Notes from Noosa

 I suppose it's fair to say that for the 11 years that I lived so close to the world's most amazing beaches I took it for granted.  When I moved away and began being tortured by the cold, I really began to miss it and eagerly awaited every chance to go back home.  6 years later, I still feel the same.   One of my favourite places to spend a couple of days on holidays is Noosa (but Byron Bay still comes first).  Noosa is simply beautiful, although can at times get hot due to being shielded in an inlet and can often be overrun by families and screaming children.  If it's not your scene, avoid the school holidays.  Or invest in some good headphones.

It has been a while since I stayed at a hotel, as I typically avoid them.  I don't enjoy paying a surplus to be harassed by overenthusiastic staff, turn down services and bell boys (as nice as being fussed over is, I prefer being left to my own devices).  I chose to stay at Noosa Heads Motel - a private and very reasonably priced accommodation, a short walk away from all the action.

The hours spent swimming, reading and walking did me a world of good.  There is nothing better than a beach holiday.

Early morning, post swim coffee at Bistro C

Sickly sweet and over indulgent serving of pancakes at Bistro C

Late night walk

Cooling off in the shade on a hot afternoon

My two lonely holiday purchases - new havs and a jewllery pouch

Cooling off with a coconut on Hastings Street

Arabian Threads caftan (a wonderful Etsy buy) and a Roberto Cavalli for Target bikini

Tales from New Zealand: Life in Queenstown

I've well and truly been missing from the blogosphere and I'm sincerely sorry about that.  Winter sees a real lull in energy levels for me.  I run from the office, straight home to the ducted heating and don't dare leave the house much.  And this year my energy levels have been the lowest in years, so I figure it's best not to post much at all.

Queenstown was an amazing place.  It is like a fairy tale.  You could fool anyone that you are at any ski resort in the world and they would be non the wiser.  Photos do not do it justice.  It is picturesque, warm, friendly inviting and relaxing.  As soon as I arrived I didn't want to leave.  I take heart in the fact that it is a cheap 3 hour plane ride away.

The weather was warm, perhaps a little too warm which meant that all the mountains were closed for skiing, but the amazing house that I got to call home, as well as the delicious food I got to eat surely made up for it.  I think I will reserve a post just for "eating my way around Queenstown".

The descent into Queenstown through the mountains from Wanaka.

 

The view from my bathtub on a cold and foggy morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long, LONG walks along the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just me and the ducks. And my backpack.

Tiny bit of snow.  And I did quickly tire of wearing the same clothes every day.

Little guy!

Notes from New Zealand - Day 3 - Lake Tekapo to Queenstown

As the trip wears on, I am getting extremely tired as there has been a lot to do and explore but it's nothing that a nap by the fireplace hasn't been able to fix.  I didn't know I had this many muscles that could hurt.

Back to day three.  After a wonderful overnight stay at Peppers and a quick breakfast in town, we hit the road for our final destination and what would be home for the remainder of the trip.

From what we were told, it was rather unusual to get such a huge covering of fog, it was hard to see anything at all, including the Church of the Good Shepherd, which is one of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand.  The church is on the shores of the lakes, which was not visible due to the thick fog.

A frozen lake and fog surrounding Peppers Resort.

About 70km from Lake Tekapo is Lake Pukaki.  This lake usually has a distinctive blue colour created by the finely ground rock of the glaciers, but of course the fog continued so we didn't get to see much.  I did manage to score two bruises on my hike down (and then back up) the rocks, but all is forgiven.

The afternoon coffee pit stop was in the stunning town of Wanaka where we fed ducks and walked the shore of the lake in the rain.

The clouds were again hiding the mountains, which were huge.

Hooray, Queenstown is close!!!

And then onto Queenstown and our beautiful house, which I cannot wait to show you.

Notes from New Zealand - Day 2 - Methven to Lake Tekapo

After a much needed night sleep and a breakfast pit stop in town, we left Methven and headed for Lake Tekapo, which was where our second night's accommodation was booked and plan.   The 160km drive is relatively easy.  You are surrounded by rolling hills, snow capped mountains and 50 shades of red leaves.   Rosehip bushes remind me of my childhood.  And then there's sheep (New Zealand has 3 million people and 60 million sheep).  Every turn is worthy of a photo that is screaming to be a postcard.

