Beach Retreat

My PIL (parents-in-laws) informed us that they are going to Hong Kong from 21 - 25 August to visit my FIL's (father-in-law) eldest brother. So I had to take leave and be a SAHM for a few days. Since I'm onleave, I thought of going somewhere, and we decided to head to Kuantan.

We left on the 22nd August, with 2 of my kiddos strapped onto their car seats at the back of the car. The journey took about 4 hours as HY took the 'old' road - more scenic according to him. Lil' Preston fell asleep not long after we started our journey. We stopped for lunch at Termeloh as that place is famous for their 'live' patin fish. Well, the food was mediocre but the price was cheap.

We checked ourselves into Swiss Garden Resort & Spa and when we arrived, we could see that the lobby was newly refurbished. Very resort like - with dark wooden panel but with a modern twist. Norelle was estatic that she's finally there as she has been asking about the trip for a whole week.

We chose the 'Deluxe Sea View' because I checked that they have refurbished that too. The room was spacious enough - with a huge King-sized bed and wooden flooring. It even fit 2 baby cots (for my kiddos) and still plenty of room to move around. We had a clear view of the swimming pools (altogether 3) and partial of the beach (it was blocked by trees).

So what did we do? Of course we hit the pool. But it was already close to 6pm so we didnt spent a long time in the pool as the weather was getting bad. The nice part of pool was, there's a baby pool (2 feet), an adult pool (1.5m) and a heated jaccuzi. We spent quite some time 'soaking' in the jaccuzi :)

All we did on the trip was eat, pool, beach, sleep, eat, pool etc... Norelle and lil Preston enjoyed the trip a lot and we're glad that we chose this place. The slightly put-off part was the things which we brought. With a toddler and a baby in tow, there were A LOT of things to pack. Somehow as a mom, I have this habit in me to pack extra of all the things that I am bringing - better be safe than sorry. Thank goodness we went by car and a huge car boot does make the difference :)

We checked out on the 24th August and both of the kids slept mostly all the way. It was a good trip but I'm glad that we're home.

Hong Kong Trip (15-20 May)

We brought Norelle to Hong Kong last month. It was her 1st time taking the plane and to our surprise, she handled it very well. No fussing, managed to nap for about 2 hours (to and fro) and enjoyed the inflight entertainement and food. She was given a complementary baby kit by Cathay Pacific - a bag with some crayons, stickers, colouring book, etc.

Hong Kong was ok overall - we dont really enjoyed it very much. Maybe we had too high expection for that place. Anyway, we brought Norelle to Ocean Park - nope, we didnt make a trip to Disneyland despite that would what most people thought we should/ would go especially when we are going with a toddler. Norelle enjoyed Ocean Park very much and she had a blast - looking at those dolphons, sea lion, panda and the rides.

Overall, it was an experience and we look forward to bringing Norelle to other places since she's fine with the plane - more vacation? Oh yes! We (at least I do) need another vacation after this one......and actually it's going to be one soon....................... :)

A (Very) Short Escapade

I did something impromptu last weekend. I booked a night's stay at Boulevard Hotel, Mid Valley just to surpise HY. Well, aslo as a post-birthday celebration plus a short get-a-way for all of us. Work has been crazy for the past few months and time is drawing near for me to deliver our precious boy. So I guess this little short (really short) holiday would put some sanity back into our lives.

I managed to keep this 'agenda' from HY and the night before I secretly packed the bags with our stuff and sneaked them into the car. Wahahaha...I felt so naughty but at the same time I got the thrill doing something so 'secretive'. But I did tell him not to make any plans for Satturday and Sunday. Then on Saturday morning we went for our breakfast and I couldn't hold on any longer, so I just got it out. He seemed very pleased and excited (I hope!). We went home to prepared some last minute chores and rested a while (the check-in time was from 2pm).

We got to Boulevard Hotel and proceeded with the check-in. Norelle was very excited and has been running around (and climbing up and down on every chairs available) at the foyer. Our room was located on the 16th floor and the size of the room was decent enough. Quite a good value for the price I paid. Before that I did some 'research' and read some reviews on TripAdvisor. Turned out that those reviews were quite accurate and I'm pleased with myself :)

Norelle wasted no time in exploring the whole room, pulling out all the drawers / cupboards, etc. Then she busied herself by doing 'play-pretend' in making us tea / coffee with the mugs, spoons, coffees and tea sachets. HY offed for his squash game while we got some rest (it's Norelle's nap time). She was so excited upon seeing the babycot and insisted that she sleep there and she did :) So I had the whole King-sized bed all to myself and we had a good nap.

The funny thing about our little 'escape' was, that night, we still went home for dinner :) And we kept it from our family members. Hahaha..Somehow it made the whole thing much more 'sweet' and fun. We headed back to the hotel after dinner and we even managed to do some shopping at Carrefour. So convenient. We also stayed up to watch some movies on TV (it was such a luxury for me - laying down with fluffy pillows and thick duvet while watching TV).

