With Papa in SanFran, the kids and I are trying to keep busy and have fun all the same. On Saturday we did homework and then went downtown to the Mind Cafe where we played two games we really enjoyed. The first game was a mouse and cheese game called Chateau Roquefort as seen in the poster behind our table. The second game was called the Davinci Code and both were appropriate for our age group. Rik, the assistant manager, did a great job of teaching us the rules and since we were the only ones in the restaurant at that time, he stood by us to make sure we were following them!
After our meal and games, we walked around the area by the river near the Fullerton Hotel and then went in to this beautiful hotel to enjoy a freshly squeeze orange juice. It is a nice place to take a rest because children are given crayons and exercise books and our two boys really enjoyed doing four word searches each.
We headed home with enough time to rest before "Oma Ruzen's birthday party by the pool and although it was hard to be the first to leave, we had to get home and into bed by 9pm so we could get up for this morning's Floor Ball Tournament at TPS which Frunty absolutely loved. We all had to stop the tournament to run outside and greet the minister and other dignitaries in front of the school. As usual, the principal, Miss Tay, introduced them all to the me because we are the only NA or Europeans at the school. Mr. Masago remembered me from another time and said, "nice to see you again!" I have now met all the important people in Tampines and been on the news too...memories of Ibogawa!
Well, we ended our great weekend by having dinner with our new babysitter from Paris who is EXCELLENT and as soon as she left, I tucked the reluctant kids into bed. Who wants the fun to end?! They'll thank me in the morning when getting up isn't too difficult. Happy weekend everyone! And we miss you, Papa! Have a good flight to D.C.!
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Happy Valentine's Day 2011
With heart shaped cookies beside their cereal, I thought I was sure to bring a smile to our little ones' faces this morning. But alas, some of us were having trouble waking up! All the same, we love you NO MATTER WHAT!
I included another photo of the guys on the ATVs this past weekend in Bintan, Indonesia. It was fun to try yet another mode of transportation.
Happy Valentine's Day
The six of us arrived home last night from our Valentine's Weekend in Bintan, Indonesia, compliments of Nonna and Nonno. We were very fortunate to have some sunny days together at a lovely resort called Bintan Lagoon. We enjoyed body surfing in the clear waters, the ATVs on the beach and the water slides at the kids' pool. Papa, Frunty and Pit were hilarious in the "hamster balls"! What a fun time together and thanks so much to the Nonni. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Borneo's Sipadan
The nonni and the four of us just returned from our scuba/snorkeling holiday at Mabul Island's Scuba Junkies. The Celebes Sea is touted as the most marine diverse on the planet now and it did not disappoint. In a word, the marine life was incredible and from our island's dock, we could see the abundant fish swimming around without even getting into the clear water. Huge turtles swam by and stuck their snouts out of the water to say "welcome to Sipadan!"
We visited Kapalai which is a resort on stilts but has a sand quay behind it surrounded by crystal, clear water. There is a sign nearby which states, "Beware of Stingrays". They can be hidden in the white sand and upon approach, rocket through the shallow waters. We saw blue spotted rays as well as different star fish.
Frunty enjoyed snorkeling from the boat and from the dock. Because of windy conditions, Pit was not comfortable on this trip and only snorkeled for two seconds! But because he could view sea creatures from the boat and from the dock, as I mentioned, he enjoyed the sea life at Sipadan all the same!
Papa and I spent the day at Sipadan, a dive/snorkel site which is second to none. Captain Jacques Cousteau wrote that he had not seen a place like this anywhere else in the world. I could not believe it when I was snorkeling and turtles were keeping me company. White tips swam by and I kept my calm. I did get absolutely terrified though when three Titon Trigger fish attacked me with their razor, sharp teeth. They got a fin in the face and I swam off unscathed. A huge school of barracuda and an even bigger school of jack fish impressed me and although I was the lone snorkeler, I had an excellent day while Papa and his dive mates explored the reef below.
The Scuba Junkies has backpacker accommodation where we stayed on Mabul Island. Cozy chalets, tastefully done. The food left something to be desired for some but all in all, it was a wonderful and affordable way to experience some of the best reef still left in the world. I am grateful for this amazing experience and know the kids feel the same as Frunty, in particular, can't wait to get back to visit new friends, like the dive master, Martin. Let's hope we'll be so lucky!
We visited Kapalai which is a resort on stilts but has a sand quay behind it surrounded by crystal, clear water. There is a sign nearby which states, "Beware of Stingrays". They can be hidden in the white sand and upon approach, rocket through the shallow waters. We saw blue spotted rays as well as different star fish.
