We rode about 12 miles on the West Orange Trail today, between Winter Garden and Apopka. It is a beautiful trail - mostly flat - with frequent "stations" that have restrooms, playgrounds, air for your bike tires, water etc. Some politician brought some big money to the state! It wanders through urban, suburban and rural areas and is well used by the locals. Our neighbors work at Disneyworld and they told us we can ride around Fort Wilderness for free, so we're going to organize a group from the park to drive up to Orlando.
We met my nursing school room-mate, Joanne and her husband Bob, for dinner the other night and had such a nice time playing "catch up" with each other's lives! They are in Bradenton for the winter. It is about 2 hours away from us here in Clermont so we each drove an hour and met at the Outback Steakhouse in Plant City. We are going to meet up again in March and play golf at a community near us called "The Villages."
Sally & Dick Van Schoick, from "Hooterville," arrived here at the park about a week ago. Sally & Roger graduated from high school together so we have had a good time talking about mutual acquaintances back home. We all went to see "True Grit" last night and then had dinner out. I think the movie is very similar to the original one in 1969 starring John Wayne. It was OK - and worth seeing but, guess just because a movie is nominated for an Academy Award doesn't mean it's great!
We are excited - Megan and Carlos are coming to visit over Super Bowl week-end. We'll go to Epcot on Friday, do some biking on Saturday and join everyone here for the tailgate party on Sunday before the game. It will be so good to see them - it's been way too long!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Back to "Normal"
Well, it's been 4 days since we returned from KL and we are finally feeling "normal" - or as normal as we've ever been!
We rode our bikes into Clermont for breakfast this morning and it felt good to get out and get some exercise - as if walking up and down 34 steps several times a day in KL wasn't exercise! We heard church bells ringing and remarked how different they were from the "Call to Prayer" we heard several times a day in KL. We thought Florida was humid but it feels like the desert after Kuala Lumpur! It was nice to have cars driving on the "correct" side of the road. Roger saved my life several times in KL because I always looked the wrong way before crossing the street!
Before we left them, Samantha, Emily and I colored two wooden dolls - Flat Samantha and Flat Emily. I brought them home so when I miss the real Samantha and Emily I can take Flat Samantha and Flat Emily with me instead!
I'll send pictures to them of all the places we've been together!
We rode our bikes into Clermont for breakfast this morning and it felt good to get out and get some exercise - as if walking up and down 34 steps several times a day in KL wasn't exercise! We heard church bells ringing and remarked how different they were from the "Call to Prayer" we heard several times a day in KL. We thought Florida was humid but it feels like the desert after Kuala Lumpur! It was nice to have cars driving on the "correct" side of the road. Roger saved my life several times in KL because I always looked the wrong way before crossing the street!
Before we left them, Samantha, Emily and I colored two wooden dolls - Flat Samantha and Flat Emily. I brought them home so when I miss the real Samantha and Emily I can take Flat Samantha and Flat Emily with me instead!
I'll send pictures to them of all the places we've been together!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Traders Hotel
The four of us went to a restaurant called "7atenine" for dinner last night - delicious food and an upbeat contemporary design. There are no permanent walls so when it rained it felt nice and cool. After dinner we walked a few blocks to Traders Hotel. The 33rd floor is a pool area by day and a Skybar at night - a little tricky if you get tipsy and walk the narrow path near the pool! The view of Petronas Towers is the primary draw at night - gorgeous!
The traffic was horrible getting there but cleared by the time we came home. Heather is a great navigator through downtown - obviously, takes after her father not me!
A quiet day with the kids today - packing and getting ready for VJ to pick us up at 8:30pm for the airport.
I need to walk down to Solaris to the pharmacy and buy some mosquito patches to bring home - love those things!
The traffic was horrible getting there but cleared by the time we came home. Heather is a great navigator through downtown - obviously, takes after her father not me!
A quiet day with the kids today - packing and getting ready for VJ to pick us up at 8:30pm for the airport.
I need to walk down to Solaris to the pharmacy and buy some mosquito patches to bring home - love those things!
