Going gaga for Yaiya

This has to be one of my most favourite places in Thailand! Yaiya Resort in Hua Hin. My friend, Kath and I, booked a one bedroom private villa, twin share.

AMAZING!

We had a beautiful roof top plunge pool and pavilion with day bed, bar, sun bed. A massive marble bath and walk in robe... It was incredible. The beds were comfy and had private netting (although it wasn't needed, ore for show) and the daily room service was spot on!

The owner of the hotel, personally greeted us, I even did some yoga classes with her. All the staff were amazing and friendly. They went out of their way to make sure our stay was amazing... I really mean that too. We may have had a small episode of too much sun ( OK we got fried when we went out on a day trip to an island...) the staff went out of their way to get us painkillers and after sun lotion as well as giving us a special aftersun day spa treatment. I couldn't fault the service - which is why Im heading back there next year with the rest of my family.

Hua Hin is a beautiful part of Thailand. Its not over populated with travellers and it has a really laid back vibe to it. I have been told it is where the Thai royals go to holiday - so there are a few upmarket hotels, just outside of town, but there are also cheaper options in town.

There is always a night market on with massive a mounts of food and trinkets to collect. The town is great to explore, I felt very safe and I found it very easy to get around!

Can't wait to go back next year!

 

The Rocks Markets

Markets... most of them are free to visit, they are always in cool places/venues/ Always have good food and you're out and about walking getting exercise. Markets = Winning.

Set in Sydney's historic 'The Rocks' location, the equally named 'The Rocks Markets' takes place every weekend.

With a wide variety of homewares, trinkets, Australian souvenirs and food, you'll be sure to find something that you like... or just walk around and have a stickybeak.

Its a great FREE way to see a small bit of Sydney's history and shop at the same time.

If you're driving - Leave the car at home and catch the train. Get off at the Circular Quay stop and walk towards the bridge - you'll soon find the markets. Parking will cost you... A LOT! best go with the public transport for this one!

www.therocks.com

Vegan baked goods

Nom nom nom... a tummy grumble and a quick dash to the Townsville Vegans stall at The Willows market and the empty tummy grumble is satisfied.

To Join in on the World Wide Vegan Bake Sale, Townsville Vegans hosted a stall at The Willows Market on the 11th May.

Their goal was to raise money for Farm Animal Rescue Australia and spread the word about compassionate life styles.

I was lucky enough to be able to assist as a volunteer on the day and took some happy snaps!

Vegan and non-vegan alike enjoyed devouring yummy baked goods - $307 was raised on the day! well done guys!

These markets are not just for us veggie-heads though, there are plenty of stalls selling everything under the rainbow!

The markets happen every Sunday in The Willows Shopping Centre car park. They are free to wander through!

Kirribilli markets

Markets are always fun. They are jammed packed with many different characters, colours, tastes sights and smells. They really do stimulate all of your senses. and best of all, if you're on a tight budget and backpacking - they are free!

One of the best markets to visit when in Sydney has to be the Kirribilli markets. Set at the northern end of one of the most icons landmarks in the world - the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Kirribilli markets makes for a great days of sightseeing.

I would recommend starting the day by strolling over the Harbour Bridge, that is of course if you are staying in the city.

Save breakfast for when you get to the markets - There are so many food stalls with a wide range of food on offer. Aromatic coffee fills the air and gets your taste buds salivating. Save some room though if you have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of cupcake and macaroon stalls to feed your sugar kick!

There are there different market themes.

General markets
Art and design markets
Fashion markets

These run on different days of the month, alternating between the three. For market dates and theme click here.

If you're a local and feel you have a excess of clothing or shoes building up, why not hire a stall. My friend Kim did just that and was able to sell her once loved goods to someone else who will love them! What a great way to make some extra pocket money and spend the day!

www.kirribillimarkets.com

It smells as sweet as a... Rozelle

Looking for a trendy place to idle away your Sunday, with some good coffee, food and shopping? Rozelle is the place you will want to head to.

Classed as the inner western suburbs of Sydney, it is a short (depending on traffic) 15min bus ride from the city, most of the '500' buses will get you there, or close to it. You can also walk there...yes, its actually not that far. If you're around the Pyrmont/ Darling Harbour area and have some good walking shoes on...take a stroll over there. Its a good 60min walk, but you get to walk over the ANZAC Bridge and take in the sites while preparing your body for all the amazing food you will eat!

Rozelle is famous for its 'high street' - Darling Street, which is very long and stretches over several suburbs. It doesn't really matter which direction you head in - both ends of Darling Street have something to offer. But, I suggest you start by heading towards Balmain.

