Hong Kong no Phooey TR (Apr 2012)! The Yee's have it....Guia Hill #1006, 06/02 [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

PrincessInOz

10-26-2011, 07:34 AM

Quick Links

PTR Section: Yat, Yee, Sam, Say…..Say phat in Cantonese? It’s my Hong Kong PTR

Yat, Yee, Sam, Say…..Say phat in Cantonese? It’s my Hong Kong PTR! Introductions (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43061483#post43061483)
Brushing up on my Cantonese means finding out that $‘phat phat phat’ is 3 x $20 fat! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43070801&posted=1#post43070801)
A Recap of the PIO PPPPPP (aka Let the Planning Begin!) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43089176&posted=1#post43089176)
"So Much Time, So Little to Do!" - Willie Wonka Got it Right the first time Round! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43095421&posted=1#post43095421)
"If it has got four legs, two wings and it swims!”…Prince Phillip is nearly Right! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43105719&posted=1#post43105719)
OT - Halloween In Oz: Trunk or Treat! Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43107627&posted=1#post43107627), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43107642&posted=1#post43107642), 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43107659&posted=1#post43107659)
”Pick a ‘Ph…’! Pick a ‘Ph…’!" It’s Audience Participation Time! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43133102&posted=1#post43133102)
OT - Collingwood Children's Farm and otherwise! Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43163663&posted=1#post43163663), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43163668&posted=1#post43163668), 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43163672&posted=1#post43163672), 4 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43163676&posted=1#post43163676)
"Get Your Phacts first, then you can DIStort them"...A little Mark Twain wisdom....It's Disney Phirst! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43191227&posted=1#post43191227)
“Room Service? Send up a larger room.”…..Going with the ph-low; Groucho Marx style (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43232629&posted=1#post43232629)
Going with the Ph-low: ‘Phat’nights at the Harbour Plaza Metropolis con’ph’irmed (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43267518&posted=1#post43267518)
OT - 30,000 reasons for Dis-Sanity! One Part only (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43351006&posted=1#post43351006)
“You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going”…..Orientation time! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43375911&posted=1#post43375911)
OT - December in Melbourne and Life's Perspective through a camera lens. Parts 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43518582#post43518582), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43518625#post43518625), 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43518698&posted=1#post43518698), 4 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43518721&posted=1#post43518721)
OT - Christmas Food Porn. Parts 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43535336&posted=1#post43535336), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43535340&posted=1#post43535340)
OT - That Fireworks Curse Again! One Part only (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43550947&posted=1#post43550947)
"DON’T PANIC!" Just because there seems to be no rooms available on the website…. (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43572192#post43572192)
OT - More Fireworks Curse! One Part only (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43611244#post43611244)
OT - A Brand New Year! One Part only (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43616937&posted=1#post43616937)
OT - A Mini Victorian Getaway.
.......Day 1. Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43621893&posted=1#post43621893), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43621897&posted=1#post43621897), 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43621901&posted=1#post43621901).
.......Day 2. Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43633538&posted=1#post43633538), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43633554&posted=1#post43633554), 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43633565&posted=1#post43633565), 4 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43633574&posted=1#post43633574), 5 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43633604&posted=1#post43633604), 6 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43653621&posted=1#post43653621)
.......Day 3. One Part only (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43653675&posted=1#post43653675).
“Everywhere is walking distance, if you have the time”....Things to see in Hong Kong (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43674721#post43674721)
"Ford PERFECT Strikes Back"......Disney all Sorted! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43686921#post43686921)
“A journey of a thousand miles must start with a single step”…Get a Visa! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43729627&posted=1#post43729627)
"The Wonderful World of Disney"....Hotels, Food and Recreation (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43738699&posted=1#post43738699) and My Park Must Do List (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43738781&posted=1#post43738781)
”No one can deny the excitement of visiting Another World”....Ocean Park (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43778232#post43778232)
“One Country, Two Systems”…..Macau (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43797132#post43797132)
OT - Chinese New Year. Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43830890&posted=1#post43830890), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43830980#post43830980), 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43847123&posted=1#post43847123), 4 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43847327&posted=1#post43847327), 5 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43884615&posted=1#post43884615), 6 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43884641&posted=1#post43884641)
OT - Australia Day in Melbourne. Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43902619#post43902619), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43902637&posted=1#post43902637)
2 month Countdown Check-in (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43918531&posted=1#post43918531)
“The Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with One Step”....Shenzhen (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43933923&posted=1#post43933923)
“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea”…let’s talk about High Tea (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43976152&posted=1#post43976152)
“You didn’t turn in your paperwork. This office is now closed”.....YAAAAAAAH! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44042384#post44042384)
As they say “When you’re on a good thing, stick with it!”….Disney Fuzzy Maths revisited (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44139870#post44139870)
4 week countdown and to-do list (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44198802#post44198802)
OT - Montsalvat. One Part only (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44225451#post44225451).
“If I don’t do laundry today, I’m gonna have to buy new clothes tomorrow.”…..There’s no such thing as Chinese Laundry! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44248936&posted=1#post44248936)
Day by Day Account - Departure Day (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44276593#post44276593)
Day by Day Account - Day 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44287409&posted=1#post44287409)
Day by Day Account - Day 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44295642&posted=1#post44295642)
Day by Day Account - Day 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44307446&posted=1#post44307446)
OT - Moomba. Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44307748#post44307748), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44307767&posted=1#post44307767) , 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44307783&posted=1#post44307783)
Day by Day Account - Day 4 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44317959#post44317959)
Day by Day Account - Day 5 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44325550&posted=1#post44325550)
Day by Day Account - Day 6 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44338028#post44338028)
Day by Day Account - Day 7 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44346765&posted=1#post44346765)
Day by Day Account - Day 8 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44350681&posted=1#post44350681)
Day by Day Account - Day 9 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44360925&posted=1#post44360925)
Day by Day Account - Day 10 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44373446&posted=1#post44373446)
Day by Day Account - Day 11 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44391263&posted=1#post44391263)
"I have always depended on the kindness of strangers"...Hong Kong SIM Cards (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44392452&posted=1#post44392452)
Day by Day Account - Day 12 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44401756&posted=1#post44401756)

TR Section: Hong Kong no Phooey! The Yee’s have it...

