Bonding Time in Singapore

A friend commented after seeing our photo posted in Istagram with our two granddaughters in Singapore - "Happy bonding time!".

Indeed, we had a great time bonding with these two granddaughters whom we last saw in March 2024 when they came to KK to spend a short holiday (Read here). For the first time, we stayed and spent 3N4D with them in their house.

Their feeling of this particular bonding time is summed up in the message we received from their mom after we came back to KK. The short message is both heart warming and causes wetness in our eyes: "Livvie and Maddie said the pillows in their bedroom smell like gong gong (closer to the door) and po po (closer to the wall) which is so wonderful because they can always smell them and dream that gg and pp are still sleeping in bed with them". 

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With our children now grown-up, we are also emptying the stockpile of old toys once loved by our children. In this recent trip, we brought along the lego toys to the home of Livvie and Maddie. 

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Christmas 2024 is just round the corner. We helped preparing for the decoration for this annual happy occasion.

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We had an update on the skill of Livvie in her cello lessons.

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An afternoon at the nearby playground.

Maddie met her classmate, Noah.

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Livvie is growing up fast. Our trip to a local shopping complex and back was led all the way by Livvie - from the house to the nearest bus stop, taking the correct bus, stopping at the destination bus stop and then walking to their favourite eating outlet at the shopping mall - Genki Sushi.

It turned out that the waiting time to be seated was rather long. It was first indicated as 15 minutes and 10 minutes later, it was changed to 30 minutes. We proposed to Livvie to change to another eating place. She responded, "We love the place, it's worth the wait!".

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We too had meal time with their dad Sam, Uncle Paul and Auntie Junshi.

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Just before we ended our time with them, Livvie and Maddie insisted to draw pictures for us as the parting gift.

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I recall the time we spent with Nathan and Grace when they were of similar age of Livvie and Maddie nine years ago in November 2015 (Read here). Not all were given the privilege to be grandparents and to enjoy the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. For this, we count ourselves blessed!

In the tapestry of life's gentle weave,

Grandparents and grandchildren never grieve.

For bound by threads of love so pure,

Their bond is one that will endure.

A grandchild's laughter, light and free,

Is music to hearts as old as the sea.

And a grandparent's wisdom, calm and deep,

Is a treasure the young will always keep.

Hand in hand through gardens they roam,

Finding in each other a second home.

With every hug, a world they mend,

A timeless love that knows no end.

Through whispered stories, lessons take flight,

Guiding young hearts in the darkest night.

While tiny hands cling with such might,

To aged ones worn but full of light.

Oh, what magic this bond does hold,

Bridging the gap between young and old.

A circle of love, complete and true,

Grandparents and grandchildren, me and you.

(Author - Unknown)

Free and Easy in Athens

We visited Athens City twice, first on 11.10.2024 immediately after our Acropolis tour before flying to Mykonos in that evening. The second time was on 15.10.2024 after returning from Santorini, the day before we ended our tour and flew back from Athens to Malaysia.

In our first trip, we spent significant time walking along Ermou Street, which runs perpendicular to Syntagma Square next to the arena of the Changing of Guard.

Coffee break outside a cafe at Ermou Street.

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In both occasions, we had a chance to catch a glimpse of the iconic Panathenaic Stadium. The original Stadium before the refurbishment to its current form was used for the first Olympics Game in 1896. The current venue was used for another Olympics in August 2004 or 28th Olympiad, exactly 20 years ago.

Google view of the Stadium.

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It was during the second stop at Athens when we were taken to the Monastiraki Flea Market. Every city has a pedestrian street or a market where the locals and tourists can explore, congregate and look for interesting food. KK City has the Gaya Street (Read here), KL has Chow Kit and Seoul has Myeongdong Walking Street (Read here). In the case of Monastiraki Flea Market, my verdict is that product variety marketed here and vibrancy was below expectation!

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A popular spot where visitors to Athens dropped by is the Presidential House at the Tomb of the Unknown Solders to see the Changing of Guard. The Changing of Guard is held every hour every day. We were there at around 5pm on 15.10.2024 to witness this routine.

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We had a quick visit to Veneti Great, a huge bakery which is within short walking distance from Moxy Hotel where we stayed. In comparison, this bakery is significantly bigger in terms of floor area and varieties than bakeries in KK.

Swimming in The Aegean Sea

The final itinerary in Santorini was the Santorini Private Sunset Sailing. This 4-hours cruise in the afternoon provided us an opportunity to see the sunset and to swim in the Aegean Sea. Unlike my wife who loves swimming, I am no swimmer and at best a "dipper". However, I still consider a dip in the Aegean Sea was worth the attempt and risk. This body of water in between modern day Greece and Turkey was central to the development and flourishing of several ancient cultures including the Classical Greek Civilization.  

Boarding the cruise boat - Dream Catcher.

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With the little knowledge gained a day before from the local guide about the geology of Santorini (Read here), we had a chance to see for ourselves the unique soil profiles of some of the tiny islands formed by volcanic eruptions.

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Finally, the cruise boat stopped in front of a cliff where tour members were given a chance to dip and swim in the Aegean Sea. Only three took the challenge - my wife and I plus another member, Mr. Chew. The water was cold and I only stayed for a short while before the chill became too unbearable!.

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With so much time available, tour members had to think of ways to kill the time. The most obvious option was to look for all available spots on the boat to take photos :)

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The cruise also offered meals prepared by the sailors. Dishes included appetizer - Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta cheese; barbequed meat, Greek pasta etc.

Barbequed meat.

Greek pasta.

Puree and appetizer - Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta cheese.

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The final part of the cruise was to enjoy the sunset before returning to the port. All were busy posing for photo-taking with the backdrop of the setting sun slowly disappearing below the horizon of the Aegean Sea.