Thai Massage
Heather and I went to a new spa this morning and had a Thai massage. 90 minutes of the best massage I ever had! They even massaged our boobs - that was weird! I felt like putty when she was done - needed a big spatula to scoop me off the table!
Roger went with us and played virtual golf while we indulged ourselves.
Our last night here - the kids will be glad to get their lives back to "normal" but we will sure miss the little voices saying "Morning Tima and PaPa!"
Samantha just came upstairs to tell us she and Mommy are going to the pool but there is a problem.......
Emily is still napping so only one of us can go with them! Then she says "Grandpa you may get lucky and she might not poop in her pants before you come!"
Samantha is studying different shapes at school. She was telling me about "spheres" - she says "it's hard to say sphere without spitting all over yourself!"
Heather made chicken and green bean casserole the other night - Samantha's favorite. Emily took one bite, made a disgusted face and said "stinky, yucky, no like!" and pushed it as far away as possible. Hard not to laugh!
When Emily thinks something is funny she giggles and says "too funny - too funny" and when something is not funny she says "no funny - no funny."
They are both just too cute!
Roger went with us and played virtual golf while we indulged ourselves.
Our last night here - the kids will be glad to get their lives back to "normal" but we will sure miss the little voices saying "Morning Tima and PaPa!"
Samantha just came upstairs to tell us she and Mommy are going to the pool but there is a problem.......
Emily is still napping so only one of us can go with them! Then she says "Grandpa you may get lucky and she might not poop in her pants before you come!"
Samantha is studying different shapes at school. She was telling me about "spheres" - she says "it's hard to say sphere without spitting all over yourself!"
Heather made chicken and green bean casserole the other night - Samantha's favorite. Emily took one bite, made a disgusted face and said "stinky, yucky, no like!" and pushed it as far away as possible. Hard not to laugh!
When Emily thinks something is funny she giggles and says "too funny - too funny" and when something is not funny she says "no funny - no funny."
They are both just too cute!
Happy Birthday, Judy!
House Tour
Below is a video tour of Kyle and Heather's house here in KL. They live in a small gated community of about 40 condos called "Villa Asceana." There is a guard gate at the entrance and each home has an automatic gate for privacy. There is a nice pool and playground about three houses up from theirs.
They only have one car, which Heather needs to take the girls back and forth to school, so Kyle walks down the road and takes a taxi to work. When he walks past the guards on the way home, the guard calls the house and says "Sir is home, open the gate!"
They only have one car, which Heather needs to take the girls back and forth to school, so Kyle walks down the road and takes a taxi to work. When he walks past the guards on the way home, the guard calls the house and says "Sir is home, open the gate!"
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Chinatown
Tuesday - God knows how many tractor shows I owe Roger after Heather and I took him shopping in Chinatown this morning! Another fun experience! Heather and I are going back before we leave - without kids or Roger! We "covered" the actual street stalls but didn't have time for the Central Market - a building full of vendors. We ate Chinese donuts - fried bread rolls dipped in sugar - but that was about all we were willing to try. I bought a new wallet; a shawl for Mom; an Indian skirt; and a small fake Prada bag . Heather got a new "Gucci" bag for her birthday!
Wednesday - Heather, Roger & I went to KL Tower this morning. A clear day to see the city from the 275 meter tower. Then we went to Merdeka Square - the old part of the city with many British and Moorish style buildings. From there we walked back to Chinatown and ate lunch at the "Old China Cafe." I was a little nervous but it was delicious! After lunch, Roger quickly hailed a cab for home and Heather and I went to the Central Market to finish our shopping. Got some good buys but I'm not good at "haggling" - I needed Carlos with me!
Central Market is where they have the fish tank pedicure - you sit and soak your feet in a tank full of small fish that nibble the dead skin off your feet! Couldn't make myself do it! We also had to use the "squat pot" toilet again. I did better this time - I practiced my squatting! - but getting back up, with nothing to hold onto, is the real challenge!
The first few pictures are of Solaris, the shopping area down the street from the kids.
