A Long but Happy Day in Singapore

I’m sitting writing this post at Singapore Zoo. It 9.35 and Pete and Ollie are having one more walk around the night time trails and I’m admitting defeat and having a beer under a fan.

The Night Creatures show

After a long day yesterday and the night hawker markets we were up and out at 8.30 after Pete and Ollie had had a swim in the big pool. This 5 year has stamina ! Takes after me I like to think.

We had breakfast at Maxwell food markets. Ollie wanted eggs and they come half runny boiled eggs that you open into a saucer and dip toast into.

I prayed the eggs were fresh as he polished them off and drank his fresh orange juice.

Following a walk around Chinatown we got the train to the Gardens by the Bay. These gardens are spectacular. It was hot walking along the river to get to the gardens but once there it was an oasis. Cool inside with multi levels you start at the top and walk down gradually.

Planning our visit to the gardens

There’s a magnificent water fall, crystal gardens, a forest room. All beautifully presented and not crowded. I bought our tickets through Klook, an online discounted ticket agency.

It worked beautifully. I bought a combined ticket for the Gardens, the flower hall and the night safari at the zoo. We’re going there tonight.

Ollie loved the gardens and Pete and I are so impressed with how everything works.

We moved onto the Flowers of the World and they had a Japanese gardens exhibition. Perfect as I’m going to Japan later in the year.

In front of the cherry blossoms

The cherry blossoms exhibition was like being in Japan.

Back out side the heat was picking up. We stopped for a beer and gelato before heading into the Science Museum. the building itself is worth visiting. Shaped like a lotus flower you enter via a bridge over the most beautiful lotus flowers.

The lotus by night. From the taxi after the zoo.

There were a few paying exhibitions including the Iris Van Herpen fashion exhibition I saw last year in Brisbane.

We opted for the kids activities which kept Ollie occupied for quite awhile.

Starting to get tired.

Hunger was getting to us now so Ollie and I headed back on the blue downtown train line to the food markets where we polished off dumplings for lunch. Pete was keen to have his bone broth soup so went a bit further to another hawker market specialising in that dish. $10 he said and he couldn’t eat it all.

We met up back at the hotel for a swim in the very large hotel pool. What a treat. Into the room for a rest before our nighttime booking at the Zoo.

It rained heavily – typical tropical downpour. A bit a rumbly thunder. it was great to look at lying on bed by the huge window.

It was still rainy when we left so caught a taxi. It took nearly an hour to get there by 7pm and cost $45 Singapore. It’s well organised and I stood in the line for the night train while Pete bought some satay chicken for Ollie. He’s also hungry a lot of the time. The line took about 20 mins. Perfect timing.

We got the front three seats and had a perfect view. It was amazing. We saw animals standing quite close to where the train crept along the narrow road in the ‘jungle’

It was hard to get a good photo but we saw lions, cheetah , rhino, elephants, bison, bears, deer, the list goes on.

From the train we went to the Creatures of the Night show and saw, and owl fly in, hairy pigs, hyenas, cheetah. All visited the stage on cue to eat something planted for them then quietly leave.

The show finished around 9 and Pete and Ollie de used to walk the night loop setting once again the animals we’d seen from the train.

I sat having a beer waiting. One tired little boy and his tired dad arrived back so we made our way out to the taxi and after 5 minutes in the car Ollie fell asleep.

Singapore is quite beautiful by night.

View from the taxi.

I wasn’t far behind!

Singapore for 3 Generations

When Pete our son suggested we might like to go to Singapore, Legoland and Penang for a short holiday with him and his 5 year old son Ollie. Then bring Ollie home while he went into a wedding in the Philippines, I really want sure what to think.

Would it be too much? would I get Covid? would we all agree on a plan each day?

I decided it was a great chance to spend some time with 43 yr old Pete recently facing a broken relationship and his gorgeous 5 year old.

Over Christmas we booked. It was real. We talked hotels, adventures and food. Pete has always loved Asia and its food. He’s lived in Malaysia attending uni and Cambodia as a teacher. He’s adventurous and a foodie – in Asia.

We went to the airport at 8 for an 11am flight. why are airports – Brisbane in particular so expensive. The food is overpriced, general goods ridiculously overpriced. I only noticed this time as we weren’t in a lounge!

The 8 hour day flight was great. We had a row of 3 and Ollie is a great little traveller. We watched a movie or two and poor Ollie only had cheese and crackers. We forgot to order a child’s meal. But he was so happy just to be travelling he didn’t care!

