Day 3
We woke up at about 7.30am. The other family experienced picking freshly laid eggs while the Lim Family slept thru' that. ;p We had cereal for breakfast. Us, being Singaporeans were super shy. Only Daddy Lim asked for bacon and eggs when Tim offered and I asked for toast. The rest said that they will just have cereal but ate my toast when Susannah served. -.o"
We then spend some time roaming around, took some pix and got ready to take the car back to the meet-up point. Again, Lil Shauna wasnt too cooperative during the car ride, but was better bcos I took lots of biscuits from Tim's cookie jar. Hohoho. Clever mummy. Actually, Lil Shauna prefers the wagon to the car seat 100x. Too bad, babies are meant to be in car seat.
It was another long ride from the meet-up point to some animal park where we get to meet the kangaroos, koala bears, Tasmania devil and wombat. I was so surprised to see kangaroos roaming in the park and was even more surprised to learn that kangaroos are very gentle animals. They are vegetarians and they do not bite. The kangaroos behave like dogs when you give them a good rub and they are exactly like Australians. They basically lie in the sun and relax. Hohoho. But bcos the kangaroos roam freely, there were kangaroos' shit everywhere and there were so much of them everywhere.
We fed the kangaroos. Lil Shauna tried too but ended up spilling most of the feeds onto the floor. Their feeds are a mixed of corn nibbles and dunno-what and are pebble hard. Lil Shauna loves the kangaroos. She's not at all afraid of them but the contrary is true. At one point, she tried to sayang a kangaroo who was lazing around and she disturbed the kangaroo so much that the kangaroo had to escape and hop away. Poor kangaroo.
Lil Shauna wasnt at all well-behaved at the animal park. She was very much fascinated by the kangaroos and refused to move on. She kept insisting to feed the kangaroos and struggled so much when we had to drag her off. Then, she was leaking green mucus non-stop and refused to let us wipe away her mucus. On top of that, she attempted to pick up the kangaroo shit. -.o" So, it was throwing tantrums, crying and throwing tantrum. Bad, bad, bad. I only got too see the kangaroos and nothing else. Oh, and the lazy koala bears too. We only took 2 pix with the bear and had to go entertain Lil Shauna and stopped her from whacking the kangaroos. Boohoo.
We headed to the hotel to put our bags but left for Philip Island shortly to see the tiny penguins returning home from sea. It was a 2 hours' bus ride and I was so glad that Lil Shauna fell asleep on the way. We went to see seals before the penguins but we caught sight of none, just many, many sea gulls. The entire slope was filled with them (they are the little white specks in the right pix below). I was surprised again to find that sea gulls are really fierce birds. They were fighting most of the time.
Then, it was to see the penguins. This particular species is the smallest in the world. They will go out to the sea to hunt for food in the day and only return to their barrow on land after sunset to avoid predators. They actually walked across the beach to their barrows on land. We sit at some platform to watch the penguins and it was really cold, maybe about 12 degrees?
Penguins are very timid and they travel in groups. It takes a brave soul to exit the water and the rest will follow. The moment one of them decides to turn back, the whole lot will follow and they will all flip flop back into the sea. The attempt to go home will then start again. Bcos it is the penguins' natural habitat, no photography was allowed for fear of disturbing the penguins. Photography was only allowed at the exhibition center and Daddy Lim got this pic of a baby penguin. Baby penguins are grey and furry. They are the same or bigger size than the adults. They basically sleep and wait for their parents to bring back the food. Good life.
Penguins are very timid and they travel in groups. It takes a brave soul to exit the water and the rest will follow. The moment one of them decides to turn back, the whole lot will follow and they will all flip flop back into the sea. The attempt to go home will then start again. Bcos it is the penguins' natural habitat, no photography was allowed for fear of disturbing the penguins. Photography was only allowed at the exhibition center and Daddy Lim got this pic of a baby penguin. Baby penguins are grey and furry. They are the same or bigger size than the adults. They basically sleep and wait for their parents to bring back the food. Good life.
By the time we were done with penguin watching, it was already 9.30pm and we took another 2 hour ride to get back to the hotel. Lil Shauna fell asleep soon after we boarded and bus. Heng ah. After reaching the hotel and putting the sleeping baby to bed, Daddy Lim and I went for supper at MacDonalds. It was our 1st quiet moment since the trip.
Day 4
Day 4
We went to the Strawberry park to pick strawberries. We were each given a container. Nainai was thrilled and she was so busy picking strawberries. The strawberries picked can also be eaten immediately too. Daddy Lim and I were more busy trying to run after the baby and to stop her from playing with the soil. But we all enjoyed eating the just-picked strawberries. They were very sweet and juicy.
Nainai had wanted to bring the strawberries home but they spoil really easily. Moreover, we have no space in our luggages left and had to leave the strawberries behind. We actually had 2 whole boxes left wor. So wasted.
