The prospect of cooler temperatures, tall pine trees, red spotted newts, blooming hydrangea, sandboxes and cheaper everything is too much for the Aldous Adventurers to handle. Missing our beloved family, friends, Market Basket (we certainly hope the current situation is resolved soon), station wagon and cozy “red house” in the woods is killing us! To keep our mind off of New England (and our impending 21 hour plane and 6 hour layover) we have attempted to stay busy, busy, busy.

Highlights:

Mama and the children hit up Sentosa Beach and the Port of Lost Wonder.

 

Michael’s  generous colleagues sent him home with a bag of mangoes and of mangosteen (shown below). This delicious fruit is dubbed the Queen of Fruits. Once you crack the skin, and peel back the brightly colored flesh, you find very  melt- in- your- mouth, deliciousness.

To keep little minds occupied (and out of air conditioning) we  bid adieu to our friends at the Singapore Zoo. Some of favorites this time around . . .

 

We walked along Boat Quay and Clarke Quay one final time. We enjoyed fish briyani and prata with sugar on Circular Road. We completed the afternoon with a Singaporean ice cream sandwich. Kids had peppermint. Mama and Daddy had durian!

  

Although warned by the locals to save our SGD and skip this one tourist attraction, we threw caution to the wind and boarded the Singapore Flyer. It was a little dull, as expected, but we timed it right and were able to watch National Day practice parades and fireworks – bonus!

      

 

Monday was a public holiday in honor of Hari Raya. As folks celebrating were feasting with family, we escaped the heat at yet another indoor playground … this one was complete with glow mini-golf. Our first time golfing as a family proved exciting and competitive. Maggie Lou’s short game is pretty good – she managed to get two hole in ones!

   

Here is a picture of the LIU team’s send-off. We are very thankful for all of the thoughtful parting gifts – LIU you will me missed! Check out our new batik sundress & shirt.

                    

And finally, we spent our final evening with good friends and good food. We look forward to more adventures with our CDP friends!

 

As we we wait to start our journey back home we  find ourselves conflicted about leaving the Lion City. We are saddened and excited. The Aldous Advnenturers are so grateful for this opportunity – and Mama and Daddy are hopeful about the positive impact this experience may have on the children’s developing outlook on the world, adventure and the idea of “other.” Although the children are over the moon excited to go home, they intermittently ask about where we are going next. Only time will tell!

Until next time …

再見/再见 Singapore!