Isn’t it odd that waterfalls are white when water is colourless!
Click on the links to see my travels to these places
My Six Word Saturday Challenge, Water Water Everywhere and White for Jude.
It’s All Water Over the Falls
Tag: Travelblog
Sydney, still glorious
After our visit to Melbourne was over, we flew into Sydney for three nights. This was to catch up with relatives and friends that we hadn’t seen for a few years.
We stayed in the Oaks, Goldsbrough Apartments in Darling Harbour. Very well located and within walking distance to the CBD, Darling Harbour and the new Barangaroo wharves.
One of the things we noticed about Sydney after Melbourne was the contact tracing. Everywhere was so much more vigilant than Melbourne, with people outside making sure you checked in or restaurant and bar staff asking before they served you.
Goldsbrough Apartment Complex
It was originally designed as a wool store by William Pritchard in 1883. This building caught fire in 1935 and burned for two weeks, but was rebuilt by Stuart Brothers the original builders. In 1995 the building was converted to apartments. The outside was kept to the original Victorian outlook but the inside is to my mind, something like a prison! Fairly well appointed as a one bed apartment with spectacular views over the city. We were on the 11th floor.
Looking down to the ground floor apartments 
My dear husband commented “I wonder when lights out are”
Over the next three days we met up with friends and relatives and also did – for me anyway – large amounts of walking. Compensating for the large amounts of eating and drinking we were also doing.
Our walk from the apartment to Waterfront Park, Pyrmont took around 20 minutes.
The Glittering Lights of Sydney
Walking around Sydney
On Pyrmont Bridge 
Flags flying on Pyrmont Bridge 
QVB Building 
Barangaroo harbour and wharves was only in the early stages when we were in Sydney last, now it’s completed and another feather in Sydney’s cap. Sadly the rooftop bar in the Crown Casino is only open from Thursday to Sunday. We found this was the case with many of the restaurants. Also we saw many bars, cafes and restaurants that had closed for good. The places that were open had the minimum of staff, so the wait was long for the food.
I really enjoyed staying in the Pyrmont/Darling Harbour area with the waterfront restaurants and cafes so close by. The harbour front was buzzing and lively during the day and night. I hope business picks up soon for the businesses here.
And then it was back to Perth where we thought we had escaped quarantine, but unfortunately not. I think this will be the last of our interstate trips until they have stopped closing the borders.
After four days of no long walks, the boys had had enough and I came down to this in the morning.
Touring Tasmania – Low Head, Launceston
For the next few days we would be exploring Launceston and some of the surrounding areas. George Town and Low Head were the destinations for today. We travelled along the East Tamar Highway alongside the Tamar River. Low Head is a suburb of George Town and sits right on the peninsula with a lighthouse at the top.
The above photo is of the Windmill Point Tree Sculptures. Depicting the workmen hauling ashore the telegraph cable that linked Tasmania to the North Island. Carved by chainsaw artist Eddie Freeman from macrocarpa trees.
One of the Tamar River Leading Lights
Low Head
Onto Low Head to have a look at the lighthouse and historic site that is up there. There is a carpark just below the lighthouse and after parking we made our way to the top. Constructed in 1837 by convicts, originally made of rubble with a coat of stucco. It was decided to build a lighthouse after a dozen ships were wrecked over the previous years.
Walking down the hill the to the sea, I could see some black and white birds on a rock. It said there were penguins nesting around so I had a look through my Canon Powershot and sure enough there were a “huddle” of penguins on the rocks.
I had to balance the camera on one of the rocks to keep my hands steady, I was very happy that they didn’t come out blurry.
I felt like I’d had a good workout by the time we got back to the top and into the car. Stopping again in George Town for a delicious lunch in a waterside restaurant called The Crazy Duck. We still had a few hours left before Laurence and Maddy were arriving from Melbourne that evening, I looked at the map to see if there was anywhere worth seeing on our return to Launceston. Deciding on Lilydale Falls we drove half an hour east away from the river.
Lilydale Falls
After parking the car we made our to the first waterfall which was around 15 minutes and then saw a path to the much bigger one. It did have a warning for this part of the walk to say there were no handrails and it was quite a way longer. I’m glad we made the effort though, not that it was an effort for hubby only me! There were huge trees and ferns all around and so peaceful. There were a few other people walking the trail but not enough to hold anyone up.
