2D1N President Cruise at Halong Bay, Hanoi, Vietnam.

I need to be more hardworking here and spend my time (after Alex sleeps) blogging because there are way too many things that I want to update but I always somehow allow myself to fall asleep after he sleeps. Oh, the temptation of our bed.

Anyways, a bunch of us just got back from Hanoi not too long ago for Andrew's Bachelor Trip and before I lose my memory (thanks to the preggo brain), I shall share with you guys on the cruise that we went on at Halong Bay. 

Actually, by right, I should update you on our little family's OZ trip first but since that one gonna takes much longer, I shall just settle the President Cruise. Heh. 

Here goes. 

I cannot tell you exactly how much it will cost you if you choose to board the President Cruise at Halong Bay for 2D1N because I got it at a discounted rate with our Vietnam agent. 

After bahagi semua, each of us paid RM600 for the 2D1N on-board President Cruise which is a 5-star cruise at Halong Bay. 

Remember Glory Legend Cruise that both Adrian and I were on the last time we went to Halong Bay? This was a 4-star cruise.

The price is inclusive of two-ways transfers from our Airbnb (or wherever your hotel is in Hanoi), meals onboard, accommodation on the cruise, usage of facilities, and entrance fee to touristy places like Sung So Cave, Luon Cave, and Ti Top Island. 

The van was equipped with a massage chair okay - it was a super luxurious and a high comfort level for our 4-hours ride to Halong Bay - win to the max.

Then, we stopped at a Halong Bay Pearl stop where you can either buy pearls or just go buy coffee/tea before continuing the journey.

 The van dropped us at one of the fancier Vietnamese Restaurant and we waited for about an-hour before being buggy-ed to the ship itself.

The registration area is also so fancy already. We didn't manage to get a complimentary room upgrade because quite a lot of people boarded the ship and my guess is, the suites were fully booked anyways.

The boys got connecting rooms and ours was just next to theirs. Each room comes with a private balcony and a fancy marbled bathroom and an extra space for a dining area or something.

Then, we had our lunch buffet style on-board that includes sushi (yums).

Then, during lunch - they came to each one of us and ask for our food choices for our dinner - ala carte style. Menu below for your eyes :)

Yes, ala carte dinner also included in the RM600 that we paid - can choose 1 item from each section.

This one also we like very much - they have light breakfast and then full breakfast later on - after swimming session at Ti Top Island. LOVE IT. 

Of course we had to jump into the jacuzzi pool right after dipping at Halong Bay because everyone else went to bathe and breakfast.

So, that was our 2 days and 1 night with President Cruise at Halong Bay - I have been to Halong Bay three times and never have I ever went on a 3D2N itinerary. I wouldn't mind trying that next time. Halong Bay is really a must-visit for sure.

We got on the first buggy ride to the similar shop for our transfer back to Hanoi Old Quarters and lunch was given complimentary at the restaurant too.

We were expecting for the same kind of van with massage chairs but apparently they gave those vans to other families and gave us an entire 30-seaters bus - which isn't too bad but of course massage chairs van is better la.

Till next time, bye now. 

Random Things - Again.

Overspent in May, so have to budget-budget all in June.

Alex is starting to show so much of emotions and we just cannot handle the cuteness. 

Adrian is going back to the busy-floorball-training-routines this year because of Sea Games.Too bad I would be too pregnant to travel to Philippines to watch them play. 

Six months have passed since I started working with HTT - loving it. 

Current cravings: fruits, deep-fried goodies and nasi ayam. 

I am not looking forward to doing that pregnancy-diabetes test, at all. 

Daryl is starting to talk - a lot and we love it! We can now have proper conversations with full sentences although sometimes still need to decode what he tries to say. 

We actually really need to clear the third room to convert it to Alex's room (before baby number two comes) but we have been putting a pause on it for way too long. Help. Too many things to get rid of.

Recently, I re-watched Vampire Diaries and now I am already at Season 3 - #teamdamonalways

Alex now understands when I do my stern 'Ah' and 'No' - his reaction is always stop to read my stern face and then burst out crying for 3-seconds. Usually after few times on the same thing, he will stop doing it. For example, he had always wanted to stand on our bed-board-head-area and pull the photos on the frame. So, after few times of 'disciplining' him, he stopped. Adrian tested him one day but he wouldn't even put his hands near the frame now. #proudmamymoment

Four months ago, I purchased a business card reader on App Store and now regretting it #saynotocompulsiveshopping 

I still have Australia and Europe holidays to blog about #procrastinationatitspeak

This pregnancy is making me eat more food more times in a day. I get hungry 4-hours after having like a complete meal. Confirm baby girl hah. 

Yes, we already have names for both boy and girl. No idea which one yet because still in early second trimester. 