Back Home....Get Ready for the TR (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44580216&posted=1#post44580216)
On our way in a different direction (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44580871&posted=1#post44580871)

Part 1 - Hong Kong Disneyland

Arrival Day
Disneyland Resort - Style, Confucion and Elegance. Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44588089&posted=1#post44588089), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44588111&posted=1#post44588111), 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44588139&posted=1#post44588139)

Day 1 - Disneyland
Sea-ing life through a Grey Filter (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44590861&posted=1#post44590861)
The Yee’s have it – Daytime at the room (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44590873&posted=1#post44590873)
Breakfast at Walt’s Cafe (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44590876&posted=1#post44590876)
The Hotel Gardens (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44590885&posted=1#post44590885)
The Path to the Happiest Place on Earth (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44590891&posted=1#post44590891)
The Yee’s have it – Daytime at the resort (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44599333&posted=1#post44599333)
Dim Sum, Disney style – One of a Kind. Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44599395&posted=1#post44599395), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44599441&posted=1#post44599441)
Disneyland – At LAST! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44599478&posted=1#post44599478)
Flights of Fantasy parade Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44599565&posted=1#post44599565), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44599600&posted=1#post44599600)
From the Entrance to the Castle (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44599640&posted=1#post44599640)
Right is the way to go (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44613245#post44613245)
Journey into the Future and Take Your Imagination for a Drive (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44613256&posted=1#post44613256)
Shooting at Infinity (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44613265&posted=1#post44613265)
A quick trip to Space and All Stitched Up (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44613275&posted=1#post44613275)
How to go to Fantasyland without going Fantasyland (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44624086&posted=1#post44624086)
All Roads lead to Adventureland (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44624095&posted=1#post44624095)
Festival of the Lion King Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44624101&posted=1#post44624101), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44624106&posted=1#post44624106)
Dinner time at Comet Cafe (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44633784&posted=1#post44633784)
Round-ing off Tomorrowland (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44633800&posted=1#post44633800)
Twilight at the Hub with Pak and Milk (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44633845&posted=1#post44633845)
I think the Fireworks Gods have been Kind to me tonight (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44643963#post44643963)
They Say the Neon Lights are Bright......and Lucky Chans (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44643968&posted=1#post44643968)

Day 2 - Disneyland

The Yee’s Have It – Walt’s Café Again (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44658243#post44658243)
Making Rope Drop (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44658283&posted=1#post44658283)
Into Fantasyland – properly this time! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44658336&posted=1#post44658336)
Episode IV - Into the Valley of the Dolls Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44666437&posted=1#post44666437), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44666469&posted=1#post44666469)
Episode V – The Yee’s Have it – The Dolls Strike Back (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44666500&posted=1#post44666500)
Episode VI - Return of the Disney Dolls (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44666558&posted=1#post44666558)
Fantasyland with One Difference (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44681970&posted=1#post44681970)
The Golden Mickeys, with a Difference. Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44681982&posted=1#post44681982), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44681990&posted=1#post44681990), 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44681998&posted=1#post44681998)
Fast Pass enforcement in the 100 Acre Wood (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44703973&posted=1#post44703973)
Fighting the Tide of Lunch (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44703988&posted=1#post44703988)
Toy Storyland (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44704024&posted=1#post44704024)
The Yee’s Have It! Adventureland again – This time Properly! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44716649#post44716649)
Leaky Tiki’s (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44716663&posted=1#post44716663)
That Tree (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44716682&posted=1#post44716682)
Come Push and Shove - Some Separation Time (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44716686&posted=1#post44716686)
Behind the Festival of the Lion King (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44716710&posted=1#post44716710)
Up Close and Personal with FotLK Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44725698&posted=1#post44725698), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44725707&posted=1#post44725707), 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44725711&posted=1#post44725711)
Disneyland "transportation hub" (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44738960&posted=1#post44738960)
Last night at the Park and a most serious discussion (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44739019&posted=1#post44739019)
Off-Kilter Fireworks (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44739065&posted=1#post44739065)
Saying Goodbye to the Park (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44739093&posted=1#post44739093)
'Slacks' and 'Smacks' at the Grand Salon (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44739130&posted=1#post44739130)

Day 3 - Disneyland

Now THIS is what I call Breakfast! (Enchanted Garden) Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44754495&posted=1#post44754495), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44754506&posted=1#post44754506), 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44754512&posted=1#post44754512)
After Breakfast, a little shopping time (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44776952#post44776952)
Heading for the hills……Hollywood time! Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44777010&posted=1#post44777010), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44777016&posted=1#post44777016)
Goodbye Disneyland Hong Kong! Looking to the Future (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44777090&posted=1#post44777090)

Part 2 - The city of Hong Kong

Day 3 - Hong Kong: Using the MTR to get to the Metropolis Harbour Plaza; Victoria Peak at Night
You want to catch the train?!?! Let’s talk MTR and OC (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44798100&posted=1#post44798100)
Adjusting to Life in the Real World (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44798120&posted=1#post44798120)
Our home for the next 8 nights (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44798155&posted=1#post44798155)
Adjusting to the local custom (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44804525&posted=1#post44804525)
At Victoria Peak (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44804547&posted=1#post44804547)
Pesky Vegetarian (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44804578&posted=1#post44804578)
Sky Terrace 428 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44804594&posted=1#post44804594)
Let’s Play Spot the difference at the Peak (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44804654&posted=1#post44804654)
A Tale of Two Toilets (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44804672&posted=1#post44804672)

Day 4 - Hong Kong: The Peak by Day, Central, Mid Level Escalators, Star Ferry, Jumbo Kingdom, Dinner in Aberdeen
The Yee’s Have It – Back to Victoria Peak (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44813742#post44813742)
Soft mounds at the Peak (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44813785&posted=1#post44813785)
The Left Side of Victoria Peak by Day Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44813809&posted=1#post44813809), 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44813832&posted=1#post44813832)
Finishing off Victoria Peak on the Right Side (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44825287&posted=1#post44825287)
Two ‘Wongs’ do not make a FairWood good (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44825333&posted=1#post44825333)
A little exploring around Central (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44825364&posted=1#post44825364)
Orientation from the Escalators (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44843886&posted=1#post44843886)
Another Hong Kong public transport institution (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44843934&posted=1#post44843934)
Party@8 - Picking your travel buddies by School Playground rules (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44855765&posted=1#post44855765)
The Elephant Realm Landmark (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44855784&posted=1#post44855784)
Inside the Bowels of the Elephant (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44855800&posted=1#post44855800)
Always Eat where the Locals Eat (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44855834&posted=1#post44855834)

