donderdag 14 januari 2010
woensdag 13 januari 2010
Melbourne and Great Ocean Road
12-1-2010 (Tuesday)
Woke up pretty late (9), Zeb slept late due to travel yesterday and the fact that Zeb watched the movie with us.
Ruben got two fresh coffees and some yoghurt for the kids. Around 10:15 we hit the streets, walking to Swanson (main street in CBD (central business district)) taking the number 8 tram to Toorak road in the neighborhood of South Yarra. We bought a super pram so now we have two prams (strollers).
Before buying the pram we did an internet search back in the hotel on kids stores, travelling using internet is such an advantage. Not that we rely on internet only; we brought over 5 kilo of travel books with us.
How did people got around without internet and mobile phones??
We walked on to Chapel street, main shopping street covering the neighborhoods of South Yarra, Toorak and Prahan. In Melbourne these kind of neighborhoods are the nicest to visit. The real center is CBD, which is not really nice. We walked the greater part of Chappel street. In Prahan we went to a public pool and the kids loved the kids pool. We only brought bathing suits for the kiddies.
In the pool we encountered our first animal in the wild: a Possom. That’s a small kangaroo like animal, not to be confused with a Pigem.
We also bought a Ripcurl swimming pants for Zeb: really cool!! back in our hotel we refreshed ourselves to go out for a bite in, we went to the southside of the Yarra river. It has a nice development of all kind of restaurants. Due to the kids we choose a big food court so they could have Pizza and we something of our choice, not a good choice.
Walking along the river it started raining, so we had to run for a taxi.
13-1-2010 (Wednesday)
Late wake up again, kids sleep late so wake up late. We went for breakfast near the hotel on Russel street. We met a nice Dutch girl that moved to Australia two years ago and loves it.
Back in the hotel Sharon packed some last things and laid down for half an hour, looks like see got a kind of food poisoning from the breakfast. She did not feel ok the rest of the day.
Sharai and Ruben went to the car rental on Elizabeth street, a ten minute walk from the hotel. To be honest Ruben was little tensed about the left driving.
We got a huge Mitshubitsi, with two booster seats and a Garmin GPS (tom tom like). Ruben and Sharai drove to the hotel to pick up Sharon and Zeb.
All set, we head off for our first stop on the great ocean road; Torquay. This first part of the great ocean road is called ‘Surf Coast’. On Bells Beach and Torquay are some of the best waves of Australia. We had late lunch in a nice creperie in Torquay.
The unfortunate thing today is that the car dvd set we brought does not work in the car, the 12v plug does not connect well. The kids watch a lot of dvd in the hotel rooms, now we set up our laptop to watch dvd in the car. Let’s hope it will work in the campervan. Favorite dvd’s are Nijntje the musical and Monsters inc. Sharon and Ruben can be understudy for the musical Nijntje when back in Holland.
The coast is so beautiful, it’s almost difficult to describe. Closest that comes to mind is the coastal outline on the west coast of the US near Carmel. But over here there are small beaches and bays around every corner. We can imagine this is one of the scenic highlights of Australia.
From Torquay we drove on to Angelsea, situated between Torquay and Lorne. In Angelsea we saw our first Kangaroos in the wild. A whole bunch were eating on the fairway of a golf course.
We drove on to Lorne, which is our destination for the next three days. We checked in the Lorne Hotel.
The room is pretty back to basic compared to what we used to the last 12 days. But the hotel is situated beautiful in the bay. After we organized the room, we went for a walk to check the area and look for a restaurant. Probably Sharai wasn’t feeling well, cause she vomited in her new ‘pram’. After she was done, she danced and sang as if nothing has happened. Dinner wasn’t really great. Kids had a bath, watched “Nijntje; the musical” and fell asleep (too) late.
The first day driving on the left went pretty well, despite one time ending up on the wrong side of the road.
Woke up pretty late (9), Zeb slept late due to travel yesterday and the fact that Zeb watched the movie with us.
