Jurong Bird Park etc

We visited Jurong Bird park yesterday. It is a huge park with thousands of beautiful birds. We all loved looking at all the varieties and colours. We watched two shows while we were there and Hailey and Ben really enjoyed seeing the huge birds swoop over our heads.

At the birds of prey show, they asked for a volunteer, so I put up my hand and they chose me! I got taken out the back, gloved up, then got to hold a Eagle Owl named Rocky. I had to then come out and introduce him to the audience. It was fantastic being so close to such beautiful birds. Great experience! At another show, there was a stage full of Pink Flamingo's.

Two Macaw's playing basketball.

The view out one side of our hotel window. Typical of an afternoon, it is about to storm. There are several shopping centres around us and there are housing units in the distance.

I managed to find a dog show that was on while we were here. It was on the opposite side of the island to where we were and it was a very small show but it was great to see how they do dogs in Singapore. Hailey was very keen to pat a dog so we found a beautiful young German Shepherd that enjoyed having the attention of the kids. A common view in singapore. It seems that the majority of the population live in these unit complexes. They are everywhere.


This photo shows how Ben doesnt quite fit into his cot. When he lays straight, his little feet hang out the end but he doesnt mind.

Our local shopping centre has a whole level dedicated to kids stuff. There is a dance studio there so we are taking Hailey to a few dance classes while we are here. She loves it and has so much fun!!!

Here is Hailey ready for the pool. We go swimming quite often in the afternoons.

I am really enjoying the service here at the hotel.

Our room gets serviced every morning where they clean and tidy everything. They come again in the afternoon just to check if we need anything further.

We get bottled water supplied every morning and the fruit man comes around and fills up our fruit bowl.

About 7pm, there is a gentle knock on the door to ask if we would like our bed sheets pulled down ready for bed. (this one makes me laugh, as lovely as it is, I always decline).

Whenever we walk out of our room, the attendant on the level say hello.

We are always greeted in the lobby and doors opened for us. They are so keen to help!

They are all such lovely, polite people and love children.

Ben fell ill.

Our poor Ben started vomiting alot on Sunday and couldnt stop so he got admitted to the childrens hospital in Singapore. He was very sick and weak and was diagnosed with severe viral gastroenteritis. Here is our precious boy on the first night. He is all hollow and ribby : ( and has a drip in his arm. It is attached to a pad to stop him pulling it out.

Day 2. He stopped vomiting so much so could wear the hospital pj's. Still very weak and sleeping all day.
Day 3 he was feeling much better and even started playing although still weak.
Here is the gorgeous Adel from the bed next to us. He was sitting in a coffee shop with his Mum when someone walking by spilt their coffee over him. He ended up with 3rd degree burns and needed skin grafts. Poor child and his poor Mum!! I spent alot of time chatting with his Mum and she taught me alot about Singapore and the customs. We are going to catch up before we leave.

This is a lovely boy Aqil who was in the same room. He had an injury from playing football and loved to make Ben laugh. Hailey and Aqil played together really well too. Helped them pass the time.
Ben was happy to see his big sis again although he got over excited and started using the drip support pad as a weapon ha ha ha!!

Hailey was such a good girl and played for a long time by herself at the hospital.

Whilst waiting at the Dr's Hailey asked a lady why she had a spot on her head. The lady very kindly explained what it was and why and even gave hailey a dot. Hailey was very pleased with herself!





Ben is still weak and sleepy but starting to eat again.
We have given him a stern talking to and he is never to be ill again or scare his Mum and Dad in any way!!

Little india

Today we went away from the modern Singapore and walked through Little India. It is as if we were stepping into India. Its an older area where many people from india live. The spices and incense is heavy in the air and there are many markets and temples. Very interesting place.
Here is one of the markets with lots of fresh flowers.


The inside of a temple. Some of the temples are amazing with the work that has gone into creating them. Hailey and I had a Henna tattoo done by a clever Indian woman in the markets. They also did one on Bens leg although he wasnt all that thrilled by it.

The finished product. It stays for about 10 days then gradually fades off.

We couldnt resist and bought Hailey a beautiful Indian dress. It is very pretty with lots of beading and sequins.

Today we went on a Duck tour. Its an old Vietnam war vehicle that drives on land and in water. We did a tour of the city then splashed into the water for a tour around Marina Bay. It was really good and we saw lots of sights.

Here is Singapore's famous Merlion. Half lion, half fish.

Here is the Esplanade theatre that Shane is working at, playing in the musical Chicago. Towering in the background is the largest hotel in SE Asia.

This is a fascinating piece of architecture being built. It is Singapore's first ever casino. The three pillars are hotel rooms and on top is a boat like structure. It has several hectares of sky gardens up there and a golf course. You can see all the palm trees in the photo. It is HUGE and is costing 5.5 billion to build.

Just a pic to show Ben wearing his slippers. Its so nice that the hotel provides child slippers as well!

We are having an amazing time and really enjoying being treated like royalty in this hotel and exploring the neighbourhood!!

Singapore!! 12th April 2010

The huge A380 plane we flew to Singapore in. It is so much bigger than the little Virgin planes we are used to. Its been in the air for only 2 years. Very nice!

Shane and Hailey in the plane all excited about take off!

Ben and me in our seats.

Looking out the window to the huge wing. So amazing being above the clouds. Hailey was quite fascinated by the clouds being below us.

After a small protest, our good little boy fell asleep in the tiny cot provided. He was too big but managed to sleep with his knees bent up.

We had alot of leg room so Hailey was able to spread out and play with some of her toys on the floor.

Our lovely hotel room. Here is our Kingsized bed, with Ben's little cot on the other side. He only just fits in the cot.
Showing Hailey's bed with Shane in the armchair in the corner.

The TV and desk. Excuse the mess, but we were still unpacking!

Our spacious, luxurious bathroom.

Hailey and Ben enjoying their first home cooked meal courtesy of my new little cooker I bought.

In March, Paul, Leeanne, Sarah and Tim came down from Brisbane for a visit. It was great to see them and we had a really fun weekend together. Hailey and Ben loved getting to know their cousins!

Ben wouldnt participate in a cousin group photo so here are two funny photos where we were trying!

Ben did swimming lessons every Monday morning for all of term 1. Here is Ben and I before the class.

In the water. He would madly splash around and have so much fun.

This is how Hailey came home from Kinder on the last day before Easter. They had so much fun making ears and egg baskets and she even had her face painted!

Sally is currently in Australia for 6 months from Chile and we were very lucky to have her and Edward come down and stay with us for 3 nights. We had a fun few days!

Here is Hailey with our little girl budgie. She loves her!!



Hailey reading to Ben before bed. They love books and Ben will snuggle up close to Hailey to hear the story.