Danny was in Malaysia during the children half-term holiday. YH went to a swimming pool party on Saturday and I have to plan what should we do for the next 6 days. Since a lot of people were away on Bank Holiday weekend, we started to feel bored at home. We were so lucky to get invited over to Simon/Sarah’s for BBQ. Children had a fantastic time playing in the pool. Sarah and I was relaxing under a beautiful sun shining day while watching Simon trimming branches and prepared BBQ. he he he….
We received a bad news from home about ‘Mama’ (Grandma). She had been having fever on and off and complaint about the pain in her stomach. After several check-ups and scans, it shown that there were six to seven stones in her liver. She had suffered severe pain not only from the stones but also it was badly infected. Hence, a major operation had to be carried out. We were very worried about her, especially high risk operation at her age. Danny had decided to cancel our Germany holiday trip, took emergency leave and flew back to Malaysia to see her. Filial piety, is one of the reason why my children and I love him so much.
The operation took about 5 hours. Thankfully, she is recovering very well. Considering her age and the type of surgery she has gone through and be able to regain consciousness just a day after surgery, she is simply amazing! YES, She is just AMAZING!!!!! A widow at 50 years old, brought up 7 children on her own and took care of in-law family, supported their education and their dreams, unconditional love and care. I’m so grateful to be her daughter-in-law, she helped me so much during my maternity and treat me like her own daughter. She is always be there for us. Grandma, we wish you quick recovery and we miss you so much.
A message to Grandma.
YH: ‘Mama’, are you feeling better now?
YX: Are you still feeling pain? Please get better soon
YH: When we move back to Singapore, we could come and visit you.
YH & YX: Bye Bye.
We had Sam over for sleep-over on Friday night whilst Sarah taken part in Moonwalk in London. The boys were playing very nicely until they saw an Alien Invasion video clip in You Tube and got very nervous.
We went to Duxford for the ‘British’s Best’ air show. Unfortunately, the weather was not in our favor. Cloudy and windy. Nevertheless, we enjoyed a little picnic while watching different planes, jets, helicopters flew by.
I found a bunch of hair in a dustbin the other day. This is what happened when I saw Yi Xuen holding a pair of scissors with a few barbie dolls.
Yi Hong and Yi Xuen gave me some special coupons to spend.
‘Good behaviour for a day.’ signed by Yi Hong
‘Wash dishes after dinner.’ signed by Yi Hong
‘A ticket to bedtime story.’ signed by Yi Xuen
Erm…..I still expect good behaviour even after finished spending my coupons.
Dublin = Guiness + Pub + Smoking + city combines history and architecture + rich culture
We drove to Stansted Airport at 3.30AM, with 2 sleepy children, and took an hour Ryanair flight to Dublin, the biggest city and capital of Ireland. We experienced this city of rain on the first day we arrived. Fortunately, only the first day. We took ‘Airport Direct’ bus to the city and alight at O’Connel Street, Dublin’s main thoroughfare.
Day 1 –
James Larkin statue. The Spire of Dublin behind, a 120 metre high landmark.
Daniel O’Connell Statue – 19th century nationalist leader
The Molly Malone statue. Molly Malone was a semi historical/legendary figure who was commerated in the song ‘Cockles and Mussels’, a Dublin anthem. She worked as a fishmonger but also as a working girl and died in one of the outbreaks of cholera that regularly used to sweep the city of Dublin
The colourful Doors of Dublin
St. Partick’s Cathedral – is said to be the earliest Christian site in Ireland from the 5th century.
Christ Church Cathedral was founded in the year c.1030 by Sitriuc, King of the Dublin Norsemen and is one of Dublin’s oldest and most recognised landmarks.
The Guiness Storehouse is located in the heart of the St James’s Gate Brewery, which has been home to the black stuff since 1759. It is Ireland’s Number One Visitor Attraction and we simply cannot leave Dublin without having paid a visit. The massive seven-storey building, a former Guinness® fermentation plant, has been remodeled into the shape of a giant pint of Guinness®. Our favourite part (not the children though) was to be able enjoyed a complimentary pint of Guinness® whilst relax and enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree views across Dublin City.
We had dinner at the Farrington, Temple Bar, a famous pub recommended by Corrina. The food was absolutely fantastic. I miss the Beef and Guiness Casserole and Soda Bread. Yum Yum…..
Day 2 –
Slow walk along Liffey River.