We landed at 5.15 Singapore time. Two hours later than in Brisbane.

We got our bags and left for the train to get us to the city, passing a robot cleaning. Ollie loved it.

The train was quick and easy and we got to our hotel the Mercure Icon in Chinatown easily. Great little rooms side by side with a great view and a 4 min walk to the night hawker markets.

View from hotel room in the 17th floor.
Olive in prawn heaven

We had a beer as it was very humid after some rain earlier in the day. Then satays. Chicken & prawns. Then dumplings. Then ice cream. We walked home tired but happy.

King Island

Departing Launceston was a master class in packing. We were told we had a limit and some , particularly the golfers had clubs to check in.

After lots of laughs and weighing we made it into a small 16 seat plane.

Girls in the back.

A brief touch down in Wynyard to collect another 2 passengers then onto King Island.

Collecting the 3 cars takes a small committee of drivers. Not me !

Three couples are staying at Green Ponds Guesthouse with our pocket rocket Host Sonia

The remaining 3 couples are in 2 apartments just up the road.

We stopped for lunch at Legs. A coffee cafe in the day and a wine bar at night. We all walked in and the owner paled somewhat and said service would be slow. And it was but the coffee and the pizzas were great.

Across the road we could select between the IGA and Foodworks for our supplies. Fruit, wine and bread. Sonia has such a well stocked house for us to choose from. It’s so generous.

Our super host showed us the 8 big crays she would be using for our cray salad dinner. My goodness they amazing.

She got all the meat out for us and we had a mighty salad to go with it and Helen’s super dressing.

Beautiful Tasmanian wines and ice cream for dessert was the perfect alfresco dinner.

The air got cool so inside to the prelit fire for chat then early to bed. The beds were cosy, the quilts were a perfect weight, a window opened so sleep came easily.

It’s easy to sleep in. It’s dark until at least 7.30!

So we enjoyed breakfast whilst the golfers had left at 7 to drive north to Cape Wickham golf course.

The non golfers head to the Calcified Forest on the southern tip of the island. On the way we stopped at the site of the shipwreck Cataraqui. It was very sad to read about the 400 people who died there in 1845. Many of them children.

Onto the forest which I hadn’t read much about. Fascinating, they look a bit moon like.

Seal rocks was next. Absolutely gorgeous views. The coastline is treacherous.

Back into Currie the biggest town on the island. After a sandwich a few of the girls went exploring. We wanted to visit the Art Gallery and Museum. No luck. Both were closed even though they were advertised s as open. On small islands there is usually a reason they close. I’m sure our hostess Sonia will know.

Boathouse. Restaurant with no Food

We walked the trail around to the Boathouse- a restaurant with no food.

What a place. Colourful, fun, eccentric it’s a must. You can bring your own supplies and sit at one of the many painted tables. Done by local artist Caroline ( she came to the island for a week, 20 years ago and hasn’t left! ) the room is filled with of seafaring memorabilia. I don’t know how to describe it. Like being in Greece !

A small rest for all before heading off to Grassey on the opposite side of the coast. To Wild Harvest. It’s a small restaurant owned jointly by Lucinda and her business partner Ian Johnson. They own 2 restaurants here. Different styles on opposite coastlines.

Outside Wild Harvest
Ian giving us a between course food description

This one does a degustation. 5 courses. Before each course Ian – the most relaxed chef ever, comes out and explain to the diners what is coming next. there were 22 in the rustic room which Ian built himself.

More than satisfied friends.

Ian also runs a tour company for the island. People get off the plane. Onto his bus to the restaurant for dinner and stay the night at the hotel’ perfect!

We drove home avoiding kangaroos and fell into bed.

Tasmania in a nutshell

Who doesn’t love Tasmania? it’s the most beautiful place with food and wines to add to the experience.

I joined our group of 12, two days late after attending my ArtsNational conference in Sydney. I had a bit of catching up to do. They were well relaxed when I arrived.

The first night we had dinner at Stillwater right on the Tamar River. Fabulous food in a cellar surrounded by the wonderful wines to compliment the food.

One happy group of 12

Jill and I walked the next morning. Just around the streets of Launceston – to orientate myself. It’s a lovely old city with many heritage buildings and parks. Some even with monkeys on display!

We headed off for lunch at Ghost Rock winery.

Kathy twisted our arm for a stop at the Christmas Creek berry farm. What a spot. The cafe overlooks the gardens and huge berry patch. Every type of berry inspired food was on the menu. We shared a crepe filled with berries and Steve had a berry affogato! A taste sensation.

