Sleepy in Singapore

Frank and I had a couple of weeks in Singapore several years ago and did lots of touristy things - Singapore Zoo, Santosa Island, Singapore Sling at the Raffles - during that trip. We arrived in Singapore feeling quite jet lagged. There was the long flight from London to Kuala Lumpur, with a six hour stopover before flying on to Singapore. Given we only had a couple of days in Singapore we just planned to relax and catch up with my brother and his family who live in Singapore.We stayed at Hotel Rendezvous; a beautiful, newly renovated hotel which was in a convenient location. The kids were very excited to catch up with their cousins and we had a lovely dinner at my brother's place. After 3 months away we were all looking forward to going home...our bags were packed and flights confirmed. Then I was declared 'unfit to fly' due to blocked ears caused by a cold. We didn't do much in the extra few days we stayed in Singapore, mostly just stayed at the hotel. I was told to avoid elevators and escalators where possible which is quite a challenge in Singapore! On our second last day we went to the newly built Marina Bay Sands. The hotel consists of three towers connected at the top by a structure resembling a ship. We didn't go the top - despite Frank trying to convince me I should take the stairs up fifty plus flights (to avoid the elevator). We did get to the Long Bar at the Raffles for a Singapore Sling.

Top Five Travel Tips

We have now been home for nearly two weeks and our travels seem so far away. Already we dreaming about our next trip - South and Central America. But it will have to wait...It is lovely to catch up with friends, many of who are planning overseas adventures. Talking about these journeys is great and helps keep our own adventure alive.So here are our top travel tips if you are planning a trip: Travel light - we took very little with us (carry on luggage only) and bought what we needed as we travelled. We essentially wore our souveniers. Toward the end of the journey we accumulated a large case and this slowed us down both physically and mentally. Certain travel options, like the Metro, become too difficult when you have a lot of luggage and are travelling with kids. Take a Laptop- This is very useful for booking flights and accomodation (last minute deals) and blogging. In fact we could have taken 2 laptops as we were always waiting for each other to get off it. Be flexible-Because it is so easy to book things on line your itinery doesn't need to be set in stone. Planning as we went allowed us to see places and as the mood took us. Although this was a little stressful at the end when we were in London with no planned exit strategy. Take a smart phone - we took a camera but hardly used it. The iPhones took good pictures, the games kept the boys ammused and it's great to listen to your favourite songs as you travel around. Some travellers used the GPS in their phone to get directions but we found it more fun to ask a local. Carry a pashmina - as we travelled I bought a few bright scarves and pashmina's to dress up my black and navy outfits. These don't take up much room, make great keepsakes and always came in handy if anyone got cold or sleepy.

Racing back to Oz

We spend our time in London racing around and trying to do as much as possible. We catch the Hop on, Hop off bus and take in the sights.

No trip to London would be complete without High Tea.

I want to see a show but worry about Frank enjoying the show. Sure he is now wearing a scarf and carrying a manbag but is he ready for the theatre...

We get good seats at a good price by buying same day tickets at a ticketing outlet; Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. We arrive early allowing ourselves time to look around and enjoy the atmosphere. The building is incredible and history seems to seep out of its walls.

It is difficult to describe how poignant the show is for us. The story echo's the journey we have been on over the past three months. The boys are memerised by it. I sit there quietly sobbing, reflecting on what an amazing journey we have had. We have been very privelged to have had this experience as a family and in a matter of days we will be home. The sets are incredible, special effects awesome and the acting great (particularly from Toto who's timing is brilliant; we later learn Toto is played by two dogs). When the show is over the loudest clapping comes from Frank who describes the show as 'spellbinding'. Afterwards we head outside to the stage door and meet Toto (both of him) and Dorothy. London is fantastic but there is no place like home.

Marrakesh to Madame Tussaud's

London was not a planned desination on this trip (but neither were most other places). To get back to Australia we need a major airport and London is the best option. On our last night is Marrakesh I hardly sleep. It is an amazing destination but with two young kids we were on high alert in a way that is hard to describe. In hindsight that feeling melts away and we are left only with colourful and exotic memories of it.

Arriving in London I am expecting the cold, grey city I saw long ago...it is not at all how I remember it and we are all very pleasantly surprised.

Firstly, we are loving that people speak really good English here (it may go without saying but after months of cies, ouis and sometimes playing charades it makes us feel closer to home). Secondly, there are lots to people around to help tourists. Could this be because of the lead up to the Olypmics? Thirdly, we are back to queueing in orderly lines rather than push over your grandmother to get somewhere. The first day we see Buckingham Palace.

Then it's off to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

Rocco and Sam are a little tired of travelling and we figure a trip to Madame Tussauds could spark things up. We have small bet with Rocco that he will see David Beckham today. There is a two hour wait to go in at Madame Tussauds. Or we can go to the pub nearby and ring up for tickets which takes slightly more time. We opt for the second choice.

