4-2-2010 (Thursday)
Again heavy rain during the night. We spend most of the morning in the town center, 2minute walk from the campsite. Did some shopping and had coffee and lunch. Off course the kids tested the local playground.
Afternoon at the pool and bbq for dinner.
Today we bought dvd from Iceage the movie. We buy dvd’s now and then. We and the kids love watching in the evening, and the lids also during driving. Next to watching dvd’s the kids listen to two cd’s while we are driving, one is animal songs and the other K3.
We can all sing all songs by hart now.
5-2-2010 (Friday)
We decided to move on, to where was not determined yet when we left Port Macquire. Our first stop of the day was Trial Bay Gaol. Trial Bay is again an beautiful bay. The Gaol (prison) on the point of cliff was built in 1877 and was used for prisoners working on a watershed and later for German internees during WO 1. We did a tour through the Gaol and had lunch at the edge of the cliff in front of our ‘house’ , it’s very easy that you’ll bring your fridge everywhere.
We checked out some campsites in the bay and went to the little town of New South Rocks, there was a small nice campsite on the beachfront that had no vacancy.
We walked around the town and off course checked out the beachfront playground. Really nice little town. We bought a beach tent, one that jumps open and is a small tent. To fold it in again will be the challenge.
Kids were really tired, they go to bed very late and don’t sleep in, the only time they sleep some extra is during driving. So we decided to move on, around 4 we left New South Rocks and set for Coffs Harbour region. Coffs Harbour is a real city. North and south of the city are good resorts. We chose darlington beach (www.darlingtonbeach.com.au) a 4,5 star campsite. We arrived at 6:30, had dinner in the restaurant on site and rent dvd Madagascar.
The park has a swimming pool has two huge waterslides, two jumping pillows, beachfront, nine hole golf course and a kids club. Due to the end of the summer holidays, the park is very quit. We will stay here for some days.
Also spoke to Ruben’s uncle Lex who is n Australia (Sydney), maybe we can meet him in Byron Bay or Surfers Paradise, for us further up north.
Unbelievable, again rain during the night and heavy rain it was. Still some moisture in the air when we woke up, tropical!
vrijdag 5 februari 2010
woensdag 3 februari 2010
Offroad driving and back in the city
3-2-2010 (Wednesday)
All up very early @ 7:30. At breakfast we decided to go further up north due to the rain coming in. Our stop is Port Macquire, officially the place with the best climate in the whole of Australia.
But the first turn we took we arrived on a gravel kind of road in the midst of a national forest, no way to turn the van. So we drove for 6 km in this huge van on a soft road through a forest. Positive thing was that we finally were in the forest without needing to hike, negative thing it brought some tension in the drivers cabin ;). But we got out well and now we appreciate asphalt even more.
Kids slept most of the way, just before Port Macquire we went to a small zoo called Billabong Koala breeding centre. With most of typical Australian animals. We padded a Koala, feed different kind of Kangaroos, saw snakes, ostriches, dingo’s and all kind of birds. One of the birds a giant eagle.
All though we saw the roos and koala’s in real, touching them was a nice experience.
Around 4 we arrived a our campsite, sundowner Port Macquire, a park situated in the centre of town and on beachfront. Nice to be in a town again, after all we are real cityslickers.
Off course we had a swim in the pool and drinks in front of the van.
Tonight we had Sharon’s belated diner out, we got reference from our favorite travel guide the footprint East Coast Australia. Very comprehensive and clear travel book. We brought more than five guides. Usually we use the guides day before or day of travel, works good for us.
The restaurant we choose was Fusion 7 on Horton street (one of the busy streets). And indeed was an excellent choice, real good fusion cooking.
Walking back Zeb fell asleep and it started raining just when we arrived back in the van.
We got quit some rain during the nights and also some parts of the days, It seems further up north there is more rain the coming week. So we have to see what we will do. We have little more than over 2 weeks in the van before we will hand it back in Brisbane. So we are on track and no need to hurry. As they say over here: “no worries mate”
All up very early @ 7:30. At breakfast we decided to go further up north due to the rain coming in. Our stop is Port Macquire, officially the place with the best climate in the whole of Australia.
But the first turn we took we arrived on a gravel kind of road in the midst of a national forest, no way to turn the van. So we drove for 6 km in this huge van on a soft road through a forest. Positive thing was that we finally were in the forest without needing to hike, negative thing it brought some tension in the drivers cabin ;). But we got out well and now we appreciate asphalt even more.
