Chinese and Japanese gardens

Yesterday, while Ida was at school, I used the opportunity to take a stroll in the Chinese & Japanese gardens. A great place for bicycling, rollerblading, jogging, walking, picnicking.... Hopefully this will soon be a part of our neighborhood.....

FIRST DAY AT CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Ida had her first day at CIS today, and found it very amusing. In her class there are five new pupils out of a total of 21, whereas one is a Swedish boy. Three of them will join the "English-Language-Learner"-class. She got herself a friend called Audrey who sits next to her by her table, and according to their teacher, Ms Poff, they had a great time together during classes. Catching up with them during lunch, Ida hardly had time for a comment; she was too busy with her class-mates! Even so, she almost fell asleep in the taxi back home; it was a rather exhausting day!

East Coast

On monday we had a stroll on the beach, and like everywhere else the government wants to make Singapore a safe and secure place for everyone. Though, I am not sure what the definition of "suspicious" persons / vehicles are....

Being with cousins from Kuala Lumpur / Norway...

Aug. 18-20 we had a visit of aunt Una and cousins Lea and Gard. Great seeing them again, especially since we did not catch up with Una this june / july....

 Taking a rest on Orchard road

 Food-court in Tekka Centre, Little India, sucking on a sugar-cane.

Traveling with the MRT (Mass Rapid Train)

 In front of the Marina Bay Sands

Ida loves spending time in the water, and has become a quite good diver within the last few days, getting guidance of her cousin Gard.

Selamat Hari Raya!

The evening before Id, saturday 18th august we went to Geylang Serai wet market; for the occasion turned into a market where anything could be bought for the Id-celebration on sunday. We came a bit late after a long day on the run, and were actually too tired. But, finally getting there, it was an experience we definitely want to repeat next year.

Dressing up with henna-tatoo for the upcoming Id-celebration.

 Lights decorating across the street.

One of the marked-places.

 And a tired Ida with help from Lea on our way back home.....

Around town....

The water-fountain at Clake Quay-area. 

Eating is a huge thing her in Singapore, and you can grab a snack almost anywhere. Here Ida is tasting a not-so-good-but-very-spicy Malay "dish" called Kompong Otak. It is a fish-paste baked in a banana-leaf.

Rice-noodles with a non-spicy sauce is much better:-) Ida is getting pretty good at using her chopsticks! The "choy sum" is a very common vegetable used in chinese cooking.

Just a reminder what NOT to do or bring into the MRT-area..... If you ever have smelled a durian you will know why! You either love it, or hate it, I reckon.....

Fort Canning Park just across the street from our temporarily apartment makes it quite clear what can happen if you enter the restricted area. No excuse if you cannot read!

 The main building has a very nice facade.

 Ida is trying the local pedicure - it was tickling- a lot!

 

The old and prestigious Fullerton Hotel. In front you can see the old Cavenagh Bridge.

And you do not dare to bring any cattle to the other shore.....

The nationalday, august 9th

On the evening of the 9th we went down to Marina Bay to watch the fireworks. That was just amazing. Next year I would really like to have a ticket to the main show!

Guess where we have been today!

Ida and mum try to do a little bit of exploring whilst dad is at work, since we have nothing else to do now before school starts on the 21st. Today, we jumped on the MRT and got off two stops away, in Little India. This area is like coming to a new world; different sounds, different fragrances, different appearances, different clothing..... Great experience! 

CONGRATULATIONS SINGAPORE!

Majulah Singapura - National Anthem

Love At First Light - NDP 2012 Theme song

Finally arrived Singapore!

Now we have finally arrived in Singapore, our new home for 2-3 yrs. The two weeks since we left Bø, Norway has flown away, as there has been quite a few things to be organized to get settled in.

We had a kick-start out of the airport in Sandefjord, when Ida realized that Alexander Rybak was going on the same plane as us. Well seated, he ended up just in front of us, and Ida got her greeting:

For those of you who don`t know who he is; he won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 representing Norway with Fairytale.

We have spent quite some time with our real-estate agent trying to find a home, that suits us. We have decided to have a go at Lakeshore which is next to Ida`s school in the Jurong West-area, and 20 min drive to Rune´s work. Very convenient with "everything" close by. At the moment we live in a temporarily apartment in the city, next to the hot-spot dining area Clarke Quay

The Istana

On sunday, 5th of August, The Istana was open for the public, on the occasion of the upcoming celebration of the 47th National day on Aug. 9th. This is the residence of the president, and is open to the public 5 days a year. The security when entering the estate was just like entering an airport..... Like everywhere else here; makes you feel safe!

      In front of the palace

      The garden....

                           A statue of Queen Victoria from 1881, in which used to
                           be placed in the State room in within the palace.

      City-view.....

      The president himself (in red); Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam

                              
     The emblem of the front gate

Leaving Istana, we headed off to a b-b-q - by - the - pool with friends from "Seljord" and caught up with other Norwegians as well. Mads and Emma are 8 & 9 yrs, so this was very valuable and great time spent especially for Ida. For us adults, we enjoyed great company and superb food! (Thanks a lot, Hege-Ann:-))

Friends from Bø have also been visiting, and we had a couple of great days with Odd Berge, Mona, Kjetil and Sarah. Ida loved being with Sarah and Kjetil again.....

Rune has had a smooth start at work, and so far he enjoys being there with several old colleagues and getting to know new ones. He has already had one night out with "the guys from work"!