Back to Singapore life

We have been back here now just over two weeks and it was such a strange homecoming. Robert is working in Croatia on a project for a few months to come and there really is no reason for the kids and me to stay in Singapore. Other than that this project came up on really short notice and we didn't manage to make other arrangements for schools and also had extended our lease for the appartment here. So we came back to either wrap up things here or see if something comes up in the meantime.
Our dear neighbors had made the coming back a bit nicer for us - the flat aired and fruit and milk in the fridge! Beatrice wanted to go and play with her friend immediately and the boys and I went to the pool!
By now we are well into our routine again. Beatrice started school immediately - now in juniors, new teacher, new building, classes mixed up. Lot's of new things to get used to. Luckily two of her best friends are in the same class. We have already had one here for a sleepover and went together to theatre last Saturday. Fun as usual. Raoul really likes her and wanted to sleep in the girls bedroom again.
Beatrice is also back to her piano and does recorder and choir at school, so lot's of music this term. Not too keen on tennis now, but we still keep that up.
The boys have had a while to settle back in as their school term will only start on Monday. The first thing we did was to go and buy new bikes. Karl was still a bit unstable so we let his support wheels on. Maybe not such a brilliant idea in hindsight as it slows him down compared to Raoul who rides like on tour de france. Also no incentive for Karl to learn it properly although he should be able to do it just as well as Raoul does. Nevertheless we have gone on bike rides along the canal with me running or sometimes also cycling.
Luckily when we went to school to pay the fees at the end of last term last week, the principal saw us and invited them to come to school for the last 3 days of the term anyway. An offer that the boys were very happy to take on. It is always so nice to go to their school - all staff and kids are so kind and welcoming, hugs and kisses, a really warm atmosphere. This week was official school holiday but they went to holiday camp for three days at the same place like in June. Did fun stuff - picnic in a park with huge playground, theatre, cooking.
And it gave me a chance to get back to yoga earlier than I had hoped to. The first time back after more than 2 months was a real pain. I survived it but was in so much pain the next day. Second time much better already.
Other than that busy with catching up on paperwork, looking for plots of land and appartments and houses in Estonia. Haven't really started with schools yet, as this is going to proove a big headache.
Today a typical Singaporean Saturday - morning by the pool, quick lunch, boys taekwondo, art exhibition, pool.
Thanks god for skype - that is probably the closest we get to daddy for a while. When the kids saw where he is staying all wanted to go there immediately - a small island in the Adriatic sea, appartment with seaview, olive trees, fishing boats. Maybe not as inviting in December when we get a chance to go ... .

Leigo

Summer accounts

Have been back in Singapore now for 10 days but still have to give a brief account of the rest of the summer.
We went for a short break to London with the kids. I thought as the GBP has dropped so much probably nobody will have money to come and see us and if we want to keep in touch with friends we'd better go and see them. We had a fantastic week staying with Susanne, Anna and Seung Hee. Firts it felt really strange like it had been ages ago that we lived in England. My boys and the smaller kids didn't really remember eachother but fortunately that didn't hinder them becoming "best friends" again within 10 minutes. Karl was very fond of Cluny especially because of their shared interest in Ben 10. He even slept in Cluny's bed but on the third day still asked what his name was. And little Anna had expected the boys being babies still even though they are older than her by 6 months. From Suzanne's we travelled to Redhill by train and it was actually a pleasant experience - still the old nice English ways rule as I didn't have to lift my big suitcase off the train once! Always someone to give a hand. (If it happens here, it must be a british expat!) Redhill shows signs of the global downturn as most shops in town center have turned into poundshops, also still the same old faces hanging around town - now-not-any-more -teenage-mothers with a few more tattooes, piercings and new kids in tow. Not the hit really. But it was so good to stay with Anna and Nicola and see a few old friends. So grateful to Sue for giving us a lift to Carshalton after all kids were quite tired and Beatrice was a bit sick after her sleepover.
Robert came for the weekend to join us at Seung's and David's and we had a great time together. went in to central London with all 5 kids in tow - Covent Garden, Italian lunch, museum and the whole lot... I just still love this city so much! On Sunday we packed a picknick and headed to the Oaks park, which took us probably a good hour to get to. Enjoyed the lovely food and wine and pretty landscapes. Did some football matches and other games with the kids, don't remember which team won though.
And then on Monday onwards to Sweden.
But I want to say a great big THANK YOU!!! to Susanne and Colin, Anna and Nicola, Seung Hee and David for hosting us and letting us feel at home again. It was a fantastic week for the kids to play with old friends and for me it felt as if I'd never been away at all.