A quick stop in Deloraine for a little walk to look at eccentric BnB and the street art.

Then the winery. A superb lunch. Local lamb roasted. Delicious Pinot Noir and some managed Persian Love cake for dessert.

A small walk and quiet night was needed to wind down after the long lunch.

The next morning we went walking. Down to the Tamar and across to the university. Housed in repurposed buildings the university looks relaxed and is also used for Parkrun. Lots of runners were arriving for their run

Tamar River with early morning rowers
Looking across to the university.
Tassie House. Timber is used extensively

Back through the markets with all the local produce on display.

Mushrooms

The golfers had left early for their game at the very well know Barnbougle Golf Club. We were meeting for lunch after at the beautiful restaurant.

But first a coffee stop at Bridport. A pretty place by the sea. Swimmers contemplated a swim. But sense won out and e walked around the town before grading for the golf club 10 mins away.

Lunch with a view.

Sensational bouillabaisse for lunch.

The golfer reported an excellent round. Great first 9 the. A very windy second 9. Quite a few lost balls!

Back to Launceston is Brady’s lookout.

Another quiet evening at the Central apartments.

Festival Favourites

There is always a lot to choose from in Adelaide at this time of year.

One of my favourites – for being beautiful was going to the Botanic Gardens for the Chihuly glass exhibition.

We saw this in Kew Gardens London a few years ago so I was keen to see it here in Adelaide. I wasn’t disappointed. Most pieces on display are different to the exhibition in London.

We arrived in the afternoon light as it was getting toward sunset. Beautiful.

We visited the deck cafe for a G& T and something to eat before starting the trail around the park visiting the 16 sites of glass. about 2.5km of walking.

There was music. This week it’s Texas a country western band. Lots of fun.

Then we started walking. It’s dark along the path with fairy lights directing you around.

I’ll just post my favourite. Though all were stunning.

We’ve also been to a few fringe shows at night. One with Louise Messenger who we saw 2 years ago when she sang Ella Fitzgerald. This time it was stories of love…. And sometimes breakups!

She was great.

For another change we went just into the hill to Sleeps Hill to the old tunnels from the train that ran up the hill and through to Melbourne between 1879 and finishing in 1919. Then it became a mushroom farm and is now privately owned and open to the public during festival time.

It’s a curious place. Underground with big thick brick walls painted white. You walk through about 600 metre of tunnel. Divided by big black curtains each section has something different. A bit about the history, photos of the time.

Then movies on the ceiling of different plants – mushrooms moving. Then paper mushrooms painted amazing fluro colours.

The last section was the train heading toward Adelaide coming out of the tunnel

I’m back at writers week after having day 4 off. Is all a bit overwhelming to be there everyday. and quite hot.

Today I listened to Daisy Goodwin talk about her novel Diva about Maria Callas and to Dava Sobel and her book on Marie Curie. Very interesting

Then a session on writers using place to effect in their writing.

Now at one on history.

Lots of Trump talk! The session with Nick Bryant was great. He’s a journalist who has lived in the states and written about the political history of the US. He has great insight. And he’s moved back to Australia. Says it all!

Steve returned to Brisbane today. Hopefully he gets back before the cyclone winds of Alfred get too much.

Adelaide Festival Time…. Again

I look forward to this time of the….. visiting family during festival time. And it’s made extra special as my choir are performing once more at the Fringe Festival.

Our choir, called Soul Singers , are doing as fun interactive show called Bangers & Mash Ups. It’s a combination of popular songs gathered into themes. Love Bangers, Boy Band, Rock Bangers etc. loads of fun and interactive for the audience.

Yes, it a sell out. Over 800 tickets have been sold. Not too bad ! And the envy of many other fringe shows I’m sure.

We arrived Thursday and it’s been all singing and family since then. Apart from my morning walk. The streets of Adelaide are still beautiful despite the lack of rain.

Residents seem to accept that gardens and lawns will turn brown during the hot dry summer months. They will regenerate later when rain finally arrives.

Fast forward…….

A week has passed. The concert went so well. Lots of fun.

What have I been doing this week?

Steve and I went to the pool at Burnside a few times. I have a swim trek to prepare for in June.

I’ve been walking everyday. The start are shaded so despite the heat it’s cool under all the shady trees.

We went to Zooma Zooma a fun musical festival show. I always love visiting the Garden of Unearthly Delights.

More walking. Lots of lovely walks here in Adelaide. Interesting suburban park at Unley with sculptures.

A visit to Payneham for the Soul Song choir there. There are Soul Song choir in 4 states. Find one near you. Payneham was fun.