Day 5 - Hong Kong: Ocean Park Day, Causeway Bay dinner and Shopping around Time Square
Ocean Park – Firstly, the practicalities of getting there (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44871150&posted=1#post44871150)
Ocean Park in Black and White (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44871156&posted=1#post44871156)
In Search Of more Animals (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44871165&posted=1#post44871165)
Nostalgia and Chariots in the Sky (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44889524&posted=1#post44889524)
A Wild Ride – NOT – Hair Raising Mishap (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44889551&posted=1#post44889551)
Lunch at the Terrace (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44889634&posted=1#post44889634)
Birds of Multi Colour (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44906946#post44906946)
Adventure Land, of the Ocean Park kind (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44906979&posted=1#post44906979)
In Search of….Ani-Mammal-ias (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44907010&posted=1#post44907010)
I know it’s called Ocean Park but I really didn’t expect to get WET! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44907038&posted=1#post44907038)
A little Shoe Shopping (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44926003&posted=1#post44926003)
Party@10 for Dinner at Windsor House (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44926033&posted=1#post44926033)
Shop till You Drop in Times Square – Hong Kong (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44926085&posted=1#post44926085)

Day 6 - Hong Kong: Ngong Ping, Tian Tan Giant Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Shopping in Jordan, Temple Street Night Market, Nathan Road
The Yee’s Have It – Lantau Island again (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44933775&posted=1#post44933775)
Ngong Ping Village (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44933808&posted=1#post44933808)
Walking Beneath the Foot of the Giant Buddha (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44943136#post44943136)
Up Close with the Tian Tan Giant Buddha (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44943146&posted=1#post44943146)
I’m not getting any Wisdom: The Left side of the Path was a minor Mis-step for me (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44943155&posted=1#post44943155)
In Search of….Buddhist Culture (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44975416&posted=1#post44975416)
The Main Shrine Hall of Buddha (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44975423&posted=1#post44975423)
What you get as "A Snack and a Drink" (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44975425&posted=1#post44975425)
Another Snack! Tau Fu Fa (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44975430&posted=1#post44975430)
Monkey Tales and Walking with Buddha on the way back (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44975438&posted=1#post44975438)
The Yee’s Have It! Another Pesky Vegetarian Tale (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44992931#post44992931)
Yue Hwa Chinese Products, Jordan (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44992957&posted=1#post44992957)
Some Temple time at Night (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44993010&posted=1#post44993010)
A Walk down Nathan Road (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44993039&posted=1#post44993039)

Day 7 - Macau: The Venetian, Portuguese Tart, Macau Tower, A Ma Temple, Guia Hill and Fortress
All Aboard for Macau – Bring your passport (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45007029&posted=1#post45007029)
The Venetian at the Strip – the Cotai Strip (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45007067&posted=1#post45007067)
A Morsel of Deliciousness (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45007162#post45007162)
Towering orientation in Macau (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45007261&posted=1#post45007261)
Since 1488 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45035911#post45035911)
Around Barra Temple Square (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45035940&posted=1#post45035940)
If it’s another Hill, it must be another Landmark in Macau – Guia Hill (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45059521#post45059521)
Guia Fortress, Chapel and Lighthouse (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45059529&posted=1#post45059529)

princess::upsidedow

dgbg100106

10-26-2011, 08:12 AM

I am here, I am here... Better late than never right!

DisneyFirefly

10-26-2011, 09:19 AM

I'm in! :teeth:

snapppyd

10-26-2011, 09:39 AM

Hooray, I made it for the first page this time! :cheer2::dance3:

usnuzuloose

10-26-2011, 09:52 AM

I am here for the fun!

PrincessKsMom

10-26-2011, 10:31 AM

Count me in! :thumbsup2

franandaj

10-26-2011, 10:35 AM

Woohoo! Page one!

popcorn::

SCHBR'smom

10-26-2011, 11:57 AM

Hong Kong! Sounds fun!

wickey's friend

10-26-2011, 02:58 PM

I'm in!!!!!

queenie82

10-26-2011, 04:15 PM

Are you taking bets on how many times Qantas will cancel and reschedule your flight?
I'm waiting simply on the when...how soon they notify you...and how they will scatter you and yours throughout the aircraft.
Even if you pay for allocated seats I also wonder how many times they change the aircraft type...and 'accidentally' move you to the rear of the aircraft.

Finally...will customs or the baggage handlers be working that day? :lmao:

Ahhhhh....aren't you glad little miss positive is here :teeth:

Goofyluver

10-26-2011, 05:49 PM

:woohoo:

PrincessInOz

10-26-2011, 10:08 PM

I am here, I am here... Better late than never right!

Late??? You were FIRST!!!

Hmmmm. Wonder what that make everyone else???? :rolleyes:

I'm in! :teeth:

:hippie: Glad you're in!

Hooray, I made it for the first page this time! :cheer2::dance3:

Page 1 is always good.

I am here for the fun!

Fun? I'm sure it was for the deviation and deviant factor!

Oh...yes.... FUN! :thumbsup2

Count me in! :thumbsup2

Glad you could make it!

Woohoo! Page one!

popcorn::

:cool2:

Hong Kong! Sounds fun!

Another vote for FUN!

(Refer to disclaimer and previous response about deviation and deviants!)

I'm in!!!!!

:yay:

Are you taking bets on how many times Qantas will cancel and reschedule your flight?
I'm waiting simply on the when...how soon they notify you...and how they will scatter you and yours throughout the aircraft.
Even if you pay for allocated seats I also wonder how many times they change the aircraft type...and 'accidentally' move you to the rear of the aircraft.

Finally...will customs or the baggage handlers be working that day? :lmao:

Ahhhhh....aren't you glad little miss positive is here :teeth:

Little miss positive? You're practically the DIVA!

