25-3-2010 (Thursday)
Due to the time difference with Sydney everybody was awake at 6. We took it easy and hit the streets at 8:30. We took a walk to the huge mall of Harbour city. The shops were still closed, so we had some more coffee at Starbucks.
The whole morning we stayed in the shopping mall and we bought sneakers for all of us.
We bought some Sushi for lunch and went back to the hotel. Sharon and the kids slept for a couple of hours while Ruben took a swim. The spa pools has a magnificent view on the harbor. So you sit in the spa pool and enjoy the ships going by.
At the end of the day we went to Jaap Derk and Meike’s place. The kids were really excited to meet other Dutch kids.
Steven and Nanette and the two oldest kids (Dexter and Stefanie) came as well did Lodewijk. It was a real nice evening, Jaap en Meike arranged a swell BBQ (reminding us of the campervan days) and the kids enjoyed playing with the other kids. It was fun to see Jaap’s son Dirk playing with Zeb, it was like Jaap and Ruben more than 30 years ago.
We went back to the hotel at around 9:30 after a real nice evening.
Back in the hotel we all fall asleep in a few minutes.
26-3-2010 (Friday)
We slept till 8. After a Starbucks breakfast in the room we headed for the pool. We had a little swim but most of the time enjoyed the Spa pools.
At around 10 we took a cab to Stanley Market, at the other side of Hong Kong Island. We bought presents and some stuff for the kids. We had lunch on the shore at Stanley.
Around 3 we took a cab to Ocean Park, a theme park in Hong Kong. We met Meike and the kids there. Zeb’s new friend Dirk.
We ran around the park, with highlight 2 Panda’s.
Zeb went home with Dirk and will sleep over there. We took Sharai with us.
The plan was to have dinner with Jaap and Meike, but we were to tired. So we ordered a salad and went to sleep.
27-3-2010 (Saturday)
Sharon packed all the luggage for our trip back.
Nanette arranged for us to join them egg hunting at the home of the Dutch consul. We met Zeb there who off course came along with his new best pall Dirk.
The kids loved the morning, first egg hunting and later on a clown. We enjoyed catching up with our friends.
After this event we went for lunch with Jaap and Meike and the kids at the football club. The kids could run around the field.
At around 4 we were back at the hotel for the kids to have a few hours of sleep and Sharon to have a final shopping session.
We had dinner at the lavish buffet in the Harbourside restaurant in the hotel and were picked up at 8:45.
This is really the last day of our 3 months journey. Wow time flies when you are having fun.
This last post is posted from Hong Kong airport.
zaterdag 27 maart 2010
woensdag 24 maart 2010
Last days Australia and Arriving in HK
21-3-2010 (Sunday)
Yes, we got the upgrade!
We started with breakfast at our favorite place Gusto, Sharon loves the Bircher Muesli there. Afterwards we went to the playground and later tot the beach.
A really relaxed morning.
At around 3 we took the bus to Circular Quay to go to The Rocks, one of Sydney’s oldest neighborhoods just between the Quay and the bridge. Our bus trip took us through a real nice neighborhood, usually we take the express bus but this time we were on a different one.
The Rocks was nice, there is a huge open market and also a lot of small shops. We bought a nice painting and we bought UGG’s. Yes again, but this time as presents.
We had drinks on the harbor with a view of the harbor and the opera house. For dinner we went to the big M.
A great day in Sydney!
22,23-3-2010 (Monday and Tuesday)
You won’t believe it, we saw the guy that gave us the upgrade in January and he upgraded us today to the Honeymoon suite again. So third move in 2 dayes, but OK for us.
Last two days in Australia, we enjoyed the relax atmosphere of Bondi Beach. Late breakfast, Monday at Gusto and Tuesday to finish it of at Aqua bar where they serve the best French toast with banana.
Both mornings we started at the playground before moving to the beach. The sea is cool and refreshing with nice waves to dive in.
Monday we had dinner in the Hurricane grill, they serve beef and lamb ribs hmmmmmm.
Tuesday afternoon we went to Bondi shopping to do some last minute shopping for presents. Zeb bought a big Kangaroo for his teacher, Benna.
Before dinner on Tuesday, Ruben met Bruce Fink who got us the cricket tickets. We had dinner a a Thai place around the corner of the hotel.
Time really flies, we are going to HK tomorrow and it seems so short time ago when we arrived here.
