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!

 

Bowral - Tulip Time and the parade

From the 18th of September to the 1st of October Bowral, in the Southern Highlands, springs to life (Spring pun intended hahaha) for the annual Tulip Festival.

The town becomes a wash of colour as everyone welcomes in the change of season. The festival has been running for a few years - starting back in 1958, the town pride for this event is overwhelming beautiful.

The open gardens (there is an entry fee of $10 pp) are carefully manicured with row upon row of delicate flowers. Carefully selected and placed into geometric shapes and pattens.

Markets venders line the side streets selling trinkets and home made produce, and like any market completely stimulate all of your senses. Scattered throughout the town you will find buskers jamming out and entertaining the crowds.

The highlight of the day is the town parade that takes place in the high street Bong Bong. It starts at around 3pm and pays respect to the town members. Vintage cars, local shop owners, businesses and even a marching band proudly stroll down the high street waves and smiling at onlookers.

I have mentioned Bowral once before in my blog, its still not a place that many people would think to visit. But I highly recommend it. Its is a nice weekend escape from Sydney (about a 2.5hour drive) giving you the best of the relaxed country lifestyle that it is so famous for.

 

Sydney Coast Walks

There is something incredibly peaceful about being on or near the water. I'm sitting at Cronulla Ferry wharf, waiting to meet with Ian who runs Sydney Coast Walks. I purposely arrived early so I could sit for a few minutes and take everything in. 

I'm a big advocate for 'exploring your own backyard'. I've lived in NSW for many years now, and after a moment of sitting at the wharf, I felt bad that I had never ventured down to this part of Sydney. Cronulla is in Sydney, a 40 minute drive south of the city centre.

Today I was taking park in the Jibbon Aboriginal Walking Tour from Royal Coast Walks. We were heading out across the water on the historic ferry to the small sleepy town of Bundeena where we would then walk along the beach and cliffs through the Royal National Park. 

Ian Wells (who is also a founder of the company) is your experienced guide. He is an extremely experienced trekker and his passion for the outdoors has you excited from the moment you say 'Hello' to him!

His knowledge of the local aboriginal people and culture is amazing! He has spent many years building relationships with local elders and people to gain insight and knowledge about their traditions and history.

The groups are small and friendly and Ian makes sure that everyone is introduced to each other. As our group walk through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Australia, we all feel comfortable to chit-chat to each other about why we are on the tour and our trekking experiences.

The tour gives insight into customs and practices of the local aboriginal people, as well as rivalries and Dreaming stories. You are introduced to 'bush tucker' and local plants that were used for medical ailments.

My two highlights on this tour were the Dharawal Aboriginal Engravings (which are over 1000 years old) and the breathtaking views from the headland out into the ocean and over Sydney city.

The Jibbon Aboriginal Walking tour runs for a few hours - I would plan a half day for it, better still take a full day and enjoy walking around Cronulla after wards. The tour also comes with a 'goodie-bag' with information about the local area and maps. Light refreshments are provided at the midpoint of the walk and it is recommended to bring 500ml to a litre of water with you.

Sydney Coast Walks also run other walking tours as well as overnight camping tours through the Royal National Park (I am definitely going to give this a go). To check out the Jibbon Aboriginal Walking tour details as well as other tours please visit their website - www.sydneycoastwalks.com.au

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kayaking the Coast

There are no rapids to be found in this lake - but the kayaking is still great fun! We each carefully chose our vessels, the girls both opted for the stereotypical pink while Dean opted for the macho purple.

The waters were still, the sun was shining and there were no clouds in the sky. It was a perfect day and a perfect way to spend the day.

We hired the Kayaks through Aquafun at Avoca Beach (about an hour or so drive from Sydney, North) Being the thrifty frugal people we are, we managed to score a discount voucher for the day - so all up for 3 people it cost us $21, not too bad. However the standard prices are a little more expensive than this but still good value.

Per Person rates (at time of writing blog)

Adults (no concession)	$12	$18	$6
Children (6-15yrs)	$8	$12	$4
Family (2Adults 2 children)	$35	$50	$15

The inlet where you get to kayak is actually quiet big! There are a couple of side streams that run off the main body of water for you to venture down! Just keep an eye on the time - the hour hire creeps up fast!

We were able to find a secluded area down one of these side streams and laid back on our sturdy vessels and watch the world pass by (unless you're Dean and you fall in...twice).

South Coast Beach Life - Kiama and Gerringong

I find the South Coast of NSW to be a soothing and tranquil place. Its strange that I take such delight in this place. It's not like I come down here to escape the hustle and bustle of city life - I live on the beach! No, the South Coast has an aura about it, it pulls you in and makes you want more.

Along the coast line is the perfect mix of country farms and chic little beach towns. A weekend get away is sometimes all you need to experience and fall in love with the South coast.Depending on how much time you - is the direct relation as to how far down you can go. For a weekend trip from Sydney, I would recommend heading to Kiama or Gerringong.

Kiama is a hub for tourists, so the novelty can wear off pretty fast. But please do stop here! I recommend using it as a 'break stop'. Stop on the way down and on the way back! There are some great walking paths to stretch your legs and take in the sea air - after being couped up in a car for hours, this will be welcomed!

