Marty & Lianne

Saigon - Buffalo Tours

2013-05-22T21:53:00.000+10:00

To help us find our way around Saigon we booked a half day city tour. Our first stop was the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office:

Notre Dame Cathedral

The Cathedral was Built between 1877 and 1883, it is a fine example of French colonial architecture. Remarkably, every stone used in its creation was shipped from France to Vietnam. The two forty metre towers, topped with iron spires, still dominate the city’s skyline. The Old Post Office is another example of French colonial architecture and is also Vietnam's largest post office.

But the thing that intrigued us girls the most was all the brides having their photos taken outside the Post Office. It is customary for Vietnamese to have their wedding photos taken in white wedding gowns, but when the wedding day arrives they wear a traditional red!

We visited the Reunification Palace but did not go in..... To the Vietnamese this is one of the most important buildings in the city. On April 30th 1975 the ‘American War’ (as they call it!) officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.

Instead we were offered a trip to a lacquer & eggshell painting studio. We were so pleased we took this option. They had some of the most beautiful works from not only paintings, but jewellery, plates, bowls, trays & even furniture.

Little Miss Charlie again stole the limelight, we lost sight of her at one point & when I looked around the corner to see, there she was entertaining the entire shop staff of 10 to 15 people... Oh how the Vietnamese love children!

The War Remnants Museum formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes is a poignant display of the futility of war.

The courtyard outside contains the spoils of war, namely rusting jets, tanks and cannons captured from the American military machine. Inside there are many photos that are particularly moving, & horrific. I felt sick through some it & extreme sadness through the rest. I am still blown away by the beauty & kindness of the people here when they have lived through such atrocity.

I still remember as a child, my Mum & Dad watched the six o'clock news every night, & night after night the Vietnam War (as we called it) was brought alive in our lounge room - not exactly dinner time entertainment! Our tour guide was concerned as to how I would be affected by this visit. Even writing this now the thought makes my eyes water. How can you visit this place & not be effected?

Last stop of the tour Binh Tay Market selling everything from hats to dried squid, & of course shoes & handbags! It is a busy bustling market & don't think for one minute that you are going to get around with a minute of peace.

(Imagine Vietnamese voice over the din) " Look tee shirt your size, what colour you want"? "Yes, look here, I have nice dress", " come in, come in, take a look" & this is what happens every time you even look sideways at a stall. However, if this is not your thing & you don't like to barter then you can go to the stalls on the outer edge of the market that are government run. You get to look in peace & the prices are all set, & are very reasonable.

Vietnam The Learning

2012-10-29T14:27:00.000+10:00

Ok so crossing the road in Saigon (Ho Chi Min City, whatever you prefer to call it) is an issue. There are Tourist Police that are there to help you, which we were lucky enough to find on the first day as we were overwhelmed when we came to a road that was ,insanely busy. There are not many crossings & if you happen to find a Zebra Crossing, don't be fooled into believing this is a safe place to cross because believe me IT IS NOT..!!

The trick to crossing the road is this...... Just step out off the curb & keep walking, believe it or not the traffic will just go around you, it's that simple! (absolutely terrifying the first time). If you have any doubts & cannot find the Tourist Police, (they are dressed in green but he way) just find a 'local' & cross with them! We are pro's at it now & believe that crossing the road in Saigon is uniquely & totally safe once you have learnt how!

Mad traffic...!!!

Food is cheap if you choose not to eat in the hotels & eat where the locals do. I could feed my family of four (or three & a half..!) for $11 Australian dollars, drinks included! You can buy a can of beer at the corner store for less than one Aussie dollar - how good is that?!!

Just about all Vietnamese know english, they learn it at school, but they can read & write it better than they can speak it, and will hand you a pen & paper if the language barrier gets difficult!

Two things you should know about our language differences. Firstly 'Yum' in Vietnamese means I want to 'take you to bed' RIGHT NOW (if you get my drift) When we visited a sweet factory I had the packing ladies giggling as we tasted the sweets & I showed my appreciation "Hmmm Yummm" we were all amused by my faux pas...!!!

Secondly please don't cross your fingers in public. It may mean good luck to us, but in Vietnam it means 'Lady Bits down below'...!!!

Yet another photo for our little Celebrity

The Vietnamese don't like their skin to be dark, they cover themselves from head to toe as fair or white skin is attractive to them. Unlike us who will risk our health & wrinkles for the sake of a tan, oh how I wish we thought fair skin was attractive!

Celebrity Charlie even made it into a wedding photo!

As mentioned we took Little Miss Charlie only two & a half with us. Now this is a 'need to know' if you are traveling with your white european young-in's...... Vietnamese LOVE children, particularly fair skinned children. Charlie got almost celebrity status the moment she stepped off the plane.! It was very hard to shop with her around. We got stopped constantly, they just wanted to touch her, smell her, kiss her & photograph her, which all seems a bit weird now I'm writing about it, but it was perfectly acceptable at the time & Charlie was totally safe. In fact if you are thinking of traveling to Vietnam with small children I would suggest that you use a harness to keep them close to you (we never use one at home), otherwise our experience was one of total safety. Charlie even received the odd gift from admirers!