Frank rings the Madame T number for tickets and it is like a 1900 number - keeps you waiting; churning pounds by the minute. Not a good option. After lunch, Frank checks the queue and it is now down to an hour, we decide to wait in line. It is not so boring there are a few displays and a guy miming (he is dressed in black with a white face) amuses the crowd. So we wait... after about twenty minutes a tall guy carrying a manbag approaches and offers us vouchers for two for one tickets. They are cut outs from news papers etc., he offers us one voucher for 10 pounds. I figure we save twenty pounds by buying it but the print is so small I can't read it. I tell this to the guy and he hands us a different voucher, with bigger print, to use. It looks okay and he says 'both vouchers for 15 pound'. I say, 'both for ten and you have a deal'. He laughs and at this point I get suspicious and think maybe we've been ripped off. I say, 'If you're ripping us off we'll hunt you down' and hand over the 10 quid. A while later Frank sees the mime guy and asks him if the vouchers are okay. He makes a big production of checking the vouchers and then tells us they are expired (I am surprised he even talks to us given he's a mime).

We explain to him that we bought them in the line, inside Madame T's and he becomes very excited. Members of security approach us asking for a description of the seller, which we provide. A few minutes later they tell us that the police have the guy in custody, he's a regular. I say 'Can we get our ten pounds back then?' The lady says, 'No sorry darlin', we'll see what we can do though.' Minutes later she comes back and we are whisked, through the staff entrance, up the stairs and past the crowd to the front of the queue. The boys are given goodie bags and we get our tickets for half price (maybe those vouchers were ridgy didge after all)... Madame Taussaud's was lots of fun.

I spent ages waiting for this 'dummy' to take a photo before walking past her!

It is a great day and we find there is so much choice of things to do in London. Originally we planned to stay in London only a couple of days but we decide to extend our stay by an extra few days so we can see a bit more of it.

Rock the Kasbah

We leave the excitement of the Medina to experience Kasbah Agafay, on the edge of the edge of the dessert with a view over the Atlas Mountains. It is usually costly being one of the ‘small luxury hotels of the world’ and voted as ‘the best private club in the world’ by Wallpaper magazine. On the internet we book a couple of nights at a good rate with an upgrade to a luxury tent.

I imagine cushion clad caves with lush velvet curtains, exotic feasts, belly dancers and partying till late (Oh that’s right we have kids). The castle like Kasbah is about twenty minutes’ drive from Marrakesh; the driver who collects us informs us that we are the only guests…and we are; we have great accommodation, a gorgeous view and Wallpaper was right it is a very private club – so private we appear to be the only members and do we really want to members of a club we are allowed to join...

So here we are in our own private Kasbah in the middle of nowhere…

the boys have swum in the pool (which was cold so they then swam in our bath – the largest I’ve ever seen in a tent), I’ve skim read a few magazines, Frank has googled stuff. We are missing a few friends to come in and help rock the Kasbah, or just some other tourists to talk to. We are far from home and Rocco, in particular, is feeling a little home sick.

The bustle of the medina is in stark contrast to the solitude of the Kasbah (I should have brought a book). It is gorgeous and Frank and I question why there are not more people here. We decide to take a Kasbah organised excursion to Imlil at the foot of snow capped Atlas Mountains. The drive there is well worth it, despite being quite scary with rocky mountains on one side of the road and sheer cliffs on the other.

On the way to Imlil we spot a lot of places for lunch, it is too early to eat but then we see an amazing Kasbar and decide to make a reservation for lunch. It turns out to be Richard Branson's Kasmar Tamadot and we make a lunch reservation for the way back from Imlil.Imlil is a cute little village and we met a few nomads who had made it their temporary home. This lovely man sold us a few necklaces and then happily posed for photos.

After Imlil we head back to Kasbah Tamadot for lunch and the setting is spectacular.

The food is actually not that good but the setting is too magic for us to really notice.After lunch we ask to see a tent room. It has it's own plunge pool and claw foot bath.

The tent is about 600 Euros a night (with 'free' minibar). I have to ask if within this extravagence there is any giving back to the community.

It is pleasing to hear that Richard Branson's mum, Eve, is a genuine philanthropist within the local community.After lunch we take a different route back to the hotel, equally spectacular.

On the second night we have dinner at the Kasbah and the owner Kasbah, Abel, turns up with a couple of his friends. He is a charming guy and decorated the Kasbah himself. I compliment him on his choice of fabrics and he tells me how he keeps fabrics over time before making furniture etc. so that no one can copy his designs. He gets asked to decorate many houses but isn't interested. As for guests - five is optimum at the Kasbah (is that five guests or five couples? Had we bought a dog maybe we could have filled the place no?) The Kasbah has over twenty rooms and Frank and I debate uses for it - health retreat (no KFC for miles), corporate team building weekend, yadda, yadda...The Kasbah grows on us; the boys can play soccer and make as much noise as they like. On day three we decide to catch local transport to Marrakesh rather then go with the Kasbah driver. This turned out to be an adventure but not a good idea...