Thanks to the marvel of Skype technology, we’re able to keep in touch with our family without feeling too deprived or lonely separated by, oh, half the world between us! However, there’s nothing like sharing life in person.
My mom made it out back in 2012 to visit us her grandson, but this time the grandson is a grown up toddler! Here are some of the highlights from her stay with us.
Everyday life
While seeing some of the grand destinations that Singapore has to offer is fun, really the best part of visiting is sharing every day life. Incorporating my mom into our daily routines and giving her a [second] taste of Singapore was what made her visit special. Now when we catch up with one another while we’re apart she’ll be better able to picture what our lives are like even though we’re on the other side of the world.
Reading a book.
It didn’t take long for the grandson to realize that while Mommy was busy with household chores, his Grandma was only too happy to spend time reading books with him. To add to the treat he received quite a few new books from the doting grandma. Grandma also introduced him to the past time of coloring.
A veteran colorer teaching the novice.
Of course our daily routing in Singapore included a lot of “normal” things like going for walks.
Gideon leading the way while Daddy and Grandma try to keep up the pace.
And much of the time the walks involve a little toddler control or perhaps a dash of playful chasing!
The chase is on!
The downside to all this activity is that it is always summer here. Though my mom would argue that isn’t a downside at all. Despite which point of view of the pros of summer one holds, one would probably concede that walking, running, or otherwise in Singapore outside results in a hot sweaty mess. Thankfully there is a temporary remedy for such sticky situations:
Ice cream covers a multitude of problems.
Ice cream is good, but thankfully it isn’t the only way to escape the heat. (Good thing too, or our stomachs would show our predicament!)
Quick snap the picture, then come in to help play with the toddler!
But not all of our day to day actions are quite so laborious as chasing a toddler or making sure the toddler had adequate support in the pool. And ice cream and water aren’t the only ways to forget about the uncomfortable humidity and heat. Some of best moments during the days, rain or shine, are spontaneous hugs and snuggles.
A cute hug. Need I say more?
And if you’re paying attention to the above pictures you’ll not that there is a distinct theme that came about because of the nature of the visitor. And that theme would be Grandma Green!
A bit of green wasn’t hard to find while my mom was with us.
Now on to the unique points of our time together
Gardens By the Bay
Although my mom would’ve been happy as a clam to sit at home every day reading, coloring, and snuggling with a 15 month old, she did politely request to see Gardens By the Bay. She did fly umpteen many miles, the least we could do was bring her to the beautiful gardens (twist our arms!).
The first glimpse of the GBTB.
Visiting the Gardens gave us a good excuse to catch a glimpse of the Marina Bay Sands – the backdrop of the gardens.
Letting our visiting tourist snap some shots.
Although the sites were spectacular, I think Gideon was more impressed with the grassy area where we allowed him to run around freely.
Freedom!
One of the advantages about visiting a touristy location is that there are always several strangers that are only too eager to stop and help us with a group shot!
Probably my favorite group shot from the visit.
It is amazing how neat the view becomes when you take the elevator up to the top of the trees for the Sky Walk.
Marina Bay Sands again – this time from a little higher.
But, really to be honest, everywhere on the grounds, high or low, at Gardens by The Bay provides a beautiful backdrop or subject for scenery.
Me and my Mom – The first of many treasured mother-daughter shots.
After eating a lunch outdoors we sought refuge from the heat in the coolness of the Cloud Forest.
Getting up close to the cool spray of the waterfall for a fun shot. (Almost like this visit.)
My mom didn’t care as much as we did for the cooler temperatures, but she did care when it came to the gorgeous tropical flowers all around her!
What do you know! We match the flowers!
Gideon slept through the first of the green houses but woke up in time to enjoy going through the second, the Flower Dome.
3 generations
I could go on and on, but let me allow the pictures to talk for themselves.
Pictures from both domes.
Though we had seen a lot we had time to stop at the newly opened water park to let the little guy have some fun.
Sprinklers galore!
Suffice to say my mom was glad that she put the Gardens By The Bay on her list.
Bird Park
We also visited the bird park again during my mom’s stay. I think she enjoyed the greenery and flowers almost as much as the birds.
Guess who found some orchids!
As Andrew was only able to spend part of the time with us before heading off to work, he requested that we first visit the Lori Loft. My mom was in for a surprise when she saw birds clambering to Andrew to take a sip of his offerings. It took a bit of encouragement but both of the ladies in the group were convinced to try feeding the birds once we were reasonable sure they would stay on the railing and not claw their way onto our arms!
Feeding the birds.
My mom and I remarked that after awhile you start to become numb at the sheer variety and impressiveness of the birds on display! The bird park really is amazing. (And Gideon thought their play area was amazing too!)
Backed by the largest manmade waterfall in the world.
After a long day, and a short break at home, none of us had the energy to tackle preparing dinner. So we took the opportunity to introduce my mom to an Asian adventure: Sushi! (Complete with the conveyor belt.)
Don’t worry all the plates aren’t solely from my mom.
Despite not trying the raw fish sushi, she thoroughly enjoyed her time at Sushi Express!
Singapore Flyer
We worked out that this had probably been Gideon’s forth or fifth time on the famous ferris wheel (the advantages of free admission for the little guy)!
So blessed he doesn’t realize it.
But it was Maureen’s first time on the big wheel, and it was her first time seeing the city lights of Singapore at night.
Rapt with attention.
I have to say, even though I have been on the flyer quite a few times (the advantage of having visitors and being able to obtain passes through Andrew’s work) … the city still looks great lit up at night!
Isn’t that pretty!?
After the “flight” on the Singapore Flyer, Gideon and Grandma felt like they were ready to direct the flight.
Mrs. Pilot and her assistant, Mr. Cute.
Okay, maybe not quite – but it was so cute, I had to chuckle.
SEA Aquarium
Our final special outing that we saved was the Aquarium. We had heard many rave reviews of the new aquarium from our friends since the attraction opened late 2012. (I don’t know why we didn’t realize it was already open when we had all our other visitors last year! Oh well. If you’re one of them, you know who you are, come visit us again and we’ll take you there. 😉 )
In order to visit the Aquarium, we had to get to Sentosa – the resort island of Singapore.
Mom’s first time, and our first time in almost 2 years.
Oh my – the aquarium was amazing!
Big observatory windows into the world of fish!
I really don’t think our pictures of the vastness of the view of the home to these sea creatures would do it justice. So let’s focus on the pictures that show off our enjoyment of the visit to the world’s largest Oceanarium.
Look up and all around!
Taken in one of the tunnels.
Reminds me of our Barcelona trip.
The aquarium really was stunning. I can’t say enough.
The variety of God’s creation is incredible.
I could’ve spent many hours gawking at the ocean creatures right in front of my eyes … if I didn’t have an important toddler to keep occupied. So eventually we had to leave the ocean behind us and head outside to see some of the rest of Sentosa.
A merlion shot for the books.
I don’t know how to sum up my mom’s visit or adequately share all the pictures while being concise, so I’ll end my post here. But I just want to take a moment to thank my mom:
Mom, thanks for coming. We made so many memories. I can’t thank you enough for visiting and sharing our life here in Singapore together with us. Can’t wait till we see you again.
The last group shot before the visit came to an end.
Randles like Candles 