In Vietnam we found the people sooooo friendly. they truly are beyond beautiful......

Vietnam The Getting there.....

2012-10-24T21:20:00.000+10:00

Pond & Garden inside Singapore

Playground is always a good option

Wanting for my Mums passing to be marked with something special, the girls & I decided to book ourselves a holiday in Vietnam......

I decided to be prepared as I was taking my first-time traveler daughters & my 2year old granddaughter, I didn't want to leave too much to chance so I organised as much as I possibly could before leaving, including travel visas which are required for Vietnam, all accommodation, some tours & all transfers. I opted to fly at night so that Granddaughter Charlie Rose would hopefully sleep through the journey.

After 7 hours in the air we changed planes for our connecting flight at the Singapore airport. For those of you who have never been there Singapore airport is huge! You have to get an air train to get you from one terminal to another, however it is easy to navigate around.

I had to laugh because when we landed & told Charlie we were in Singapore, she starting singing in the terminal...... "Singing Paw, Singing Paw...!!!"

Stop over in 'Singing Paw' really not a problem!

It's just under a two hour flight from Singapore to Ho Chi Min. (or Saigon as he locals seem to prefer to call it)

Getting through Saigon airport is easy, you don't even have to fill out an arrival card! As expected Buffalo Tours were waiting for us to take us to our hotel. We have used Buffalo Tours once before & cannot fault them.

We were lucky with the weather as they had a typhoon just finish the day before our arrival.

Time to get settled & let the exploring begin...... Translated - lets go find shoes & handbags......!!!

Melbourne - what the hell is everyone going on about?

2012-09-13T20:49:00.000+10:00

Graffiti, Graffiti Everywhere.....

Since arriving in Australia 4 years ago, everyone has kept saying to us, we must go to Melbourne, we will love it for the art, design & culture. So flights & hotel booked, off we go to see what all the hype is about.

Ok so we all know that I don't like the cold - strike one against Melbourne - Melbourne can yet really cold. However, I did take advantage of the opportunity to wear my designer coat that I purchased while in New Zealand.

Marty was well prepared for me to shop, bringing an extra large suitcase for me to shop up a storm.......

Well, it didn't happen???

Melbourne has many quirky shops & boutiques, and I thoroughly enjoyed wandering in & out of them, Brunswick Street was my favorite with its boutique bars, cafes & shops. The disappointment is that Melbourne is soooooo excessively overpriced, so much so we thought it a joke!!!

First day out shopping & all I came home with was a disco dishbrush.....!!!???

Quant little houses like this all over Melbourne begging to
be renovated, would love to get my hands on one of these!

Marty & I found the city a little too spread out & not so easy to navigate your way around. Melbourne has a Tram system to help you travel the city, but it is not very user friendly. But thankfully the cabbies are! Every Taxi we traveled in had the most competent drivers we have come across so far, they were honest, friendly, helpful, informative, & cheap. It was just like having your own personal tour guide!

Food in Melbourne is really good & thanks to some friends who gave us great advice on where to go we found some lovely places for a drink, a bite to eat & a bit of Music. But I have to say the best night out was at the Elephant & Wheelbarrow where we danced & sang all night...... Can't beat a good Irish Pub for an entertaining night out!

Inside the Vault at St Kilda

So after 3 days I am still wondering what all the hype is about...... Then at the St Kilda Markets I learnt a secret while having feathers put in my hair.......Apparently Melbourne is not what it used to be, & many of the designers have headed north to warm sunny Brisbane, ahhhh that makes sense, no wonder I love Brisbane so much?!

Not wanting to fail as a shopper, Marty & I headed back to Brunswick Street on the last day to redeem my image as one hell of a shopper, & succeeded. Leaving with one very awesome coat, one very cool vest & a necklace with massive chunky beads.......reputation still in tact, we are now ready to head back to home to Brisbane...... (still didn't get to fill the suitcase though, but have certainly made up for it since getting back...!!!)

Not Sorry To Be Leaving Nelson Bay.......

2012-09-12T17:04:00.000+10:00

Marty fishing down at Duties

Marty & I had a lovely spot near the water at Duchies Beach, but I was 'not' sad to be packing up the station wagon & heading north again, back to Brisbane, back to our 2 girls & our darling Granddaughter.
Who the hell moves in with their kids.....? Answer - We do...!!!

Nelson Bay has a lot to offer for a holiday, but not to live. It's a 'cliquey' seaside town where for the most part the people think they are a little bit better than everyone else, purely because they live in the beautiful bay?! The Country Club, which is nothing like a country club is pretty damn good for a FUN night out if you like a live band. Marty thought the fishing was pretty good & I even started to fish myself, amazing what you resort to when there's nothing better to do!!!??

