A Merlion's Jaunt in Beijing - Part 2

It's Sunday, Huang Yen decided to visit the National Centre for the Performing Arts (北京巨蛋) to check out the local performing arts scene

Passing by the Tiananmen Square, with a quick glance at Chairman Mao's portrait  The massive crowd is making him dizzy.

Can't get enough of the Mala Hotpot (麻辣香锅) at Wangfujing! Mala's literal translation means 'numbingly spicy'. Just be prepared for some bowel cleansing after the meal.

A Merlion's Jaunt in Beijing - Part 1

Huang Yen arrived in Beijing for a visit much to the delight of old pals Monkey and Hindergaard. Yet-to-be-named Gingerbread Man joined in the welcoming entourage as Hindergaard pointed out key landmarks of Chaoyang District.

HY giving hugs and kisses all round to his old buddies.

Armed with his trusty Beijing guidebook, HY decided to check out the famous Sanlitun shopping district where the sartorial splendour of BJ is on display.

A Merlion's Jaunt in Beijing - Preview

Huang Yen (谎言) the Merlion travelled to Beijing to visit Monkey & Hindergaard. Here's a shot of the two buddies on the Great Wall of China.
More pictures coming soon.

Babe in the House

The House of Himu welcomes a new member! 

Ramsay the Ram watches over his newborn mistress!

Ramsay test-riding her new baby sitter

One-month old Baby Mistress is off to a great life with 5 plushies.

Enter the Dragon

It's been a while since the last update from the house of Michi. The toys are envious of Pookie's vacation! Anyway despite the stuffed-toy-as-a-gift ban, we've gain some new friends over Christmas and New Year.

Sleepy the Care Bear came over for a slumber party on the last day of 2011. Tarzan the Steadfast (the new reindeer with sturdy legs) joins our ever-expanding family. 

A fire-breathing dragon joins us to usher in the Chinese New Year. Fok Lung (福龙) is proud of his auspicious, albeit slightly out-dated name. Meanwhile, Teddy Boy signed up for a new job with a talent agency. Turns out he was supposed to greet customers at the new Abercrombie & Fitch outlet in Singapore.

The gang celebrates Chinese New Year together on their mistress's bed. Huat ah!

Huang Yen the puking Merlion tried to buy some vodka from Kopi (bear from Coffee Bean), who decided selling coffee was never going to be as lucrative as selling alcohol.

Booze and Teddy Boy has been hooked on the BBC's modern adaptation of Sherlock and has done some reading on the original works of Sir Conan Doyle. They've adopted some steam-punk fashion for the CNY.

WTD sets up a temporary casino to lure provide high stakes entertainment for the slightly more gullible adventurous members in Stuffed Toy Land. Hock Kee and Tarzan have since been hooked on the jackpot machine. Meanwhile, Fok Lung the dragon looks on in disapproval.

Pookie in Bali - Part 3

Pookie starts the day with a hearty breakfast.

And he's off again! Watching the countryside roll by from the air-conditioned comfort of the car.

What a hot hot day! Pookie stays in the shade to avoid an unwanted tan.

On the way to Tanah Lot. Pookie is fascinated by a mossy stone basin and the mini lily pads.

Pookie frolicks among the truckload of coconuts before they're devoured by thirsty tourists.

Finally! First glimpse of Tanah Lot!

Pookie poses for some must-have touristy shots of the scenic beach around Tanah Lot.

On the way back to the car, Pookie notices a familiar yet dubious sign.

The next temple had many little hats on the roof. Pookie wishes he had one of the hats to ward off the sun.

Lunch time! And so Pookie ends his Bali trip... with a yummy local dish - Babi Guling.

Pookie in Bali - Part 2

Pookie visits the Sacred Temple of the Holy Springs. He looks up in awe at the Temple Guard.

It's required to wear either a sarong and/or sash upon entering the temple. Following the locals, Pookie wears a sash too.

Next stop - Padi fields! Pookie had to be restrained from jumping into the terraces to look for his field mice cousins.

Found a good spot to have lunch overlooking the padi fields!

Leaving the padi fields, Pookie was tired out from the morning's excitement.

Ahhh... candlelight dinner by Jimbaran beach

And a relaxing beer afterwards

Part 3 up next! Pookie's final day in Bali.

Pookie in Bali - Part 1

Pookie took a short trip to Bali!

Waking up too early for a 7am flight, he had to be coaxed to take some breakfast at the airport.

In sunny Bali! Pookie found his mode of transport acceptable.

Thinking it was going to be a relaxing vacation of beach babes and surfing good times, Pookie didn't expect a 4 am climb up Mt Batur....

Resting at the first chance

But the scenery from the top was worth it! (ahhh.. the sunrise from behind Mt Agung would be prettier without the clouds).

Looking down at Lake Batur...

Pookie commemorates his trek by drinking soda in the good old fashioned way - from glass bottles!

Steam from the crater!

Ah.. it's a treacherous journey down. But Pookie felt safe in his little pouch.

Pookie vows to keep the secret and holiness of Mt Batur.

A visit to the spa after the trek! Pookie was content to lay down and rest.

Stay tuned for Part 2! Pookie visits the sacred temples.

Hello Timothy!

It's been over a year since Timothy Softpaws joined the happy family in Pasir Ris! For all who doesn't know him, he's certainly been busy at home (well given his size, it's difficult to travel incognito...)

A typical day starts with his morning coffee. Don't talk to him before he's had his first coffee.

He starts cooking breakfast.. and checks for signs of food poisoning.

Seen as a wise plush in the community, he holds regular Meet-The-Plushies sessions.

In this particular session, the Whats had a run in with Crosses. And Garfield shows off his new plushie.

As night time falls, he reads to bedtime stories to other plushies...

And enjoys a cold beer while pondering over the day...

Before he knows it, Xmas is here! Posing proudly with his tree...

And welcome Dragon Year! "Is the decoration straight?" he asks.

Happy CNY, folks!