Month: November 2013

Lazy day on the beach and around the pool. A bit cloudy but very hot.

Left hotel about 8 am to transfer to Don Mueng Airport which took over an hour because of traffic, still checked-in with plenty time to spare. Arrived Phuket Airport early and got to hotel about 1.30. Took a walk to the beach and back and finished off with the usual beer.

Great thing about our Sydney Airport hotel is the proximity to the Inernational Departure Terminal and the great view over the Airport from bedroom. It took two minutes to walk from the hotel to the Qantas check-in desk. Nice and relaxing.

Left Sydney on time and arrived Bangkok on time after 9 hour flight.

Staying at another hotel near airport as we have another early flight to Phuket in the morning.

Said goodbye to Pitwater this morning and Chris took us to our Sydney Airport hotel to check in ( Have to overnight in Sydney because we could not make our Tuesday morning flight to Bangkok in time from Pitwater)

Went to the Museum of Contemporary Art to see the Yoko Ono “War is Over” exhibition.
Had a wander around the Opera House and Harbour Bridge area before having dinner. Took train back to Airport and hotel.

Had a drive to West Head lookout spot for more stunning views over Pitwater. Tour of the mainland area visiting Akuna Bay and Cottage Point where we shared a fish curry. Great weather today to see this beautiful area.

Caught the ferry across to the “mainland” and Chris gave us a tour of some of the Northern Beaches, Whale Beach, Palm Beach etc. Weather still a bit iffy but improving. Took a walk up to a lighthouse at Barren Joey’s. Great views over Pitwater, Ocean side and lagoon side.
Did a bit of shopping before returning on the 4.30 ferry back.
M and C’s friends John and Sue came for dinner.

As predicted woke up to lousy weather but it did improve for some time during the day which allowed us to take a walk.Lots of birds and wallabies around and great view over Pitwater from lookout point.

Left Brisbane for Sydney arriving at 14.00. Chris picked us up at airport and had a little wander around the city before heading off to Pitwater about an hour away. Caught the 6.15 ferry across the water. Weather starting to close in.

Last couple of days in Brisbane, weather still good unlike what we may expect in Sydney apparently. Made the best of it going on a couple of walks. Took the car to Redcliffe, parked up and walked along the coast to Scarbourgh.
Relies came round for last supper on Wednesday evening.

Out and about to various places including, Petrie Heritage Village market, open air cinema beside the river in Brisbane ( with Emma, Andrew, Libby and Lachlan) long walk to Woody Point over the 2 mile Bridge and to Bribie Island.

Tuesday we visited China Town in Brisbane to buy ingredients for our evening meal, which was going to be two recipes from our Thai Cookery Course. We cooked Panang Pork Curry and Chicken with cashew nut stir fry. Both successful. Least successful was parking in China Town costing 30 dollars, £20 for 1hour and 10 mins! Extortionate.
Wednesday Paul was under the weather, maybe it was our cooking! Actually think a bit of a bug from Elizabeth. I went out with Ann in the morning, whilst Dennis and Paul pruned the garden! The evening was Maddies grade 12 graduation. Very interesting with food served afterwards in their hall. We left there about 9.30 pm.
Thursday, we’ve been to Toowoonba, a town on the Great Dividing Range. Took us about 2 1/2 hours to get there. We went to a small complex with a few shops and cafes, very pretty. We were with Ann, Dennis and Emma. We had lunch at Picnic Point which had great views over the coastal plain. We walked around the area before the trip back.

Borrowed Dennis’s car and drove south down the coast to Byron Bay which took a couple of hours along the Pacific Highway. Chris and Martin, friends from Sydney/Nice, are staying there for a week so went down to see them. It’s a very popular place for the young backpacker and surfing types.

Great to unpack, catch up with the laundry etc. Irene in her element catching up with sister and all the family news. Chilling out after all the travelling. Thai restaurant meal Saturday night, BYO, very tasty.
All the Relies over on Sunday lunch for BBQ. Storms brewing !!

Off to vIsit Chris and Martin tomorrow at Byron Bay

Last day in HK. Flight at 7.15 pm so had an extended check out at 2.0 pm. Walked along the water promenade near hotel and through a very nice well maintained park. Sat around the pool for an hour before checking out. Had a sushi lunch before catching MTR to airport. 6 pm and waiting to board at 6.30.

Went to the specialised markets area of Mong Kok which is a short MTR ride from hotel.
Plants, flowers, birds, goldfish, fish and meat and of course the tacky street markets. Spent a couple of hours walking around and then caught MTR to Hong Kong Island to catch the cable tram to the Peak, a hill behind this part of the city. Great views over the city and harbour. Shattered walking for two days.