Raja Ampat: West Papua, Indonesia

Very worth the very long trip from Singapore to Raja Ampat. Three bungalows, one family made up our one week homestay on Pulau Kri. Pulau means "island" in bahasa.

 I barely made it from the boat to the village to deliver gifts of clothes and books that we brought from Singapore before a stampede of kids blocked our way on the dock. Luckily there was a covered place where I could entertain with a light English lesson by reading some bits and bobs from the children's books we donated. When it came time to hand out the clothes, Frunty suggested I throw them one at a time. I enjoyed the giggles when I would throw a skirt to a boy! One shirt flew into the sea! It was a fun and silly time with the children of Yenbuba!

 On the boat from Sorong to our island. We are sleepy but enjoy a snuggle.

A beautiful bay, sheltered, warm waters and a gorgeous house reef where we snorkeled and saw a black tip reef shark among other aquatic gems. We lived simply in Robinson Crusoe type bamboo bungalows over the sea, when the tide came in. Otherwise it was white, white, soft floury sand. Heaven!

One fishing trip, five delicious fresh fish! Our homestay cook, Ate, prepared the fish for us and we enjoyed quite a feast. No fishy fish here....just fresh and delectable! Frunty and Pit both took turns catching them.

 Papa got some very good dives in at this top ten dive location.

We had a nocturnal marsupial visit us most nights. The super soft cuscus was named Manis and loved banans. Very shy little guy but let us pet him.

Endless fun with the village kids in a hollowed out canoe. They were always finding stuff to do and interesting things on the beach to put on their heads or kick around.

Time to say good bye to Ate and her son, Nando. Thanks for a wonderful homestay and all your delicious cooking that was "safe" for us to eat. With very little English or Indonesian between us, we were able to communicate nicely anyway.

The first day, the boys kept their distance. From the second day onwards, these three musketeers were almost inseparable! Having fun together in simple ways. What a great holiday! Thanks, Papa, for challenging us on this one!

Marina Bay Sands Mummies: Halloween Part 2

For Frunty's 6th and Pit's 3rd birthdays, we went to Cairo to see the pyramids. A little while later, we visited the Sphinx's beard in London...so exciting that it got shot off and we got to see the main piece! And now, mummies have come to Singapore! The Mommy surprised the boys this morning by announcing a field trip. With many days of staying home (due to Frunty's foot surgery) and doing tons of work, we needed to get out and about. But without Papa's piggy-backing power, how would we do it?Luckily, the Mommy had faith...and a credit card! At 9am, we were in a taxi on the way down to Marina Bays Sands to explore the Mummy exhibit in the Arts and Science Museum. The credit card came in handy to secure a wheelchair!

 Let the fun times begin!

Pit loved pushing his brother around. It reminded us of traveling with Pit in a wheelchair earlier this year. What a year!?!

The museum had an amazing, interactive quest for 7-12 years old. They said it would take about 1 hour but we stayed in the museum for close to 4 hours. Here Frunty, with the help of Pit, pieced together a mummy with some organs.

The children had to answer riddles and solves puzzles based on Ancient Egypt. We also got to see a 3D movie with CT scans of mummies. With Frunty's foot bandaged up, he blended right in! There were some schools visiting as well and we managed to eavesdrop during their private tours to learn even more interesting facts!

 Before entering the museum, there was a photographer who offered costumes and took photos. Yes, we did buy two as there was a special promotion...who could resist?!

On our way out, the Mommy spotted Auntie Cassandra's friends in a photo. They are visiting from New Zealand. It turns out that they had entered the museum after us. So the boys and I retraced our steps and surprised them! Our two families then procured a special price as we bought photos in bulk! It was hilarious!

Here is a photo of Phillip, Kim and Isaac from Christchurch, NZ. Their two others boys had already visited the museum on another day with Cassandra. The following photos of flowers are taken by Frunty. He asked to borrow the camera and of course, I complied. I always love to see what he is going to do with it! He fiddles around, changes settings and ends up taking some really fun and in this case, beautiful pics.

 This is the Arts and Science Museum...an interesting flower by the water.

