Back to work

After the events of last week we found life pretty mundane this week.  Back in the work routine everyone wanted to know all about the wedding and see pictures.  We found our replacement teachers had managed quite well but the students were glad to see us back.  This might be due more to the fact that they had to complete tests last week than any high popularity rating for us. We did manage to bring back a few more books, stickers and odds and ends that will be good to introduce to the classroom in the future.  This week has been teacher topic week so we've covered topics as diverse as 'War of the Worlds' and 'Rainbows'. Highlight of the week was finding Luke and Tahlia on skype one morning.  They were in the library (first time I've ever found Luke in a library) because that's where the internet connection is strongest on board. They both sounded very relaxed and happy.  Had been onshore in Thailand and spent the day in Pattaya, were on their way to Vietnam.

Other items we brought back include 4 tennis racquets that we plan to bring out when we have friends over.  Rule No 1. If you don't hit the ball to Libby she won't play! Eric's big disappointment was that he put a large jar of Vegemite in his carry on luggage and it was confiscated at Darwin Airport.  When will he learn?

This week's walk was an exploratory one from Khatib MRT to Upper Seletar Reservoir Park. It took us along the water's edge and then through some quiet bushland.  One interesting encounter was with a man training guard dogs. Chun Jiao had never been this close to large dogs before. We saw and heard a number of birds including a majestic white-bellied sea eagle and what we think was a juvenile.

We finished the walk at the rather peculiar Bottletree Seafood Restaurant by a pond where you can fish for your own prawns. The place was established by Mr Neo, a tree lover who selected rare trees and other exotic plants from Australia back in 2004. They include Boabs, Grass Trees and Cycads; its quite weird seeing these plants in such surroundings. The Yum Cha lunch was our selection from a wide range of small dishes which Chun Jiao advised us on. We had congee rice porridge, dumplings and yam cake then finished with fresh fruit, iced lemon tea or barley water. 

In the evening we joined work colleagues at a mid term gathering at Casa Verde, the restaurant in the middle of the Botanic Gardens.  It was a beautiful evening to sit outdoors and we've certainly been close up and personal with nature this Monday. Peter joined us and so did his son Tim who has worked for MAE but now teaches at one of the International Schools.  Tuesday was spent mostly at home, we've confirmed a tour in Turkey for July, had a plumber check out the leak in the bathroom (promises to return tomorrow am)  and Eric had some health tests (just as a precaution) and so far has the big tick for cholesterol and resting heart rate.  Other results of Friday. 

We went to Serangoon Gardens this evening for dinner.  This area is renowned for its famous hawker stalls and plenty of choice among other food outlets and bars. We have decided our favourite hawker centre is the one called Chomp Chomp, we had satays, pad thai and thai olive fried rice but later found bbq stingray flaps and prawn mee hoon (the best in Singapore according to the locals).  We will have to go back, it is very easy to get there by bus or only 2.5 km to walk in the cool of the evening.