Helsinki

Helsinki Cathedral on Senate Square

Finland’s capital, Helsinki, sits on a southern peninsula in the Gulf of Finland.  We have arrived at the port and I’m itching to get into the city but as usual, it’s a bit chaotic getting five people ready and out the door in the morning.  … Read the rest

Venice Of The North

Venice of the North

Today we get to experience St. Petersburg’s canals.  Alexander the Great founded this city as his own and had a vision to turn it into the Venice of the North, criss-crossing the city with canals to provide a means of transport as well as beauty.… Read the rest

A Taste Of St. Petersburg

A taste of old Russia at Eliseyev Emporium

After a day of exploring Peterhof and the Catherine Palace at Pushkin, I’m ready to delve into St. Petersburg proper.  After dropping the rest of the tour group back at the port, mum and I are taken to the metro at Primorskaya where we are handed over to another guide for the evening. … Read the rest

Brad’s Brunchology

Yalumba’s Brunchology

All good parties have a serious side that goes along with the fun.  Today’s party for Brad’s 40th has a good deal of both! Let’s Brunchology!

My friend Diana (wife of said birthday boy), has given up a girls’ weekend, organised a surprise birthday party with 33 guests, plus other weekend surprises (a mini break at the Burj Al Arab no less) as well as having coordinated a house move in the last week. … Read the rest

Tbilisi, Georgia

Domes of the Sulphur Baths

I awake on my first morning in Tbilisi, Georgia excited at exploring all that my First Impressions promise.  My travel companion, Diana, has arrived during the night and despite a restless sleep, I only doze a little before being ready to hit the town, so to speak.… Read the rest

Triathlon

Flying through the finish line

I’m not sure how many adults would attempt a triathlon – even a mini one.  Ask me to swim 200m, cycle 5km and then 1km back to back and I could probably do it.  Probably.  I’m not sure that I would be able to muster much enthusiasm for it though. … Read the rest

A Whirlwind Tour

Global Village

A long anticipated visit has come to fruition resulting in a whirlwind tour.  We had a wonderful time staying with Ricky & Clare in Buckinghamshire last year and it was the very next day after we left them that we heard they’d booked for a trip with a stopover to visit us in Dubai.… Read the rest