And in response to your perfectly valid comments about our ever UNreliable national carrier....DH told me to make sure we have a BULLET PROOF travel insurance plan! :rotfl:

As to Qantas getting any more money out of me for early allocation of seats....well....see if you need to ask me that after my next update!!! :headache:

:woohoo:

Thanks for making it over here! :flower3:

PrincessInOz

10-26-2011, 10:21 PM

Brushing up on my Cantonese means finding out that $‘phat phat phat’ is 3 x $20 fat!

On the first two days that Qantas, the ever UNreliable Aussie National Airline Carrier, advertised a 3 day or 72 hour sale, I learnt two things about myself:
1. NEVER hit the submit button before my morning coffee…..and by extension…NEVER do ANYTHING before my morning coffee.

I was so mesmerized by that S-A-L-E word that in my rush to give away my money, I forgot one very important ‘phact’. I’d forgotten that we have rather close family friends that are travel agents. Normally, I would ring them and give them the business and commission fees…..but you have to remember that I had not had my caffeine fix yet.

I … um….. forgot. :blush: (Yes, Santa….this year for Christmas, please include a large bottle of gingko biloba pills…and please feel free to wrap them in that pack of Depends!)

Any way….as is the case, I only remembered after I hit the submit button and consoled myself by thinking that this could have been an internet only sale. So later that night, when DH and I were doing our happy dance at home….DS wanted to know what was going on. Conversation went something like this:

DS: Mum, Dad….why are you both talking about Hong Kong (and ignoring me)?

Me: Well….that would be because we’ve decided that we’re going to go to Hong Kong next year during the 1st term holidays.

DH: Yes…we get to meditate and do Tai Chi in the parks….and have conversations with Buddha…..

DS: Do they speak English there? Will I have to learn a different language?

DH: They speak Cantonese. It’s okay. We’ll just get Mum to translate for us.

{DH and DS both turn and look expectantly at Me.}

Me: http://www.myemoticons.com/images/emotions/shocked/shocked.gif Phat-the???

Er….yes…..Cantonese. That language that I used to pretend to speak when I was a child…that language with 5 different intonations where the slightest pitch change could be the difference between ordering crabs and getting shoes instead or possibly asking to see the frontal view of the bahookie. (This might sound funny...but believe it or not...a change in intonation on the same 'word' will yield those 3 possibilities!)

Me. In. A. Country. Where. The. Local. Are. BRUTAL. To. Others. Not. Worthy. Of. Pure. Perfect. Cantonese. Speak.

http://www.myemoticons.com/emoticons/images/msn/new-emoticons/loser.gif

I was definitely going to have to brush up on my Cantonese in order to keep the respect of my DH and DS. Oh yes….most definitely have to brush up on my Cantonese.

And for those of you that haven’t realized it yet…that jumble of words in the title for my TR? It translates to:

Yat = 1
Yee = 2
Sam = 3
Say = 4

Yup. Most definitely have to brush up on my Cantonese! OR….
Plan – sneaky – B was required. I decided I needed to call in the cavalry!

Later that night, after a quick discussion with DH…I set plan B into motion. Granted…DH might have been asleep whilst I held this pow-wow…but I figured he snored in agreement.

On day 2 out of the 3 day advertised Qantas Sale, I headed over to my parents for dinner. I got there early….so early that my mum asked me what was up!
:sad1: No one understands me at all.

I told her about the sale and that we’d booked a trip to HK. With no more that just that simple statement, mum immediately walked to where dad was and was back before you could say Jack Skellington!
And within 2 minutes, she was on the phone to her friend, the TA.
Within 5 minutes, my parents were booked on the same flights as we were; thus disproving my consolation that it was an internet only sale.

It was during this 5 minutes, that I learnt the second thing about myself:
2. NEVER hit the submit button before my morning coffee…..and by extension…NEVER do ANYTHING before my morning coffee.

My parents were quoted $860-something for the same flight.

http://www.myemoticons.com/images/emotions/angry/perturbed.gif

So, by brushing up on my Cantonese….those magic 8’s that did it for me yesterday with an advertised sale fare of $888…..or… $‘phat phat phat’ pronounced like ‘but’ but with a soft ‘b’?

Today, it sure sounded like “phart what butt” in the different Cantonese intonations (NOT a spoken pun very similar to prosper or wealthy)…..but loosely translates to Qantas 3 x $20 FAT to me!!!!

But hey, it’s all good. Afterall, $60 is a cheap fee to pay for two translators who have been to HK at least 3 times before and speak much better Cantonese than me.

Way to go for brushing up my Cantonese!

princess::upsidedow

ps. For those Aussies reading this and wanting to point out that Qantas has introduced a price matching or money back policy…I’ve read the fine print. Price matching and money back only applies to COMPETITIVE websites offering a cheaper price for exactly the same flight. Last time I looked, our family friend TA did NOT have a “dot au” after her name.

usnuzuloose

10-26-2011, 11:12 PM

So what did you learn? :rolleyes1

skiingfast

10-27-2011, 02:54 AM

Just a lurking.

queenie82

10-27-2011, 03:28 AM

Hope you get some good travel insurance. Read the PDS. make sure it's the latest too.
Many people have been discovering their policy don't cover industrial action......

Now....continue typing and planning please.....

Toy Story

10-27-2011, 05:02 AM

Reading along, you are a great storyteller :)

PrincessKsMom

10-27-2011, 08:56 AM

I'm not understanding anything other than "phat butt" but whatever, I'll hang around and wait for pictures. :rotfl2:

SCHBR'smom

10-27-2011, 09:09 AM

I'm not understanding anything other than "phat butt" but whatever, I'll hang around and wait for pictures. :rotfl2:

I saw the word bahookie in there.

Oooo, I can speak Cantonese and Scottish, phat bahookie

PrincessKsMom

10-27-2011, 09:40 AM

I saw the word bahookie in there.

Oooo, I can speak Cantonese and Scottish, phat bahookie

My phat bahookie broke the kludgie! :rotfl:

bobbiwoz

10-27-2011, 04:57 PM

Wow! So, yesterday when DSis & I were watching the movie in Epcot's China, you were beginning this TR, cause you're GOING to HKD! Wow...I'm in for the story.

PrincessInOz

10-28-2011, 12:31 AM

So what did you learn? :rolleyes1

Before I answer that, I need to check if I had my morning coffee yet...

Just a lurking.

