Trip to Lake Gardens

Yes, we went to The Lake Gardens again, which is a real feat considering that this is the second time with the kids within a five year period. OK, the Lake Gardens is a great place especially for photographers during the day and predators at night. And yes, it is also a great subject when you want to test if a person is a real Malaysian or a Spy.

"Have you ever been to the Lake Gardens?"
"Yes, in fact, I've been there at least once a month"
"So, how's Rudolph?"
"Huh? Who?"
"You know. Rudolph? At the Farm?"
"Oh, he's fine. In fact, I fed him just last week"
Bang. There you go. One dead Spy.

[OK, if there was a Rupdolph over there, sorry to the dead Spy, then.]

The Lake Gardens
Anyway, for those who do know know much about Lake Gardens, it is not about a Garden on a Lake. Its just a big place full of green trees and a Lake right between the National Museum and the National Monument. As I've said once again, it is a great place for photography. Most Wedding shots were taken from there, including outs but you won't recognise most of them due to the type of lens the photographers use. For the Kids, its also a great place to run around without breaking anything. And yes, for the special couples, its also a great place to propose/date/know each other and also, the source for mosquito food. So, its a great place for everyone.

Everyone except the Fathers who have to walk all over the place while carrying the bags.

And so, this morning, we prepared our own
egg sandwiches for our little picnic before
starting our walk.

Kristine took her sandwich and ate very little

And so did Kaelynn.

The reason was because in the background, were
the huge playground. I had to make them finish
their sandwiches before they can start playing.

Once done, there were much happiness

And they ran and ran towards the playground

I had to call them back not only because there
was a road but also, they ran the wrong way.

And so, while Daddy had to return all the picnic
stuff to the car, Mommy took the girls to the
playground, which, were still not destroyed

And for the first time, Kristine experienced
the no-joy of a faulty drinking water fountain

At the age of three, Kristine had this fear of
climbing this U-shaped ladder. But Kaelynn
climbed up without much problems.

Egged on by her younger sister, Kristine
managed to overcome her fear.

And now, its on to the playground itself!

It was Kaelynn's turn to be
rescued after she climbed
the ladder and did not know
how to get down.

But she did learn quickly and soon, they
were running all over the place.

Sliding

Climbing

Crawling

And more crawling

More sliding

And jumping. Well, you get the
idea. Coming here was like
unleashing all the pent up
activities that they cannot
do in the house. Its crazy
how they have so much
energy, I tell you.

Oh, they also have a new game where they bend
down every few step to have their butts smacked
by Mommy. You won't find them doing this at
home even when they're very very naughty.

Running around the tree. By now, you would have
guessed that they ran all over the place.

This is some sort of a rock stream which Kristine
took a liking to it due to the numerous rocks she
has to jump to clear them. But Mommy had to
come rescue her after she realised she could not
jump that far.....

Yes, and more running

Without a paddle......
One of the great attractions to the Lake Gardens, apart from everything else, was the lake. You can (if the lake is not being dried out) rent a boat and bring your families/potential life-mate/coffee-mate/enemy out there. I mean, in the middle of the lake, there is nowhere else to run if some chews you out/propose to you/kills you, etc. Anyway, my Dad brought me out there when I was young and all I could ever remember was his pink red calloused hands after he rowed back. And so, indirectly, following my Dad's footsteps, I got us a boat and entered the lake for the second time in my life.

Except this time, with the four of us, we could not rent the row boat (since there were none ready) and so, we got us a pansy paddle boat which seats four. An d RM3.00 for 30 minutes is not a big deal. I mean, what can go wrong?

Suffice to say, steering the rudder is not easy as you really need to paddle up to speed before it can make any difference. And once you let go, even for a second, the boat will either float in the wrong directions or using the remaining momentum, drift to the last rudder direction, which as usual, was also in the wrong direction.

And not only that, maybe its been decades since I rode a bike but paddling it was not easy since I was wearing my work shoes which is too big to paddle without scuffing the wall of the boat. And so, I had to lie down on the seat, and paddle like I was enjoying it. Its not easy what with the chunky Life-vest making you bend backwards more. Suffice to say, towards evening and the next day, I walked like an old man.

After our trip, everyone on the shore wanted to have a ride as well. Maybe my faking of enjoying the paddling did the trick. Suckers! But they did not rent the canoes since they saw two young guys "chasing" after us and went to a sidewall instead.

Finally, we settled down at the boathouse where
a small mineral water turned into two 100Plus,
a bag of Twisties and another bag of crackers.

I didn't catch what Kaelynn was saying but
I love this shot

And then, all of a sudden, it became crystal clear!

I thought to myself, well, this is going to be fun. All of
us with stuffy Lifejackets which hindered any possible
limb movement and also my camera and my Nokia
5800. This is so weird because I should be thinking
about my family, not thinking how to protect these
equipment from damage.

Mommy went in to the front of the boat while
Kristine has the rear all to herself. Me, I nearly
sank the boat once I got in.

As for Kaelynn, heh. She got squeezed in-between.

And try not to do this when the Sun is up. At the
end, not only were the vests stuffy which made
me sweat and also scuffing my chin, they also
made the seating uncomfortable which lead to
me having a painful back later on. As for all
the leg-work, I won't know if my muscles were
affected until after a day or two. But its nice.

After the boat ride, more sugar
and fun, until I said.....

"We're not going to see the Deers or even visit the
Bird park." Yeah, its after twelve and both of us
were tired from all the walking and rowing.

And so, we visited the Edible Garden, which like
anyone who visited it, was crap. I won't say
much but once you visited it, you will
know the term boot-licking.

And before we leave, it was one
final go for the girls.

And so, the next time we go, if we ever did go:
1) Never park next to the Playground
If you originally wanted to visit the Deer Park or other places, this playground can spoil your plans. Playgrounds and children do not mix with your plans unless they happen to be the very inquisitive children/niece or nephews of your potential Soulmate which you need to get rid of.

2) Go there at 8 in the morning
The Sun will fry you to heck if you come late. But at least, now my left arm is exactly the same shade as my right arm.

3) Make sure I can change lens faster
Yeah, three lenses in the bag and its not easy.

4) No more black pants or even, long pants.
Trust me. You can feel Mr. Sun groping your ass and your legs within seconds. And you do not have to wonder why you need a second pair of underwear. You do wear them, don't you? Unless you had cling-wrap your legs earlier and with the intention of using the Sun as sauna, you cheapskate.