Australia

The choices we make

As we toughed it through another “freezing” winter here on the tropical Gold Coast of Australia, I reflected on the lifestyle choice we have made. I came here to escape the cold and the place is full of it – ice cream, gelato, sorbet, ice blocks, icy poles, Golden Gaytimes, snow cones… Continue reading →

Vegetarian Surfers Paradise Dining – Zambrero

  There are a couple of chains around the Gold Coast that do Mexican style food, of these, my pick is Zambrero.  No only is the food delicious but for every meal you buy, someone in need also gets a meal – its a win-win.  The sign in the store on Wednesday when I went, … Continue reading →

Vegetarian Surfers Paradise Dining – Poké California

I was looking forward to sharing about a great little hidden gem in Surfers Paradise called Poké California, which opened in the Circle on Cavill mall a few months ago.  I guess I missed the boat though, when I went on Thursday it was busy! It’s still physically not in the best spot, near the Woolworths … Continue reading →

Dogs in the National Gallery of Victoria

Last weekend as we were enjoying a sweaty balmy 38C in Melbourne, we visited the huge, incredible and heavily air-conditioned National Gallery of Victoria. I’m not going to say too much about the gallery itself, other than its worth a visit.  It’s completely free and if you can’t find something of interest in there, there is something … Continue reading →

Vegetarian Surfers Paradise Dining – PappaRich

For around the last 18 months I have been working in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.  I thought it might be fun to share a few of the more inexpensive vegetarian dining options that I pick for a quick, casual lunch. First up, one of my favourites and a fairly recent addition to the … Continue reading →

P&O vs Princess Cruise Line

Call me a snob but for years I have avoided P&O prefering to travel with Princess Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and the premium Disney Cruise Line.  However a need for a last-minute Christmas holiday combined with a P&O sale forced my hand and I lashed out on a last minute cruise for a party of … Continue reading →

Cake! This blog post contains (lots of) calories

Mum and I recently returned from a cruise onboard Sea Princess from Fremantle to Indonesia.  One of the highlights was each evening in the buffet with these gorgeous, colourful desserts and cakes. There was something for everyone and very few repeats on our 15 night cruise – chocolate, coffee, almond, fruit tarts, pavlova, multiple flavours … Continue reading →

Miegunyah House Museum – Historic House

So after the zombie mannequins at Beenleigh Historic Village, I was pretty sure that a visit to Wolston House was going to be your standard, run of the mill historic house. For the most part, I was right, however visiting Wolston House will remain memorable for a couple of reasons, but I’ll come to those shortly. First […]

Continue reading →

Wolston House – But oh, the gift shop!

So after the zombie mannequins at Beenleigh Historic Village, I was pretty sure that a visit to Wolston House was going to be your standard, run of the mill historic house. For the most part, I was right, however visiting Wolston House will remain memorable for a couple of reasons, but I’ll come to those shortly. First … Continue reading →

Sand Safari 2017 – Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is always a bustling tourist hotspot at any time of year but during February the Safari Arts Festival always gives it a touch extra fun and whimsy. Most days I take a walk at lunchtime, and stroll from the office a couple of blocks towards the Cavill Street Mall where during the Arts … Continue reading →

Then and Now – The Lion’s Head

First photo taken around 1952, with Lion’s head attached to the my father grew up in – Riccarton, Christchurch, New Zealand.  The little boy in the photo is my father aged around 5 years old. Second photo taken yesterday, Gold Coast, Australia.  Lion Head firmly attached to our home here, overlooking the pool. Not sure on … Continue reading →

I hated the Tate Modern… visiting QAGOMA

Visiting the Tate Modern in London was the most boring 15 minutes of my life.  Ok, so maybe I was there a little longer than that, but I found nothing there that appealed to me in any sense whatsoever.  But I confess, I have never been a fan of art galleries anyway. Museums I love.  I … Continue reading →

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

A couple of weeks ago we snagged a “locals deal” on discount website Groupon for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.  The park is located on the southern part of the Gold Coast, about 1h 15m hours drive from central Brisbane and around 30 minutes from Surfers Paradise. We arrived early since the forecast was for 31C and … Continue reading →

Really? You don’t say!

In case you can’t read the sign (as I realise the text is a little wibbly) – it says “STAIRS UNDER REPAIR, PLEASE USE RAMP”. Now why didn’t I think of that? (Photo taken at Beenleigh Historic Village a couple of weeks ago).

Oh the disappointment…

Since moving to Australia we have been enjoying the array of fresh fruits and vegetables at our local produce shops.  In New Zealand, the produce at our local Green Grocers did tend to be more seasonal. Occasionally we stumble upon some little gem that we haven’t seen or tried before and I’m always tempted.  Today … Continue reading →