Lurk some more! :thumbsup2

Hope you get some good travel insurance. Read the PDS. make sure it's the latest too.
Many people have been discovering their policy don't cover industrial action......

Now....continue typing and planning please.....

None of the travel insurance covers industrial action....gonna speak with our family friend, the TA.

Reading along, you are a great storyteller :)

Oh......ah...... :blush:.......shucks.....thanks!

Glad you're here!

I'm not understanding anything other than "phat butt" but whatever, I'll hang around and wait for pictures. :rotfl2:

:scratchin I do have a picture of "phat butt"....somewhere.......maybe I'll put it on my photo list for HK. ::yes::

I saw the word bahookie in there.

Oooo, I can speak Cantonese and Scottish, phat bahookie

My phat bahookie broke the kludgie! :rotfl:

Now, I think I understood most of the above...except for kludgie. Are we talkin' about the Scottish venacular definition for this word?

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Summer%20Scavenger%20Hunt/Category%20P%20-%20T/2011June29SummerScavengerhunt023.jpg

If so, then - PK - I'd like to see a picture of the kludgie that your phat bahookie broke. :rolleyes1

Wow! So, yesterday when DSis & I were watching the movie in Epcot's China, you were beginning this TR, cause you're GOING to HKD! Wow...I'm in for the story.

How's that for coincidence?

Officially....I'm going to Hong Kong. :thumbsup2

It just so happens to have a mini-Disneyland located there. :laughing:

usnuzuloose

10-28-2011, 02:25 AM

At least you and Chris could communicate, he speaks all kinds of languages. I really see the issue of FAT BUTT.:rotfl2:

PrincessInOz

10-28-2011, 08:26 PM

At least you and Chris could communicate, he speaks all kinds of languages. I really see the issue of FAT BUTT.:rotfl2:

:scratchin Does he speak English? :lmao:

PrincessInOz

10-28-2011, 08:36 PM

A recap of the PIO PPPPPP (aka Let the Planning Begin!)

Those of you who have lived through one of my PTRs will know that I have long held the view that Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance (PPPPPP). I’m guessing that the Dis filter may have wiped out one of my ‘P’s (or maybe not) but I think you get the picture.

Yes, Snapppyd….there are 3 more P’s in this than your handle!

For those of you who have lived through one of my PTRs before, you will also know that I am the kind to over-plan and over-prepare and then NOT worry when deviations from the Perfect Plan occurs in real life.

During my PPPPPP Period (hey – I think I’m up to 7!), I tend to over-drive DH crazy with my “did you know this” and “did you know that” and “what do you think about this”.
So, he was eternally grateful when I discovered the Dis so that I could drive you all crazy; instead of him. Afterall, you can choose to ignorami me and I would remain in blissful ignorance. He, on the other hand, can not (He is not that 'Ignorance' and I am not that 'Blissful').

Our agreement for this trip is I do the PPPPPP and he’ll just go with the flow.

We need to make sure we work out:

1. Where to Eat. My dad will eat anything as long as it comes with rice. DH is a vegie-'pesky'-tarian. Which means he eats:

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2010%20Christmas%20Food/Christmas2010060.jpg

...and....

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2010%20Christmas%20Food/Christmas2010063.jpg

2. Where to Sleep. DH and I have agreed that it needs to be clean, centrally located (but quiet) and near transportation.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/DIS%20Post%20-%20all%20about%20me%2010Feb09/0828001.jpg

Any sort of animals, 4-legged or otherwise, are not allowed.

3. Where to Shop.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Jan%20California/Day%206-2%20Silicon%20Valley%20afternoon/USAHolidayJan2011217.jpg

Oh all right…maybe in my dreams I get an L-series 70 – 200 mm lens! But a girl can dream, right?

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/Oct%202010%20USA%20Holiday/Prime%20lens%20Photography%20101/USAHolidayOct2010SF142.jpg

4. How to get around. Okay...this may fall into homework of memorising the public transport Map (and getting an Octopus Card)! Afterall, how hard can it be?? :confused3

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/images/map/hongkong/hongkong-mtr-map-s.gif

5. Where and how to park our bahookies (preferably without breaking kludgies)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Summer%20Scavenger%20Hunt/August%202011%20Winter%20Festival/2011August20WinterFest002.jpg

I suspect that this task may end up being to memorise where most of the Golden Arches are in HK.

6. What to See. Note to self…More work required for this category!

…quite possibly in that order.

:scratchin Anything else I’ve missed?

Let the Games..er…PPPPPP begin!

princess::upsidedow

queenie82

10-28-2011, 09:15 PM

During my PPPPPP Period (hey – I think I’m up to 7!), I tend to over-drive DH crazy with my “did you know this” and “did you know that” and “what do you think about this”.
So, he was eternally grateful when I discovered the Dis so that I could drive you all crazy; instead of him. Afterall, you can choose to ignorami me and I would remain in blissful ignorance. He, on the other hand, can not (He is not that 'Ignorance' and I am not that 'Blissful').Yeah...that's fun...but best done by mocking you inbetween :upsidedow

4. How to get around. Okay...this may fall into homework of memorising the public transport Map (and getting an Octopus Card)! Afterall, how hard can it be?? :confused3

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/images/map/hongkong/hongkong-mtr-map-s.gif
I survived...which is saying a lot...

I suspect that this task may end up being to memorise where most of the Golden Arches are in HK.

:scratchin Anything else I’ve missed?

Let the Games..er…PPPPPP begin!

princess::upsidedowI can help you with where the Starbucks are in Tsim Sha Tsei :thumbsup2

franandaj

10-29-2011, 12:24 AM

2. Where to Sleep. DH and I have agreed that it needs to be clean, centrally located (but quiet) and near transportation.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/DIS%20Post%20-%20all%20about%20me%2010Feb09/0828001.jpg

Any sort of animals, 4-legged or otherwise, are not allowed.

I don't know, if hotels offer cats in the rooms I'm more than happy to choose that over other hotels. When we went to New Zealand, we stayed at a wonderful bed a breakfast where they had two houses on the property and we had one and the host had the other. There was the cutest cat who hung out at the guest house, he was very friendly and only had three legs, we named him tri'pawed. On our last day he brought us a gift of a caught mouse. We had shared our steaks that I cooked with him and the night that the hosts cooked us bison we also shared with him. He took a fancy to us and would come join us in bed the mornings that we chose to sleep in. He was very affectionate. I love to meet a feline on vacations!

queenie82

10-29-2011, 01:28 AM

Adrienne

10-29-2011, 03:19 AM

Ahem...