Ruben got two fresh coffees and some yoghurt for the kids. Around 10:15 we hit the streets, walking to Swanson (main street in CBD (central business district)) taking the number 8 tram to Toorak road in the neighborhood of South Yarra. We bought a super pram so now we have two prams (strollers).
Before buying the pram we did an internet search back in the hotel on kids stores, travelling using internet is such an advantage. Not that we rely on internet only; we brought over 5 kilo of travel books with us.
How did people got around without internet and mobile phones??
We walked on to Chapel street, main shopping street covering the neighborhoods of South Yarra, Toorak and Prahan. In Melbourne these kind of neighborhoods are the nicest to visit. The real center is CBD, which is not really nice. We walked the greater part of Chappel street. In Prahan we went to a public pool and the kids loved the kids pool. We only brought bathing suits for the kiddies.
In the pool we encountered our first animal in the wild: a Possom. That’s a small kangaroo like animal, not to be confused with a Pigem.
We also bought a Ripcurl swimming pants for Zeb: really cool!! back in our hotel we refreshed ourselves to go out for a bite in, we went to the southside of the Yarra river. It has a nice development of all kind of restaurants. Due to the kids we choose a big food court so they could have Pizza and we something of our choice, not a good choice.
Walking along the river it started raining, so we had to run for a taxi.
13-1-2010 (Wednesday)
Late wake up again, kids sleep late so wake up late. We went for breakfast near the hotel on Russel street. We met a nice Dutch girl that moved to Australia two years ago and loves it.
Back in the hotel Sharon packed some last things and laid down for half an hour, looks like see got a kind of food poisoning from the breakfast. She did not feel ok the rest of the day.
Sharai and Ruben went to the car rental on Elizabeth street, a ten minute walk from the hotel. To be honest Ruben was little tensed about the left driving.
We got a huge Mitshubitsi, with two booster seats and a Garmin GPS (tom tom like). Ruben and Sharai drove to the hotel to pick up Sharon and Zeb.
All set, we head off for our first stop on the great ocean road; Torquay. This first part of the great ocean road is called ‘Surf Coast’. On Bells Beach and Torquay are some of the best waves of Australia. We had late lunch in a nice creperie in Torquay.
The unfortunate thing today is that the car dvd set we brought does not work in the car, the 12v plug does not connect well. The kids watch a lot of dvd in the hotel rooms, now we set up our laptop to watch dvd in the car. Let’s hope it will work in the campervan. Favorite dvd’s are Nijntje the musical and Monsters inc. Sharon and Ruben can be understudy for the musical Nijntje when back in Holland.
The coast is so beautiful, it’s almost difficult to describe. Closest that comes to mind is the coastal outline on the west coast of the US near Carmel. But over here there are small beaches and bays around every corner. We can imagine this is one of the scenic highlights of Australia.
From Torquay we drove on to Angelsea, situated between Torquay and Lorne. In Angelsea we saw our first Kangaroos in the wild. A whole bunch were eating on the fairway of a golf course.
We drove on to Lorne, which is our destination for the next three days. We checked in the Lorne Hotel.
The room is pretty back to basic compared to what we used to the last 12 days. But the hotel is situated beautiful in the bay. After we organized the room, we went for a walk to check the area and look for a restaurant. Probably Sharai wasn’t feeling well, cause she vomited in her new ‘pram’. After she was done, she danced and sang as if nothing has happened. Dinner wasn’t really great. Kids had a bath, watched “Nijntje; the musical” and fell asleep (too) late.
The first day driving on the left went pretty well, despite one time ending up on the wrong side of the road.
maandag 11 januari 2010
Two lazy days and a travel day.
9-1-2010 (Saturday)
Breakfast at Aquabar again, really best French toast ever with baked banana served with it. Went to the Rockpool at the north end of the Bondi beach. We built a pool in the sand again and Zeb loved to go in the sea. Sharai is still very much afraid to go in, but she loves swimming in the rock pool and she loves to walk around with buckets from other kids.
