Here's a map of what we are planning to go, where are are planning to eat and stay:
View our awesome holiday plan in a larger map
We'll be there between Jan 1st and 20th!
Stay Classy,
Christo
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Shipping out to Singapore!
Well Audrey and I are off to Singapore and Malaysia for 20 days, they have free WiFi country wide, so hopefully we'll be posting some updates here as we go along!
View our awesome holiday plan in a larger map
View our awesome holiday plan in a larger map
Sunday, July 5, 2009
A and C 21st Birthday
Some pictures of the "Zombie" 21st, for Christo and Audrey - most people made a really good effort!
Ash...
hmmm
I never realised that Zombies had more than 2 hands!
Presents!
Callum
Ash...
hmmm
I never realised that Zombies had more than 2 hands!
Presents!
Callum
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Port Doublas - Final
OK we have been back for a few days and I have been trying to get some time to complete this.
The council(?) of Port Douglas has banned all fast food outlets. In my opinion this makes meals an event rather than a necessity. So consequently people and places spend a lot of time and effort on meals. The restaurants are superb and not ridiculously expensive.
This is a "bowl" of the best coffee I have ever tastes at ReHab
Enjoying a lunch at the marina
This is the bait they use to get some "friendly" grouper to show themselves.
The said grouper were feeling lethagic that day - so we only saw swirls of ricidulously fish
Nick really does know most people in PD...
Thats all
The council(?) of Port Douglas has banned all fast food outlets. In my opinion this makes meals an event rather than a necessity. So consequently people and places spend a lot of time and effort on meals. The restaurants are superb and not ridiculously expensive.
This is a "bowl" of the best coffee I have ever tastes at ReHab
Enjoying a lunch at the marina
This is the bait they use to get some "friendly" grouper to show themselves.
The said grouper were feeling lethagic that day - so we only saw swirls of ricidulously fish
Nick really does know most people in PD...
Thats all
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday Night
Well yesterday seemed to be moving slowly from one place of vast food and drink consumption to the next and today was much the same except for a short trip to the Daintree Rainforest.
Sunday Dinner was at Zinc (Clint and Rob are the chefs) the best steak ever. Today lunch at Salsa (Barney is the chef) and dinner at The Shack. Gorgeous pizza place with sand on the floor and just so relaxed and nice etc etc.
One of the main advantages with having a child working for the resort is that you hear things like "Hey Dad - I got Gazza to organise you the private spa above your room".
Of course your child gets most of the enjoyment..
The private spa with Kim, Jen and Nick.
View of the pool in front of our room from the spa
We passed some Suger equipment - for Dad
I get the feeling that he missed the train with this one - but I could be wrong.
The ferry
The Daintree Rainforest
Solving the worlds problems..
Really well done walkways etc
The ferry on the way back
See I was right - harvest time - the sight of the cane fire brought back plenty of memories and half way through the rendition of Lion coming out of the cane fire in Sucoma I got a tired "we have heard this before" simultaneously from Nick and Jen - so the memories were quickly dulled...
Sunday Dinner was at Zinc (Clint and Rob are the chefs) the best steak ever. Today lunch at Salsa (Barney is the chef) and dinner at The Shack. Gorgeous pizza place with sand on the floor and just so relaxed and nice etc etc.
One of the main advantages with having a child working for the resort is that you hear things like "Hey Dad - I got Gazza to organise you the private spa above your room".
Of course your child gets most of the enjoyment..
The private spa with Kim, Jen and Nick.
View of the pool in front of our room from the spa
We passed some Suger equipment - for Dad
I get the feeling that he missed the train with this one - but I could be wrong.
The ferry
The Daintree Rainforest
Solving the worlds problems..
Really well done walkways etc
The ferry on the way back
See I was right - harvest time - the sight of the cane fire brought back plenty of memories and half way through the rendition of Lion coming out of the cane fire in Sucoma I got a tired "we have heard this before" simultaneously from Nick and Jen - so the memories were quickly dulled...
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Port Douglas Holiday - Nick
Port Douglas Holiday.
As Nick is working for the Sea Temple resort, in Port Douglas, we can get insanely cheap stays, and with frequent flyer flights (book early) - this was an opportunity we could not miss.
So after a hectic week (nearing end of financial year rush) we had a wonderful meal with the Verrans and met Jim and Pixie (although Jim and I agreed gravy would have been nice) we got on the plane and took off at 11pm. The flight was well uneventful - and a flight... Arrived at 5:30am
This is the bus that took us on a fairly extreme trip to Nicks House - no bus stop - they just drop you off at the house
Shows the sun coming up on the drive
A lot of Sugar Cane - must be close for harvesting as we think it gave Jen fairly serious hay fever
We got dropped off at Nicks House. Then went into town by taxi - and had an awesome breakfast and possibly the best coffee ever at Re-hab.