Newcastle is the nearest main centre & unfortunately again I was not very impressed. I would rather walk the main street at 4 o'clock in the morning in Brisbane than walk Hunter Street at 4 o'clock in the afternoon in Newcastle. I don't think I have ever seen so many mentally touched people in one city in all my life?! The city centre is dead with many closed shops & it's dirty.

Like anywhere Newcastle has its pockets of Awesomeness & I did meet some great people in the short time I was there. They have some lovely beaches & fabulous places to eat. Plus The Junction is well worth a look for quaint cafes, bars & shops. They do have two good size shopping malls also worth a visit.
Newcastle has location on its side, with Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley & Sydney all within reasonable driving distance.......

Farewell NSW. Looks like this Kiwi girl has taken on the title 'Queenslander'- & LOVING IT...!!!

I have to go back to New Zealand.......

2012-09-03T12:15:00.001+10:00

I was not sure if I was going to publish this blog......but I decided there was too much good stuff to tell you about......

We all have those moments in our life that you are never prepared for, and April was one of those months for me.......The phone call none of us want, I didn't recognize the incoming number on my cellphone.......

"Is this Lianne"?

"Yes"

"Lianne have the Police not got hold of you"?

"No".

"Oh"......split seconds of silence followed, my brain raced & surprisingly I intuitively knew what was coming next. "Lianne your Mum has passed away"..........

After a few days of shock & confusion, my flight booked, I was heading back to the mighty Waikato in NZ. I swore I would would never go back home in the winter because I really don't like the cold.

Well I have to say what a beautiful time of year to visit, the trees were still losing their leaves & were brilliant shades of orange, yellow & red. The morning air was crisp, but the days were beautiful & sunny. First morning I woke up to a frost, I had not seen a frost in 4 years! And when I complained about the mist & fog, my friend reminded me that this is the weather that has inspired poets, & now I see it as beautiful too!

Raglan Surf

I was thrilled to be seeing my home country in the eyes of a tourist. NZ has such beauty that I took very much for granted before. How pleased my dear Mum would have been with this change in attitude from me!

Oh & I have to tell you about the people, I see & feel what everybody goes on about, Kiwis are soooooo damn friendly! I am still blown away by how nice my country people are?!!!

"Sweet as bro" was the catch phrase!

I returned home to OZ after 6 weeks with many childhood treasures from my homeland What an honour to be the one to plan the farewell & celebration of my Mothers life, who never left the soil of the land she loved & was so proud of.......

Sleep peacefully Mum & thanks for showing me how beautiful New Zealand is in the winter.......

To my Family & friends, no words can express the gratitude I have for all your love & ongoing support, I am one lucky lady, & I thank you from the very bottom of my heart.

Sydney Easter Fun

2012-08-30T21:32:00.000+10:00

I have to say my Marty really knows how to show a girl a good time.....

Bar/cafe at the Park Street Hotel

Easter Friday morning Marty rolls over & says "do you want to go to the Easter Show in Sydney?"

Me: "really???"

Marty: "Or do you want stay here in Nelson Bay?" (which we are bored with now!!!) So I packed while Marty jumped on the Internet to organize accommodation - we must be mad...!!!

After a two and a half hour drive we arrive in Central Sydney. They have some lovely boutique hotels, Marty booked us into one on Park Street of the same name, we just loved it there, awesome atmosphere & the staff have to be some of the best in the business, if it is a bit of light hearted fun you are looking for?

Can you believe they used Chargers as Police Cars?

The Sydney Easter Show is certainly bigger than any I have been to before, we were there for hours. I enjoyed the Fashion Exhibition Hall & of course the animals, then Marty & I found a live band called 'Remote Control Freak' so we grabbed some food & settled in to be entertained.

Playing in Sydney is always fun, I particularly like it down at 'The Rocks'. The shopping is good & they have a little market by the The Orient Hotel. Now The Orient Hotel must be good as we went there two nights in a row??!!!

Aussie ram with his manhood hitting the floor...!!!

We also diced with death visiting Kings Cross, what a 'Pit Hole' & yip somebody got shot the night we were there...?!!!!

The day we were to leave was a fantastic sunny day for a drive, so Marty & I decided to take the long way home meandering up the Central Coast. Five & a half hours later we dragged our bodies up the steps of our temporary sea side home, exhausted from our long weekend playing in Sydney ......

Ahhhh, life is good ;-)

Sydney Festival

2012-03-25T13:58:00.000+10:00

Aboriginal Ceremony

A decision made late on a Friday night had Marty & I on the train to Sydney Saturday morning. It is a long trip from our home in Nelson Bay to Sydney. It takes just under an hour to drive to the Newcastle train station & then it's a 3 hour ride on the train. By the time we reached The Domain in Sydney it was after lunch, so our first port of call was to find food.
Having fed our faces we wandered around checking out the huge mixture of talented performers (we even stumbled on a wedding), until we found the main stage. As we had arrived well before the concert was due to start we were able to get a good spot close to the main stage.

