Cambodia

One might think that with such an 'exotic' vacation destination such as Cambodia that I would have been quicker to pen the details of our trip and share them with our loved ones.  However, as my friend Karen Bowlin so eloquently summarized "vacationing with children is a misnomer."  It's actually traveling with children not vacationing.  If you have youngins or specifically remember what the baby/toddler years were like you know that this is true.  Pre-children days meant leaving the your cares behind you and exploring, drinking eating, shopping, lounging and whatever the heck else you wanted to do - and the ability to change your mind at a moments notice.  Post children days are quite the opposite.  There are naps to plan around, a ridiculous amount of things to pack, melt downs to wrestle with etc...We knew this going into it but decided to roll the dice and take advantage of traveling Asia while we are living here.

The girls think travel is easy

It's not totally their fault that our trip started off and pretty much stayed on the wrong cadence the whole time.  It didn't make it any easier though.  Those little whipper snappers don't quite get it when there is a 2 hour plane delay which causes one such family to miss their connection and therefore we had to take an additional leg.  This gave us a total of 3 planes and 10 flipping hours (I might add almost enough time to get to get to California from here) to get to a place that we should have been to in under 5 hours!!!  I digress.  Their dispositions were fairly good considering the circumstances however, Helaina was complaining of a headache on the very first plane.  (odd for her).  She was very uncomfortable and in full whinny mode for the rest of the 8.5 hours.  She slept for a bit and so did Indi.

Helaina already feeling off

When we arrived in Siem Reap, the temperature was a sweltering 93 degrees at 9PM.  After filling out visa's and getting through customs we were very pleased to be greeted by the driver and concierges for the hotel we were staying at ( The Privilege Floor  - no seriously, AWESOME HOTEL!!).  They never showed their displeasure in anyway but I have to imagine they were not as pleased with us when Helaina upchucked in the car.  Luckily for them, it mainly landed all over Chris.  (poor guy)  Helaina's "lovies/softies" took a big hit as well.  Good for us laundry was included in our hotel package.  (did I mention that I loved the hotel).  She got sick 2 more times that evening.  Each time Chris sprinting to and putting her to the beautiful claw tub to make clean up easier.

They had a crib in the room but none of the people under 4 foot wanted to sleep in it and none of the people over 4 foot could fit - though we were tempted to try.  Fortunately the room was equipped with two queen beds that were shoved together.  Again Chris drew the short straw and ended up sleeping in the middle, otherwise known as the crack.  **Just for the record, Helaina had a huge daddy attachment that day (ok really everyday) so it's not that I wasn't available for helping.  If it were Indigo that was sick, things would have been different.  Helaina didn't get sick again but was restless in her sleep and therefore we were too.  Poor Helaina.  Poor us.

The hotel asked if they could get some coconut
juice for Helaina to feel better. 

The next day she wasn't up to snuff so Chris and she stayed and rested.  Indigo and I headed out to see some of the ruined temples called Bayon Temple.  Uninhibited, my photography skills are not able to capture how amazing these temple ruins are, let alone with a wiggly 2 year old strapped to my back.  She did do a pretty good job especially considering it was 97 degrees out.  As amazing as the temples were we got just as much enjoyment out of feeding wild gibbons that were along the road side. It's one of those things that was probably frivolous parenting but I couldn't resist the smile that it brought to her face and mine.  Had we been there a few minutes earlier I would have also allowed us to ride the elephants that the locals were touting.

Indigo was thrilled ;o) 

We took our satiated sweaty selves back to the hotel to relieve daddy.  Helaina wasn't doing so well so Chris ended up not going out that day.  We ordered room service and remembered to be glad we were staying at a nice hotel.  If we were at home, I wouldn't have thought twice about her sickness but being in a foreign (ok Shanghai is not that foreign anymore to us) country made us worried and then grateful we had access to and were in contact with our international emergency service that we have.   If thing progressively got worse with Helaina, I knew we would be covered.  She was very slowly moving in the right direction.

On the morning of day 2 it seemed H was on the right track and we thought it could have been a 24 hour thing.  So of course we whisked her out into the 95 degree weather (#ParentsoftheYear) to look at the most popular of the temple ruins, Angkor Wat.  I must say that despite Angkor being particularly larger, I was more impressed with Bayon.  This perspective comes purely from the person who practically sprinted through most of the ruins, but not all to avoid any toddler meltdowns.  We didn't take guided tours, because tour guides don't understand potty breaks and stopping to look at peculiar things that a 4 or 2 year old find interesting.  We listened when we could to other tour guides and watched a documentary at the hotel to pick up on the history and fun facts.  We found it fascinating that it is still a working temple and we saw many people worshiping still today.

Local fare.  They "cook" these clams by keeping
them in the sun on the back of this bike.
My better judgement told me no.

 Helaina was tired but was adamant to see the monkeys her sister had seen.  Can you blame her?  Give the girls her monkeys.