We had lunch in the room and then took the 333 bus into town. In Hyde park was the opening day of ‘the Sydney festival’ that lasts till end of the month.
The festival was a little disappointing, we watched some (sorry, bad Hillybilly) music and some acrobatics. Kids had an ice cream and it was very hot (approximately 30 C). From Hyde park we walked back the first part to Bondi along Oxford street, we walked almost to Bondi junction.
Kids had pizza and pasta at Bondi pizza, we had (finally) sushi in.
10-1-2010 (Sunday)
Relaxed and lazy day today again. Breakfast at Gusto (the best Bircher muesli in the world) and then headed to the beach. Lunch in the room and then we the kids went to sleep in their strollers. We sat down at a beachside café while the kids were sleeping for some reading Frappe and juice.
When the kids were awake we took them to the playground. Back in the hotel the kids took a bath in our jumbo sized tub.
We got dinner from The Hurricane again; really good burger, salad and chicken. We skyped, kids watched ‘Pluk van de Petterflat ‘and we got to sleep late again.
Tomorrow travel day, flying to Melbourne in the afternoon. We started packing again.
By the way: A stroller in Australia is called Pram, we have to. Does that mean we have 2 ‘Prammen’.
That kind of questions keeps us busy, can you imagine how relaxed we are.
11-1-2010 (Monday)
It’s our last day in Sydney and we are invited at Emma and Craig Cohen’s ( friends of Les and Daan de Swaan) place to have a swim and have the kids play together. They have two girls in the same ages as ours; Chloe and Ashley. The kids really enjoyed and Emma took and brought us back to and from the hotel.
We were back at the hotel at 12:30 to do some final packing before heading for the airport to fly to Melbourne.
The flight was quit bumpy at the end especially Sharon did not really like it, to put it mildly. Zeb slept through the whole flight, Sharai did not sleep one minute this afternoon and was jumping around on Sharons’ lap during the flight.
Landing in Melbourne with 42 degrees Celsius, bloody hot. We took a cab to the hotel, Marriot on Exhibition street. Nice renovated rooms. We have two huge beds; one for the kids and one for us. After a quick check in, we went to check out the hotel swimming pool before heading for Chinatown for dinner. Going down in the elevator Sharai got her fingers between the doors, but she was fine soon.
Outside it is like a warm blanket covers you; it’s like walking in the biggest sauna on earth . In Chinatown we had dinner in one of the many places. The kids loved it and we did too,: beef with fried noodles and a lemon chicken with rice. Even Zeb was eating a lot. He made the loudest burp ever in the restaurant, unbelievable that a 4 year old already knows Chinese customs.
Walking back to the hotel we did a detour, around the city center. We call it: window shopping. Now we’re back in the hotel, Sharai already fell a sleep during our little sauna tour and Zeb is happy to see Monsters Inc. with us. Sharon has seen the movie in the airplane and thinks Boo is exactally Sharai.
Breakfast at Aquabar again, really best French toast ever with baked banana served with it. Went to the Rockpool at the north end of the Bondi beach. We built a pool in the sand again and Zeb loved to go in the sea. Sharai is still very much afraid to go in, but she loves swimming in the rock pool and she loves to walk around with buckets from other kids.
We had lunch in the room and then took the 333 bus into town. In Hyde park was the opening day of ‘the Sydney festival’ that lasts till end of the month.
The festival was a little disappointing, we watched some (sorry, bad Hillybilly) music and some acrobatics. Kids had an ice cream and it was very hot (approximately 30 C). From Hyde park we walked back the first part to Bondi along Oxford street, we walked almost to Bondi junction.
Kids had pizza and pasta at Bondi pizza, we had (finally) sushi in.
10-1-2010 (Sunday)
Relaxed and lazy day today again. Breakfast at Gusto (the best Bircher muesli in the world) and then headed to the beach. Lunch in the room and then we the kids went to sleep in their strollers. We sat down at a beachside café while the kids were sleeping for some reading Frappe and juice.
When the kids were awake we took them to the playground. Back in the hotel the kids took a bath in our jumbo sized tub.
