 2011

Rachel gets pretty restless on flights. I get seasick easily and Shawn is not keen to drive out of Spore. So a hotel stay in Lion City seemed a great 'holiday' plan. And we did just that in 2011, and by far the year with the most no. of hotel stays in Spore. :D


RWS Hotel Michael Aug 2011

I chanced upon MasterCard 3D2N Ultimate Fun package during random surfing and was surprised that the package inclusive of 3D2N hotel stay, 2 adults tickets to USS and Voyage De La Vie tickets was priced at less than $500. I have been to USS for company team building and thought it would be great to go with Shawn and Rachel. We were not keen with the La Vie show but since it was included, why not.

We managed to secure a weekend for the package but at Hotel Michael, our least preferred choice. The room was new and clean but we weren't impressed with the so-so design, small room and pathetic swimming pool. Good thing RWS hotel guests could go over to the beach pool at Hard Rock Hotel which we did.

It was worth upgrading our USS tickets to the Express passes. We doubt we could survive queuing an hour for each ride in the hot humid weather with Rachel. :P We get to enjoy all the rides that we wanted. Today, Rachel still remember USS. Whenever a taxi with the USS logo passes by, she will exclaim "Mummy, see! We go together remember?" Yes, of course I remember. :)

As for the La Vie show, we watched in the evening after Universal Studio. All of us fell asleep in the dark cool theatre. Not sure if it was because we were tired from the rides in the crazy weather or because the show was boring. Likely both. :P

Ritz Carlton Nov 2011

Shawn and I love to surprise each other but I kind of run out of ideas over the years. When it comes to gifts, I prefer practical items so I have been surprising him with working shirts until one day he whispered "No more shirts k" with a big smile. *opps* I know he prefers IT gadgets but he usually gets them before I can buy them as gifts. But for his birthday last year, I had just the perfect surprise.

He was (and still is) always in front of his laptops and had little rest and I knew he would love to (and needed) to just 'do nothing'. So I booked a hotel (for him to laze, and I wont nag if he mess up the place), planned a hi-tea and arranged for Shawn's mum to babysit Rachel for a few hours. Mealtime with Rachel can be stressful. Furthermore, wanted to bring Shawn to PS cafe @ Ann Siang which does not admit kids.

My first choice was the 3D2N RWS package but it was fully booked. Thought of Pan Pac because Shawn can enjoy corporate rate but booking using his identity without his knowledge is tricky. My Aunt then suggested Ritz which I thought was a great choice since we haven't stayed in Ritz before and I have heard so many praises about it.

Coincidentally, there was a fantastic offer for birthday guests. Shawn was surprised and pleased with the stay. I was surprised and pleased myself when we get the free upgrade to Premier Suite. The birthday package included a free upgrade to Premier Suite (if available) and we were very lucky that a Suite was available that sat!

Our suite was beautiful, spacious (of course), hi-tech and with excellent views. We could see the Flyer from the bathroom and city (with the majestic MBS) from our room and living area. All of us (including Rachel) loved it!

We had a good sleep that night on the perfect bed with smoothest bedsheets ever. The stay, needless to say, was fab!

MBS Dec 2011

After 2 fantastic hotel stays, I got addicted to Spore hotels. I convinced Shawn to celebrate Christmas weekend in a hotel and we were lucky to get a room in MBS during that time and at corporate rate! Their premier room was super spacious with breath-taking views and a perfect bath tub for a hot soak! However, we still prefer the view from Ritz because city with the majestic MBS is far better looking than city with Ritz.

We didnt quite appreciate the forever windy rooftop because it makes the pool experience too cold. Rachel's lips turned purplish within mins of soaking in the chilling water and we quickly adjourned to the comfort of our bathroom for warm bubble bath where Rachel and I happily soaked till our fingers went wrinkled. :P



Our 5th wedding anniversary is nearing and with 2 kids now, I think an overnight celebration in a hotel will be perfect. Moreover, a good excuse to share bed with Rachel! Yeah! :D

Perth 28 Oct - 4 Nov 2011

I got pregnant in Jul 2011 few weeks after talk of a family trip with the Tng's. I was overjoyed with the news and at the same time looking forward to the trip but I heard unpleasant stories about pregnant women who flies. I consulted my gynea and was assured that flying would not affect my pregnancy as long I travel during my 2nd or 3rd term. So I did. :)

Perth was the obvious choice for both the families especially for our 2 girls Rachel (Wang) & Fay (Tng). We had been there individually before having the girls and we wanted them to enjoy Perth the way we did. :)

The girls simply loved Perth! They loved the sun, the cool breeze, the great companion, the yummy food, the activities and no doubt, they loved the fact that they need not go school and could stick to us for 24 x 7! LOL
 

Banbury - Beach @ Dolphin Discovery Centre

Banbury - enjoying the wind onboard the boat
to sightsee Dolphins!

Banbury - Country Life Farm

Banbury - Country Life Farm -
Lets feed the goats!

Banbury - Country Life Farm - Carousel

Margaret River - Taking orders for dinner

On our way to Leeuwin Estate Winery

We tried to 'fly' to Leeuwin Estate Winery
but I was too heavy @ my 4th mth :P
Well hidden tummy huh.