Then, it was to some flower park to have lunch + look at flowers. The park actually come with a maze. We all tried the maze and it was very interesting. The walkway in the maze was super narrow, definitely not for fat people. Lil Shauna was needing her nap badly and fussed non-stop. She finally buay tahan and fell asleep and was still asleep when we were at the maze. I slinged her and she woke up shortly bcos the twigs kept brushing her legs. The walkway was that narrow... or maybe bcos I am fat. -_____-"
Then, it was to some flower park to have lunch + look at flowers. The park actually come with a maze. We all tried the maze and it was very interesting. The walkway in the maze was super narrow, definitely not for fat people. Lil Shauna was needing her nap badly and fussed non-stop. She finally buay tahan and fell asleep and was still asleep when we were at the maze. I slinged her and she woke up shortly bcos the twigs kept brushing her legs. The walkway was that narrow... or maybe bcos I am fat. -_____-"
Finally, it was back to the hotel. It was only 6pm and we headed to the Chinatown for dinner. Chinatown was about 15 mins walk from our hotel and there was many, many shops on the way and in Chinatown itself. We picked and finally chose some Chinese restuarat to have our dinner. We expected the servings to be small but ended up getting shock at the portion. We wasted so much food. -.o"Then, it was more shopping before heading back for bed. Again, after the baby slept, we went to take a little walk. Stupid me tot too highly of myself and ventured out in my jacket and shorts. It was freezing cold when the wind blows that I had to hide. It was so bad that we didnt venture far and had to turn back.
Day 5It was a free & easy day. We didnt really do our homework on where to go. I heard S saying that there are some factory outlets and I had wanted to go. But it was pretty far away and Daddy lim wasnt keen. He tried to persuade me by telling me that the tour guide said that it is a small outlet, so dun bother. Since it wun be easy to shop with a baby, I agreed lor.
We ended up at the Queen Victoria market in the morning. It is like our wet market in Singapore but a very big one. The meat and fish and seafood looked so fresh. Other than that, the market sells all sort of cheese, vegetables & fruits and Australian food stuff. We took a tram to the market.
Right behind the market are stalls similar to our pasar malam. Nainai had a good time shopping at the stalls. The stalls sell souvenirs to clothes to toys and even chickens. Interesting.
Then, we returned to our hotel and it was shopping and more shopping at the vicinity. We didnt ventured far after that but kept walking the same places and not spending much time at each shop bcos of the baby. Whenever one person shops, the other 2 had to look after the baby. The arrangement worked out quite alright.
At night, after tucking the baby to bed, I had wanted to visit the casino nearby with Daddy Lim but we were too lazy and dropped the idea. Again, we went for a walk but headed back shortly. Bcos it was Friday night, the streets were busy even late at night. I actually felt that it was dangerous walking on the streets. Daddy Lim felt the same way too. Singapore is still the best. Hehe.
Day 6It was finally time to go home. We had a good breakfast. Lil Shauna had been feeding herself most of the meals during the trip and she grew quite good at it. Of course, food will still fly everywhere. When she's too gan cheong and couldnt get the food, her hand will go into her bowl or the entire bowl will end up on her face while she attempted to pour the food into her mouth.
We did some last minute packing and had to check out at 10am, unlike Singapore's hotels. Then, it was again aimless walking, last minute shopping before we head off to the airport at 2pm.
As usual, we arrived at the airport 2 hours before the departure time and spent the hours chasing the baby inside the airport. Fortunately, the airport was very spacous and Lil Shauna had alot of space to run, which made her happy. We had decided to delay boarding so as to minimise the time that we had to "contain" Lil Shauna to the seat. So we continued to run around the airport while a long human snake formed at the gate for boarding.
We are well-trained Singaporeans and Singaporeans must queue. Both Daddy Lim and I agreed that it was terrible to see everybody queuing but just not us. We felt so insecure, as if the plane will fly off without us bcos we didnt queue with the rest of the people. Nainai was anxious too. Several times, we see her carrying the bags and walking about. We had to ask her to wait repeatedly.
We joined the queue when we could no longer contain the butterfly in our tummy and boarded the plane. Daddy Lim sat with me but nainai had to sit alone agaian. We had prepared lots of toys for Lil Shauna but she was still not very happie and was fussing badly. Maybe she was tired but I was trying to delay her from sleeping bcos Singapore is 3 hours behind Melbourne. The last thing that we want is to have a baby waking up at 2am Singapore time and demand play. But she was fussing too much and I finally gave in. The princess slept and there was peace. :)
She woke up 2+hrs later and was an angel, probably bcos she was half awake. She spent the remaining flight behaving like an angel too. Thank God. We touched down Singapore at 9.30pm (Singapore time) and Lil Shauna fell asleep again in the cab, on the way home. She totally didnt suffer from jet lag but I did. I was so tired on Sunday when the baby was full of energy. Hohoho.
