Monday, April 1, 2013

weekend fun

We were super excited this past Sunday to check out the BBB Arts Flea Market, held at the National Museum. I was mainly interested in the crafting aspect of course, though there were also supposed to be vintage and edible goodies as well. Crafting is not as big here as one might hope, and I was curious to see how many non-Louis-Vuitton-addicted craftsters there were out there.

A kiss before starting anything is always good.

The market covered two floors of the museum; this was the entranceway to the second level. The red chandeliers overhead are engineered to keep swinging in a continuous wave-like pattern.

The floor space was large, but many of the displays were disappointingly small. I heard two ladies describe the crafts as "factory-made" and "commercialised"; I think they meant that quite a few of the tables were displaying things which simply looked like mass-produced stuff you could find at the mall.

We had more fun on the first floor. There were lots of edibles, baked goodies and such; here, the kids choose from some rainbow-coloured cupcakes.

Then we met this lady -- Tammy -- who runs Dottinghill, a project of her and her husband's company Dots Connection (more on this in my next post!). They had this huge table of temporary body tattoos, featuring some really cool and unusual designs; not the usual, run-of-the-mill roses and dagger stuff, if you know what I mean.

The kids, of course, were all over the pieces, because they're just into the whole temporary tattoo thing, so I let them choose a few. They had the sweetest designs -- adorable little characters and animals -- in lovely, soft shades and intricate, henna-like patterns.

The young lady who was helping us introduced me to Tammy, who explained the premise of Dottinghill (which is really pretty cool and which I'll go into in my next post). Then, quite unexpectedly, she asked if the kids could help model some of the tattoos! Well, of course the kids were jumping at the chance to have the things applied to them there and then -- Tammy gave them each a really cute bear standing under a polka-dot gumball shower.

There's Ro admiring Tammy's handiwork, and Becky looking pleased as pie. Tammy was so thoughtful as to give us the tattoos we'd chosen earlier too!

One neat thing about attending the flea market was the fact that the rest of the museum was open for free. Since the kids themselves were keen to explore the place, I let them.

While a lot of the museum's architecture has been modernised, much of its 19th-century features have been retained, like this old spiral staircase.

The girls were fascinated by this poor stuffed toddy cat, otherwise known as the Asian Palm Civet.

It is apparently a ferocious little thing.

Ro listening to information on island ecologies. 

Heading into the photography gallery.

Expatriate children with their amah.

What having two wives looks like.

That's a life-size cutout he's posing with.

Aren't they pretty -- the lady on the left especially exemplifies the look of the roaring 20s.

A puppet theatre in the wayang gallery. Wayang refers to a theatrical performance with puppets or human performers.

Detail of above. I have no idea what is going on.

Antique puppets.

The elaborate costumes of the wayang

Fantastic embroidery work.

Becky using the museum's audio-visual guide. It's a handheld thing you use in the history gallery. Every time you reach one of those numbers on the floor, you key it in and the thing tells you stuff. I was pretty tired by this point and didn't bother getting one; I just followed the kids mindlessly.

Those were simpler times back then.

A picture because we were suddenly surrounded by mirrors and some film. Like I said, I had no idea what was going on.

Escalators at the train station. The things man can build...

While the flea market was a bit of a let-down for me, the kids had a grand time, which was the main thing. Here they are sitting in a pretend living room, happy as always :)

24 comments:

Sara said...

I love flea markets and museums so the combination of both seems amazing! I am glad you and the girls had an amazing time, I think it is very important to kids to go to flea markets, to see different things other than the ordinary commercial stuff and also increases their creativity don't you think?

The tattoos also seems adorable,I mean when we think of tattoo we think in a very specific style so to see different illustrations is perfect!

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

What a fun day out full of great visual and cultural stimulation! I love that the flea market was held inside the museum.

Rowena @ rolala loves

AntiquityTravelers said...

what a fun idea to have a flee market at a museum! and better yet, your girls look like they had a great day! I occasionally get the "I'm tired" and "when are we leaving" questions. But your girls are such troopers!

sanae (sanaeishida.com) said...

What an amazing museum! Too bad the flea market was a letdown, but those tattoos rock!

Katarina Kljajic said...