We got dinner from The Hurricane again; really good burger, salad and chicken. We skyped, kids watched ‘Pluk van de Petterflat ‘and we got to sleep late again.
Tomorrow travel day, flying to Melbourne in the afternoon. We started packing again.
By the way: A stroller in Australia is called Pram, we have to. Does that mean we have 2 ‘Prammen’.
That kind of questions keeps us busy, can you imagine how relaxed we are.
11-1-2010 (Monday)
It’s our last day in Sydney and we are invited at Emma and Craig Cohen’s ( friends of Les and Daan de Swaan) place to have a swim and have the kids play together. They have two girls in the same ages as ours; Chloe and Ashley. The kids really enjoyed and Emma took and brought us back to and from the hotel.
We were back at the hotel at 12:30 to do some final packing before heading for the airport to fly to Melbourne.
The flight was quit bumpy at the end especially Sharon did not really like it, to put it mildly. Zeb slept through the whole flight, Sharai did not sleep one minute this afternoon and was jumping around on Sharons’ lap during the flight.
Landing in Melbourne with 42 degrees Celsius, bloody hot. We took a cab to the hotel, Marriot on Exhibition street. Nice renovated rooms. We have two huge beds; one for the kids and one for us. After a quick check in, we went to check out the hotel swimming pool before heading for Chinatown for dinner. Going down in the elevator Sharai got her fingers between the doors, but she was fine soon.
Outside it is like a warm blanket covers you; it’s like walking in the biggest sauna on earth . In Chinatown we had dinner in one of the many places. The kids loved it and we did too,: beef with fried noodles and a lemon chicken with rice. Even Zeb was eating a lot. He made the loudest burp ever in the restaurant, unbelievable that a 4 year old already knows Chinese customs.
Walking back to the hotel we did a detour, around the city center. We call it: window shopping. Now we’re back in the hotel, Sharai already fell a sleep during our little sauna tour and Zeb is happy to see Monsters Inc. with us. Sharon has seen the movie in the airplane and thinks Boo is exactally Sharai.
zondag 10 januari 2010
vrijdag 8 januari 2010
Day at the beach
8-1-2010 (Friday)
Relaxed morning; we took a long stroll along the coast to a small beach called Tamaranga. Felt really good, kids in the stroller.
Everybody seems to work out here. Beautiful and healthy people, wonder how it will be in the rest of Australia. Even the 9 months pregnant woman work out and look slim fit, and men proudly present their torso’s . Bondi is the real holiday feeling; surf and sun. Not that we are surfing but the other people are.
Had lunch at Tamaranga beach, walked back and kids fell asleep. We did some Shabbes shopping in Moses Grandmother kosher grocery shop. Challa, Grape juice and salty pickles.
At around 4 we went to the beach. Zeb and Ruben build a huge pool in the sand and a lot some other kids helped us out. Back in the hotel we lighted the candles and made Shabbes (enjoyed the food from yesterday).
Today no UGG price comparison but we did surf shorts for Zeb price comparison. Did not buy any today. Couple off days ago we’ve bought a shirt for Zeb and a purple/pink suit for Sharai that protects them from the sun and in which they can swim. All kids here wear this these outfits.
For Sharai we’ve bought an Elephant backpack at the Zoo, that has also a cord attached to she’s able to walk, but not to walk away; we can hold on to her. Sharai loves to walk, Zeb prefers to sit in the stroller at all times. This kids really enjoy the swimming in the sea but also love to watch dvd in the hotel. We brought a small dvd player that has a screen itself but also can be connected to the TV set.
Sharai eats everything and loves it; fruits, sandwiches, greens, Dora coockies etc. Zeb prefers peanut butter sandwiches and ice cream, having him eat healthier food is sometimes a hassle. But we’re getting there.
Relaxed morning; we took a long stroll along the coast to a small beach called Tamaranga. Felt really good, kids in the stroller.
