Blogs from Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Oceania

When I joined this site back in December 2007 it never occurred to me I would write 100 blogs. I started because I was travelling to Guatemala, and a number of people were curious about this destination, so instead of cluttering up their email I started a blog. It wasn't my first trip or my first travel diary, and I knew it wouldn't be my last, but I never dreamed I would write 100. My first airplane trip was when I was 11 years old, with my friend Tracey. We flew to Westport in New Zealand’s South Island, to stay with her grandmother in the tiny town of Waimangaroa. I can’t remember what time of the year it was, but I remember it was grey, overcast and a little rainy, although I’ve visited the West Coast ... read more

Hi followers, I had a nice week-end, hope you enjoyed your week-end too ! The famous Mardi Gras parade took place on Saturday evening @ Oxfords street and we couldn't miss out on this annual event. It's already the 36th birthday of this event! With some of the other students, I went to this dress-up parade that stands up for the rights of the rainbow people and to focus on homophobic violence. I took some pictures of this event, to share them with you guys. Well I'm off for today, I'm going to have a relaxing day @ the beach now. ;) Have a good day !... read more

For the next 4 weeks we are heading first to Paris and then to Brittany. However, before we start this journey let's wind back the clock to 2011 and a conversation we had about our trip that year..... ......."how about we spend all four weeks in Spain. Would that be alright with me” Dianne asked. Alright?? -- it would be absolutely marvellous for me!!! however I was surprised that Dianne would give up her opportunity for two weeks in France. Dianne quickly corrected me on this point – no she was not giving up France, but rather postponing it from this time; our next trip would be totally French. ..... which brings us to here and now as we prepare to set off to redress the travel imbalance. For our two weeks in Paris we have ... read more

Well arrived in Sydney on Saturday night and the studio apartment we are staying in is great and in such a brilliant location. Anyone coming to Sydney and want a great place to stay let me know and I will give you the details. So first thing in the morning we are up and walk down to the Opera House. If I am really honest my first glance of it was oh is that it (think we have seen too many things, don't you and getting a tad ungrateful!!) anyway when we crossed over the river and stood under the bridge it did look amazing so I take back my initial thoughts. Anyway after going around the markets at the Rock and yes you guessed it buying a few little things including a wooden chopping board ... read more

We had one of our worst nights ever with Samuel last night and we were considering our options in terms of changing our flights to Wellington, or staying put at Julie's for the day so that he could rest properly. But we had organised to spend the day with Alex's Mum's side of the family, out in Riverwood, 45 mins South of Sydney. They had gone to so much effort to get everyone together and it would have been such a shame to get so close and miss out on seeing them all. So it was onwards and upwards despite the lack of sleep and cranky children. But by then I was starting to feel quite guilty about dragging them left, right and centre and we were quite worried about Samuel too. Although he was still ... read more