Wednesday - Heather, Roger & I went to KL Tower this morning. A clear day to see the city from the 275 meter tower. Then we went to Merdeka Square - the old part of the city with many British and Moorish style buildings. From there we walked back to Chinatown and ate lunch at the "Old China Cafe." I was a little nervous but it was delicious! After lunch, Roger quickly hailed a cab for home and Heather and I went to the Central Market to finish our shopping. Got some good buys but I'm not good at "haggling" - I needed Carlos with me!
Central Market is where they have the fish tank pedicure - you sit and soak your feet in a tank full of small fish that nibble the dead skin off your feet! Couldn't make myself do it! We also had to use the "squat pot" toilet again. I did better this time - I practiced my squatting! - but getting back up, with nothing to hold onto, is the real challenge!
The first few pictures are of Solaris, the shopping area down the street from the kids.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Happy Birthday, Heather!
Kyle and Heather are dressed up for a co-worker's wedding reception. The bride is Malay and Muslim and the groom is American. He converted to Muslim to marry her and they had a Muslim wedding (and dress) and party and then an American party with a different wedding dress (it bared a little more skin!) Kyle said he wasn't sure how the bride's family felt about the groom reaching up her dress to get her garter!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Feffy's
Samantha's 5th Birthday Party
They had Samantha's 5th birthday party for her friends this morning at the pool up the street. It was a brunch from 10am until 12pm and it worked out great. The kids swam in the pool and played games collecting balls in baskets and basically worked off a lot of energy while all the grown ups talked and ate! Renu's daughters, Christina and Celina, came to help and were great - just taking care of Emily was a life-saver! We spent a quiet afternoon as Heather is still recuperating from the "bug" that we have passed around. Hope Roger doesn't get it before we leave - can't imagine having it while traveling!
Gold Class Movie Theatre
Friday, January 7, 2011
Swingers
Kyle hired a guy to come install the swings that Megan and Carlos got the girls for Christmas. He came yesterday and they have been swinging ever since! Kyle had to pull Emily off to get her dressed for school today and she cried and cried! Now they don't have to go across the street to Claire and Catherine's and look sad until they are invited to swing!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
World Travelers
Mel and Ray have close friends whose daughter, Kara, and her boyfriend, Taylor, have been traveling around the world since July. Kyle and Heather met Kara at Joel's wedding and invited them to come visit when they were in Malaysia. They arrived in KL on Monday and are staying with us for three nights. They are traveling light, with backpacks only and staying in hostels to make their money last as long as possible. They have had many great adventures and it is so interesting to hear about their travels. The four adult "kids" went out to dinner tonight while we are here with the girls.
Samantha has been sick all day - vomiting like Emily did - but worse. I hope she can sleep all night and feels better in the morning - she can't afford to loose much weight!
Emily goes back to school tomorrow - she will be so excited - she talks about school and her "Aunties" (teachers) all the time. But, she tells you she's on "holiday!"
Emily won't go in the downstairs bathroom when the light is off - she says there is an "elephant in there!" So today I talked with her about it and we decided PaPa could go in and make a funny face and scare the elephant away. So that's what PaPa did and the elephant ran away out the back door! Hope it works for tomorrow too!
Two of Renu's clients moved at the end of the year so she is coming every day now - from 11am until 6-6:30pm. I think Heather will really like the new schedule because she is here to help fix supper; clean up the dishes and shower the girls before bedtime! She is really nice and good with Samantha and Emily. Roger loves her because she didn't burn his quesadilla like I did!
We are sharing the sickness - I had it yesterday - better today but still not 100%. Samantha is better but now Heather has it. Hope the guys are skipped!
Kara and Taylor left at 4am this morning - on their way to trek in the jungles of Borneo! Hope they don't get the "sick" as Samantha calls it!
Samantha has been sick all day - vomiting like Emily did - but worse. I hope she can sleep all night and feels better in the morning - she can't afford to loose much weight!
