Sunday, January 31, 2016

Hi Ho, Hi H, its off to prawn fish we go

We haven't been to Lagoon Hawker in East Coast for an absolute age. Tough one has been Baby Jude hating the concept of sitting in a buggy - he loathes it. So therefore you end up carrying him, and for those in Singapore you know how horrible it is carrying stuff in Singapore - you majorly sweat. And imagine that is a large lad that is also hot. 

But anyway, just recently he seems to have overcome the loathing, and so we decided today that we'll be walking East Coast Service - buggy, bike and scooters in hand of we go. What a belter of day - it was steaming hot at points but then clouded to give some breeze relief. A great day.

We walked it up bit time;
- Siglap to Lagoon and beyond;
- Lunch at Lagoon Hawker;
- Walked to the 5-a-side indoor nets;
- Prawn fished for an hour;
- Walked home double quick time to avoid the pending storm following us.

Here's a few snaps for you.

Just a beautiful day walking down the avenues of trees, mostly shaded from the intense sun - but as you can see that bad was absolutely still there all day long

Indonesia nice and clear away in the distance. Can you see her just beyond all the luxury liners we have gracing our Singapore coastline - cough; "You what!!!" Main reason never swim in the sea is this lot.

Awwwwwwww. So cute. I will call you Nutella.

There were these gorgeous little ground doves/pigeons everywhere. So so cute and so so tiny.But an were these brave, as they'd allow you to walk right up to about 1-2' away before they'd fly off. I was trying to catch one as it has got it's leg wrapped in some red cotton and it could not - so yep they sat there til last minute, but when they wanted to fly away - they were like rockets.
Lunch next and me and the kids go to the as usual, a true favourite of ours. The amazing, Han Jia Bak Kut Teh, #01-42, East Coast Lagoon Food Village, on 1220 East Coast Parkway. 

Going for something a little different this time I chose the liver and kidney soup - very nice, peppery, but with white pepper so not overpowering - loved the taste, this sure was offal, but certainly not aweful

And another new one on me this time. Preserved vegetables. You kind of wonder what on earth this is going to be. What is was was soft soft greens, that have this incredible vinegar - almost acidic taste but then softened by the brown unctuous sauce - star anise, cinnamon, Chinese spice etc. I ate pretty much the whole bowl of this - damn fine!!!

And of course - you can never come here without having the pork leg. I always get mine minus skin (its lumps of gooey fat basically), so just the meat please and the bone marrow for the kids to suck out with a straw ha ha. Love this!!!

Awwwwww, another cute little squirrel. I will call you Nutshowing.

Next up - Baby Jude's first time for prawn fishing, and he loved it. He sat still for short periods of time having a fish and then also loved walking round looking in the ponds and tanks at all the fish, lobsters, prawns etc. I think he had a blast!

First blood catch was to Mary and Baby Jude combined. Here he is very proud of his catch clearly, albeit he would not get any closer than this. But at LTN he'll walk up and touch the huge mud crabs. Strange. Good first catch Baby Jude.

And final photo - Amy was the overall winner today with 2 catches. He she is with number two sealing the victory literally on the last cast. The guys were great too more than doubling our catch so we could make a dish out of it. Might happen tomorrow - watch this space friends and family.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

2nd day of tourism stuff with Bai Bai - off to Universal Studios we go

Yep of we all go to Universal Studios. Bai Bai with us today, another Universal Studios virgin in the family. We have to rectify that. Man was I impressed. For someone who has never been on a roller-coaster before this lady was seriously impressive - she went on THE LOT and never lost her smile all day long. BattleStar Galactica was a breeze for both rides, The Mummy she took easily in her stride. Amazing when her sister is outside the ride and not willing to go on anything ha ha. 

"But I am baby-sitting Jude!" Is my Mary's usual rapport.
Actually what she means is; "I am shit scared of roller-coasters, I'll just let my sister go for it..."

So let's have some pics of the family outing shall we;

The family - an obligatory shot standing in front of the Universal Studios spinning globe.

Now plus Ollie, on our way to the first ride of the day - Madagascar the Crate Escape. A gentle start...

Now last we went on this ride, this little boy cried and cried. Today what a difference. He sat with his Dad, and chatted, looked around, and laughed. He loved it. Very proud of you Baby Jude. Looks like you were about to enjoy it from the photo.

And behind me sit the rest of the gang - Bai Bai looking calm and collected, despite me telling her this was a really scary ride, ha ha - nasty me!!!

Jude just so very proud of himself on the Madagascar Round-a-bout. He loved it. Like a King on his stallion. Bless him.