Next morning we headed down for our breakfast at the coffee house (Wild Rice), located on the 9th Floor together with the gymnasium and swimming pool. Norelle was very excited upon seeing the swimming pool and we promised that she could go for a swim after taken her breakfast. Food was good and fresh. A good mixture of local and international spread. We had a little dip in the pool after our breakfast - yes, me included :). Just loved to be in the water - so light :) Norelle on the other hand, was having such a fun time in the pool. She got bored with the children pool and had more fun at the adult pool. Hahahhaa....

We checked-out at 1pm and walked around for a while at the mall before going home. When we got home, all three of us took a nap (a good 3 hours!). We truly enjoyed this 'holiday' of ours and looking forward to do it again.

Hmm...let's see what I can make out of this

This is so much fun! I can do this all day long

I wonder...I wonder....I wonder.....

Did I mention that I ABSOLUTELY love to swim??

2nd Singapore trip - July 08

Here we are again in the lion city. The occassion for this trip was to celebrate the wedding of Uncle Howard and Aunty Joyce. For this time around, we stayed for 3 days and didnt do much cos not much time and nowhere else to go. But of course everytime when we make a trip there, I make sure that we wont come back empty handed. So for this trip I managed to get a Maclaren Ryder, light-weight stroller for Norelle and also a Graco infant car seat for our Prince-to-be. Oh, and also not forgetting mummy's loot from Aunty Jaslyn AGAIN...hahahha. Bought some Gymboree clothes for Norelle through the website. The last time was Old Navy. Hahahhahaa....Cant help it when the bargains are too good to let go. I hardly buy clothes from the stores anymore once I got to know the price the brands offer online. Cant imagine before this I used to pay such a high price for those stuff.

Back to the trip. Unlike the last trip, this time the weather was much cooler and it rained almost everyday when we were there. This time we stayed at Novotel, Clarke Quay and we loved the place. I think they have refurbished the hotel as it is very 'ultra-modern chic' look. The room was spacious enough and the bed was extra wide :) The hotel is right next to (more like attached) Liang Court whereby there's a Japanese supermarket (Mediya) and lots of Japanese frequent this place. So it's very convenient for us.

The three-day getaway ended very quickly and how I wish we get to stay longer. The next day when we got back to KL, we went for my routine check-up with my gynae. I was 20 odd weeks and the baby had grown quite a bit. According to doc, he seems to have a set of long and lanky legs :P And of course we were made certain once again about the gender. Haha...my boy doesnt seem to be 'shy' in showing us his asset in every visit.

Hi Singapore, remember me? I'm here again :)

You think this pose is ok? Can charm all the hansome leng chais in Singapore ah?

'Daaaaaaaaaaady, please grip me tight tight or...dont drop me into the pond. I just had my hair done.'

My best time during the entire trip - Pool time!

Singapore trip - May 08

We went to Singapore on the 1st to 4th May 2008 and it was Norelle's first trip to the land of the 'Merlion'. We were there to attend a wedding celebration and also took this opportunity for a short get-a-way.

We went by car as this was much easier judging that we have TONS of things with us and also more convenient. Norelle was doing well along the journey and as for me, not at my 'very best' condition as I was having some 'morning sickness' at that time.

We stayed at Grand Mercure Roxy hotel for the first 2 nights and later moved to The Regent hotel for 1 night (where the wedding dinner was held). For this trip, we went to quite number of places as I would like to tak this opportunity to expose Norelle to this place.

We went to Sentosa whereby Norelle had her first contact with the beach. But it was a HOT HOT day. And the weather didnt budged throughout our stay there. Norelle was sceptical at first when we placed her on the sand. She didnt like it that much. Then HY brought her down to the sea and again she was overwhelmed by it.

We didnt stay long as it was such a hot day so we proceeded to our next destination - The Jacob Ballas's Children Garden. I've read a lot about this place at the forum so I was happy that finally we got there. The garden was designed especially for children in mind, informative and fun. Then we saw an open area where children are allowed to get wet. Hahaha...good idea since it was such a hot day.

Then we went back to the hotel where there was still some time for a little dip in the pool (for Norelle of course). What an eventful day. It was a fun trip for her and for us as well. On this trip I managed to meet up with Jaslyn and her oh-so-pretty Yun Xi where she came to pass me the 'loot' (my online shopping craze)

What I like most about this trip was our stay in The Regent hotel. The room was big enough and the best was the baby crib. It was so HUGE and it came with fluffy mattress and full cot-bumper. And also not forgetting a set of baby toiletteries as well as baby bath tub (with anti-slip) mat) - which we didnt even request for. This is truly a very-family friendly hotel.

Our journey back to KL was a breeze where Norelle slept almost throughout the whole journey.

Singapore here I come!

At Vivo City

In the coach on the way to Sentosa Island

Get down and dirty with the sand

On a trail track at Jacob Ballas' Children Garden

Oooohhh..water spurting out everywhere

And to end a wonderful hotday, a dip in the pool!