Malaysia with Franklin for Chinese New Year

I am so lucky! For Chinese New Year I got to go with Franklin and meet his family in Malaysia. It was so much fun. Thank you Franklin for looking after me.

Here I am preparing for the lion dance with my classmate Franklin and Franklin's cousin Kar Shen

This is me with the lion along with Franklin and Franklin's mom

Now there are TWO lions.  The big drum in the background which the dance troupe plays while the lions dance

This is Franklin and I chilling out after the lion dance.  Note the orange slices in the background.  At one point in the dance the lion eats and orange and spits it out in the shape of a symbol to wish everyone good fortune and plenty for the year ahead.  He also gnawed on the pomelo in the foreground to open that up.  Ipoh is well known for its pomelos.

This is Franklin and I with the Chinese god of fortune, who makes visits at the new year and, in a relatively modern twist, gives all the kids bars of chocolate.

Getting ready for Christmas with Pippa

Dear Ms. Howlett and Farm class,

A few weeks ago, just before Christmas, I spent the weekend with Pippa and her family here in Discovery Bay. I had a fun filled one with two birthday parties, Christmas bun baking, a restaurant visit, unexpected snow in IFC and a Christmas concert. Pippa’s mum took photos throughout the weekend, so you can see what I was up to. I hope you will enjoy them.

Pippa’s dad bake these special Swedish Christmas buns every year around Christmas. Pippa and her sister, Stella, helped out, but I mostly just watched as my hands got so dirty when I touched the flour.

Once we had made the dough and formed the buns, we went to a birthday party of one of Stella’s friends. The birthday girl turned 5, and it was a great party. Here I am together with Pippa and the birthday cake in the background.

Once back from the party, the buns were out of the oven. The house smelled wonderful, and the buns were so yummy. Me and Pippa shared the ‘P’ shaped bun that I am holding in my hand.

Then off we went to the next birthday party. Here we are in the Marina bus on the way to the Marina play ground where the party was going to take place. I got a bit dizzy hanging upside down, but it also made me laugh.

Here I am in Pippa’s arm while she is getting a face paint. I asked for one too, but the lady did not think it was a good idea.

Pippa, now with a butterfly, and me in the sun. It was getting hot and right after this photo was taken we went back home. I slept in Pippa’s bed that night, all cuddled up and feeling very loved and protected

Next morning, PIppa and Stella were playing with play dough, and they made me a special chair so I could participate too.

Later, we took the ferry to town. We were going for lunch in a restaurant and afterwards to a concert. Here we are on the ferry looking at Pippa’s mummy’s phone.

On the way to the restaurant, we walked through IFC to look at the Christmas decoration. All of a sudden it started to snow, and me and the girls had so much fun playing with it. Here, Pippa is lifting me up so I can see better.

Pippa with snow in her hair.

Finally we arrived to the restaurant. I was so hungry and jumped straight into the bread basket.

-and me with snow all over. Even though the snow was fake, it was a fun experience. I have never experienced the real thing, but I really hope to one day.

Me with Pippa, Stella and Pippa’s dad on our way to the concert.

Waiting in line to get into the concert hall. The show was a classical Christmas concert for kids, and we all enjoyed it very much.

I have never tried anything like it. The music was so beautiful, written by guys with names like Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky.

I managed to sneak down to the very front. Here I am on the music rest very close to the musicians.

Me and the concert hall in the back.

Goodbye for now, dear Farm friends. I am already looking forward to my next adventure.

Taipei with Nathan

It surely was never been a boring adventure with me, Arnaldo. Despite of the rains, we managed to do a lot outdoors' activities from rain in the zoo to the big ferris wheel ride. All and all, I would love to tag along with the Kamadinata's family again for another adventure.

Despite only a short flight of 1.5 hours to Taiwan, it was quite exhausting for a little boy like me. So when we arrived at the hotel, I jumped right into the bed and tried to decide which pillows is nicer to sleep on, soft or firm. Tough choices. :)

While we were sitting on a bench in the Taipei 101 building, Nathan insisted on trying on my hat. Everyone told him that it would be too small for him but he carried on doing it anyway. ;p

This is me at the zoo with the monkeys. We were singing for the rain to go away but the song was not doing its magic that day. Oh...well!

Fourth picture is the only sunny day we had in Taiwan and we got a ride on the glass-bottom Mao Kong gondola. I had a few nice pictures up there with beautiful city of Taiwan.

Until next time!