Everybody seems to work out here. Beautiful and healthy people, wonder how it will be in the rest of Australia. Even the 9 months pregnant woman work out and look slim fit, and men proudly present their torso’s . Bondi is the real holiday feeling; surf and sun. Not that we are surfing but the other people are.
Had lunch at Tamaranga beach, walked back and kids fell asleep. We did some Shabbes shopping in Moses Grandmother kosher grocery shop. Challa, Grape juice and salty pickles.
At around 4 we went to the beach. Zeb and Ruben build a huge pool in the sand and a lot some other kids helped us out. Back in the hotel we lighted the candles and made Shabbes (enjoyed the food from yesterday).
Today no UGG price comparison but we did surf shorts for Zeb price comparison. Did not buy any today. Couple off days ago we’ve bought a shirt for Zeb and a purple/pink suit for Sharai that protects them from the sun and in which they can swim. All kids here wear this these outfits.
For Sharai we’ve bought an Elephant backpack at the Zoo, that has also a cord attached to she’s able to walk, but not to walk away; we can hold on to her. Sharai loves to walk, Zeb prefers to sit in the stroller at all times. This kids really enjoy the swimming in the sea but also love to watch dvd in the hotel. We brought a small dvd player that has a screen itself but also can be connected to the TV set.
Sharai eats everything and loves it; fruits, sandwiches, greens, Dora coockies etc. Zeb prefers peanut butter sandwiches and ice cream, having him eat healthier food is sometimes a hassle. But we’re getting there.
donderdag 7 januari 2010
Opera House, Botinacal Garden and UCGs
7-1-2010 (Thursday)
Jetlag is over. We had fruit breakfast in the room and then good coffee at ‘our’ coffee place on Hall street, Gusto. Sharon had her favo ‘Bircher muesli’ and finally she knows what kind of coffee she has to order; ‘Flat Milk’ (espresso and lot’s off milk).
About Gusto found online: Description
This fascinating deli-café will excite even the most hardened coffee culture victim. Hip and trendy, if it is comfort you want, this is not the place for you! There is some bar-type seating but groovy Bondi locals choose to sit on the milk crates delicately strewn across the pavement! Happy staff and a friendly, laid back atmosphere certainly make this a place to just sit, and drink coffee, and sit, and drink coffee, and...
The baguettes here are great. Freshly filled with wholesome ingredients, they go down well with some of the best coffee in town
Took the bus to circular Quay again and walked up on to the Opera building. Off course we knew it from pictures and from the ferry view yesterday. But from up close it’s even more impressive. We walked around it and had lunch on one of the benches next to the Opera building overlooking the harbor.
Sharon bought her first UCGs for a friends newly bornboy.
After this we walked through the Botanical garden, the huge garden ( a park) is located just behind the Opera building. http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/
We had icecream together with a few huge birds that really scared Zeb off.
We walked through the city towards the shopping area and the kids fell a sleep. Sharon is fond of UCGs and shoes in general, her daily question is:”how much would the UCGs cost here”. The shopping street is Pitt street, we took the bus back through Bondi junction. Bondi junction is at the end of Oxford street, that runs from the center almost to Bondi. At Bondi junction’s a big shopping mall called Westfield.
At Norton Grocer (in Westfield mall) we bought groceries for a fortune, really a grocery jeweler. Compared to this the Cornels Schuitsstraat grocer is like Aldi. But it tasted good, so nothing to complain.
Sharon bought some white Birckentock shoes.
Back in our Honeymoon suite we had dinner in and took a family bath. We are skyping , facebooking and mailing like hell. We have an unlimited internet acces in the hotel so when the kids sleep we go online. Also the kids can now Skype with grandparents and friends. Zeb skyped with Jigal from his class and Sharai had a long conversation with grandmother Guya.
Today some bad news from back home. Hester are Danny are expecting a child in May, now it seems the aorta is on the wrong side. This will need to be operated a few months after birth. We talked to them and they are sad but strong, our thoughts and love is with them.