Emily goes back to school tomorrow - she will be so excited - she talks about school and her "Aunties" (teachers) all the time. But, she tells you she's on "holiday!"
Emily won't go in the downstairs bathroom when the light is off - she says there is an "elephant in there!" So today I talked with her about it and we decided PaPa could go in and make a funny face and scare the elephant away. So that's what PaPa did and the elephant ran away out the back door! Hope it works for tomorrow too!
Two of Renu's clients moved at the end of the year so she is coming every day now - from 11am until 6-6:30pm. I think Heather will really like the new schedule because she is here to help fix supper; clean up the dishes and shower the girls before bedtime! She is really nice and good with Samantha and Emily. Roger loves her because she didn't burn his quesadilla like I did!
We are sharing the sickness - I had it yesterday - better today but still not 100%. Samantha is better but now Heather has it. Hope the guys are skipped!
Kara and Taylor left at 4am this morning - on their way to trek in the jungles of Borneo! Hope they don't get the "sick" as Samantha calls it!
China
Somehow I missed posting this first blog about our trip!
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we would visit China! We went to Macou, Disneyland and Hong Kong. Technically, Macou and Hong Kong are "Special Administrative Regions" of China - SAR's - and the residents have different passports.
All the areas that we visited are relatively new - the airport is only about 10 years old - so overall, everything is clean and very modern. The public transportation - ferry, train, planes are very high end and comfortable.
As you have probably heard it is very crowded but, like Roger says at least they're all little people! We are not well schooled in the art of pushing and shoving and the proper use of our elbows! We soon realized that if we wanted to get an elevator, eat at a buffet or get a seat anywhere we would have to get aggressive! The stroller worked well as a "battering ram" to push our way through the masses. You won't believe what I did on the airplane on the way home - I had waited in line to use the restroom and just as it was my turn a lady hopped out of her seat and pushed her way in - I grabbed her arm and pulled her out and said "No! There's a line!" My mother would be so ashamed of me but Heather was proud - says I might survive in Malaysia after all! Guess I was just pushed over the edge!
The Malaysians and Chinese love children but you can't imagine the attention two blond haired, blue eyed little girls get! Strangers come up and touch them and want to take their pictures all the time! Two men at the gas station saw them in the back seat of the car and wanted to take their picture and Kyle said NO! I'm sure most of them mean well but it spooks me out!
Many of the Chinese wear face masks to protect them from disease - guess we just took our chances!
Kyle and Heather and even the girls are much more adventuresome eaters than Roger and I. Buffets are very popular and they typically offer Thai food, Chinese food, Indian food, and Western food. I couldn't even look at some of the weird food let alone try to eat it!
I'll write about each of our adventures separately.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we would visit China! We went to Macou, Disneyland and Hong Kong. Technically, Macou and Hong Kong are "Special Administrative Regions" of China - SAR's - and the residents have different passports.
All the areas that we visited are relatively new - the airport is only about 10 years old - so overall, everything is clean and very modern. The public transportation - ferry, train, planes are very high end and comfortable.
As you have probably heard it is very crowded but, like Roger says at least they're all little people! We are not well schooled in the art of pushing and shoving and the proper use of our elbows! We soon realized that if we wanted to get an elevator, eat at a buffet or get a seat anywhere we would have to get aggressive! The stroller worked well as a "battering ram" to push our way through the masses. You won't believe what I did on the airplane on the way home - I had waited in line to use the restroom and just as it was my turn a lady hopped out of her seat and pushed her way in - I grabbed her arm and pulled her out and said "No! There's a line!" My mother would be so ashamed of me but Heather was proud - says I might survive in Malaysia after all! Guess I was just pushed over the edge!
The Malaysians and Chinese love children but you can't imagine the attention two blond haired, blue eyed little girls get! Strangers come up and touch them and want to take their pictures all the time! Two men at the gas station saw them in the back seat of the car and wanted to take their picture and Kyle said NO! I'm sure most of them mean well but it spooks me out!
Many of the Chinese wear face masks to protect them from disease - guess we just took our chances!
