Our plane ride to Hong Kong was Noey's 2nd flight and it definitely made more of an impression on him than his 1st flight to Perth, particularly since he has, in the intervening period developed a real interest in planes.
"Air-pae!", he would declare repeatedly when he hears the rumble of planes overhead. He would also obligingly swoosh his hand around (complete with sound effects) when you ask him how an airplane flies.
Needless to say, he got quite excited by the planes on the tarmac and when it came time to take off, he was completely facsinated, staring out of the window and occasionally making flying sounds. I plied him with juice to keep his ear clear during take-off, and thereafter Noey alternated between the Papa-lap and Mummy-lap, drinking juice, munching on bread buns and occasionally jabbering at the cartoon on Papa's screen. Good life, this one.
The next time round, I'm buying him his own seat. I took one look at the bassinet and decided that it would be a waste of time asking for one as there was no way he was going to stay in it. And I'm only going to fly SQ if I can help it! We were on CX this time and honestly, the service level just can't compare. Whereas on our trip to Perth on SQ we were offered assistance and amenities without having to request for them, on this CX flight, we even had to ask for Noey's seatbelt as we were about to take-off. It was a full flight but still.
Noey only managed to knock off in the last hour or so of our flight, and promptly and inconveniently woke up just as we exited the plane. Of course once he opened his eyes and saw that he was somewhere new, sleep was forgotten and it was all systems go.
"I've got it all figured out, it's this way folks!"
We got to our hotel with minimum fuss, thanks to the airport concierge desk.
We were very lucky to have scored a great rate (about S$290 per night off Agoda) for a harbour view room at the Kowloon Shangri-la and it was, quite honestly, the biggest and nicest room I've ever stayed in in Hong Kong. The thing about travelling with a baby now is that we end up spending a whole lot more time in our hotel room than we used to pre-baby, after we factor in getting him (and his stuff) ready each day, naps, and early bedtimes. That being the case, it was good to have a really nice room to call our home base. And our room was just that.
Noey surveying his kingdom for the next few days
The view ain't half bad either!
Noey checking out our welcome basket of hot chinese tea -- the basket comes with a teapot of hot tea and 2 chinese tea cups. Perfect to soothe frazzled post-travelling nerves. Mine of course, not Noey's!
Noey releasing those creative juices and making himself at home
After messing around a bit and getting ourselves sorted, we decided to explore the neighbourhood a bit and get ourselves an early dinner. We settled on the Shanghai Xiao Nan Guo Restaurant at Tsim Sha Shui Centre around the corner, and Noey enjoyed his first ever full-fledged "adult" meal. (We have given him food off our plates before, just not a whole meal.) He cottoned on pretty quickly to the fact that this stuff was much yummier than his usual fare and started opening his mouth expectantly to any food on a pair of chopsticks. He downed quite a bit of fried rice and ee-fu mee and I was just glad that he ate and tried not to think too much about what he was actually eating! (MSG and salted egg, for example.)
We bought supplies before heading back for an early night.
Though not before some peekaboo fun.
"Hey, where's Noey?"
"Here!
"Where's Noey now?" (This really cracked us up -- obviously Noey hasn't quite grasped the concept that if the curtain is not long enough, we can see him!)
"There he is!"
Like I said, we loved our room!
Noey's absolutely adorable!!! Is he a lefty? :)
ReplyDeleteOoohh we have a southpaw?? Are you or D left-handed? Next time we meet I'll take out my huge Mahjong paper and they can all doodle on it =D
ReplyDeleteYah Bean does those silly ostrich moves also. Just hide the head and he thinks no one else can see him. Hahahah.
I'm going to take your tip on the SQ thingy very seriously, esp for long flights. Maybe my first stop will be HK, just to see how it is to be on the plane with kids.
can tell he really likes the hotel room!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I lurve the last picture! Such a jolly boy!
ReplyDeleteCarie-Anne :: DD thinks he's a lefty cos he seems to have better control with his left hand but the Paed says it's too early to tell. I hope not -- it's a right-handed world out there!
ReplyDeleteMichelle :: I am! Left-handed through and through, though trained by my Mum to use chopsticks with my right hand. So I speak from experience when I say that it'll be easier for him if he's right-handed! About the flight, yes, fly SQ! The service is much better, and you'll need it when flying with kids.
Candice :: Yes, it was he roamed freely around unhindered for those few days and was very pleased about it.
Shyanyan :: Thanks! It really is his favourite game at the moment.
Hmm I doubt if it's too early to tell. Heh. The preferred hand is showing its dominance soon I think.
ReplyDeleteI'm left handed too but my mom also made me do stuff with my right hand. So in the end I write with my right hand but I play sports with my left.
I think just leave him be lah. You did fine, didn't you? Unnatural right handers like me has its disadvantages too, tho I agree it's a right handed world out there. =(
Michelle :: Oh my Mum is just like you! Naturally left-handed but forced to use her right hand. That's why she never changed me I guess. No, I'm not going to change Noey if he shows a preference for his left hand. Just hoping maybe he won't take after me in that respect. He's definitely left-footed though. He usually would kick a ball and climb stairs with his left foot first.
ReplyDeleteMy mum is a Leftie-turned-right by her dad. Didn't get passed to me though.
ReplyDeleteKate seems to be a rightie. (sounds so political heh). MIL and all the chers in the family say it's tough being in school as a leftie.
I think lefties are extra creative (right brain, right?) and smart. My previous work team had 5 lefties out of 7.
oh he looks like such a seasoned lil traveller!! :) did you go disneyland??
ReplyDeleteThe room looks great! Yes, space is what we need now!
ReplyDeletewoohoo lefties of the world unite (i'm one too, and it looks like K is gonna be one as well).
ReplyDeletei completely agree with you on only SQ for flying with kids, having flown CX and Emirates before (the latter prides itself as being child-friendly but I had to ask for the infant seatbelt, and not much assistance was given to us either). And yes, buy N his own seat from now on!! K is the same- can't rely on that bassinet anymore boohoo hoo!
Lyndis :: Lefties are supposed to be creative but I feel it didn't manifest in me! It is tough being a lefty in school. I still remember having to do my calligraphy sideways so that I could get the strokes right!
ReplyDeleteKopikia :: I did! That's coming up in Day 3!
Lilsnooze :: Yes, no more schoolbox rooms! Actually even without Noey, I think I've become more spoilt in that respect.
Pei Fen :: Eh, I didn't know you are a lefty too! *high five*.