We pushed through and had lunch and our first meal outside of the hotel and it was lovely.  I took the girls back for rest and Chris went out and got to see "The Old Market".  He took lovely pictures and was kind enough to say it wasn't the same without us. 

 That night, because it was our last, we went to dinner at a restaurant that the hotel recommended.  I give the ambiance, the service, & the food all 5 starts.  If this restaurant was in Miami it would have cost $150.  Not that the two are related, but the fact that it cost under $30 took the sting out of having to clean up the 3 times that Helaina hershey squirted herself while we were at the restaurant.

FYI.  Helaina is better but it took a full 2 weeks and a round of antibotics.  TMI - The rest of us suffered also mild versions.

With the little bit we saw of Cambodia, I can say the people are almost uncomfortably nice, the food is delicious, and things are very affordable (oh and PS they prefer the American dollar and most cash machines will give you such).   If you can plan around plane delays, toddler tendencies and sickness, it's worth going.  Please let me know if you figure out how to do that on a trip to anywhere.  Entries have a deadline before our next adventure to Japan at the end of may.  Stay tuned.

Dragon Dance, Science Tech Museum & Shanghai Circus World

We have been pretty laid back with the rest of our vacation time which has been quite nice.  No Big Agenda is actually quite relaxing.  We have lunched and had dinner with fellow expats that also did not leave.  It's really nice to meet new people and spend time with others that we knew.  We also did some fun at home things with the girls like having a sleepover in mommy and daddy's room with our tent.

Daddy is resting after putting up the girls tent (with a mattress underneath) 

We have explored some of the closer attractions that Shanghai has to offer.  At the very western Mall/Hotel right next door to us, The Kerry Center, they usually offer seasonal or holiday specific entertainment for Eastern and Western Cultures.  We attended some of the Dragon Dance that they offered for Chinese New Year.  Normally the girls would be quite freaked out but I think they were ok since we watched them setting up and specifically the people that make up the dragons getting into costume.   The acrobatics these people did were amazing.  If it weren't for it's timing being just passed nap time, we would have stayed for the whole thing. 

The weather has been cold and rainy (a huge switch from the 70's the other day) so we opted to go to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.  Apparently, we were not the only people with the same idea.  We didn't stay very long and I can't say I would recommend going as the exhibits were not that impressive.  However, my view may be jaded as I was quite annoyed most of the time being pushed into and bumped all over the place.  My momma bear came out a few times when people shoved into the girls.  One of my biggest challenges since being here is changing my mindset to the local standard of personal space.   You really don't have any which is probably because it's a luxury that being in a city of 27 million doesn't afford.  In addition to No personal space, locals have  a very aggressive attitude with getting to or on somewhere.  Lines are not really formed as it's every man on his own.  This is the cultural norm and in their mind, they are not being rude. Conceptually I understand this, but I have a hard time translating this to my Jersey Italian mommy brain when someone practically tramples my kids.  I will hopefully grasp this sooner or later or it's going to be a long 2 more years.

WARNING:  
Some graphic content that may make you loose your lunch!  No seriously.   

For our last adventure today (Chris returns to work tomorrow - Booooooo), we joined up with some friends and shlept everyone onto the metro for a 45m commute to Shanghai Circus World.  I've been in China long enough to expect that even everyday things can slightly to greatly different that in US so I thought I was mentally prepared.  

Although we were going to watch the circus, we were the entertainment on
the way there with 4 white babies. 

The show was advertised as a circus and acrobatic show.  I would say it delivered on all the accounts.  We bought the "cheap seats " as we read that the arena was small.  Honestly, DON'T TELL SHANGHAI CIRCUS WORLD, but the cheap seats were actually pretty great and almost 1/2 of the other seats costs.  (shhhh)
I found myself as equally entertained yet sad as I remember from seeing the circus when I grew up.  You feel bad for the animals though somewhat justified when you think that they do not have the everyday dangers they would if they were in their natural habitat.  I was a bit uneasy by the netting that they put up when they brought the lion and 2 white Bengal tigers out.  I've seen enough animal planet to know that if those animals decided to get out, we would have been lunch.  Maybe that's why the cheap seats were so cheap ;o)
Anyway, they had some incredible acrobatics that were very entertaining and the girls enjoyed watching.  I not so humbly told Helaina how mommy had done both trapeze and the silks that they were doing.  I think my mommy stock went up some.  The clowns seemed a bit less scary here but maybe that's because I'm older.  Overall we did enjoy ourselves and it was worth the trip.  

GRAPHIC PART:
There was a part that threw me off the most that I was NOT prepared for. Actually,  I am not sure any amount of preparation would have done the trick and it was actually BEFORE we even entered the arena.  After we walked down a street trying to find the circus we finally found the entrance.  (Shanghai seems to be notorious for crazy back entrances that are not pedestrian friendly) I was so focused on getting inside because of course we were already late, that I almost did not notice the trashcan 30 feet from the door.  All the adults did a double take and I of course reached for my camera. 

And this was one of two over stuffed trashcans.  Ugh. 

