A more quiet week

Robert jokes that I always plan our weekend outings in order to have something interesting to write about here! Well I have failed miserably last weekend. We didn't go anywhere spectacular, just had a quiet weekend with some friends over here for a BBQ on Sunday. (It was for lunch, so the whole day went with the preparations and recovery ... if you start drinking wine at 1 pm ...). It was a good afternoon though with very interesting people.
Otherwise I have been busy with schoolwork. On Friday Beatrice's class had an assembly about poems which was quite impressive. They had all written poems and most were very good at performing them. We had practiced a lot in the garden here so that Beatrice had to speak up in order for me to hear from far away. That payed off as she was given extra lines to say the thank yous and goodbyes on behalf of the class at the end because she spoke loud and clear. Very proud.
Apart from that we have been doing lots of maths with her. I have already written to some of you that she told she is struggling with maths at school and then we discovered that she really has made a few steps back and struggles with quite simple sums. She hadn't been using the number square correctly and because that is so mechanical her ability to do sums in her head has deteriorated as well. So we do maths every day even though they don't get any homework. I am cross that the teacher hasn't picked it up with all the fees we pay for the school! But feel a bit torn as well to be honest. Here everybody is so focused and so many kids get extra tuiton, go to Kumon for maths and tuition in Mandarin and English, and 5 sports and music lessons every week. At the same time just read they are discussing banning all homework for primary schools in the UK. So what is the right way here?
Tomorrow is Hari Raya - public holiday - so we hope to do something cultural with the kids as Robert is working.

Night Safari

Last Saturday we visited another "must-do" Singaporean attraction - the night safari. I thought it is just the zoo at night but in fact it is a separate site for nocturnal animals specifically and really quite a fascinating experience. It starts at 7 pm, when it gets dark and is really on the late side for our bedtime routines but just this once ... . All kids had a power-nap in taxi on the way there, so we were well prepared for a late night. We had dinner there first while watching some buffaloes with enormous antlers. Then watched a show of night animals - wolves, cervals, otters, some smaller animals whose names I have forgotten. We did get a good view as we sat in the front row. (And just to give you another example of Singapore being a village - a boy from Beatrice's class sat a few meters away.) In the middle of the show the presenters started to look frantically for an escaped animal. They found a 3 meter boa underneath a bench in the midst of the public. Luckily not ours. Boys were keen to go on stage and touch it but this time they called a grownup male who was honoured with the snake being wrapped around his body. That would have crushed the boys.
Then we boarded the bus/tram for a ride through the areas where most animals are free roaming. That was very interesting indeed. Saw lots of goats, deer, flamingoes, some rhinoes, foxes, tapirs, hippoes, elephants, even lions and a tiger. We got off at the other end to go for a walk on our own. The kids were very excited to run around in the dark. Got very close to some bats, saw funny porcupines and majestic leopards. After the tram-ride back that was all we managed at one go. The rest will have to wait until next time. Saturday night is maybe not the best time to visit - quite busy with busloads of tourists. So might try a weeknight during school hols.

More celebrations followed over the weekend. On Saturday the boys' school had a fundraising party celebrating the Chinese harvest festival with performances, dinner and lantern parade. The school had set up a huge event and the kids really enjoyed being there and playing with their friends in a different situation. Even teachers took part in the entertainment - line dance, which is very popular here and a more disco type number, where our class teachers joined in. For dinnertickets there was a lucky draw and Karl won a seafood restaurant voucher. (After my recent win at the shipyard event we really have to keep up with that!) When it got darker the paper lanterns were lit and it was really pretty. Of course the kids were running around with their lanterns and Raoul managed to cause a fire. Big panic. But he was wise enough to let go of the lantern. At the end we all marched with the lanterns around the school and along Holland Road, but all photos are still in Robert's phone...

Then on Sunday Robert got his birthday present that he didn't guess until the taxi turned into the Changi sailing club. So we managed to keep the secret and it was a perfect surprize.