The week in Sweden was busy as well. Luckily we timed it so that many cousins who live far away were visiting at the same time and others had just returned from their holidays. Discovered a beautiful lake near Robert's mum's house that gave our morning runs a whole new dimension. Still miss it. We took the kids to Liseberg, which is like a smaller version of Disneyland but quite old and pretty. Although weekday it was very busy and had to que long time for many rides. Otherwise the timing was just right for the boys - they are both just over 110 cm that is the minimum for many rides. They were on a few occasions much more daring than Beatrice and of course I was forced to go on rides that I would otherwise not volunteer for. Then we met the kid's newest cousin, little Helmi, the sweetest thing! Went swimming in the sea one day, I got sunburned, it was so hot, the water still max 19 but it felt very good. It was funny to see how the boys tryed to find swedish words when on playground. Beatrice still can speak a bit but the boys really don't and were always trying with Estonian or English and it rarely worked.
After that we were back in Estonia for 2 more weeks. Ventured south this time for a music event at Leigo. It is basically a totally rural area, where the owner has started a classical music festival and has managed to establish it really strongly by now - with two stages built in the middle of two lakes surrounded by rolling hillsides. We went for the second day that featured Neeme Jarvi conducting Beethoven's 9th and the Battle of Wellington. It was absolutely fantastic - big professional orchestra, opera stars, big choirs, sailing boats, fireworks, you name it. Just for the grand finale it was late at night and very cold already so we had wrapped ourselves in everything possible. Next time should bring a tent and sleeping bags. But really so worthwhile this symphony of music, nature, fires.
From Elva we ventured towards Hiiumaa the next day - a trip that took us most of the day with a few stops along the way. Got to Kalana in the evening. The peace and quiet there with just the sound of the crickets and the sea is the best. The last year has brought a few changes though - by the small harbour they have opened a hostel, a coffee shop, boat and bike rental, etc. Also the EU has financed some 300 meters of stonepaved road where a gravel track used to be. It looks really funny. On the first morning when I saw it during my run I had tolaugh out loud. It's not an eyesore or anything but just seems so out of place as if it just fell down from the sky. So there is no stopping of civilization. They call it the "promenade" in the village.
Kids were all very well catered for - the neighbors were there with their kids and Beatrice and Karl spent most of the time playing in the "Barbie world" in their shed's attic. Raoul managed to find a bicycle that fitted him and could borrow it for the few days, so he was always on the bike, riding to the harbour (via promenade) and back and me or Robert or both with him. Then there was the obligatory bus-shop on Monday and we went for a few dips in the sea as well. To the most beautiful beach in Estonia - big waves, lovely sand.
On thr way back in Tallinn I had a chance to go and see the president - he gives a reception every year on the 20th of August - the re-independence day - for all sorts of cultural figures. This time Jaanus, my sis's partner was invited, so they went together and I joined my old friend Kadri, who has become one of the leading experts in international affairs. It was a great evening in the rose garden and felt a bit like school reunion - so many old friends from Tartu University were there. Some I hadn't seen for nearly 20 years. Haven't had such laughs for a long time.

Moors and forests

We have spent the last few weeks trying to outsmart the weather here in Estonia. Really tricky - not horrible but not exactly bright and sunny most of the time either. Probably have had just a few really hot days. Last Sunday spent at the beach of Karepa with lots of friends and that was really nice. The beach was very busy although normally there are just a few people but this time everyone was trying to take the chance and make the best of a rare sunny day. I still found the water too cold but the kids swam in the sea and in the river (and nobody got sick). They made new friends and the boys started a mud-war against the girls who were in the minority and had to retreat soon. Beatrice was happy to play with her old friend Leena and to look after her little brother as well. Raoul was also a good babysitter.

Then last week one day we went to see a buffalo-farm here nearby. Had heard that there are some activities going on but as we got there it turned out there is a "family day" on Sundays only. However the boss whom we ran into told us to go to the stables anyway after we had already made the effort to come and have a look around. There we found a lovely girl who showed us around and let hold little chicks and feed the rabbits and touch the goats and turkeys and all sorts of animals she was taking care of. We stayed nearly 2 hours! Will go again on Sunday to see the activities.

