No Wifi is the cause for my little posting, I decidd to do it via my 3G connection resulting in more text and no pics...
Sydney is an amazing city, our appartment is right next to Hyde Park, and the noise of the city is overwhelming, annoying but exciting at the same time.
We are set in the quarters where as far as we heard sailors often end up.
As we were walking back to the appartment on an afternoon Matt said, hey dad, adult shop is there we are nearly home, need I say more.
We took a walk through The park to get to the Opera House, had lunch on the promenade and the boys and Val went for a Jetboat ride in the harbour.
I am feeling ill, flewish, snottish, heavy headish, not wellish at allish.
I went for a rest in the park looking up at on my left a banana tree and on my right a palm tree.
The family came back soaking wet from the jetboat and we strolled back to the westlife tower to get a look of Sydney from above.
As we reached the westlife tower we passed through a Mall where Val feasted her eyes (jeeej for me, thank God we're traveling and we can't pack) on louboutin, gucci, etc.....
We had a fantastic day wanting to go to Manly but ending up on paddington market, great food, great fun. Little stands with artwork, clothing, jewelry, odds and ends of all kind.
A walk back through a photography museum where we admired the beautiful pictures of Frederick Murray Fredericks and on to the next day we went.
We met with a friend of Val at Bondi Beach, guys pumping iron, exercising running, over muscled, over tattooed. Girls over boobed and lipped and tanned wearing bathing suits far to small and people and people and more people and surfers and runners and skaters and swimmers.
An action place is the least you could say, restaurants and bars and cafės, the place to be, only I am not sure it's the place I would want to be. Glad I saw it, what amazed me most is the mass of people beeing in the sea or on the beach and the icebreaker café/pool. Imagine a café built on the cliffs with a pool at the base where waves slam on the pool walls into the sea.As the overmuscled ones are swimming up and down and up and down.
Quite a sight great refreshment, the kids went for a swim and had a blast.
I went for japanese in the evening with Matt alone, and I appolagised to the guy sitting at the table next to us For starring at but that I needed to explain what was going on to my son. The guy was extremely tatooed with one tatoo on the full skull, scarification on the arms and inserts onthe forehead and the side of his head. His ears had flesh tunnels so big you could sit behind him at the movies with a whole football team and still be able to look at the screen through them.
Matt was in awe, loved it and so did he!
A stressy morning to pack and leave the appartment towards the blue mountains and on the road we were agai or so we thought.We got to Leura a nice little village and then to Katoomba where we whitnessed a serious bushfire in Katoomba to end up in a cottage in Blackheath.
I must say something looks after us cause we ended up in an agency that proposed this cottage overlooking the Golf Course with a garden full of flowers front or back, the back of the cottage a full bay window overlooking the golf course the valley and the hill, all in a fifties style.
I ended up for the first time in three months in front of the TV watching X Factor and loving it.
The kids each in a seperate room, Val and I in front of the TV when all of a sudden I hear :" Hen, oh mon dieu!"
I saw Vals terorised face, she jumped on the chair screaming and She couldn't even remember I had slapped her arm hard to calm her down(which didn't help).
A fairly big spider on the wall gave me a slight scare aswell.
Matt awoken by mum screaming was laughing his head off at Vals reaction, and me knowing nothing about spiders decided to let go of the pot I was holding to catch and change for something that would give me more distance,a vase did the trick, I caught and released the hairy legged eight eye outside Val calmed down and Matthew wentto bed. I must say that look around when I am barefoot in the house since then, we are after all in the land of poisonous spiders and snakes.
Woke up late (eight thirty) everyone asleep, I gues the benefits of having the kids sleeping seperately, and after some home schooling and dutch with Matt and djudj we went to discover the beauty surrounding the house.
The weather is working against us and we experienced a drop of temperature close to twenty five degrees celcius in twenty four hours,with it mist and rain.
Val is getting close to her moon cycle which brings forth changes of temperatures on mood level as dramatic as the weather ones.
Matthew is having trouble aiming in the toilet and Djudj is moody, I am still feeling a bit of the 'ish' symptoms wich doesn't realy help my patience.
One of 'them' mornings I guess.
Dramatic views of the mountains from the lookout, a good lunch, a nice drive to a jurassic scenery and a few ripe mango's toend tje afternoon in our cottage in front of the open fire without fire cause I was too stingy to buy a big bag of wood for two days.
I ll update more soon we are about three days later as I post this!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Melbourne
Arrived in Melbourne in a little apartment in st Kilda.
This part of Melbourne used to be very Jewish but turned kind of new hippie nowadays.
Lots of cool shops smelling of incense ,small restaurants, nothing fancy just relax, laid back easy going.
We found a great breakfast place and had some home made pastries and bread, sitting on wooden benches as the 'habituės' came by and were greeted by their first names, I love it.