On the weekend the Rozelle Public School plays host to the ultra trendy and always popular Rozelle Markets. You can find ANYTHING here, and I dare say it is one of the best bric-a-brac markets I have been to in Australia. Every store is overflowing with past loved items, treasures that hold amazing stories and eclectic gift ware.

You will not be led astray with an abundant choice of cafes and coffee houses, some of my favorites include:

• Piccolo Padre (this is where Vic and I ate on this visit to Rozelle)
• Iku - amazing vegan food (nom nom nom)
• C'est Bon - It is good! trust me. Amazing french pastries and coffee! You cannot walk past the window without your mouth watering!
• About Life Cafe - This is also a massive organic supermarket that I love. They stock a great range of organic, vegan, and gluten free foods as well as everyday products.

You can easily spend a whole day wondering around this area, but to get the most out of it, I would go there in the morning and spend a good half day!

If you're feeling like getting in touch with your zen side. There is an awesome yoga studio here also. Its hot yoga, so you will sweat. The teachers are amazing and the classes are always fun -
Body Mind Soul

The main reason we went...

The motivation for the impromptu road trip to Canberra was to go to the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) to view the Renaissance exhibition. It was truly beautiful and breath-taking!

I have seen some great art works before in many galleries and museums around the world, but it was nice to see such master pieces in the NGA.

Whilst in Canberra we stayed at the YHA, I'm a big fan of the YHA in Australia. They are cheap, clean, there is one located nearly everywhere, the staff are great and it's a great way to meet new people and fellow travellers!

The YHA in Canberra is located on Akuna Street, which is literally in the heart of the city. If you love food, then there are plenty of restaurants spread around the building. If you love shopping, then Canberra City Centre (the shopping mall) is a 2 min walk. All the major attractions are very close by, and if you feel like it, you can hire a bicycle for the day and ride around (which it appears most people do)!

You can pick up a bed for around $28-$35 a night (depending on the circumstances – dorm, share, twin etc…). There is a bar connected to the YHA, underneath it, called the Transit Bar. Great Cocktails and good shots, both of which are reasonably priced! The bar staff are incredibly friendly and love to have a chat! Ask them to make you a special cocktail – They are great at it!

All the 'big' tourist places are located locally around each other. If you find you can’t find a specific building or venue that you want to visit, I found that... you can just spin around and look down a main road, chances are you will be facing some type of tourist hot spot. Canberra should be called the ‘City of circles and other round things’. The traffic is non-existent, it’s the myriad of round-a-bouts and one way streets the gets me confused!

YES, I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN CANBERRA!

Why, GPS...without the GPS I was fine, with it, a nightmare! As mentioned, there are a lot of round-a-bouts in Canberra, which aren't an issue, unless your GPS tells you to go down a 'one-way' street or directs you down the wrong turn off. Turn it off and follow the signs!

The NGA is an amazing place, full of incredible artworks. As mentioned we went for the Renaissance exhibit, which was beautiful. I think we spent a good 2-3 hours wondering through the halls, I could have spent another 3 hours there, but with only 2 days in Canberra, I had to get a move on.

It is also worth noting the Old Bus Depot Markets - These are what markets use to be like in Sydney. Fresh food, artisan produce, craft and home-wares, all made by the vendors. The markets are located in Kingston which is a little drive (5-10min) from the city centre, but worth it. Next door to the markets you will find Canberra Glassworks, so many amazing intricate pieces. There are also free tours that you can join that take you through the workshop and explain all thing 'glass'.

Things to check out...

• National Library of Australia
• Questacon
• Canberra Museum and Gallery
• National Portrait Gallery
• Canberra Glassworks
• Old Bus Depot Markets
• Capital Hill/Parliament House
• Black Mountain Tower (commonly known as Telecom Tower)

 

 

Mind your p's and q's

There seems to be a running theme this week, with food and vegetarian cafes.

Badde Manors cafe has two ticks for me.

1. They are completely vegetarian and there are allot of vegan options on the menu!
2. They serve Campos Coffee! (which happens to be the second love of my life introduced to me by the first love of my life. You will become addicted!)

Badde Manors is pretty much open all the time! Well, from 7am until 1am on most days, which is great because you pretty much have vegetarian snack-age available when you need it.

It is located on Glebe Point road, Glebe, just on the outskirts of Sydney. If you're visiting the area for the first time, I would recommend going on a Saturday first. Why? So you can take advantage of the infamous Glebe markets where you can pretty much get anything and everything!

My friend, Tulip and I both ordered the same breakfast. Field mushrooms on sourdough with a side of haloumi... nom nom nom.

If you do come down to Glebe on a Saturday (or any day) head down Glebe Point road and check out all the eclectic shops - and stop in a Natures Energy (I love this place, its health, oils and day spa all in one!)