Gurrumul

The concert was opened with an Aboriginal welcome to the country ceremony..... I just love all that cultural stuff.

And then the blind, enigmatic, indigenous musician, Gurrumul Yunupingu -- who hails from ElkIsland off northern Australia and who has just performed for Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II was lead on to the stage. Gurrumul's songs are a hybrid of indigenous tongue, birdsong and English.

Young Aussie singer songwriter Megan Washington then performed tracks from"I Believe You Liar" (2010) and "Insomnia" (2011). She wontwo 2010 ARIAMusic Awards, Best Female Artist and Breakthrough Artist, and received afurther three nominations: Album of the Year, Best Adult Alternative Album for I Believe You Liar and Single of the Year ("How to Tame Lions").

Then there was a short break while we waited for the headline act to play. Nobody seemed to have heard of them before...!!!?....... Manu Chao La Ventura – a globe trotting,Spanish artist who sang a broad, multicultural blend of rock and reggae, sungin Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and English, and they really got the crowd going.

So that was the first night of the January 3 week Sydney Festival that almost rivals New Year's Eve!

Somewhere to hang ya kids...!!!

We left justbefore the last act (Manu Chao) finished avoiding the crowds, and had a midnight feed of KFC at my request and then headed to the train station.

Well we had just missed a train (which of course was my fault because I wanted KFC!!!) and it was a 2 hour wait before the next one would leave. As the train was already in we got on board and slept. I have to say there are some ‘dodgy’ people on the train at that hour of the morning!

So 3 hours on the train and another hour in the car, it was 6am by the time we finally got home to the comfort of a bed, but it was all soooo worth it – would we do it again - HELL YES!!!

ere

First Visit back to Brissy - Gotta do this more often?!!!

2012-03-17T20:44:00.000+10:00

My work buddies, Engaged Birthday Girl, 2nd from the left

I really didn't want to leave after this visit & I truly believe that if it wasn't for the fact that I was going back to be with my Marty I probably would have stayed......

My flight to Brisbane was delayed 45 minutes while they changed our planes Tyre. When we finally got to taxi out a little boy somewhere up in front of us turns to his Father & says" Daddy, what happens if we die" I did not get to hear Dads reply as the whole plane was laughing a nervous light hearted laugh....!!!
We had a turbulent flight & a rough landing. I think the passengers were all nervous due to the tyre change & everybody on board gasped as we bounced on the runway. I was just happy to be back in Queensland.....

I got picked up from the Brisbane airport by two of my old work buddy's, I was just delighted to see them. We were off to celebrate a work mates engagement, along her & her partners birthdays.
It was not long before we had reached our destination & were settled in with food & wine in hand. There were some familiar faces so the conversation flowed freely.
Leaving early in the afternoon we drove back to my friends apartment for more food & wine out on the deck in the warm summer air, before heading into the city in the evening to have dinner & yes of course more wine....!!! I swear I returned to my Marty a couple of kilos heavier!


Aunty EJ in the pool in her Pixie dress with Charlie

After dinner we caught up with more work mates for a couple of drinks at an old haunt 'The Beer House'. I love Brisbane, it is such a friendly, fun, clean city. It was just like old times & I loved it.

Sunday morning my friend & I headed out for my favourite meal of the day 'Breakfast'. Not sure what was going on at the restaurant but there was a table of retired ladies all wearing purple dresses & big bright red hats, we watched them arrive one by one, they both fascinated & entertained while we ate our meal.

Once finished, I was dropped off to my daughters home to celebrate my Granddaughter Charlie's 2nd birthday. I was just delighted when she came running out with her

My little Birthday Princess

arms outstretched yelling "Nanaaaaaaa"........ I scooped her up & smothered her in Nana kisses.......
Charlie's little friends all started to arrive early afternoon, she got so many pressies, my daughter EJ is an awesome Aunty for organizing the party, & one of Charlie's teachers made a 'Barbie cake' for her.
Welcome to the terrible twos.......
Naaaa retract that, you can't be a terrible 2 year old when you are sooooo perfect...!!!

It was a very tired Nana that reluctantly got on the plane back to Nelson Bay...!!!

Christmas 2011 at Nelson Bay NSW

2012-03-08T19:43:00.000+10:00

The Whale the greets you arriving.....

Large Sand Dunes

How excited was I for Christmas this year?
Jo, EJ & my granddaughter Charlie flew to Nelson Bay for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

My Dad & his wife celebrated 25 years of marriage this year, quite at feat & worth a mention......they came to visit Christmas eve in the morning & 'Charlie' got to meet 'Charlie' & I got a photo of them both together which I was fairly stoked about!

