Cheekiemonkies in Netherlands: Day 6

Theme Park madness

(Daddy recounts)

Day 6 and it's Theme Park day at Efteling - the largest theme park in the Netherlands and one of the oldest theme parks in the world. Even older than Disneyland!

Originally the park catered towards children with a fairy tale theme. Since then, it has evolved from a nature park with playground and a Fairy Tale Forest, into a full-sized theme park.

And if we had our way, we would have loved to stay in the adjacent Efteling Hotel. Why? Because it houses some of the most incredible and beautiful themed rooms that I had ever seen!

Cinderella Suite

Amazing decor isn't it? I love the Carousel Suite though. It comes complete with organ music and even a whirlpool bath!

Carousel Suite

 Girls harbouring princessy dreams will go ga-ga over the Sleeping Beauty and Snow White Suites.

Snow White Suite

You can check out the entire list of Themed Suites HERE. Unfortunately, all the themed suites were fully booked. So back to our regular programming then...

Our first ride of the day had us boarding the Pagode, a 'floating' temple that took us up to a height of 45 metres.

There was an indoor roller-coaster ride in the dark that goes super fast that Ash & Ayd wanted to go on. Luckily for us, the boys didn't clear the minimum height requirement. Phew.

We settled for something more palatable - the Monsieur Cannibale’s simmering pots!

It was just like the mandatory 'spinning cups' ride in every theme park. But it was Ale's first time trying out such a ride though. And the outcome wasn't entirely satisfactory; she got a bit scared when the cauldron started spinning and clung onto the wifey so tightly for the rest of the ride.

The boys then chose something less demanding for the sake of Ale next - the Carnaval Festival. We sat in vehicles which brought us on a journey through 15 countries. Think Disneyland's 'It's A Small World' and you get the idea.

Ale enjoyed some parts of it, but cowered in fear when we came to certain dimly-lit rooms. Oh well, at least she didn't get dizzy.

We, or rather the boys, decided to work some muscles next, and the 'Kinderspoor' pedal train was the obvious choice.

It was a good thing that they chose it themselves because it was tough work! Unlike the usual kiddy train rides, they actually had to pedal it with their legs to keep it in motion. So by the time they were done, they were all complaning about tired legs! Heh.

It wan't any wonder then, that the boys next chose a ride where they could just sit down.

The Polka Marina was the perfect choice as it bopped up and down as it went in circles. And to think we went on it after our lunch!

Luckily, our lunch stayed down and was adequately digested as we strolled to the original portion of the theme park. The part where it all started - Fairytale Forest.

There are 26 fairytales on display here, and I'm sure you know what fairytale the above photo depicts.

As we walked from fairytale to fairytale in an enchanting setting, I think it was quite obvious that the wifey & I enjoyed this part of the theme park the most. Because it brought back lots of childhood memories as the different faiytale settings seem to come alive in the forest.

The other part that I loved about the Efteling theme park is that it is HUGE! Because that meant that there are loads of open spaces and playgrounds like these for the kids to run and go wild.

At every section of the park, there exist a playground which children can't seem to get enough of. Ditto for my three monkies.

To be frank, if we didn't have to go explore other parts of the park, I would think they would be contented enough to while the time away at the playgrounds!

Okay, I admit. I found it fun too.

Although Ale did revel in the ice cream cone more than the playground structures. Haha.

From the brochure, we read that the show, Raveleijn, was not to be missed. And so, monkie see monkie do.

We were not disappointed. The show told the adventures of five children who become knights, and eventually join forces to slay something sinister.

A 5-headed Dragon, that's what! I thought that the mechanical movements of the Dragon were truly amazing. Needless to say, ALL of us were deeply engrossed in the show.

After the show, the boys were thrilled to have the opportunity to have their photos taken with some of the Knights.

Then it was back to the world of rides next, and we came across this exceptionally old-fashioned Carousel, with an original Gavioli organ that was built in 1895.

So yes, it is old - over 100 years old in fact!

More rides which turned round and round followed next.

And then the unimaginable happened. Tummies rumbled soon after, although we just finished lunch less than 2 hours ago!

So no choice, we HAD TO tucked into Little Pancakes for tea break. Hee.

Ale wanted to go on to the merry-go-round after our snack. Well, she didn't exactly say it but I knew what she wanted. Anyhow, it was the one ride with virtually no queues... but that's besides the point.

She DID enjoy it so much that she went on it for FIVE times.

Meanwhile, the brothers were enjoying another type of merry-go-round fun on their own.

And yes, I can confirm they did have ample fun indeed. Double confirm that too.

Our last attraction of the day came in the form The Maze, which took us through many turns and dead-ends.

The most fun part has got to be when we were crossing the wooden bridge over a river - unsuspecting us got blasted by jets of water!

We would have loved to stay longer at the Theme Park to catch the spectacular (or so I read) Night Watershow which comes complete with Fireworks! But the Theme Park isn't exactly near Amsterdam, and we had to take a 2-hour train and bus journey in order for us to get back to our hotel.

And so, we had to bid our farewells to this thoroughly enjoyable theme park.

Well...  we did relent and let the monkies go on the playground for one final round. :P

With that, our final full day in Netherlands came to an end and that meant we would be heading back to Singapore the next day! But not before having a final dose of adventure! ;)

See MORE photos of our Day 6 Adventures in our Awesome Amsterdam album on our Cheekiemonkies' Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.349364561810486.80573.110845722329039&type=1

The great Zespri Kiwifruit Giveaway!

Sponsored post

Over the past 2 weeks, we have been sharing the goodness of Zespri Green and Gold Kiwifruits via our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Not to mention gorging ourselves silly with Kiwifruits, but we love them!

Not only did we love eating them just the way they are, we also found time to concoct a Kiwifruit milkshake for Daddy & Mummy too!