We haven't seen much of Melbourne apart from the beautiful cycling trip we took along the coast to see the colorful cabins of Brighton.
All in all, just a homy stay with no need to visit but just to see some family and an old school friend.
Philippe and his wife were just the way I remembered them 20 years ago and the afternoon we spend with the four added kids was one of no hassle no stress, it just flowed.
I love this kind of vibe where whether its an old friend or a new acquaintance, everything just happens in a smooth way, without having to or must do's from either part, it is one of the things I value the most in relationships.
On to sydney feeling flewish and snotty..........
This part of Melbourne used to be very Jewish but turned kind of new hippie nowadays.
Lots of cool shops smelling of incense ,small restaurants, nothing fancy just relax, laid back easy going.
We found a great breakfast place and had some home made pastries and bread, sitting on wooden benches as the 'habituės' came by and were greeted by their first names, I love it.
We haven't seen much of Melbourne apart from the beautiful cycling trip we took along the coast to see the colorful cabins of Brighton.
Philippe and his wife were just the way I remembered them 20 years ago and the afternoon we spend with the four added kids was one of no hassle no stress, it just flowed.
I love this kind of vibe where whether its an old friend or a new acquaintance, everything just happens in a smooth way, without having to or must do's from either part, it is one of the things I value the most in relationships.
On to sydney feeling flewish and snotty..........
Location:Sydney, Oz
Friday, October 14, 2011
Hawaii
It felt like a real holiday, sports in the morning, lots of it, then spending the rest of the day with the only worry being what side to get the sun to hit the body and did I put enough sunscreen on.
The kids are gone the whole day to a camp and we are savoring a well deserved few hours of day time alone or just the two of us!
I am still not sure what the exact situation is but I am pretty convinced the kids spent less time thinking of us then us thinking of them.
Matthews' social abilities are amazing, after a couple of days at the camp we cannot pass a security guard that either says hi to Matt or stops us to say what amazing kids we got. Djudjus' shyness has switched to openness and his English has improved tremendously.
Both are thouroughlyenjoying beeing away from us.
Djudju has been a bit cranky these last evenings and we need to remind ourselves that he is the one dictating our rhythm and not the opposite. Days starting at seven in the morning and ending past ten at night are not something to continue for over a week, Djudju reminded us of that the hard way!
Kauai is an amazing island it is green green green, nature here is amazing from giant ferns to endless coconut trees, mango trees at every corner, eucalyptus; paradise birds looking in something resembling a rockabilly's or punks hair, crane birds creme and yellow, it is no effort to imagine dinosaurs walking around this place. All this and then the Ocean with huge waves revealing shades of blue green and turquoise as they break just befor hitting the shores. Green turtles along the shores, amidst the surfers and occasional short local showers creating rainbows of colors so vivid it even gets the locals to stare again. It is no wonder why filmmakers choose this place to show it's wonders.
A short flight took us to Honolulu where we had the privilege of swimming with a dolphin.
I have swam with dolphins before but never have I been so impressed with what Kolohe (Rascal) a thirteen year old male had to give.
This dolphin was so tame and giving you could just about do anything with him. His patience and calmth was unbelievable, being waiting on his back or just being still among us was so impressive and it all seemed and felt to be done in such a loving way. Dolphins are amazing creatures.
A little wink to Courtney who playfully lured Julian who, scared and stubborn as he can be wasn't going to even feed Kolohe from a distance, ended up touching and caressing him with a big smile.
In Conclusion...
I am amazed by the vastness, the beauty, the diversity, the USA has to offer. I had forgotten that this country is more then Miami, LA, NYC and Vegas. This country holds natural treasures that are stunning and I feel though we have done quiet a bit of miles out here, that we have only skimmed bits and pieces of what this country has to offer.
Our list as far as the USA goes is far from being ticked of as done.
Just a few more US pics before we hit Oceania (Click Here)
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Misty PCH early LA
A day atthe swimming pool for Mum and the boys and a meeting and groceries for me is what the day looked like.
Sure is good todrive a regular size car, I feel light and free.
My back is aching at night and its tough for me to get proper rest but let that be my only worry.
Drove to San Francisco this AM over the half misty Golden Gate Bridge, the weather in Petaluma was hot and sunny and we didn't bring any sweaters, boy did we wish we had in this SF mist.
I was here about fifteen years ago at a time where pier 39 and Fisherman's' Wharf was a place where you could see seals and get a crossing to Alcatraz. Needless to say that the place has been exploited into a tourist attraction of size, and after breakfast a juggling show and evryone but me beeing hooked up to an aromatherapy breather I got fed up. Maybe after all this nature part of my need for simplicity took over and the feeling I had was basically one of I am loosing my time here. Having said that Val and the kids were having a good time so I went to look at the seals while they commerced arround.