Sites worth seeing around Kiama:

• Kiama Blowhole - This is actually great to see when the weather is not so good - Take an umbrella or a poncho

• Little Blowhole - Is the little brother of the big blowhole
• The Lighthouse

There are plenty of things to see and do - This website here has a great list.

Moving further south, 20min from Kiama is the very small town of Gerringong. I LOVE this town.

It is quiet, peaceful. the beaches are pretty and the people are friendly.

If you are looking for a weekend get away and want to splurge than I would recommend staying at www.mercuregerringong.com.au - This was formally known as the Bella Chara and was very famous amongst the locals. It still has beautiful rooms and great service!

The restaurant there serves amazing food and If you up for a bit of a night out - Start you Friday with Cheap Cocktails during happy hour!

Eating out in Gerringong is easy! There are plenty of dining options - My favorite is Point Break Cafe - Its a veggie cafe and serves amazing food (The nachos are the best), it is connected to the major surf shop in town.

Into swimming and surfing? The beaches around this area are sure to please, they tend to pull in a good swell. Gerringong also has an ocean bath for though who do not like to swim directly in the surf!

To wrap it all off - If you are a keen hiker (like me) you can put your hiking boots on and head out on the Gerringong to Kiama coastal walk - Its not too hard - and has the MOST amazing views!

*Guest Blog* - Gary in the valley

Ola Everyone,

So, I was asked to write a guest blog of my travels for Sarah or as friends like to call her “Foz”.

I wasn't sure how well I would go taking images of the area where I stayed, but, as Elizabeth Musser said  “An artist's eye can take the spiritual and bring it down to earth. Remember the eye is the window to the soul”

So in doing so I went on an expedition and in search of natural and spiritual beauty on the Central Coast.  I spent my first night 'camping' in a caravan (due to my lateness and cunning sense of direction), but there is nothing more peaceful then the sound on raindrops tapping on a tin roof. It’s enough to rock you to sleep.

Day two was not a day for camping, it was windy and the chill in the air would make you wonder, 'where has summer has been for the last 3 months?'.  But never the less, we put the tent up, ready for a night of slumber at Lake Munmorah National Park.

I camped at Freeman Reserve; the site provides facilities such as showers, toilets and BBQ’s, so I guess you could say its not in anyway living it rough, but 'camping in comfort.'

The environment: Tranquil. Nature at its best.  Open Skies, makes you appreciate there are still places out there without planes flying over or light pollution covering what is, a beautiful view of our galaxy. 

Sunday:

Bright and early, up at the crack of dawn, life is waking up. I know because the Kookaburras were the first to remind me that it was 6 am.  I took it as a sign that sleep was not going to be my best friend for the rest of the morning. So camera in hand, I went in search to of that “spirit” to capture and bring it down to earth.

I have to say, It’s so much more interesting when you don’t know what you are looking for. Your instinct is your best friend and sometimes you need to get down and dirty to capture a great moment.

Walking the beachfront was full of unexpected surprises (and I don’t mean just because part of the beach is registered as nude beach), I can say that nothing spiritual was found there.

But in my further exploration I found art scattered amongst the bay, washed up ship metal, shells, modified rock formations. So check out the beach off Freemans Reserve or even off the Frazier Reserve and you will not be disappointed. Whether it’s for a camping trip or just a cruise to chill by the water it’s a sight worth seeing.

Sunday wasn’t over though, I was invited to lunch with Sarah who took me to a place you could best describe it as a hidden paradise. The food was unbelievable, it’s a must, if you are in the area then take the opportunity to go to The Bamboo Buddha at Holgate.  On entry you will find you have entered tranquility.

After lunch and conversation that seemed endless, it turned out that my sight seeing was not over, The next step was to witness more of what the central coast has to offer, so leaving the restaurant, we head down towards Terrigal and Avoca to a place call Cocomo... Jokes! I mean Copacabana. I didn’t want to tell Sarah this but upon arrival at Copacabana all I could hear in my head were the lyrics  of Barry Manilow:

Her name is Lola, she was a showgirl

With yellow feathers in her hair

And a dress cut

Just cut down to there

She would merengue

And do the cha-cha

And while she tried to be a star

Tony always tended bar

Across the crowded floor

They worked from eight 'til four

They were young and they had each other

Who could ask for more?

At the Copa, Copacabana

The hottest spot, north of Havana

At the Copa, Copacabana

Music and passion were always the fashion at the Copa

They fell in love, love

Sing along if you know the words!

I know, raised eyebrow!

With tune in head we walk down the beach where we got to see apartments that were not in the average price range, but had opportunities of taking photos of the cliff that they resided on.  Copacabana is and has the element of amazing, even though I have not stayed there I do recommend it to be a place to visit or even stay the night. After a hot day of adventure it was time for a swim, so to end what was I can describe as unpredictable and plentiful day. The warm ocean water was the a calling for a well deserved dip.

The central coast is full of adventure and undiscovered territory.

Art is all around us and needs to be captured. Take the opportunity to go and capture life at it’s best, and live in the moment. Never say “I wish”. Always live in the moment and say “that was a great experience”.

There is so much to discover, make your way up north you won’t regret it. 

Gary

Bamboo Buddha

Copacabana

 

 

Lake Munmorah National Park