Jetlag is over. We had fruit breakfast in the room and then good coffee at ‘our’ coffee place on Hall street, Gusto. Sharon had her favo ‘Bircher muesli’ and finally she knows what kind of coffee she has to order; ‘Flat Milk’ (espresso and lot’s off milk).
About Gusto found online: Description
This fascinating deli-café will excite even the most hardened coffee culture victim. Hip and trendy, if it is comfort you want, this is not the place for you! There is some bar-type seating but groovy Bondi locals choose to sit on the milk crates delicately strewn across the pavement! Happy staff and a friendly, laid back atmosphere certainly make this a place to just sit, and drink coffee, and sit, and drink coffee, and...
The baguettes here are great. Freshly filled with wholesome ingredients, they go down well with some of the best coffee in town
Took the bus to circular Quay again and walked up on to the Opera building. Off course we knew it from pictures and from the ferry view yesterday. But from up close it’s even more impressive. We walked around it and had lunch on one of the benches next to the Opera building overlooking the harbor.
Sharon bought her first UCGs for a friends newly bornboy.
After this we walked through the Botanical garden, the huge garden ( a park) is located just behind the Opera building. http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/
We had icecream together with a few huge birds that really scared Zeb off.
We walked through the city towards the shopping area and the kids fell a sleep. Sharon is fond of UCGs and shoes in general, her daily question is:”how much would the UCGs cost here”. The shopping street is Pitt street, we took the bus back through Bondi junction. Bondi junction is at the end of Oxford street, that runs from the center almost to Bondi. At Bondi junction’s a big shopping mall called Westfield.
At Norton Grocer (in Westfield mall) we bought groceries for a fortune, really a grocery jeweler. Compared to this the Cornels Schuitsstraat grocer is like Aldi. But it tasted good, so nothing to complain.
Sharon bought some white Birckentock shoes.
Back in our Honeymoon suite we had dinner in and took a family bath. We are skyping , facebooking and mailing like hell. We have an unlimited internet acces in the hotel so when the kids sleep we go online. Also the kids can now Skype with grandparents and friends. Zeb skyped with Jigal from his class and Sharai had a long conversation with grandmother Guya.
Today some bad news from back home. Hester are Danny are expecting a child in May, now it seems the aorta is on the wrong side. This will need to be operated a few months after birth. We talked to them and they are sad but strong, our thoughts and love is with them.
woensdag 6 januari 2010
Taronga Zoo and the Honeymoon suite
6-1-2010
Today we went to the amazing sydney zoo (http://www.taronga.org.au/). The travel going there is an experience by its own.
We took the bus to Circlar Quay, in between Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. From there we took the ferry to the other side of the harbor where the Zoo is located. On the ferry you have a view on the bridge and Opera house . Arriving at the Zoo ferry station we took a cable car to the entrance of the Zoo. The cable car go’s over the Zoo, so you can see for example the Elephants from the cable car.
We spent most of the day at the Zoo, the kids loved it and we too.
We got back at the hotel at 5. We got the keys to our new room, the honeymoon suite. Sharon was jumping around when she almost entered the room. Ruben told her not to expect too much….
Finally we arrived: we got a room with Jacuzzi, Sauna, three balconies, two TV’s, CD set and large dining room and a super beach view. Do we need to say more, Troostwijk family is back to nature. How will Sharon get an upgrade in a Campervan?
Ruben just went to the supermarket to get tonight’s diner, cause we will picknick in our own honeymoon suite!!
Tonight Sharon will pick up our first bags of laundry.
By the way Australia won the testmatch against Pakistan, with an amazing recovery. Pakistan was bowled out for 137 losing the match by 36 runs. Historic victory.
We indeed had dinner in. Ruben went to the supermarket, the liquor store and finally for Hurricane Grill. Hurricane Grill is a up market steakhouse that has great take-a-way. We got Lamb ribs, Hamburger, chicken and a Ceaser salad.
We had a bath with all 4 of us, in this huge Jacuzzi.
Tonight there is a Choepa (jewish wedding) in the hotel.
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