Blog 19 Little India and Away

It was another twenty four house before Lisa, Steve and Emelia arrived home.

By then I had washed everything I could wash. Had rehung the curtains in the lounge, filled the cupboards with things I thought they might need and cleared my room.

My back pack lay to one side as they arrived.

Emelia was beautiful, as any good grand parent would agree.

Lisa and Steve settled together in their new home with their new child and while they began the long process of notifying friends and family,

I set out for another adventure.

I am getting quite good at this lift photography lol )

During my weekend stay with the mataji's I had checked out a few hostels within my price range. The Prince of Wales had not only come up trumps in price but also cleanliness.

In true Welsh tradition the hostel was housed above the bar.

Never let it be said that the Welsh will not look after its inebriated!

Stairs led to a small landing where, to the left, two private rooms with attached bathroom stood. To the right a twelve bed dorm, divided into fours and with a great sitting are awaited me.

I dropped my bags to the floor and decided what to do for a week.

My first visit was to the temple where luckily a program was being held. Usually during the week the place is quiet as devotees go about their usual working lives. There would be no more programs now until the weekend.

I spent a day writing Blogs in the outside breakfast/bar area, utilizing the free Wifi to load picture after picture to the internet.

I popped over to visit baby and co and to swim in the cool complex pool.

By Friday I was bored!

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There have been many times in my life when I have simple just wanted to escape the trappings of everyday routines.

I ran away to Moorea to live in a tropical paradise, I ran away to India to explore the sacred temples, I have run away to Vietnam, Bahamas and Egypt to dive amongst some of the wonders of the ocean.

I sat by the bar and searched through the 'Places to go around Singapore' web page looking for ideas and inspiration for a quick week away while Lisa and Steve enjoyed their private bonding time with little Emelia.

At this point I had no idea of the very existence of Langkawi. 

The little dots in the ocean off the coast of Malaysia and Thailand didn't even have names on most of the maps I had looked at.

As each location that offered sea and sun came up on the web page, I google searched it for more details. 

The Philippines were inviting but plane fares were around S$350, Bali could be reached for a mere S$250. I searched for flight details on Langkawi, a plane trip would cost me S$65!!! (£33)

I Google searched the internet for more details on this previously unknown (to me) island. 

Cursed with seven generations of bad luck after a tribal chief had killed his pure and faithful wife, (after he was told false stories about her unfaithfulness,) the island had remained largely unknown and underdeveloped until the curse had been lifted this very century!

It was currently undergoing a huge transformation of development under the careful and visionary eye of the president. 

The story goes that he spent a fortune installing a tsunami barrier and warning system that many people thought was a waste of money and resources.

When the tsunami hit in 2004 the airport as well as many important installations were saved and his foresight was hailed as miraculous.

Japanese scientists have allegedly asked for his brain after he dies to study the intricate workings of a man who has taken a country from a cursed unknown area to the prosperous Island it is becoming today.

Half an hour away from Kuala Lumpa by plane or an hour and a half from Singapore the island was now receiving much welcomed tourist trade.

I searched the Workaway web site looking for any opportunities to work for my keep.

Come and help us clean our beach in Pulau Tebu, Langkawi read the page. I scanned down the description.

The e-mail I sent asking if they still needed help was answered within the hour with a resounding YES!

I then spoke to Lisa and Steve about going away for the week.

Emelia's new born jaundice look was fading and they were enjoying their time together.

I booked my flight!

Blog 18 - January 24th 2015 Marina Bay

Every parent wants to protect their child from upset and pain. Over the years I have tried my best to 'fix' things for my children but there will always be times when events are beyond our control.

Twice Lisa has been airlifted off mountains, more times than I care to remember Kris has told me stories of horror from his life style living abroad. As parents we want to be there for them, even when they are older we want to fix things like we did when they were small.

Steve called me the next morning to say that Lisa had to stay in hospital and could I come over to be with her.

I thought I was strong as I walked into the room. I thought all I needed to do was reassure Lisa everything would be fine and we would have a relaxed day but the sadness,sorrow, disappointment and tears I saw on her face had me sitting quietly in the corner trying my best not to add my emotions to the maelstrom that hovered over her head.

She felt fine, the baby was fine, but caution dictated she had to stay for more tests.

Her dream of a water birth at home was now in doubt because a machine had said yesterday that her blood pressure was too high.

We sat quietly as people went about their business and then, because we knew we had to do something or go crazy, we began to play Rummie Tiles.

For six hours we played game after game, living in the moment, not thinking outside the game.

The tests came back and decisions were made. Steve finished work and I went home. Lisa would be staying in hospital until the birth.

At the apartment I realised it was now up to me to finish off Lisa and Steve's baby shopping.

I popped to the shops for essentials,

(she will grow into it!!)

hung the heavy day light blocking curtains in their room,

washed and dried tiny clothes and sorted clean clothes for Steve!

By Saturday 24^th of January all that could be done was done and Lisa was induced into labour.

Feeling utterly helpless I took myself out for the day to Marina Bay Sands.