The boat we had hired was a 37 footer, so not too big and quite old as well but it was just right for us. Beatrice was a bit careful at first and said she is scared of big waves but after a little while felt really at ease. We went out westwards on the north coast of Singapore but couldn't sail the first leg - no wind. This part of the trip was the least spectacular anyway - lots of industries on the Malaysian side. But that was the only way to get somewhere for lunch. After lunch (chinese seafood) we headed back towards east and sailed along the north coast of Pulau Ubin venturing into Malaysian waters quite a lot as the strip between the two is quite narrow. Thatswhy the north coast of Pulau Ubin is also fenced in - to keep the Malays from swimming over. That was very quiet and nice, just mangroves and small villages on the Malaysian side with simple houses on tilts. Beatrice thought these were "olden-times houses". Even though the wind wasn't strong the boat tilted of course and funnily Raoul who is always the bravest on rollercoasters and scary rides was so afraid that the boat would tip over that he sat on my lap and eventually fell asleep while the others played pirates and climbed around on the boat. We sailed all the way to Pulau Tekong and to a quiet bay there where the brave ones had a swim (that didn't include me). Raoul wanted to go at first but when it turned out that we were not going on shore he didn't. Karl and Beatrice were jumping from the boat and enjoyed it a lot.

On the way back it started to drizzle with rain. Raoul was getting a bit braver by now. He sat inside most time and sang. Just climbed up occasionally. We sailed just under the landing path of the airport so there were quite a lot of planes going over and they caused small whirlwinds on the water.

Our skipper was an interesting guy - British, has been in Singapore nearly 30 years, used to teach philosophy at the university here but now writes on a book during the week. We had very interesting discussions about press freedom and Asian mentalities. Really insightful. They have just jailed a blogger here for insulting a judge so don't really know what do I dare to write here. I'll have to think about it and get back.

Birthdays

On Friday Robert took me out for a surprize birthday dinner (a few days ahead) to the probably highest restaurant I have been to - the Equinox on the 70th floor of Swisshotel. The weather was good so the views from up there were quite amazing with the whole town lit up underneath. The food was lovely too as we tried many different things from the degustation menu. A bit funny how the called one course "scallops ..." whereas it was actually just one scallop on the plate! But I guess it would have sounded a bit odd on the menu. As we were almost finished, just enjoying our desserts, we got funny company. A gentleman was led to a table next to us - the one we had actually hoped to get right at the window. He was probably in his 40-s, wearing an old dirty T-shirt, similar jeans and carring a few shopping bags. After checking the table and the view from every angle he found it acceptable. Then his girlfriend arrived in similar attire. She immediately asked the waiter to bring her very quickly a very cold coke. (He had one too.) We could not avoid hearing them speak Spanish but couldn't of course establish where they were actually from. Definitely not locals though as this just is not the dresscode here at all. And after that meeting can't really blame the Chinese for calling us all "smelly bignoses". Well our friends moved on to the menu. He had a longish discussion with the waiter to establish what a bouillabaise was and then decided to have a go but without the fish (and make sure it's hot!) Then he went on to choose his main course. He asked to have the seabass but just grilled no sauce and with rice. The lady of the house had a discussion if the salad is big or small. And so it went on and on and the poor waiter kept running to the kitchen to make sure the wishes can be granted. I'm sure he got hard time from the chef as well who was probably insulted that someone didn't even want to try his exquisite creations. The couple clearly was not in the right place, something starting with Mc would have been more appropriate. But I guess the Singaporeans take the dresscode literally so that somebody in clean even longish shorts can't get in but as long as the trousers are long it doesn't matter if smelly, dirty etc. It was really like a clichee from a movie, except in a film they would probably have been americans (sorry). A similar real life situation that I remember was in Austria with russians with the difference that they were welldressed. We left hastily as it was getting too embarrasing and unpleasant. I had to grin at the whole situation, except maybe when looking at the bill. You don't really want such company with these prices.

All kids are back to school now and life here is very much back to normal. We have made some new friends and explored more of Singapore.

When we first came back we noticed a new African family here on the condo. Then a week later when Beatrice started school the boy was on her bus and when she came back it turned out he is actually in her class. So that was a big cheer. Nelson comes from Kenya and they have a slightly different family arrangement - mom works and dad stays at home (with the maid). It is nice for the kids to have somebody with a similar after school schedule. Most local kids have all sorts of enrichment classes and tuitions going on all week and can get out to the pool on the weekend if lucky (and the only for a swimming lesson). Maybe we take a too relaxed approach and are not pushy enough but thats how it is. Tryed to get Beatrice to take swimming lessons one Sunday morning but unfortunately she didn't like it. She is a very good self tought swimmer and would benefit from lessons immensely but I guess she was put off when the two girls in the class swam a lot quicker. Only they were 9 and had had lessons for over 3 years. Still cannot convince her to try again.
Also another new family here that we have befriended with a funny "this small world" twist - they are chinese US citizens, husband works for ABS, which is the US competitor of LR, and they lived in Pusan Korea before coming here. Just on the day when I started talkin to Ailing, Robert had had a meeting in the ABS office! So Singapore really is a small village of 4 mio people.

