We had these rules drummed in or risk paying hefty fines
Rule #1 Don't go over 60kmh. The worst rule ever. K kept yawning and glancing at his speedometer.
Rule #2 Aussie's tend to come to a complete halt when taking a turn even when there are no oncoming cars. So when a car has its indicator on, prepare to step on the brakes.
Rule #3 Don't go too near cyclists
If you thought Singapore was a Fine City, Australia seems to have even more rules.
At the beach today, we found out no alcohol and smoking allowed, no toy cars, no digging big holes, no flying kites.
Here are the list of rules at Cottesloe Beach
You have been warned!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Perth Day One 15 Oct 2010
The kids are finally asleep. Today was supposed to be a rest day. An overnight flight with over excited kids on tiny seats that recline an inch on a packed plane is rather tiring. However the kids were marvellous. Fai and Han slept the moment they were through with their kids' meals and Ean dozed off after his susu.
Only JY had trouble sleeping and was awake by 4am and immersed herself in writing in her journal.
Uncle Bak and Kim were waiting for us at the airport. U Bak was warmly wrapped in a parka and Kim in shorts and a pullover. So Perth can't be all that chilly eh?
FYI: It is now 15.8C at 12 mn. And the temperature is expected to drop in the early morning.
The moment we step
ped foot outside the blast of chilly fresh air woke our senses up.
The air is so fresh and clean.
How am I ever able to go back to smoggy PJ???!
We had to be divided between 2 cars. Ean had to get acquainted with the car seat. Luckily lots of Mack trucks passed us and the contrast in the scenery from back home gave me lots to engage Ean's attention.
Our home for 10 days was lovely.
The drive way was flanked with Lavender bushes. Rub the leaves and its lovely aroma fills the air.
Kim made us pancakes for breakfast.
After a short snooze we made our way to Fremantle.
3 cars, my family, JL's family, U Bak, A Meng, Mak, A Bok.....it was like a Mensa test trying to sort out who seats where.
Why you might ask....Well....
1. toddlers must be in child car seats
2. kids under 7 must be in booster seats
3. Kids can't be in the front seat
4. Mak must be in the car that can carry the wheelchair
Also....
5. Fai wanted to be with Sarah
6. Sean didn't want to sit with Fai
7. Ean wanted nothing to do with the car seat
8. Sarah wanted her mother with her
I tell you.....we spent 30 minutes discussing before we could hit the road.
I ended up between 2 car seats, Han on one and Ean on the other with Kent in the driver's seat and JY in the passenger seat.
Ean cried all the way to Fremantle.
He struggled with the belts, yelling "Take Off! Take Off!" with tears streaming down his cheeks.
aiyo.
Mack trucks, buses, gum trees, flowers...nothing I pointed out worked.
Until I said "We are nearly there. Once Pa finds a parking spot, we will stop and I can take the seat belts off"
Oh well.
Fremantle was lovely.
The park at the Esplanade had majestic towering pine trees, very beautiful. The air was chilly and I had sun myself every now and again.
Fai picked up lots of pine needles.
Australia seems good for Fai. He chats non-stop about everything and anything. He is more outgoing and seems ready for anything. He looks extremely happy here.
Lunch at Cicerello's was disappointing. I found the fish overcooked and fishy. The kids didn't take a bite of it. And it was so pricey.
JY said Manhattan Fish is so much better.
I agree wholeheartedly.
We then headed for the Shipwreck Galleries.
FOC.
The display of the Batavian shipwreck was amazing.
I didn't realise the ship was THAT big.
We will be going back for a 2nd visit.
The lethargy from the flight was hitting us and we were in need of rest badly.
Dinner was yummy chicken and mushroom in oyster sauce and a plate of sweet snap peas prepared by A Bok.
Supper was JY's butter cake.
Han slept at 7pm.
Everyone else at 11pm.
Tomorrow will be an early day.
7am Farmer's market
and then to Swan Valley to get a little tipsy.
Only JY had trouble sleeping and was awake by 4am and immersed herself in writing in her journal.
Uncle Bak and Kim were waiting for us at the airport. U Bak was warmly wrapped in a parka and Kim in shorts and a pullover. So Perth can't be all that chilly eh?
FYI: It is now 15.8C at 12 mn. And the temperature is expected to drop in the early morning.