A few weeks earlier Lou had sent me a link to the amazing Gardens by the Bay.

Lisa and I had talked about going so, with my phone fully charged in case anyone needed me, I dropped the things Lisa had asked for at the hospital and with a final kiss to her forehead, I turned and walked away to continue my journey to the bay.

The underground bypass from the MRT to the Gardens is quite incredible as mirrors and pictures of trees bounce back reflections that move as you walk, giving one the illusion of being in a forest (with a long straight tiled floor through the middle)

At the far end the pathway led to a viewing platform about twenty meters away complete with an escalator for easy access. I rode the steps to the top and then just stood for about twenty minutes taking in the views.

Behind me the Marina Bay Sands Hotel rose in breath taking glory,

topped with its ocean liner style roof said to contain some of the best restaurants and an infinity pool that is back dropped by the entire city!

To my right was the huge wheel I had first seen from the Mataji's balcony.

The glass domes of the tropical rain forest or arid desert rose from the lush greenery of the park.

And directly in front of me were the vertical gardens Lou had told me about!

An international competition for the design of the master plan, held in January 2006, attracted more than 70 entries submitted by 170 firms from 24 countries. Two firms, Grant Associates and Gustafson Porter were rewarded when their plans became the winning choices.

In the two years since the gardens completion, millions of plants had established them selves, weaving their ways in and out of the framework, mixing and twisting and supporting each other.

In the distance I could hear music but in the distance I could also see a huge wall of rain bearing down on my location.

I rushed down the steps as the first few drops fell and was happily hiding along with everyone else by the time the storm hit!

I stood watching the video screen that described various art techniques from around the world. Bakti printing, Indonesian wood carving and other things were explained step by step like some wonderful discovery channel while the rain poured from the heavens in sheets.

True to form, after our ten minute deluge, the rain stopped and the humidity soared. I ventured out from the shelter and headed towards the music that despite the storm was still playing loudly.

I walked through walkways full of poetry, stopping to read each one and vowing to buy the book they came from.

I later found out that the book is way outside my budget but at east I can read the poems on line!

I discovered statues hidden away in quaint corners,

while others dominated the view.

Everywhere you looked there was information about habitats, life cycles, nature.

This was a garden not only of beauty but of education.

At the edge of the park is an area called the Meadow and it was here that I discovered the source of the great music I had been listening to as I walked. A music Festival complete with wrist bands, bouncers and supporting tents had set up for the weekend and looking at the assembled crowd waiting to get in, it was going to be a busy event.

My curiosity sated I turned back to sit along side a long fish pool with great pebble style seats.

Warm from the sun and incredibly smooth these solid seats are surprisingly comfortable.

I sat for half an hour listening to the band play and watching the fish swim enthusiastically towards anyone who approached the rails.

Gaping mouths huddled together in the anticipation of food. When the person departed, the fish would disperse to search around the leaves and plants only to rush together again as someone new approached.

I sent a text to Steve asking for news and received one saying nothing yet.

I berated myself for calling. Leave them alone I told myself, they have enough to think about without having to think about me.

I put the phone into my bag and stood up to explore.

The vertical gardens were set in a sunken area of the grounds, which made their height even more impressive when up close.

A sky way walk linked two of the towers together while in a third a sky top restaurant offered a free soft drink with the S$18 entrance fee.

Around the base of each tower a smooth wide sitting space had been provided with information once again displayed for those curious enough to read.

The music from the concert drifted in, birds flew from flower to flower, tree to tree as I wandered around the bases and gazed up into the heights.

The rains had now completely stopped although the sky was still grey. During the storm the sky walk had been closed for safety but as the floor dried its closed sign was removed and people once again began to climb the stairs (or take the lift)

I purchased my ticket and took the lift!

High above the tree line the views were well worth the S$5 I had paid to enter.

Signs that informed people that hanging over the rails was not a good idea and dropping things from this height was potentially life threatening, stood along side a sign stating that visitors had 15 minutes and no more on the bridge.

I wondered how they policed this instruction as people meandered back and forth between the towers looking down on trees that from this angle looked like flowers.

I took the photo of a lovely Australian couple and stood happily as they returned the favour.

I spoke to some English people who had arrived by cruise ship, highlighting some of the things I had seen during my time here.

Through another conversation I discovered there was a light show performance at 7.45 and 8.45 every night and as there was still no news of the bump I decided to stay until the evening.

I walked from one end of the sky walk to the other,

looking up,

looking down

and gazing over the trees to the festival in the meadow.

I spent over an hour above the trees,

looking, watching, enjoying.

With nothing to do and all day to do it,

I eventually left my place in the sky.

I wandered over to the water park where children raced through jets of water orchestrated through music.

I wished I had brought swim wear too so I could relive the joys of play with them.

Parents stood watching while their children shrieked with happiness and I wondered how many of them also wished to don swim wear so they could slide and race and play.

From the water park I walked between the huge glass domes where a wood sculpture exhibition was on display.

