Back to Thailand

We just got back from our second trip to Thailand with baby a few days early. He wasn't feeling well and it's a good thing we got back here since he's fighting a virus with his first fever. He's doing better, but you can tell he's glad to be home and in his real bed. We had a great time with good friends. Rented a HUGE condo with 2 other families and just enjoyed 5 days of beer, sun, beach, playing with babies. Just another typical Thai holiday. 

Someone's excited for the beach....

Choosing an ice cream. 

Liked the ocean a bit more this time. 

And ate some sand. 

 One pad thai, please. 

Dinner on the beach at sunset. 

The search for a real coffee ended here. 

Oh my, we've come a long way, Wolf Pack. 

Cute little Thai high chair. 

Got caught playing with a doll. 

 Loved the trees on the walk to the beach. 

The pool at the resort. 

 Surin Beach. 

How to live cheaply in the most expensive city in the world.

A few weeks ago, there was THIS ARTICLE that came out that named Singapore to be the most expensive city in the world. I found these quotes to be true: "The city's strong currency combined with the high cost of running a car and soaring utility bills contributed to Singapore topping the list.

It is also the most expensive place in the world to buy clothes." 

Yes, it can be expensive if you let it. There are many ways to avoid extra expenses. First of all, it's cheaper for me to buy clothes in the US and then have them shipped here. Actually, it's cheaper to buy almost ANYTHING from the US and have it shipped here. For example, I bought a digital thermometer from Amazon for US$40 and guess what, at the store here it was S$150!! O bought a bike and the shipping was over $200 to send it here and still we saved hundreds of dollars rather than buy a bike here.

We use public transport a lot. It's simple, it's easy, it's cheap. There's this awesome app where you put in your location and it compares public transport so you can choose the best way to get there. For example, on Friday I went to the water park (which is free) at gardens by the bay and these were the options. You just click on either choice and it gives a detailed map. 

(The prices are in Singaporean dollars. S$1= USD$1.25)

I do take the MRT and bus quite often. LBC likes the bus and MRT probably because he gets so much attention. 

Waiting to board the MRT.

But sometimes I take a taxi. What's awesome is there's an app when you book a taxi and it shows you exactly where the taxi is. This is so great with a baby so I know how much time I have before I go downstairs. 

There are actually a few free activities that I do each week. For example, there's the Botanic Gardens which I walk through every morning. And a few play gyms are free for babies under 1. There are dozens of other free things to do with kids in SG. 

At the food court. (You can't tell, but there are some fried ducks hanging behind us)

Here is one at Marina Bay Sands( you know that building that looks like a boat on top). We took the bus there and back which cost S$2.46 total. We even ate at the food court. Which had awesome food. Eating out can be a cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. We've spent $37 for a GLASS of HOUSE white wine and could easily spend over $100 for just a couple beers at a local pub. BUT we spend a lot of time drinking some of the cheapest and coldest beers in town at Newton Food Centre. I'm sure you've seen lots of pics of this on Instagram. We also have an amazing credit card that has dozens of restaurants for 50% off! We also shop at the local wet market where fruits and veggies are much cheaper. Baby food is expensive, so I make my own. We get lots of things 2nd hand and all of our furniture is from Ikea. 

Shopping at Ikea.

So really, life is what you make it. 

Cheers! Beers at newton.