We drove through SF and after a brief walk in the Japanese Tea Garden and a drive through Haight we decided to get back to the heat of Petaluma.
In need of gettingonwedecided to hit the road the next afternoon after anothers day rest by the pool.
We drove through SF to hit PCH aka Highway 1, the mistnever left us since.
We drove for a long time to get to Marina a campground that is located on the beach side, also on the highwayside.
A restless night and on we went to Pebble Beach, and Carmel all in the mist.
We drove until two PM and decided to get to Pismo Beach, still in the mist, grumpy, Matthew contemplating the possiblity of getting to LA soon we decided to push through for what became a twelve hour drive to LA.
The GPS took us of the PCH for thirtyminutes inland and the sun and temperature came back to us; as soon as we drove past Santa Barbara the mist of the coast was back and the temperature dropped.
So departing this Am at nine we finally got to Anaheim at nine.
The kids went for a swim at the campground while I prepared a few steaks on the BBQ.
What we didn't know is that we were about two hundred meters from Disneyland and on the dot at ten the fireworks went of for what seemed to be an endless show.
Happy kids came to eat steak, we put them inthe back of the RV with the ipad and started cleaning out the RV.
It's amazing how much stuff we gathered in six weeks.
Three big American size trashbags later and at least twenty upsand towns to the neighbours trailer to getrid of stuff we didn't want anymore and he was more then glad to have we finally went to bed.
The kids exhausted we not less it was a one Am good night.
Eight a clock the next day, double check the trailer fill it up clean it up book a rental car, give the trailer back, check it, pay for the dammage I didn't even knew I did, get the rental car driveto the hotel and conclude that six weeks of RVing was enough for now(the weather did play a role) we are in North Holywood in a nice hotel at the pool,we have a room with a normal bed, the kidshave their room in our room with bunkbeds, and we are all welcoming the change.
Tomorrow chill then Universal Studios and to SanDiego to get the kids all excited and tired with amusement parks.
Universal was amazing, as a matter of fact i don't know who enjoyed it more the kids or the adults, everything apart from King Kong 4D 360°, where I suppose Julian mixed up real and fiction, and the house of horrors where people keep jumping at you and Val was happy Matt wanted to bail out was just unbelievably good. The long day ended with both the kids having a go in a wind tunnel.
I think it's a day that will stay in their memory forever.
We'll ignore the fact that Julian spilled his drink over his pants once over his new bought bathing suit second, and that the food was extremely slow, the half naked samba dancers did ease the pain(a bit).
Of to sea world we went after a morning of sunbathing and jumping in and out of the pool.
I still get amazed by seeing these majestuous killer wales swim, although I did get the same feeling I get when i see birds in a cage at the zoo.
The whale and dolfin show was amazing, I had no pitty seeing the sharks in the aquarium, was amazed and again sadened at seeing the beluga whales.
The kids had a blast.
Legoland was a A one activity for Djudj, everything or so it seems was designed around ages four to seven, and Matt though used to much more exciting rides enjoyed himself thoroughly aswel.
You must notice that my writing seems a bit in a hurry when it comes to describing the more touristy things and I looked at myself and found that I get so much more in touch with me when I am close to nature, I get so much more excited emotionally on the inside in a manner that I can only describe as truthfull and spiritual. It doesn't take away that we had a blast and that the kids "seem" more waowed by the theme parks, maybe that will be what they will talk about, but i can assure you that the hapiness on their faces and the sense of well being was incomparable while in the midst of nature.
I am telling you this sitting in my five star hotel after a walk in Santa Monica yet to say that I feel complete here as I did next to the sequoia's, the turquoise lakes, the mountains, forests, deserts, misty coast, endless dunes, bears, elks, buffalo's and deer would be lying to myself.
I feel I have learned yet another bit about my needs as a human being, and I hope I will keep this lesson when I get back to my daily routine.
I feel we are ending a chapter of our trip, the next ten days being just a luxury holiday(no I am not complaining).
On to the land of Oz we will soon depart after visiting a few islands on the way!
Thank you to all of you who leave comments to my writings, it is greatly apreciated and beeing away from your close ones it sure feels good to read you; thank you to all of you who read me and don't leave comments I can see through my blog stats that some of you do, don't be shy drop us a note.
I'll put some more pics up soon
Peace!
Sure is good todrive a regular size car, I feel light and free.
My back is aching at night and its tough for me to get proper rest but let that be my only worry.
Drove to San Francisco this AM over the half misty Golden Gate Bridge, the weather in Petaluma was hot and sunny and we didn't bring any sweaters, boy did we wish we had in this SF mist.