Our room with a view
Another angle.
The first day was a bit of a blur as Jen and I did not sleep a great deal on Friday night.
The evening meal was at the restaurant and Jen had an Atlantic Salmon - that was another "best ever".
A green ant!
No sooner had we arrived in the room and the fridge was being cleaned out, and Jens purse was lighter!
Slept like the dead.
As Nick is working for the Sea Temple resort, in Port Douglas, we can get insanely cheap stays, and with frequent flyer flights (book early) - this was an opportunity we could not miss.
So after a hectic week (nearing end of financial year rush) we had a wonderful meal with the Verrans and met Jim and Pixie (although Jim and I agreed gravy would have been nice) we got on the plane and took off at 11pm. The flight was well uneventful - and a flight... Arrived at 5:30am
This is the bus that took us on a fairly extreme trip to Nicks House - no bus stop - they just drop you off at the house
Shows the sun coming up on the drive
A lot of Sugar Cane - must be close for harvesting as we think it gave Jen fairly serious hay fever
We got dropped off at Nicks House. Then went into town by taxi - and had an awesome breakfast and possibly the best coffee ever at Re-hab.
Our room with a view
Another angle.
The first day was a bit of a blur as Jen and I did not sleep a great deal on Friday night.
The evening meal was at the restaurant and Jen had an Atlantic Salmon - that was another "best ever".
A green ant!
No sooner had we arrived in the room and the fridge was being cleaned out, and Jens purse was lighter!
Slept like the dead.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The School Ball 2009
This has nothing to do with the holiday, but its an easy place to "stick" stuff that can be distributed to the interested...
I am not sure how much people reading this know about Year 12 school Balls in Perth? Anyway lets just say "its a mission". Dresses can cost more than $3000, there is an extreme amount of work done on the following: hair, nails, feet, fake tan (now a chemical one = "Drop down gorgeous"), make up, and an outfit for the "afters" - all of which keep the Perth retail industry wondering what all the world is currently complaining about financially.
In good male style I managed to keep out of all of the above, until the house where the afters...
Lets digress here and go into what actually occurs on the day, which starts around 1pm:
1. Perth Retail
Keep the Perth retail industry in the manner that none of us are accustomed to (hair, nails etc)
2. The Before Befores
Get a few friends together to "get ready"
3. The Befores
Locate an extremely fancy house of a willing parent. Parents provide snacks and alcohol for parents and just snacks and soft drinks for about 20 girls and their partners. There are many picture taking opportunities and the parents all try and desperately remember the names of the other adults they last saw 3 months ago at the drama night (I lose this one), and all try and out do complements of their children, all knowing deep down that their child is by far the beautiful, intelligent etc etc (I win this one).
4. The Ball
A tightly controlled affair, if anyone is seen looking like they might be drinking or thinking about illicit substances - there are serious consequences.
The DJs are chosen by an older school committee. They must not sell, use, or have ever had contact with illicit substances. They must be presentable. The music must not be too noisy so conversation will not be hampered.
Consequently kids seem to use the actual Ball to heighten the anticipation for "The AFTERS".
5. The Afters
This is actually where it all happens. I wont be specific, but all the things that have been controlled up to now - are open slather.
Halls and Community centers now refuse to host these events as these kids have taken the level of destruction, violence, abuse and responsibility to new heights.
So its up to them to convince some poor "dumb ass" parent to host The Afters.
So returning to the original prose: I know all this. I have 2 sons that have gone through this. I am not stupid. However about 10 days ago I wandered into the kitchen when Jen and Ash were having a heated conversation. The planned venue for the afters had been cancelled after the landlord had discovered the plans.
Maybe I was trying to get my mind off the current financial crisis, looking for a distraction, feeling suicidal - I dont remember, but I made some innocuous comment like "this house would really suit an afters". The reaction from 2 females in the family could not have been different. Jen said "I wash my hands of this" and Ash said "Wouldnt it just be great? Come on Dad, lets do it", and before I knew it the die was cast.......
I wont go into the boring details of the preparation other to say that Jen did eventually get involved and boy I am glad she did.... One memorable thing was when I was calling the parents and explaining what was going to happen - the relief and gratitude in their voices was fairly scary.
The Before Befores
The make up artist - Alex
The make up...
The dress.
Waiting for the Before Before friend and her partner, Elliot to arrive...
Decided maybe to go with a friend from another school as they were now 45 minutes late
Now just being silly...
