Euro Travel & More

While I go to Farmer’s Market as often as I can while traveling for the food – I also loved the ones in Australia – Sydney best because of all the trinkets you can buy.  But yard sales are fun too because you can get things you need for really cheap – I found all sorts of stuff that I want from both the Farmers market as well as the yard sales nearby.  As much as I enjoyed the organic and home made stuff – i love hand made jeweleries and hand made bags & shoes too. I used to buy Beading Tools online but also found some lovely handmade stuff  online as well but it’s nice to be able to try it first before buying them.

These are lovely right?  yes great presents to bring back for the kids – your nieces and friend’s daughters.  I found some gems to bring home – because you can’t bring that much jam home can you and fly home with you – too heavy.

Another pretty store in a yard sale in Australia.

More food – and home bake stuff

Fresh bread – organic anyone?

My picture of the 12 Apostles is by far the least prettiest because I didn’t wait for the sun to set or the sun to rise plus i was also doing a diet pill reviews .The road to the 12 Apostles was kinda boring if i didn’t remember wrongly and had it not been good company all the way up to the Great Ocean Road – i would definitely be upset – but as it was I had really good company – and it was a leisure drive.

I didn’t get to see all the 12 Apostles where we were parked but it was a beautiful sight and a must see if you are in Australia – afterall, it is one of the most famous landmark in Victoria.  The 12 apostles are actually  huge limestone formations – and not related in anyway to the bible.  Some of the formation have eroded away – but it’s certainly worth taking a trip to see it – even if you don’t drive.  A day trip can be arranged with your concierge at your hotel.

Freshwater Beach, Sydney is in Harbord about 15 minutes over the Sydney Harbour Bridge next to Manly. The location is absolutely beautiful, more so than Balmoral Beach. The whole suburb feels like you are on a holiday up the Central Coast because of the laid back casual feel of this place.  If I could be there everyday, I won’t need the best wrinkle cream .  As of now.. i still have to use them.. hahahha!!  But it’s great to remininse.

It’s not summer yet in Sydney.. and still a bit chilly .. but as you can see . .the water is blue.. and the sun is out.  One can eat at the fine dining restaurant called Pilu or you can eat at the kiosk there.. whichever makes you feel good.

I had an awesome lunch at Pilu..  join me sometimes.

Yes.. they were showing Shrek @ Movie World.. !! woohoo..!!! We really didn’t want to miss it.. and the children just love Shrek.. so we went in and watched it at Movie World.  The theater was awesome..!! and the sound effect.. and the big screen made the big kid.. and the small one wants to turn the basement into a home theatre with home theater furniture and the works for it.  It was definitely a fun experience.. and we hope to go to Gold Coast again.

If you are planning to go to Gold Coast, you must not miss out on visiting the Movie World because it is even better than DisneyLand.  DisneyLand focuses on Disney stuff.. more for kids, but at Movie World.. both you and your kids will enjoy the whole trip… which by the way took us thru’ the whole day.  We spent our first day in Gold Coast at Movie World.. and boy were we tired at the end of the day.  And yes.. the coolest bat mobile.. from batman..!! awesome or what..??

Entrance of Movie World.. and more pictures to come later.  You can book the tickets thru’ your hotel if you wish.. the concierge have connections for things like that.  We had complimentary tickets.. because we are hoteliers.  Owned by Warner Bros, this theme park is all about popular movies that are currently showing and past movies.  Of course, there are rides.. and other performances and children and adults love taking pictures with their favorite movie characters, like Austin Powers, Catwoman, Superman or even Batman if you are lucky.  I took a picture with Tweety Bird.. my favorite Looney Tunes character.

I have to tell yer all.. that I am not really that familiar with Gold Coast – Surfer’s Paradise, afterall, I had only been there twice.. so really not much .. i can really tell. But you all know i was stationed in Sydney for 6 months, so during some long weekends .. we took a short 3 days trip to Gold Coast or Melbourne.  So here are some of the pictures I would like to share with you.  Gold Coast is a very popular destination for holiday makers from around the world.

Here we have the largest shopping center in Surfers Paradise called Centro Surfers Paradise.  Located at the corner of Paradise Boulevard and Cavill Mall, you can’t missed it.  Lots of souvenirs that you can buy for friends and family.. and don’t forget those awesome surf boards.

Entrance to the beach of course.  There weren’t many people around it was still pretty cold.. this time of the year.. . just starting to warm up.

Spring time in Gold Coast is quite pleasing.. .as you can see.  The beach is quiet.. and so are the malls. Behind the beach, there are high rise apartments.