Getting back to the hotel around 5pm, I had just enough time for a rest before Laurence and Maddy arrived and then it was straight out to dinner.
Another walk to the restaurant called Cataract on Paterson. Wonderful lively restaurant with a great menu and friendly staff.
Always a treat to see these two
And then it was back to our prison block as hubby called our hotel! Actually it was a very nice hotel “Balmoral on York” but housed in a plain brick utilitarian building. Conveniently located with a super host and great reception staff. There was a cute breakfast room serving continental and cooked breakfasts. The rooms were perfectly fine with extremely comfy beds.
Tomorrow we would be heading to Cataract Gorge which was going to involve lots of walking!
Touring Tasmania – Stanley to Launceston
All too soon we were leaving Stanley, enroute to Launceston. It’s just a 2 hour 30 minute drive, so we had plenty of time to explore the wonderful coast road.
Our first stop was Boat Harbour Beach where we stopped for coffee. We found a beautiful little cafe right on the beach.
There are so many small coves and bays along this route. Next stop was Devonport. This is the port where the “Spirit of the Sea” docks. Sailing from Melbourne twice a day, overnight and in the day. Next time we visit Tasmania this is what hubby would like to do.
Following Penguin Road along the beach there is also a railway line, that is in close proximity with the road. We were lucky enough to see a freight train riding along side of us.
For lunch we settled on a restaurant called Drift, which overlooked the Bass Strait. It was housed in a glass walled timber structure jutting over the beach.
Before driving to our hotel in Launceston we had to make an additional stop at the airport to change our car as the aircon had stopped working! They were expecting us so we were able to make a swap without too much trouble!
Arriving at our hotel at 5 pm, we checked in and then went off for a walk. We definitely took a few wrong turns and it ended up being a very long walk.
Launceston is just so full of old historical buildings that have been renovated or restored and now house businesses and restaurants. It was nice to see whole buildings intact, unlike Perth, WA, where often they just keep the facade.
Customs House was built in 1885 and features beautiful intricate Corinthian columns.
Albert Hall built in 1891 and is still used for events and functions.
Price Memorial Hall built in 1896 and the Independent Church built in 1836, by the Reverend Price, once stood next to it.
Launceston is a riverside town and is very different from Hobart. It’s the second largest city after Hobart. It seemed to me that the streets and roads were much steeper. The Tamar River runs through Launceston where there are many wineries and vineyards along the route.
We ended up at the Seaport where there are many restaurants and bars, and had happy hour in the Mud Bar.
There was a concert being played the weekend we were there, Jimmy Barnes and some other equally famous bands, so we were told everywhere would be booked out. I did make a few restaurant bookings before we arrived though and for our first night we went to Novaris. A very elegant Italian restaurant not too far from our hotel.
Tomorrow we will pick up Laurence and Maddy who are joining us for the rest of our stay in Tasmania.
Touring Tasmania – Highfield House, Stanley
During our short stay in Stanley we visited Highfield Historic Site. I love a historical house, more so when it has an English background in another country.
Highfield was built in 1826 in the Regency style of 1811 – 1820, by Edward Curr. Mr. Curr was the newly appointed manager of Van Diemans Land company that had bought 250,000 acres in this region. He and his wife Elizabeth had 15 children, most sent away to school during their early years.
I was fascinated by this house and all the gruesome history that went with it. Being built by the hands of the convicts that were being transported from England at the time. It was a very harsh and rugged terrain and many ventures failed due to the inclement weather.
Highfield House 
The Stables
They made sure they were warm with all these beautiful fireplaces. One in every room.
Upstairs Bedroom 
Dressing Room
We had a wonderful time exploring this house, with all the in-depth information available. There are portraits on the wall of everyone who has lived here and some background history, extracts of diaries from the ladies of the house as well as detailed goods that were needed to run such a busy household.
Of course it must be remembered that before this settlement was built it was home to the diminishing Tasmanian Aboriginal People. With the contest for these lands between the Company and the Indigenous People came many violent deaths and massacres.