Christmas morning I was in the bathroom brushing my hair when Charlie came to the door , looking up at me she says.....
"Nanaaaa, inge". " I look down at her, " what are you trying to tell me?"
" Inge".... "what's that Charlie" (I'm still not getting it?!!!)
"Nanaaaaa, shut up...! Inge, inge" she says sternly pointing to her forehead.
"Ahhhhhh, FRINGE" I finally get it....!!! Charlie's Mum Jo, (a hairdresser) had cut Charlie a Fringe - 'just like Nana'!!!

What a pleasure it was to see Charlie's little face as she opened her presents.

She got soooooo frigin spoilt & it was all sooooo worth it. Funny thing when are shopping for Christmas it just didn't seem like that much when i was buying??!!!!!!!!!

My daughter EJ was exhausted & slept a lot of the time, so Marty & I took Jo & Charlie sightseeing to the largest sand dunes in the southern hemisphere & we explored the many playgrounds that the Port Stephens area has to offer. EJ joined us later in the day.

All for Meeeeeee!!!!!!

Christmas day we took Charlie to the beach where she enjoyed making sand castles & Aunty EJ braved the cold water & took Charlie for a swim.

Two days went by way too fast. As expected the girl’s luggage was overweight going back to Brissy, thanks Jetstar for your Christmas spirit & over looking it!

First Visit back to Brisvegas Nov 2011

2012-01-26T18:58:00.000+10:00

The one thing that has surprised me along our journey is that you don’t have to know some people for long to have a real connection with them & I am forever grateful for social networking & e-mail.

Catching up with old friends

So using social networking a catch up was organised for my first visit back after moving to Nelson Bay. I was counting down the sleeps till I was on a plane back to Brisbane......

I enjoyed my visit back so much, going to my favourite shops, particularly Dogstar. Staying at both my daughter’s home with my Granddaughter & their flatmates was kind of special.... The kids, their flatmate & friends all came into my room one by one, sometimes in pairs for a chat. The conversations were really interesting & also informative..... My Granddaughter & I really enjoyed our time together. My youngest daughter had just turned 21; it was so nice to be able to give her presents in person Being there was frigin AWESOME ;-)" Thanks to you all for having me.

Before the concert

I also got to attend Charlie’s Childcare Christmas Party. Aunty works at the Childcare Centre that Charlie attends so I it was a double whammy for me getting to watch them both perform. Once Charlie’s class had finished performing, Charlie continued to entertain us by being very cute dancing in the alley between the chairs.

Coming home Airport security found a pocket knife that I had lost weeks ago..... Now lost forever damn it...!!!

I was even offered a job back in Brisbane while I was there...... believe me I was very tempted.......

Boats, Fishing & Sunburn

2011-11-30T18:49:00.001+10:00

Captain Marty...!!!

It's only taken 10 years but Marty has finally got me baiting my own line!

We got up early on the Sunday & headed down to the Nelson Bay Marina for breakfast.

Taking a stroll after eating we thought we would check out the prices on boat hire & as they were so reasonable we decided that it was a great way to spend the rest of our Sunday

I found my sealegs which pleased me as I don't usually go to well on the water. We find what we think is good spot to fish, I throw out the anchor & then.............

Curse those Sydney idiots that can't read signs & think our boat is some kind of turning marker!! I really get why boaties dislike jetski's so much now; plus two boats go speeding past either side of us. & we get bumped around by the 'Wash' in both directions, So much for a peaceful day out in the boat fishing...!!!

At the end of our 4 hours we have caught everything obnoxious in the sea including 3 sharks, a Red Cod & a Moray eel...!!!
I also caught red lobster syndrome & spent the next week itching peeling....!!!

But as you can tell from the smile on Captain Marty's face, it was an awesome way to spend a Sunday ;o)

Ferry Ride to Tea Gardens

2011-11-02T17:44:00.000+10:00

About to get on the ferry heading to Tea Gardens

Lovely Day, now to spot the dolphin's

I miss the ferries in Brisbane so it was a pleasing idea to me to catch the ferry over to Tea Gardens for the day..... The ferry was soooooo damn slowwwww that I think we could have swum there faster! Anyway, it was a lovely trip over & we even got to see dolphins.

As you come into Tea Gardens the ferry passes under the Tea Gardens - Hawks Nest Bridge, also known as the Singing Bridge. It crosses the Myall River connecting the townships of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest. The Bridge got its name from the musical sounds the railings make during a strong south-westerly wind causing the bridge to act as a wind harp & apparently it can be very loud!!!

We had timed it right to visit Tea Gardens as there was a market day happening. They had a couple of stages, one with dancers & then a ukulele club had their turn. On the other stage was a band that is normally resident at the local pub. And a bit farther down they had wood chopping competitions for our entertainment.

Marty helped me find a couple of treasures to keep, & then we had a lovely lunch at the local pub before heading outside & lying down on one of the big block seats by the water...... and yes believe it, we fell asleep..!!! After about an hour of snoozing in the sun we went & listened to the band & Marty got us ice-cream.


My Honey bringing me Ginger ice cream Good choice love, it was YUM...!!!