We reached Leeuwin Estate Winery and
reached the ice forming at the tank as well.

Leeuwin Estate Winery -
Cheeky cutie Fay waiting for her dinner :)

"Sunblock is important oh"

Busselton Jetty - Tea time!

Busselton Jetty -
Taking the train to Underwater Observatory

Busselton Jetty -
This may be the only trip shot of both Tng & Wang Family. :P

Home bound -
"Im gonna watch my cartoon. See you next time!"

Rachel Goes School (18 Jul 2011)

Rachel was almost 21 month of age when we sent her to childcare @ Learning Vision. We were worried that she could not get used to school life after a long time of pampering & spoiling care by granny and us. Our fears came true after 3 days of honeymoon with me by her side.

She cried in the morning when we dropped her off in school. She cried in shower because she was not used to having water running down her face. She cried before nap time, missing us. She cried with relief in the evening when we fetched her. She did not eat much because she was not used to the food. This continued for almost 2 months before she could do all these without tears.

The worst thing that happened was she got sick frequently! But we did not regret letting her go childcare at such a young age. She learnt a lot in school and of course, she picked up some negative habits along with numerous positive habits.

Memories of Day 1... :)

Carrying her diaper bag

Breakfast

"I want to put into the bin for you"

Washing her hands at the tiny sink :)

"Catch me!"

Naptime



Fun Time

FUN means Family Unite Now! and here are our FUN activities starting from Apr this year... Yeah!

8th ~ 10 Apr: Chalet & BBQ @ Downtown East

With a bursting cabin size luggage and our almost 18 mth girl, we kick started our chalet stay in wild wild wet. That was the perfect activity for fighting the blazing Spore sun and thanks to my company (ex company as we speak now), entrance (for 5) was free. Yippee.



Dinner on our first night was BBQ sambal stingray, sambal prawns, sambal sotong and rice with sambal! I was surprised that I didn't have to sleep in the toilet that night. The cool weather makes dinner taste better. But of course Rachel still needs lower temp than that. Look at her 'shiok' face when she gets fanned.


Breakfast next morning at MacDonald's for myself and my helper! Rachel had milk already but she loves their hash brown which I limit as I find them too salty for toddler. Shouldn't Mac think of better kids breakfast? since they have happy meal from lunch time onwards.

We then headed for thrilling rides with full tummies!

Of course, we had to have equally thrilling yet suitable rides for Rachel.

Daddy Shawn (finally out from reservist) then joined us that evening for another round of yummy BBQ. This time the real party begins with all the standard sambal specials as well as juicy lamb chops, perfect honey wings, endless servings of satays.... (enough of the details because I'm drooling!!!).

We also had treasure hunt that evening. However, it was not a game. If not for my bro's eagle eyes, we would have lost a diamond pendant. Phew!

2oth Apr: Sakae Sushi @ TradeHub 21

Shawn suggested this place to celebrate Rachel's 18th month because there was a playground. Rachel didn't enjoy the swing initially but as usual, she was so hooked in the end, she refused to go home. So we had to flex our little muscles and do some coaxing to get her out. :P

23rd Apr: Cycling @ ECP

5 girls and 2 boys to ECP on a windy Sat. It was our first attempt to have Rachel ride with us on a bicycle. It was such an enjoyable experience, we went back again within a month. :)

Below are the 5 girls... (looks overage as girls? who says!)

The 2 boys with their princesses...

Having her in front of my ride was blissful, especially when the cool breeze carried my darling's scent towards me. To clarify, darling here refers to Rachel. I wouldn't want to smell my hubby sweaty scent. :P

While waiting for the boys to return the bikes, we spotted a girl throwing tantrums at her mum/aunt. Our curious little Rachel and Fay looked on...

8th May: Zoo

Been to a few zoos in the region and Spore zoo is one of the best! But the weather makes the sightseeing challenging. Good thing they have the kids water play and I did not need to think to jump into the water with Rachel.

Rachel with flushed cheek from the sun while Penguins sit comfortably in their air conditioned home... envious!

At the new pet show for kids.

Water play time!

27th May: Exploring Sentosa

I was guilty of leaving Shawn and Rachel alone that weekend while I flew off to Hong Kong to join 2 girlfriends for a short breather trip (yes, need it badly!). But our hubbies didn't waste time waiting for us to come back. Instead, they arranged their own island hopping to Sentosa for bonding time. I must say it was a 360 degrees bond. The daddies and daughters definitely bonded. The girls bonded, the daddies bonded and uncles/girls bonded too!

As for me and my girlfriends, we were bonded right from the start with common clear goals. Shop till we drop (broke!) and eat till shiok. It did happen. My spine nearly broke and our wallets emptied! Ha. Stay tune for the Hong Kong post.

Back to the 2 daddies and their little ones...

Picking Movenpick as last stop of the jungle trail?

Rachel can't wait to start first...

25th Jun: Botanic Gardens

When good weather, good friends, good food and good scenery comes together, need I say more? :)