The day we became Friends of the Zoo

15 August

This morning was one of the rare mornings when I woke up bursting with energy, feeling like I could concur the world. The sky was a shade of grey with some light clouds - simply perfect for a day at the zoo. It started to drizzle on our way there and so we made a detour to nearby Bottletree Park to surprise Mr M who was having his RC car race there.

We had lunch at the Jap restaurant and the boys entertained themselves watching people fishing in the pond of prawns. They were totally fascinated by an earthworm which had been cut into 3 parts for use as bait. They studied it closely, even prodded it with their fingers - absolutely clinical like they were technicians carrying out some lab tests:

We finally made our way to the zoo. This is Peanut diligently studying the map:

We came face to face with some baby monkeys:

and a parrot:

Saw a mouse deer:

Had a shot with some 'otters' - see that look of disgust/disapproval/protest on S.P's face? He is like telling me, "But mama, these are fakes." :

Saw the orang utans feeding on bananas from a distance:

We doggedly made our way through the crowd who were already spilling onto steps and the concrete pathway, just to watch the Splash Safari show. This kind family lifted their daughter onto the dad's lad and made a space for Peanut. SP sat on my lap one step below :

It was worth the effort. We were entertained by manatees:

one sealion:

and some penguins:

We walked and walked:

and walked some more - no trams, no strollers, no Wati (to piggyback on):

We saw "The Elephants at Work" show:

and the boys fed the elephants whilst I snapped away furiously:

The boys were amazingly well behaved - not a single complaint, no fights, no bickering. They followed instructions to a T, kept a look-out for each other and entertained themselves, even did a Bollywood at the end of our 3.5-hour zoo adventure:

Me? I felt like I had concurred the world - not on a luxury tour but roughed it out and backpacked around the globe on feet, complete with a bag that must have weighed >2 kg (with 2 water bottles, 2 umbrellas in case it rains, 3 towels, 2 wetsuits and change of clothes in case we decide to play water at the playground, a camera, snack food). If you have not noticed, Wati was missing in the photos. It was her day off, which meant I had to bathe the boys and cook dinner after we arrived home.

Imagine the relief on my face when Wati came in the front door at 7:30pm, in time to feed the boys - I must have looked like I saw the Saviour himself. I suspect I wear that same look once a month in the evening when Wati returns from her day off. To all the stay-at-home mums who do everything themselves without domestic help 24/7, you have my utmost respect!