Then another day we went to a little seaside village of Ka"smu that has become really pretty but still in the lovely old style of white wooden "captain's houses" with big verandhas overlooking the bay. There is a small maritime museum and just now there was a small stage built on the sea for an outdoor play. A few boats inspired us for a good hour's play of pirates, great big stones for climbing in the small yacht harbour. Then found a cafe with another pirate-ship playground. On the way homeward stopped at a nature information point in the national park and discovered a small museum about woods and forests including an old "cone-drying hut" with working equipment. There is also a beautiful watermill that has been privately restored now. The lady from the centre recommended the beaver walk nearby, so we did that afterwards. Didn't see any beavers but very clearly their "work" in the river.

Today did another nature trip - to a moor this time. I have wanted to bring the kids to a moor with a boardwalk for some time and now I found one not too far away with a nice track that was not too long. It said on the map a bit over 5 km but it felt soooo much longer. Very pretty landscape though - most of the track went on a sand-dune that surrounds part of the moor with light pine forests and soft moss on the ground. Also the boardwalk through the soft moor was exciting. There were resting huts and a tower with a 360 degree view along the way. Found lots of chanterelles and porcinis that gave us a fantastic dinner. Loads of blueberries, some cloudberries, the cranberries are not ripe yet. But mostly I enjoyed the quiet and the beauty of the landscape. Surprisingly all kids did really well. Beatrice was most of the time far ahead with my dad although usually she is the one who wants to go back after the first 200 m. Raoul ran most of the time and only started to moan at the end when the mozzies attacked. Karl was lagging behind a lot but mostly because he was busy with bugs. His basket was not for mushrooms but for creapy crawlies and these were not so easy to catch. With the picknick it probably took us well over 2 hours. Such a great experience! Beatrice made a great comment a few days ago "why is it not like that in Singapore, here in Estonia it's nature, nature, nature all the time. But actually I do like nature". She has started a herbarium and has learned a lot of plants by names. Wants to become a vet!

In Estonia

We have been in Estonia now for 12 days already. The flight was not pleasant - I thought individual screens are standard now even in economy class but not so on Lufthansa. So there was no entertainment for the kids. Imagine then 12 hours ... We got to Frankfurt very early in the morning and as we had a long wait for the connecting flight, went to town. I hadn't thought there was an old town in Frankfurt at all but there is a small one and it was quite a nice walk, a very nice and sunny day. Finished in a Children's Museum about underground life - everything that goes on underground from worms and moles to pipes and trains. 

Got to Tallinn in the evening and the whole airport was already like a mini song festival - lots of people arriving for that from all over the world, many old Estonians from overseas, very busy but somehow an elated atmosphere.

Got to my parents' place about 8 in the evening and it was so light! The light nights of the midsummer are just so amazing. One evening I realized at 11 pm that we were sitting and reading and still didn't have lights on. We haven't been here at this time of the year for such a long time now that it seems truly magical. Kids don't want to go to sleep because it is still light at 9 or 10 and of course it is light and bright already before 4 am again. Somehow this has worked it's magic on jetlag - we didn't have any! The nature is all so light-green as well, still early summer. Outside the house we have a 280 degrees view of light green fields of rye and bright yellow rape-seed. The sky is huge, clouds dramatic. Big yellow full moon at night. The strawberries in the garden have the best crops ever, we are eating kilos every day.

The first day here was quite nice and warm so we decided to take the chance and went to beach. However there it was so windy and the water was probably 16-17 degrees, so Robert was the only one who swam and we didn't last much longer than 1 hour. And next day the weather changed and it was typical nordic summer again - rainy and cool. So we went to the water-spa-centre here and warmed ourselves up in 10 different saunas.

Then on Saturday was the first day of the song festival. We got there in good time and even managed to get seats but the start was delayed such a long time because the parade was late. And by the time the concert started the first drops of rain fell as well. It was still quite magical to see the light go up to the tower and to see the 30000 + singers on the stage. The rain fell on and off and by 10 pm we were too wet, tired and exhausted, so we left and watched the last few bits at home in TV. This was actually artistically the best bit - they sang Verdi and Carmina Burana of Carl Orff. Neeme Jarvi had to shake the water off his notes. A shame the weather!

Robert met an old friend from Gothenburg and we joined their crowd in the hotel where they had been staying an partying so that all beer in the bar was finished. We left about 2 am and the sky was already getting lighter.

