Redwood central Apartments Lorong 41 Geylang, Singapore

We stayed in a great apartment in Singapore.
The prices for accommodation in Singapore have skyrocketed. The apartments we stayed in last year have since doubled in price. We managed to find a brand new 3 bedroom apartment about 10 minutes out from Orchard room at the great price of Sing$250/night. This is cheap!!!!
If we were to stay at a city hotel we would have to book two room and pay more than double this a night. The unit had a full sized kitchen and laundry, a bonus when traveling with kids.
We were on the eight floor and had a great view. The complex had a gym but no pool which disappointed the kids, but they still managed to get wet allot on the holiday.

There is no web site as yet, we found them through another of the redwood apartment complexes here.

The taxi fair from the apartment to Orchard road was about $4..... so staying outside the main tourist spot was worth the saving.

Geylang is one of Singapore's red light districts, BUT we were down the other end of the suburb. There was also a MRT station one block away.

We would definitely stay here again.

Chelseas 7th Birthday

My middle little darling has turned 7

Note the letter she is holding up...
GJ was to get the bike before her birthday, but the traffic was bad....

(This is the difference between Moms and Dads, moms would still go and get the said present)

Today Chelsea and GJ are out bike shopping

We had our own little party at home, Chelsea chose KFC wraps for dinner.
But as Indonesian KFC is very different to the KFC we have grown up with I cook it here.
It turned out great and everyone got multiple turns of blowing out candles.


So we have got through all the kids birthdays, now it is GJ's turn and then Halloween and Party month will be over.

Jakarta International Airport

We arrived back into Jakarta last Sunday evening, at around 7pm. Last Sunday evening was the last day of the Idul Fitri holidays.
I knew the airport would be chaotic.....it always is, but why did the airport operators not also realise this and take steps.
We have arrived enough times now to know the correct procedure.......
Get off the plane and RUN as fast as you can to immigration, as the queue gets bigger by the second.
Bad luck if you have to join the huge queue to get your visa on arrival first!
Immigrations are staffed with stony-faced, slow methodical people. Oh I wish I had a diplomatic passport........they get a special fast non-queue.
So on Sunday, after we beat our way off the second last row of seats in the plane (yes, cheap tickets and kids...you always get shunted to the back) we race down to the immigration counter to find this....... By the time we had advanced a little the queue was up the steps and stretching into the arrivals corridor.
We were lucky and got a relativity fast moving line, so we only had to wait for 45 min to get through. This meant we then only had to wait an extra ten minutes for the luggage.
I think the thing that annoyed me the most was that only half the counters were open.



I was a hot, tired, hobbling, cranky lady by the time we got through and then faced the chaos that was the parking lot ( well it wasn't it-was a car dump, just stop your car and leave it where you like) and the men that think that because they lift a bag into your car (with out being asked- actually with being asked not too) and then demand more than the 20 000rp that I had given them.......

So lets summarise

• Lufthansa air, lucky they were cheap tickets, serviced was poor.
• Immigrations, I knew the queue would be extra bad, why didn't they
• Luggage, an hour isn't too long to wait????
• Thugs who extort money... (and GJ who always lets me handle them...)
• 30 minutes to be able to actually exit the car park due to jams
  
• No water in car for thirsty kids ( not much open at airport)

At least our driver, Mr Yadi was there waiting for us with a big smile on his face and when we got home Sarinah and Samino had also arrived home from their holidays and got everything ready for us.


Now if you think I am being mean to Jakarta airport, don't worry I am equally scathing of Australian international airports, particularly Brisbane.

But the best ever is Singapore airport........It is a jewel in the crown of international airports......I could spend days there.

Back.....albeit briefly

Wow, what a week or two!

We arrived back in Jakarta late on Sunday night and I have been in a flurry of business ever since.

I don't think I have answered an email for two weeks...., I think I might have time a week Thursday LOL.


If it is you that is waiting, whoops sorry.

I have heaps of posts in my head and no time to write them.

And photos......I have over 1500 to sort through just for October!

My main focus this week has been integrating all the new students into my already packed schedule as well as taking school photos for the entire junior school.

It is Chelsea's birthday today....(her very own post to follow) so I have also been whipping up a few dozen cup cakes.

Hopefully regular bloggy schedule will resume soon.

Singapore Night Safari

We went back to the Singapore Zoo Night Safari last night.....woo hoo GREAT NIGHT!!!

It just worked out that it was the first night of the Halloween Horrors, is was magnificent. The park was extensively decorated with Halloween items, all lit very creepily.
All the park staff were dressed up and scattered along dark quiet paths just waiting to get you. Just when a seated mummy remained still for long enough for the kids to think it was fake it got up and moved towards them.........

The tram ride had an extra section which was full of mist and noises as well as monsters jumping out to scare you.....

The whole thing was so well done.

There is no flash photography at all so no photos. This would have to be one of the great attractions in Singapore.
We decided to skip the Zoo this year, we had a really good visit last year and I had the pleasure of growing up 15 minutes from Taronga Zoo in Sydney, so the kids have spent lots of time at really good zoos. plus "It" is too sore for a full day of walking around a zoo.
I would really recommend the Night Safari and Zoo for family visitors to Singapore.

Singapore Science Centre

We had the most AMAZING day at the Singapore Science Centre. We went last year and the kids all wanted to go again this year.
The place is so organized and family friendly, we spent the entire day there.....over 7.5 hours, I still don't think we saw everything.
The centre is very interactive, the kids can touch, move, start and control the exhibits, which just sends them into an euphoric state.
We had six little blonde kids running from stand to stand screaming in joy, they blended in with all the other kids screaming in joy.


