Merentas Desa 越野跑步 at Penang Botanic Gardens

What a walk! We joined 姐姐 for her school event "Merentas Desa" or 越野跑步 at Penang Botanic Gardens (huh, what desa?). She pestered us to go as she always wanted to join whatever activities organized by the school. Besides, their teachers already dangle the "carrot" to children with a souvenir for those who completed the run. We have no idea what the activity is about, so just go for the experience.

We were up early as merentas desa will start at 7:15pm at Taman Kuari. There's a huge jam leading to Botanic Gardens and tonnes of cars parked all along the road. We found later there's a few activities on-going at Botanic Gardens at the same time. Pity the morning walkers/joggers who got caught in jam with us. Can't help it! Gosh it's a steep walk up to the Taman Kuari!

At Taman Kuari, before start time.

This photo manage to capture the nice green hill

Only school children in the Anniversary t-shirt gets a souvenir, it's stationary set.

We didn't know what route will be taken, and it was a steep walk uphill. We keep encouraging both children to persevere on. The view was breathtaking but we didn't take any photos. We didn't know there is not really a time limit. Being a bit kiasu, we didn't wanna be the last group to arrive. Glad that we finally made it back to the Taman Kuari which is both the starting and ending point. In fact we're very proud of them to make it as I was also panting and tired (爸爸 as usual berlagak and say bor rasa). 姐姐 was very happy with souvenir she got, and she generously shared one of the pencils with 弟弟. Everyone got a coconut with brown sugar bun and a lucky draw number. Too bad we didn't get any lucky draw as prizes are limited.

弟弟 said he don't wanna join next year since don't get souvenir and his legs are aching and tired from the hike. After much convincing that he will get souvenir once he join as standard 1 student, he said "OK la, if got gift I will go".

How to overcome the current hot day

Go swimming of course! I had a cough and sore throat. Probably from exam month stress :P Therefore finally we have some photos from the pool. 弟弟 also agreed do not need to hold onto my neck in the pool. See them have fun here...



弟弟：姐姐! 帮我拿那ball 来!


Got it!


Nose the ball like a seal :)


Chase the ball together



Nice catch!


By himself... 犹毅。。。


Getting confident..


"V"!


Play ball again



弟弟 learning how to move in the pool with a float. It's a start...


After swimming, we had some 甘薯银耳汤 cooked with ginger and rock sugar. Suppose to be good for those with weaker breathing system - 呼吸系统较弱者.

Then both children knocked off until dinner time :)

Fun at playground

Or perhaps more of a disguised exercise session. Hopefully this will help to build up their stamina and to get healthier. We had some fun at our neighbourhood playground which some new exercise gears were installed recently. Every time we pass the playground, 姐姐and弟弟 will want tostop, but usually it's just after school or we're bound for some other places. This playground is super hot during the evening, but the children didn't mind.

There was another couple with their tween children. Before we know it, ours will be tweens soon too.

Swimming

We had been swimming at the pool these couple of weekends. Since all of us are wet didn't get any photos. It's quite good exercise, really.

First time visiting the pool after long absence, 弟弟 was too excited, rushed in and fell. 爸爸 did not manage to grab him for a short few seconds and he came back saying he drowned :P Even though it's just the baby pool of 2 ft and the water only reach his chest. He was nervous when we went for 2nd time. He hold onto my neck, only after lots of coaxing that he agree to walk on his own with a float, but he have to hold onto either 爸爸's or 妈妈's hands. Still bit by bit he forgot about being scared and dare to walk on his own. He is still more afraid of cold and we're thinking to get him a swim shirt since we're utilizing the pool more.

姐姐 had more improvement, she can start to move in the water and do a few swimming actions with the arm floats.