Exhausted from the sun & the day’s events we got back on the ferry to come home struggling to stay awake with the drone of the engine humming us to sleep.......

Helloooo Nelson Bay

2011-11-01T15:16:00.000+10:00

Nelson Bay Marina

Beach 3 minute walk from our home

Nelson Bay in NSW is approximately a two & half hour drive north of Sydney, it reminds me a little of the Bay of Islands back in New Zealand...!!! Our new home is a 1960’s dwelling, very reminiscent of some of the Beach Bach’s in small sea side towns in NZ and for the most part comfortable, plus we have the bonus of being able to see the water.

Nelson Bay although lovely, is very quiet; some days too quiet! However I believe my peace is about to be shattered, apparently an extra 8000 people
flood into Nelson Bay over the

Fisherman Marty...!!

Christmas period.

It is colder here than Brisbane & we have had way too much rain for my liking - so much for riding

the pushbike Marty got me!

Newcastle is a 40 minute drive from here & to my eye, a tired, neglected city that is suffering from a lack of financial input along with poor town planning! It has 2 malls that are worth a mention & I work in one of them, but I am not thrilled about the hour it takes me to drive to & from work.

There is not a lot to do here, Marty likes to fish & the fishing is much better here than where he used to go on the Gold Coast.

As for me I think I am already ready for a ‘City Fix’...!!!

Charlie Rose's Christening

2011-10-31T18:10:00.000+10:00

One last duty to do before I leave Brisbane for Nelson Bay, NSW.

So having packed the Ute to the best of our ability Marty was ready for his 9 hour drive south to Nelson Bay. Marty had said “If it doesn’t fit in the Ute, you can’t take it”. So I packed out every last little corner before kissing him goodbye & returning to the cleaning duties of the aftermath from the weekend before.

Once finished I was collected (along with the items that did not fit on the Ute) by the kids & I went to stay with them for the rest of week in preparation for my Granddaughters Christening.


Mum was glowing

Beautiful Aunty


My three Gorgeous girls, how proud am I

I LOVE being a Nana!

The Christening went off without a hitch & my 3 girls looked just stunning. It was lovely to catch up with old friends before loving & leaving everyone for a plane ride to my new home.

Farewell Brisbane

2011-10-31T10:11:00.000+10:00


Going Off

It just so happens that the week we decide to move out of the apartment is the weekend of Riverfire – blessed with living on the riverbank, what a send off.

So the invite went out to mates & work buddies.

Me, my beautiful daughter & one of the first people we met in Brisbane

We celebrated the fantastic two & half years we had lived in Brisbane. And party they did, you should have seen the apartment in the morning...!!!

The Crew

More of the Crew

What a FUN night ending in some dancing at my favourite pub Irish Murphy’s in the city.

A big THANK YOU to my friends for the lovely earrings you gave me & yes I still have the card with all your lovely messages, I miss you!

Climbing the Story Bridge & Playing at Alma Park Zoo

2011-07-06T15:31:00.001+10:00

My daughter EJ came to visit for a couple of days.....

While I was waiting for her to wake up I made a decision to book a climb up the Story Bridge... (That should learn her for sleeping in...!!!) So how lucky was I, we got the last two places for the twilight climb. I thought the height would bother me, but it did not & we were blessed with clear skies & the most wonderful sunset.....

So in order to keep the balance my eldest daughter Jo wanted me to take her & my Granddaughter Charlie to the Zoo.... Sunday we packed the day pack & headed off excited about Charlies first visit to a Zoo & our animal encounters that we had planned photo’s with.

Alma Park Zoo is a lovely, Lush, green setting & Charlie had a wonderful day enjoying the animals & running around the parkland - & me.. welI I got to hold a baby fresh water croc.....!!!

Stompin’ on the Gold Coast & Marty is now Naughty 40...!!!

2011-06-11T23:47:00.003+10:00

Still waiting to celebrate Marty turning 40........ So we stayed in a room with a view & Marty hired a Red Mini Cooper ‘S’ convertible that was driven in ‘sports mode’ the whole time he was driving it!

Marty was not home for long this time so we went to the Gold Coast to see Stomp. This is not the first time we have seen this show & it was just as great the second time around. A rhythm & percussion show of comedy and dance, using metal dustbins, bin lids, tubs, water butts, brooms & matches, in fact everything including the kitchen sink!!! A performance that soon has you clapping & stomping along too. Stomp has toured the globe almost continuously for 20 years and has been seen by over 20 million people in 50 countries; I think that is a damn good recommendation!? FUN

We had some time to kill after our meal so Marty had flutter on the pokies, I must be bad luck cause he did not have a win, but later in the night he won $280 while I was in the bathroom...!!!?

After the show we went & checked out one of the bands playing at the Casino but were not fussed & ended up heading back into Surfers, where there was aduo playing at Waxy’s they were good but as usual we ended up at the Beer Garden where we danced our socks off till close.

