*Bird Park - kids loved the mono-rail, walk-in aviaries, (esp the suspension bridges), and the splash-and-climb zone. mum was amazed at the waterfall.

*Zoo - unfortunately the farmyard pool is under renovation, so e kids cdn't have a dip. Sam really loved the dry play-area, and i got some fab photo's. mum was pleased that e animals weren't in cages, and Sam loved the free-ranging orangutans. the fragile forest also went down well... and we all enjoyed the relaxing tram-rides along the way.

*Farms - we visited Bollywood Veggies.  mum was very keen to know more about what types of farms we had here. (she was expecting cows and row-upon-row of crops :))  it was a hot day, but they survived. the highlight for them were the eco-toilets.

*Mac Ritchie Reservoir -  we had a light snack up on the breezy hilltop.  then spotted an iguana digging for grubs in the grass on our way down to the water. it hastened up a tree-trunk as we approached, then quickly dissappeared from sight.  e kids ran ahead to see the turtles, after which we went for a leisurely jungle walk. along e way back we stopped at a sandy bank and spent a long while throwing stones into the water. the setting sun turned us into black silhouettes against a crimson sky. and for just a moment, time stood still.

*Pasir Ris Park - Sam went for a pony ride, then we headed for e beach and went for dinner. there was just enough time to have a run around the playground before it grew completely dark. on our way home i remembered that there were meant to be fireworks going off at AMK hub rooftop as part of the opening ceremony. we made it there just in time. it was a super surprise that ended our day with a bang before bedtime!

*Vivo-City - Dinner on the rooftop, then watched the sun set over the harbour. noisy construction work for sentosa resorts has opened up an awful scar on the landscape. so we averted our eyes to the boats and cable-car lights flashing in colourful fashion beyond.

*Sentosa - Palawan Beach lunch, with waterplay at the artificial stream. kynan loved digging holes in the sand, followed by kayla, his eager student. Sam enjoyed pouring water in containers at the stream, later emerging to share our ice kachang.

*Mount Faber - we got out for a short sroll ard the great ship restaurant and turtle pond. behind the tourist shop is a deserted and spacious look-out spot where one can admire unobstructed views of the busy port to the left, and the sea beyond sentosa island to the right.  

*Esplanade - rooftop walk, and outdoors ramble. then an uderground walk through the city mall, emerging at Marina Shopping Mall for dinner. a beautiful view of the bay from the top-floor coffee-shop, with the spikes of the Esplanade glistening in the setting sun.

*Clarke Quay - we went for a bumboat ride down the river. took an up-close look at the spurting merlion, the esplanade, and some impressive old bridges along the way. boat quay cafes were nicely lit-up as we made our way back to the jetty. large sculpted lunar-lanterns adorned the riverside. favourites were the intricate fishes and dolphins, frolicking in a colourful underworld of lights.

*Little India - a north indian/ Punjabi lunch at Jaggies, Race Course Road.  my mil and an aunt treated us. :)  a delicious meal, not too hot. i ate waaay too much!!! then we had a leisurely stroll to the tekka market area.  i stopped by Sinma and stocked up on colourful hairbands for Sam, as well as some socks, and a cheap plastic watch for each of the munchkins. i wd have explored and spent more time there, but kayla was desperately in need of a nap, so my $ was spared!

*Botanical Gardens - we enjoyed a surprisingly cool jungle walk, and spotted some cheeky squirrels flying through the trees, then running straight for us along the trail!. when we emerged we headed down to the Symphony Lake. the heat was getting to Sam, so we did one circuit of the pond, then went straight for lunch at that posh-nosh place near the entrance. (well the nosh wasnt that posh, but the prices sure were!) 

*Shopping - nothing extravagant or far, because Sam couldnt handle the crowds. so we hung out at Junction 8 sometimes. Sam got a combination of overdue birthday and Christmas presents, returning with a nice bundle of tops and a few pants. she also adopted the cutest little crawling baby Pooh Bear. (which she cuddled and slept with each night, and also took with her on outings)

*Pampering - it was mum's birthday while they were here. she was treated to a pedicure the day before, while Sam and the kids each painted her a sun-catcher as a birthday surprise. on the big day itself, my p/t helper brought over a great lunch that she had prepared especially for their visit. the mutton curry and rice, chicken wings, home-made chilli-sauce, broccoli with sesame seeds, along with fresh vegetable garnishings went down a treat! we went for icecreams afterwards at Swensens, and later that evening, mum blew out all 100 candles on a delicious chocolate mousse cake... while kynan led the singing of 3 different birthday songs to great fanfair!