Annual SHSS Family Trip Part 3

Auntie H and the 2 younger kids had part 2 of their journey on Sunday morning. They were meeting Uncle C, who couldn’t join on Saturday bcos of work, to continue their trip to KL. They had a morning train to catch. Boo would be tagging with us for the rest of the day and we would send her home.

The rest of the aunties had agreed that we would be ready at 7am for 1st a kickboxing workout before Auntie R, who is a certified yoga trainer, would lead us through a one hour session. Only Auntie TL needed some encouragement. She was awoken by my persistent door knocking but disappeared. I thought she had gone back to bed. She did but didn’t want to disappoint us and managed to plug herself out from the bed to join us. I was so impressed.

I had fun with the workout. So rare to be working out with this bunch of ladies. We used to either run after kids or now just chill when we meet up. 

The yoga session was so good. Auntie R helped us with a lot of “opening” exercises - the hip, the shoulders, the back. 

The hubbies woke up shortly after we did but they weren’t at all interested to join us in the workout. They were happily talking about cars and bfast on the couch.

The plan was for the adults to head for tim sum bfast after the workout and then tabao back for the kids. The tim sum place that we found has really good reviews and therefore long Q. We realised that we were short of time and did a local bfast nearby instead. 

The kids were still in lala land. We had about an hour for the kids to get ready, pack up and check out by 11.30am. Auntie R and kids also had part 2; they were heading to Desaru by grab for another 3 days. The rest of us headed to Eco Palladium for Floor is Lava. The uncles decided that they would patiently wait while we run around like crazy in that tiny room. 

We had lunch after the 30 mins workout. The teenagers were famished given the little that we had tabao for bfast. Our next activity was Escape Game at 3.30pm. The teenagers were doing one mission. 

The adults went for a simpler one. Ours was also shorter as it was easier. At one point, the staff offered to provide us tips after he saw us struggling with the number lock for a long time via the cctv. The problem wasn’t bcos we couldn’t solve the puzzle; we cannot see the numbers on the lock properly. Lol. We were given many clues bcos our brain is rusty and eyes old flower. We did get out of the room alive. 

It was about 5pm when we were done and were contemplating lingering until dinner time. Auntie TL then reminded us that we can rest in her Airbnb. Her family is staying for another night near KSL. That was the perfect option. The hubbies snooze, so that they have energy to drive back later in the night. The aunties and teenagers play games. 

Dinner was at this Korean BBQ place nearby. Yum! We were constantly monitoring the customs during dinner. Auntie TL said that the traffic is usually light between 6pm to 8pm but picks up after that. I had thought that the traffic only lightens after 10pm. She was right. We left after dinner and were pleased to see almost no Q at the Malaysia custom. The Singapore side was equally smooth and we cleared both sides in less than 30 mins. Hooray! 

We came home to the Chis and they are well alive. Nana too! How are the Chis coming along? I will blog about it soon. 

Mummy Lim

Annual SHSS Family Trip Part 2

The checkin time was 3pm. Auntie R and H arrived 1st and managed to get themselves into the Airbnb. It was a big house and can sleep 18. Some of the rooms were tiny and the house was aged but we can’t complain for the price we paid. It was S$360ish for 1 night for all of us. 

Rooms were distributed and we settled down easily. 

The Airbnb comes with a mini pool, game machine, ktv, pool table, mahjong…. enough entertainment to burn a couple of hours. 

Dinner was really fun. Auntie TL ordered this lok lok trunk that comes to the Airbnb just for us. We had to do a minimum spent of RM388 and extras are chargeable. To eat RM388 is chicken feet. I constantly saw Daddy Lim and Zaky by the food truck and heard that they ate alot and beer too. 

After all the eating, the kids disappeared to their rooms. 

The adults were either ktv-ing or chit chatting. Daddy Lim decided to turn in early. Our room was right beside the big kids on the 2nd floor and I was surprised that he managed to sleep despite the occasional bouts of laughter from the teenagers’ room. 

Of course there was the all time late night favorite pastime. 

I went to bed at 12ish. I heard that the mahjong kakis were done at about 2am. The teenagers only gone to bed at 4ish. They were playing hide and seek and sardine in the middle of the night. 

