GO San Diego

more photos at http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/~lowkh/photos.html

When we returned from San Diego, the first thing our friends asked was "hi, how's your trip?" For a second, I tot abt how to respond. In my head, its battling whether I shall go into details now, (cos I have soooooooooo much to say, it can go on forever) or just sum it all up into 2 words --- Animals and Food.

We had a lot of fun during the entire free, easy and relax 6-day tour. We went with our friends, Samuel, Huiling and their 2 adorable daughters. We hv to thank them for making this trip possible. Even Bryan is all excited about it. As for me, I could no longer wait to experience warmer weather in California. So better to escape Pittsburgh which is snowing with madness...

This trip is really all about seeing animals, we went to see all the animals in the worldclass SanDiego Zoo, the Seaworld and Wild Animal Park, each day in each of these places.

Apart from seeing and learning more about animals and how they live, we've also learnt pretty much about "handling" little kids.

Little Jieling has been quite entertaining, it is quite fun just by talking to her. We get surprises all the time! Mainly becos we were very impressed with her knowledge, and she was only a 2-year old girl! When I'm at her age, I couldn't name of fruits, I didn't know animals, I couldn't even tell a colour, couldn't yet express myself and what I want... But Jieling is pretty brilliant for her age. She is also full of questions and comments, quite a character of her own. Like other kids, she also constantly needs attention, and sometimes, maybe some distractions..haha. She never fails to amaze me.

Her little sister, Songling, is another lovable baby girl of only 8 months. Once you get to carry her, you never really feel like returning her back to her mom. She is the cutest when she is sleeping. Oh, when she smiles at you, your heart will sing! And then you will forget all abt where you are and what you will start making donkey faces and act in foolish ways just to make her laugh, not caring who's looking at you and how ugly you are then and there...haha. We realise babies are really cute. They have timings for everything. When it is time to sleep, she falls asleep no matter where she is. Then there are timings to eat... erm, and also timing to shit...heez. so cute.

This trip, we realise that it is really not easy to raise kids. We realise that parents are indeed very great ppl. Bryan and I are both not very confident that we can be good parents. At least for now, we know for sure that we couldn't raise our kids here. The only thing he cannot give anymore is time. I do appreciate him, sometimes, taking a few days away from his studies and research to spend time with me, and going on trips. Although knowing pretty well that half his heart are away and always with the next piece of paper that he is going to read. For this trip, piles of papers and his notes are also carried in our luggage!

Our Day Diary :

[For those who wants to read in details of our trip....]

Day 1 (14Dec) Arriving in San Diego

We set off to the airport as early as 5:45am. After spending almost 6 hrs flying, we finally arrived at San Diego, California... We checked into Days Inn Seaworld, a really nice place to stay for the 6 days. The place was fully equipped with almost everything we need. Complimentary breakfast is provided for everyday. Our suite has a king size bed, a fridge, microwave, TV, a full length mirror (most impt!), coffee machine, a study table and chair, a spacious cupboard with ironing equipment, another dining table for 2 next to the window, clean towels that they changed for you everyday, and lights everywhere...etc.

After we got our rest from the long flight, and settled ourselves comfortably, it is time to find food. There are quite a number of eating places across the main street of our hotel... We decided to eat at the PickUp Stix, a place that serve not only good food, but great service as well, and yet inexpensive. Highly recommended place to eat.

Day 2 (15 Dec) The San Diego ZOO

This zoo is the only reason for coming to San Diego. The last time I visited a zoo, from what I remember in my childhood photoalbum, cld be dated back to when I'm about 5 or 6 years old, so far away that I couldn't even remember what the Singapore Zoo is like anymore. Well, The San Diego zoo is quite solid. The animals can be really close to you, even though they're locked up, but you get to see them from withina short distance. We also took sky ferry and guided tour rides at the zoo. My favourite animals are ELEPHANT...Hippo, giraffe and Polar Bear. Heez... quite interesting, I only like super huge animals. Lunch was a total disappointment. Expensive and not even a so-so standard. We make mental note not to dine in these tourist attractions again. Dinner is nuch better. We had it at a small chinese restaurant near our hotel. We had buffet, Samuel and Bryan kept feeding themselves with fried chicken wings. Btw, those wings were really good.

Day 3 (16 Dec) Seaworld

Talking abt the Seaworld, I think it shd be given a world class standard too. We enjoyed it alot, especially the part on feeding the dolphins, it is the first time I pat a dolphin! Well, our previous trips to the Seaworld in Australia and the Ocean Park in HongKong, we also get to see dolphins. But what are the chances that you get selected and picked by those trainers to play with the dolphin? Here in the Seaworld, every one of us can pat and feel the dolphin at a huge pool. You can purchase 4 small fishes for US$4 to feed the dolphins. It was quite a sight. While Jieling was feeling one, the other one quickly comes in squeezing for space thru the path to snatch for food....haha! So cute!

Dinner was at a place called Hudson Bay. They serve typical western food. A small and cozy restaurant at the bay. We had fried breaded fish, shrimps, scallops, fries and clam chowder soup in a sour dough.

