We've Been Here 1 Month

This weekend we went exploring. On Saturday we went to a Muslim wetmarket in the Malay district. Wetmarket is so-called due to wet floors from the fish and meat stalls. The children got to see how the locals shop. This included chicken complete with heads and feet. Fish of all shapes and sizes. The red meat section was the most disturbing to the senses. Josh, Tessa and Charlotte covered their noses and kept saying "what's that smell?" (remember it's 35 degrees and no fridges).

We loved the fruit, veg and spices sections. Stallholders gave unknown fruit to the children and we bought more of those plus mangoes and bananas.

Unfortunately didn't take the camera to the wetmarket but holding on to 3 children was enough of a task.

We cooled off by the pool - the kids are swimming like fish since coming here.

Sunday was a completely opposite day. We went to Sentosa Island which is a synthetic attraction just over a causeway. We went by monorail and visited a dolphin show and the underwater world.

The children enjoyed the dolphin show. We all enjoyed the aquarium, especially the 'touching pool'. You can reach in to touch any fish you like. We started with a starfish then moved on to small sharks and puffer-fish. Louise was the only one who touched the sting-ray.

After ice-creams outside we went to the snake charmer. Wayne and Josh bravely had snakes around their necks for photos. Tessa held the tail, Charlotte ran around laughing and Louise happily held the camera.

Monday was a holiday from school so it was back to the zoo - there we met King Julian (aka ring-tailed lemur from Madagascar).

Sight Seeing

On Saturday 21st we decided to try out the subway (MRT - Mass Rapid Transport) and to explore the harbourside. We took the MRT from Chinatown to Harbourside and looked around Vivo City - an amazing new shopping centre complete with paddling pools that looks out to Sentosa Island. Sentosa Island is a theme-park packed island just off the south coast of Singapore. We saw how you can travel to the island by car, monorail, ferry or very high gondola! We'll definitely be back to try out the monorail and gondola and spend time on the island. We had a quick look around Chinatown on the way - very interesting place. The children were very impressed with the subway - so clean, fast and safe. Charlotte enjoyed the long escalators up and down to the subway.

Josh went roller blading on Sunday for his class picnic. It was rather warm to be outdoors. Great way to meet other parents and kids from Josh's class.

School starts

Josh started at the Australian International School of Singapore on 17th April. He is in 2H. On his first day he started learning some Chinese. He has two uniforms, a khaki one and one for PE which he wears 2 days a week. The school is amazing with awesome facilities and a wide range of topics.

Tessa started the next day in pre-school and will attend 3 days a week. Tessa's class is called the Possums.

For the first few days we took Josh and Tessa to and from school by taxi. But from Friday onwards they started using the school bus, which is a door to door service - fantastic.

By the end of the week they were both absolutely exhausted!

Our First Week in Singapore

We arrived in Singapore on 29th March after an 11 hour flight. We're staying in the Great World Serviced Apartments on the 29th floor! This is a huge apartment building, 34 floors tall, connected to office blocks and a shopping mall. It has a big swimming pool and outdoor playground - fantastic.

We've visited the zoo and signed up for family pass. The zoo is superb, lush green surroundings, friendly staff, and yes lots of animals. Very hot though.

Wayne's office is in Suntec City level 32.

Our House in New Zealand

This is where we used to live in New Zealand - 79 Mt Taylor Drive, Glendowie, Auckland. We have lived here for two and a half years. We still own this house and have tenants living in it now. Molly our cat has gone to live with our friends Caitlin and Annelise who live nearby.

All our furniture has been packed up and shipped to Singapore. We sold our cars and a few other items.

Before Leaving New Zealand

With Wayne having accepted a new role with InterGen/Island Power in Singapore we are moving to live in Singapore. What a big adventure and new chapter in our lives! Before departing we caught up with family and friends.

We visited Grandma and Grandpa in Mangawhai. Grandpa took us kids for a ride on his motorbike.

We visited Nana and Grandad in Ashburton. Grandad played us some music.