Kids slept most of the way, just before Port Macquire we went to a small zoo called Billabong Koala breeding centre. With most of typical Australian animals. We padded a Koala, feed different kind of Kangaroos, saw snakes, ostriches, dingo’s and all kind of birds. One of the birds a giant eagle.
All though we saw the roos and koala’s in real, touching them was a nice experience.
Around 4 we arrived a our campsite, sundowner Port Macquire, a park situated in the centre of town and on beachfront. Nice to be in a town again, after all we are real cityslickers.
Off course we had a swim in the pool and drinks in front of the van.
Tonight we had Sharon’s belated diner out, we got reference from our favorite travel guide the footprint East Coast Australia. Very comprehensive and clear travel book. We brought more than five guides. Usually we use the guides day before or day of travel, works good for us.
The restaurant we choose was Fusion 7 on Horton street (one of the busy streets). And indeed was an excellent choice, real good fusion cooking.
Walking back Zeb fell asleep and it started raining just when we arrived back in the van.
We got quit some rain during the nights and also some parts of the days, It seems further up north there is more rain the coming week. So we have to see what we will do. We have little more than over 2 weeks in the van before we will hand it back in Brisbane. So we are on track and no need to hurry. As they say over here: “no worries mate”
dinsdag 2 februari 2010
Surfing and Sharon's birthday
31-1-2010 (Sunday)
Heavy rain during the night again. Sharon finally slept well since the night she saw the spider (Ruben gave her some homeopathic sleeping pills)
Kids day today, everyday is kids day but today some extras starting with pancakes with 100 % pure maple syrup and strawberries for breakfast. After breakfast we went of to the beach.
We bought a small body board with which we had a lot of fun today. The wave were great, first Sharon and Ruben enjoyed.
But later Zeb got the hang for it and became a real Australian surfer dude. Going in the waves with his bodyboard. It’s funny to see because he also wears his inflatable arm cushions. Sharai is a real summer princess, cause with her being only 2 years of age, she also started to bodysurf like a real gorgeous, blond; tanned, blue eyed aussi gir!l
We had a real summer lunch back home () with a Salad Nicoise and a glass of our Hunter Valley rose.
After lunch we took our house for a drive, we went to Nelson Bay to check on the Dolphin cruises and drove on to Shoalbay to have a look. Kids slept while we were driving.
Back at the site we went for a swim in de pool.
The campsite is very quit now, holidays are over and also the weekend is over. We think future campsites will be quit as well. We will stay another night here.
1-2-2010 (Monday)
Quick breakfast and of we went to the marina of Nelson Bay to take a Dolphin watch cruise. We Had a nice small catamaran with a Jacuzzi, water net and slide on board. We set ourselves in the front of the boat next to the Jacuzzi.
We saw at least 10 Dolphins, a few really close. The boat stopped in the bay of SHoalbay where we used the slide to have a swim in the sea.
Zeb slipped from the stairs but is ok.
Back in Nelson Bay we went to the playground and then to the shopping center of Salamander Bay. We did some birthday shopping for Sharon’s birthday breakfast and we bought a birthday present, a Kodak video camera.
Back at the campsite at around 5 we went for a bodysurf in the sea.
For dinner we had the best bbqed burgers ever. In the camper we watched Shrek the Third together, in the master bedroom.
Tomorrow Sharon’s birthday and then on the move to our next stop.
2-2-2010 (Tuesday)
Sharon’s birthday: Lavish breakfast with pancakes, cakes, fruits. OJ and cappuccinos. Already receiving first phone calls from NL.
After breakfast, morning bodysurf at the beach and then packed for driving further up north.
We drove most of the trip today on a scenic route again, passing by two lakes, Myall and Wallis. A part of the way was on a small stretch of land between lake and sea, really beautiful.
We did some shopping in Forster at Woolworth supermarket. Doing shopping in an other counties big supermarket is always fun. Good fresh fruits, greens and meat in Australia.
We had a look at a nice caravan park, but we passed it over to go to a real beachfront park. So we ended up little further on north in Halidays Point. Great pool and on the beachfront.
Because we could choose to have a birthday dinner in a tavern down the road or at the bowling club we had a Sharon BBQ tonight. Ruben bbqed a salad of greens and Salomon.
About the bowling, this is the British style bowling that we think they call bowls. You have a club with facilities in every little town. It looks it’s played by senior citizens only. They sometimes show it on BBC.
