A snap on my iPhone while queueing for check-in at Denpasar Airport. Poor little guy didn't wake up from the transfer from hotel. At least I didn't have to cradle him.
Social holiday or seclusion?
'Crowne Plaza Changi Airport'
One of my excuses as to why I like holidays in caravan parks is that they are social. One step out your bedroom door, whether it's the tent, camper trailer or caravan, and you have a crowd to people watch, say hello and get to know. I associate the caravan park with getting to know people, leaving valuable belongings secured by just a tent zipper, and watching kids zoom up and down the roads on their bikes and scooters, screaming and laughing. No privacy. No quiet times. But fun.
I do really like to travel in style too, and love to stay in resorts where I am pampered with fluffy bed and crisp linen, buffet breakfast and my own little haven behind my suite door. One thing I have noticed though, in many hotel and resort lobbies, there is no ambience. And no people. Sure, they are nice and beautiful to look at when you arrive, but how many of you have said 'hey, let's go hang out in the lobby' while on holidays. Particularly if you are staying in a hotel.
Luxury and boutique hotels have mastered it, drawing free-spending crowds to their lobbies. But now, large traditional hotels are spending billions in renovations to lure their guests down into the lobby. Upgraded wine lists, semi private nooks, communal tables, free Wi-Fi and comfy seats are just a few of the changes.
It will be a nice change, walking into a city hotel and finding people lingering. As opposed to the sound of elevator music playing and receptionist with their head down at the desk.
On a plus side to travelling with kids...
I have been compiling a top 100 list about travelling with children for an eBook recently. Let me share one with you...
Tip: bless 'em.
Going on holiday doesn't stop the tantrums, the dirty nappies, the naps, the getting up in the middle of the night, the need to go to playgrounds. It does stop late night jaunts, long lazy meals, relaxing with a book, and lazing in the bed every morning before ambling to a mid morning breakfast.
It closes a number of doors, but where one door closes, another opens. Literally.
IN MOST CULTURES, CHILDREN ARE THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION.
You are invited in to families homes, people stop and chat, the children encourage conversation, you are looked after, and above all... you learn and experience more. You get out to the where the locals hang, venture to new frontiers (heck, go out the back gate!), meet many people in one day, and see a different way of life to your own back home. Whether you are travelling in your own state, or across the other side of the world.
In Phuket we were welcomed into a villagers home for the night. A woman on moped asked only families to come in. We were fed, offered a place on their lounge floor, and taken care of while a tsunami warning played out down below. Going up, locals even carried (yes, carried) our strollers up the hill in sections for us. Helping to get us away from the impending tsunami even faster. Thankfully, it never came, but we were safe indeed with locals.
In Bali we played on the beach and grass with local kids. None - adults or children - could verbally communicate with each other but so much fun was had.
Here in South Australia, we are constantly chatting to locals, finding the best coffee, playgrounds and places to go.
Have kids, will travel. Use it to your advantage to get more adventure and fun into your holiday. Get curious, and have it sated.
Lake Bonney at Easter time...
Easter is a great time to get away with the family for some fun. And working from home, to get away from work. The laptop and phone did come with me, but didn't get much of a work out. 
My niece loves taking photos... and I decided to give her my D800 and 70-200mm lens to have a play with. While my sister held her breath with anxiety, I let my niece go. She got some great shots. A penchant for angles - or maybe just a heavy camera weighing her down. Love the fact that I am inspiring a new generation of photographers. Whether it be for capturing family moments, or creating a living from it.
Lake Bonney is about three hours from Adelaide. The lake is a wonderful place for skiing, fishing and sailing. The waterfront in Barmera is grassy, long and scattered with fun things for the kids. A monster playground with 'dinosaur bones' in the sand, a skate park, a sandy volleyball patch and in front of the caravan park, two giant trampolines sitting on the water.
With Berri and Renmark just up the road, it is a quieter spot to base yourself for a few days. And down the other way, towards Adelaide, is Banrock Station. Perfect. For big boys and their toys, they are not forgotten. Loveday is on the doorstep - fun for four wheel driving action.
If you are after a good coffee though... don't stay over a public holiday. With one coffee shop in town that is closed most of Easter, I am in withdrawal mode. The Tourist Infomation Centre has coffee too, but I never made it in to try. An excuse to go to Berri was made.
Hope you all had a great Easter!
10 tips for baby travel
1. Don't call it a holiday - it's travel 2. Baby wipes
3. iPad or dvd player
4. Bubble blower
5. Baby food squeezie sacks
6. Nibbles and bribes
7. Sling, backpack carrier or lightweight stroller
8. No expectations of sightseeing - you will do what you can do
9. Stickers and craft packs
10. Pipecleaners - amazing what you can do with these furry things
Womadelaide 2013
I was so excited to take my kids this year. Belle went when she was little, she still loves seeing live music, and Ashton loves to jiggle and scream - but then along came 38 degrees. Hot. Sticky. Tired.
