18th Dec 2008: Kuala Lumpur Trip

This time, we choose to leave Singapore at 5am to avoid the jam. The journey along NS highway was smooth as the traffic was low. It took us about 4.5 hours to reach KL. The first thing we decided to do is to purchase the Coach & skyway ticket at Pasat Rayat for the next day. We proceed to the National mosque and Merdaka square to take a look since they are the key places in KL. You know, the Merdaka square & Federal court resembles so much like the padang and city hall in Singapore. When afternoon comes, we check in to the Times square hotel. The room was spacious with a little kitchen, which is important. Central market are meant for tourist but if the day is hot, you could get in for some cool air. If you visit the chinatown, you should try out the Jin Lian Ji Hokkien noodles. The chilli paste is the best in the world. As a non gambler, i did not loose a lot of money in the Genting casinos. But once a while, it could be entertaining. I consider Colmar Tropicale the worst place to visit in KL. Its small place, RM10/pax applied, steep drive, no french food (if you have been to France) plus its nothing more than a malay village. For the Japanese tea house further up the hill, forget it as well. I recommend spending your time in Genting, which is just nearby. You could get reasonably good groceries in the Chow Kit market. We bought tons of fruit back to Singapore and they were all taste good. This trip was the longest we ever had in Malaysia with our baby along.

18th Dec: National Mosque > Merdaka Square > Times Square > Central Market > Chinatown > KL Tower,
19th Dec: Genting,
20th Dec: Colmar Tropicale > Suria KLCC,
21st Dec: Chow Kit Market > Return to Singapore,

Total Milage: 930 km

06th Dec 2008: Malacca Trip

We decided to make it a day trip since Malacca was known to be a small place. But we were wrong and end up searching for accommodation. Fortunately, we found Garden City Service Apartment. It is further off the city, along Jalan Ujong Pasir but the price is good and the room is just right for a family. Near Jonker walk is the famous Kedai Kopi Chung Wah Chicken rice. We didn't managed to taste it since the queue was too long. I would recommend queuing up from 10.45am for lunch. To satisfy our crave for Malacca chicken rice, we went to Famosa, which still have some seats available. Frankly speaking, the chicken wasn't too fantastic and the portions are small. The museum is a good place to understand more about Malacca, especially Cheng Ho influences. Nobody would leave Malacca without visiting Jonker walk. The night has more to see as there are more roadside stalls setup. Additionally, There are many local delicacies such as wanton noodles, cha kway teow, etc. For the second day, we visited the replica of Flo De La Mar Portuguese vessel and warship. We were more delighted with the ship's air conditioned than what was inside, especially when the weather was hot. The last place we visited was King's well beside San Po Kong temple. The entire journey was great and Melaka is easy to navigate. Just keep mind, if you drive, park your car at one place in the early morning and walk. Searching for carpark can be painful from noon onwards.

Itinerary:
6th Dec: Reach Malacca > Jonker Walk > Christ Church > Museum of history and Ethnography > Jonker Walk,
7th Dec: Flo De La Mar Portuguese vessel and warship > St. John's hill > King's Well > Depart for Singapore.

25th October 2008: Desaru Sungei Ringgit Trip

This was the second time to Sungei Ringgit. It is actually very near to Singapore but due to the road system, we had to travel a big round. The total distance travelled was roughly 300km, about 3 hours drive (plus some traffic jam) from Singapore to Sungei Ringgit and back. After overcoming a short jam at the causeway, we went straight to Ah Lek Ba Kut Teh. Our next destination was the famous fruit farm. Touring the farm takes an hour and finishes off with a fruit meals. There are plenty of fruits that you can buy there but they aren't cheap. Next we proceed further west to reach the famous Desaru beach. The water are not as clean as it use to be but the sand are still good. Our day ended with a seafood meal at Jade Garden Seafood. Price is reasonable but not cheap as I am expecting. Taste is great and I hope to return there again.

