Bouncetopia by Kiztopia Plantation Plaza | Plantation Farmway | Legoland Malaysia | Deepavali | WestMall mini funfair

Brayden 8Y8M1D

Bevlynn 4Y4M24D

I had just returned from a trip from Germany. Normally, the jetlag and tiredness would have kicked in on the first few days but not this time. I had a high burst of energy. 

As soon as I touched down in Singapore around 5 pm, I received a message that Hub wanted to meet with Bro Gene for dinner. I dropped my luggage at home and made my way over to meet them. 

Third day after returning to Singapore, it was Caleb's birthday and we went to his party at Bouncetopia by Kiztopia at Plantation Plaza. This is our first time at Plantation Plaza. It is so close to our home - only 3 bus stops away. The size of Bouncetopia was nice for a small intimate birthday party, with bouncy castle, sand pit, and toy grocery area.

After much fun indoor, we wanted to explore the area and found some nice outdoor playgrounds opposite Plantation Plaza, at the Plantation Farmway. There are at least 4 different playgrounds catered to different age groups. Bev and Bray loved the tallest playground.  

Fourth day, we went to Legoland Malaysia. This time, it was very spontaneous. We hopped on the bus at Jurong East and got on CW7 bus at Tuas customs. It was a Halloween season (Brick or Treat) in Legoland. Some children were in costumes. 

I texted my friends the photo from Legoland. And one friend from Klang saw it, he happened to be there with his family. We bumped into each other there on the same day. No plans, just pure coincidence. 

There were magic show, cupcake decoration and live performances by Lego Monsters Mr Dracula, Cheerleader, Frankenstein, Green Witch and Magical Wizard. Live dance choreography were great and the dancers were dressed in nice scary costumes. There were also decorations for Halloween, Scream-o-Meter (when the children scream long enough, there will be a prize), a candy trail for trick or treat. 

For the 4D Great Monster Chase, with the cool air-con indoor, nice soft seat, ahhhhhh~~~~ I could not help it. The fast track dramatic movie, with no dialogue was just too difficult to keep up. The zzz monsters are calling. It was a good time for this tired Mommy for a short quick nap. *zzzzz*

It was a good trip to Legoland this round for Bev. She had reached minimum height for some rides : horse ride and fast train. Finally...

Halloween celebration in Legoland Malaysia each year is fun for the children. It is memorable. I would not mind coming back again - especially since it will be free for the children if they dressed up in Halloween costumes. 

We took the bus back to Singapore. It was a late night bus departing at 9pm+ from the dark bus stop beside Medini Mall. Good thing there were other families there, otherwise, it would have been quite a creepy area to wait for the bus in the dark (lit only by a dim street light from a distance).  

Fifth day, it was Deepavali holiday. We were spending some time spring cleaning. 

The children played at the small funfair at Westmall. There were ball games, catch-the-fish, claw machines, pirate ship, bouncy castle and little train.

 

 

 

 

Germany | Essen | Cannstatter Volksfest | Ulmer Market

Brayden 8Y7M18D

Bevlynn 4Y4M19D

My trip to Germany started with some dramas on the plane. 

We were all in our seats; it was a full flight. When the plane was about to depart, two ladies who sat 2 rows behind me screamed hysterically, "I can't breathe, let me out! I can't do this". Everyone was startled by the panic-stricken passengers. The screams continued... 

Few air steward and stewardess stormed to the scene. They were trying to understand the cause of distress. "The space is too small, I can't sit here". After trying to calm the passengers, they needed to change the seats or get the passengers out. This would delay the flight for an hour at least. One of the air stewardess was trying to ask for volunteers to change the seats. No one budged. 

She asked the man at the aisle seat if he could change seats, but he refused. She was annoyed and blurted "Would you rather have the plane delayed? This is so good of you (highly sarcastic tone)". I felt helpless - I was crammed in like a sardine in a can too.

Luckily, after a few attempts, 2 volunteers came. Thank goodness. I would have missed my trains in Germany if it weren't for them. 

First day in Germany, I had to travel from Frankfurt to Essen. While ordering at Mc Donald's kiosk at the train station, I was approached by a young woman. She said she's hungry and needed money to buy food. She claimed she's a refugee. I offered to buy her lunch instead. She started adding more than 10 sets (apparently for her 4 children at home). While waiting for the food, she asked for some money, out of pity, I gave her 10 Euros. She asked for more, even after my refusals.... my hands started to shiver. I wonder if it was out of hunger or fear. 

I suddenly remembered what had happened to me in the same area of Germany during one of my trips - when my bag got stolen before my flight. I could not get help from the airport help desk and almost could not get into the plane because I didn't have my flight information with me. My credit card was not working and phone does not have internet as we have it so conveniently now. It was quite a scare. 

I continued with my strong NO. She then left with the food. After grabbing some food, I felt much better.

The next days were busy, going from places to places:

Frankfurt --> Essen --> Dusseldorf --> Ulm --> Stuttgart --> Ulm --> Frankfurt

We were back to Cannstatter Volksfest this year (a mini-Oktoberfest in Stuttgart). Some locals were dressed in traditional costumes. We enjoyed the fun fair on the swing chair merry-go-round and roller coaster (got our ugly looking expression were caught on photo), played the coin games (and won some toys) and eating-drinking-dancing on the bench in the tent (where German band and modern band performed). We had some good laughs. The weather was perfect with cooling fresh autumn air. 

I'd love to bring the children here some day...

Bev called "Mommy, can you come home early?" Bray said "Can you show me the ducks in the river, how many of them?"

During the 2-week long trip, I barely had much sleep of ~5 hours daily but I felt energetic. 

I loved walking on the cold quiet streets, before sunrise, to the nearest Ulmer morning market - sometimes listening to the cathedral bell rang, bought some fresh colourful flowers and sweet kiwiberries. 

The moment I touched down back in Singapore, I caught up on my sleep.