Trip to Oz Begins

Craig's second trip to Australia began on Aug. 22 with a 4-hour flight to Singapore. Those interested in having a look at Craig's first trip to Oz can look here.

Craig was extremely happy to get off the plane in Singapore and had great fun running through Changi Airport. His Mum fell so far behind that she's not even in this picture.


He amused many passers-by when he began dancing in time with some music coming out of a Johnnie Walker promotional stand. Craig's Dad thought it was very cute, too.


Craig became quite unhappy when he was being walked onto the flight from Singapore to Brisbane. He would probably have been even more unhappy if he'd known that it was going to be a 7 1/2 hour flight! :< After finally arriving in Brisbane Craig was once again happy to be off the airplane. Even though it was a quite chilly 15 degrees Celsius outside and a cold wind was blowing, Craig didn't stop smiling as he made his way out to the train between the international and domestic terminals.


Even though it was slightly warmer when standing out in the sun, Craig's Dad was surprised by the backpackers in the background of this photo who seemed to think sunshine = short-sleeves weather!


Over at the domestic terminal Craig continued to celebrate his happiness about not being on an airplane. He ran around as much as possible despite only having slept about five hours on the overnight flight from Singapore to Brisbane.


The tiredness finally caught up with him on the flight from Brisbane to Rockhampton. Craig crashed as soon as the plane took off and didn't wake up until he was carried off the plane in Rocky. Not long later, he was in Yeppoon when his parents took him to a local supermarket where his tiredness seemed to catch up with him again. Encouraging his son to not lie on the floor of a supermarket was not the way Craig's Dad had pictured the beginning of his holiday.


Back at Craig's Grandparent's house, Craig began playing the same type of games that he plays at home. That was a sign that he was getting back to normal.

He Needs a New Bathtub Soon

The little blue bathtub that sits in the bathroom waiting for Craig to play in every day is now starting to look a bit small.


Of course, it doesn't help when the footstool Craig's Mum sits on when she is cleaning him becomes just another bath toy.


Craig has a lot of fun in his tiny bath but Craig's Dad thinks that so much of Craig sticks out above the water that it must feel a bit cold for the boy. The only solution would be a new, bigger bath.

Flying Cow Ranch

Yes folks, that's the real name of a real place here in Taiwan, Flying Cow Ranch.

Craig's Mum and Dad rented a car for a trip to meet some of Craig's Mum's former university classmates. Craig's Mum tried to feed the boy breakfast before they left but he wasn't very accommodating.

Craig was pretty happy about getting out of the car and didn't mind the long uphill walk from the car park.

The first order of business was lunch. However, Craig spent more time playing than eating.

So, he was pretty happy about being allowed out of the highchair and being allowed to run around outside. Strangely, he soon began snacking on biscuits from his Mum's backpack.

Although it was a very hot day Craig had a good time running around in the shade provided by a nice long line of trees.

One of the other dads who Craig's Dad nicknamed The King of Kids had brought a little bottle of soapy water and two little doohickeys for blowing bubbles.

The little girls in attendance loved chasing the bubbles but Craig seemed a bit bewildered as to what to do.




Then, it was time to go and see some of the animals kept on the farm.

Craig liked the goats more than the rabbits.

But he seemed to like the sheep most of all. A few times he had to be pulled away because the sheep were eating leaves fed to them by lots of children and Craig's Dad doubted the sheep would know or care if one of Craig's fingers accidentally got in the way.

Craig's Mum helped Craig have a turn at feeding a sheep.

The group then went on a long walk that took them along a path through a forest with Craig leading the way. At one point, Craig looked back to see if everyone was keeping up.

Because the road ahead was still quite long.

But, along the way, there were a lot of lovely butterflies.

Eventually, they came to a little place where they could sit and rest but Craig was more interested in these small towers that were part of a cooling system for a greenhouse where butterflies were being bred. He even managed to pull a handful of green slime out of the water just for fun.

Then, the walk continued towards a lookout.


The view from the top was pretty good.

So a family picture was taken.

All that walking had worn out some of the other kids.



But, Craig and some of the girls were still going strong!



However, Craig had done an enormous amount of walking for such a tiny boy that day and it was no surprise when he slept most of the way home in the car. He awoke temporarily when they stopped at a rest area but they couldn't stay long because it was already after 8:30 and the rental car had to be back by 10:00.

Talking on the Intercom

Craig has become very good at talking .... unfortunately his parents are still unable to understand much of what he says. He will strike up a conversation with himself at almost any time but he especially likes to speak into the intercom next to the front door.

These two videos should give a better idea of what I'm talking about. Enjoy.

Back to Bai Sha Wan

Just two weeks after their last visit, Craig and his parents were back at Bai Sha Wan for another overnight stay on Saturday. As is his habit, the first thing Craig did when he walked into the hotel room was to start playing with the phone.


But soon he was on the beach playing with the sand.


Craig helped with the digging but insisted on placing the handfuls of sand he had dug up in Craig's Dad's hand and nowhere else. Efficiency is not his major concern.


Just like on his his previous visit Craig was the center of attention for many young women on the beach. The girl in the green dress hung around for so long that her boyfriend came over to join her. She was fascinated by Craig and thought his blonde hair was very special. Craig's Dad thought she stared at Craig a bit too much for comfort.


But, in her defense, it should be said that it's natural some girls will think Craig is very handsome, don't you think?


Craig was so pleased about playing at the beach that he stayed for hours right through the time that would normally be his afternoon nap. And, when he was taken back to the hotel room to wash the salt off and have a snack he was too excited to sleep.


But, when his parents went to have something to eat and drink while watching the sunset, Craig dropped straight off to sleep in his pram.


So, Craig's Mum and Dad had some peace and quiet while the sun moved lower in the sky. The nachos were just OK, and the chicken fingers not too bad....


But the mango smoothie was excellent!


The scene in front of them was serene.



After a brief nap, Craig was then taken for a walk. It was such a long walk, Craig's Mum thought that Craig might be tired and want to sleep early.


But Craig had other ideas. After eating a banana..


And, reading a bedtime story to himself....


He was still not sleepy at 10:30pm! Instead of sleeping, he helped his Dad eat a packet of chips!!


There are no pictures of Craig on the beach the next morning. The first picture was taken at lunch when Craig decided that not enough people had seen his belly-button.


After a strangely expensive (or perhaps overpriced would be more accurate) lunch, Craig was soon on a bus back to Danshui. He began to look tired very quickly.


And his Mum's chest is a great place to sleep.


Back in Taipei, Craig had dinner at an outdoor restaurant on the roof of a department store not far from home.


It wasn't as nice as watching the sun set at the beach but Craig had a good time just the same.