Great month - I'm on holidays for five weeks, and we've just spent two of them traipsing around Thailand and Singapore with the boys. So so had to laugh when our doctor commented that you don't holiday with little people (think he said it was more akin to a survival course), to which I have to slightly agree. Packing was more involved than going to India for baby pick up (for real!!! there was a very high chance we wouldn't be able to pop into a shop and buy a replacement if we left a favourite toy / book / food item / whatever at home) and keeping everything to two bags plus three carry-ons was a challenge. Decided to travel with a suitcase and a duffle bag in an attempt to fit all bags into a taxi boot, which worked. And it was hit and miss if we were even going to be able to go there for a while - Tajy developed spots about a week before we left, which ended up being viral (so of course he shared mildly with his brother).
Holiday consisted of five flights and five "holiday houses" (hotels). Took us about two days to realise we had no idea where we were for our beach stay (I'd researched a different hotel in the chain), especially as we ended up being about 200km from where I thought we were (Khao Lak on the Thai mainland vs south Phuket). Um, whoops. Hotel ended up being better than we could ever have expected (easy when I hadn't read up on this one very much - ha ha) and was more like a holiday / caravan park than a hotel. This was great as it meant there were no cars except for a handful of golf buggies driving between the villas, so it was super safe for kids. Hotel was very aimed at families and had two superb pool areas (incl kids pools that were bigger than the adult pools, and were a constant 60cm in depth) as well as the mandatory kids club. Best of all we were right on the beach, so we ate dinner every night sitting underneath a hut with our feet in the sand. Bliss!!
We were 15mins out of Khao Lak, so we headed into town one day and quickly decided to leave our shopping until we were in Phuket later in the week. After five nights (should have booked for longer, especially as I picked up this hotel for AU$50 a night, incl full buffet breakfast) we travelled down to Kamala Beach (just north of Patong) on Phuket. Hotel was probably fine, but after being spoilt rotten at Khao Lak it felt like a nothing. Still impressed that the guest relations guy lent us his personal toaster vs spending 25 baht (nearly AU$1) for a piece of dry, cold toast at Kamala. Purchasing a toaster was high on our list when we headed into Patong the next day, which we did for AU$7. Even bought it home with us in anticipation of our next holiday! After three nights of musical beds at Kamala (I shared with the boys in Khao Lak and we all shared with each other in Kamala, incl middle of the night bed changes) we headed back to Singapore for three more nights. And what did we do in Singapore? Hung out at the pool, as we did for the entire time away. Nik, Alex and I got a nice tan without even trying while Tajy remained glow in the dark white. Got in a tad of shoe shopping (bought t-shirts in Patong) and played tourist twice - caught the cable car over to Sentosa Island to visit Underwater World (home of the pink dolphins) and did the Duck Boat land / water tour. I very quickly dropped Tajy's age as child prices for everything was SG$16, where under 3 was free or a nominal charge. Bonus having different size twins at times!
Flight home was direct and only 6.5 hours, but it knocked us all for a six as it was overnight - but none of us got anywhere near enough sleep, except maybe Tajy as he managed to get three seats so was fully horizontal. Alex decided he needed to lay on me, even though there was an empty seat next to his. At least I didn't need a blanket. Boys discovered the Disney Channel in Singapore, so were happy to watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates (have I got this name right??) before they semi crashed. Why, why do airlines offer a full meal service at 10pm at night?? Seriously, if people can't have eaten by this time they can go hungry. Turning the lights low a good hour early would be appreciated by more than just people travelling with kids I'm sure! So we napped for half the day when we got home, and were still tired enough to fall asleep at bedtime that night.
Time since we've been home has been running around doing kitchen related stuff as I realised 23 hours before we flew out that if we ordered the kitchen asap (as in NOW), it might be able to be installed before I go back to work. Response was yes and the old kitchen is being ripped out as I type this, with the tiled floor throughout starting to be removed tomorrow. New kitchen is being installed next week as we needed to leave time to make repairs due to the previous water leak if need be. Sounds like we have a wet wall, so heater time coming up. Funny thing with ordering so last minute is we really had to make decisions fast, but I think we've got it right. Alex may not agree as he's announced that "a pink kitchen will make me happy", to which I reply that it's a shame we moved as we had a pink splash back in the kitchen at the old house. This child continues to be pink obsessed, with his big toe nails still sporting pink polish. So far I've been able to convince him that boys don't paint any other nails, so let's see how long I get away with this for. Alex loves, loves his new pink sunglasses and pink princess watch. Put a pink t-shirt on the child and you've made his day! Alex truly believes that anything and everything he comes across that is pink is his, as in "that's my xxx, it's pink". Tajy has announced that blue is his favourite colour, but he's happy with anything (except pink - he's not that silly, lol).
Classic 'out of the mouth of babes' recent statements:
* Tajy informing me we had an "emergency iron" when he found it in a cupboard at our Singapore hotel as he was used to finding torches hung up that we'd explained were for emergencies and were not to be played with. And yep buddy, I agree - every iron is for emergencies only. LOL!!
* the boys intently studied the emergency safety card on all flights and just about doing their own safety demonstration.
* Nik and I being renamed "mummy pig" and "daddy pig" by Tajy (who is big big big boy pig) after one too many Peppa Pig marathons. Alex has renamed himself Peppa Pig.
* Alex starting off announcements with "when I get a girl...". Still not sure where this has come from, but holding hands with a very cute 4 year old in the pool at our Singapore hotel may have something to do with this. The conversations have so far progressed to "when I get a girl... [I'll put petrol in her car]" and "when I get a girl... [I'll wear a pink princess dress and we'll spin around dancing]". And yep, I've confirmed that he's the one that will be wearing the pink dress.
* Tajy renaming the silver fox (new car) to silver taxi today. Think he now gets the someone driving you around concept, but maybe not the bit that some people have to do it for free.
* Tajy confirming his fear of escalators, to the point he'll only get on if someone is holding him - not safe! Lucky Singapore is very well designed and has elevators down to all of the various MRT (underground train) platforms as the escalators are long and very fast. We also managed to fluke ground floor accommodation where lifts weren't available.
* Alex telling me I smelt nice after I'd just got out of the shower.
Time for a zillion photos. Definitely makes up for not posting any last month like I said I would!
Kids and technology - great when travelling
Burning energy between flights at Singapore airport...
... and the efficient way to get around
Khao Lak - loved this pool
Kids club disco
Dinner Khao Lak style
Departing Khao Lak, complete with inflated pool toys
(transfer to Patong was via mini bus)
Out and about around Patong
Tajy's holiday diet staples - bananas and toast
Stephanie - success!
Out and about in Singapore with Alex's
new pink dolphin
A very strange ice desert that they made a huge mess of
One very trashed Alex, who of course fell
asleep 10mins before we landed