Kyle and Heather and even the girls are much more adventuresome eaters than Roger and I. Buffets are very popular and they typically offer Thai food, Chinese food, Indian food, and Western food. I couldn't even look at some of the weird food let alone try to eat it!
I'll write about each of our adventures separately.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Catch Up
I finally had time to update my web album and blog today so I posted three new entries - all about our trip - hope you enjoy!
Hong Kong
We saw all we wanted to see in Disneyland on Thursday and Friday so we took the train into an area of Hong Kong on Saturday and rode a cable car up a mountain to the city of Ngong Ping. We did not realize that Hong Kong is located in a very mountainous region and the city is actually in "pods" in the foothills - where ever there is enough room to build high rises!
This cable car ride was awesome - the car had a glass floor and we went up over the harbor and the airport and a large section of Hong Kong. There was shopping and restaurants at the top - Starbucks and Subway! - and a huge Buddha statue. We waited in line forever to ride it but it was pretty cool!
We took the kids to dinner and watched them while Kyle and Heather went to downtown Hong Kong for dinner and shopping. They were near the harbor so they saw the laser light show too. For us, time with Samantha and Emily is much better than shopping in Hong Kong but Heather and Kyle had a great time!
Roger saw a girl a little older than Samantha at the restaurant with a sweatshirt that said "International School" on it. He told Samantha and she marched right over to her and said "I go the the International School in Kuala Lumpur. Do you go there too?" The girl answered that she goes to the one in Manila. We started talking to the mother - they are ex-pats too - teachers. Samantha cracks us up - she flags the waiter for more ketchup; walks up to the concierge and asks questions; orders her own food at the restaurants; talks to the bus drivers like they are old friends; showed me how to work my head phones on the airplane;- what a world traveler she is! I told Emily it was time to go home from Disneyland and she said "No home, room!" She knows the difference between home and a hotel!
Our great adventure came to an end on Sunday when we flew home to KL. What an incredible trip!
The pictures below are Heather and Kyle's from Christmas and our trip.
This cable car ride was awesome - the car had a glass floor and we went up over the harbor and the airport and a large section of Hong Kong. There was shopping and restaurants at the top - Starbucks and Subway! - and a huge Buddha statue. We waited in line forever to ride it but it was pretty cool!
We took the kids to dinner and watched them while Kyle and Heather went to downtown Hong Kong for dinner and shopping. They were near the harbor so they saw the laser light show too. For us, time with Samantha and Emily is much better than shopping in Hong Kong but Heather and Kyle had a great time!
Roger saw a girl a little older than Samantha at the restaurant with a sweatshirt that said "International School" on it. He told Samantha and she marched right over to her and said "I go the the International School in Kuala Lumpur. Do you go there too?" The girl answered that she goes to the one in Manila. We started talking to the mother - they are ex-pats too - teachers. Samantha cracks us up - she flags the waiter for more ketchup; walks up to the concierge and asks questions; orders her own food at the restaurants; talks to the bus drivers like they are old friends; showed me how to work my head phones on the airplane;- what a world traveler she is! I told Emily it was time to go home from Disneyland and she said "No home, room!" She knows the difference between home and a hotel!
Our great adventure came to an end on Sunday when we flew home to KL. What an incredible trip!
The pictures below are Heather and Kyle's from Christmas and our trip.
Disneyland
Thursday - We left Macou and took the ferry to Hong Kong and then taxis to the Disneyland Hollywood Hotel. This ferry ride was about an hour and poor Samantha got seasick - takes after her Mommy! The ferry was very nice and most of the ride was smooth but the closer we got to the busy harbor the "choppier" it got. SK was white as a ghost. We laid her down in the stroller as soon as we got off and she was instantly asleep. It took quite awhile to get through security and customs so she felt better by the time we got in the taxi.
The hotel was about 10 minutes from Disneyland and as you can imagine it caters to kids! Mickey Mouse everything: soap; cups; waffles; chairs; you name it - it was shaped like Mickey!
