Penang Adventure

Well our Penang weekend was great fun. Our gorgeous accommodation at the Lone Pine Hotel was beyond our expectations - a spot of idyllic luxury to head back to after our little excursions to reality.

Matt unfortunately was sick on the first night and just spent the next day feeling fragile and resting up on a banana lounge by the pool. By Saturday he was feeling okay again so could join in all the fun. Highlights of our holiday included:

• Daredevils Elissa and Toph taking Alice and Felicity parasailing which was a thrill for everyone.
• A Trishaw tour around historic Georgetown - the lovely lazy way to see the sights.
• Girls shopping at the Night Markets which Leisel adored (she shows real signs of being an excellent shopper "Hey girls, this bag would go great with my new dress.")
• Visiting the Spice Garden and also the Butterfly Park
• Massages on the beach.
• Alice and Felicity getting their hair braided.
• Alice being interviewed by a Malaysian Travel TV Show
• Singalongs in the taxis.
• Leisel treating the whole plane to a very loud rendition of the Magpie and the Lions theme songs.
• Relaxing by the pool

Now I've got what Matt had, so am having the day off work to recover while the Huddart family explore Sentosa Island.

Off with the birds

Since the Huddarts flew in on Saturday night we have toured the local neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru visiting the caged birds, the wet market and the local park. We've also been on the duck tour of Sinagpore which we have wanted to do for two years and were waiting for some visitors to agree. The duck tour is on an ex-army vehicle that travels by both road and water - it was good fun and even came with a storm at the end while we were still out on the water which added to the adventure. Today we went to the Bird Park for lots of feathered fun. The cousins have created several silly songs together, done impromptu dances in the restaurants and unrehearsed choral performances on the train and at the bus stop - so they are sharing their good times with some bemused locals.

Art Rocks

Aunty Hannah came for a flying visit after her art show in Paris. Matt and the girls met her at the airport and then headed home for a light supper. We had a good catch up on our balcony while enjoying our new view of the city skyline.

This morning we left her to sleep in (leaving her directions to a good brunch spot) while we headed to Yishun for a morning of rock wall climbing with the Australian High Commission. The girls rocked it - several times. Alice even made it to a the top - a feat most adults couldn't do. Matt and Felicity made it close to the top, I only made it a third of the way. That was tough enough! and I had to watch them too which wasn't relaxing.

In the afternoon, we all visited the old Kallang Airport which is one of the sites for the Singapore Biennale (an international contemporary art show). It was a great collection of work and we all enjoyed the fun/confusing/surprising ideas behind the work. Then all too soon Hannah had to go. And in the sky, somewhere over Broome, she will wave out the window at the Huddart family on their way to Singapore...

Home is where the heart is...

... even if you forget which box you packed it in.

Well we are here at our new condo The Regency at Tiong Bahru (Not to be confused with Twin Regency, Regency Suites, Regency Park, Regency House or Regency Lodge or any of the Regents ie Court, Gardens, Grove, Heights, Park, ville or Villas) We are almost ready to host our guests. Hannah arrives in two sleeps and the Huddarts in three.

Nothing fun about moving really except the excitement of moving. There just seems to be so much stuff! You pack up a room and look around room and realise you haven't really packed it up at all. We did several car loads with help from friends Trina, Jackie and Dave. And several taxi trips as well. The girls were a great help - carrying things and loading the lift. And then our removalists took the furniture and the rest of the stuff but it required two trips. Only good bit about that was T and I got to ride in the truck.

It's exhausting work! So glad we had Cynthia to help pack and unpack because she knows where everything goes and just keeps working. I did have to have words with her when I thought she packed my dog into a box after I discovered a taped up box marked "Buckley". After C had finished giggling she explained it was not the spoilt dog himself in the box just a staggering amount of possessions that belonged to him.

Kids are on school holidays at the moment so we are juggling sleepovers and play dates while finishing the unpack and going to work at the same time.

I've also included photos of a Wonderland Movie Night Felicity organised before we left Newton Gems. We watched the new Alice in Wonderland movie and all had to dress up in character and have a tea party. One would presume the girls would be growing out of dress-ups, but having big cousin Brittany as a role model, I doubt it will be any time soon.