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/qantas-grounds-all-flights-20111029-1mpao.html

Of course the plan will result in the destruction of the airline..
Or...
Get a resolution to reduce the on going threats of action

they better not kill the airline - i have a trip planned from the same sale as this one, in feb, and about 300,000 ff points to burn in 4 years time to go to orlando b4 the airline is allowed to self destruct.

Adrienne

Adrienne

10-29-2011, 03:22 AM

Now, I think I understood most of the above...except for kludgie. Are we talkin' about the Scottish venacular definition for this word?

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Summer%20Scavenger%20Hunt/Category%20P%20-%20T/2011June29SummerScavengerhunt023.jpg

If so, then - PK - I'd like to see a picture of the kludgie that your phat bahookie broke. :rolleyes1

:

as a aussie who has a scottish mother i can certainly say that yes a kludgie is a toilet.

skiingfast

10-29-2011, 03:57 AM

Maybe Qantas will have to get cheaper to lure lost customers back.

queenie82

10-29-2011, 04:03 AM

Maybe Qantas will have to get cheaper to lure lost customers back.
People keep saying "I'll never fly QANTAS again!"

But despite engine explosions, strikes, flights grounded midflight due to countless incidents...people still pay a PREMIUM to fly Qantas...

Ansett imploded about 10 years ago...there are disturbing similarities to the chain of events that caused that happening here. :sad2:

Adrienne

10-29-2011, 05:49 AM

yeah i remember when ansett collapsed ( plus i have read a detailed account of it in a book that i now cant remember the name of)

ansett may well have survived its last incarnation if it hadnt been for the way in which airnewzealand treated it, and oh yeah that 9/11 incident in the US as well also helped put the final nail in the coffin.

i'm not religious but here's hoping, god willing, that we NEVER have another one of those situations.

Ansett was my all time fave airline - i was a member of Ansett Starship Crew ( their kids fan club) and when it folded (ASC, not ansett) they gave us all 2 free mystery flight tickets. that was the first time i ever got to go to sydney (at 11 and i thought i was so cool cause i got to take the day off school to do it!).

PrincessInOz

10-29-2011, 04:13 PM

Yeah...that's fun...but best done by mocking you inbetween :upsidedow

I can help you with where the Starbucks are in Tsim Sha Tsei :thumbsup2

Somehow....you mocking me....has a rather familiar ring to it! :laughing:

:scratchin Starbucks? You know...it might not be a bad idea to know where the Golden Arches and Seattle Coffee are in HK.

I don't know, if hotels offer cats in the rooms I'm more than happy to choose that over other hotels. When we went to New Zealand, we stayed at a wonderful bed a breakfast where they had two houses on the property and we had one and the host had the other. There was the cutest cat who hung out at the guest house, he was very friendly and only had three legs, we named him tri'pawed. On our last day he brought us a gift of a caught mouse. We had shared our steaks that I cooked with him and the night that the hosts cooked us bison we also shared with him. He took a fancy to us and would come join us in bed the mornings that we chose to sleep in. He was very affectionate. I love to meet a feline on vacations!

Sadly, cat hotels are non-existent all over the world. And I will definitely NOT be taking any 4-legged animals into HK...particularly near any restaurants. :teeth:

they better not kill the airline - i have a trip planned from the same sale as this one, in feb, and about 300,000 ff points to burn in 4 years time to go to orlando b4 the airline is allowed to self destruct.

Adrienne

:wave: Hello fellow Aussie traveller! Looks like you'll get to HK before me. Do lots of research when you're there and tell me all about it!
Feel free to share on this PTR as well! :thumbsup2

Maybe Qantas will have to get cheaper to lure lost customers back.

Qantas is NOT cheap...never has been; never will be. :sad2:

PrincessInOz

10-29-2011, 04:24 PM

”So much time, so little to do! Strike that, reverse it!”…Willy Wonka got it right the first time round!

Unlike planning for *ahem* Anaheim or for *cough* Orlando, planning for *um* Hong Kong is not as simple as checking other PTRs nor posing a question on the Dis to return the next day and find that World War 3 has raged on your thread, which has now been locked, and potentially Dis-sers baying for blood…probably yours.

For those of you that have wandered into this PTR, you may have noticed that this sub-sub-sub forum for Hong Kong Disneyland currently contains a grand total of 48 threads and a grand total of 613 posts at present.

Yee..ea...aah! The recent Dis server upgrade really had to add those extra super gigantuanbytes to take the HKDL subforum requirements into account.

Let me repeat that again…613 posts at time of this post. I think I average 600 posts a week! I’ll even wager that by the time I’m done with my TR and knowing y’all, we all may have more than doubled the post count on this sub-forum.

And even worse….none of the threads in this subforum even remotely resemble a PTR.
Now how-(the-heck-am-I-supposed-to-properly-plan-for-this-trip)-brown cow?

Thanks to my LASTing friend-in-a-box, that Little Miss Positive DIVA has pointed me in the direction of a website. So, for those of you that are lurking and also planning a sojourn to Hong Kong, if you haven’t already done so, check out the Discover Hong Kong website. The front page will give you the option to select your country of origin. For those Aussies, this link here (http://www.discoverhongkong.com/australia/index.jsp) is for the Australian version Index.

So far, I’ve made my way to the Plan Your Trip>Interactive Itinerary Planner section and have found it to be a pretty handy tool.
You start by making a choice of what type of holiday you’re after and then enter the number of days. The tool then comes up with a suggested itinerary on a day-by-day basis of the different sights around Hong Kong.

But guess what I've learnt?

The maximum number of days that the tool allows you to enter is that number ‘phat’ or 8!

By my count, I am staying 11 nights in Hong Kong. Evidently this Planner does not think anyone would stay longer than 8 days in Hong Kong. I’m guessing that this might be a case of “So Much Time, So little to Do!”

Hmmmm….wonder what I’ll be doing for 3 extra days??? Oh...the I-R-O-N-Y!