We couldn't check in until later so off we went to Disneyland! The weather was perfect - in the 70's and sunshine. This Disney is smaller than Orlando Disney and was perfect for little kids. It was not crowded like we expected so we were able to get into everything without much wait. The parade started just as we arrived so the girls were enchanted from the get-go! We got our Minnie Mouse ears right away and joined the fun! Samantha is now brave enough to go up to all the characters with hugs and kisses but Emily wanted to wave from afar! Heather bought Samantha an autograph book so she could put a picture of her and the character next to their signature. How fun - Pluto wrote in Chinese!
We ate a nice dinner at the other Disney hotel that night. I needed a break from the buffet lines!
Friday - Back to Disneyland in the morning - return to the hotel for nap time (Tima and Grandpa needed it more than the girls!) - and back for the fireworks that night. What an adventure - it was as much fun as I thought it would be - seeing Disneyland through children's eyes!
The hotel was about 10 minutes from Disneyland and as you can imagine it caters to kids! Mickey Mouse everything: soap; cups; waffles; chairs; you name it - it was shaped like Mickey!
We couldn't check in until later so off we went to Disneyland! The weather was perfect - in the 70's and sunshine. This Disney is smaller than Orlando Disney and was perfect for little kids. It was not crowded like we expected so we were able to get into everything without much wait. The parade started just as we arrived so the girls were enchanted from the get-go! We got our Minnie Mouse ears right away and joined the fun! Samantha is now brave enough to go up to all the characters with hugs and kisses but Emily wanted to wave from afar! Heather bought Samantha an autograph book so she could put a picture of her and the character next to their signature. How fun - Pluto wrote in Chinese!
We ate a nice dinner at the other Disney hotel that night. I needed a break from the buffet lines!
Friday - Back to Disneyland in the morning - return to the hotel for nap time (Tima and Grandpa needed it more than the girls!) - and back for the fireworks that night. What an adventure - it was as much fun as I thought it would be - seeing Disneyland through children's eyes!
Macou
Tuesday - We flew from KL to Hong Kong on Air Malaysia and then took a ferry over to Macou - about 45 minutes - and then took a bus to the Venetian Hotel. It is a huge and gorgeous facility with 3,000 suites; a convention center; a theatre; a casino; gondola rides and restaurants and shops galore! Our rooms were beautiful and I especially liked the big bathtub!
We decided to "divide and conquer" so Roger and I went to a nice restaurant for a quiet early dinner while Heather and Kyle took the girls to the "Three Monkeys" and then we babysat while Heather and Kyle went out for sushi and gambling. They decided gambling with foreign currency when you don't quite understand the exchange rate isn't the best idea!
Wednesday - We shopped around in the morning (shoes to die for but none big enough to fit me - Samantha says I'm like the step-sisters in Cinderella!) and took a gondola ride. Our "driver" sang songs from the Little Mermaid for the girls.
Roger and I booked a tour of Macou in the afternoon and it was so fun. I love to see how people live in other countries. We stopped at some lovely old homes along the waterfront that used to belong to the Portuguese administrators when they ruled the area. Now they are restored and used for tourism. It was a popular place for bridal pictures and we saw six different wedding parties. They decorate their cars with real flowers - mostly roses!
We toured the A Ma Temple honouring the Goddess of Seafarers. As with the Batu Caves in KL, it seemed to be dedicated more to souvenirs than religion. Although, they had large sticks of incense you could light. The more popular attraction at that stop was the Chinese bakery down the street - noted for its egg tarts and jerky. It was fun to browse around - we couldn't buy anything because we did not have any local currency and they didn't take credit cards - I would have tried the almond cookies!
Next we went to Macou Tower - the tallest building in Macou. They bungee jump off the 60th floor. I got off the elevator and walked over to look out the floor to ceiling windows, took one step down and realized I was standing on a glass floor - omg!!!!! The pictures will show you how they harness people and pull them around the outside track - 60 stories up! Scary just to watch them!
