Singapore zoo

We have just come to the end of our singapore trip and it has been so fantasic mainly due to Martina and Richard who have shown us what a wonderful city this is. Yesterday we left Raffles after a luxurious night's sleep and when to Richard and Martina's house in the suburbs. It's in a complex with pool, water slides and playground so matt and emma and M and R's children all had a fantastic afternoon.
Later for dinner we walked along the Orchard Road to see the christmas lights and at one of the corners a christmas scene had been set up complete with snow (foam) They all immersed themselves fully and had to then walk with the boys naked from the waist up and soggy shorts and Lucy and emma just had tops from the adults for dinner. It was so hot though that they hardly noticed. This morning we got up early and went to Singapore Zoo for breakfast with the urang-utans. It was absolutely magical. The rest of the zoo was the best I've ever been to and in the children's area there was a waterpark where the children stripped off to their togs and had a great time in the water. It was another scorching day so they were glad of the cool down. Unfortunately I lost my phone in a taxi and have no chance of getting it back. It's such a pain in the neck but I suppose not the worst thing that could have happened. I'd really like anyone that thinks of it to email me their number so I can put it in the new sim card that I'll buy in NZ. We're leaving here in an hour for the next leg of our journey. Just to explain the two other children in the pictures are Martina and Richard's eldest two, Lucy and Michael. Thanks again Martina and look forward to seeing you again in NZ!

Singapore

what a great start to our trip! I am sitting in Raffles hotel in singapore as I type and so far almost everything has gone to plan. We left Dublin in a thick fog and London a few hours later in lashing rain. The flight wasn't nearly as bad as I'd thought with almost no turbulance and plently to entertain us all. I was just settling in to watch my third film when I had to suddenly catch sick as Matthew threw up beside me on landing.
After we landed we discovered that one of the bags was still back in London, mine of course, but I was given an allowance to buy essentials to last until it is delivered tomorrow.
As we stepped out of the airport the heat hit us like a wall. It was 7 in the evening but 30 degrees. Raffles is beautiful and we have a suite over looking a courtyard. Richard and Martina, Mick's cousin, met us here and showed us a nice place to eat and where i could buy temporary clothes.
Singapore is hot, neon and very exciting. I look forward to seeing it in the daytime.
Matt and Emma were dying for a dip in the rooftop pool so we
raced back from the shops before it closed at 11pm and the three of them swam while I conked out asleep in one of the loungers. We're still confused as to what day we should be in or what meal we're eating but I'm hoping for a good sleep tonight.

1 more sleep!

I am feeling overwhelmed with all the well wishes from everyone over the past few days.
People have even been giving presents which was totally unexpected and very much appreciated. Nicole very kindly gave me a beautifully bound leather diary so I can record all our adventures and Antonia has greatly upgraded the beauty of my wrist with a fabulous new bracelet! From Paula I got super-luxurious slippers and an eyemask for the plane which I plan to use to pretend I'm asleep to ward off cries of 'are we there yet' as soon as we leave Dublin. Thank you all so much!
As I was packing Matt's stuff last night Matt said he wanted to take a school uniform jumper. I asked him why he wanted to bring it to hear him say 'because there are a lot of memories wrapped up in that jumper' It might just accidently get left behind :)
I also wanted to post a couple of pictures to try out my new foster camera that Nicole has very kindly lent me. Ok back to the late late toy show and to maybe encourage Mick to pack a few things seeing as he hasnt even started yet!

getting ready

Just four more days till our four month adventure starts! I'm trying to sort out what we need to bring and jibbering at the thought of what we have to do without. Photoshop, I will miss you.
Matt and Emma are very excited but I can't figure out if it's the thought of travelling or missing so much school.
We leave on Saturday and our first stop off is Singapore where we will stay for 2 days.