24-3-2010 (Wednesday)
Checkout of the hotel and on our way to Hong Kong. The whole morning was a race against time, we managed to get some tax refund and finally boarded the plan at 11:30.
The flight was bumpy, almost the whole way. The kids were very nice again on the plane, they got tons of compliments. Sharai slept for a few hours and Zeb loved the entertainment system.
After a 8 hour flight we arrive at HK airport around 6, also at the airport it took a while before we were in the car. On the airport Ruben met a old student friend, James Loudon.
We had a driver waiting that brought us to the Intercontinental, a splendid hotel in Kowloon overlooking HK harbor. The room is magnificent as is the service, we think this is the best hotel we ever stayed in.
The kids ate something gat the airport. We ordered in some Chinese in room dining. Tres chique!!
Tomorrow we will meet Jaap, Zwaan and there families.
What a way to finish of our trip.
Yes, we got the upgrade!
We started with breakfast at our favorite place Gusto, Sharon loves the Bircher Muesli there. Afterwards we went to the playground and later tot the beach.
A really relaxed morning.
At around 3 we took the bus to Circular Quay to go to The Rocks, one of Sydney’s oldest neighborhoods just between the Quay and the bridge. Our bus trip took us through a real nice neighborhood, usually we take the express bus but this time we were on a different one.
The Rocks was nice, there is a huge open market and also a lot of small shops. We bought a nice painting and we bought UGG’s. Yes again, but this time as presents.
We had drinks on the harbor with a view of the harbor and the opera house. For dinner we went to the big M.
A great day in Sydney!
22,23-3-2010 (Monday and Tuesday)
You won’t believe it, we saw the guy that gave us the upgrade in January and he upgraded us today to the Honeymoon suite again. So third move in 2 dayes, but OK for us.
Last two days in Australia, we enjoyed the relax atmosphere of Bondi Beach. Late breakfast, Monday at Gusto and Tuesday to finish it of at Aqua bar where they serve the best French toast with banana.
Both mornings we started at the playground before moving to the beach. The sea is cool and refreshing with nice waves to dive in.
Monday we had dinner in the Hurricane grill, they serve beef and lamb ribs hmmmmmm.
Tuesday afternoon we went to Bondi shopping to do some last minute shopping for presents. Zeb bought a big Kangaroo for his teacher, Benna.
Before dinner on Tuesday, Ruben met Bruce Fink who got us the cricket tickets. We had dinner a a Thai place around the corner of the hotel.
Time really flies, we are going to HK tomorrow and it seems so short time ago when we arrived here.
24-3-2010 (Wednesday)
Checkout of the hotel and on our way to Hong Kong. The whole morning was a race against time, we managed to get some tax refund and finally boarded the plan at 11:30.
The flight was bumpy, almost the whole way. The kids were very nice again on the plane, they got tons of compliments. Sharai slept for a few hours and Zeb loved the entertainment system.
After a 8 hour flight we arrive at HK airport around 6, also at the airport it took a while before we were in the car. On the airport Ruben met a old student friend, James Loudon.
We had a driver waiting that brought us to the Intercontinental, a splendid hotel in Kowloon overlooking HK harbor. The room is magnificent as is the service, we think this is the best hotel we ever stayed in.
The kids ate something gat the airport. We ordered in some Chinese in room dining. Tres chique!!
Tomorrow we will meet Jaap, Zwaan and there families.
What a way to finish of our trip.
zondag 21 maart 2010
Back in Cairns and back in Bondi Beach
19, 20-3-2010 (Friday, Saturday)
We checked out of the Sheraton and headed for Cairns. We stopped at a cricket shop but did not buy anything.
Ruben dropped Sharon and the kids of at the huge playground on the Cairns Esplanade. Ruben checked in the luggage in the Shagri-La we stayed in also last week.
Ruben went to the playground were the kids played for another hour.
We walked through Cairns after lunch.
For dinner we went to a place called the Flamegrill, they served Brazilian BBQ. This means they keep on coming by and carving meet of a huge stick. The food and the experience were very nice.
Saturday morning we woke up early to catch our 9.25 flight to Sydney. We had a quick frenchtoast breakfast on the airport. We landed at 1.20 in Sydney and took a cab to Bondi Beach. We are staying in the Swissgrand again, the same hotel we started our trip. Our taxi driver was called Max and was an immigrant from Turkey (38 years ago).
