Mittens

Liam's Recent Art

"Snowman" (watercolor on paper)

Maybe a Double Espresso Caramel Macchiato will Help to Loosen the Bowels

Please Tessa...This Isn't Gametime...Please Poop in the Potty!!!

I don't think bringing her purse to potty time helps with her concentration.

More Pulao Tioman Photos

The Sun Also Sets - on Pulau Tioman

Kiddos at the Beach

Minang Cove, Pulau Tioman

Minang Cove Resort

45 minutes after boarding the boat, we deboarded onto a wooden pier that jutted some fifty meters out into the South China Sea. The resort was perched on a hillside overlooking a small sandy/stony beach and was shadowed in the afternoons by two bare granite mountains that looked like columns that had been violently thrust out of the vernal jungle.

We were met at the pier by Vicki, a 22 year old Australian sheila who was Cambridge educated. Liam was very shy with her and only whispered his responses to her questions as he peeked out from behind Daddy's shoulder. She introduced the resort to us and showed us to our room which had a wide balcony with a sweeping view of the ocean that, unfortunately, was marred by a thick black powerline.

An Indiana Jones-esque Journey to Tioman Island

The next day, we took a taxi to the quaint Singapore Seletar Airport from where we would fly to Pulau Tioman. While waiting in the small pre-boarding area, Liam insisted on taking his blanket out of his backpack so that he could lie on the chairs and suck his thumb with the comfort of having his filthy, ripped, threadbare blanket stuck into his eye. When they called our flight (the only flight out of that airport that afternoon), we bustled out with our luggage and kids in tow, cleared immigration and walked out to the tarmac just in time for the rain to begin. We managed to board the small twin-prop Berjaya Air flight and stay fairly dry.

It was not until we began taxiing along the runway did we realize that Liam's blanket was still at the airport...never to be seen again by Liam. Darby was in favor of waiting until we arrived at the Island to inform Liam of the dire consequences of his Ransomness (AKA forgetfulness). Valerie, being a Ransom in name only, thought it better to tear off the bandage early (and often). After half an hour of weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth over the loss of his dear friend and comforter, the blanket, he turned to Daddy and said, "Well, I'm four years old now, and I guess I'll just have to sleep without my blanket." And that, was that.

We arrived at Tioman a few minutes later and deplaned. It was hot and steamy. The airstrip was a narrow slab of asphalt tucked tightly between the sea and lush green mountains (photos of Liam and Tessie in front of the airplane). After clearing Malaysian immigration, we were met by our boat pilot from Minang Cove resort who escorted us to his boat that would transport us from the central west coast of Tioman to the Central Southern coast of the island. Darby held on to Liam and Valerie held on to Tessa (photos attached). Both Liam and Tessa slept for most of the boat ride.

At the Swissotel Pool in Singapore

First night in Singapiore, we stayed at the RELC. It was a glorified hostel that cost over $200 per night!!! So we decided to change hotels the following evening. We moved into the Swissotel which was both cheaper and MUCH nicer. Attached are a few photos from the Swissotel's lovely swimming pool. To say Liam enjoys swimming would be a gross understatement...

The underappreciated Knowshon

In Front of the yssabmE nainarI in Shanghai