meanderstravels

Spent a long tiring day walking the Unesco world Heritage area of Melaka City, a very popular destination for Malaysion tourists. Because of its past history there is a large range of cultures. Portugese, Dutch, British, Indian, Chinese and Malay. The preservation of these cultures has earned its Heritage status.

Rickshaw and driver waiting for business

Ruin of Porta De Santiago gate, Portuguese era with St Paul’s Hill behind

Family Photo

St Paul’s ruin atop the hill

Cruising along the Melaka River

Preserved village along the river

Lunch stop, iced tea for Er and iced coffee for Me

This 1.5m long water lizard basking on some steps along the river

Jonker Street Heritage Walk

Decorated houses along the river

On our cruise boat

Late afternoon view over the Straits of Melaka from hotel room

Flight to KL not until 1.30 so had nice leisurely breakfast. Left for airport at 11.00. Flight half hour late.
The bus schedule and travelling time to Melaka from the airport is not great so we pr-booked a car rental, to be picked up at airport. The terminal that Air Asia arrive at is not the main International Terminal so we had to have a “meet and greet” to pick up car. Got the local phone number to ring all wrong but eventually after a little panicking met the Europecar chap. Sorted out the paperwork on the boot of the car, he taking photos of passport, driving licence etc.
We had no local cash so went to an ATM which having tried to use two different cards would not give me any Ringits. Went to an exchange and changed a few left over US dollars. Whilst trying to phone the guy to get the car had a text from RBS fraud department to ring urgently, Ugh!
As it happens no great problem but had to get it sorted via long phone call to UK or all cards would have been blocked.
Pissing down with rain on the drive to Melaka but arrived OK at about 8.30 pm after hour and half drive.
Explore Melaka tomorrow.

Our last day in Thailand. Glad we had a few days in this lovely hotel

Last day on the beach

Last lunch on the beach

A pictorial Blog is all that is needed to sum up and record the last few days here at Surin Beach, Phuket.

Bedroom lounge looking through into the courtyard

Late afternoon rain storm

Hi

Hot down here

Last day in Phuket tomorrow, might go to the beach !

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

Beautiful smelling garlands given to us on our arrival

Beautiful room with dunk pool on terrace

Stepping stones to entrance of room

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.

Just arrived

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.

Great watching these huge planes landing

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)

King Parrot feeding on the balcony this morning

Great view over the airport and Sydney from hotel room

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.

MCA ( not Yoko Ono)

Sundowners last night

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.

View to Barren Joey’s lighthouse where we were yesterday

A walk in the National Park

Lunch at Cottage Point

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.

Palm Beach

Morning view from house

View over Pitwater

Er and Chris

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.

Kookaburra on the balcony

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.

View from Darling Harbour

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.

Redcliffe to Scarbourgh

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.

Original buildings moved to the Heritage Village

On the way walking to Woody Point

Woody point looking back to Sandgate

Irene helping in the garden !!

Bribie Island leeward side

Bribie Island surf beach, windward side