I wonder when Alex will start walking. 

The whole family goes to bed by 9PM usually when we don't go out - the parents usually just netflix - and chill. Kidding. Heh. 

It's been 2-weeks since the flu bug attacked Alex, and now Daryl and Sha Lynn having them too. There is absolutely no way that when one of the three falls sick, the other two will not fall sick. Confirm all three sick together wan. 

I am quite determined to try breastfeeding our second born for at least 6-months. I try. 

Funny how I feel excited whenever I need to work at a travel fair - especially if discounts are really attractive.

We already have names for both girl and boy but we have not found out about the gender - next doctor's visit should be able to know d I think.

I'm in the mood of planning for a quick getaway with my two boys during our anniversary season. Got destination also already hah. Adrian is gonna be like zzz. We shall call it babymoon part 2 since I had a horrible one in Perth. Heh.

I am starting to be annoyed with all the brown sugar boba marketing everywhere - even Family Mart's. Oh my.

Okay signing off because gotta run to the toilet to do number two - at G Hotel. 

Alex's First Safari Party.

People always say that when you organize a birthday party for a baby who will not remember the party, you are actually really doing it for yourself.

That is absolutely true.

Not gonna try to come out with a list of reasons to why I decided to spend money for this party for a  little boy who is way too young to understand and most likely will not enjoy the party anyways. Heh.

Having Alex changed my life - that is one.

I never had a birthday party growing up - that's two.

Having children has always been a dream of mine and now that it is realized, I can only imagine all the future birthday parties I am going to have with them - that is three.

And I have the world's best husband - main reason.

To be honest, I didn't think at first Adrian would be on-board (so quickly) with the idea of having a party to celebrate Alex's birthday. I thought I would need to do more convincing and stuff like that.

But all I did was ask him this - "Baby, what is your budget to celebrate Alex's first birthday?"

And his answer blew me away - quite literally as I was taken aback and fell further off on the sofa. I remembered giving him that confused look and asked him again the question.

He obviously read my expression and immediately lowered down the number. Hah. But it was still way higher that I thought he would agree.

So, that was my green light to proceed with the planning. I Instead of having a small one with families, I decided to go bigger (a bit) and put a max of invitee at 100.

My main people were definitely both Rachel and Vanessa - and the 'official committees' and 'non-offficial committees'. Hah.

Thank you guys for helping out! You guys are the bombs!

And thank you Indy for taking these photos of the event.

Most of the decorating items were bought in Shopee because cheap cheap ya.

The hardest part in planning this party was definitely finding the right place to have it. I have probably emailed/whatsapped to at least 15 cafes/potential venues and most of them were either too small or too expensive. So glad we finally found Tummy Bowl.

It only crossed my mind to have it there as I love eating poke bowl and although Adrian had never tried them, he trusted my judgement. But of course I needed to let him try first.

After his first try at Tummy Bowl, he was having them at least once a week - kid you not. He dined there so often until the owner also knows him by name already. Heh.

Then, I did the invitation card using Canva. Proud of myself please thank you.

I ordered 20 chocolate cupcakes from Sweet Creations at RM8 and there were super yummy! It was bitter sweet so it was really easy to eat as it's not overly sweet like most chocolate cupcakes. Rachel made the main cake for Alex to smash.

Then, we have some people helping to do some side dishes as well.

Okaylah, I think nothing much to say already. Just enjoy the photos!

So as you can see, Alex did not really enjoy the party ya. He was a little bit more cranky than usual and maybe because suddenly so many people surrounding him and his nap before the party was really short so ya. But we did have fun. We still continued taking photos and laughing despite him crying. Horrible parents us. Heh.

Thank you for all your presents and angpows - we really appreciate all of them! Sha Lynn and Daryl helped to unwrap them and of course they quickly pick which one they were going to have since some of the items, Alex still too young to use. Heh.

Thank you also for taking your time on a Saturday to make this a happening one. I know at one point, the place because really crowded and noisy and hot but I guess that's what makes a party a party, right? Hah.

Now the next question is will you still have a party when Alex turns two? - Uhhh, obviously yes. Hah.

But seriously, thank you all for loving Alex (and us). Heh.

For Alex Koay (our firstborn son), 

Our main desire for you is that as you grow up, you will find your identity in your Creator and not in the world, not in your friends and definitely not according to both dady and me. We want you to pursue the things of God and to be His salt and light to this broken world. 

We don't want you to chase money and fame. We want you to know who God is and be His hands and feet to the people. We pray that in everything that you do or say or show, you do all of them with God's love, and that you will love people like how God loves. Most importantly, we pray that you will have an intimate relationship with the Lord and walks always in His ways. You are his. 

We love you forever, you cheeky ball. 

Till next time, bye now.