It was nice to be back in Bondi Beach, a real sunny and lively place. We went for coffee in our favorite coffee place Gusto. Afterwards we went to the beach. Walking back from the beach we stopped at the playground where we also met a Dutch family two small kids.
For dinner we went to Bondi Pizza, very close to the hotel. Back in the hotel the kids bed was not made up @#$%^&. We hope this mix up will help us to get an upgrade tomorrow.
We checked out of the Sheraton and headed for Cairns. We stopped at a cricket shop but did not buy anything.
Ruben dropped Sharon and the kids of at the huge playground on the Cairns Esplanade. Ruben checked in the luggage in the Shagri-La we stayed in also last week.
Ruben went to the playground were the kids played for another hour.
We walked through Cairns after lunch.
For dinner we went to a place called the Flamegrill, they served Brazilian BBQ. This means they keep on coming by and carving meet of a huge stick. The food and the experience were very nice.
Saturday morning we woke up early to catch our 9.25 flight to Sydney. We had a quick frenchtoast breakfast on the airport. We landed at 1.20 in Sydney and took a cab to Bondi Beach. We are staying in the Swissgrand again, the same hotel we started our trip. Our taxi driver was called Max and was an immigrant from Turkey (38 years ago).
It was nice to be back in Bondi Beach, a real sunny and lively place. We went for coffee in our favorite coffee place Gusto. Afterwards we went to the beach. Walking back from the beach we stopped at the playground where we also met a Dutch family two small kids.
For dinner we went to Bondi Pizza, very close to the hotel. Back in the hotel the kids bed was not made up @#$%^&. We hope this mix up will help us to get an upgrade tomorrow.
donderdag 18 maart 2010
Sunny days in Port Douglas
16,17 and 18-3-2010 (Tues, Wednes, Thursday)
We are relaxing and enjoying, the resort has 3 acres of pools, can you imagine. Tuesday we stayed all day at the pool and had dinner in the Iron bar,
Wednesday we went to Cairns for some shopping, back in the hotel off course a swim. We had dinner in a place called Zinc it’s on Macrossan street and it was really the best dinner so far in Australia. Top attraction is the huge fish tank (with Nemo) they have in the toilet area.
Thursday we had breakfast in town and then we drove towards Daintree rainforest, we went to Mossman Gorge. It has a Aboriginal community which also organizes tours. We when arrive the visitors center was close because of a burial in the community, to bad for them and for us. So no Aboriginal tour for us. The afternoon we used for basically our last tropical day of our 3 months tour. Tomorrow Cairns, Saturday flight to Sydney were we will enjoy the city for a few days before we fly of to Hong Kong.
We bought a floating noodle for the kids (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/sports-and-leisure/water/3723289-floating-noodle.php?id=3723289). That we call ‘de piemel’ , so the kids scream all over the pool can I hold ‘de piemel’.
We are relaxing and enjoying, the resort has 3 acres of pools, can you imagine. Tuesday we stayed all day at the pool and had dinner in the Iron bar,
Wednesday we went to Cairns for some shopping, back in the hotel off course a swim. We had dinner in a place called Zinc it’s on Macrossan street and it was really the best dinner so far in Australia. Top attraction is the huge fish tank (with Nemo) they have in the toilet area.
Thursday we had breakfast in town and then we drove towards Daintree rainforest, we went to Mossman Gorge. It has a Aboriginal community which also organizes tours. We when arrive the visitors center was close because of a burial in the community, to bad for them and for us. So no Aboriginal tour for us. The afternoon we used for basically our last tropical day of our 3 months tour. Tomorrow Cairns, Saturday flight to Sydney were we will enjoy the city for a few days before we fly of to Hong Kong.
We bought a floating noodle for the kids (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/sports-and-leisure/water/3723289-floating-noodle.php?id=3723289). That we call ‘de piemel’ , so the kids scream all over the pool can I hold ‘de piemel’.
maandag 15 maart 2010
The Great Barrier Reef
15-3-2010 (Monday)
Everybody was awake before 8, Ruben got coffee from the restaurant and we had ‘tiger chips’ in the room. We left just before 9 to go to the marina to catch the boat to the outer reef.
We got several warnings the sea would be rough, the boat was a huge catamaran with maybe around 200 people on board. Indeed the 1,5 hour boat trip was rough, Ruben did not feel that good but did not need the handed out paper bags.
Around 11.30 we arrived at the reef platform (http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com/). The platform is like a huge pontoon with several activities to do from like snorkeling, diving, ride on a semi-submarine and helicopter flights.