We have done a bit of exploring as well. Went up the highest mountain of Singapore a few weeks ago - whole 176 meters above sea level! But it is still quite a nice place to go - nature reserve with old rainforest, quite a lot of wildlife, especially monkeys, and good walks up and down the hill. Then last Sunday tryed another nature reserve and walked by the MacRitchie reservoir, where some of our drinking water comes from. There is a boardwalk along the shore that is very nice. We met some monkeys again and one of them tryed to take Raouls hat and Karls water bottle. The boys fought back successfully. Then a little later I noticed a lizard in the bushes. This was a truly massive monitor lizard, probably nearly 2 m from top to tail and wide and fat in the body. We climbed through the bushes and had a good look. He didn't let himself to be disturbed and showed off his long tongue. Unfortunately we only had the phone camera with us and I haven't learned how to download photos from there. The way back was not a boardwalk but a very muddy path. Strangely the boys kept complaining and winging about it - especially Raoul who used to enjoy wading through all the deepest puddles in the New Forest and fill his wellies with water and mud to the top. There is also a treetop walk in this reserve, so we'll try that next time.
One Sunday we did a tour in Chinatown again and had a funny experience. Robert has been going to a foot reflexology place there and right next to it is one of the many fish-spas around, that are quite popular now. So while he had his feet massaged we went to feed the fish. The first sensation is absolutely crazy. As a new foot comes into the pool all the fish storm it and it is so unbelievably tickly to have them around your feet in their hundreds. I just couldn't stop giggling. But once you get used to it it is quite pleasant. This spa had two tanks - one with small fish where we started off and then the "piranha" tank. I didn't think I'd dare the last one, but actually after a little encouragement it was very good. Also there is a small extra tank higher up for the hands. So that was a good start for the kids. Beatrice was very brave very quickly and enjoyed it so much that she kept talking about the "next time". Karl got in eventually and liked it, Raoul took the longest. He was just trying to catch the fish and finally put his feet in when our 30 min was nearly over. I asked the staff and actually the fish do get other food, so they just nibble on peoples feet for fun. And the "big" fish are only the size of average anjovies.
We were hoping to see a big lantern and dragon parade in Chinatown that evening but the wait was too long for the kis so we missed that. Automn is a very colourful time here not in terms of nature but of all kinds of different traditional festivals - the chinese harvest festival, Hari Raya, Deepavali. All more or less at the same time. There is going to be a big harvest lantern party at the boys school tomorrow, so looking forward to that.
Oh, and we had an evening at the shipyard that they arranged a few weeks ago for clients with food and entertainment. Was quite funny with a lot of beer-drinking competitions (England won) and that kind of things, not exactly a diplomatic reception. But there was a lucky draw and probably for the first time I actually won something - a silver pendant with necklace! So here you go.

In Memoriam

In addition to the sad news about my aunt's death our dog Pantu was killed last Friday. Here is a picture of him from last summer. He was technically my parents neighbor's dog but since years he used to live at my parents place whenever they were there. This year he had moved in officially so that he didn't go "home" at all any more and my mum started to buy proper dog food for him. Pantu has been such a fun companion. He used to run with me but this summer started cheating and did only part of the track returning home halfway through which made the kids draw the conclusion that Pantu won. He was getting quite old and ill, so just couldn't do it any more. He was always keen to go on car trips and occasionally he would lay down to block the entrance. He could make himself so heavy that we couldn't lift him and he only moved when the boot was opened and he could get in. He has been so gentle and patient with the children ever since they were little and pulled his tail and put their fingers in his eyes. He seemed to understand very clearly what we were talking about and sometimes we were wondering if he will start speaking any moment. When we left this summer I thought we will probably not see him again as he had been quite ill. Now on Friday he was run over by the neighbor's car as he probably didn't hear it coming and the neighbor couldn't stop in time. His injuries were so bad that the owner shot him. So that's the sad end of Pantu and Koovalja will never be quite the same.

Kolin blogi

Motlesin, et asja lihtsustamiseks kolin eestikeelse blogi edaspidi uuele aadressile http://www.marissingapuris.blogspot.com

Nii et nyydsest alates eesti keeles seal!

