Euro Travel & More

Luna Park Sydney brings out the child in me every time I visit.  I remember watching out for new rides or new features and then planning to go there during my off days.   Luna Park is located at 1 Olympic Dr. Milsons Point, how do one get there?   It’s actually pretty easy to get there – we went from by ferry – but if you have the unlimited bus pass – that would be easy too.  It’s very near Sydney Harbor.   Like most amusement parks – you have to pay for the entrance fee and the rides – we always go for the all rides – for about $39 Aud  – I think – it may have changed now – I haven’t been back for ages.  But even an old fogie like myself loved the rides – so I don’t think the kids would have any trouble enjoying them too.

We always spend the entire day in Luna Park – and my favorite is the spin ride – not suitable for the faint hearted.  And like all amusement parks – food in the restaurants – are pretty expensive – so are the drinks.  But I didn’t mind spending the money – after all, we are there for the fun right?  But for a family of 4 – it can get really costly.

It’s absolutely beautiful at night – and any child would love to be at Luna Park.

Another all time favorite of mine is the bumper car rides – you should hear us squeal – the kids are frightened by us – hahah!  We didn’t go on the ferris wheel as we’ve been there up teem times but you get a great view of Sydney Harbor when you are up there – so check it out yourself and don’t forget the cotton candy at Luna Park Australia.

So a few days ago – i told you how much I wanted to be on a cruise ship right about now – this is a continuation of the previous post -  just like a mini casino here.

Sunning on the sundeck – how awesome is it – to be sunning in the middle of sea/ocean.  And you know what’s best about it – you can read – you can do absolutely  nothing and listen to your music and sip margaritas and no one will disturb you.

Or you can watch your kids – playing in the pool right in front of you.

Or just stand around on the ship and watch the sun go down. More on the cruise in another post – stay tuned.

Right about now – we could use we could use a cruise – the weather is getting a lot colder now – and I wished I was in Australia – where they are having their summer.  But we ain’t that lucky – as you can see – as the cousin who is in Sydney – she went on a cruise when it was winter there.  Lucky her!  I’m so envious – anyhow – this is on board the Pacific Dawn.

Some people like my mom would never go on a cruise – I think they watch too much shows about the ship sinking – like the Titanic – hahaha! but I love cruises – everything under one roof.  From night clubs to Casinos and all kinds of food and lots of beverages – when you are sunning in the sun deck – what’s not to love right.  Well, one thing I don’t really like is size of the cabin – but if you can afford it – I suggest you get an upgrade – it would be a lot more spacious and of course more comfy.

They even have a gift store and sundry store and a book store as well.

Slot machines for those who wants to try their luck on the cruise.  I never usually do – but the kids – they love to play once at least on the machine – and when you are on the cruise – for the fun of it – they would be kind enough to let the kids go on the slot for once each.

More on the cruise – in Part 2

Living in Perth for a few year was pretty fun – when one can go biking even when we are at the beach or at The Pinnacles – with our thule rack we had no problems at all bringing our bike everywhere we go.   The Pinnacles is within the Nambung National Park about 2 hrs drive from the nearest town.   We love visiting the Pinnacles Desert – for those who’ve been here – you would know what i mean – the fine sandy desert – with limestone pinnacles.

Lancelin Sand Dune is where we love to go too – while we were living in Perth – some said it’s a touristy place – but we didn’t think so.  Sandboarding was perfect – but biking down the sand was also fun,  besides the exercise on the bike – was good for all of us – we just dislike walking up the sand dunes and starting all over again – hahah!

Found some pictures we took when we were up in Australia for a wedding of a cousin – so I thought I would share it with my friends here.  A different perspective of Sydney.

Told you – a different perspective – we took a ride on my cousin’s new husband plane – if you can call it that – hahah!

I’m sure you all know where this is?  GREAT OCEAN ROAD!!

Lots of sail boats.

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.