But on the safe side, I just let the kids have some bread while we rushed home to grab the bags and documents. Then, our neighbor came to help us move the fridge upstairs, and we made sure that all sockets, except the fridge was unplugged. There are cases where flood victims were electrocuted in their home, so no play play.

We are staying with FIL for the moment, and as soon as our condo is ready, I guess we will move in for awhile. Or maybe move our things in. It will speed up our moving process.

Some updates said the evacuation is not necessary, and had caused panic. But honestly, the water is not too far away, just about 1.5km. With the embankment and sandbag walls collapsing a couple of times, it’s best to stay safe than sorry.

Today, I’m still at work. Still have a lot to do, especially in getting my work permit renewal. Visa can wait, and so is driving license. After that, I can smoke Rocky Patel cigars in my new balcony and relax. Just kidding la, I don’t smoke.

For me, Chiangmai is a very small town, which I don’t mind visiting once in a while but definitely not for long stay. It’s very cultural and simple, and the city gal inside me would be screaming to go home soon.

Since BIL has set up a branch in Chiangmai, it’s not surprising that he picked Chiangmai as his annual company trip for his staffs. Not all workers went though but there were around 40 pax of us already. We tagged along since I don’t have a lot of staffs, and I shared some of his staffs. Generally, SIL will plan any event and I will just pay our share and go along. Save me all the hassle. LOL!

We flew there after hubby finished work, and arrived in Chiangmai after 9.15pm. The van left early but came back again. By the time we checked in, it’s almost 10.30pm but we went looking for supper. There was an art and food fair opposite Amari Rincome Hotel, so we didn’t have to walk too far to get food.

After stuffing ourselves silly with food, we went to bed and Zzz for the night. Everyone was so tired.

The next morning, we decided to revisit Chiangmai Zoo. Kids wanted to see pandas so we went along with SIL’s family and another partner’s.

They left early because the workers were arriving and SIL needed to check in for them. We stayed behind and continued visiting the rest of the zoo. This zoo is really hilly, so forget about walking here, especially if you are coming with kids!

Going back to hotel after visiting zoo

We went dinner on our own since both kids were very tired, instead of joining SIL. We did manage to check out some stores and did some shopping at the air fair, nothing too fancy like a two step stool, but the kids were happy with their loots.

The next morning, we gathered with the staffs at 6am. No joke. SIL planned to pay tributes to the monks. Another Thai cultural thing which I learned in Thailand.

Just remember not to touch the monks, especially for women.

After that, we went to Doi Suthep, a popular temple in Chiangmai. Both kids were very grumpy by now, considering that they woke up early and so tired with the long steps.

Isabelle din even wanna look at the camera.

But they got a good nap when we drove down hill. Our next step was the elephant camp. It’s not our first visit but the kids could not wait to feed the elephants.

But the kids were not as daring as they were last time.

For dinner, we went for Lanna food and cultural show. SIL said the food sucks but hubby and I couldn’t tell, we still ate a lot.

Isabelle went dancing with Thong Thong.

The next day was pretty relaxing. We had breakfast late, and checked out an hour later. We were going to change to another resort called Krisdadoi, which has pretty gardens. The workers were going to have camping there.

But before that, we stopped by another temple.

Thai people really like to pray.

We arrived at Krisdadoi in the evening. The sun was almost setting, so I didn’t snap a lot of photos then.

Isabelle was very excited for her first camping, but Justin wanted to sleep on the bed in our room. LOL! So, only Isabelle slept in the tent with hubby. I must say the resort is very thoughtful. The tent comes with mattresses, pillows and blankets. With Chiangmai cool weather, sleeping outdoor is pretty nice.

We had camp fire that night, and everyone had a great time. I must say that this trip is pretty enjoyable. Let’s see where are we going next year, if we manage to hit our sales target.

Bye for now Chiangmai.

We celebrated FIL’s birthday at his condo last week, and this year, MIL is here. MIL said she has not celebrated FIL’s birthday for a lot of years, and they are always apart in 2 countries. FIL prefers Bangkok and MIL can’t leave Ipoh. She’s always worried about the 2 grandchildren back home.

We didn’t get him any pressie, not even ties but just food. LOL! Actually we planned to eat out but MIL preferred eating at home. Now I know why hubby is not really keen to celebrate special days outside. It runs in his family!!!

FIL surely won’t care much about them, in fact, he doesn’t like my noisy kids. So, as they age, they are not close to him. The most might be greeting him and that’s all, unless he has something to bribe the kids la. Anyway, he never buys them toys or bring them to the playground, so there is a great generation gap between FIL and our kids. Frankly, I don’t think it’s my kids’ issue as he’s not really close to any of the grandchildren, except the ones in Ipoh maybe? It might be due to the fact that they spend more time together since young, as comparing to mine who were glued to their milk bar mommy.