It was in the park. Slightly more refreshing. And it was overcast at times. Ashton couldn't help but heat things up in his mouth too, eating most of his dads curry. And then sticking his tongue out trying to cool down. Belle was satisfied with her frozen lemon yoghurt. Much better choice perhaps.
The kids area is great - free amusements, craft, things to see and do. Belle even had her face painted for the first time. Ever. The look of excitement and unknown on her face when she ran over to show everyone is something a won't forget in a hurry.
I won't forget the ciders, the organic donuts that everyone raved about (but I missed out on), the fantastic music, the loose and varied crowd, and the dirt on my feet from salsa hip shaking fun in front of stage two. How fun. Neither will I forget the cost to get in for the day - $330 plus for two of us. Thank goodness the kids were free.
And another impressive note. The amount of bikes that were ridden. Go greens. The only other time I have seen this many bikes in one place is Amsterdam. Jealous I couldn't ride. Not twenty five kilometres in 38 degree heat with two little children, one big lunch bag, one nappy bag, four drink bottles, a pusher and umbrellas. Maybe one day.
Was it worth it? Yes. Would I go again. In a shimmy shake. But next time, maybe for a few days. So much to see, so much to feel, so much to hear.
Lucky Lupitas... lucky us.
What do you do when you can't escape overseas? Go eat out, on international food. I haven't been to Mexico, so can't comment on the authenticity - but damn, this is fine food. Lucky Lupitas.
In an unfortunate location perhaps, just outside of Flinders Medical Centre, with not much parking. This little cantina packs a punch. So many rave reviews. Frequent waits for tables.
Why? No bookings. Fresh, basic, tasty food. Casual and friendly service.
Cute mismatched cutlery and glassware to match the granny tables. Green walls. Funky lightbulb feature lights. Rustic. Music. Music that my three year old daughter bops to. A vibe to comfort and relax.
Yuca Fritas - taking me back to Brazil.
Hamburguesa Hogao - converting me to the meat in bun meal
Elote - the tastiest corn and condiments I have ever eaten.
And I think we all loved the crsip, salty, every so just right, papas fritas.
We went for our eight year wedding anniversary. At home, we watched our wedding video. We saw us speaking of our travels, watching a belly dancer perform, and us dancing salsa and merengue to Turkish music. How cultural.
Next?
Holidays with Kids Two in Tow An article that has been published in the recent edition of Holidays With Kids - a great magazine for parents looking to make best use of their holiday time. So many fabulous ideas and experiences to read, including this one from our recent trip to Phuket. Please let me know what you think, if you have any comments.
Phuket with kids
[gallery link="file"] It's no holiday, but traveling with kids can be fun and rewarding. Forget the teething bubs, the tantrums, the water care, the fact that you can't do many tours - and you are in for a great time. What you can't do is made up for with what you can do. Massages when they are asleep, afternoon naps for yourself, lots of swimming in the pool, stopping to chat with lots of locals, spending all day with your kids as a family and generally messing about.
We have just got home from Phuket, an adventure that saw us do all of the above and more. The most 'excting' time saw us up a mountain in a local home for five hours due to a tsunami evacuation. While we were up there we were told that 1000's had been killed in Indonesia from three waves eight metres high. When we finally edge down the hill at 9.30pm to find a hotel on the hill, we are told that all warnings have been cleared and no wave is coming.
I'm still wary of staying in our beachside villa and want to be transfered to a room in the main building. Nothing is available, so we end up back in our room. Until at 5am we are woken by the fire alarm, this time however we are prepared. We grab our pre packed backpacks, lock the kids in the pushers, and run to the lobby in our sleepwear. It's a false alarm. I want to go home now, so scared of staying and the racing adrenalin tiring me. We are not aware yet that no one was killed by the tsunami. We are not aware yet that there was no tsunami.
The kids don't go back to sleep, even though they have only had six hours. After breakfast I get on the internet to find out what happened. That's where I read there was no tsunami, only a 80cm wave, with no injuries. I'm exhausted - thank goodness it's the last day. No more adventures please, not for a while.
Robe weekender
Robe is a quaint little town on the South East coast of South Australia - well known for its beach, fishing and 4WDing. I like it because of its cute character, its very eclectic ice-creamery, and now, Mahalia coffee. I've been to Robe twice, and loved it both times. Once prior to kids, and now with kids in tow, literally. One on a trike and one on a scooter. We down beautiful, strong Mahalia coffee in the mornings, get the adrenalin pumping on the tracks of Little Dip Conservation Park, and then chow down on Vic Street Pizzeria pizza in the evening. One night, the Big 4 Caravan Park put on a disco for the kids - Belle, my two year, wanted to go. It made my heart sing. A little two year old head banging, clapping and spinning in circles with all the big kids to Top 40 music while a disco light and coloured lights scatter beams of light all over the floor. So worth all the drama throughout the day, and trying to get them to sleep. Needless to say, she went to bed fine that night. Here are some pics... [gallery link="file" columns="2"]