Oh & for those of you who live local...... the shopping was REALLY good at Pac Fair...!!!

We Won

2011-04-28T08:37:00.000+10:00

Charlie & I won 1^st Prize in the Easter Hat Parade thanks to Aunty EJ & her excellent hat making skills.

When I dressed Charlie in the morning I had no idea that the dress was going to match the hat perfectly, ‘What a fluke’!!!

Charlie was scared of the Easter Bunny; little did she know that under that suit was her Aunty EJ...... EJ tried whispering to Charlie but she couldn’t hear her

Before eating 1^st prize, One Very BIG Chocy Easter egg that took us 2 days to eat.!!!

A milestone celebrated in the Hunter Valley.

2011-03-22T12:52:00.003+10:00

I did not phone my father on his Birthday for fear of giving the surprise away. I could feel the back pains & mimic my Dad word for word, rotten little b*#@h, didn’t even phone me for my birthday, no e-mail, nothin’, rats#*t....... blah, blah, blah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Anyway, how surprised was he when Marty & I walked out the front door upon his arrival at my step brother’s home in the Hunter Valley!!!?

For the girls I think?

'Wrong' Joker!!!

So it was a couple of drinks out on the back patio before the bus came to collect us “Bus what bus” say’s Dad- everybody just ignored him......... you’re not meant to know what is going on, on your birthday, are you?..... & then we met up with others in Newcastle for a live show at The Kavon Theme Restaurant. (Vampires, demons and ghouls). The Kavon puts on an extreme show (& dinner) where you are swept into a trance of comedy, music and indulgence, so crude & soooo funny!

The 'One' who picked on my step bro

The Chef...disturbing!!!

My step brother got picked on by one of the female entertainers that kept calling him ‘Puppy’, a nickname that will now stick FOREVER hahaha! And of course the birthday boy got dragged up on stage for some form of crude torture!

Lots of audience participation & disturbed feelings when you see what has cooked your dinner!!!

Many thanks to ‘Puppy’ & his ‘awesome’ wife for organising an fantastic night.

Bali is frigin’ Awesome Part 5: Wildlife & a Wild Night

2011-03-22T10:36:00.001+10:00

Endangered Species!!!?

Bali Wildlife Safari Marine Park is home to hundreds of amazing animals some rare and endangered. Combining Balinese cultural ambience with African Savannah. Featuring Sumatran elephant, Sumatran tiger, white tiger, leopard, komodo dragon and cheetah. They are devoted to conservation & education And there is plenty of opportunity for hands on Animal Encounters at a fraction of the cost we would pay back home.

Me & a couple of

Mischief Makers?

A Bengal tiger was born in Bali Safari and Marine Park on May 19, 2010.At the time of our visit she was 9 months old. Oooooooow the excitement for a mere $8 Australian we could give her a pat & have our photo taken with her. We took the same opportunity with an Orangutan, sooooo FUN, so cute!

We were entertained with a live show put on with the elephants. A safari ride through the animal enclosures. And we had a different dining experience overlooking the Tsavo lions in a very close encounter. The restaurant has huge glass windows & you get to dine with the Lions right there just on the other side of the glass..... AWESOME...!!!

Hard Rockin'....!!!

This park is designed so that you have an unforgettable visit & has been named Indonesia’s Leading Amusement Park in Indonesia Travel and Tourism Awards 2010/2011. It was as a fantastic day out.

As for the wild night......... It all started at the Hard Rock Hotel, Flaming Lamborghinis & then...... we found a Reggae Bar...!!!

BALI IS FRIGIN AWESOME & it is on the ‘Bucket’ list to go back.....I can’t wait.......

Bali is frigin’ Awesome Part 4: Bali Culture & Cheeky Monkey’s

2011-03-18T07:44:00.000+10:00

Sitting on the Bedroom Porch at a Bali Home

Hindu Temple

Marty & I were rather spoilt as we were the only ones going on the tour this day, so it was that we had our own personal tour guides. The tour started by visiting Balinese businesses. The Balinese are very cleaver at making things by hand. It was explained to us that you are born into a trade i.e. if your family are wood carvers then you will be a wood carver etc. We visited a Batik Clothier & Weaver, Silver Jewellery Makers, & Wood Carvers & Art Painters. Their trades were demonstrated to us & then of course you are invited to purchase! And yes as expected a purchase was made at the Jewellery Makers, a cuff bracelet that has been admired by many since our return home to Oz.

There's a Monkey on my back...!!!

The day continued with a tour through a Hindu Temple & a visit to a Balinese home. The home is made up of many different buildings in a compound and consists of separate sleeping rooms, a family temple, kitchen, etc. In the family home we visited they are tea & coffee makers, this is also the place we tried ‘Poo’ (Luwak) coffee as mentioned in my previous blog.

