Maybe in Oz

If you can't be home for Christmas, the next best place to be is Australia.  It's summer, it's warm, it's light until 10 pm, and the animals look extra cute with Santa hats and Christmas sweaters on.  Missy and Emily came down from Malaysia to spend last Christmas with us and of course we had a wonderful time. Our first stop was Moonlit Sanctuary, a small local sanctuary not far from our house.  The highlight by far for Missy and Emily both was being able to pet a koala.  Missy has been asking for this since her first Aussie Christmas and we finally found somewhere she was able to do it. Emily, me, Missy, and Phil at Moonlit Sanctuary Group pic with Roo Santa Emu Missy petting a koala Koala selfie Koala needs some shades too Maybe getting some cuddles from one of her favourite people Duck is loving life  On Christmas Eve we always head down to Phillip Island for a picnic on the beach followed by watching the littl...

It's six months on, I'm putting the Christmas card together and realise the picture is from Rottnest Island.  Which is beautiful.  And with our moving in and making the new house just right I haven't felt like writing anything in ages.  But, time to get on with it before I forget! Most people visit Rottnest Island on a day trip, renting bikes to navigate around.  I wasn't about to make my parents ride bikes, and I really wanted to see what the island was like in the evening so we made it a two day trip.  The first day we rode the little train up to Olive Hill to explore.  At the top is a 9.2 inch gun left from World War II, set to defend the west coast of Australia from any attacks. WWII Gun Inside the gun Around the hill is a pretty view of the inland lake and surrounding coastline. Serpentine Lake Nice guns! With the parents On the train It wasn't until Phil and I went for an afternoon run that we really discovered the magic...

Suzannah & Phil -  Merry Christmas 2017!  Thank you so much for hosting an amazing Christmas dinner and letting me join your xmas crew!  I loved meeting your fur babies and getting to see your new and old hoods.  I'll always remember our Christmas Eve picnic at Phillip Island - one minute it was sunny and warm and the next sky water was falling and the sun was long gone - plus the cheese! I wish you both all the best in 2018!  Hopefully we run into each other on our travels - otherwise, NZ 2020! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Love,  Amanda Suzannah & Phil -  What an awesome intro to Australia.  Thank you so much for hosting us at your fantastic bed and breakfast.  I will definitely give you 5 stars on bookings.com :) This will for sure be a Christmas to remember.  The roos, koalas, cockies, and penguins were amazing.  Also westie and kitty love :) The fun isn't over since we still have Tassie.  M...

After our big Christmas adventures we sent our guests off to Tasmania while we finished off the work week.  We meet them in Hobart and made an important first stop at Lark Distillery where those who think whiskey doesn't taste like ass partook in a tasting.  Then we strolled through the Salamunca Market, stopping for a lunch of Wallaby Burritos.  That put a skip in our step as we headed down to Kingston where we stayed for the night. Whiskey tasting Wallaby burritos We set off on New Years Eve morning for Cradle Mountain, taking the longer route via Lake St Clair.  There's not a lot between Hobart and Cradle Mountain except for rolling pastures and curvy roads.   The last time we had been to this lake it was raining so hard we couldn't see past the parking lot.  This time it was only raining lightly so we got to see what the area actually looked like.   Lake St Clair Echidna spotting   Real Echidna.  The only place you...