Because it’s marine stinger ( box jellyfish) season Sharon, Ruben and Zeb put on a stinger suit, a kind of jump suite. We put on our snorkeling outfit and went swimming (Sharai was already sleeping for 2 hours). Zeb really liked it, the big and colorful fish, he even touched some huge fish and hold a small jellyfish.
It was really cool swimming between the coral and the fishes.
There was a good lunch served and when Sharai woke up we took the semi-submarine. It was almost 3 and time to go back, the 1,5 hour back was more rough but we were all ok and the kids were lovely.
Back a shore we went to the hotel and had early dinner, after dinner a swim to finish of this perfect day.
The Great Barrier Reef must be one of the highpoints of visiting Australia, for us it was indeed.
Everybody was awake before 8, Ruben got coffee from the restaurant and we had ‘tiger chips’ in the room. We left just before 9 to go to the marina to catch the boat to the outer reef.
We got several warnings the sea would be rough, the boat was a huge catamaran with maybe around 200 people on board. Indeed the 1,5 hour boat trip was rough, Ruben did not feel that good but did not need the handed out paper bags.
Around 11.30 we arrived at the reef platform (http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com/). The platform is like a huge pontoon with several activities to do from like snorkeling, diving, ride on a semi-submarine and helicopter flights.
Because it’s marine stinger ( box jellyfish) season Sharon, Ruben and Zeb put on a stinger suit, a kind of jump suite. We put on our snorkeling outfit and went swimming (Sharai was already sleeping for 2 hours). Zeb really liked it, the big and colorful fish, he even touched some huge fish and hold a small jellyfish.
It was really cool swimming between the coral and the fishes.
There was a good lunch served and when Sharai woke up we took the semi-submarine. It was almost 3 and time to go back, the 1,5 hour back was more rough but we were all ok and the kids were lovely.
Back a shore we went to the hotel and had early dinner, after dinner a swim to finish of this perfect day.
The Great Barrier Reef must be one of the highpoints of visiting Australia, for us it was indeed.
zondag 14 maart 2010
Port Douglas
14-3-2010 (Sunday)
Checking out of the Shangri-La but not after a great breakfast again. Must been said, service in the hotel is great.
The drive to Port Douglas is about 45 minutes, the road leads past the shore on one hand and the rainforest on the other, really beautiful. We made one stop to make some pictures.
We arrived around 1 at the Sheraton Mirage (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=370), after checking in we enjoyed most afternoon at the saltwater lagoon.
The whole resort is covered with a huge saltwater lagoon, it’s like an artificial beach. It’s a good substitute for the sea, the sea is no option because this time of the year the box jellyfish are in the sea.
We booked a daytrip to the Great Barrier Reef for tomorrow, can be interesting due to heavy winds sea will not be that calm. But it’s not expected to become less windier over the next week, the winds are caused by a tropical cyclone now somewhere blowing in the region between Indonesia and here. Hope that it doesn’t come this way.
For dinner we went into town, really nice town so of the looks of it. We had dinner in The Courthouse hotel on Macrossan and Wharf street. A pub like restaurant, a lot o locals having a good Sunday night drink.
After dinner we walked up and down Macrossan street. The street was filled with little parrots, flying and making sounds like hell. This was the fourth of fifth time we saw so many birds, yesterday we saw really hundreds or maybe thousands of bats flying in Cairns.
Really looking forward to tomorrow on the reef.
Checking out of the Shangri-La but not after a great breakfast again. Must been said, service in the hotel is great.
The drive to Port Douglas is about 45 minutes, the road leads past the shore on one hand and the rainforest on the other, really beautiful. We made one stop to make some pictures.
We arrived around 1 at the Sheraton Mirage (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=370), after checking in we enjoyed most afternoon at the saltwater lagoon.
The whole resort is covered with a huge saltwater lagoon, it’s like an artificial beach. It’s a good substitute for the sea, the sea is no option because this time of the year the box jellyfish are in the sea.
We booked a daytrip to the Great Barrier Reef for tomorrow, can be interesting due to heavy winds sea will not be that calm. But it’s not expected to become less windier over the next week, the winds are caused by a tropical cyclone now somewhere blowing in the region between Indonesia and here. Hope that it doesn’t come this way.
For dinner we went into town, really nice town so of the looks of it. We had dinner in The Courthouse hotel on Macrossan and Wharf street. A pub like restaurant, a lot o locals having a good Sunday night drink.