At the end of the tour & the end of Monkey Forest Road is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, home to about 200 monkeys. It is far safer to avoid feeding the cute little monkey’s as they can become quite aggressive once they know you have food!!! However, still soooo very cute & if you’re lucky as I was one may climb up onto your knee or jump up on your back & start preening your hair!!! Just delightful, totally made my day!

Bali is frigin’ Awesome Part 3: JIMMY

2011-03-03T20:46:00.000+10:00

Greeted at the airport, flowers put around our neck & we are now looking like the ultimate tourist...... Taken to our hotel & arranged in the morning is a meeting to plan our activities for a FUN holiday, I had no idea that there was soooooo much to do, & I thought I was going to relax by the pool, go to the beach, & shop my socks off....... Well we all know that shopping my socks off is mandatory!!!

So we decided to give the beach activities a miss as we had done that not so long ago at Airlie Beach First activity, we went Elephant Riding....... ooooooooh LOVE Elephants, ours was named Jimmy. We travelled on a teak chair on Jimmy’s back through rice fields & a village, stopping for a fresh coconut drink along the way before being taken in the water for a photo. We got to feed Jimmy after our ride & visit with some younger elephants that are in training.

Bali is frigin’ Awesome Part 2: Food & 'Poo' Coffee!

2011-02-23T20:02:00.007+10:00

Curry served in a coconut & yummy Flying Fish

Outside Bubba Gumps & drinking Bintang

Drinking 'Poo' Coffee' & the animal that did it...!!!

The food was divine. If I were to live in Bali I would be a FAT lady. Curry served in a coconut, Yummy Chinese Duck Noodle, & mmm-mmmm the seafood. Pine –a-colada, not Pina colada is made with, yes pineapple & comes served in a pineapple with a hole cut for the straw...! Food & cocktails’ are so cheap & I drank freshly squeezed pineapple juice EVERYDAY!

We also ate at ‘Bubba Gumps’ (You know from the movie Forrest Gump) and before you ask, yes they sell shrimp! They have an awesome system at Bubba Gump’s with number plates on the table, one says ‘Run Forrest Run’, & then you flip it over when you want a waiter, to..... ‘Stop Forrest Stop’. They yell it across the room to each other “Stop Forrest Stop” “Stop Forrest Stop’’ & a waiter arrives at your table. If you order a cocktail they will sing & dance for you... soooo much FUN. We ate there a couple of times.

We also drank 'Poo' Coffee or Luwak Coffee by its real name. The "Luwak Scat" is the indigenous animal who plays an "active" role in the harvesting of the raw coffee cherries. The Luwak feasts on ripe, red coffee cherries seeking out the sweet taste of the cherry itself. Once the Luwak eats the cherry, the parchment covered coffee beans are passed out of the Luwak, with the parchment cover still protecting the green coffee beans. In other words it eats the cheery & shits out the coffee bean. It is then gathered up & the parchment shell is removed.

A rare, exotic & expensive ‘Poo’ coffee like no other!!!

Bali is frigin’ Awesome Part 1: Shopping

2011-02-23T18:03:00.009+10:00

The Streets of Bali..

Kuta Markets & 'the Bracelet that Marty negotiated.

Shopping, shopping, shopping......

You will have to imagine a Balinese accent.......Just looking, what you want, yes – look in my shop, Boss you want sunglasses (Marty was reminded of working in the prison being called Boss again!),massage, you want massage, I have Billabong, what you want, sarong, dress........ you could have nightmares about being attacked by stall holders all trying their hardest to get you into their stall with some blocking your way in the street & others grabbing you by the arm. A firm NO stops them. Once there, you get to do some serious negotiating & the key is being able to walk away.

We stopped at one particular stall (they see the tourist coming, probably because we’re all wearing ‘Bintang’ singlets. Bintang is the local beer & not a bad drop!) & Marty is negotiating a bracelet for me (Again imagine the accent). (Marty) “How much” (Stall Holder) “$750,000” rupiah (M) “No too much” (SH) “How much you offer” (M) “$100,000” (SH) “No too low you give me more” (M) “Ok $120,000 that’s my final offer” & we walk away. Well the Balinese Stall Holder chases us down the street trying to get us to pay more, Marty tells him “NO $120,000 is my final offer”, we go into another shop, buy something, come out & he’s still there.....!!! (SH)” You pay more” (M) “NO $120,000” (SH) “Oh OK, OK $120,000” & we have to walk all the way back to his stall & the deal is done.By the way, that is about $13 Aussi Dollers. It’s one of my favourite pieces.

Marty was also offered other ‘treasures’ on the street........ "pssst I have drugs Magic Mushroom, Viagra, Cocaine!!! Hmmm & the penalty for drug trafficking is.......... death?!!!!

I came home with sooooo much stuff & even the lady at customs said I had a lot to declare, clothing, including Roxy & Paul Smith gear, leather handbags wooden & awesome sterling silver jewellery, plus dresses for Charlie & a Balinese Doll that is ‘anatomically correct’ much to Jo’s disgust.

And of course ‘Bintang’ singlets for the family.