As for MIL, she cares for them. But still, it’s not as close to as the bonding with my parents who will spoil them to the max. I know that spoiling is bad, but some times, that’s the way to start a bonding and then work on the consequences.

I’m not comparing anything ok? It’s just that hubby’s uncle and aunt have recently visited us, and the kids got attached to them in just a day. It’s not hard to see why. They bought them clothes, brought them to the playground, or just something simple like carrying Isabelle and pampering her is good enough to start the close bonding. Poor 60s-aged great uncle was running out of breathe carrying Isabelle around in the mall! I guess he doesn’t need Lipofuze even if he’s feasting a lot in Thailand.

When the kids were having fun at the kiddie land 2 days ago, this uncle asked me if FIL has ever brought them to the playground or do things like this. It struck me that it never happens! No wonder my kids don’t like to be close to him, so as much as he did ask them to “go to him”, it won’t just happen overnight. Some times, he will say that the kids are naughty if they don’t go to him. Oh well, I guess my kids are old enough and they are sensitive to such comments, hence keeping a distance away.

Even if they haven’t seen my parents for many months, but they always remember them and talk to them over the phone once in a while, asking for Ribena mostly. LOL! But I overheard Isabelle asking pohpoh to come here the other day, thus I guess she misses my mom.

Besides hubby and I, the kids hardly have anyone who gives them a lot of affection. I can understand how eager they want someone like their great uncle or great auntie to pamper them. Too bad the old folks are going back soon, but I’m sure that they have left a great impression on my kids!

It’s raining season now, so the weather is just perfect for outdoor visit. There are 2 parts of this snake farm, one outdoor and a small museum located in a building. My kids were thrilled to run from one cage to another, checking out the snakes, mostly pythons, and some of them are quite big.

The cages are not smelly, which is good.

Kids were looking for snakes through the glass.

Hi there…

The indoor section is very educational.

Hubby’s checking out some snake specimens.

I myself spent some time admiring the snakes too.

The snake victim did freak me out. LOL!

This is cool…I’ve never seen the internal organs of a snake.

Some of the longest snakes ever captured.

The dramatic daddy. LOL!

How often do you get to sit on snake fossil?

We enjoyed the snake show a lot because it’s not like those conventional snake shows with man kissing snake or whatever. It’s very factional, and we got to see king cobra, Siam cobra, some poisonous snake and etc. There was a non-venom snake too, which I can’t remember its name. It’s a 2nd graded protected species in Thailand because a lot of people think that they are poisonous and kill the poor snakes.

Siam cobra

BTW, we were told that there is a spraying cobra in the farm, which I missed the cage! The cobra can spray its venom up to a distance of 2m, so it’s too dangerous to be shown. I would definitely pay more attention to the cages on my next visit.

Of course, the visitors are allowed to touch and carry the Burmese python, and the kids were very eager. They just walked down the steps on their own and I shouted, “Don’t squeeze the snake!” One angmoh tourist couldn’t help laughing at me.

Isabelle tried to touch the python when a tourist was snapping photo.

Justin is strong enough to carry it. It’s very heavy!

Of course, the kids are so daring already, how can the mommy be coward leh?

Frankly, the python gave me a fright when the tongue hissed on my arm. Sipeh geli. I think I was shouting, oh gosh, oh gosh, so GROOOOSSS…..

My kids love cycling. Besides our neighborhood, we would bring them cycling at the train park in the city, which has bicycle tracks, and it’s also a nice place for picnic. We did that on previous Sunday, and photos were uploaded in FB.

Last Sunday, we went to a campus where our expat friends live for cycling. My friend’s husband is doing his doctorate here, so we paid them a visit after our lunch date at my place. From the photos, you can tell that I was way behind the kids who cycled so fast! But it’s a safe place for cycling as there are not a lot of cars on the road.

Bikes are the main transport in this campus, and kids cycle to the local international school, which is located in the campus too. I’ve almost enrolled my kids here last time, but then, it’s too far from our place. If I stay here, I would cycle a lot too, and then maybe I don’t have to step on the scales to check my weight that much.

The kids love this place a lot, and they asked us to bring them here again soon so that they can play with their friends.

So, Luluk, I’ll go kacau you again. Hopefully…very soon. LOL!

The kids had a great time this year, and unlike last year when they were so scared of being splashed or splashing someone, they totally enjoyed being wet this time.

I shall upload the photos in FB soon.

Justin with his cousins from Singapore

We had our reunion dinner at BIL’s house. FIL bought a lot of Thai food, and it’s the first time we had Chinese reunion dinner, ala Thai style. LOL! I thought of eating out, but MIL said, with 7 kids, and 10 adults, it’s best to have the dinner at the comfort of our own home. Thank god BIL’s house is so spacious. The kids had fun playing in the family room and later watching TV like no body’s biz.

Isabelle and the boys.