After dinner we walked up and down Macrossan street. The street was filled with little parrots, flying and making sounds like hell. This was the fourth of fifth time we saw so many birds, yesterday we saw really hundreds or maybe thousands of bats flying in Cairns.
Really looking forward to tomorrow on the reef.
zaterdag 13 maart 2010
Rainforest
13-3-2010 (Saturday)
Today is our trip to the rainforest and the rainforest town of Kuranda. But first we had breakfast in the hotel again. A Japanese waiter cleaned Sharai’s nose and we felt a little awkward at first, but he really liked doing it.
Just before our pick up for the tour Zeb and Sharai had over 15 Japanese woman applauding, laughing and taking pictures with and of them.
Like in the gold coast here in Cairns most tourist are Asian. Zeb and Sharai are like a first class attraction to them. Everywhere we are going, people take pictures of them and play with them.
We were picked up by a van, on which we were the only people, that dropped us at the bottom of the skyrail (http://www.skyrail.com.au/). The cable car is 7,5 km long and takes you with two stops over the rainforest and the river to Kuranda. On the first stop we took a nice little walk through the rainforest, the next stop was next to the river and it’s beautiful waterfalls: Barron Waterfalls.
On this station we saw the falls from three different lookout points. Leaving this station in our cable car we saw a giant spider hanging (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_silk_orb-weaver ), especially for Sharon.
The last stop is Kuranda. We walked around the town and had lunch with a view on the rainforest. It has a lot of aboriginal stuff, but seems all really touristic to us.
Our trip back was with the scenic railway (http://www.ksr.com.au). The railway was build some 120 years ago. It took us back in 1,5 hours to Cairns central were our “private” driver was waiting. The trip with the train was really beautiful. We had two stops, one overlooking the falls again and one in a place called Freshwater.
Zeb played with two 25 year old Japanese girls who took turn to have their picture made with him.
Back in Cairns the driver dropped us of at a Chinese restaurant that was recommended by the Footprint guide. The place is called Chinese Café and was really good, with nice Peking Duck.
We walked back to the hotel and stopped at a Aboriginal Art gallery and at the ice cream parlor.
Back at the hotel Zeb and Joey skyped. The 2 boys really miss each other so much. We wonder how they will react once they see one another again.
Sharon packed the stuff, cause tomorrow we will be heading for Port Douglas.
Today is our trip to the rainforest and the rainforest town of Kuranda. But first we had breakfast in the hotel again. A Japanese waiter cleaned Sharai’s nose and we felt a little awkward at first, but he really liked doing it.
Just before our pick up for the tour Zeb and Sharai had over 15 Japanese woman applauding, laughing and taking pictures with and of them.
Like in the gold coast here in Cairns most tourist are Asian. Zeb and Sharai are like a first class attraction to them. Everywhere we are going, people take pictures of them and play with them.
We were picked up by a van, on which we were the only people, that dropped us at the bottom of the skyrail (http://www.skyrail.com.au/). The cable car is 7,5 km long and takes you with two stops over the rainforest and the river to Kuranda. On the first stop we took a nice little walk through the rainforest, the next stop was next to the river and it’s beautiful waterfalls: Barron Waterfalls.
On this station we saw the falls from three different lookout points. Leaving this station in our cable car we saw a giant spider hanging (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_silk_orb-weaver ), especially for Sharon.
The last stop is Kuranda. We walked around the town and had lunch with a view on the rainforest. It has a lot of aboriginal stuff, but seems all really touristic to us.
Our trip back was with the scenic railway (http://www.ksr.com.au). The railway was build some 120 years ago. It took us back in 1,5 hours to Cairns central were our “private” driver was waiting. The trip with the train was really beautiful. We had two stops, one overlooking the falls again and one in a place called Freshwater.
Zeb played with two 25 year old Japanese girls who took turn to have their picture made with him.
Back in Cairns the driver dropped us of at a Chinese restaurant that was recommended by the Footprint guide. The place is called Chinese Café and was really good, with nice Peking Duck.
We walked back to the hotel and stopped at a Aboriginal Art gallery and at the ice cream parlor.
Back at the hotel Zeb and Joey skyped. The 2 boys really miss each other so much. We wonder how they will react once they see one another again.
Sharon packed the stuff, cause tomorrow we will be heading for Port Douglas.
Abonneren op:
Posts (Atom)
