Singapore

I was in Singapore earlier this spring.  Again, just getting caught up on blogs.  It was a welcome change from the cold and wet of Suzhou (although it was still wet in Singapore).  Upon my return back, Rebecca already began making plans for our return holiday.  Also, I noticed there is a Legoland in Kuala Lumpur, just a short drive across the Malaysia border...

The drive in from the airport.  Dead in the middle of the picture is the famous Marina Sands hotel.  It is made of three towers with a "boat" across all of them.  Also, to the left is the botanical gardens and just to the right is a large ferris wheel.

View from the top of Marina Sands.  Livin' the dream (but actually I stayed in the YMCA, really I did).  So really it was more like Posin' the Dream.

Looking down on the botanical gardens.  All of this was land reclaimed from the ocean.

The buildings to the bottom right are for those plants needing temperature controlled environments (i.e. air conditioning).

The other side of the building overlooks downtown.

Unbelievable architecture.  Also, a floating soccer field.

Make note of this place and go there, frequently.

We happened to be there while they were still in the throws of Chinese New Year.  Above we are mixing up a special New Year salad unique to the region.

Feeding Bill some chili crab.

I really loved the pepper crab.  Your lips go numb as you eat it.

View from the ferris wheel.

Another staple food - Hainan Chicken Rice.  The food courts in Singapore are all government controlled, so very hygenic.

MMMM, roasted meat.

Popular with the lunch crowd and cheap too.  Three of us ate for about $15.

The year of the snake.  I was tempted to pick one of the up for Rebecca as it is her year.

Way to stay classy, Singapore.  You are better than this.

Pan Men (Gate) Scenic Area

Riley had a Scout event to go see something historic.  So, we headed into old town to Panmen (gate).  "Men" means "Gate" in Mandarin so to say Pan Men Gate is redundant.  This was a few months prior to me actually posting this blog so that's why everyone is wearing long sleeves...

The famous pagoda, sadly I have forgotten the name...

View from the top of the pagoda, pretty nice little dragon in the hedge.

Overlooking the park.

The Suzhou Tigers and Wolves, a motley crew if there ever was one.

Ringing the bell for luck.  No, it wasn't free...

View from the other side of the pond.

This was a welcome sight at the time after a long, dreary, gray, smog filled winter.

The ramp to the top of the gate, easy access for horses.

Love the contrast between old city wall and new construction in the background.  This was a false entrance in case the gate was breached.  Like shooting fish in a barrel.

Reid with the weapons.  I love the fist holding the spike above Reid's head.  Scary, but not as functional as some of the others I think.

Yes, safety can be quite scary.

BSA Camping on San Shan Island

This year, Reid and I returned to San Shan Island for the BSA camping trip.  I must say the accommodations weren't that much worse than the last time he and I were here, less bugs in the bed.  We spent the time hiking, cooking and of course eating.  There were a few scout learning activities as well like learning about rocks, etc.

In order to test Rowan's ability to "man up" in preparation for our upcoming Shaolin Kungfu Man Trip in July, he also came with us even though technically he was not old enough.  I must say that he blew everyone away with how well he was able to hang with the group.  Hmm, I must remember that for later.

On the ferry to the island we saw a typical dredging boat.  Note the house and backhoe, what else is needed?

All of our junk.  Ro carried his own pack in.

OK so the troop cheated a bit and found a golf cart for most of the supplies.  The McLain men still carried our packs in to prove our manhood.

Approaching the campgrounds.

On a hike, I took a shot from above.  This year we had a pretty good turnout.  Weather was just perfect.

"Speeling" is an actual word, it means "climb, ascend, mount".

Enjoying the fruit of a long hike - ice cream!

Back to camp where we spent a few moments spitting sunflower seeds into the fire.

Actually not too bad, better than cucumber and prawn, but that's just me.

OK, this still bothers me.  GET OUT OF OUR GRILL!!!

This one wasn't so bad, they were going about their own business at least.

On the speed boat back, chillin'.  Afternoon was spent napping in the car and then again on dad on the couch.

2013 Pinewood Derby - Shanghai

Overall, this was a disappointing pinewood derby for the McLains as we were totally shut out of the finals for the first year ever.  We learned some tough lessons.  It wasn't all bad as Reid won a design award for "Speed Demon" and Riley took 3rd place in his den with "The Blaze".  Rowan's fan car dominated the open racing, but this year it was not a formal competition so we bought him a cheapo car to commemorate it.  Anyway, awesome time spent with the boys over the last month or so and I think we have some great ideas to make a stronger showing next year...

Bangkok, then home for Christmas

First night in Bangkok, we met up with our friend Patinee at the highest restaurant in the city.

Unique dinner experience.  Street vendor meets buffet meets dim sum.  Also, they gave us a bonus rebate if we ate all the food we ordered.  What a great idea, and good food too.  Anyway, great experience!

Ready for what Bangkok has to offer!

The next day we headed off for some touring.  The boys picked up some sunglasses the night before.

You must cover up when entering the palace grounds.  Both shoulders and knees!

Statue outside of the temple.  As I recall this is a demon from Thai mythology.

View of the temple, very ornate.  I some some jade and mother of pearl inlay work that was stunning.  Unfortunately, no pictures allowed inside!

The old palace, now basically used for foreign dignitary visits.

Ro was the only one up for a photo op with the royal guards.  He's always game when the king is involved.

Whew, it was a hot one!!!

Love it.

We hopped on a long tail boat after the palace.  Note the size of the engine driving it!

View of a passing long tail.

Monitor lizard sunning itself.  Four or five feet at least.  There were two more under the trees.

As long as it can hold up the satellite, the home improvements can wait.

Gambling?  Hmm, wonder how much he lost before the clothes came off???

Punks or monks, you be the judge...

There was a collection of royal barges we thought was really cool.

Reid shown for scale.

Laundry, about $.38 per pound.  That's what I'm talking about.

Thai boxing gym.  Just on the side of an alley, no doors.  In other words, the real deal.

The boys weren't all that excited about the class as it was very hot.  That all changed when the hand wrapping began.  And yes, I was keenly aware the little guy could whip me without much effort.

Front and center, Ro and Riley were really into it.

Want to know what an "overhand elbow" tastes like?  Yeah, that's what I thought.

Fear this.

After an hour and a half (including a few minutes in the ring).

Next day we hit JJ market with another couple of friends.  Spent and having spent, we needed a massage.

Upon pointing this picture out, my friend stated the obvious that it beats the opposite.

I like the sentiment here.

Returning home, we learned first hand the difference between 35 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Sweet gift from a friend commemorating our Chiang Mai time.

The next day: Christmas fritatta.  Chorizo, potato, roasted red peppers.  These are a few of my favorite things.

Sporting the Thai ties for church.

Nice little tiny tree.  Nothing like opening gifts on New Years Day!

Patinee came to China not too long ago with a few gifts for the boys.  These are now wardrobe staples.

Except the hair, he is all business.

A few days after returning home I get the following text from a friend and neighbor:  "After about 10 minutes taking tree decorations down, he [Rowan] looks up at me sincerely:  'Oh this is hard work, I think I need a massage.'"  Two hours later:  "My dad always sends me for massages because they are healthy, especially with fruit."  Yeah, Rowan's lifelong addiction to massage has begun.  Join the club son, join the club.