Back from R&R

Am back.

Woah, not easy to go F&E with 15 hyper kiddos leh. Decided on some kinda mini-adventure for them, so we tried taking them on public buses and zzzing in backpackers’ hostel… Hmmm, some bus drivers not very friendly leh… pity my colleague who couldn’t catch the ozzie slang, so kena-ed evil driver stare and whispered passengers’ sniggers. =( But the kids enjoyed the whole experience loh, and I am happy that they are happy, though must really admit it was a pretty stressful 2D1N for the two of us coz city’s more complicated than island. And exploring new territories like finding out how to cut across one street to get to another; which bus stop to alight and walk for how long to where; where to let them get breakfasts/lunches/dinners and how long to let them roam; etc etc etc… all the nitty gritties make us feel like we are fighting mini-fires all the time. Plus sunshiny Brisbane city decided to cry for the whole of Sat, so it was a wet and rather uncertain start I would say.

But Sunday (today) was great. It was Little Miss Sunshine all over again – fabulous weather! And after a day of exploring the bus and walk routes, me & colleague were confident enough to make our way around without referring to map! *clap clap* Brought them to nice weekend market where the kiddos nearly swept clean an entire sweets-choc store (you should have seen the shopkeeper’s grin – so happy I bet he can’t zzz tonite). Visited Queen Streets Mall twice on demand of classic s’pore shopaholics, and this is a really privileged batch I must say again, can afford to buy stuff (so much stuff!!! All sorts of souvenirs, shirts, chocs, pendants, shoes, soap yadder yadder) without having to bat a single eyelid/eyelash. I’d probably go tweak the programme a little and include more “cost-saving” activities, so that if there are any less-privileged ones on the next batch, they won’t feel pressured during such R&R activities…

In any case, we are nearing the end of trip. Get ready that Kleenex.

And pass one to me too.