Phuket Day 3 - Kayakying

Today is the "highlight" of our Phuket trip. We are going Kayakying!! This is Rachel's second experience, her first was when she was only 3 yrs old with us.

Everyone up on the "shutter lorry" which takes us from the waiting area to the boat.

This is our boat where we will be spending the whole day on...

Our first stop was the famous James Bond Island and the ride there was super long. Simple breakfast was serve on board. Family photo without Ryan (he asleep).

The kids really enjoy the ride...

Finally, got to our first destination. Its really nothing much, I would say a waste of time there. We finished the "cave" and out in less than 10 minutes.

Our next stop will be going into caves which is really the exciting part! The entrance of the caves are narrow and low and at some point, we have to lie flat to get through with our nose just millimeters away from the sharp rocks!

I was worried that Nicholas and Ryan will be frightened (Nicholas is very afraid of dark) but surprisingly, Nicholas enjoys it! I can even hears his laughter when we were going through the dark tunnel. Ryan was sleeping during the initial stage but woke up when we were in the middle of the narrow tunnel. He cried a little and was struggling to get up but I have to pinned him down which made him angry and cry even louder.

Can you see Nicholas's smile?

Like this shot. Nicholas look as if he was the sailor on the marine ship looking out for enemy

Father and daughter went down for a dip in the sea water. The water is very salty and Charmaine was complaining that it made her eyes very painful.

This is the inside of another island/cave...a very beautiful paradise...while in there, hubby and I can't help wondering what will happen to us if there's a tsunami now...There's no way to run, only way is to climb up the steep hill which is impossible...

The girls posing in front of the "shutter" lorry just before we bid good bye and head back to our hotel.

Phuket Day 2

Everyone woke up pretty early today and was eager to head down KATA beach for some water/sand play. We took the hotel's shutter service down Kata Beach and appointed for them to pick us up at 11am.

Very peaceful and clean beach..just like Gold Coast. We were the only one there...think its too early for the beach goers. We walked around checking out for sea activities but were disappointed to find NONE! Was told that its the low season now, only Coral Island has the sea sports.

Nonetheless, the 2 girls couldn't resist the beautiful sea and dragged their daddy down the water with them.

Nicholas was afraid of the gashing waves and preferred to stay back and play with the super fine sand.

Ryan, completely opposites of Nicholas, was happily getting his legs splashed by the waves!

Back to our hotel for a change, but not before a game of pool at the hotel lobby for the 2 girls.

With nothing plan for the day (we had wanted a no-rush holiday), we booked the hotel transport and went to a shooting range. Nicholas was so excited to see all the guns on display and couldn't wait for his turn.

Since the kids were too young, they can only use the BB gun (I think so). It made no different for them anyway. The girls getting ready for their first Shot!

Rachel being the eldest got to go first.

Next was Charmaine.

And last, comes Nicholas!

Proudly showing off their "result"

Where's Ryan? He was out watching the real gun shooting.

Next, we walked over to the Go-Kart Mart (just next door).

Next, the driver took us to a seafood restaurant by the beach and we had a super late lunch. Everyone was super hungry! I've never seen the girls eat so fast before!

After a nice lunch, we went for Elephant ride. Initially, wasn't sure if Nicholas was gamed enough to ride as it can be a little scary when the elephant goes down the slope/hill but I was wrong! He enjoys it and was laughing so loudly!

View from the top of the hill..

Ryan was sleeping at first but woken up by Nicholas's laughter and he too enjoys the ride.

Our last stop for the day is at their "Peak". A nice place with great view!

My sister and her family just got to the hotel when we're back. The kids went for a dip in the pool before we head for dinner.

Phuket - Day 1

A short break which we nearly didn't make it...

Was so busy the days leading to the departure and I overlook / misread the departure time. The departure time from SG was 8am but I had "speed read" the booking confirmation and thought the time to be 8.55am (which was our arrival time in Phuket.) So we were 15 minutes late and gate had closed...Yes, we missed our scheduled flight because of my carelessness...

In order not to disappoint the children, we frantically hunted around for the next cheapest available flight and was so glad Air Asia had one flying at 1pm. Was so lucky hubby wasn't angry! *phew*

DAY 1

Nicholas was certainly very excited to get on the plane though its not his first time on a plane.

Its Ryan's first....And he coped with the "air pressure" very well, just like Nicholas. I was quite worried that Ryan might cry when the plane take off or land, but nope, he didn't and was enjoying the flight as much as the 3.