Cindy the choir leader gives a great warm up using her drum.

Out to Glenelg for lunch with a view. Fish’n chips of course.

And two birthday parties.

One for Magnus 15 and one for Florence 7

Magnus requested a Wollies mud cake despite his mum Vashti offering any cake 🎂 he wanted – from the WW cake book. Florence chose the unicorn.

We made it to before school big band concert at Soraya’s school. She’s 17 and in Yr 12. her formal was on Friday. So lots of activity around that.

After the excitement of my choir gig it’s been lots of family time and relaxing.

More next week from the wonderful Writer’s Week

Tropical Rain

There is a distinct sound to tropical rain. It absolutely pelts down and the trees surrounding the house make dripping and drooping sounds.

Another swim in the rain followed by a simple breakfast. Life here is uncomplicated and quiet. If only we weren’t so worried about Jo.

We walked through the pelting rain to one of only two restaurants which are only open on odd days and odd hours. Today it’s open. We got big cups of coffee ( $16) and sat alone until a group of 4 came in with a local woman and sat near us.

Turns out they are journalists covering this area for a tourism promotion! Not a great time to be here. They shared their sweet pandan rolls with us and Paula our housekeeper arrived to chat and take them back to the house for more photos.

We went onto the Cocos Malay Museum. It’s small and the sign outside advises that if it’s locked ( it wasn’t ) to go to the shire office nearby and get the key.

We got in and spent some time absorbing what life would have been like. The Clunies-Ross family ran a huge copra business here. They employed many Malay people who stayed and became Australian citizens when they voted to stay with Australia.

We felt the museum would benefit from a retired person like Steve to add explanations to their displays. Perhaps he should offer to return and fiend time doing that.

We had ordered some curry puffs and spring rolls at the restaurant and went back to collect them. I got talking to the young man who took our money. ( 16 pieces for $54). Thomas from NZ met Ammanah when he moved to Perth. She was studying. They fell in love and I imagine it would have been hard for her Muslim family to accept Thomas. He decided to move to Cocos with her , convert to Islam and marry. He’s now employed by the local Council to run their waste management program.

They were just lovely to chat to and ask about life on Home Island. It’s very different to life on West Island. Home island is where the Cocos Malays live. Some travel back and forth for work.

Back at the house we shared our food with Wolf and Marion our Putin admirer.

Once again the afternoon was spent reading and playing a banangram. It was pouring. no wifi.

The other two couples usually eat and go to bed very early. So I prepared a cheese plate to share and we sat with Greg, Bruce and Atsuko for awhile. This is a dry island though guests at the house can bring some alcohol with them. You can’t buy it here. We’ve had a very small gin each evening. That’s it!

Our evenings are spent reading. And Steve seems to be able to sleep from 8.30 till 7. Amazing.

We’re hoping for news about our flight tomorrow evening at 6pm. It’s not looking promising. Jo and Martyn still have no idea of their medivac retrieval. Imagine if it were life threatening.

Leaving Cocos. Or Not.

Tuesday. And the million dollar question is ….. do we leave today ?

No rain this morning but also no wifi so to find out what is happening we walked to the medical clinic. Thank goodness for these medical people. We used their wifi to talk to Martyn and Jo who said the word was out that our plane was going leave Perth.

We packed up and prepared for the 2.30 ferry back to West Island to spend time with Jo.

It poured with rain as we got on and off the ferry.

New friends Bruce & Atsuko
Farewell from Paula & Greg

Got a lift to the clinic with Waka one of the nurses. Jo is in good spirits though we had a cry and a laugh. It’s now reached the stage that it seems the medivac company has put this retrieval in the too hard basket. It’s not the weather. The Doctor here is getting tough with them.

Our plane had landed We made our way across the road joined the queues. Got checked in, got on the plane. So far so good.

An hour later. Two hours later. A short message about the fuel truck breaking down. Someone looked out the window. Luggage coming off.

Captain made an announcement. We are out of crew hours. They have to stop work.

Off the plane and a vague message. ‘We’ll try and find accommodation for you.’ Didn’t sound promising

We struck it lucky. KL the nurse manager here has finished her contact and is leaving. She saw us and took us to the nurses flat at the medical clinic. Having Jo in the clinic all week has brought some lovely people into our lives.

We had a good night then in the morning started to rearrange our travel. Cancel our points business class seat. Book more seats to Brisbane. No more points seats. Double the $$$ as the cricket has just finished. but now whatever it takes. We’re leaving. And Jo isn’t.