WHAT IN THE CHINA???  We were relieved that there where no cows in the show and sort of relieved that there was a restaurant on property close to the entrance so I'm hoping that this had nothing to do with circus.  NOT that would make this graphic image any prettier but I am glad that this was not related to the show we saw.  (OK vegetarian friends - no commentary necessary)

All in all, we have had a wonderful stay-cation with Chris home but all that ends tomorrow as he returns back to work.  I am grateful that Jane, our helper, returns to work tomorrow too.  I wonder how long it will take Indigo to forget again and say "Mommy cooked this?"  Yes sweet child,  Mommy actually cooked and cleaned all the time just 6 short months ago.  Oh well.  At least the girls still enjoyed what I cooked while Jane was away.    

Suzhou

I have put a new meaning to behind in blogging however, today's adventure is worth the effort.

Our trip home to Florida for Christmas was wonderful albeit really hard to get our get our feet back under us.  We had to overcome a very sever case of the 13 hour jet lag followed by a full house of sickness (1 of us at a time) that is mostly gone but still lingering.  We have also transitioned Indigo to a toddler bed which essentially means that no one is sleeping as she exercises her option to get out of bed 210 times an evening.  (but that is for another blog that I am working on for the girls)

All these factors and the cost involved with such late planning pretty much made us bound to China for the Lunar New Year holiday.  Quite honestly I was more than annoyed.  I know I should be embracing the opportunity to experience China's most sacred holiday however,  Chris is off for a week!!!!  I was also in great fear of the fireworks that China so loves and of which this is the pinnacle holiday.  
Fireworks are great and all if: 1) they are not fired off at ALL hours, 2) if they weren't being set off by ALL 27 million people in Shanghai 3)  if you have 2 toddlers that aren't sleeping their best right now.

I wanted out!  However, it was not in the cards so here we are.  In the depth of my depression, Chris vowed to be the entertainment coordinator.  What a relief as this is usually my role and I was NOT up for the task.  As always, when he decides to do something, he never disappoints.  He has a pretty full schedule for us to choose from if the weather and AQI (air quality index) hold up.

Today we had unseasonably warm weather and air quality that's good enough to leave the house.  With everything packed last night, we "hurried" out the door by 10:00 (If you have toddlers then you're laughing and nodding your head right now in agreement that 10:00 is good), and we were off to the near by city of Suzhou.  (Pronounced Sue-Jo).  We took two metro lines and a train to get there.  With each travel exchange we left the comforts of a 6 to 100 ratio of westerners / locals and moved to a .10 to 100 ratio.  The girls once again became the subject of the local paparazzi.  Toilets were all Eastern.  (see The Hole Thing if you haven't to visit the challenges this brings - seriously don't laugh if Indigo is NOT potty trained by the time she gets back).

Upon arrival we struggled to get the cab to understand where we wanted to go. Since it was lunch time, we had him take us to a local restaurant that is known for AMAZING dumplings.  We again struggled to find the place, then place our order with my VERY limited Mandarin and their even greater limited English.  That's probably why we ended up with 4 VERY large bowls of soups with dumplings and 6 additional dumplings.  Oh well.  The dumplings were pretty good but I found myself asking, is this really worth dragging the kids around - who were at this point starting to fold? Who could blame them as I obviously was starting to do the adult version of this.   The place, thus far, honestly could have been nestled in the outskirts of Shanghai and I wouldn't have known the difference.

One happy customer

We carried on.  After lunch we began to walk around this surprisingly large city.  We came upon a really neat park that was filled with people.  They were watching us and we were returning the favor.  They were writing Mandarin with water as shown below.

They were fishing with their families.

It was great.  I honestly could have stayed through the day.  Luckily Chris prompted us to move toward some of the main attractions.  Suzhou is considered one of this areas water towns.  "The Venice of China" is what I'm gathering that most people refer to any town with Gondolas.  This is my first one and I found it quite charming.  It had little shops on one side of stone streets and water ways on the other.   It had restaurants, Tea shops, trinket stores, and cafes.

An introduction

This guy partied his foot off

Best Pacifier EVER

The other thing the town is know for is it's gardens.  However, we ran out of time and though today was nice and sunny it is still winter here.  I do hope we can head back again to get a peak of the gardens that it's known for.

With no naps for the little ones and not sure of what time the last train headed out, we decided to head on back to the train station.  We tried for about 35 minutes with no success on getting a cab.  The guy sitting in front of us in a pedicab / rickshaw kept asking to take us.  These guys are notorious for taking foreigners money so we were hesitant but we decided to go for it -- armed with a map and a rate negotiated up front.  When we got to a large hill, he motioned for us to get out and help. Since the guy peddling was nearing 75 years of age and there were 4 of us in the carriage, we obliged.    He honestly got us there faster than a cab would have with the traffic thanks to this kind mans biking skills and his willingness to sacrifice our lives and his in the face of a bus and other aggressive motorists.  Transportation that is also entertainment is great.  The ride was great and according to Helaina the best part of the day.

Maybe if everyone hails the cab it will work