But there isn't the only way to enjoy a Kiwifruit; there are lots of other ways too - check out the Zespri website for more recipe ideas!

In our previous post, we have touched on the whole lot of nutrients that one Zespri Kiwifruit packs. And it is A LOT.

Besides having 5 times the nutrition of apples, twice the Vitamin C of oranges and more essential nutrients than 27 other popular fruits, the Kiwifruit is an excellent source of fibre and Actinidin the latter being a unique digestive enzyme which aids in promoting protein digestion.

But that's not all. Zespri Kiwifruit is also a good source of folate, an essential nutrient for cell growth and development. In addition, it contains a wide range of antioxidants which help to reduce the risk of many degenerative conditions, such as cardiovascular disease.

Are you still with us yet? Hee hee... So just by making it this far, we will reward our faithful readers - that's YOU! - with a Zespri Kiwifruit GIVEAWAY!

There are tons and tons of goodies to be given away! There are the Aprons, gloves and kitchen sponges which come in the shape of a kiwifruit. Then there are the handy compartment boxes which allow you to conveniently bring along the goodness of a kiwifruit wherever you go. And it comes with a spive (spoon + knife - geddit?) too!

The two cutest of the lot has got to be the Massage Cushion and the Kiwifruit thumbdrives, don't you think?

See - even mei-mei loves the cushion.

So how do you stand a chance to win these fabulous goodies?

Just form THREE words with this - ZESPRI KIWIFRUIT

The words have to made up of at least three letters, so 'SIT' is one example you can form with ZESPRI KIWIFRUIT. And don't worry - even if someone has come up with a particular word, you can repeat it. We very chin-chai one. :p

There are 3 Grand Prizes and 3 Consolation Prizes to be won! 

So participate by leaving your answer either in THIS BLOG POST, or in the FACEBOOK POST of this article.

Winners will be determined randomly and contest is open to residents in Singapore only.

Contest ends 19th August (Sunday) 2012 at 2359 hours, so good luck! :)

Of Cupcakes and Birthdays

(Daddy celebrates)

After Ayd's Angry Birds Birthday Party last year, I have been racking my brain to choose a theme for his 6th Birthday this year. Just when everything looked bleak, out popped Genius R Us who came to my rescue by offering to sponsor Ayd's Birthday party!

Established in 2002, Genius R Us is in the child enrichment business by specializing in Baking and Crafting Workshops for kids, and of course organizing Birthday Parties as well.

There are essentially 2 Birthday Party Packages to choose from - Superior and Premium. You can view the packages in further detail HERE. We got the Premium Package, and Ayd chose the Cupcakes Baking activity from its Kidz Can Bake! options.

When we arrived, everything was already set in place.

And I could tell that Ayd was immensely happy and raring to get started!

But first, all the kids had to be dressed in appropriate outfits. And so out came the aprons and Baker hats... the kids looked really cute in those outfits if you ask me. Heh.

When all of our guests had arrived, it was time to get messy!

The Birthday Party had three instructors for thirteen kids, which is adequate I thought. And though the kids were itching to get started, they had to listen to some of the instructions laid down by the instructors first.

The kids were then told of the Cupcakes' recipe and the various ingredients that go into a Cupacake.

Pretty straightforward huh?

And then, the moment that all the kids had been waiting for!

Most of the ingredients - butter, sugar, flour and ovalette (also known as sponge cake stabiliser) - had to be weighed accurately on a scale and the kids performed rather admirably on their own.

And if the kids needed help, the adults would be on hand to lend them a helping hand. To be frank, I think the parents were only to happy to get involved as it really looked the kids were enjoying themselves lots!

The eggs went in last, and it was the process of cracking the eggs that got the kids really boisterous. I figured it was due to the fact that most of the kids were cracking eggs for the first time. And the squeals of excitement whenever an egg cracked were quite a joy to hear actually.

When the final egg went into the mixture, it was done!

Then the kids took turns to use an electric whisk to turn their work of art into a gooey mixture.

Yup, it was really gooey all right.

The final step had to be the easiest (but messiest) part - scooping the mixture into the individual cupcake liners.

ALL done!

And while the cupcakes went for some tanning in the oven, the kids filled their tummies with some party food.

The pasta was especially popular with the kids. Ayd had THREE servings of the pasta alone, and he wasn't the only one. It must really have been tasty then. Either that, or the kids were extremely famished!

No wonder all the kids had such happy faces after they were done with the food.

And not a moment too soon, because the cupcakes were ready!

The second part of the party had the kids decorating their own cupcakes and as usual, they were given some instructions beforehand.

There were fresh cream in various colours and toppings for the kids to choose from, and each kid had 4 cupcakes each to unleash their creativity.

Just look at the intense concentration on most of the kids' faces as they proceeded to beautify their own cupcakes. Erm, except for one kid though... who was caught eating on the job.

OOPS.

But for the other kids, they were soon done with their respective cupcakes and to say that they were mighty proud of their own creation was an understatement.

All the cupcakes then congregated onto a cupcake stand which was placed next to Ayd's Birthday cake for the party's finale - Cake-cutting!

All the cupcakes look pretty together, no?

Ayd then got into position...

And the usual Birthday procedures got underway. :)

There was still dessert to be served, which came in the form of mini ice cream cones.

Happy birthday Ayd! Hope you had a fantastic time at your Birthday Party!

A special thanks to all our friends and kids who came to the party. I hope that you had a great time baking your very own cupcakes as well!

Thanks also, to Genius R Us for having us and accommodating such a noisy bunch of kids. All of us had a blast!

Visit our Cheekiemonkies Facebook album for more photos of Ayd's Party!

For more details on the baking and craft workshops that Genius R Us conducts, please visit their website HERE. For Birthday Party packages, please click HERE.