Note: Mama is  writing this pool side and really hoping the skies don’t decide to open up. It’s been a whole entire month without ANY, not even one drop, of precipitation.  Jack is frolicking in the children’s pool – singing the Frozen soundtrack at the top of his lungs. The International Jazz Festival kicked off across the street today so no one can hear him above the sultry tunes. Mama is hoping to get some color on her pasty legs!

This week was again, full of adventure. On Friday we were surprised with a package from Michael’s previous department at Liberty Mutual. Great t-shirts to outfit the family, moose mugs, pancake mix and our much missed maple syrup. Thank you Bruce and the Life Company!

We started the weekend at the River Safari – the park was  “comme ci, comme ca” as Maggie Lou would say (she’s digging her French classes). The giant pandas were neat to see in person, but the standout was walking through a forest of squirrel monkeys. These cheeky little monkeys were trying to get into women’s purses! It was unreal.

The children liked the zoo, but they really wanted to get back home to use their new scooters. THANK GOODNESS for scooters. Jack’s dislike of walking was wreaking havoc on mama’s back … these scooters have done wonders for morale, back pain and Jack’s fun factor. Another byproduct of the scooters:  because our front yard is Marina Bay, mama and daddy can sit out at the cafes while Maggie Lou and Jack scoot back and forth – everyone wins!

The scooters have opened up new doors. Hours of exploring the Gardens by the Bay (which we had checked out our first weekend) are now possible. Jack and mama spent most of Monday checking it all out – and learning our way around the extensive gardens.

We are continuing our eating adventures. We have had a little lapse and have enjoyed some “western food” but that’s okay. We’re preparing ourselves for barbequed sting ray, more fishballs, minced meat noodle and pigs feet.

Here are a couple of shots of things you don’t see in New Hampshire!

Lastly, on Wednesday, the kiddos and mama adventured to the Gardens again to check out the non-water playground … it is the best.playground.ever! The pictures do not do it justice. The whole time Maggie Lou said, “man, Nathan would like this” referring to her friend back home. There are tons of climbing features and a modern day, safe merry go round, many slides and beautiful arched plants making tunnels to run through.

We have definitely gotten to know more of the city this week – the bustling streets of Little India, the never ending stalls of knick knacks in Chinatown and the miles and miles of malls stretching out through all of central Singapore. So many handbags, so little time;)

This week’s highlight was the Night Safari – a zoo for nocturnal animals open from 7:30pm-midnight. Although a little creepy at times, it was AMAZING. From the super cute mouse deer (yes, do google them) to the howling Indian wolf – the zoo was cooler than any of us expected. There is no glass and no real visible fencing making it unique. We were convinced the hyenas were going to come after us. The best part was doing the Mangrove Walk – similar to a butterfly exhibit where butterflies are free to fly and land anywhere,  harmless yet large (1-2 feet long) bats were flying around and hanging no more than inches from us. The Aldous adventurers were VERY brave, indeed. We didn’t take pictures of the animals for fear it would frighten them, and subsequently us … but I assure you, if in Singapore, don’t miss this!

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Another Singapore signature dish … char kway teow.  Maxwell Food Centre.

Jack and Mama caught some of the Extreme Sailing series.

By popular demand, here are the “upgrades” we’ve made to 18 Marina Boulevard.

 

 

 

It is hard to believe we have been here two weeks … all those who said it would fly by are right on the money! This week we worked on setting work/school routines and mastering the subway. Both goals were achieved with ease. Now we can start really exploring and having fun!

A few funny highlights from the week:

1. Maggie Lou started referring to Jack as John.

2.  Jack has decided to “therapod” all over the city (look for the two fingered poses in his pictures).

3. Maggie Lou has started to speak with an Indian English accent, just like her teacher.

4. McDonald’s exists in Singapore despite what I told Jack.  (And yes, chicken nuggets taste the same here … sigh).

5. Michael and I spent $333.00 on one crab … by accident. Confused by the menu, metric system (i know, i know) and the waiter’s instructions we fell into a tourist trap. We’ve gotten over the initial shock and can chuckle about it now. To help make up some of the expense we’ve eaten ramen (at least we’re in Asia) in the apartment for the past three nights! Making memories, right?!

Now a photo week in review . . .

More Gardens.

And more gardens . . .

The $333.00 crab! At least it’s a cute picture:)

           Devouring our meal … chili crab. The locals are savvy to the ang moh’s (white person)                     propensity for mess. We were given full body aprons and lemon infused tea for handwashing.

Chili crab.

t-rex!!!

We are so grateful to be here during the Chinese New Year. The decorations, the food, the jovial atmosphere have made it quite the scene. While we’ve learned about some of the customs, we are still just figuring others out.  Enjoy!

Entrance to CNY celebrations at the Promenade

Maggie Lou at the Lion Dance

This week Maggie Lou started at the Canadian International School in Tanjong Katong. The school is very different from Mast Way (our local school) —  open campus, nursery-6th grade, children from 65 different countries . . .

She was so brave her first day and, of course, couldn’t wait to go back!

We’ve managed to hang in there and survive our first week. Despite countless technological snafu’s, jet lagged children and the sticker shock that comes with just about everything over here, we’re doing okay!