Heavy rain during the night again. Sharon finally slept well since the night she saw the spider (Ruben gave her some homeopathic sleeping pills)
Kids day today, everyday is kids day but today some extras starting with pancakes with 100 % pure maple syrup and strawberries for breakfast. After breakfast we went of to the beach.
We bought a small body board with which we had a lot of fun today. The wave were great, first Sharon and Ruben enjoyed.
But later Zeb got the hang for it and became a real Australian surfer dude. Going in the waves with his bodyboard. It’s funny to see because he also wears his inflatable arm cushions. Sharai is a real summer princess, cause with her being only 2 years of age, she also started to bodysurf like a real gorgeous, blond; tanned, blue eyed aussi gir!l
We had a real summer lunch back home () with a Salad Nicoise and a glass of our Hunter Valley rose.
After lunch we took our house for a drive, we went to Nelson Bay to check on the Dolphin cruises and drove on to Shoalbay to have a look. Kids slept while we were driving.
Back at the site we went for a swim in de pool.
The campsite is very quit now, holidays are over and also the weekend is over. We think future campsites will be quit as well. We will stay another night here.
1-2-2010 (Monday)
Quick breakfast and of we went to the marina of Nelson Bay to take a Dolphin watch cruise. We Had a nice small catamaran with a Jacuzzi, water net and slide on board. We set ourselves in the front of the boat next to the Jacuzzi.
We saw at least 10 Dolphins, a few really close. The boat stopped in the bay of SHoalbay where we used the slide to have a swim in the sea.
Zeb slipped from the stairs but is ok.
Back in Nelson Bay we went to the playground and then to the shopping center of Salamander Bay. We did some birthday shopping for Sharon’s birthday breakfast and we bought a birthday present, a Kodak video camera.
Back at the campsite at around 5 we went for a bodysurf in the sea.
For dinner we had the best bbqed burgers ever. In the camper we watched Shrek the Third together, in the master bedroom.
Tomorrow Sharon’s birthday and then on the move to our next stop.
2-2-2010 (Tuesday)
Sharon’s birthday: Lavish breakfast with pancakes, cakes, fruits. OJ and cappuccinos. Already receiving first phone calls from NL.
After breakfast, morning bodysurf at the beach and then packed for driving further up north.
We drove most of the trip today on a scenic route again, passing by two lakes, Myall and Wallis. A part of the way was on a small stretch of land between lake and sea, really beautiful.
We did some shopping in Forster at Woolworth supermarket. Doing shopping in an other counties big supermarket is always fun. Good fresh fruits, greens and meat in Australia.
We had a look at a nice caravan park, but we passed it over to go to a real beachfront park. So we ended up little further on north in Halidays Point. Great pool and on the beachfront.
Because we could choose to have a birthday dinner in a tavern down the road or at the bowling club we had a Sharon BBQ tonight. Ruben bbqed a salad of greens and Salomon.
About the bowling, this is the British style bowling that we think they call bowls. You have a club with facilities in every little town. It looks it’s played by senior citizens only. They sometimes show it on BBC.
zaterdag 30 januari 2010
Wine and back to the beach
30-1-2010 (Saturday)
A lot of rain during the night again. If it rains it rains hard. But when it was time to wake up it had stopped raining and what we say in Dutch: after the rain, the sun will shine again .
Sharon and the kids went for a good swim after breakfast (many Germans in love in the pool, no kids around) Ruben arranged the van for the trip.
We went to a few vineyards for tasting, the first was Tallavera Grove, after that we went to Briar Ridge. At Briar Ridge we also had a nice lunch (Dip plate and a cheese platter) . We tasted wine and the kids apple juice. We bought one nice bottle of rose.
We passed by one of the pioneers of Hunter Valley, The Drayton’s (since 1858).
Then we set for Port Stephens to the One Mile Beach resort. This was a tip we got from Pardo.
The site is very nice, with a big pool, and again on the beach. We did some groceries in Anna Bay and had a swim in the pool, the pool has a water slide.
We bbqed and Ruben and Sharon watched an Australian movie, ‘Beautiful Kate’ starring the guy that plays Tom Cruise his friend in Cocktail.
A lot of rain during the night again. If it rains it rains hard. But when it was time to wake up it had stopped raining and what we say in Dutch: after the rain, the sun will shine again .
Sharon and the kids went for a good swim after breakfast (many Germans in love in the pool, no kids around) Ruben arranged the van for the trip.
