Tuesday, April 04, 2006

A day on the farm..

One of the video that Aaqil likes to watch is "Baby McDonald - A day on the farm" by Baby Einstein. He loves the puppet show and the theme song of course. If I need a 45-min rest to read newspaper or do my own things, I will put the show on. Watching a video or whatever they called education tools for babies, it is known as passive learning (but it is still learning) and I have been waiting for the right time to show him what is a real farm and see and feel the real animals. And God granted my wish last Sunday when my family and my younger sis went for a short getaway to Ostrich Farm at Telok Ramunia, Johor, nearby Desaru.

We first had our lunch at Tebrau Mall, well although the name is so not catchy, but my sister said it was the largest in SEA. I did not had a chance to shop for anything as my better half is on my back. Actually some tops from Elle caught my attention but from outside the boutique, I heard Omar said "Why do you still wanna put on baby's tops? They are meant for babies and not adults..." Anyway I was totally aware of that but window shopping is no harm. Exercising that is!!! Anyway after we had our lunch at Secret Recipe, Omar already signalled me to go, he just cannot stand the shopping complex environment and even though my adrenaline shopping hormone was just about to rise, I decided to leave also since the crowds were building up. Aaqil had some good time at the Jusco indoor playground park. It was so huge but no camera allowed so no pics of Aaqil being bullied by other kids. And the breastfeeding room was excellent. Lots of room and clean. I am so glad that Malaysia now is encouraging breastfeeding. Did I tell you that most government offices in Johor now have one breastfeeding room for the working moms and visitors. My Malaysia, truly asia, I am so proud of being Malaysian.

We straight away headed towards Pengerang using trunk roads. It took us almost 90 mins of driving. Upon reaching, we found an eating place near the seaside. Had 'mee hailam' which was really spicy yet delicious. Aaqil had chinese fried rice and deep inside I was hoping both Omar and him will not get diarrhea. It was just me..because I know I can take most food but not Omar. He has a very sensitive stomach when come to new recipes.

Finally we reached our final true destination. This ostrich farm has more than 300 oastriches. They started with 20 from South africa. Aaqil was frightened at first looking at the strange huge birds which were quite friendly. They had some tamed ostriches and all of us had a chance to touch and give them food. Aaqil was really entertained and me and Omar endlessly talking to him, introduce him to chicken, monkeys, roosters, baby oastriches and other kinds of birds. It was really a great experience too to feel ostrich eggs. We can step on the eggs if we are less than 100 kg and it will not break, on sand of course.

Bottomline, for right now, whatever trips we are planning, are meant to be for Aaqil and the trips planned had to be as educational as possible for that young mind. We do encountered some who didn't believe that the young ones will understand at such an age. Well, I don't know about them but thank GOD, it has worked for Aaqil, for he has pronounced 'Ostrich' as 'Oos-tert'.