It’s so sad that this beautiful place has left us feeling sad.

The people we have met has almost made up for it. I’ll write a whole new post about them.

Flight rescheduled for 1.30 Wed.

Walking in Home Island : Part 2

We continue along the water front in sunshine.

Past the Museum and onto the gravel road leading to the beaches.

It was deserted and quiet. We waded out and out trying to get to water deep enough to swim. 🏊🏻‍♀️ very difficult!

Steve swam off and around to the next bay. I followed at a leisurely pace. It was gorgeous swimming. Not much yo look at. I didn’t spy any turtles or even any fish.

We dried off and walked to the top of the island. We were only a short spit away from Direction Island. This is the place everyone says is stunning. Because of the rain we haven’t made it over. We funny fancy going there for 5 hours sitting on a wet beach no matter how beautiful the water. But our host here Paula, said the bay here is just as beautiful.

We came to the island’s cemetery. I have seen a Muslim cemetery so was surprised to see there were two crosses in each small grave plot one tied with a head scarf. And over the graves a small umbrella to shade.

We walked back through the little township and stopped at the supermarket. Several families were shopping. It was much better stocked than the supermarket cooperative on West Island.

The rain was starting again but did we care? We were already wet!

Back to Oceanic House for lunch and a chat with Wolf & Marion. Their English is better than our German – though Steve’s was trying hard.. They were telling us all the things their Government are doing wrong. Sound familiar!!!!

Too many refugees have made it impossible. Turning off gas, coal and nuclear, thinking the sun & wind would provide enough electricity has lead to huge power shortages and high costs. Wolf was getting very passionate. He loves Australia and advises we do things more thoughtfully. We can only hope.

Our bedroom is large and comfortable and we spent some time reading and listening to the rain before dinner. Tonight fish curry. Just 1 serve. It was hot, it was spicy.

Wolf & Marion had something with sauerkraut and Bruce and Natsuko had noodles.

After dinner we sat in the lounge and chatted to Paula and Greg. Such a well travelled interesting couple.

Do look up her website. PaulaCornell.com

Off to bed with the rain pelting down. I haven’t eeen such continuous rain for a long time.

We won’t be leaving Tuesday according to Greg who was a pilot in the British airforce. Visibility will be against them when landing. This is also why the medivac plane can’t get here to pick up Jo.

We just have to wait. We might get lucky. Heavens knows we need a little luck on this holiday.

Sunny in Paradise……

We had a locally made curry last night – the house managers get local people to provide a takeaway service to the house. It’s great. It saves cooking your own meal in the shared kitchen and the only 2 restaurants on the island are only open once it twice a week and not at all in the rain.

Our night was very peaceful – only waking to hear the rain pouring and then the call to prayer at 4am onwards.

When we woke the sun was struggling through. It looked completely different outside. The water opposite the house the most delicious aqua blue.

Outside our house

Paula provided us with a beautiful breakfast. Soaked oats and a bowl of exotic fruits, scrambled eggs and three types of local honey. Very delicious.

Paula Carnell along with her husband Greg have travelled from Somerset England to here to be house keepers for this house. One reason is to see the impact on bees this local environment has.

Paula studied art and became a very well successful artist painting on silk. Sge ran a successful card business. She produced a book of 40 paintings – After an illness put her out of action for nearly seven years it was during her slow recovery that she became interested in bees.

She started keeping bees and never looked back. She is studying to be a medical herbalist has a business called Creating a Buzz about Health. She is a bee consultant, artist , author of several books, traveller, podcaster and charming.

They are minding this house for a year. Adventurous! Paula wanted to keep bees in Cocos and they were offered this house to housekeep. They aren’t the managers. They simply ( or not so simply) do the house keeping.

Our walk this morning took us along the lagoon side of the island.

Come along with me……

Out the front door facing the water and a quick greeting to Bruce and Natsuko who were returning from fishing.

We saw the little beach in front but decided to head to the other end of the island while there was no rain.

We walked over some paving rocks with the stamp from Glasgow brickworks clearly visible. The Clunies-Ross family came from Glasgow when they arrived.

Past the original main gates

Along the waterfront

Past the houses. All the same.

The roads are paved some have fences.

We saw the Museum which we’ll visit tomorrow.

The supermarket has a little restaurant attached. Closed now because of the weather.

We arrive a the most gorgeous beach. Sandy white bottom crystal clear water turtles further out.

I’m going to post this now as wifi is so unstable. Rain presently torrential at 8am.

Part 2 of the walk will follow.