An interesting sand sculpture and just so you know.. you can get lessons for surfing twice a day.  Donch forget Pacific Fair and Harbourtown for your shopping needs.  One is located at the South of Surfer’s paradise and the other on the North.

Picture was taken just outside of Gold Coast Airport and they do lived up to their words . .about being as cheap as chopsticks.  So you asked .. what’s the catch.. right..??  well .. there is no catch.. but this is what it works out to be.

First of all.. don’t expect any meals.  Make sure you book your meal before you board..because you save like a few bucks.  No worries if you don’t you only need to pay RM$25.  Don’t get too hopeful with the meals served on board.  I was advice to choose the western meal.. since the caterers were from Australia.

There are also no assigned seat.. so it’s a first come first served basis… don’t expect any special treatment. Your seats are assigned.. just before boarding.. and don’t get taken in to pay extra.. so that you can get the assigned seats you want.  So since there is no assigned seat.. you can imagine.. the rush and the crowd. .and the ruthlessness.. just to get in there first.

You also pay for what you carry, carry on luggage do not go free.. like your regular airliner. For every 15kg you pay like $7 USD.  Choose the lowest available rate when you pre-book and then top up .. when you check in… if needed.

In flight entertainment.. with your own screen..??  wach you talking about..??? hhahaha!!   no seriously .. there is none.. but you can rent en eplayer for about $9 USD, it is actually a portable player with some latest Hollywood movies. So if you don’t wish to pay extra.. bring your own entertainment.

But all is not lost.. i’m happy to let you  know that everyone flying AirAsia X .. will be enjoying some in flight entertainment by Thales.  I haven’t taken a flight in November.. so i won’t really know.. but I will be doing Melbourne next year. .using AirAsia.. so lets see where they are then.  As for the air stewardess.. i hate to be the  one to burst your bubbles.. but they are neither cute nor very friendly..but if you have a Westerner for a boyfriend or husband. .or with your boss like i am.. then you are ok.. they treat you way better.

So yes.. if you want to pay peanuts.. you fly Air Asia.

I lived in Australia, Sydney for 6 months.. when a hotel I used to work for decided to build a no frill hotel there.  I wouldn’t say the name of the hotel because I had sign a legal contract binding me from talking about the negotiation to the opening of the hotel.  Because of my work in Sydney, I was able to visit Melbourne and Gold Coast a few times.

JetStar is owned by Qantas and flies around Australia, Singapore and New Zealand, because of their low fare, I was able to travel around Australia and even hopped over to New Zealand using JetStar.  Since Jetstair is also owned by Singapore Temesak Holdings, you can be ensured that the standards and quality of everything on the flight is not too, too bad.  My flights were always within a few hours.  Like from Melbourne to Gold Coast was only 2hrs.  I didn’t mind the seats at all.. but the stewardess could definitely need tack .. when dealing with the passengers. Remember flights are darn cheap.. as compared to flights in Canada.. so don’t expect to be served a lot of food.  And to avoid chaos or missing your flight, make sure you are there at the gate about 30mins before boarding, I hear they can be anal at times.

Air Asia turns one .. and they are offering free seats.. to those who wants to fly from Malaysia.. to Perth, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Hangzhou (Shanghai).

Traveling period:
from 1 August 2009 – 24 Oct 2009

Booking Period:
from 3 Nov – 9 Nov 2008

The most expensive ticket would have to pay .. about $200 for surcharges, fee and taxes only.  It is not bad at all.  How I wished i was in Asia.. right now to take advantage of the free offer.  You know how we Asians are, we love to travel.. given any chance.

I stayed in Sydney for a good 5 months.. sometime in the late 1999 .. and i was very fond of the flea markets in Australia. The weekends were wonderful.. and something i looked forward to.. and being a hotelier.. you know we can never be too, too far away from the places where there are great food. The Kirribilli Market is one of those markets that happens every 4th saturday of the month. There are some awesome stuff there.. from homemade handicrafts of bags, clothings .. accessories.. by very talented people. They also have of course your home made cakes and sweets.. plus you can find all sorts of goodies here. I found some treasures here .. in my 5 months in Australia.

Handmade earrings.

Hand made slingbags and purses/coin purses.

Food, food and more food. In fact .. i learned all about organic food in Sydney. Thank you, Sydney..!! you helped me learned alot about healthy living.

KIRRIBILLI MARKET – Bradfield Park North, near Milsons Point Station, Open 7am to 3:30pm PH 02 9922 4428