Finally Morgana arrives - 48 minutes late
Partner arrived a few minutes after so there was no time for pictures. Just off to Befores at speed.
The Befores
Ash and Elliot
Ash hoping for a MacDonalds as the snacks were not filling her up!
They were all just gorgeous!
See parents in the background desperately trying to remember the names?
Thankfully she got Jens eyes
Off on the Bus to the Ball
The perfect place for afters
Nicks (he was so sad to miss it) mates who were there for my piece of mind.
They did a fantastic job, of ensuring that the event went off without a hitch.
The Afters outfit.
The obligatory "My Space" pictures.
Jens very good idea of ensuring that no one hurt themselves on the trampoline. This was popular spot...
So all in all we did discover that our house is a good place for the afters. The DJ they got was incredible and kept them all dancing till 3am. The neighbours were amazing, and most importantly Ash and I had a really good time organising, setting up, enjoying the night and even cleaning up......
I am not sure how much people reading this know about Year 12 school Balls in Perth? Anyway lets just say "its a mission". Dresses can cost more than $3000, there is an extreme amount of work done on the following: hair, nails, feet, fake tan (now a chemical one = "Drop down gorgeous"), make up, and an outfit for the "afters" - all of which keep the Perth retail industry wondering what all the world is currently complaining about financially.
In good male style I managed to keep out of all of the above, until the house where the afters...
Lets digress here and go into what actually occurs on the day, which starts around 1pm:
1. Perth Retail
Keep the Perth retail industry in the manner that none of us are accustomed to (hair, nails etc)
2. The Before Befores
Get a few friends together to "get ready"
3. The Befores
Locate an extremely fancy house of a willing parent. Parents provide snacks and alcohol for parents and just snacks and soft drinks for about 20 girls and their partners. There are many picture taking opportunities and the parents all try and desperately remember the names of the other adults they last saw 3 months ago at the drama night (I lose this one), and all try and out do complements of their children, all knowing deep down that their child is by far the beautiful, intelligent etc etc (I win this one).
4. The Ball
A tightly controlled affair, if anyone is seen looking like they might be drinking or thinking about illicit substances - there are serious consequences.
The DJs are chosen by an older school committee. They must not sell, use, or have ever had contact with illicit substances. They must be presentable. The music must not be too noisy so conversation will not be hampered.
Consequently kids seem to use the actual Ball to heighten the anticipation for "The AFTERS".
5. The Afters
This is actually where it all happens. I wont be specific, but all the things that have been controlled up to now - are open slather.
Halls and Community centers now refuse to host these events as these kids have taken the level of destruction, violence, abuse and responsibility to new heights.
So its up to them to convince some poor "dumb ass" parent to host The Afters.
So returning to the original prose: I know all this. I have 2 sons that have gone through this. I am not stupid. However about 10 days ago I wandered into the kitchen when Jen and Ash were having a heated conversation. The planned venue for the afters had been cancelled after the landlord had discovered the plans.
Maybe I was trying to get my mind off the current financial crisis, looking for a distraction, feeling suicidal - I dont remember, but I made some innocuous comment like "this house would really suit an afters". The reaction from 2 females in the family could not have been different. Jen said "I wash my hands of this" and Ash said "Wouldnt it just be great? Come on Dad, lets do it", and before I knew it the die was cast.......
I wont go into the boring details of the preparation other to say that Jen did eventually get involved and boy I am glad she did.... One memorable thing was when I was calling the parents and explaining what was going to happen - the relief and gratitude in their voices was fairly scary.
The Before Befores
The make up artist - Alex
The make up...
The dress.
Waiting for the Before Before friend and her partner, Elliot to arrive...
Decided maybe to go with a friend from another school as they were now 45 minutes late
Now just being silly...
Finally Morgana arrives - 48 minutes late
Partner arrived a few minutes after so there was no time for pictures. Just off to Befores at speed.
The Befores
Ash and Elliot
Ash hoping for a MacDonalds as the snacks were not filling her up!
They were all just gorgeous!
See parents in the background desperately trying to remember the names?
Thankfully she got Jens eyes
Off on the Bus to the Ball
The perfect place for afters
Nicks (he was so sad to miss it) mates who were there for my piece of mind.
They did a fantastic job, of ensuring that the event went off without a hitch.
The Afters outfit.
The obligatory "My Space" pictures.
Jens very good idea of ensuring that no one hurt themselves on the trampoline. This was popular spot...
So all in all we did discover that our house is a good place for the afters. The DJ they got was incredible and kept them all dancing till 3am. The neighbours were amazing, and most importantly Ash and I had a really good time organising, setting up, enjoying the night and even cleaning up......
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