Custom House
Old Jameson Distillery – famous Irish whiskey
A relax afternoon in Phoenix Park. We were told it’s the largest enclosed urban park in Europe and it is bigger than the combined of all parks in London.
Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison and is now a museum. Kilmainham Gaol has played an important part in Irish history, as many leaders of Irish rebellions were imprisioned and some executed in the jail. The jail has also been used as a set for several films.
Danny’s favourite street perfomer so far. He even bought a CD.
Day 3
Trinity College was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I as the “mother of a university”, and is the only constituent college of the University of Dublin. It is Ireland’s oldest and most prestigious university.
20 Apr – 4 May 2009 – Grandpa had travelled 11,342km to visit us. Although we have 7-8 hours time difference, but, it didn’t affect Grandpa at all. Jet-lag, no problem. When he was here, the weather was
unbelievable sunny and beautiful. Hence, we did had a lot of days out and explored quite a lot of places.
Peterborough Cathedral
Stamford. We had a traditional English breakfast here
London Trip – We took a train to London King’s Cross and WALKed to Holborn Grange Hotel. After checked in, we WALKed to Leichester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Convent Garden, then had lunch at Chinatown, and continued WALKed to Horse Guards House, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, House of Parliment…… total 4 hours of WALK!!!! Good work out.
At night, we had pre-theatre dinner at ‘Christopher’ before our show. We watch ‘OLIVER!’, a British musical, which is a long run successful Broadway production since 1960.
The next day, we went to see the ceremony of Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace.
Madame Tassuad, a wax museum
We had invited our friends/neighbours over for BBQ and took this opportunities to introduced my dad to them. We had so much fun ‘karaoke-ing’, especially enjoying Bruce Willis’s singing.
Grandpa enjoyed English Fish and Chips.
My dad thought Cambridge is a very famous university (I did too before I came to England). I brought him to visit Cambridge and showed him that there are a lot univeristies in this Cambridge town. He loves the buildings there.
Lincoln is one of the places where you could find Cathedral and Castle are just next to each other. We had lunch at one of the pub alongside the hill. We also did some shopping at the High Street.
Warwick Castle is a medieval castle in Warwick and was built in 1068.
Welcome to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
We really enjoyed to have Grandpa here. Granpa’s favourite part in England (besides spending time with the family) was the living environment and friendly neighbourhood here.
1-18 Apr – This was what we looking forward to, our family, our friends, the foods….. more exciting than any other vacations.
we took a 13 hours flight to Singapore. Look at the picture and you will know why Singapore Airlines was voted the best airline in the world.
On the first day we arrived, I went to see my new niece, Wei-En. She is such a sweet, chubby and laid back baby. She only wakes up once at night!!!!! At night, we celebrated Chloe’s 6th Birthday in a famous Japanese restaurant, Waraku.
We went to Danny’s hometown the next day. Uncle Desmond (London), Auntie Ling (Miri), Yun Yun (Kota Kinabalu) were back in Sibu too. Grandma had a house full of 9 adults and 7 kids. Mind you, this was only half of the total size of the Wong’s family.
Food in Sibu – CHEAP, BIG PORTION and DELICIOUS!!!!
This year, Danny reunited with “UYA TUOA”, his basketball gang members. Bunch of Sarawakian Kampong boys grew up together mostly playing basketball, at 31/2 miles Oya Road in Sibu, Sarawak, in the late 70’s to early 80’s. Lots of fun and memorable time together. They had a 3 hours basketball competition and hey, these boys can still play very well. They followed by a reunion dinner at night.
Best Volleyball coach and player in SIBU!!!!
Maybe YH & YX have been living in city for too long and not used to some village ‘friends’ – mosquitoes. Look at Yi Xuen’s eye – swollen and red.
After spending 10 days in Sibu, I went back to my hometown, Sandakan to see my dad and Auntie Emy (Tawau). No kids, enjoyed my favourite local food EVERY 2 hours….What a relax holiday!!!
Danny got to catch up with his best friend, James and family, while he transited in Kuching.
Our last stop was Singapore, of course. The most busy 5 days in our trip. Appointments and catching up with friends. We attended Wei-en’s full month celebration in Hotel Mercure Roxy. Auntie Selina & family (Hong Kong) flew back to Singapore for re-union too.
YH & YX babysitter and family in Singapore. Believe of not, Auntie Ong was still the first person YH looking for when we arrived in the airport.
Auntie Selina and family with the full month baby
Cantonese must have ‘yum cha’
Danny, Min, YH & YX 