(It’s okay…..it was just a rhetorical question. I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to fill up our time! Disney, Shopping, Disney, Eating, Disney, Disney, Disney etc.)

princess::upsidedow

franandaj

10-29-2011, 06:24 PM

Hmmmm….wonder what I’ll be doing for 3 extra days??? Oh...the I-R-O-N-Y!

Get some custom clothes made? In they states you always hear people talking about their "Hong Kong Tailors". :lmao:

queenie82

10-29-2011, 08:00 PM

That was my plan for my 4 day sojourn......
However the one I was directed to through a friend of my TA was....well....less than inspiring. The one I would trust was $$$$

It's partially a regret. I didn't managed to get something made. But that $300 (minimum) suit isn't required in my industry turns out. So I'm ok with having kept the $$$

PIO I remember you mentioning Macau. But unless you want to see a Made in China version of Vegas. There is little to see. The 'history' is mostly damaged or simply a facade :sad2:
Why I crossed it off the list...

I know I desperately needed more shopping time though. So you'll fill the time no worries :thumbup2

If you visit big budda. You can get Seattle coffee there :lmao:
The food menu at Starbucks in HK is second to none. :love:

usnuzuloose

10-29-2011, 10:11 PM

3 days cant help you I have never been there. Your on your own.

skier_pete

10-30-2011, 08:28 AM

Joining in from your other TR - glad to see you have a trip going. HK seems way more exciting than a trip to the states...but maybe that's because the US is home for me. It's certainly a lot closer than coming to the US. Probably no (or small) time zone change either, which seems nice as well. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the time change for traveling to Australia. (So....If it's 10 AM in Sydney, it's 8 PM in Buffalo...but 8 PM Yesterday? :eek: :confused3)

Pretty cool that your parents are coming along - though what does DH think about that? (Disney AND In-laws...been there, done that, got the souvenir photopass. :rotfl2: )

SkierPete

Adrienne

10-30-2011, 07:58 PM

@skierpete - HK is the same time zone as Perth (western australia) so for me in Adelaide its a -2.5 hr time diff and from the eastern states where princess is it should be a -3 hr time diff to what she is used to

PrincessinOz - where are you staying - i just booked accomodation last night for our trip - much closer in than i would have preffered. we were limited to $200Aud a night so we chose the marriott at skycity - close to airport and out let shopping!

has its own airport shuttle!

it has another free shuttle - goes to disneyland one a day in each direction, and a half hourly shuttle to and from tung chung MTR station (about a 5 to 10 min shuttle ride apparently), which connects to the Disneyland train line, as well as into central station.

ended up being 1270HKD a night and its a 5 star hotel! we were impressed!!! ( about $150AUD).

PrincessInOz

10-30-2011, 08:14 PM

Get some custom clothes made? In they states you always hear people talking about their "Hong Kong Tailors". :lmao:

I'm thinking about it. Sometimes having custom clothes made in HK isn't necessarily the best thing. The trick is finding the right tailor.

That was my plan for my 4 day sojourn......
However the one I was directed to through a friend of my TA was....well....less than inspiring. The one I would trust was $$$$

It's partially a regret. I didn't managed to get something made. But that $300 (minimum) suit isn't required in my industry turns out. So I'm ok with having kept the $$$

PIO I remember you mentioning Macau. But unless you want to see a Made in China version of Vegas. There is little to see. The 'history' is mostly damaged or simply a facade :sad2:
Why I crossed it off the list...

I know I desperately needed more shopping time though. So you'll fill the time no worries :thumbup2

If you visit big budda. You can get Seattle coffee there :lmao:
The food menu at Starbucks in HK is second to none. :love:

Macau is on my list. With the extra time I have, we will have more than enough time to head there and to Shenzhen as well. I want to see the Portugeuse Fort and just check it out. At least then I can say that I've been there; rather than not knowing.

I think we'll do the big buddha from Disney/Lantau. It's not that far from there.

3 days cant help you I have never been there. Your on your own.

Technically, I'll be there with my parents, DH and DS. :laughing:

Joining in from your other TR - glad to see you have a trip going. HK seems way more exciting than a trip to the states...but maybe that's because the US is home for me. It's certainly a lot closer than coming to the US. Probably no (or small) time zone change either, which seems nice as well. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the time change for traveling to Australia. (So....If it's 10 AM in Sydney, it's 8 PM in Buffalo...but 8 PM Yesterday? :eek: :confused3)

Pretty cool that your parents are coming along - though what does DH think about that? (Disney AND In-laws...been there, done that, got the souvenir photopass. :rotfl2: )

SkierPete

It's still a 9 hour flight from Melbourne to HK, with a 3 hour time change. HK and Tokyo are the closest Disney sites to Melbourne. DLR is 14 hours away and even Aulani is going to be about 11 hours.

And yes...when you leave the US to get to Oz, you'll lose a day.

@skierpete - HK is the same time zone as Perth (western australia) so for me in Adelaide its a -2.5 hr time diff and from the eastern states where princess is it should be a -3 hr time diff to what she is used to

PrincessinOz - where are you staying - i just booked accomodation last night for our trip - much closer in than i would have preffered. we were limited to $200Aud a night so we chose the marriott at skycity - close to airport and out let shopping!

has its own airport shuttle!

it has another free shuttle - goes to disneyland one a day in each direction, and a half hourly shuttle to and from tung chung MTR station (about a 5 to 10 min shuttle ride apparently), which connects to the Disneyland train line, as well as into central station.

ended up being 1270HKD a night and its a 5 star hotel! we were impressed!!! ( about $150AUD).

I haven't actually picked out accomodation yet. I would like to spend 3 nights at HKDL and then the rest of the time in HK proper. Still haven't decided where. As we're going in March/April, there aren't any deals at the moment for accomodation. I might wait and see what happens....and in the meantime, more research! :laughing:

queenie82

10-30-2011, 08:23 PM

I found the outlets disappointing and being near the airport is not good for actually getting to the rest of the city. It's certainly nothing much to see there at night.
Sure the trains are easy. And yes Disneyland is close to the airport. But I wouldn't stay near the airport.

Hence thinking central or Tsim sha tsui is better...

PrincessInOz

10-30-2011, 08:24 PM

”If it has got four legs, two wings and it swims!”…Prince Phillip is nearly Right!

