The Rooster Year

 What a celebration.
Many times over many dinners; before and after.
With the patriarch and matriarch away in Melbourne, we were a little lost. It is terrible with no family to turn to and it is truly so uneasy celebrating the occasion without the parents.
On top of that with 2 daughters celebrating the eve with the in-laws , one has no choice but to be creative.
No need to feel lonely.

This is dad's brother, Kenny with wife Suzanne who graciously agreed to spend the evening with us and made the quorum for a get together. Lyn was back with Cian and so we ate la. Everything Chinese from herbal chicken soup to stew duck teochew style. We  have not passed a lunar celebration without this specialty passed down from my mother. Leeks is a must. When you consume it, you will know your figures better. Prawns baked dad's way earned much praise.

But how does one pass the occasion without going back to the hometown? Grace and Aaron alike chose to gate crash on the next day and we congregated in Muar. Sister Mee was there with an old aunt and so it was another banquet time.

The number again was not the point. 

We met. That's the point.

We ate . That's the next point.

Dad will do anything to be with Emily.

With no toys around, grandpa had to entertain the little one in another way.

Can you hear me? I remember doing that as a kid. Do you?

In the evening, we visited a quaint cafe and drank and ate again.

Then it was time again to travel down South to meet another sibling; Richard and family.

Yes, that's another colossal meal again; this time all forms of dumplings Shanghai style. In Singapore, we were united as a family again.

This is the Singapore extended family.

It looks like a new trend in the making for the years to come together with Richard and Kit.

So, we waited for the day for the old ones to arrive home from Melbourne.

No, they would not let the season pass without the family gathering; whatever number it may be. So, it was another mammoth dinner ; this time in Subang Jaya. So, you see it was food, food, food.

A week before the day, present colleagues gathered for a pre lunar celebration.

Happy faces; happy dinner. 

Finally, the last supper with good old friends of years. We are apart but the previous ties are strong. So we met for a nyonya-style lunch with the loudest bang on the yee sang.

Now, it was a real colourful Rooster celebration.

More to come for the year.

Great moments with loved ones and friends.

The Island

Batam.

Its nearness to Singapore was the main reason why it was picked as our destination. 

A ferry ride of 40 minutes will mean our arrival there and it was an attractive idea.

So, was it a good choice?

The view was spectacular at the entrance.

Beautiful view and a closer look will find us overlooking the island of Singapore.

 Batam has several resorts and we chose Montigo at Nongsa. Situated on the outskirts, it was a 40 minute car ride to the town centre. Like most resorts, it fronts a beach but the beach is not a pride to the place with its muddy state and nothing to play on, No sand for sandcastles and no sea shells.

 It is a far cry from our Malaysian beaches.

The compensation is a private pool to individual villas and the family had a swimming time with little Emily. It reminded us of the pool back home. So again it was nothing worth of mention.

The pool is perhaps another redeeming point as the children loitered around it and race one another in the pool.

 That's Esther and her usual style.

The poolside rest area is for guests to relax and have a drink.

Some indoor activities are also available but apparently the use of them is chargeable. That is really unfriendly.

The strolls around the villas was a way of appreciating the architecture and its landscape.

However we noticed there was a play area created for children; all made of bamboo. The locals took effort to create with easily available raw materials.
 The architecture was commendable.

Stairs and ceilings were meticulously weaved using bamboo; cost is low without compromising on the looks and functionality.
This is worth a praise.

A maze-like structure was inserted and you find rooms for different activities; watching the box, drawing and playing.

State of art facilities for the kids.
Truly a lucky and pampered lot to use the place.

You cannot keep 7 people without a fuss. We needed to explore the town and the day trip around Batam was inevitable. Besides the Matahari mall and a couple of smaller ones, there was not much shopping attractions.

The driver took us to a cottage industry- the layered cake so very renowned here.

There was a choice between the original or the one with prunes.
We took the original for 250,000.00 rupiahs.
It is very delicious; truly a good representation.

We were entertained by this little one who brought so much fun to us except when it is 'pooing' time.
Many times as she ate non stop.

This eatery was in the heart of Batam where local cuisines from bakso, bak kut teh, fish noodles, satay were served.
We had a mix of them and rated them average.

