To the zoo zoo zoo, how about you you you

Recently, the hubs’ good friend (now living in Perth) was in town.  We visited them in Perth just before K turned two, and they were in Singapore for a visit sometime early last year when B was about one, but this was the first time we’ve met since they had their third child.

So with 5 kids between us, we decided to meet at the zoo, which would have enough to occupy us all.  Since our kids are early risers *yawn*, we arrange to meet around 930am. 

One of the few photos with all the kids in the frame

The girls enjoyed fussing over the littlest one, and even took turns to give him drippy kisses!  The rotund little chap was kinda captive, but didn’t really protest.

The four older ones – M (the girl next to K) is a year younger but just as tall!

thought the baby orang utans were cute

This enclosure is one of the best open zoo habitats – great landscaping to observe unobtrusively

the kids taking it all in – would be quite therapeutic to sit there for a while if it weren’t so HOT

We headed for the water play area, which is one of my favourites.  Think it gives the new POLW a run for its money, plus there’s so much more to see and do in the zoo.


Three older kids having their own fun

Unlike the first time K came to this water play ground, she took to it much more comfortably.  What a change a year or two makes.

And to reinforce the point that every child is different, here’s baby B, literally taking to it like a duck to water.

Had to make her take this photo, just to show how different her reaction to this was. 🙂


Fascinated by something as simple as this – this occupied B at some length

A sudden shower brought us under shelter. I wasn’t in swimwear, or I think I might not have run for cover.  After all, the kids were all wet already, and our tropical rain is hardly very cold.  It was telling, how the Asian kids were whisked to dry ground whilst the caucasian kids continued prancing in the rain. 


Sharing some chin chow whilst waiting for the rain to abate

After some lunch, we started to make our way back, since the kids were getting fussy already.  Little A (5 years) asked very sweetly, “Aunty L, can I go to K’s house?”  Since his parents only had a dinner appointment, we were more than happy to plan to adjourn to our home. But first, we had to make our way from the far north of the expansive zoo, to the exit at the south. 

En route, we saw this magnificent leopard.  We were really fortunate that this big cat decided to rest so near the viewing window.  After this shot, he decided to walk away into the camouflage, and it was hardly possible to spot him!


Have rain? No fear.

I thought it was quite cute that this orang utan sheltered himself with a gunny sack, and even pulled it further up across his head as he ambled along the log.  We caught the lions at feeding time, and even these supposed Kings of the Jungle were not clued in enough to get any form of shelter.  In the light drizzle, they developed patches of dark, wet skin. Perhaps it’s just their macho way of not caring.

Past the giraffes, it started raining in earnest.  Our friends had rented a yellow zoo scooter (which was kinda awkward to park or access some exhibits), so one parent and two kids zoomed on ahead. I nearly broke my back Ergo-ing B back at a brisk run.  She’s getting too heavy for the Ergo and keeps fussing to “Walk! Walk!” these days too.  No stroller for Miss B either (ironically K doesn’t mind getting in once in a while).

Two very involved daddies (real men wear baby carriers), friends for some 15 years, with their combined progeny (ok sounds a bit strange but you get what I mean).

So yes, we were really grateful for this gathering, of men who have been friends since they were boys, and their families from across the miles!

Linking up with Justina, as always. : )