We went to a few vineyards for tasting, the first was Tallavera Grove, after that we went to Briar Ridge. At Briar Ridge we also had a nice lunch (Dip plate and a cheese platter) . We tasted wine and the kids apple juice. We bought one nice bottle of rose.
We passed by one of the pioneers of Hunter Valley, The Drayton’s (since 1858).
Then we set for Port Stephens to the One Mile Beach resort. This was a tip we got from Pardo.
The site is very nice, with a big pool, and again on the beach. We did some groceries in Anna Bay and had a swim in the pool, the pool has a water slide.
We bbqed and Ruben and Sharon watched an Australian movie, ‘Beautiful Kate’ starring the guy that plays Tom Cruise his friend in Cocktail.
vrijdag 29 januari 2010
Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley
29-1-2010 (Friday)
Ruben woke up really early and took a stroll to the lookout point, test of the family also woke up for a early for a long day. Breakfast in the camper and before 10 on our way.
We first went up to some lookout point of which Echo point was the best. Then we went to the town of Leura. Leura is a real nice and pretty town known for it’s gardens and it’s nice picturesque shopping street the Leura mall. We had a coffee and the kids had ice cream. We walked along the little shops and boutiques and Sharai fell asleep.
In the afternoon we went to scenic world and did the steepest railway of the world down the mountain and did a rainforest walk. We went up again with a cable car.
The Blue Mountains are really beautiful, also UNESCO world heritage.
Around 4 we decided to go for the next stop in Hunter Valley. After all a long drive especially because Ruben choose tourist route that was very very bumpy and took 40 minutes more. We finally arrived at 7:30. Instead of cooking we took some Thai out. Campsite is really second tier, but one of the few in the Hunter Valley region. We think we head for the coast again tomorrow, but not after we visited some wineries and a swim in the pool. Our campervan is next to the pool and the kids really need a relaxed morning.
Ruben saw this snake today, luckily from the car.
http://hvbackyard.blogspot.com/2007/10/31-red-bellied-black-snakes.html
Ruben woke up really early and took a stroll to the lookout point, test of the family also woke up for a early for a long day. Breakfast in the camper and before 10 on our way.
We first went up to some lookout point of which Echo point was the best. Then we went to the town of Leura. Leura is a real nice and pretty town known for it’s gardens and it’s nice picturesque shopping street the Leura mall. We had a coffee and the kids had ice cream. We walked along the little shops and boutiques and Sharai fell asleep.
In the afternoon we went to scenic world and did the steepest railway of the world down the mountain and did a rainforest walk. We went up again with a cable car.
The Blue Mountains are really beautiful, also UNESCO world heritage.
Around 4 we decided to go for the next stop in Hunter Valley. After all a long drive especially because Ruben choose tourist route that was very very bumpy and took 40 minutes more. We finally arrived at 7:30. Instead of cooking we took some Thai out. Campsite is really second tier, but one of the few in the Hunter Valley region. We think we head for the coast again tomorrow, but not after we visited some wineries and a swim in the pool. Our campervan is next to the pool and the kids really need a relaxed morning.
Ruben saw this snake today, luckily from the car.
http://hvbackyard.blogspot.com/2007/10/31-red-bellied-black-snakes.html
Camper change, Blue Mountains and liquor
27-1-2010 (Wednesday)
Early coffee, they have a fan with barista that comes into the park and serves good coffee.
Around 10:30 we were on the way, half way stop at Jervis Bay (Hymans Beach) and end destination Kiama. Kiama is 80 Km below Sydney.
We arrived in Jervis Bay around 1:30, our stop was Hymans Beach. They say the whitest sand and bluest sea of the world and indeed AMAZING. We had lunch on the beach and spend there a couple of hours.
Jervis Bay is a big bay they also call bay of plenty due to the huge amount of fish in the bay. There are two villages along the bay, we had fish and chips and an ice-cream in one of them. Else then that was the village nothing special.
We drove further on to Kiama, we passed Nowra. We checked in to the park went out for groceries and were set at our spot around 7.
This is the first park we don’t like that much, no good atmosphere. Also some light rain tonight. We will leave tomorrow, that is the positive thing about a house on wheels.
Tomorrow stop in Sydney at the KEA camper depot to have the airco checked and also the engine, it was leaking oil today and then we’re off to the Blue Mountains.
28-1-2010 (Thursday)
The light rain of yesterday night turned in to a storm during the night and we are wondering how people ‘survive’ in tents. It was pouring rain, and then our house seems pretty small; as if you’re in the rain yourself.
