Batam View Staff Outing

Last Sunday, we went to Batam with Mummy's colleagues on a staff outing. We reached Batam View Resort at around 11 am. The resort looked as if it had weathered many seasons, but the lobby and rooms were newly renovated. After check-in, we had lunch at the hotel cafe. For the first time, Mummy did not cook any porridge for me for the entire trip. I pretty much ate what they ate and thank God, I didn't have to starve. The spread for lunch was good.

After lunch, I took my usual nap before we went for a swim in the not-so-sanitised-smells-of-urine pool. We didn't swim for long. The thought of swimming in urine put Mummy off. Meanwhile, Mummy's colleagues were enjoying their 3-hour spa treatment (quite cheap at less than S$90). Of course, Mummy had to miss that part cos she didn't think Daddy could babysit me for 3 hours.

After the swim, we took it slow and easy as it was still quite some time before dinner. The princesses were still having their massage. We went to buy some snacks and went to play briefly in the Children's Playground, which was quite rundown - old and broken plastic furniture and dirt-stained floor, not to mention that it was near some bushes so there could be mosquitos.

Dinner was at the Kelong Seafood Restaurant. Simple spread but nice food. It was followed by a Karaoke session. It was my first time so you can imagine my fascination with the microphone. For most of the time, there could only be one singer as I would be hogging the other mic. Most of the songs there were ancient - I think Po Po and Nai Nai would enjoy it much more than we did. The session ended slightly more than an hour later. By then, I was already snoozing away while Mummy and Daddy ended the night with the song "How Deep is Your Love".

The next morning after a hearty buffet breakfast, we checked out of the hotel and went on a city tour, which was mostly shopping. Before we reached our first stop, it was already pouring. The streets were flooded and Mummy's shoes were soaked! Still, I stayed dry, protected from the rain by the Ergo Carrier. We didn't buy much, only some local snacks, and half a dozen of the famous J Co. Donuts, which we had to queue 20 minutes for. The donuts were interesting but nothing fantastic.

I dozed off on the way to the ferry terminal, only to wake up 1.5 hours later when the ferry reached Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

First Trip to Singapore Zoo

Last night, Vernice Jie Jie came for a stayover. We had so much fun and I was so excited at the new guest that I didn't sleep until past 11.30 pm. This morning, we woke up early to prepare for a trip to the zoo! Auntie Vivien and Favian joined us too! We met at 10 am at the entrance.

We saw so many animals - lions, tigers, elephants, sealions, penguins, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, etc, etc (obviously, you can't expect a 1.5-year-old to remember the names of all the animals). But the part I enjoyed most wasn't the animals. It was the Children's Playland, where Vernice Jie Jie and I played in the fountain pool. It was so fun! Both of us got all drenched, but Mummy was well-prepared with a small towel (which the 2 of us shared), and extra change of clothes. After that, we went to watch the Animal Show and the Sealion Show.

Favian was quiet and so well-behaved throughout the trip. I really like Vernice Jie Jie so much that I had to hold her hand wherever we went. Mummy expected me to take a nap right after lunch but I was enjoying myself so much that I only dozed off at 4 pm in the tram, when we were making our way out of the zoo. Favian was even stronger - he was still winning the battle to keep awake when we parted, even though anyone could tell that he was already exhausted!

Woke up at 5 pm when we reached home and couldn't go back to sleep anymore. Mummy gave me a good shower to scrub away all the dirt and sweat of the day. I fell asleep before 9.30 pm that night, despite the 7th Month Ge Tai that was blasting from right beneath our flat - slept like a log.