It has been two years since we have been home. Turns out this one is a homecoming to remember. We are all excited about the return to Australia and although I have loved visiting Hong Kong on the way (and wishing we could have stayed a bit longer), I feel an overwhelming surge of sentimentality as we touch down in Sydney after an(other) overnight flight.… Read the rest
Versailles
Versailles, Treasures from the Palace, a wonderful exhibition at the the National Gallery of Australia (NGA). I’m in the Christmas lull – coming down from all the excitement and expectations, frantic present and grocery shopping, planning, packing, traveling and the glorious high of a family Christmas Eve, Santa’s visit and too much Christmas Day lunch. … Read the rest
Ballooning
“Did you know that ours is the only Parliament House in the world that you can get clearance to fly over [in a hot air balloon]?”. I think about this for a moment and I’m not sure whether to be proud of, or concerned by, this fact.… Read the rest
Kurrawa Beach
Frolicking in the surf on Kurrawa Beach it’s hard to take this sparkling May day for granted. I know that soon, Queensland’s long summer will give way to chilly nights and cooler days but for now, winter still seems out of sight.… Read the rest
Tweed Billabong
If you’re a fashionista, tweed and billabongs definitely do not mix. If you love camping and the great outdoors, you might not find too much use for tweed during your adventures (unless you’re in Scotland). … Read the rest
Spice Den
I wanted to visit Santai Retreat. Jason wanted to go to Spice Den, a restaurant that had been recommended to him. Thankfully it turned out to be one and the same! Spice Den at Santai Retreat near Kingscliff spruiks itself as ‘modern Thai fusion’ food. … Read the rest
Manly
It feels like we’re living life in high definition as we make our way to Manly to catch up with friends visiting from England. The day couldn’t be more perfect and the colour of the sand and the sky are intense as we make our way down to the beach. … Read the rest
Taronga Zoo
I remember visiting Sydney when I was little and especially Taronga Zoo. It was a special event to go to Sydney, the ‘big city’ from the capital, Canberra, which was sleepy in comparison. … Read the rest
Bribie Island
Bribie Island is the northernmost and most populated of the three sand islands that form Moreton Bay in Queensland, Australia. Being accessible to the mainland by road, Bribie Island is also the easiest to get to by far.
On a good day, you can be here in 45 minutes (from Brisbane), although those that commute know that’s not realistic at 8am on a Monday morning, or perhaps more importantly, 5pm on a Friday afternoon.… Read the rest
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
A day out today at the beautiful rainforest of Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve just outside Malaney. We pack up early and meet the neighbours out the front at a pre-arranged time – not too early for a Sunday morning but not so late that the kids won’t last the day – a fine balance that mothers are aptly attuned to but that can still go terribly wrong without warning.… Read the rest