Just Like Martha

A few days in the country....

Last week we packed up the car and headed west...first stop ORANGE where we had a wander then headed to a vineyard that had been recommended to us...BRANGAYNE OF ORANGE...for a quick tasting..

A lovely place to visit and some very nice wines (a few managed to make it in to the back of the car...), sadly it was pouring with rain so we were unable to wander around the property so it was back into the car, next stop our destination for the night - DUBBO!

We caught up with our dear friends and even managed a night out (adults only - thanks to the adoring grandparents who offered to babysit) first stopping at the restored MILESTONE PUB with its amazing sandstone rooms downstairs where we enjoyed a glass of bubbly, then off to a wonderful Tapas restaurant called TWO DOORS - a great night was had by all!

The next day was ZOO day and we were thrilled when the weather co-operated, the wind and rain from the previous day disappeared and it was overcast but warm - perfect for cycling around the TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO, DUBBO...

 
Lots of great animals, lots of great talks by the keepers...its hard to pick a favourite but these guys were pretty cute and we did get UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL..

So nice to see animals being cared for and living in such a great environment, they have really worked hard to imitate their natural environment wherever possible and in many cases you have to get pretty close before you see a fence..we loved these cheeky apes and could have watched their antics for hours.....SIAMANG APES....

They have this amazing 'call' which can be heard 4kms away...and their throats puff up, they put on a real show - very entertaining!

And who can resist these cuties (usually asleep we were very happy to get these shots)

If you ever get the chance to visit Dubbo a trip to the zoo is a must and seeing it by bike was great - we would certainly recommend it.

 Some afternoon tea with our friends then it was off to our next destination - WELLINGTON!

 
So if Dubbo is famous for its zoo, then Wellington is famous for its caves...and they are pretty spectacular, we were more than impressed!

We only went on a tour to CATHEDRAL CAVE which is the largest and most spectacular but there is another you can visit called Gaden Cave along with a Phosphate Mine.

This was used in the 1800's as a church and is still used today for weddings, carols at Christmas time and the odd concert - amazing! Taylor was mucking around with the sepia setting on my camera and took this great shot..

 
 Across the road from the Caves complex is the Japanese Gardens which are only small but still spectacular...

 
 We had a great few days 'in the country' thoroughly recommend a country raod trip to everyone...good food, great company and lots of great memories xx

Memories of Shanghai

Finally I have organised my photos of Shanghai and set aside some time to write a post about this wonderful city....we left the 45' heat of Cairns and headed to Shanghai for a cold and wintery Christmas.....for a few days we were in shock, -4' was certainly pretty cold but must admit it was so nice to rug up in coats, hats, scarves and gloves and there is something about the cold weather that somehow makes it more like Christmas.

 

What an amazing city Shanghai is, I was quite surprised as to how much I fell in love with it, such a city of contrasts and it is growing at such a rate, everywhere you look there is building work as they hurry to get the city ready for Expo in 2010 and yet take a train to the country and village life continues, tourists are a novelty and English scarcely spoken. We found the people of Shanghai friendly and eager to help, we walked everywhere and if we ever looked lost before long there would be a crowd around us guiding us to our next destination.

 

We were also surprised by the amount of Christmas lights and decorations everywhere, it truly was a magical wonderland and the city came alive at night with all the light displays, I don't think I have ever seen so many decorations in the one city.

 

The next photos I just couldn't resist sharing with you, they demonstrate the real Shanghai....... city of contrasts.......... the New York of the East!

 

 

 

 

 

Fond memories of Shanghai - we'll be back!

Sunny Sydney

I'm back!!! Had a wonderful few days in Sydney, the weather was stunning and I cannot begin to explain the feeling you get when you have been away and you see that Harbour again for the first time, it really is breathtaking. We have been living in sunny FNQ now for almost a year and I love it here but Sydney Harbour in all its splendour really is something and what a perfect backdrop for a romantic wedding.

 

The wedding was wonderful we began with a lovely ceremony under the Harbour Bridge then went on to the amazing Aqua Dining for the reception - such a great venue, amazing food and the perfect view. Had to share this with you...how cute is the top of their wedding cake!!!