We did the quickest set-up to drive ever. We were on our way at 9:10. Coffee to go in Kiama and then we went up to the KEA depot Milperra, suburb of Sydney. We arrived at 11.
Indeed the airco was broken, we also mentioned that when we got the campervan it was dirty and smelly (especially the restroom).
After some negotiations and intervention by Sharon we got a new campervan and a few days reimbursed. It took some time to change campers and finally at 4 we were on our way to the Blue Mountains.
It started pouring rain, it was a hell of a trip. We had trouble getting up a mountain and finally drove very carefully towards Katoomba. We saw the most beautiful lightening in the storm; up and close. The only positive thing about the storm.
When we arrived at the campsite, small but nice site, the rain stopped. We went shopping and went out for dinner. We had dinner in a Indian Restaurant called Arjuna. The place has a nice view over the Blue Mountains. They are called the Blue Mountains due to the glaze over the mountains caused by the Eucalypts trees.
Back at the site we walked to the edge of a cliff looking at the sun go down. We had the best view and saw already the highlights of the Blue Mountains, the three sisters (a rock formation).
So a difficult day ended with a real highlight.
About liquor:
We had our first BYO (bring your own) restaurant tonight. They don’t have a license selling alcohol, so you are free to bring your own. And because we had our fridge with us, we got a bottle of white wine for Sharon and a beer for Ruben.
One other interesting thing is that alcohol is only sold in specialized shops, called bottle shops. And they have a lot of drive in bottle shops (most famous chain: thirsty camel). We think it’s interesting that a country so active on safety driving and alcohol control have alcohol sold this way.
Early coffee, they have a fan with barista that comes into the park and serves good coffee.
Around 10:30 we were on the way, half way stop at Jervis Bay (Hymans Beach) and end destination Kiama. Kiama is 80 Km below Sydney.
We arrived in Jervis Bay around 1:30, our stop was Hymans Beach. They say the whitest sand and bluest sea of the world and indeed AMAZING. We had lunch on the beach and spend there a couple of hours.
Jervis Bay is a big bay they also call bay of plenty due to the huge amount of fish in the bay. There are two villages along the bay, we had fish and chips and an ice-cream in one of them. Else then that was the village nothing special.
We drove further on to Kiama, we passed Nowra. We checked in to the park went out for groceries and were set at our spot around 7.
This is the first park we don’t like that much, no good atmosphere. Also some light rain tonight. We will leave tomorrow, that is the positive thing about a house on wheels.
Tomorrow stop in Sydney at the KEA camper depot to have the airco checked and also the engine, it was leaking oil today and then we’re off to the Blue Mountains.
28-1-2010 (Thursday)
The light rain of yesterday night turned in to a storm during the night and we are wondering how people ‘survive’ in tents. It was pouring rain, and then our house seems pretty small; as if you’re in the rain yourself.
We did the quickest set-up to drive ever. We were on our way at 9:10. Coffee to go in Kiama and then we went up to the KEA depot Milperra, suburb of Sydney. We arrived at 11.
Indeed the airco was broken, we also mentioned that when we got the campervan it was dirty and smelly (especially the restroom).
After some negotiations and intervention by Sharon we got a new campervan and a few days reimbursed. It took some time to change campers and finally at 4 we were on our way to the Blue Mountains.
It started pouring rain, it was a hell of a trip. We had trouble getting up a mountain and finally drove very carefully towards Katoomba. We saw the most beautiful lightening in the storm; up and close. The only positive thing about the storm.
When we arrived at the campsite, small but nice site, the rain stopped. We went shopping and went out for dinner. We had dinner in a Indian Restaurant called Arjuna. The place has a nice view over the Blue Mountains. They are called the Blue Mountains due to the glaze over the mountains caused by the Eucalypts trees.
Back at the site we walked to the edge of a cliff looking at the sun go down. We had the best view and saw already the highlights of the Blue Mountains, the three sisters (a rock formation).
So a difficult day ended with a real highlight.
About liquor:
We had our first BYO (bring your own) restaurant tonight. They don’t have a license selling alcohol, so you are free to bring your own. And because we had our fridge with us, we got a bottle of white wine for Sharon and a beer for Ruben.
One other interesting thing is that alcohol is only sold in specialized shops, called bottle shops. And they have a lot of drive in bottle shops (most famous chain: thirsty camel). We think it’s interesting that a country so active on safety driving and alcohol control have alcohol sold this way.
dinsdag 26 januari 2010
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