My Life

My sis family first trip to Batam

The kids first ride on the ferry

We booked a stay at Batam Harbour Hotel at the price of $75 per night from Agoda. It was cheap considering my sis and her family had a room while me, love and my bro shared a room. Their single bed was big enough to accommodate 2 adults.  What i like about this hotel was that they are situated just 3 minutes walk away from Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal and walking distance to the Seafood restaurants. It is not hard to find them at all. 

Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal

Their bed is sooo comfortable.

They also provide free transport to Nagoya Hill/ BSC shopping at a fix timing daily. We saved a lot on transport as the taxi fare in Batam is not that cheap. The reception is Chinese and therefore we have no problem speaking to them. The hotel does provide breakfast and room service. But what you need to look out for is their massage. Never leave Batam without going to a good body /foot massage. Their price were like $12 for 1 hour foot massage? Just cannot miss it.

After we put our things down in the hotel room, we left for Nagoya Hill. They had free transport back as well. We roamed around the shopping mall. It was still the same since me and love last went there. As all Singaporeans do, we headed for the A&W immediately after we alighted from the bus. It was morning so the crowd was not too bad. The food was so-so. If it was not for the "brand", we wouldn't be having our lunch there. The rest of the restaurants serve good foods too.

The men holding the young one

I couldn't take much photos as me and love were like running around with the kids. It is not easy to handle and bring out 2 young kids, much less to say my sis and brother-in-law. You needed more than just a pair of hands to keep them safe. At night, i suggested seafood as i last remember the food there was delicious and cheap. But on that very night, i wasn't feeling too well and had totally lost my appetite for any foods! I was holding tightly to the plastic bag (lucky dear has one in his bag) and vomiting like a merlion in front of all diners. Not sure what i had in the day but it definitely made me sad as i couldn't have any of the foods (which i had been waiting for in this trip!) 

Dinner was unbelievably fast and we wrapped up a day at 9pm Batam time. I went back to hotel, bathe and slept at  9.30pm. Unbelievably fast too. I totally shock my love as I was not a fast sleeper and that i slept so early. 

Morning was nice and quiet. I had breakfast at 8am with my sis as that was the only time she was able to have a peace of mind. The 2 monsters are still asleep but not long after her peace has ended. Then again, we went back to Nagoya Hill as there was really nothing around the hotel. We bought some kueh lapis at Nagoya Hill again before picking up our luggage and walked back to Ferry Terminal. The ferry arrived at 7pm and all of us were back safely at around 9pm SG time. 

On my new Year Eve.

On the 1st day of New Year, we had our gathering at my Uncle's house. It is the 2nd time we had gathering there. For the last 20 years, all of my paternal relatives came to our house for gathering, but as my mum is not in the right condition to host, we decided to bring our gathering to my uncle's house.

I got to wear nice clothes for the second time in my last 26 years. So kua zhang hahaha! We had steamboat and lots of CNY snacks. I am putting on weight this time round. 

My little sick niece who got to whiny on that day.

And wait, we had reunion lunch with love's family at Punggol Settlement. I had forgotten the name of the restaurant but the food was good. They served seafood.

This is love's family. Small family he has haha.

On day 2, we went to my aunty's house for another gathering. 

And my family from my mum side.

I grew up with my cousin who now has a family on their own. All of us are busy but we try our best to stay connected. 

I wonder how we will spend our CNY next year. Perhaps next year I won't be staying home to help out or anything like that as i realized that it might be the last year I will be home, counting down New Year with my family after my marriage.     

Cute isn't it?

Cute right? Its all pastel pink.  My sis made contact with some bakery and customised her cake. 

This 2-tier cake cost about $200 plus and it weights 4 kg. My sis had it delivered to our house in the morning and we were to bring the cake to the cafe. It could not fit in our fridge and the base was too big. In the end, we kept it in my room, with the air conditioned on, in case the cream melts.

It started at 3pm and we were there on time. There were a couple (my sis friends) who were there early. 

Slowly, all the guests streamed in. 

My cousins,

Our in-laws

The cafe was totally filled up and there were not enough table and chairs for all of us . I was walking around most of the time and found a spot to stand comfortably. The foods were replenished from time to time to ensure that it was enough for all of us. 

I have to say that the foods were well cooked and delicious.

Baby was feeling frustrated the whole day. Not sure why but it could be that she is not used to the crowd.

After an hour or so, it time for cake cutting. We have to act fast because some of the guests had to leave early and also, the cafe had another event at 6pm. 

The family of 3. My sis, brother-in-law and baby Eng. 

Jie Fu and his family~

Our families. 