Here I am answering Aunt Cassandra's text message. She does not know yet that we have just had a lovely time with her guests from New Zealand! She will find out later...

For old time's sake, Pit took a turn in the wheelchair! Frunty- you took some marvelous photos today! I am sure glad we made the effort to see the mummies in Singapore today! It was so funny how the one mummy was entombed with a bowl accidentally stuck to his skull with resin...oh, the giggles! Papa- thanks for working so hard so we can have wonderful field trips!

Pumpkin Time! Part 1: getting ready for Halloween!

Yes, it's that time of year again! We were so fortunate to be invited on Monday night to our American-Hong Kongnese friends to carve pumpkins. Well, actually, Dennis babysat the four children, Charlotte, Christian, Frunty and Pit while the moms took off for some mom-time! What a great activity for the kids! Lots of good giggles and no war wounds! These little pumpkins make great nightlights but during the day, due to the heat and the humidity, we have to make room in the fridge to store them. Papa- you know how hard that is for us since you filled our fridge with delectable dishes. But, all in all, we are managing!

Good bye Plantar Warts!

 Pre-op at Raffles Clinic...time to remove two tricky warts!

 "Hello" to a Dr. Pepper...a family tradition...you will not be forgotten, dear, Uncle Dave! Uncle Chris commented that Frunty is recovering in style!

The girls spoiled Frunty and no, they did not stomp on his foot by accident! Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 was just what the doctor ordered for a small get-away from the recovery room! Katong Mall in Joo Chiat is a quiet, ritzy mall where you can escape the noise and heat of Singapore. I12 Katong, it's called which is Singlish for "I want to Katong" which we think means, "I want to go to Katong." Who knows?! But we do...want to go regardless!

 It's fun to stay in bed when we get to play Pirate's Cove in our pjs!

It's hard to keep both boys out of the kitchen though! Thanks to Papa for shopping and preparing so many healthy, allergen-free meals for us this week so that Mama can rest and relax. For some reason I have a fever and virus after my allergic reaction on Tuesday and am wiped out. As we are leaving for Raja Ampat this Friday, Papa wants to make sure we all get ample time to recover! We appreciate you so much, Papa! Your meatballs are divine, your peanut-y chicken delicieux and your big pot of soup is scrumptious. Not to mention your homemade baked beans! You're the best!

A homeschool field trip to Haw Par Villa: Tiger Balm Gardens!

What a beautiful, colourful fun but kind of scary place called Haw Par Villa owned by the creators of the famous, medicinal cream,Tiger Balm. We went on a field trip with some fellow homeschoolers...yes, you know those American friends with whom we ate Krispy Kreme doughnuts? Yep, Jennifer, Quinn and Logan joined us for a trip down memory lane in old Singapore. I am really happy that we finally visited Haw Par Villa. I think Nonna and Nonno said they visited the gardens in the 60s? Anyway it was worth a morning trip and we had a nice picnic lunch together afterwards.

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Scary, torture scenes were unexpected and a bit horrid but captivating to three boys. The three girls walked quickly through the ghoulish cave. The stories have gotten us in the mood for Halloween though.

I thought France only gave one to the States?!?!!

Pit walking by little pots of Tiger Balm, possibly being fought over by the sumo wrestlers. Have you tried this miracle cream?! We are fans.

 Jennifer taking photos of turtles, big and small.

Good bye, Haw Par Villa! I would come again...and luckily it offered free admission! A homeschool win-win!

History in the making: Krispy Kremes comes to Singapore!

Along with our American friends, Jennifer, Quinn and Logan, we went to Krispy Kremes' first location in Singapore at Orchards, underneath the Marriott hotel next to Tang's for...you guess it...a doughnut. Or two or three....whose counting?! Although we are still gluten/dairy-free, we made this exception as it is a historical first and because...sometimes...exceptions can be made. If only they would make a gluten-free doughnut! You never know...

We took a box to our friends' home afterwards to share with them. They are from New Zealand and fellow homeschoolers who love doughnuts too. Who doesn't?! But be careful! They are so good, your eyes may cross!