South Africa with Chloe

Dear Mummy Howlett & Farm Nursery class, I had a wonderful holiday in South Africa with Chloe and her big sister Amelia, little brother Luke and her Mummy & Daddy. It was a long flight, but I had fun with Chloe sharing her seat and her food!  The day we arrived her Daddy drove us to the wildlife park in Johannesburg where we saw lots of African animals, such as white lion, elephants, rhinos, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, snakes, camels and crocodiles.  Later we flew to Cape Town and stayed the night there. The next day we drove 5 hours to Chloe’s Grandparents new home in Great Brak, near George on the Western Cape. I met Chloe’s grandparents, cousins, aunties & uncles. It was a busy time with so many people and sometimes I had to hide in the bedroom for some quiet time!  The weather was sunny & warm. Chloe went to the beach a lot, but I didn’t go because I didn’t want to get wet or sandy! We went to a strawberry farm and picked our own strawberries; they were sweet and delicious! Chloe rode a miniature train around the field and also had a ride on a pony. Chloe’s granny took us all to feed the elephants too. Chloe was a little bit frightened as the elephant was very big, so she just watched. The elephant enjoyed the fruit and vegetables we gave her. Christmas Day was exciting with so many presents. Granny Jean cooked a delicious Christmas lunch - have you ever heard of a ‘Turducken’? It’s a Turkey, Duck & Chicken all in one!  My big news is that on New Year’s Eve I went to a party and met my girlfriend, Thandi - you can see us together in my pictures. Chloe brought her with us back to Hong Kong, so I am happy I can still see her, perhaps you can all meet Thandi too : ) On our way home to Hong Kong we had one night in Johannesburg. In the day Chloe and her family went on a horseback safari. They got very close to a giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and even saw a baby Blessbuck being born. Chloe was very brave and rode the horse all by herself. Chloe’s Daddy flew us back to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific, so I helped Chloe’s Mummy look after her, Amelia & Luke for the long flight home!  Chloe & I would like to say goodbye now and hope you enjoyed reading about Arnaldo’s adventures in South Africa. Love from, Arnaldo & Chloe xxx

 

Chloe’s sister, Amelia with me and the elephant as she was too nervous to get close!

 

Crocodile in the background

Chloe’s cousins, auntie, uncle, Amelia, Luke and her Mummy

Enjoying the sunset at Christmas with Thandi!

Having a rest with Thandi

Ben's Birthday

Last week Benjamin and I had so much fun!  My first day with Ben was his birthday!!   It was so fun!  We got to go into the city.  First we went on the Discovery Bay ferry.  

Here is Ben and I checking out all the boats in the water.

After we got off the Discovery Bay ferry we walked over to the Star Ferry.  Ben likes ferry rides.   Here we are on the Star Ferry

The Star ferry was really full so I took a seat here between the life savers…that way I was super safe!

Then we went to the games room in Ocean Terminal…that was a lot of fun!!  Here is Ben showing me how to play air hockey!

The next day Ben had to go to school so I go to hang out with Ben's brother Luke!  We went for a long walk on a nice sunny day!

Later on that day we picked Ben up at school.  He was had a great day at school and was happy to see us!  Here we are having a snack in the plaza after school.

Wow, Ben loves his scooter!!  We spent a lot of time scooting around and checking out all the sights in Discovery Bay!

Ben and I became great friends during our time together.  Ben was very sad to see me go.  Here is Ben giving me a big hug!

And of course and little kiss good bye!!  Onto my next adventure...

Summer holidays

Summer Holidays

Ms Howlett and I stayed at Barry's eco-bungalows at Artauro in Timor Leste. Our first adventure was so exciting! Have a look at my photos to find out what I got up to.

Here I am relaxing in a hammock doing some cross stitch. What do you like to do on holiday?

Ants are very clever you know. They all worked together to carry away my crumbs!

To keep me safe when I was sleeping, Ms Howlett tucked me into a mosquito net so they couldn't bite me.

Here I am getting ready to snorkel in the Wetar strait

Adventures with the Colers

Hi everyone,

I hope you are enjoying your Half Term Break! I know I am! As you know, I am spending the week with Carli and her family. On Friday Carli's mom and dad took us to Disneyland, we had so much fun! We rode tons of rides, ate pop corn and got to watch the fireworks. Tonight Carli's grandparents are flying in from San Francisco, CA. I am really looking forward to meeting them and spending the rest of the week with the Coler family. 

Well, I must go! I will update you later this week about all the other adventures Carli and I have together. 

Take care!

Love,

Arnaldo

On the rides with Carli looking after me.

Woooooooooo!

Hi Farm class! 

Just wanted to update you on the adventures Carli and I have had this past week.  Carli's Grandma and Grandpa arrived from San Francisco, Ca safely into HK on Tuesday night. On Wednesday we took the bus over to Tung Chung and rode the 360 Cable Car up to the Tian Tan Buddha. Thursday Carli's Grandparents insisted we go back to Disneyland, which I was super excited about! Friday we showed them around Discovery Bay and took a break from all the running around we had been doing. Saturday we took the ferry to Central and rode the Tram to Victoria Peak. What a view! That night we went to shopping for accessories for Carli's halloween costume. Sunday was rest and relaxation in preparation for school on Monday. What a great week! 

I am really looking forward to my next adventure with another member of the Farm class! 

Arnaldo