Then we went to St.Paul's church ruins - the facade was stone but the church was wood - when it burned the front was the only part to survive. We were surprised to find out that there is a significant Catholic population - left over from the Portuguese influence. As you can see in the pictures, it is funny to see a religious church all decorated with secular Christmas ornaments and blow up characters!
The bus is too big to get through the narrow crowded streets so we walked through the center of "downtown." Becky, our tour guide said " Too crowded, many pick pockets - I take you on short cut." So off we went through the residential streets of Macou - wow, culture shock! We ended up in Senado Square, near St. Dominic's Church, the main urban area of the city. Wall to wall people! Street markets and shops and gaudy Christmas decorations. Becky was a short, little woman carrying a yellow flag - we were so afraid we would get lost or left behind in the teeming masses that we didn't leave her side! Despite all the differences we saw many stores and restaurants from the US - Levi's; Nike; Polo; MacDonald's; Pizza Hut etc. East meets West!
We had tickets to Circ Du Soele, "Zaia," that night - at the theatre in the Venetian. Emily vomited at dinner but got a "second wind" and was able to come to the "circus" with us - in her PJ's not her pretty pink dress!
Both the girls, and Grandma and Grandpa too!, were mesmerized by the performance! It was spectacular!
We decided to "divide and conquer" so Roger and I went to a nice restaurant for a quiet early dinner while Heather and Kyle took the girls to the "Three Monkeys" and then we babysat while Heather and Kyle went out for sushi and gambling. They decided gambling with foreign currency when you don't quite understand the exchange rate isn't the best idea!
Wednesday - We shopped around in the morning (shoes to die for but none big enough to fit me - Samantha says I'm like the step-sisters in Cinderella!) and took a gondola ride. Our "driver" sang songs from the Little Mermaid for the girls.
Roger and I booked a tour of Macou in the afternoon and it was so fun. I love to see how people live in other countries. We stopped at some lovely old homes along the waterfront that used to belong to the Portuguese administrators when they ruled the area. Now they are restored and used for tourism. It was a popular place for bridal pictures and we saw six different wedding parties. They decorate their cars with real flowers - mostly roses!
We toured the A Ma Temple honouring the Goddess of Seafarers. As with the Batu Caves in KL, it seemed to be dedicated more to souvenirs than religion. Although, they had large sticks of incense you could light. The more popular attraction at that stop was the Chinese bakery down the street - noted for its egg tarts and jerky. It was fun to browse around - we couldn't buy anything because we did not have any local currency and they didn't take credit cards - I would have tried the almond cookies!
Next we went to Macou Tower - the tallest building in Macou. They bungee jump off the 60th floor. I got off the elevator and walked over to look out the floor to ceiling windows, took one step down and realized I was standing on a glass floor - omg!!!!! The pictures will show you how they harness people and pull them around the outside track - 60 stories up! Scary just to watch them!
Then we went to St.Paul's church ruins - the facade was stone but the church was wood - when it burned the front was the only part to survive. We were surprised to find out that there is a significant Catholic population - left over from the Portuguese influence. As you can see in the pictures, it is funny to see a religious church all decorated with secular Christmas ornaments and blow up characters!
The bus is too big to get through the narrow crowded streets so we walked through the center of "downtown." Becky, our tour guide said " Too crowded, many pick pockets - I take you on short cut." So off we went through the residential streets of Macou - wow, culture shock! We ended up in Senado Square, near St. Dominic's Church, the main urban area of the city. Wall to wall people! Street markets and shops and gaudy Christmas decorations. Becky was a short, little woman carrying a yellow flag - we were so afraid we would get lost or left behind in the teeming masses that we didn't leave her side! Despite all the differences we saw many stores and restaurants from the US - Levi's; Nike; Polo; MacDonald's; Pizza Hut etc. East meets West!
We had tickets to Circ Du Soele, "Zaia," that night - at the theatre in the Venetian. Emily vomited at dinner but got a "second wind" and was able to come to the "circus" with us - in her PJ's not her pretty pink dress!
Both the girls, and Grandma and Grandpa too!, were mesmerized by the performance! It was spectacular!
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