Week 6 Highlights:
Michael’s colleagues at Liberty International Underwriters have been giving him a wonderful introduction to the food of Singapore. Each day he tells stories of where and what he has eaten. This past week he was formally introduced to Peranakan food (Peranakan= descendents of Chinese immigrants in the 15-17th centuries to areas such as Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore that have created and subsequently maintained a distinct and rich culture). Thank you, everyone, for the leftovers!
Lunch at Glory
Rumah Bebe – a store full of of Peranakan heritage gifts and food. Beautiful hand beaded shoes and gorgeous porcelain pieces.
We enjoyed Peranakan food on Tuesday night at The Blue Ginger, where we dined with a wonderful family (Colin & Aileen) who will be joining the Liberty Corporate Development Program and rotating through Boston starting in February. Colin and his wife are both from Singapore and they have a two year old son, Andrew. Our plans are to teach each other about Singapore and Boston, respectively. Jack and Andrew were fast friends – and the food was not only interesting, but scrumptious.
Silly Boys
Ayam Buah Keluak made with the Buah Keluak Nut. Fact: the nut is poisonous and has to be thoroughly washed, boiled and buried in volcanic ash with banana leaves for 40 days before you can eat it. You scrape the inside of the nuts to get the meat that (to Mama, anyway) tasted like a dark chocolate. We both enjoyed it.
Durian Chendol
Mama will do an entire post on the Durian aka King of Fruits soon. So pungent, durians, are not allowed on the subway (for real) and when in 50 feet of one, our children plug their noses. This dessert had durian puree (durian lite) on top of shaved ice with coconut milk, green jelly noodles, and red beans. The jury is out.
Everyone was looking forward to our Friday night ” beer and scoot” only to be turned off by the dreaded “haze.” Just as work was letting out for the weekend, the PSI was climbing to “moderate” status, meaning it was okay to stay outside, but that the smoke (from open burning for agricultural purposes/ slash and burn farming) coming from surrounding regions was covering parts of the city, leaving our throats scratchy. One beer later (approximately 175 scoots back and forth in front of our favorite watering hole) we headed indoors, take-out food in hand. Thankfully, the haze cleared out on Saturday. Only to come back later . . .
Haze
Friday Night Scoot
Friday Night Beer
Over the weekend we visited the National Museum of Singapore. We enjoyed the exhibits on the Botanic Gardens (which we’ve yet to visit), local food (surprise), photography in Singapore and fashion. The kids were especially taken with an exhibit on local pop-rock music from the 60s … we had to drag Jack away from music by The Straydogs, The Thunderbirds and Naomi & the Boys.
Part of the Garden Exhibit ML said, “G-Dad would like this!”
Cafe culture is alive and well in S’pore.
Grooving to the beat.
Check out Jack’s new favorite band the Straydogs.
After the museum we ventured through Fort Canning Park. We had fun exploring the “secret passage ways” and playing in the massive trees.
Kate (played by ML), Jack (played by Jack) and John Locke (played by Michael) are contemplating their escape from the island.
We headed to the East Coast for a family date night dinner at Zaffron Kitchen. It had come highly recommended and boasts many accolades, but when we arrived we were the only ones there … forgetting that Singaporeans “sup” later than we’re used to, it didn’t take long for the restaurant to FILL up with families. In addition to having mouth watering, perfectly textured Indian food, they have a children’s indoor play space. Nothing like the smell of garam masala and the joyful screams of children who’ve consumed freshly made naan!
Family Date Night
Hmmm…Mama could eat this EVERYDAY. Best Indian food to date.
Indoor Play Space
Sunday we concluded (hallelujah) our “park hopper” pass by visiting the Jurong Bird Park. This beautifully laid out jungle walk housed beautiful, bright birds. Maggie Lou and I each expressed a little regret about not being home to welcome our backyard feathered friends return from down south, but we travelled on, in awe of flamingos, birds of paradise, macaws, raptors and mama’s favorites, the kingfishers. We took in a bird show, sweated through our clothes and enjoyed our last park!
Lastly, the family has decided that Jack would greatly benefit from nursery school. It seems all the kids his age are in school. He’ll start on March 25th, 3 days a week. He is very excited to make friends and play with new toys. Mama is nervous (what is she going to do all by herself?!?), but she’s sure she’ll manage
Mode of transportation to school: Double Decker Public Bus!
WhiteLodge
Everyday, before entering the classroom, the children’s temperatures are taken and they are slathered in hand sanitizer.
Random pics throughout the week.
Jack in action. ML gets photo credit.
Dress like your favorite book character day at school!
Maggie Lou
Laksa – another Singapore signature dish: coconut based curry soup with bean curd puffs, fish, shrimp, sambal chili paste and vietnamese coriander. De-lish!
A Mirage
After a long, hot walk home from the park I asked Jack what he missed about home. Wiping the sweat away from his face he said, “your Volvo.”
Mee Chiang Kueh aka pancakes (one is wrapped around a peanut butter type spread and the other is filled with a custard). Two thumbs down from the Aldous kids.
Digging the Red Mango in our basement!
A package from New Hampshire – magically delicious! Let the sugar high begin. Thank you Grammy & Grampy:)
Shark sighting at Marina Bay … ahhhh!!!!!
Aldous Family Adventures 