05th Jul 2008: Stand up for Singapore?

Josephine is standing up, but not for Singapore. Inches to falling out of her cot, she enjoys such kind of high risk stunts. Now, we have to do some adjustment to the cot to keep her safe.

08th Jul 2008: Swimming in Toa Payoh Swimming Pool

Bought a new baby swimming tube and suit for Josephine and we went straight to the pool. I am amazed how happy she is in the water. Curious and exploring about when she first enter the water but it didn't take too long for her to warm up and start swimming about. I think swimming is a good exercise for her legs and I will bring her to the pool again.

15th Jun 2008: Baby Jos Sitting Up & Pumping Position

Baby Jos is starting to sit on her own for a prolong period of time. In addition, she loves getting into pumping positon while crawling. Good, next time when she is naughty i will get her to knock it down 10.

11th Jun 2008: Baby Jos's Half Year Old

Bringing her up wasn't easy and we are soooo glad that she is half year old. Her achievements: Crawling, flipping over, putting everything she grab in her mouth, emotional at times. For all these, a little ducky for her birthday gift and a green tea cake for us.

22nd Mar 2008: Ying Ying's Birthday

Its Ying Ying 1st Birthday celebrating with Baby Jos with her parents. Happy Birthday to you, Ying Ying.

22nd Mar 2008: Baby Jos's 100 Day Old Haircut

It a tradition in Shanghai for baby to shave off hair when they are 100 day old. Baby Jos was not spared despite she doesn't have lots of hair. It not hard to tell, she does not enjoy hair cut at all.

16th Mar 2008: Baby Jos try to crawl

Finally, Baby Jos can lift up her head permanently. Now she is trying to crawl but no matter how hard she try, still is still in the same position.

15th March 2008: Baby Jos's First Swimming Session

This is the first time Baby Jos is swimming since birth. Immediately after placing her in the pool, she starts wiggling around starts swimming. I can see that she loves swimming so much but that all for the day.

02nd Mar 2008: Baby Jos Trying to Lift Up Her Head For the 1st Time

This is the first time Baby Jos trying to lift up her head before her third month. What impress us is that she trys really hard.

10th April 1999: England / Blackpool

14th Feb 2008: Valentine's Day

It's a late post I know. It really tough time for Ying Ying as a new mum. To My Wife: Thanks for being a wonderful Wife and Mum.

09th Feb 2008: Sentosa Flower 2008

It was an unexpectedly tired event I have ever been to in my life. We spent almost three hours out of the four hours queueing and taking the shuttle bus. Somehow I feel there are more people than the flowers + grass in Sentosa. Not to mention, its very difficult to drive my baby's Mclaren through the crowds. Sentosa Flower 2009? No thanks.

09th Feb 2008: Baby Josephine and her Chinese New Year Dress

It's not easy to get such a tiny dress for Josephine's size. Thanks to her grandparents, she is now a proud and happy baby.

03rd Feb 2008: Ying Ying & Josephine

There's rarely been any photos of baby Jos and her Mum Ying Ying. Here's two rare pohtos to share.

27th Jan 2008: Burp... Burp... Burp...

This is the position baby Jos she loves best for burping. At the same time, she also strugles to keep her head straight up showing a cute little innocent face.

01st Feb 2008: Baby Josephine's Playtime

Baby Jos is 2 months old now starts to show signs of being cheeky, curious, active and talkative. She loves to play so much leaving us exhausted and drained. I think its a natural behaviour for all babies.

20th Jan 2008: Planting the Spring Onion (葱)

Its a tradition in Shanghai for the first piece of cut nails to be embedded in to the spring onion and burying them into the gound. Interestingly, Spring onion (葱) has the same tone as clever (聪) in mandarin, this will also give her the blessing to be clever and intelligent when she grows up. Baby Josephine loves to grab the Spring Onion in her hands...Some signs of intelligence showing aready.