The exhibits were all educational, but wrapped up in so much fun!



Visitors tips....

• Don't go on a Monday, we did and THE PLACE IS CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Which drove me crazy, Singapore is a tourist capital..how can a major attraction be closed??????????
• Air Conditioning is very effective, you will be cold
• Bring swimmer for the kids, the out door water play area is great fun, but the kids will get drenched! There are change rooms and small lockers for rent.
  

We met up with GJ's dad last night, they have just flown in from their UK holiday. They were SOOOOO tired, so we just did a quick dinner at Hard Rock cafe (my first visit EVER to any Hard Rock Cafe site!) and then home.
We are off to the night safari tonight, Kids are very excited, with a day at Sentosa on Saturday before a morning at Little India on Sunday then flying home on Sunday evening.

Bens Singapore birthday party.

We had a little party at our apartment for Ben's Birthday.....he had a great time.

The apartment is really modern, Ben's room has two glass walls overlooking the lounge dinning area. The kids thought it was hilarious to put on a show for us, we thought it was great as the room was soundproof......

I am just pleased that I don't have to clean the glass...

Little India, Singapore

This is the second level of the Tekka markets on Serangoon Road.
Ground floor is the wet markets, ie fresh fish and chicken etc for sale.....very smelly and juicy.
Every cm of space is filled with the most divine, colourful, jeweled saris. It is hot, noisy and AMAZING! We visited last year and regretted at least once a month since that we didn't get the girls a sari.......Georgia is now the proud owner of a beautiful green through to gold jeweled sari. Chelsea is still deciding on a colour............maybe next year.

We wandered through the streets and markets, the kids wanting everything they saw....LOL
Most places were burning incense which made it feel so exotic.
After lunch the two dads took the six kids to a water slide park and my friend and I hit Orchard road.
But we hit a snag...at 3.30pm my ankle gave up...I could not walk another step.....I know....

me = shopping Queen
+
Shopping paradise= Orchard road....
=
Should of been a bonanza, but I just couldn't do it (GJ and the bank balance are cheering)
"it" is back, swollen and sore...........

So my friend T and I did what any Aussie mom would do...went back to T's apartment to wait for the kids and polished off all the wine in their fridge.............and then all had Indian take away for dinner.

Across the board we ALL had a great day......

I love Singapore.

Security at Jakarta International Airport

I buzzed as I went through the scanner in the boarding lounge at Jakarta International Airport.
They didn't waste time with a hand held devise....I was given a THOROUGH pat down before I could take a breath!
My belt buckle and white stomach were examined and passed..though my heavily bandaged ankle was skipped.


I don't mind...what ever it takes to make the world safe.

Little India, Singapore

Look who has just turned four!

4 year old boys love puddles!

Cheeky Benny Boots!

Ben does not walk anywhere, he runs, bounds, hops, skips or combines them all into fast motion.
I love how this photo shows how his feet don't touch the ground often!

Happy Birthday Benjamin!

We survived the first night of Idul Fitri

We didn't leave Jakarta until Saturday afternoon, so we were able to experience the first night of Idul Fitri in Jakarta.
This is the joyeous time for Muslims to celebrate the end of the fasting month, Ramadan.

It was noisy, really noisy all night.
The mosques were broadcasting ALL NIGHT non stop.
We have one large and 3-4 smaller mosques around our home and all were playing different celebratory music/chants/noise. As loud as the speakers would go.....
I usually like the call to prayer, Arabic chanting.....but at 4am with 3-4 different ones mingling together vibrating through our bedroom I was really pleased that we were booked to leave the next afternoon.
There was loud firecrackers being let off constantly which added to the noise.


So, we have arrived in Singapore and are having a great time.
We had Ben's Singapore party last night.
Unfortunately Blogger is down for photos at the moment, so stay tuned...there are lots coming!

Maggots in Jakarta

I love science...it was my best subject at school (I was Mrs Broughs FAVOURITE).
GJ and I encourage the kids interest in all things...but whoa......today...MAGGOTS!
Last year Santa was nice enough to bring a microscope kit for Georgia.
We have had heaps of fun examining the difference between grains of rice, sugar crystals, coffee beans, hairs etc...
Today the stakes were upped.
The kids found a fly with maggots...............and guess what.....they wanted to look.

This was some of the conversation "flying" around our house today:

• I don't do maggots

• I birthed your children, you do maggots

• maggots are baby flies, you do it

and from the kids.....

• Where have the maggots gone......

We survived, just. All children are now in a dettol bath.

Another learning experience chalked up. The kids had fun.....The parents gagged alot !


PS I didn't do maggots!!!!!! I let GJ have all the fun!

Idul Fitri holidays in Jakarta

Today is the start of the Idul Fitri celebration In Indonesia.

Idul Fitri, or Lebaran, marks the end of Ramadan the Muslim holy month. This is the start of a week long holiday when most of the population go home.

Sarinah and Samino left on Tuesday night for their holiday, it has been so interesting going back to living like an ordinary Australian.

I have mentioned before that in Jakarta we live like semi-royalty, we know it and SO appreciate it.
The girls and I (Ben is trying to) have been cooking, cleaning, washing dishes and clothes... and gasp, making our own beds!

It is amazing what you can become accustom to in a few short months!

It has been sort of nice to have the house to ourselves, you know leave the bathroom with out being fully dressed etc......

We are off to Singapore tomorrow.....We booked this trip at the start of the year before we even had any idea it was Idul Fitri. We are meeting up with GJ's father and partner on the way home from his first ever overseas holiday.
We are also going to meet up with a family that we are close friend with here in Jakarta.
We have a list of so many things we want to do and see.

And of course I will take many photos and blog all about it !!! LOL