This year, we decided to trade Christmas chaos for an unforgettable family adventure in Singapore. With Lisa, Harrison (newly 7), and Jasper (4, but acts 14), we packed our bags, gathered our passports, and braced ourselves for a whirlwind trip full of lights, laughs, and just a pinch of chaos.
Christmas Magic on Orchard Road
Singapore knows how to do Christmas. The lights on Orchard Road weren’t just festive—they were spectacular. Think glowing arches, oversized baubles, and enough sparkle to power a small city. Naturally, the boys were mesmerized (and so were we).
Harrison and Jasper couldn’t resist darting around, treating every light display like a mini adventure. Meanwhile, Lisa and I did our best to steer them away from climbing on decorations marked “Do Not Touch” & “Danger – High Voltage”.
Family Time and Festive Feasts
Christmas Day was all about family. We spent it with my big brother Rob, sister-in-law Gin Nah, and their daughter, Harmony, who my boys adore. Watching Harrison and Jasper open presents with their cousin was pure joy—tearing paper, squeals of delight, and the kind of chaos only kids can create.
Harmony is like their superhero, and they soaked up every moment with her (since their yearly meet-ups are way too rare). Meals were filled with laughter, delicious food, and a fair bit of sibling banter.
It’s always a treat catching up with Rob while the kids played the Ukulele and games and threw their best paper airplanes (one was made so well it even flew out the apartment window).
Harrison’s 7th Birthday (and the Fire Hazard Cake)
Harrison had the time of his life celebrating his birthday in Singapore. The star of the show? His cake, complete with trick candles that just wouldn’t stay blown out. The boys found this hilarious, though I spent most of the time wondering if we were about to set off the fire alarm. Crisis averted, and we all agreed it was the best birthday yet!
Exploration and Energy-Burning Adventures
The Singapore Science Centre and Trick-Eye Museum were highlights for everyone. Harrison and Jasper were completely captivated by the optical illusions and interactive exhibits—so much so that prying them away was like convincing a cat to take a bath.
Kidztopia was another big win. Slides, ball pits, climbing walls—it was like a sensory wonderland for the boys and a much-needed energy-burner for us. Watching them tackle the ninja obstacle course was both impressive and exhausting just to watch.
Cable Cars and Ice Cream Firsts
The cable car rides to and from Sentosa were a mix of awe and terror. Harrison and Jasper clung tightly to their seats (and us) but eventually warmed up to the experience. Jasper also had his very first taste of vanilla ice cream on this trip—he’s officially hooked.
And let’s not forget: Harrison lost his first tooth! The Tooth Fairy even managed to find us in Singapore.
Memories to Last a Lifetime
This trip was everything we hoped for—family time, new experiences, and a whole lot of laughter. From the dazzling Christmas lights to the countless adventures with the boys, it’s safe to say Singapore gave us a holiday to remember.
As we boarded the flight home, with Jasper still talking about ball pits and Harrison proudly showing off his tooth gap, we couldn’t help but feel grateful. Here’s to more adventures, more laughs, and maybe fewer trick candles next year!
Ray Chua 