We keep walking round and the penguins are out having just finished their dancing set. So it's photo time. Amy was desperate to go alone for the first photo - nice one Amy!!! Ha Ha.

And then all got in on the action, not quite sure what Mary is doing though. Looks like she sprained an ankle...

The girls then spotted this chap - apparently someone famous. They demanded I take a picture very fast and furious.

First time for everything day today.
Riding Battlestar Galactica in the rain - it was amazing.
We got absolutely flipping soaked, but it was such a giggle.

Funny how things happen - Jude is over 2 as you know and has HATED buggies with a vengeance. But in the last two weeks or so an amazing turnaround has happened and he loves them. His own and ones like this rented from the Studios. 

Mary did well here capturing us all on Jurassic Park water ride - yep Bai Bai got soaked once again!!! Fate was on her side today, ha ha.

And another - albeit it tad camp. Having fun fun fun though.
 
Our mates now at the Waterworld stunt spectacular. Yep we got soaked again. Great show though guys!!!

And BOOM...

Bloody cool this show - amazing stunts in quite a small place - well worth a look!

And the final photo of the day - me and my little boy having fun on the Madagascar ride, kindly photographed by Mary sat behind me with Bai Bai. Love this photo - look at that cheeky little face.... Of Jude I meant!!!
So it was a great day - we all had fun - it was lovely to have Bai Bai with us to to enjoy it, and for us to share the fun with her. Thanks for coming Sis. What a great day!!!

Gardens By The Bay # who knows what

We slip in to tourist mode now at the weekend. Bai Bai and the gang are all off to Gardens By The Bay. A pictorial history of most of the day. A lovely day in fact. You sort of forget sometimes just how good Singapore is with places like this. We walked along the river this time, a new start to this adventure for us. We also went to the Igloo things for some self-gratifying Singapore stuff - country of the future blah blah blah. Well done don't get me wrong, but ram down your throat stuff.  And then the beautifully stunning Gardens By The Bay - now Singapore that IS impressive. 

I even took a picture of MBS this time, my new best friend ha ha!!!

We dined at Satay By The Bay - lamb kebabs, BBQ chicken wings, gon gon, stingray wings with sambal, kai lan, garlic cheesy bread and a jug of icy cold Tiger. Oh yeah baby.

Bai Bai - we hope you liked the day out, we sure did. 

Thanks for being with us.

MBS from below - no denying this is seriously impressive!!!

So this is the new walkway - along the river. Absolutely stunning. Very quiet as most go the way from MBS. As you can see, this was us plus about 2 other people. Absolutely gorgeous!

How can you not like this view - the mock trees of Gardens By The Bay. WOW!!!

There's a few like this folks, me trying my macro focus capability - mind you looks bloody nice right!

A dragon made completely of drift wood, simply amazing!!!

Yep No2 playing with flowers...

No3 - but this time a cactus

No4 - a succulent, seriously beautiful little plant

What's the celebration just round the corner? Can't quite remember? Something involving monkeys and red stuff? I don't know. Anyway that aside, a very nice photo of the girls with me today for our little trip out.

Now this one I love - yep artsy fartsy, but check it out - this one looks incredible!!! Might become a canvas wall hanger!!!

Family time. Hold on where's the big grey hairy one...

Ah there she, sorry he is. About time I got in one photo. Lovely shot!!! Thanks Ollie.

WOW!!!

Stunning!!!

Yep the festival I mentioned is Chinese New Year. And it's my year, year of the monkey. Now this is weird, my flower is Chrysanthemum and apparently I am - charming, smart, intelligent, adaptable, fast, witty, sociable - clearly I must not have been born in 1968 - Mum can we check the birth cert...

Favourite flower snap from today - this would adorn any Ikea nicely!!!

You have to have the family shot of the waterfall. Ollie would have been in this, but typical teenager he was on his phone - YET AGAIN SADLY. Girls and Jude, love it!

A small fern - all alone...

And the final one for today - Cloud Forest from below in The Secret Garden. Well done Singapore. This place, even after 10 previous visits, is still just incredible...

Friday, January 22, 2016

Happy Birthday Bai Bai

We have been very lucky to have Mary's sister with us for a few days holiday, all the way from Brunei - Bai Bai. And whilst here we had a wonderful meal and great fun for a great birthday dinner at No Signboard in Geylang and then cake when we go home.

Wonderful!!!

Now I came straight from work so only have photos of cake time, but lovely they are.

Happy Happy Birthday Sis.
It's so lovely to have you with us.