Made it back in one piece

We planned and planned for this one week hol. Should we go Bintan? Hong Kong? Malaysia?
In the end, decided that we should self drive to KL. Coz of bb, we had so much more luggage to lug. So, borrowed an MPV (can put more stuff and still be comfortable) packed in our stuff and family and set off rather excitedly on Tuesday morning, 6.30am. Drive was smooth and comfortable. Some rain and fog along the NS highway but it wasn't anything hubby couldn't handle.
The real trouble started when we reached KL and checked into the hotel. We arrived slightly earlier than expected and the room wasn't ready. No prob, we thought. Just leave the luggage in car and take only what we need. So, unfolded pram and off we trooped. Went around the back to Sungei Wang and BB Plaza. Traffic was rather horrid and weather sticky. After lunch, Brandon started drooping and whining. He was getting sicker. Coughed almost non-stop and sneezed his nostrils off. Poor guy, we said. No choice, hubby said. Let's get back to hotel. From there, everything started going downhill. BB didn't want her food, big brother just lay on the bed like a sick droopy flower, daddy tried giving meds, mummy tried coaxing food into BB. 2 hours later, we all collasped with exhaustion. BB from screaming, Brandon from illness, daddy from driving and mummy from eveything!
I nearly wanted to drive back the next day. Things didnt get better. Only worse. Brandon was getting sicker and BB kept spitting out her food. Mummy could not get any shopping done and Daddy was the only sane one. Thank god for Daddy's calming influence or else I would have left the BB by the roadside and chucked Brandon into the dustbin!! I was that frustrated!! She kept refusing to sleep, eat or poop! Brandon kept wanting to sleep! All I wanted was to do some shopping but I could not! Could not even eat a proper meal or have a decent rest at night!
Sigh..... I learnt a lesson.... BB was simply too young to bring anywhere simply coz she could not eat our adult food. And as she was still BF, I became her only source of nutrition and that really frustrated me coz she wanted to suck every 2 to 3 hours.
Never mind..... It was only 3d2n..... and what a frustrating 3d2n it was.....

Car Fetish!

Let's start with.... Disneyland!!

Astro Blasters! Brandon's fav ride!
Here's everybody's fav place! The happiest place on earth!














Family shot
Even the handles on the train are Mickey shaped!

More Pics of Japan!!

Check out these 2 cuties!! Palm sized only!!

Row, row, row your boat....

The Water Bus in Disneyland. It was so hot, they sprayed water everywhere to cool the people down!

I'm BACK!!!

Before I load any pics, I really gotta say this..... Japan is terribly, horribly, fantastically HOT!!!
HOT HOT HOT!! The temperature hit 36 deg when we were there! We trudged around in that terrible heat and now we're completely TOASTED!! I'm so tanned now that my friends think that I've gone to a beach resort for a holiday!
With that out of the way, I have to say that Japan is a country worth going to. But you have to learn how to speak their language. It was a frustrating time trying to find someone who understands you. However, they really go out of their way to help you and make you feel welcome. The crowds are terrible, there are so many people in Japan and yet, they don't push, shove, yell at you or pick your pockets. Japanese have made courtesy and honesty a beautiful form of art!
They have so much pride in whatever they do. Presents, food, desserts, toys, everything; are so beautifully packaged! It is said that in Japan, you can't find lousy food. That is so so true. Everything we ate wowed us. It was not as expensive as we expected and we paid the money willingly because the food was so wonderfully palatable.
Japan is a self sufficient country. Why do I say that? Their people support their own economy so much that there is practically no need for foreign tourists to come and boost their economy! Other countries build theme parks to attract more tourists to come and spend money and therefore make these parks tourist friendly. Not to say that Japan is not friendly. It's just that everything, just about EVERYTHING, is in Japanese! There is no translation, absolutely no translation at any of the 3 theme parks I went!!! They see no need to translate anything because I guess most of the people who visit the parks are Japanese! It was slightly better this time round (compared to 10 years ago when I went) as we found more people who could speak a smattering of English at Disneyland and Sea. Universal Studios had less staff who could speak English. Disney had more signboards in English, Universal Studios had less. Their maps in English were also not as comprehensive as the Disney ones. That could be because Disney was in Tokyo and USJ was in Osaka. There were also less English speaking Japanese in Osaka than in Tokyo.
All said, it was an exhuasting trip. We walked everywhere and took the subways and buses all the time. The cabs were simply too expensive to warrant a ride. The weather was so hot, it took a lot out of us.
It was a fantastic learning experience though. The different cultures, habits (good ones) lifestyle all served to open our eyes (especially Brandon). There was so much I learnt from this trip compared to my other trips. I've enjoyed this trip even though it was exhusating.
After 10 wonderful and exhausting days, it is now back to Singapore and reality!