I was trying to put as much photos as i can in a collage to save space and efforts editing hahaha. 

The party ended at 5 plus and all of were us packing up. Sister distributed the party snacks to the kids before they left. And in a blink of eye, the party is over. 

This 1 year span of time taught me how to be an aunt, especially with kids, they are so fragile, innocent and precious. I have no kids of my own but I am really happy to seeing her being born and bringing happiness to the family. Everybody doted her like she is our own and we would give her the best. This is just what makes us human and I am glad that we encompasses love and affectation. 

Hope Baby Eng will grow up to be a happy being.

She definitely loves how my dad carries her to sleep each time she lies on his shoulder.

If you are living in the east and would like to hold a mini gathering for your kids birthday, With a
Pinch of Salt will be a good place for host. I am not affiliated to them but I feel that good place should be shared with readers.

297 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437080
Tel: 63482297

Email: eat@withapinchofsale.com.sg

Mon- Thur: 11am - 11pm
Fri - Sat: 11 am- am
Sun: 11am-11pm

   

Baby is taking a view out of the resort.

We stayed at Siloso Beach Resort at Beach Station. Comparing the prices among all hotels in Sentosa, Siloso Beach Resort offers a more economical prices as compare to the other luxury hotels. If you are looking for an even more cheaper alternative, just book a chalet at Coasta Sands Resort next to Siloso Beach, their accommodation costs $99 for a night. But do note that you will have to pay for at least 2 nights. 

I booked 1 Family Room + 1 Deluxe room. The cost of 1 family room for a night is about $600++ while the deluxe room cost about $350++. 

The deluxe room is decent. There is a queen size bed and i requested 1 baby cot for Baby Eng.

Deluxe Room

The way to the door.

They have seating near the window.

After putting our things in the room, we left to go to the event at Siloso Beach. They were having Sands of Time exhibition.

There were some SG50 sand sculptures.

Some photos of the sculptures.

After the beach walk, we went to RWS for a walk.

They bring over the Coconut style from Bangkok!!

Soon, it was evening. To aviod getting wet under the weather, we decided to go to RWS, Resort World Sentosa. It wasn't difficult getting around Sentosa. Towards near Rasa Resort, there is a bus stop where buses run internally in Sentosa only. We took Bus 1 to get to Resort World. 

There were lots of seats as most of the passenger alighted the same stop we were boarding.

These buses are free ride. Please do not go to the bus driver to ask him how much to go to RWS, guess he will piss off with you (there might have been too many people asking him this question).

A photo of mum and dad.

Though I was our first time having our family gathering in Sentosa, but it wasn't the first time that we are there. Dad doesn't smile in photo but when he does, it would be a genuine smile. Mum loves taking photo but like all ladies do, they love to look pretty in photo.

Baby was trying to look at the camera.

Took a photo at BreadTalk entrance. Not a fan of it but we just took a photo of it haha.

At night, we had a simple dinner at Toast box. There are lots of people partying there and they can party till midnight 3am. Mum did not sleep well because the resort was just next to the party scene. 

If you love party, perhaps you an try to stay in Siloso Beach Resort ^^. Can just walk over when you are tired haha.

We checked in to Family room after a stroll at RWS and it was about 5.30pm.

Welcome to the family room

See how spacious the room is

I requested a queen size bed and a twin size bed. An extra bed per night will cost you $80 but if you are able to join the twin beds together, you are able to squeeze 3 people on the bed. Just like all all hotels do, they provide refillable tea and coffee, 4 bottles of water daily and a kettle to use.  The toilet bowl and shower are separated. There was no lock so anyone can access to the toilets while you are bathing or pooing :X

Alright, I shall end this post with this photo:

See my drooling niece

She had prepared the food by the time we reached.

Chef cleaning the side of the plate

And ready for lunch!

And the 2 brothers had already taken the seats.

Very soon, we gobbled up the food, leaving the chicken wing plate empty. The curry chicken was really good, the egg was a bit chao ta but still good, i love the Hainanese cook style tang hoon and the sambal prawn! It was really a sumptuous lunch! 

After we filled our stomach, these 2 guys in the photo above went for an afternoon nap. What a nice day, while their brother and sister in law clearing the foods. ZZzzz. 

Not longer after, they took a cake out from somewhere. Only then i realise Xiong's elder brother went to buy a cake for me after his school. It was really heart warming. 

Me and Linda.

The love of my life. Looking good after a short nap.

Making my wish ... ...

and his family.

Was happy that this gathering is made possible. It always feels great to slack with your family in a cosy home. Hope this gathering will always go on ^^.