Singapore. Day 8

It’s Christmas Eve and we’re swimming!

Surprise, surprise. Jo caught a lizard.

We baked American style treats for the Christmas party this evening. We biked to the MRT, dropped off evening clothes at Grandpa & Grandma’s office, and headed to Chinatown.

We needed to change money (in mall #11), but the money changer didn’t want our USDollars because they were “too old”. We’ll try again at another one tomorrow. While Scott tried to change money, I was standing in front of the shop next door where I was greeted by a worker who told me she could fix my face. I was only slightly offended. I asked what she wanted to fix and she said she could remove my freckles. And then proceeded to point out things she could do to 2 of my children. Thankfully, Scott was ready to move on and we left. Outside, we observed Chinese style roofs and lots of stalls of touristy stuff for sale. We had drinks at a Thai restaurant where I used my Thai “hellos” and “thank yous” that I pulled from the back of my memory from a trip 15 years ago.

 Ky got a henna tattoo.

 

Then we visited the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. They were having a special ceremony while we were there. Music played and a family had brought fruits and purchased mild to pour over/offer the idols. It was interesting. We missed the mosque next door. But it was time to head back to the office and change clothes before the party.

 MRT: really full!

 

A dear family has thrown a Christmas dinner party for the “ship people” (those who live and serve on the OM ship, Logos Hope) every Christmas for the past few years. This year, because the ship was in drydock here in Singapore, they hosted the party at their home, the penthouse suite on floor 25 of a lovely building.

 

It was fun to spend time with the ship people. The meal (which the hostess had prepared herself for all 44 guests!!!) was delicious. There was ham, turkey, and roast beef. Her potato salad was the best. There was so much good food! We had a gift exchange, lots of desserts, and sang carols around the piano.

 (I had to take this photo of a nearby building where owners can bring their cars up to their homes to put on display. This one must be on the twenty-something floor! Crazy.)

 After the party, we had to grab our suitcase of clothes from the office which happens to be on Orchard Road, the most decorated place in Singapore.

So we got off the train 2 stops early to walk and experience the lights because we were told they’d be taken down the next day. The party had gone later than expected and we ended up on Orchard Road at 11:50pm.

 

We took some photos and were figuring out where to go when suddenly people were all counting down, 10, 9, 8… – like it was new year’s eve!

 As soon as it was Christmas Day, everyone was screaming and spraying silly string and “snow”, cars were honking, craziness was all around.

 Super bizarre for a population of 10% Christian. Singapore wants to be international, so they have allowed each major religion to choose 2 holidays to be national holidays. And the country celebrates each one. But Christmas is done up really well because of its consumer/money-making value. So it’s done up big, but nobody knows what they’re celebrating except gifts. Very interesting.  

Anyway. We eventually got our suitcase and jumped back on the train for home. Good night! And Merry Christmas!!!

Singapore Day 7

CC Anaheim meets CC Singapore

It was a late morning after our late night. We all got showered and had a light meal and got out the door. The grubb6 were let loose in Singapore without a guide. (Grandpa & Grandma stayed home.) We rode bikes to the MRT and took 2 trains to meet our new CC friends! Anju does CC here with her kids and will be starting to tutor Challenge A in a couple weeks. I remember the nervousness I felt when I was to start just 4 months ago, so I am so happy we got to get our families together for lunch. I know we will be able to continue to encourage each other in the months to come. Their family hosted us at a really nice local Indian restaurant on the top of the largest Indian shopping center. There were beautiful views and it was delicious food. I am trying so many things that I wouldn’t otherwise and finding that I do like them. (: So silly that I have to be forced to branch out.

After lunch, we did some Christmas shopping and parted ways planning to meet up again before we go home. Hopefully, we can go to the night safari together.