Sunday morning we invited us to my sister's place. That was a good chance to see them because they are so busy preparing for Jaanus' exhibition that opens on the coming Thursday. Also Robert's mum hadn't been to their flat which is all but standard. Then on the second day of the song festival the crowds were even bigger. This was a daytime concert with a lot of popular songs that everybody knows and no artistically challenging program. There must have been at least 100 000 people. It was even hard to move around and we had to use all tricks to get some seats on the benches. But the atmosphere was really fantastic. It was my first "laulupidu" after the independence 1991 and it was just so amazing to see all these flags and people joining in the songs. Then the singers at the top of the stage started a wave of hands going up and everybody joined in and we could see it travelling all the way to the back of the slope. And they kept going on and on. Also many songs were repeated. The weather was nice and sunny too. I hope to get the DVD before going back. It really is something so special.

Batam

In spite of the boys holiday camp I have been so busy that have not been good at updating the news here. I used their last week at camp to get an interview done with the Eu Yan Sang people and it was a truly great meeting. Learned a great deal and am trying to put it into some kind of form now. But with the boys being off school and off camp a bit tricky.

Last Friday we went over to Batam to see where Robert is staying. Quite a hassle the getting away from here - a lot of running around in the terminal and many checks and very busy with people. Also on the other end had to get visas for everyone etc. So this way the trip takes considerably longer than just the ferryride of about 1 hour. But we got there. It was dark when we arrived so didn't see much of the island. The resort where he stays is very funny though - Harris. It is by the seaside with own beach but facing the Singapore Straights, so wouldn't want to go into water there. But they have a great big pool and masses of activities. Robert has a junior suite there and they had kindly put in beds for kids. The kids are always so excited to go to a hotel anyway! All the staff are so happy and friendly all the time even though Robert complains that things don't work perfectly. I found the friendly and personal attitude makes up for that any time. The manager is a round happy Greek guy from Cyprus who is always around greeting people, answering phones, shaking hands, joining in karaoke and line dance. On the BBQ night the boys had their first go at karaoke with "twinkle twinkle".

Saturday morning Robert went to work and we explored the resort. Soon Beatrice discovered the kid's club "nanny" and was not to get away. They played outside, indoors, went fishing. There were two other kids from Singapore in the club for most of the day and all played really well together. And "nanny" Rofi is a real Mary Poppins - she really joins in the games and is not superwising the kids. So I didn't almost know what to do with my day! Got a lot of work done on my article, went to the gym and foot reflexology (ouch!!!). There is also a nice roof top spa that I will plan in for next time! In the afternoon we all went fishing with the kids club - just to a pond outside and funnily they all caught lots. Karl thought he won as he was the first one to catch a fish but later Raoul took one after the other. He thinks he caught at least 10. Beatrice got 6. We released the fish afterwards. (And when they went fishing the next day almost nobody caught anything at all - the fish knew already!)

The resort was very busy on the weekend - lots of local groups for daytime activities (a great attraction among others is a long "flying fox" that starts from the roof of the hotel and goes over the pool!) and a few big church groups for their gatherings. That ended in very loud and extremely bad karaoke style singing until late night under our window. Couldn't understand much apart from a few halleluja's from time to time but otherwise sounded like some really bad chinese pop. Well, I was so tired of my busy day that it didn't really matter.

On Sunday met Robert's big boss at breakfast, he was very nice and friendly to us, talked about his 4 kids and let Robert have a day off. Not that it mattered much because the kids just wanted to go to kids club anyway. With bribes and threats we managed to drag them away for a little swim and lunch in between play. Beatrice had been keen to go bowling - there is an alley at the resort - so we went but after 5 rounds she had had enough and ran back to play. Karl followed soon. Which left Raoul, Robert and me bowling for all 5 of us. Raoul carried the heavy balls bravely and was happy with his strokes no matter if he hit. Well at least great stamina. But we are all rubbish at bowling and really only went because Beatrice wanted it!

None of us got sick or had any problems at all. So I guess Robert must have been really unlucky with his Batam belly and that gave him very hard time for the first couple of weeks. Hopefully better now.

So we didn't manage to do any sightseeing at all. Next time I'll know and just send the kids to club and go shopping on my own. On the way back to ferry could see a bit of the surroundings. It is really still a developing country in spite of it's proximity to Singapore. Many many wooden huts on roadsides, just like some remote corners of Bali. Roads full of holes, buildings broken or unfinished. It will take ages to catch up even with Malaysia. But people seem to be very laid back and happy.