After a deliciously relaxing mud spa last night, we were all happy and energetic in the morning. As usual, we jumped at breakfast with all-we-could-eat eggs, bread and butter. Then we took a leisurely walk within the hotel since my brother wanted to stay a while longer to try out the other spa facilities.
The kids were thrilled to squirrels and birds although they were caged up. Then we saw 'Hana's home' and thought the rainbow coloured bird was simply gorgeous. I appreciate beauty and all, but I have no idea what sort of bird it was.
We thought we would try out the mud spa bathtub again since we had some time to spare. Before that, we had to fill it up with warm water and that took some time. While waiting, CK and the kids played at the balcony, which was huge! Then the inevitable happened. Sophie dropped her one of her crocs through the railings and it landed on somewhere on a beam below. I was furious! And again, CK wanted to climb down to fetch it for her. I objected... it was far too dangerous and unnecessary. I was prepared to let her lose the crocs.
Then we caved in when we saw her sad face and asked the hotel staff for a pole (sounds familiar). A female staff came along to assess the problem. Then she just smiled and prompted started climbing down to the beam. I almost grabbed hold of her to stop her, but she said it was alright and she had done that before. Anxious, I asked how she was going to climb up... She shrugged and told me she would climb back up the way she climbed down (don't I feel silly now?). She even took the opportunity to pick up some litter on the beam before leaving all of us in awe.
After all the drama and a yet another good soak in the mud water, we went to the restaurant for an early lunch. We were not sure about the itinerary and we were so keen to take any chance with the kids either. Alfee was asleep though but we thought at least we could settle Sophie's lunch first.
Sophie was tired and grumpy by the time we were done with lunch but she just sat apart from us and sulk without disturbing us. I was fine with that. After all, Alfee was sleeping in his pram and we didn't want him to wake up prematurely.
Finally, we were reunited and we talked about the plan for the day. We were visiting a special site where fire can co-exist with water. Actually, what happens is that there is some natural gas (methane) emitting out through cracks of the hill with a pond or stream below. Thus, the fire can burn above the water.
I didn't see it myself because Alfee was asleep in the taxi. CK took Sophie to see it despite her fatigue. Then the silly girl got into trouble again. She was feeling uncomfortable with the plaster over her wounded finger and wanted CK to change the plaster. So CK took a plaster from Ah Mah and told her to wait a bit while he put aside his camera. And all this happened when I was in the taxi. Sophie didn't wait very well and started tugging at the plaster. Finally, she ripped it off... together with her skin that covered and kept the wound from bleeding. Once again, blood oozed out and CK nearly fainted! He quickly wrapped the plaster around the gaping wound as Sophie wailed.
When I got to know it in the taxi, it was already wrapped up so I was saved from looking at the 'new' wound and listening to Sophie's most 'endearing' wails... My brother actually tried to reassure us by saying the open wound would heal faster and children heal very quickly. Hmm... true but knowing that didn't help us much, I guess.
Anyhow, our next stop was a Buddhist... monastery? temple? learning centre? exhibition centre? mall? I'm not too sure what to call it. In fact, it's a bit of all! We even had coffee and snacks at the Starbucks within the compound!
The whole place was nice and it gave me a blissful feeling. I have always liked Buddhism and its teachings although I don't agree with everything. In fact, I always think that Buddhism is a great way to cultivate our mind and character. Plus it's a peaceful and a very personal sort of religion.
Then my tranquility was disrupted by some hip hop music and cheers from the square. Apparently, they were holding a dance show by some undergraduates. They were entertaining but they were unpolished. The kids, however, thoroughly enjoyed the music and space. Sophie, who had been grouchy and tired, managed to gather some energy and ran about with Alfee.
The whole place was too huge for us, we could only see a small part of the exhibit briefly. Ah Mah was just happily resting and munching her snacks while the rest of us walked about.
Before we head for the hotel after dinner, we stopped at the family mart for some tid bits. Sophie was thrilled to see jelly and I didn't have the heart to stop her. After all, she did go through some ordeal AGAIN today.
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