On the Way
The Friendly Friday challenge for the next two weeks has been set by Amanda from Something to Ponder About. It’s all about travelling to or from somewhere.
My featured photo is from a trip to Vientiane, Laos. A man walking in the countryside with his woven baskets.
Going Home
Everybody rides bikes in Vietnam, old and young alike. The woman on the left doesn’t even have her baby in a sling! The small boys at the front in both photos look like they are driving as well.
I took the above photos from a car next to the bikes, a bit of a blurry result!
Going to and from work and school are my thoughts on the above two photos. I wonder how the man on the left didn’t lose his balance!
The left photo is in Hue and the right, Hanoi.
🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍
Hyper Hanoi – October 2016
Adding onto our Laos/Vietnam trip we flew to Hanoi from Luang Prabang and planned to stay here for three days. We decided instead of organised trips we would just explore Hanoi on our own. I had booked three days at Hotel Nikko a very large Japanese hotel near Hoan Kiem…
Up the Stairs to Phousi Hill
Another for Becky’s Square Up
We climbed up these stairs to get to Phousi Hill Lookout in Luang Prabang from our riverboat trip along the Mekong River.
Stay Calm and Don’t Erupt
My first for Becky’s January Square Up
An active volcano which last erupted in 1914. Luckily when we visited and walked around in June 2017 it was just smoking!
Meelup Farmhouse, Eagle Bay with the Divas
Another day, another lunch for the divas’ weekend in Dunsborough. This time it was at the picturesque Meelup Farmhouse. What a super place this is.
Before even getting to the entrance there is so much to see, so remember to arrive a bit early to have a look around.
Lizzie the cow was hiding when we were there, but here’s one from the Meelup website I cheekily stole!
As soon as we sat down we were given the drinks list, but on looking around it seemed everyone was drinking the same thing. So we didn’t even have to look and ordered four “we’ll have what they’re having” – Ginger gin passionfruit mojitos”.
An airy and light dining room with a fabulously decorated ceiling.
House made sweet potato flat bread, roasted beets, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, avocado, beetroot hummus + kale 
Fresh Farmhouse salad, merlot vinaigrette 
Woodfired Atlantic salmon, roast fennel, honey + dijon dressing 
Salt + pepper squid, Farmhouse grown chilli, shallot
Above are some of the dishes we shared and we also had Chicken liver pate topped with cherries and chargrilled Yallingup wood fired sourdough, which was melt in your mouth delicious!
After this another cocktail was called for! We shared two between four – Getting Figgy – Gin, Fig, lemon, Fig jam and a classic Pina Colada. These two seemed to have much more alcohol than the mojito.
A few more snaps around Meelup
Meelup Farm also offers picnic hampers which you can eat in the extensive gardens under shady trees, away from the noise of the restaurant.
Everything about this place was superb, food, service with a smile and wonderful location. It’s definitely on my “go back to” list.
Last but not least a photo of Mila, the resident labrador. We were told when we sat down that we weren’t allowed to feed her, she was on a diet! I don’t think everyone got the message.
Click on the link for more details
Dunsborough Days with The Divas, Western Australia
My friends and I had a fantastic three days away for a girls’ long weekend down in Dunsborough, in the South West of WA. The drive from Perth takes approximately 3 hours. It was something we had been meaning to do for a long time, finding the right time for the four of us wasn’t easy.
We rented a beautiful four bedroom house very close to the beach. The most essential thing on our list was a bedroom each! The house was two story with a balcony overlooking the ocean. It had a wonderful deck to sit and have our happy hour each evening.
The Divas
We had a planned itinerary for every day visiting local restaurants and wineries, shopping of course and walking, basically eating and drinking for three days. Evenings were spent playing cards and board games.
It was our first time away together and we all got along famously and intend to do it again sometime soon.
Morning Coffee 
Evening Wine
Pelican and Seagulls 
Evening fishing
One evening we drove over to Yallingup to catch the sunset which is not visible from Dunsborough.
Dunsborough is the perfect place for families with its sandy beaches and calm shallow water. All types of houses to rent and there are many resorts along the beach.
Reviews of the restaurants and wineries will follow soon