Frunty enjoyed snorkeling from the boat and from the dock. Because of windy conditions, Pit was not comfortable on this trip and only snorkeled for two seconds! But because he could view sea creatures from the boat and from the dock, as I mentioned, he enjoyed the sea life at Sipadan all the same!
Papa and I spent the day at Sipadan, a dive/snorkel site which is second to none. Captain Jacques Cousteau wrote that he had not seen a place like this anywhere else in the world. I could not believe it when I was snorkeling and turtles were keeping me company. White tips swam by and I kept my calm. I did get absolutely terrified though when three Titon Trigger fish attacked me with their razor, sharp teeth. They got a fin in the face and I swam off unscathed. A huge school of barracuda and an even bigger school of jack fish impressed me and although I was the lone snorkeler, I had an excellent day while Papa and his dive mates explored the reef below.
The Scuba Junkies has backpacker accommodation where we stayed on Mabul Island. Cozy chalets, tastefully done. The food left something to be desired for some but all in all, it was a wonderful and affordable way to experience some of the best reef still left in the world. I am grateful for this amazing experience and know the kids feel the same as Frunty, in particular, can't wait to get back to visit new friends, like the dive master, Martin. Let's hope we'll be so lucky!
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Mabul Resort: Scuba Junkies
Yesterday Pit, nonno, nonna and I met Papa and Frunty at the airport in Tawau and the six of us were driven to our private boat in Semporna. We traveled for about an hour to our resort on Mabul Island and when we looked in the clear waters, we could see sea life without even going snorkeling. It was truly gorgeous.
Normally it is sunny and hot in January but since we arrived in Asia, we seem to be experiencing "global cooling". It rained most of yesterday and today and although we got a short snorkel in today off the pier, we all ran home for cold showers! We could feel miserable but somehow, we are making the most of our time together and have no excuses to avoid doing the kids' homework!
Tomorrow we will go on a snorkel trip by boat around Mabul Island and we are hoping for sunny skies for good visibility so we can see "millions of fish" like we did for that brief time yesterday.
We did walk around this tiny island today which took about an hour and saw many villagers and even the local school. The small babies run around with no diapers and the really tiny ones are being held by their small brothers and sisters. Pit was not very comfortable with our village visit but I am proud of him for continuing to explore "whether he liked it or not". Frunty wanted to walk along the beach the entire way but there are many boats blocking that path. I am always impressed by his adventuresome spirit. Crossing our fingers for warmer and drier weather here on out as we explore this National Geographic, world-class diving area off the east coast of Borneo.
Normally it is sunny and hot in January but since we arrived in Asia, we seem to be experiencing "global cooling". It rained most of yesterday and today and although we got a short snorkel in today off the pier, we all ran home for cold showers! We could feel miserable but somehow, we are making the most of our time together and have no excuses to avoid doing the kids' homework!
Tomorrow we will go on a snorkel trip by boat around Mabul Island and we are hoping for sunny skies for good visibility so we can see "millions of fish" like we did for that brief time yesterday.
We did walk around this tiny island today which took about an hour and saw many villagers and even the local school. The small babies run around with no diapers and the really tiny ones are being held by their small brothers and sisters. Pit was not very comfortable with our village visit but I am proud of him for continuing to explore "whether he liked it or not". Frunty wanted to walk along the beach the entire way but there are many boats blocking that path. I am always impressed by his adventuresome spirit. Crossing our fingers for warmer and drier weather here on out as we explore this National Geographic, world-class diving area off the east coast of Borneo.
Friday, 28 January 2011
Teck Guan Cocoa Plantation
We had a great day trip today to the cocoa plantation near Tawau, Borneo. We saw the tiniest, unripe, brown cocoa pods and big, red, ripe ones as well as a special strain that were green. We learned that this particular Teck Guan company ferments and then sun dries their cocoa beans. We had hot chocolate, pieces of chocolate and fried spring rolls filled with banana and chocolate. Most interesting was the cocoa pasta for lunch! Delicious and decadent! We brought home boxes of chocolates to sustain us during our week of snorkeling on Mabul Island. It was really fascinating to see the whole process from pod to product and after six years of eating chocolate in Belgium (and all around the world!), it was intriguing to finally see the source. Great choice of day trips, Pit! Fun and yummy! Especially hilarious were the "cheerleaders" who performed a chocolate-pouring show before our very eyes while we tried not to salivate too much!