Back again

We are very much back in Singapore again and back in the usual routine. Have been exploring some more and doing things but right now I don't quite feel like writing about it. My aunt died on Tuesday and all lighthearted chat seems too trivial at the moment. Will try to be back here soon. So please stay with me!

Tagasi

Oleme nyyd taiesti tagasi Singapuris, jalle oma igapaevases rutiinis ja uusi seiklusi otsimas. Peale Hiiumaa vaikust tundub elu siin valjakannatamatult larmakas. Eriti kuna meie ligidal lammutatakse yhte suurt maja, et teha ruumi ikka uutele kondomiiniumidele. Lammutamine kaib korrushaaval suurte koppadega kella 8st 7ni 6 paeva nadalas, nii et aknaid ei saa lahti hoida. Teeks ometi yhe suure pauguga!

Ja muidugi igatsen ikka jooksusid Koovalja poldude ja Kopu metsade ja mere vahel. Jooksulint on ikka tapvalt igav ja mu vana sober madu ei ole ka ennast enam naidanud.

Poisid laksid kohe paev parast saabumist kooli. Esimesel nadalal oli kyll vaga hea, et nende kool on parast lounat, sest naljalt enne 10 hommikul yles ei saanud ja joudsime just just bussi peale. Nyyd on neil juba jalle koolivaheaeg. Beatrice hakkas eelmisel nadalal ja on oma rytmis hasti sees. Talle oli tore yllatus, et yks uus laps klassis elab meie majas - Nelson Keeniast. Nyyd lepivad iga kord bussis ujumise ja mangimise asjas kokku.

Ilmad on olnud yllatavalt kylmad ja vihmased. No muidugi mitte Eesti temperatuurid, ikka miinimum 25 kraadi ja rohkem, aga nyyd ei ole igatahes juba yle nadala aja kodus konditsioneeri kasutanud. Voi voibolla oleme lihtsalt juba ara harjunud.

Eelmine pyhapaev jatkasime oma uurimisretki ka jalle. Vallutasime Singapuri korgeima maetipu - 176 m! Aga lastele oli see piisav valjakutse. Bukit Timah on looduskaitse alas ja yks vaheseid vanu vihmametsi, mis siin alles on. Koloniaalaegade alguses olid seal isegi tiigrid, aga viimane notiti maha eelmise sajandi alguses. Nyyd on ainult ahvid, kes on uudishimulikud ja moned teised vaiksemad loomad, kes ennast meiesuguste eest targasti peidavad. Ahvid on vaga toredad, aga midagi soodavad ei soovitata kaasa votta, muidu on nad kohe karjaga kallal.

Yleeile kaisime Hiinalinnas plaaniga vaadata ohtul laternate ja draakonitega paraadi sygisfestivali avamise puhul. Olime oma ajastusega aga rappa lainud ja paraad ei alanud ega alanud, nii et lapsed olid lopuks liiga vasinud ja pidime koju soitma. Enne seda aga tegime midagi vaga toredat - kaisime lopuks nn kala-spas. Robertil on seal yks spetsiaalkoht, kus ta kaib vahest jala refleksoloogias ja selle korval on yks kala-spa. Meie laksime lastega siis niikauaks sinna. See on nagu yks suur akvaarium, kus on vaiksed kalakesed sees ja inimesed istuvad sinna jalgupidi sisse. Selles kohas oli veel korgemal eraldi vannike ka katele. Esimene tunne oli kyll jube - kalad tunnevad kui "varske" jalg tuleb ja on koik mitmesajakesi selle kallal. Noudis parajat eneseyletust ausalt oeldes ja nii hirmsasti ajas naerma. Natukese aja parast harjub ara ja siis on vaga monus. Beatrice oli siis ka ysna julge ja tuli sisse ja varsti Karl ka, Raoul katsus neid kyll katega, aga jalgu sisse panna ei tahtnud, alles viimased paar minutit. Ja siis saime muidugi julgemaks ja laksime ka suurte kalade juurde - nii umbes kilu suurused. Siis juba oli tunda, kuidas varvaste vahelt naksivad. Hasti monus oli lopuks, puhastasid meie jalad vanast nahast ja sodist. Kysisin, kas nad midagi muud ka syya saavad ja pidid saama kyll. Beatrice oli suures vaimustuses ja raakis juba jargmisest korrast.