Field Trip to Chinatown

Lia's second grade class had a field trip to Chinatown as part of thier "cultural studies". . .and since it is decorated for Chinese New Year. All the chaparones and kiddos waiting on the curb  to gather and begin. 

They each had an iPad from school and they went on a scavenger hunt. They had a list of things to find.

I went along as a chaparone and got a workout. The kids were good but just keeping them in site was a challenge among the throngs of people. They loved the hunt but each of them had spending money and were most interested in buying something in the myriad shops!

Morning outtings, maybe looking for birds

Labradore Park is another Singapore gem. Boardwalks through the coastal marsh, trails through a preserve with lovely overlooks to the ocean. We were birding in the rain for a while. Getting to know the common birds and still seeing lots we can't identify. Always fun.

Always interesting architecture.  We had discussions about this building. I thought it was under construction but Will said no, it was finished and just had an open design. View from boardwalk.

Construction everywhere. SO polite!

The ocean view from boardwalk with all the ocean going vessels waiting off shore to unload.

This is from another park across town with a Chinese and Japanese garden as the showcase.

Lots of birds here including this Pond Heron.

A Chinese pagoda. You can climb to the top for a view but my left knee has been bothering me so no way I was going up all those steps.

We found a Grey Heron rookery high up in a pine tree with dozens of birds and several nests. Its best building time as they were flying in with nesting material.

Out and About

On the subway.  Doing what everyone else does--

checking their phones!!

 

 Hawker Center at Vivo City Shopping Center for great ethnic food.  I have a Japanese Bento

with shrimp and chicken

Its getting close to Chinese New Year so decorations and

shopping opportunities abound.  Special CNY foods are available

now at special prices.  Check out these "Birds Nest"!

They are real bird's nests, on sale for about equivalent of

$250 US for a quarter pound.  They make a soup or a drink from them.

Suppose to be healthy!

Lia and Doug went skating--even here in Singapore!  Nice rink.  She has a 

weekly lesson and Doug joins her for free skating after her lesson.  She does really well!

Aeri is taking lessons also back in New Jersey

Its Art week downtown

The cultural district of Singapore is in the middle of a Arts Festival. Kinda sliding right into Chinese New Year but all kinds of special gallery shows, and lights. Lights everywhere. More than usual

A stop in Daddy's office for a spin in the boss's chair!!

Little Chinese Teacher

Lia continues to learn Chinese at her school here in Singapore.  Here she is doing her homework with her Dad looking on, and trying to teach grandpa some Chinese.  She loves being a little teacher!!  I hope you can open the video!

Bird hike at Kranji Marsh

We signed up with the Singapore Nature Society to go on a guided bird walk at a place called Kranji Marsh.  We have spent time at Kranji on our own, hiking around and enjoying the nature preserve but the guide took us into a part of the preserve that is not open to the public.  The bird count was something like 35 species and I would say three fourths of them were new birds to us.  Was great to have people to tell us what we were seeing, which were residents and which were migrants.  We have a Singapore bird book but not so easy to use in the field.

A Blue Throated Bee Eater

All set up with trails and sign posts and bird blinds to assist.

Birders on the hike from all over--Canadian, Malaysian, Singaporeans and US.  We are checking out a Purple Heron or a White Throated Kingfisher

a Pied Triller, noisy little black and white bird with a sweet call.

Really pretty resouviour and wetland at the edge of dense urban living. There is a butterfly walk coming up open to the public that I really want to join.

A rainy day

 What to do on a rainy day.  We have had several lately.  Grab our umbrella and find a coffee shop.  making our way through the myriad of covered walkways in this city.  Is amazing how far one can get without stepping out into the rain, undercover.

 And then there is always a shopping center close.

Stuff

Lia out for a bike ride.
Grampa fixing stuff around the house.
Lia getting on the big school bus at 6:53 am. She has an early start every morning.
Breakfast of Youtiao and Ice Singaporean coffee.

Breakfast of "Thosai" -- an Indian "crepe" made with fermented batter, served with sugar, hot sause,  and/or spicy coconut sauce. A new discovery at the local hawker center.

"More better" pictures

Thanks Tess, for these pics!

Reunion

Minnesota connections gathering in Singapore. Tess and Gerry, old Crackleberry Trail neighbors, here visiting thier daughters' families, both living in Singapore. . .and we are here visiting our family.  T and G heading back to states this week so she planned a Korean BBQ at Natalie's house so we could all get together. Lovely evening,  amazing food that I am sure Tess did herself. Kids enjoyed the pool, nice outdoor picnic area for apartment complex that kept us dry during sudden downpour typical of Singapore.

picture doesn't show how hard it is raining behind them.

Bobby is great BBQ chef.

So sorry T and G leaving just as we arrive. Think of all those lunches out, shopping jaunts, coffe-klatchs we could have.

Next time!!