It seems that you spend wonderful time touring the museum. Everything seems very interesting. It can see that your two gorgeous little girls had a really great time.

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

What an amazing tour! Even if you hadn't written a word, the photos would have spoken volumes. I must admit that I was drawn to the cupcakes. I don't always feel like eating them, but I do love how colourful they are. I like making them just to add that vibrancy to the kitchen! And that staircase is wonderful. How nice that it was left in place. It's nice to have some of the old amongst the new.

It looks like it was a wonderful day. When my girls were small, they loved those temporary tattoos. The younger one still does in a way, although she'd never admit to it.

These are the things you will remember with your kids, and what they'll remember from their childhood: the fun times you shared together!

Dee said...

The museum is fantastic,,,,the tattoos are a unique change. Your girls look so sweet.

Laura S. said...

Your kids are adorable! They look like they were having a good time. I always enjoyed doing fun things like this when I was a kid. Have a great week!

Happy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

Magic Love Crow said...

Wow!! What a beautiful building! I am sorry the flea market was a let down, but there was many other treasures there! The tattoos are cool! So cute!! The costumes are beautiful! Love the old pictures! The toddy cat did look ferocious! I don't blame you for being tired! Looks like a big building! Take care and thanks for sharing all of this ;o)

Rosemary said...

You seem to be instilling in your girls a great sense of adventure and curiosity. Good for them! They look so adorable in your first and last photo, they start and end the same way - together :)

Unknown said...

I am glad your girls had a great time at the museum! Too bad it wasn't as great for you :(

That does look like a ferocious little cat! I liked the vintage photographs they really tell stories but cannot imagine being wife #1 or wife #2 :/

Libby said...

You always find such interesting places to share with your girls. These experiences will last a lifetime. And yes, I love those vintage hats. My mom gave me a book this summer on vintage attire by decades. Love it!

Sulky Kitten said...

It's a shame that the flea market was a disappointment, but at least the girls had their tattoos and the rest of the museum to keep them amused. if they ever have another flea market you might think of getting yourself a stall to show off all your beautiful handiwork.

willowday said...

Thank you for these pictures! It's like a I'm able to travel there with you! Thank you.

Pizziricco said...

i echo wot Magic Love Crow said wot a beautiful bldg, and that spiral staircase ... leading to ...? the bldg itself is a museum piece & worth visiting just to "feel" it's vibes. am sure it holds memories for the older gen who might actually know where that spiral staircase leads to. u're also giving me incentive to save & visit yr lil island in the sun, for such a tiny island state it is so happening, so modern & yet making sure cultural roots still entrenched. u seem to hve the best of both worlds. Ps: tink it's great idea of that lady's to hve yr wares on offer next flea mart.

Venus-Suburbia Soup said...

What an amazing flee market! Way better than the ones I've been to by far! Your girls are growing to be such beautiful little ladies... how could anyone not have them model for them!

Bodil Loïs Huisman said...

Great photos. Looks like the kids had a great time :)

LOVE BO,
PurePreciousPerfection.com

jessanneharrop said...

Looks very cool and fun! And your girls are precious!

Audrey said...

Hmmmm, there's a shop I have in mind that would make a great booth at said flea market. What's the name again? Oh yes, it's Bikbik & Roro. (smile)

Love those temporary tattoos!!! AND the roaring 20's photo. So beautiful!

Miss Val's Creations said...

What a great venue for a flea market even though it was a let down. Luckily the girls had a blast! Those tattoos look fun! The photography exhibit looks amazing. That has always been my favorite art medium.

momto8 said...

wow..what an interestingg fun and educational day!! good for all of you!

Sweet Tea said...

I loved seeing this flea market through your camera lens! Your girls are adorable and make wonderful "models" for your photos. I enjoyed seeing all the sights, especially the fancy, temporary tatoos!

Linda said...

The children look so cute! Thanks for sharing the flea market and museum. Your photos are excellent.

Fundy Blue said...

I'm so glad I went back to see if I missed anything on your blog, B&R! This post was wonderful. I'm so glad that I found it. You have such sweet daughters. I suffer from museum overload pretty quickly if I stop to read everything. I hope that your day is going well!

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