I was here about fifteen years ago at a time where pier 39 and Fisherman's' Wharf was a place where you could see seals and get a crossing to Alcatraz. Needless to say that the place has been exploited into a tourist attraction of size, and after breakfast a juggling show and evryone but me beeing hooked up to an aromatherapy breather I got fed up. Maybe after all this nature part of my need for simplicity took over and the feeling I had was basically one of I am loosing my time here. Having said that Val and the kids were having a good time so I went to look at the seals while they commerced arround.
We drove through SF and after a brief walk in the Japanese Tea Garden and a drive through Haight we decided to get back to the heat of Petaluma.
In need of gettingonwedecided to hit the road the next afternoon after anothers day rest by the pool.
We drove through SF to hit PCH aka Highway 1, the mistnever left us since.
We drove for a long time to get to Marina a campground that is located on the beach side, also on the highwayside.
A restless night and on we went to Pebble Beach, and Carmel all in the mist.
We drove until two PM and decided to get to Pismo Beach, still in the mist, grumpy, Matthew contemplating the possiblity of getting to LA soon we decided to push through for what became a twelve hour drive to LA.
The GPS took us of the PCH for thirtyminutes inland and the sun and temperature came back to us; as soon as we drove past Santa Barbara the mist of the coast was back and the temperature dropped.
So departing this Am at nine we finally got to Anaheim at nine.
The kids went for a swim at the campground while I prepared a few steaks on the BBQ.
What we didn't know is that we were about two hundred meters from Disneyland and on the dot at ten the fireworks went of for what seemed to be an endless show.
Happy kids came to eat steak, we put them inthe back of the RV with the ipad and started cleaning out the RV.
It's amazing how much stuff we gathered in six weeks.
Three big American size trashbags later and at least twenty upsand towns to the neighbours trailer to getrid of stuff we didn't want anymore and he was more then glad to have we finally went to bed.
The kids exhausted we not less it was a one Am good night.
Eight a clock the next day, double check the trailer fill it up clean it up book a rental car, give the trailer back, check it, pay for the dammage I didn't even knew I did, get the rental car driveto the hotel and conclude that six weeks of RVing was enough for now(the weather did play a role) we are in North Holywood in a nice hotel at the pool,we have a room with a normal bed, the kidshave their room in our room with bunkbeds, and we are all welcoming the change.
Tomorrow chill then Universal Studios and to SanDiego to get the kids all excited and tired with amusement parks.
Universal was amazing, as a matter of fact i don't know who enjoyed it more the kids or the adults, everything apart from King Kong 4D 360°, where I suppose Julian mixed up real and fiction, and the house of horrors where people keep jumping at you and Val was happy Matt wanted to bail out was just unbelievably good. The long day ended with both the kids having a go in a wind tunnel.
I think it's a day that will stay in their memory forever.
We'll ignore the fact that Julian spilled his drink over his pants once over his new bought bathing suit second, and that the food was extremely slow, the half naked samba dancers did ease the pain(a bit).
Of to sea world we went after a morning of sunbathing and jumping in and out of the pool.
I still get amazed by seeing these majestuous killer wales swim, although I did get the same feeling I get when i see birds in a cage at the zoo.
The whale and dolfin show was amazing, I had no pitty seeing the sharks in the aquarium, was amazed and again sadened at seeing the beluga whales.
The kids had a blast.
Legoland was a A one activity for Djudj, everything or so it seems was designed around ages four to seven, and Matt though used to much more exciting rides enjoyed himself thoroughly aswel.
You must notice that my writing seems a bit in a hurry when it comes to describing the more touristy things and I looked at myself and found that I get so much more in touch with me when I am close to nature, I get so much more excited emotionally on the inside in a manner that I can only describe as truthfull and spiritual. It doesn't take away that we had a blast and that the kids "seem" more waowed by the theme parks, maybe that will be what they will talk about, but i can assure you that the hapiness on their faces and the sense of well being was incomparable while in the midst of nature.
I am telling you this sitting in my five star hotel after a walk in Santa Monica yet to say that I feel complete here as I did next to the sequoia's, the turquoise lakes, the mountains, forests, deserts, misty coast, endless dunes, bears, elks, buffalo's and deer would be lying to myself.
I feel I have learned yet another bit about my needs as a human being, and I hope I will keep this lesson when I get back to my daily routine.
I feel we are ending a chapter of our trip, the next ten days being just a luxury holiday(no I am not complaining).
On to the land of Oz we will soon depart after visiting a few islands on the way!
Thank you to all of you who leave comments to my writings, it is greatly apreciated and beeing away from your close ones it sure feels good to read you; thank you to all of you who read me and don't leave comments I can see through my blog stats that some of you do, don't be shy drop us a note.
I'll put some more pics up soon
Peace!
Location:North Holywood
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