ConclusionThe trip was of course not as wonderful as I expected. But it is good enuff on the consideration that we have a 18 months old baby. For some reasons, Lil Shauna was super sticky to me during the trip. She refused to let Daddy Lim or nainai carry her. They cannot even hold her hand when she walks. Daddy Lim tried but wasnt of the most help. Nainai is not used to taking care of Lil Shauna too and is at a loss when Lil Shauna throws tantrums. Nainai finally gets to see Lil Shauna's true color.
At certain point when the baby is not cooperative and my paitence runs thin, I had to control myself from snapping at nainai who adds on to the irritation at times. Hohoho. It is not that she's bad. She's just like any mother who sometimes makes inapproprate remarks or nags a little too much. Just that if she is my mum, I would have snapped long ago but had to contain myself in nainai's presence when I am already almost driven crazy by the baby.
Both Daddy Lim and I agreed that we will probably not go for another trip with nainai unless Daddy Lim's bro and gf come along. No, no. It is not bcos we are angry with her but I tot that it will be better for her too. Our attention is mostly on the baby and we do not have the extra time or enegry to spend on her or explain things to her. If Daddy Lim's bro & gf come along the next trip, then she will have more company while we focus on the baby.
Well, we did enjoy ourselves and we spent a lot of time with the baby. Daddy Lim is put off by the flight though. He said that we will not go overseas again until Lil Shauna is 5 years old. -.o" Where got like that one? Hmm... where should we go next? Hohoho.
Mummy Lim
As usual, we arrived at the airport 2 hours before the departure time and spent the hours chasing the baby inside the airport. Fortunately, the airport was very spacous and Lil Shauna had alot of space to run, which made her happy. We had decided to delay boarding so as to minimise the time that we had to "contain" Lil Shauna to the seat. So we continued to run around the airport while a long human snake formed at the gate for boarding.
We are well-trained Singaporeans and Singaporeans must queue. Both Daddy Lim and I agreed that it was terrible to see everybody queuing but just not us. We felt so insecure, as if the plane will fly off without us bcos we didnt queue with the rest of the people. Nainai was anxious too. Several times, we see her carrying the bags and walking about. We had to ask her to wait repeatedly.
We joined the queue when we could no longer contain the butterfly in our tummy and boarded the plane. Daddy Lim sat with me but nainai had to sit alone agaian. We had prepared lots of toys for Lil Shauna but she was still not very happie and was fussing badly. Maybe she was tired but I was trying to delay her from sleeping bcos Singapore is 3 hours behind Melbourne. The last thing that we want is to have a baby waking up at 2am Singapore time and demand play. But she was fussing too much and I finally gave in. The princess slept and there was peace. :)
She woke up 2+hrs later and was an angel, probably bcos she was half awake. She spent the remaining flight behaving like an angel too. Thank God. We touched down Singapore at 9.30pm (Singapore time) and Lil Shauna fell asleep again in the cab, on the way home. She totally didnt suffer from jet lag but I did. I was so tired on Sunday when the baby was full of energy. Hohoho.
ConclusionThe trip was of course not as wonderful as I expected. But it is good enuff on the consideration that we have a 18 months old baby. For some reasons, Lil Shauna was super sticky to me during the trip. She refused to let Daddy Lim or nainai carry her. They cannot even hold her hand when she walks. Daddy Lim tried but wasnt of the most help. Nainai is not used to taking care of Lil Shauna too and is at a loss when Lil Shauna throws tantrums. Nainai finally gets to see Lil Shauna's true color.
At certain point when the baby is not cooperative and my paitence runs thin, I had to control myself from snapping at nainai who adds on to the irritation at times. Hohoho. It is not that she's bad. She's just like any mother who sometimes makes inapproprate remarks or nags a little too much. Just that if she is my mum, I would have snapped long ago but had to contain myself in nainai's presence when I am already almost driven crazy by the baby.
Both Daddy Lim and I agreed that we will probably not go for another trip with nainai unless Daddy Lim's bro and gf come along. No, no. It is not bcos we are angry with her but I tot that it will be better for her too. Our attention is mostly on the baby and we do not have the extra time or enegry to spend on her or explain things to her. If Daddy Lim's bro & gf come along the next trip, then she will have more company while we focus on the baby.
Well, we did enjoy ourselves and we spent a lot of time with the baby. Daddy Lim is put off by the flight though. He said that we will not go overseas again until Lil Shauna is 5 years old. -.o" Where got like that one? Hmm... where should we go next? Hohoho.
Mummy Lim
Strange hor. So different from our see-saw.
There was nothing much to do. We went to chase some chickens, feed the only horse in the farm before deciding that we all need a nap. The sheep were too far away. They were roaming in the fields and went away whenever we approached. -_____-"
It was basically bed time after dinner. These Aussies are really relaxed people. We spent the next couple of hours entertaining the baby and we are once again so thankful for the flu medicine. Hohoho. But she was really sick lah. Her little nose was leaking green mucus. Yucks!
And our visas are approved too! I was so worried that the visas