The moment we step
ped foot outside the blast of chilly fresh air woke our senses up.
The air is so fresh and clean.
How am I ever able to go back to smoggy PJ???!
We had to be divided between 2 cars. Ean had to get acquainted with the car seat. Luckily lots of Mack trucks passed us and the contrast in the scenery from back home gave me lots to engage Ean's attention.
Our home for 10 days was lovely.
The drive way was flanked with Lavender bushes. Rub the leaves and its lovely aroma fills the air.
Kim made us pancakes for breakfast.
After a short snooze we made our way to Fremantle.
3 cars, my family, JL's family, U Bak, A Meng, Mak, A Bok.....it was like a Mensa test trying to sort out who seats where.
Why you might ask....Well....
1. toddlers must be in child car seats
2. kids under 7 must be in booster seats
3. Kids can't be in the front seat
4. Mak must be in the car that can carry the wheelchair
Also....
5. Fai wanted to be with Sarah
6. Sean didn't want to sit with Fai
7. Ean wanted nothing to do with the car seat
8. Sarah wanted her mother with her
I tell you.....we spent 30 minutes discussing before we could hit the road.
I ended up between 2 car seats, Han on one and Ean on the other with Kent in the driver's seat and JY in the passenger seat.
Ean cried all the way to Fremantle.
He struggled with the belts, yelling "Take Off! Take Off!" with tears streaming down his cheeks.
aiyo.
Mack trucks, buses, gum trees, flowers...nothing I pointed out worked.
Until I said "We are nearly there. Once Pa finds a parking spot, we will stop and I can take the seat belts off"
Oh well.
Fremantle was lovely.
The park at the Esplanade had majestic towering pine trees, very beautiful. The air was chilly and I had sun myself every now and again.
Fai picked up lots of pine needles.
Australia seems good for Fai. He chats non-stop about everything and anything. He is more outgoing and seems ready for anything. He looks extremely happy here.
Lunch at Cicerello's was disappointing. I found the fish overcooked and fishy. The kids didn't take a bite of it. And it was so pricey.
JY said Manhattan Fish is so much better.
I agree wholeheartedly.
We then headed for the Shipwreck Galleries.
FOC.
The display of the Batavian shipwreck was amazing.
I didn't realise the ship was THAT big.
We will be going back for a 2nd visit.
The lethargy from the flight was hitting us and we were in need of rest badly.
Dinner was yummy chicken and mushroom in oyster sauce and a plate of sweet snap peas prepared by A Bok.
Supper was JY's butter cake.
Han slept at 7pm.
Everyone else at 11pm.
Tomorrow will be an early day.
7am Farmer's market
and then to Swan Valley to get a little tipsy.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
I am loving it!! JY's caking journey.....1 Oct 2010
Oh to be 12 and having Rosalind Chan say you are gifted in cake decorating... today will definitely be a day JY will never forget.
At 6.30am.......
It was a treacherous ride to Sunway Giza...with a maximum speed of 60kmh and taking turns and going on bumps at snail's pace.
Stacking up her cake with utmost care.
JY's saree and henna inspired wedding cake. One of the few square cakes around. Rose made note of that and was impressed that JY could transfer her idea onto the cake so well.
JY with Eddie Spence. He started sugarcrafting when he was 14 and he makes cakes for the British royalty. He was grandfatherly, eager to impart knowledge, freely shared all that he knows. He gave JY lots of encouragement. She adores him to bits.
At 6.30am.......
It was a treacherous ride to Sunway Giza...with a maximum speed of 60kmh and taking turns and going on bumps at snail's pace.
Stacking up her cake with utmost care.
JY's saree and henna inspired wedding cake. One of the few square cakes around. Rose made note of that and was impressed that JY could transfer her idea onto the cake so well.
JY with Eddie Spence. He started sugarcrafting when he was 14 and he makes cakes for the British royalty. He was grandfatherly, eager to impart knowledge, freely shared all that he knows. He gave JY lots of encouragement. She adores him to bits.
"She will go far" he says. "It is a good thing she started early"
A boost for homeschoolers (especially unschoolers) everywhere don't you think?
"I think I want that pink star on the right"
After weeks of planning, improvising, sweat & tears, bearing with the humid Malaysian weather, and lots & lots of hard work JY was simply bursting with happiness after receiving loads of compliments from everyone.
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