Mummy Lim

Annual SHSS Family Trip Part 1

The last 2 March holidays, we were in Genting with some of the SHSS families. Genting is cooling and nice but there is only so much you can do in that tiny resort. The 6 hours one-way bus ride also didn’t help to make things more exciting. 

This March annual trip almost didnt take make it. I don’t mind planning and assisting with the trip logistics. What makes it difficult is when people cannot decide if they are committed or now. Then go or not go? Plan or not plan? Anyhow, once a committed group is confirmed, I was happy to do the planning. 

We are busy people, especially the teenagers and decided that we will do a short JB trip. We have a total of 5 families. Other than Auntie TL, the rest of us did a one-night trip. 

Auntie TL, J and us drove into JB early Saturday morning. Auntie R and H took the public bus with the kids. So brave. 

Bcos the media warned of heavy custom traffic, we decided that we would try to leave the house by 5am. We managed 5.15am. Nana had to back out of the trip bcos of a school canoeing event, that is prelude to her NSG. It is ok, she shall stay behind to look after the “Chis”. 

Auntie J set off 15 mins later and caught up with us at the custom Q. Yes! The Q already stretched a long way back when we arrived at about 5.45am. 

The traffic was crawling. Auntie TL joined the “fun” a further 15 mins later. Auntie J said that we looked like Mario Cart. Lol.

Auntie TL was losing; her cart didn’t even show up on the screen. Lol.

After a torturous hour of traffic crawl, we finally saw hope. 

We celebrated when we finally cleared the Singapore immigration. It was a short drive before the Malaysia custom and it was so much shorter than the Singapore side. We cleared that in less than 30 mins. The other 2 families made it through too. In fact, Auntie J’s family ended up ahead of us. That is the thing with immigration, it is about luck and choosing the right lane to Q. 

The 1st stop is the 24 hours massage place that we always frequent whenever we drive to JB at such unearthly hours.  I made a booking for 11 of us. The 2 boys ended up unplanned twinning! This is the dress code for all teenagers apparently.

My left foot started cramping on the way to the massage place and it is not a good sign. The massage place was also super cold, which is the perfect enhancer for feet cramps. My left foot and toes started cramping the moment the masseuse started on my left foot. More than half the time, I was trying to tolerate the cramp and pain. I finally had to ask to pause when my left calf seized up. I had hoped that the right foot would be better but it wasn’t. My right foot and toes also started cramping when the masseuse started. It reached a point that the masseuse asked me to relax. Not that I didn’t want to; my toes were all having their own mind, twisting in different directions. I was happy when the massage was done. 

I felt that the massage was normal like how it usually was. Auntie TL said that her masseuse was really bad. For me? This is just a way to burn the morning hours before the mall opens up. 

We were done at about 9am and the rest of the gang had arrived safely in Malaysia too. 

The original plan was to have tim sum bfast nearby the massage place. We decided to meet up with the rest and have bfast near to JBSC/ CIO instead. 

Yum yum! We occupied 4 different tables.

After bfast, we walked back to JBSC, intending to do some mall crawl and laser tag, only to realise that laser tag has moved to the nearby R&F mall. Auntie TL said that we will have to make one big detour by car and suggested that we walk over. 

We followed Google map or what we think Google map was saying. I then realised how big a group we were. 

We are like some school excursion or church camp. 

The sun was burning hot and Auntie TL decided to ask for directions. A man who was heading to CIO for the train to Singapore for work told us that there was a dangerous crossing ahead and recommended us to backtrack to CIO and take a longer way, from the other side of the CIO. He funnily became our “tour guide” and mentioned that he had helped steer many lost sheep to the right way. We all clapped when he finally led us to the correct sheltered walkway to the mall. 

It was a long walk to the mall but at least sheltered. We had made a reservation for 12.30pm. There was some time for a snack and only Daddy Lim was hungry enough to eat. 

Laser tag was super fun. The adults and kids had 2 games and the teenagers went on for a final 3rd game. 

We were all perspiring like crazy. It was a great workout.

The 1st game result. Who was the 1st? Zaky. I was the 2nd place.

The 3rd game and Zaky was the top again.

After laser tag, we finally stopped for proper lunch at a foodcourt. Then grocery shopping for snacks before finally taking grab, some directly to the airnbn, while others to their car. 

Mummy Lim