This is a good family photo except for the stranger behind. How is it the photographer failed to see the wrong link? The adult children were quick to comment ; oh that it can be cropped and some magic can be done to it.

All empty promises.

The Batam trip was simple and quiet; no upheavals.

Unless golf is in your agenda, you can consider visiting another island.

The Break

Every break taken has to be with the family.

This has to be as moments together are like stolen time; everyone is busy and putting plans on the calendar is also a major effort. The trip to Singapore and Batam was not easily concorded as much rantings and quarrellings were created before everyone could agree. At one juncture, I was doubtful if the trip could happen.

This reminded me of the good old days when the children were young and planning was done by adults alone and it did not involve headaches and heartaches. We only had to inform them of our plans and they would obediently and joyfully tag along.

She must be the reason for us to be patient with one another and the attraction was so strong that we finally agreed with one another's plans. Emily brings joy to the people around her.

 Emily with aunt Lyn showing off their shades.

Emily gives no rest to grandpa and demands all his attention.

As public transport was a chore during festive seasons and flights were unreasonably priced, we went to the extent of borrowing a 7-seater vehicle just to accommodate one another. So you see, it was a huge effort to be together.

Singapore and Batam were just excuses. 

We wanted to be together and picked a nearby place to while away our time.

In Singapore, we took time off to visit the zoo; the ultimate place to entertain the old and young.

At the Safari, we were taken around to see nature and the main theme was on the life found along major rivers of the world; Congo, Amazon, Mississippi,

Ganges, the Nile, Mekong and Yangtze.

Yes, truly educational and I would recommend on a school visit.

The explanations included types of sea life, activities associated and how the population thrive along them.

 The Mississippi runs across 10 states and the life and activities are many and beneficial. Many cities rose from its existence and wealth created along side it. The livelihood has been established for centuries right from the migration of the English. There is much history if you read about it.

 I love this American style wooden house typical of the first days along the river. Cowboys and stories related to the rich forests. Observe the logs used for the building.

River Nile is the Africa's longest river and its history goes way back to the biblical days. Man is here but gone tomorrow but God's creation lasts forever or until the end of days.

The hippo and crocodiles are found along the Nile but their existence are probably threatened with increase in human population. 

Ganges to the Indians is sacred. It brings forth livelihood; is used for religious celebrations and the mother of life to the Indian community. 

This information is reason why we must appreciate the mangrove swamps around us especially along the river mouth of my hometown; Muar. The mangrove swamps are where we get prawns, crabs, oysters and fish and shellfish.

How we enjoy those source of seafood.

So, how much we must preserve them.

The mud skipper is another creature found in mangrove swamps.

 A creature like the crab ; on land and sea.

So familiar to South East Asian lands is the Mekong River; often known as the mother of all rivers. 

The mother of all rivers is a familiar life saver for the South East Asians. Flowing from the mountains of China it flows across Myamar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. For each of the countries, it serves as a transportation hub, provides fertile soil in the deltas of the tributaries that join its course and sometimes is a tourist attraction with its multiple business transactions done along it. A main source of water for drinking, agriculture and washing, the Mekong is truly incomparable in its tribute to the nations it flows through and befits the calling; mother of all rivers.

The aquarium is the home to many species of sea fishes and creatures and is a great learning experience to all who see it. Adults and children alike were mesmerized by the many varieties and species of sea life just like the one in Sea World of Gold Coast of Queensland. But the latter had dolphins and many wonder shows; it being a theme park. 

 

Can you spot the world's largest amphibian?

The zoo is also home to Jia Jia and Kai Kai; the loves of many.

The pandas of China are well taken as they are 'borrowed' and there is an accountability attached to the loan.

There was a concerted effort to make the dwelling place extra cold; a temperature that match its homeland and also to overcome heat that the pandas may feel with its thick fur.

They seemed pampered.

 A walkway connects the different parts of the zoo and in celebration of the rooster year, greetings of good sayings in a typically Chinese Singapore adorned it.

While little Emily was under the care of aunt Lyn, the rest of us took the ride through forests.

Monkeys, the deer, colourful parrots and the beautiful storks were some of the forest animals witnessed. Emily was not allowed the ride because she is under aged.

Have you seen a manatee? What is it exactly?

Yes, that's it. First time for me. Big and friendly.

That was the last slot and soon we exited.

A well spent day.