New Zealand reminds me a lot of my childhood which is the happiest time of my life.  The best memories were those of travelling through mountains with my dad to spend weeks with my grandparents, climbing steep rock faces and chasing sheep with their dog Meri never find behind keeping an eye out on me.  The fresh air and the freedom back then is exactly what I'm loving here in New Zealand and I see myself taking more of these holidays in the future.  

Lake Tekapo is an idyllic, albeit huge lake and an untouched perfect place to star gaze.  It covers 83km square.  We spent the afternoon walking the banks, breathing in the fresh air, drinking tea and thanking our lucky stars that such places exist in the world.  I am in awe of how untouched a lot of New Zealand is, there are no barriers on observatory hills - we are trusted to keep ourselves safe.  Real life seems a million miles away.

One thing I must remark on are backpacks.  This tiny backpack contains a 1.5L bottle of water, a thermos flask, a book, snacks, camera and a whole lot more and feels like a feather.  I am a total convert now.

The stillness, calm and beauty of this lake is incredible.

Up a steep, unsealed road is Mt St John, which provides spectacular 360 degree views and a cafe which serves a pretty good chocolates which hits the spot.

Lake Tekapo is also a wonderful family destination with plenty of activities for children.  And you can't go past staying at Peppers.  

Notes from New Zealand - Day 1

The night before departure I decided to do my tax return, so while stressing over my packing and cleaning the house, I was also finalising deductions.  Lunacy.  After falling asleep at an ungodly hour, the airport thing was an easy affair.  Except that the flight was around 3 hours late thanks to a closed runway (which was passed by lunch at Movida, no less-thank you brilliant international terminal).  Add to that a severe seizure by a passenger on the flight, which made me question whether this trip was a good idea.

Christchurch is in a sorry, empty and eery state, especially at 9 o'clock at night after a 12 hour ordeal.  The city centre is closed and people are leaving en masse due to the persistent earthquakes.  We wanted to start the road trip to Queenstown that night, but only made it as far as Methven before the fatigue and darkness stopped us in our track.

But waking up to this out the window the next morning certainly made up for the slow start.

Yarra Valley

I am (mostly) a city girl and love the metropolitan life.  But equally so I have an intense need for the countryside.  As much as I love my bucket of hair products and high heels I equally adore fresh air, muddy walks, trees and open space.  As a child I spent my summers with my grandparents in their village, chasing chickens and getting lost in the fields with our dog, Meri. 


Lucky then that within an hour drive out of Melbourne, there is plenty of open space and fresh air.

Hat-Sportsgirl Florentina, Fur Wrap-Scanlan & Theodore, Vest-MK2K, Leggings-Supre, Boots-Zomp

Climbing...

As I had promised myself, 2012 is all about righting the wrongs and looking after myself better. Whereas my usual trips (I don't use the term holiday as holidays mean doing nothing but when I travel I have to see every little corner) are all about visiting the hot spots and planning every last second.

I booked a trip this week that requires hiking boots (gulp), ear muffs and a back pack. With not a shop in sight. I'm carefully working on the itinerary but trying to be flexible. There are too many glaciers to climb. Hoping the fresh air will do me a world of good. Any tips for a first timer welcome...

I love Sydney

Sometimes you just need to get away. I've been to Sydney many, many time and am very familiar with it. Yet every time I go I love it even more. I usually hire a car and explore the surrounds. There's only so much the CBD can offer. And it's Frugal February, so staying away from shops is the best idea.

My friends on Twitter warned me that the weather wasn't great but boy was I grateful that they were wrong. It was sunny and hot. Just how I like it.

Upon arriving in Sydney I stuffed my face with Zumbo macarons (the Milo one pictured was perfection) and on attempting to go to Oxford Street, I took a wrong turn and ended up crossing Harbour Bridge and ending up under it, in Kirribili in a tiny little park. Love a surprise.

I'm really looking forward to a quiet February. I do not have too many commitments and I'm over the moon about that.

Hoping to return to regular blogging and blog visits too!

One of the best things about 2011 was you, Prague...

Feelings of wonderlust whenever I look at the photos.  I'm procrastinating posting them, so I can keep writing about Prague all year...

The Old Town Tower as you approach Karlov Most, in astonishing gothic style.  

Crossing the bridge... dotted with 30 statues.  

If you rub St John being thrown into Vltava River and make make a wish... When in Rome!

Foggy morning view from a park I stumbled onto on my last day (which ended up being my favourite spot in Prague...)  This is the view when it's not foggy.