Moving Out of Lakeshore and into Orchard

Now that things have calmed down a bit, I can post about our move.

We started with a plan:

 

and then took things off the walls...

and then began to sort. What to pack in suitcases

 (Look, it all fit!)

and then what to put in the air shipment:
(notice all of the toys :) )

The rest was to go by sea.

The movers came in and did a great job. They packed in one day and then moved it all out the next.
We came with 700 lbs and 6 checked bags. We are leaving with 6 checked bags, 200 lbs in the air and 14 ft in a shipping container.

While the men were packing up Anastasia spent some time with me doing puzzles. Toby took them out most of the day.

Here is a look at our empty apartment. Bye Lakeshore you have been good to us!

After all of stuff was gone we stayed in the Orchard Hotel. The same hotel we stayed in when we first arrived. I thought this flyer (from our room) was appropriate:

We still had a water bottle from our first stay in the Orchard:

Similar room except this time we had 2 (and an extra child)

Anastasia got to sleep in the hallway, just like Elyse did 3 1/2 years ago.

Here are some flash back pictures. Notice Elyse is picking up the same chess piece she was standing by- this was not planed at all.

Now add another child :)

As I am writing this it's hard to believe that we were in Singapore just 2 weeks ago. It seems like a life time since these pictures were taken. More moving details to come.

Endding our Trip to Cambodia

After Angkor Thom I asked our guide to take us to a handy craft place where we could see people making things and then have the chance to buy something. He took us to Artisans d'Angkor.

A guide took us around to see how different items were made.

In this picture women are learning how to do silk painting. They also happened to be hearing impaired.

Finishing off wooden carvings:

Lacquer paintings:

Creating molds for silver plating:

Stone and wood carving:

Elyse was enthralled with this man carving out a Buddha.

We wound up buying a children's puzzle made from wood and a stone elephant. Oh and a spoon made from a coconut.

Alas, our trip had to come to an end. We had a great time. It was well paced for our family and just the right amount of time. I would recommend our tour company for sure. AboutAsia did a great job.

Here we are ready for the airport with our driver Seng.

Thanks Cambodia, we had an unforgettable time!

Angkor Thom

On our last day we visited Angkor Thom. The largest city in the world in the 12th century. We started at the Victory Gate- way away from the crazy crowds at the Southern (?) gate and walked along the wall to the Death gate. We were all alone. It was awesome. Our guide said all the gates look the same- with the Buddhas heads up top and the elephant pillars on the side so I am glad we went to the less crowed gates.

Our walk between gates:

After the gates we walked around within the city. Here is a shrine to Buddha. The large Buddha in the back was originally in the Bayon temple, but was smashed when one ruler change the temple from a Buddhist temple to a Hindu temple. The found the Buddha burried underground and put him back together. They were unable to fit him back in his original place, so they put him here:

The only thing they know about these towers is that they put a rope in between them and acrobats walked across them.

Elephants were used a lot in the actual construction of temples, in warfare and in myths. On this wall you can see an elephant strangling another animal. There was a huge wall with carving similar to this one.

I think this is the Baphuon temple. We didn't spend much time in it because we wanted to save our strength for the Bayon temple and Elyse was pretty tired at this point.

Super Dad carrying both girls:

This is the Bayon temple. It is very impressive. It has many towers and great carvings. It is our guide's favorite temple.

We could not really escape the crowds at this temple which was unfortunate. It made me appreciate the others routes we took at the other temples. Too many people make it hard to enjoy things. Although there were tons on people, I can see why this was Boon Chai's favorite.