On the first day of CNY, everyone dropped by BIL’s house again for angpao and gathering. We were going to Hua Hin beach for 3 days, so everyone was pretty excited about it.

Isabelle’s struggling to wish “gong xi fa cai”

As you know, our family is quite a “beach” person. We go to the beach very often.

Off to the beach in Hua Hin

Bikini is a must!

The kids spent most of the time in the pool and on the beach. As for adults, we drunk and ate, besides watching the kids.

Hubby and his princess

Thank god she lost her tan very fast, even if she’s in the sun so often.

House riding is a must!

One of the highlights during our stay in Hua Hin was, the kids found a big jellyfish on the sand.

Justin and his cousin found it.

The papas tried to rescue it, but to no avail. Maybe it’s dead la.

So after 3 days of sun and beach, all of us got really tanned. Nonetheless, we all had great fun, and snapped over 700 photos during this CNY. But after 2 years of CNY in Thailand, all of us planned to celebrate next CNY in M’sia. So, it’s time to book the tickets and fly back to Ipoh next year. I’m not sure how many days can we afford to be away, with the kids skipping school and us skipping work. But I surely need to check out the insurance quotes back home, and make some comparison, and renew my safe deposit and bla bla bla. There are so much to do once we get back home again. But then, it’s always nice to be home.

Hence, see u guys next CNY!

At about 1pm, we reached the jetty to catch the ferry to Koh Chang island. It’s really that far from the city!

The ferry reminds me of Penang. But they don’t allow passengers to be in the cars, so most passengers have to get to the top rack after packing the vehicles.

Isabelle on the ferry

It took us about 45 minutes to get to the island, and here is a group photo of all of us.

Sorry, got to put small small.

The roads on this island are very winding and steep. I would advise that you get the local transport or tour vans instead of driving on your own. Oh man, really kiasi lang…

After checking in at the hotel, we went for the first activity of the day: The Tree Top Adventure. The adults had some team building games here, while the kids enjoyed themselves on the high rise net and catching crabs on the beach. Hubby and I watched the kids, with the help of a worker.

My adventurous boy just jumped on the net as soon as he saw it. It was about 10 ft high from the ground. O.o

The kids spent a lot of time on the net, with a worried mommy watching closeby.

Hubby had a lot of fun too.

Some team building games

Catching crabs on the beach

Hubby saw this from the bottom and decided to dump the babysitting job to me and joined in the adult fun.

Ok la, you deserve to have some fun. (Actually, it’s the mommy who’s too afraid of the height. )

Ah, really look like a lot of fun, hanging from one tree to another.

Our city kids enjoyed exploring the nature

But the mommy was almost running out of breathe chasing after them from one spot to another. Justin is SOOOOO adventurous now, and Isabelle follows him everywhere. Faint…

We spent about 3 hours here, and after that, all of us got back to the hotel. It’s been a very long day so all of us were dead exhausted. We went to bed early after a quick dinner, and called it a day.

The next morning, the kids got up bright and early and they were excited for the day’s event: Snorkeling!

Checking out the tadpoles in the pond while waiting for our transport.

The route to the pier was bl*rdy scary. So steep and winding la.

Hubby snapped this for me at the pier.

He said if he’s not holding the camera, the kids won’t know that mommy is there when they see the photos next time. The boat ride took about an hour to reach the snorkeling spot. So, it’s another bumpy ride.

Kids knocked out on the boat. Isabelle refused to let go of the bread for fish feeding. LOL!

Since the kids were napping, we stole some time to snap some photos.

I didn’t snap much on this snorkeling trip as I left my camera on the boat. Watching the kids in the sea is more important! But anyway, we had other cameras around.

Finally got to feed the fish.

Justin and daddy in the sea, with fish flocking towards them.

I found that the corals here are not as pretty as Phuket and Similan Islands, but for some workers, it’s their first snorkeling trip, so they were happy about it. As for Justin, it’s his second trip. He was happy to see the fishes but at the same time, too afraid when they were getting close to him. LOL!

We had a dinner and mini party on the last night in Koh Chang, and the staffs had great fun with the games and gift exchange.

I have a pressie.

On the last day, we dropped by the beach near the hotel. I noticed that there are a lot of foreigners here, mostly Russians.

Beach on Koh Chang island

Enjoying the sand.

That concludes our trip to Koh Chang and more photos are uploaded in FB.

Then this week, we will be going to Hua Hin beach with hubby’s family members. We are going to be very roasted and tanned again.

Best of all, she has hubby to wash her hair for her again, and I can forget about this “torture” which carried for a week. Don’t get me wrong, I am very gentle with her, but she doesn’t like me to wash her hair!

The only disadvantage that hubby is back is….the kids can’t watch TV on weekdays again. Our Samsung TV can only be switched on weekends, so the kids will need some time to get used to the old routine again.

Anyway, we are all glad that hubby is back! Yippie!