By the time we cleared the custom and out of the Phuket airport, its close to 3pm. Got on to a taxi which supposed to send us to our hotel but the driver stopped midway claiming that he needed to take something. Then, a woman approached us and started introducing tour package to us. Since we had not book any, went down to check out the price. After some bargaining, we booked a Kayaking tour.

So by the time we got to Hotel Ibis (the hotel we are staying), its already 5pm.

We had booked a family room and it comes with a bunk bed for the children and even a Play-station! The soft toys were from hotel too.

The 2 girls can't wait to choose their bed and both wanted the top!

Ryan was happy just to be able to get down, stretch his muscle and crawl freely on the floor after being carried almost the whole day!

Too late to do anything. So hubby suggested he will take the 3 kids down to the pool while helper and I with Ryan unpacked the luggage.

Came down to join them once we done unpacking.

Have a sumptuous dinner before we head back to our room. The 3 kids spent the rest of the evening in front of the TV playing with the Play-station.

Close Your Mouth!

Little Ryan is still drooling especially when he is too engrossed in his toys. His mouth will be left "dangling" open and after a while, streams of water (saliva) will be flowing down from the "cave".

So we have to keep reminding him to close his mouth and showing him how to by lifting his lower lip to meet the upper. It took him some times to associates the words "close your mouth" to the action and when he finally did, this is how he look!! So CUTE!!

Photos turned out blurred because he just couldn't stay still for these cute shot!

Ryan First Water Play

After the birthday party, meet up with the rest of the family members at the swimming club.

We had no intention for Ryan to swim nor water play as I'm a little worried that he may be sick and couldn't enjoy his holiday trip with us later the week. So we did not pack any swim wear for him.

But upon reaching there, the temptation to play is so great and mommy relented and get him changed in one of those jumpsuit and down he goes into the water! At first, the intention was just to let him walk and kick around the water, but soon, he was all wet (thanks to Nicholas with his splashing). Since he's already wet, we let him sit and splash around. He had great fun splashing the water and even tries to swim like the jiejies and korkor!

Thomas's Birthday Party @ Fidgets

Nicholas was invited to his Nursery's friend's birthday party. Only 2 friends were invited (so honoured) and this is his FIRST time attending friend's birthday party.

Venue: Fidgets @ Turf City.

Its our first time there given our proximity to the place. Impression of the place.... old and stuffy. probably due to the high volume of kids.

I brought the girls along (paying for their tickets myself) since it was their school holiday and the girls can help to look after Nicholas too. I must say the countless trips to SAFRA Jurong's Kids Amaze helps boost Nicholas's courage to climb up and play except he still refused to slide down from those long slide.

And my dear helper Charmaine did a wonderful job looking after her brother. Nicholas was afraid to slide down the long steep slide and Charmaine persuaded him and promised that she will hold onto his hand and slide down together....

....which she did!

Nicholas is ok with this short slide though...

Charmaine carrying Nicholas so he could "hit" the bull eye...

After much persuasion, he finally crossed the "bridge" by himself. Bravo!!

Party starts. He only knows the birthday boy as the other invited kid did not turn up. Its a joined-birthday party with his friend's brother. The rest of the guests are the brother's friends.

Getting his goodies bag before going home...

Ryan @ 14months old

Its been really quite a while since I did any update on Ryan. Been so busy the past 2 months coaching the girls with their SA1 and then work and followed by the girls' school holiday. School holiday is the busiest for mommy!!!

Back to Ryan, he still not "talking" and still toothless! But can see his 2 bottom teeth are on their way out any time. Even the 4 upper teeth are getting ready to cut the gum once the bottom tooth are out.

He had started to walk a few steps without support and definitely much naughtier! Nicholas was a far cry from this rascal!! Ryan is only 14 months and had displayed the terrible 2 symptoms already! He would cry and scream if he didn't get his way! He even pushes the korkor away when he wants to take korkor's toy. Luckily, Nicholas is understanding enough not to fight with him and let him have it.

He loves the sand and the sea! While we were in Phuket, Nicholas clinged on to daddy while we waded into the water to feed the fish but Ryan was enjoying himself so much with the waves splashing unto him.

The 2 jiejies said he is as stubborn as a mule but they loves him nonetheless. He always make us laugh with his cheeky action, just like Nicholas.

Lastly, he was once a "kisser"..kissing me all the times but now, even when I offer bribe, he won't kiss me...so sad!