Back at home, we rested up a bit. I find that we have to rest quite a bit more than normal. I think the heat and humidity really suck the life out of you a bit. Lots of water and rest required. We finished out the evening with one more trip to the mall (#? I’ve lost count!) The kids really wanted to finish their Christmas shopping. No matter how much the adults say, “you don’t need to buy me anything,” they still “need” to get something for everyone.

Singapore Day 6, part 3 of 3

beautiful

We visited a little beach next door where we could see an island that is for sale. I’ve always wanted one, and this one is only about $200,000 US! Now that I’ve found it, I’m not sure I really want it. (Not that I have a spare $200 grand lying around either.) Just seems like a good deal. (:

 Finally, we arrived at the farming area. There are plans for a place to receive further education and more crops. Right now they have a lot of land, some crops (fruit trees & corn) and animals (pigs & chickens), and little help with labor for continued farming and building. We took a little time to ask for more laborers and continued planning and perseverance. 

 whole families on motorcycles - even with little babies
and some kids who looked about 10 riding on their own!

the motorcycles were not usually stuck in traffic as they weaved in and out of the cars, but this guy was prepared - when stuck next to us, he pulled out the newspaper!

left over from dutch colonial times?

Finally, we endured evening traffic on our drive back to the ferry. We arrived with 3 ferries yet to leave, but all but the last were sold out. We quickly reserved seats on the final ferry (so that we would not have to wait til the next morning!) Then, we spent 3 hours shopping at the mall across the street and eating dinner til our ferry was available. Sometimes Starbucks is just necessary – and this felt like one of those times. I was so thankful to see one and grab a frappucino. (kinda sad.) We arrived home just after midnight! Definitely a long day, but again, very good.

Singapore Day 6, part 2 of 3

a fun bridge

 Across the main road from the farms, we had lunch first.

 It was an adventurous lunch – you walked out on floating walkway to select a fish from their nets where the fish were still swimming in the ocean.

 We selected a couple large fish for them to cook and as they were walking back to get them ready, Kik & I were still looking in the nets.

 Sy was also looking in a net behind me and tried to pull it up as the workers had done and he ended up falling in! I heard a loud splash, then a cry, “Mommy!”I ran ten feet to Sy (who can swim) and reached my arm down to pull him out of the water. Honestly, I had been taking photos and was really tempted to take a photo first, but alas... he was crying, “Get me out! I don’t want the fish to bite me!” Poor Sy was so scared. One worker came over and helped me pull him out and all was well in the end - just a little scrape and, of course, wet clothes.

Unfortunately, some of the fish that were in the net were freed so we got to pay a bit extra for lunch, but I think everyone was really thankful that Sy was safe.

 Lunch was delicious!

 and we had coconuts for drinks! 

We said, “Terima Kasih,” which means “Thank you”, so many times!

Singapore Day 6, part 1 of 3

 Our morning started at 6am as we were planning to catch the 8am ferry to, Indonesia. The first ferry was sold out, so we departed at 9am instead.

The hotel we visited the other day - view from the ocean side.

 

When we arrived at 10am, Seth, an Indonesian took us to see some work.

10 of us in this little Toyota. (:

 Today  was my once in a lifetime chance to be a millionaire. (But this is only $100 US)

We visited a slum. We were able to see children in a school.

 The local religious leader was there and after we introduced ourselves, though unplanned, we led the kids in some fun songs and played games with them.

After our visit, we were invited into one of the homes to see what it was like. So interesting that there was electricity and TV in this home creatively made of whatever materials one could find at the landfill the home was built within.

 Here is a Jackfruit tree and many bags of collected items that are ready to sell when the trucks come.

 a banana tree and a pineapple growing

 A typical home and a store

 was boys playing marbles and men digging something ???

 

 

 a man selling something and the trucks that come in to purchase specific items. the local businesses will purchase certain items, so the local people collect and separate things then wait for the opportunity to sell.

The kids did well. They didn’t complain about smells and were kind to the kids and moms we encountered. It was a 45 minute drive to our next stop – some farm land.