Singapore

Paul had a few days off work so we decided to go visiting somewhere. We were originally booked to go to Bangkok but that week before we were to fly was when the trouble started. It had the potential to get worse and we didn't want to get stuck there with the girls so we changed our plans and went to Singapore instead.

Just before heading to the airport

The view from our hotel room

I love going to Singapore. Maybe it's the shops, the greenery, the space, friends to catch up with, the food - I don't know but I do enjoy going. We had a great few days. Universal Studios has now opened up so we spent a day there and had a blast !! It was FANTASTIC !! The girls were even tall enough and BOTH of them experienced their first EVER roller-coaster ride. The first one we took them on looked alot tamer than what it actually was. Victoria just had a stunned look on her face for the entire ride - she was sitting beside me !! Afterwards, both of them were so excited and had really enjoyed it. So in the Jurassic Park area - Hannah was about 3cm too short for the water rapid ride probably a good thing as am sure Victoria would have wanted to go too !! - we took them on a hanging roller-coaster ride! Victoria was going WOOHOO the entire time - as was Hannah. I think that they take after me with enjoying the thrill rides !!

At the front of Universal Studios

The main Street

On the right is the double roller coaster. It wasn't working when we went - shame I would have gone on that !!

Meeting Puss in Boots from Shrek

The hanging roller coaster to the left of the Jurassic Park sign is what we took the girls on. They loved it.


Cooling down in the water park

Went to the Bird Park. It was a year ago since we were last year and what a difference a year makes. Both the girls were right into it and really enjoyed it. Hannah remembered and commented that she wouldn't be grumpy at the bird park like she was last time !

The Night Safari was the pick this time. And it was so much fun. There are 2 options to get around - catch the tram or walk. We caught the tram at the start and the girls were so excited to see the animals but weren't that keen to get off to go wandering. Towards the end of the ride we must have said something that got them excited so we went on a walk. It was so cool !! Walking through the zoo at night listening to the cicadas and the animals. We thought we'd go for a short one rather than go around the whole trails BUT they were loving it (and we took a few wrong turns) so we ended up walking around the entire safari. It really is somthing to see and do - hearing the hyenas calling, the tigers were right by the glass windows (asleep), the giraffes and zebras were not that far away. We were there longer than what I thought we would be - think we left after 10pm it opens at 7.30pm !! The girls were asleep within minutes of being in the taxi.

We also went on the Singapore Flyer - it's just like the London Eye ! Very impressive views !

Playing in Orchard Road

We thought that going to Singapore would help acclimtise as I was expecting it to be warmer when we got back. But no - it was down to 14 degrees - which is unusually cold for this time of year in HK. It's starting to get warmer now.

Easter

We had a fun Easter ! I do miss the Cadbury's marshmellow easter eggs - can't get anything like that here... oh well there's always next year.

The girls were quite excited about Easter - well Hannah more and Victoria just copied but there was great excitement. I'm guessing they talked abit about it at school - which added to the excitement. The Easter bunny paid a visit and left them clues for an easter egg hunt around the apartment - not quite the same as in a garden but it was a hunt all the same !! Victoria wasn't that sure of it to begin with but once she "found" an egg there was no holding her back !! There was no stopping Hannah either....

The clues from the Easter Bunny. Hannah made her easter bonnet at school

Finding the eggs.....

The end result...

It's a new month

April has begun and it's Easter break. Hannah has no school for 2 weeks - we have already survived one week !! I'm writing out clues for the easter egg hunt tomorrow and have just about got them done. Hannah's talking more about the Easter bunny (Victoria just copies her) so should be a fun day. Here are some snapshots of the week :

We went to Hong Kong Botannical Garden and Zoo. We had an adventure on the way as we hopped on the wrong mini-bus. We got there in the end.. Hannah hasn't let me forget that we got on the wrong bus though....

Dog Fashion in HK. Yes, the majority of dogs wear something like this. I've even seen a few with shoes on and hair clips in !! Honest.


Scooter racing on the Podium of our apartment block

Disneyland. What a difference a year makes. The first time we went Victoria didn't want to go anywhere NEAR the characters - now there's no stopping her !!!

Hong Kong 7s

I'm back. It's been awhile. Time really has just flown by.

Well, the party that is the HK 7s has been and gone. It happened over the weekend and what a great vibe, great atmosphere and some crazy costumes. Paul unfortunately had to change his days off as the race day was moved. This meant that he had to work both days of the weekend instead of having Sunday off. Oh well, we went Friday night instead. It was rather tame - in comparison to what Saturday and Sunday were like - but there is nothing quite like the South Stand at the Stadium.

Saturday morning we took the girls to the Village at the stadium for them to experience it. We'd stopped for our morning coffee at Starbucks on Leighton Rd and the girls managed to get a window seat - prime viewing for the sights that walked past. Causeway Bay was busier than usual so the girls were in the best seats. Hannah was just so funny with her comments with what people were wearing "Boys DON'T wear skirts or dresses". This comment was repeated quite a few times over the course of the morning !! The Village was directly opposite the stadium so we were out of the main thoroughfare but still close enough for the vibe. The training field was directly beside the village so we were able to see some of the teams warm up - not the NZ team unfortunately.

Our apartment block backs onto the stadium so we could hear the party that was happening. When there was a loud cheer it was normally for either the Hong Kong team or the team that the crowd considered to be the underdog. If I leaned out our bathroom window far enough I could see the South Stand or the back of it under the big screen.

Our apartment from the stadium. We're the 3rd building from the right.


Russia vs Argentina

The North Stand


The South Stand

The women's final - Australia vs China

Leighton Rd, Causeway Bay - the view from Starbucks

The Samoan team warming up

The South stand taken from leaning out our bathroom window.

Behind the times.....

I knew I hadn't updated anything for a while but not since Dec - that's insane !! So much has happened between then and now - Christmas, Vietnam, the apartment rennovations are now complete and a trip back home. I have lots to catch up on. The big thing that we've got going at the moment is trying to stay warm - it's been freezing since we got back to HK on Tues. But the weather forecast for the next week shows that it's warming up - that's VERY exciting news to us. I'm not sure what I'll start with first so watch this space.....

Hannah's Christmas Concert

Hannah had her school Christmas concert today. It was such fun and all the children did so well. They all sang really loudly - I'm sure the thought of getting some candy helped (wink) - and did a great job. Her class Barn Owls joined with another class Hedgehogs for the concert. Barn Owls are the children sitting on the ground in the front. I did snap a short video of the concert but it didn't turn out so well so the photos will just have to suffice. They had a colour theme of white, red and/or green. As you imagine most items of clothing for Hannah are NOT those colours but she does have a white dress (I realise not the most practical thing but it was so cute I couldn't resist) and paired up with red tights did the trick.

What was so sweet after the concert - they all got a lolly and Hannah came out with one for Victoria. That must have been her reward for sitting still and quiet all through it....

Arriving to begin the concert

Hannah with her friends - Isidora in front and Cirrus behind her


Getting ready for Jingle Bells

Couldn't get the group shot so there are two....

Show's over...