Day 4 (17 Dec) La Jolla Beach and Wild Animal Park

We stopped at several beaches, driving along the coast of california. La Jolla (pronounced as "la-hoya" is another tourist spot. Beautiful beaches, big waves, yummy food! We had lunch in a japanese restaurant. Didn't expect it to taste so good.

After lunch we went to the Wild Animal Park. A place so big so the animals cld run freely in more open spaces... which is why you couldn't explore the whole park without taking the guided railway ride. Well, we arrived quite late at the park, yet we quickly got a parking space (carpark was quite full), and we were just in time for the last railway ride, and if we miss this ride, we will have to come back another day for it. Somehow, we were very blessed during this trip. Some ppl call it luck, but I dun think it is luck all the time.

After we got off the railway, we went for a hot chocolate break at a small eating place at the park. We were abit sad to find that there is no indoor seating... and outside was abit cold without the sun. Anyway, we enjoyed the hot beverages. After warming ourselves again, somebody suggested that we go to see a "snow hill". We could not see what it is like becos you have to walk a narrow and quite a long way, down a gentle slope to go to the "snow" site. When we eventually hit the spot after a long walk, I couldn't believe what I saw. This so called "hill" is actually just a gentle slope. There are kids gliding themselves down from that slope, sitting on mats. Each trip of that gliding lasted only a few seconds to reach to the bottom..I simply can't believe that's the "hill" everyone is heading to. We joked abt not telling anyone that we actually came from a place that is already piling with 17 inches of snowfall!

Soon, the sky darkened and it is "Festival of Lights" here at the Wild Animal Park. At this time of the year, tourists get to see lots of colourful lights that are transformed into different animals... However, the lights are not as impressive as compared to our Singapore Chinese Garden during Mooncake Festival. Had dinner at this huge place called Eastern Buffet. The place is not only just big, it is fully packed with Chinese ppl. Huiling said it feels so good to see so many chinese, and it is like we're suddenly landed in a chinatown. The buffet table is very big, and filled with so many good food... We certainly ate until we really can contain no more.

Day 5 (18 Dec) Seaport Village

We went downtown for lunch at the San Diego Hard Rock Cafe. Then we head down to Seaport Village. There are alot of ppl there before us, with foldable chairs and some has mats on the ground having picnics.....but actually, all were here to "chop" a good spot to see the fireworks when darkness falls at 5:30pm. Initially we we were still having doubts on whether we were at the correct place to view the fireworks, seeing these ppl here is an assurance that we did not hit the wrong spot. At 5pm, we all went hiding in our car, waiting for the fireworks and the parade to start. It is really too cold to be waiting outside.

Had dinner at the Fish Market, also at the bay. The place was so fully packed cos most of the diners were there to see the water parade. The waitress told us we may have to wait for half an hour to 2 hours, and just when we were about to give up after 15 min, we were given a huge table. Behind us, we cld still see the boats, all decorated with xmas lights.. travelling by along the coast. Food is really good...but I think it is also our most expensive meal.

Day 6 (Dec 19) Shopping at Fashion Valley

It is a day for shopping. And also the first time I ever developed headache while shopping....After much browsing, Cocoa bought (only) a hat, and a pair of bedroom slippers. Bryan got himself a pair of jogging pants. Oh, another blessed encounter, we were very happy at the further discount we got at this store called Robinsons.May. When we got our stuff and were queuing at the Cashier, we saw customers who are paying before us produced a newspaper cutting that enabled them to save another 15% off the already discounted goods. Bryan and I can only watch with sadness as we didn't know where those coupons came from...maybe from the papers...God knows. Anyway, when it was our turn to pay, the cashier didn't ask if we hv coupons too but out of no where she fished out another newspaper cutting from under the corner of the table, and scanned the discount coupon for us!! Cool right? Somebody shd promote that cashier! Bryan and I were grinning when we stepped out of that store... For me, I wished I've bought more! We had lunch at a foodcourt for indian food. Typical foodcourt standard. But later for teabreak we tried another stall selling japanese teriyaki chicken, that one is solid.
Dinner is back at PickUp Stix again, that's when I realise I'm really really going to miss the food here so much.

Interesting Facts :

• Cocoa ate pancakes and scramble egg for breakfast everyday, 6 days in a row!
• Jieling only knows how to call "Uncle Bryan" whenever she sees something interesting.... seems to forget all abt Auntie Cocoa.... (I can only console myself by thinking it is becos Jieling gets to see me every Sunday but not uncle BRYAN...)
• We found oranges selling for only a dollar for 6 lbs! So cheap!
• Weather is great, ard 60 to 65 degree F. But at night, we were all wearing winter jackets and gloves...well, except for Bryan lah. 都不知道 "冷" 字怎么写.
• Bryan fell asleep within a few mins on the bus when we were taking the guided tour in the zoo...while other tourists are all necked-long with popped eyes and fully concentrating in watching animals.... sighz...
• Words that are heard the most no. of times --- Jieling : "wee wee..."
• Words that are heard 2nd most no. of times --- Jieling : "mama, where we going??"
• Words that are heard 3rd most no. of times --- All adults : "Now, what/where shall we eat for lunch/dinner??"
• Bryan's most expensive hobby -- HardRock Bears :
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