The dominant Lion King beside the escalator was carved from a single trunk and as I gazed at the myriad of colours revealed through the carving process, I was reminded of the amazing colours the yew tree displays when made into furniture at the Workshop.

Smaller lions crept along the steps above the entrance giving the place the feel of the Pride Rock in the Walt Disney film.

Upstairs sculptured ants crawled over twisted trunks that had once supported huge trees in the rain forest.

Benches made from a single plank of impossible length lay scattered around allowing people to rest.

The thickness of the planks was superb and I wondered how long they has taken to dry out let alone what they weighted and how they had maneuvered them into position on the second floor!

I treated myself to an ice-cream and watched the huge waterfalls cascade over the greenery inside the tropical dome. The pure size of these things is impossible to describe, entire ecosystems exist inside the glass, while people, resembling ants, walk along pathways suspended from the roofs.

From the domes I walked north to the lakes skirting around vast areas of water where water buffalo hid. Trees and buildings stood silhouetted as the light began to fade.

Three towers stood apart from the grove and as evening fell I became aware of the coloured lights around the bases of the three towers.

Pale purple and sliver reflected off the leaves while shadows emphasized shape and silhouette.

I met a lone traveler and again we swapped cameras for a photo shoot.

Behind me the fifty seven story Marina Bay Sands roof top fanned out laser lights into the sky.

It unfortunately didn't show up on camera but to the eye thin beams of light raced across the cloudy sky, criss-crossing and turning in a magical pattern.

I met more and more people as the evening fell and decided that camera swapping was a great way to make an introduction!

I took turns with a wonderful family from Japan to stand beside the growing green elephants laughing as our first attempts as a photographer were not to our satisfaction and we took more and more, zooming in and out until we each had about 20 shots to choose from.

By the time 7.45 arrived I had walked and talked, photographed others, been photographed myself and was standing on the platform awaiting the much anticipated light show.

Speakers announced the beginning of the performance, the lights faded and what followed can only be described as brilliant.

Maybe I was emotional over Lisa, maybe the entire day had taken my energy but as the music soared and fell my emotions went with it.

Tears filled my eyes as the lights and music drew me up to the tower tops, climbing into the sky only to evaporate into the heavens.

Soft and tender music pulled at my heart before it built into a mountain of rhythm that thundered around the arena.

When it was over I stood as the crowd departed. There was another show at 8.45 and I planned to be at the base of a tree when it happened!

Quietly, as the crowd dispersed. I made my way into the sunken garden.

I tried various tree bases until I was happy with my position and lying back to gaze at the night sky I rested until the next show.

Some girls from Malaysia and Australia arrived and we pooled our knowledge on events around the area. After the light performance there was a laser show over at the marina they were going to.

I asked for directions and as the speakers announced the beginning of the show we settled into our own private worlds to embrace the spectacle.

This time as the crowd dispersed I was with them and together we surged towards the towering building on the far side of the overpass.

Entering the huge air conditioned shopping mall after the warmth and humidity of the outside world was a shock to the system but the views inside revealed another world, not only in temperature but also in splendour.

Three floors beneath me a long canal flowed beneath bridges where customers dined on fine cuisine.

Shops with names I have only seen on adverts lined the walkways, while ladies and men dressed for dinner walked with arms full of shopping bags.

At the far end of the mall, a glass whirl pool dropped water into a shallow basin

as people ate at tables beside the pool.

I followed the walkers through the large doors and onto the lake side. Here steps doubled as seats and judging from the amount of sitting people, the show was due to start.

I took my place as lights began to bounce from the platform beside the infinity pool all those floors above me, onto the buildings across the bay.

Boats motored into position as the evening spectacle began.

After the music and art of the Garden display I was disappointed.

As clever as the concept was, it did not raise emotions or stir the heart. Water was pumped in huge spraying screens from three fountains in the lake.

Projected onto these virtual solid walls of water video footage of life from conception to old age were shone. Still shots of children playing, moving shots of people holding hands. Nothing was left to the imagination and somehow I felt cheated.

Life was not perfect. The ideal they were portraying possibly applied to a tiny minority of the crowd.

I worried that young people would now struggle as they tried to aspire to this unrealistic dream while we older ones would possibly look back on our solitary adventures with a hint of failure.

At the end of the performance colours undulated in amazing waves across the bay and I wondered why this form of display had not been utilised more, allowing each persons dream to dance upon the water.

There was still no news from the hospital and it was now 10.30pm. Knowing there was nothing I could do, I returned to the apartment and began to write.

Some time during the process I fell asleep only to be woken at 4am with news that Baby Emelia Carol Fox was safely in the world and weighed 3.2kg. She had been born two and a half weeks early, still covered with her vermix coating, at 01.07 Singapore time on January 25^th.

As news flew across the pond to the UK they were still living the afternoon of the January 24^th and for a short while a lot of confusion occurred!

I turned off the light and went to sleep.

Tomorrow I would sort out my bag and get ready to move to Little India but for tonight everything was just right in my world and I could ask for no more.