“If it has got four legs and it is not a chair, if it has two wings and it flies but is not an aeroplane, and if it swims and is not a submarine, the Cantonese will eat it." Prince Phillip

That most politically correct and diplomatic of Royalty, Prince Phillip, never really suffers from foot in mouth disease….more than once a month….is my inspirational quote for this post. The quote might have been from 1986….but it shows how characterization can colour one’s perception of things.

As an Asian, I feel compelled to right some of the inaccuracies of his quote.

Firstly, it’s not a Chair! Asians use STOOLS or they squat!
And if he had said a KITE, that would have been more appropriate than an Aeroplane.
A Submarine? Really - you’d think he’d know that it’s JUNKS that the Chinese sail!

Let’s face it…..Asians have picked up the unsavoury reputation of eating bizarre and weird foods. I guess it’s a case of “what is someone’s offal, is a Chinese delicacy”. From every possible animal on earth through to snake’s blood and monkey brains, it would seem that the question of where to eat incorporates the question of what to eat; and more pertinently….what am I eating?

Being of Asian descent myself, the question of “what am I eating?” takes on a completely different meaning when you consider that as a child, I did enjoy the occasional pig’s-brain-steamed-with-egg dish, chicken feet (seems tame!) and even the odd unrecognizable animal’s meat.

However, I have long considered myself as a Banana (yellow on the outside, white inside); and my food boundaries as an adult are much more mainstream these days.

Given how far I could have taken this, I think my food boundaries are simple. I will NOT eat:

Four-legged animals; domesticated nor anything I might find in a zoo! (Farmed is fine!)
If it slithers or is 6-legged or 8-legged, not land-based and definitely not air-bourne. (Water slithering or swimming is fine!)
Intestines or sweetmeats, feet, necks or any internal liquid is strictly prohibited. I’m definitely not a nose to trotter type of pig (eater)!

Well….that pretty much leaves a diverse range of food items that I will indulge in.

Of the ‘phat’ or 8 culinary traditions of China, Hong Kong food has its roots in Yue cuisine. This regional/culinary tradition covers the provinces of Hong Kong SAR and Guandong.

We are talking Cantonese cuisine here, folks. Meats such as beef, pork and chicken are the main proteins…but Cantonese food also incorporates organ meat, chicken feet, snakes and snails. Steaming and Stir Frying are the main cooking methods of this cuisine.

For flavour enhancement, Cantonese cuisine traditionally uses scallions, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, corn starch, vinegar, salt and sugar in their cooking. You will find the occasional use of ginger, 5-spice powder, chilli powder and star anise..but sparingly.

I expect to be enjoying a variety of deep fried dishes….although I tend to prefer the steamed (jing) or stir-fried (chaau) stuff.

Cantonese or Chinese cuisine also includes items that have been slow cooked. This is particularly true of soups…savoury and sweet. The Chinese are not known for their desserts but I have to admit that I am incredibly partial to a spare rib soup or a sweet red bean soup (hong dau shui) or a sweet potato soup (fan shu tong shui) that has been slow cooked for a while.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2010%20USA%20Day%2011%20to%2014/P5160251.jpg

Many Chinese restaurants feature live seafood tanks….where you will be able to make your selection of the fish or shellfish of your choice….only to have it cooked by the chef and brought to your table, within 20 minutes! My favourite way of eating seafood, particularly whole fish (yuu), is usually steamed (jing) with soy, ginger and scallions.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2010%20Christmas%20Food/Christmas2010058.jpg

Noodles (mihn) will be an absolute must! Stir fried or with soup….I enjoy it all. Above all else, I expect to be partaking noodles from the street vendors, preferably late at night!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Food/October%203%20Seafood%20noodles/2011October8ScavengerHunt019.jpg

BBQ meats (char yok), usually pork, pork and more pork, with some duck (ahp) thrown in; will all be dishes I will be expecting to eat on this trip.
Traditional dishes include:

Rice Congee (chuok) – more a breakfast food for me.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Food/2011October8ScavengerHunt081.jpg

Sweet and Sour – DS loves this!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Food/October%208%20Sweet%20and%20Sour%20Fish/2011October8ScavengerHunt113.jpg

Stir fry vegetables …

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Food/October%2022%20Sweet%20Sour%20Prawns/2011October22SweetSourPrawns017.jpg

…or vegetables blanched with then served up with oyster sauce.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Jan%20California/Day%207-3%20Chinese%20Dinner/USAHolidayJan2011429.jpg

Without a doubt, the experience most associated with Chinatowns all over the world is the Dim Sum. Dim Sum literally translates to “Heart’s Delight” or to warm your heart. It refers to the experience you will enjoy where you watch servers push around carts of food in bamboo baskets still steaming from the cooking process. You wait until the server gets to your table and pick the baskets you want to eat.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQFodidB2GpwL-5FrUmtWcbjHFxuPymzYZzkrudqYD8tfoRyYzz

In Australia, this experience is called Yum Cha. The literal translation of this is to “drink tea”. I’ve never worked out why the Aussies have chosen to call the experience Yum Cha when the rest of the China-world calls it Dim Sum. I just live here…and I go with the flow.

I hadn’t realized it till now…but I do NOT have many pictures of the little heart’s delights in my collection of pictures. I had to swipe the above picture off the internet. This is definitely something that I will need to fix during this trip!

For those of you going and wondering what to order, here are some of my favourites (well....photos I had in my collection to date).

On this plate, you’ll find the prawn noodles (har cheong) and prawn dumplings (har gow).

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Jan%20California/Day%209-2%20Chinatown/USAHolidayJan2011689.jpg

These are usually made from rice flour, with different fillings inside e.g., beef (ngau yok) or pork (yok) or vegetables (chai).

For the noodles (har fun), there will also be the option to order the BBQ pork variety (char siu cheong).

You might also find baskets with these sorts of items…steamed buns (bao or pow)..

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Jan%20California/Day%209-2%20Chinatown/USAHolidayJan2011687.jpg

I like the roast pork buns (char siu bao) and my son loves the custard buns (lai wong bao)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Jan%20California/Day%207-3%20Chinese%20Dinner/USAHolidayJan2011432.jpg

You can also find baos that have been fried on the carts; but I usually prefer the steamed ones.

We will also be ordering the Lotus Leaf glutinous rice (lo mai gai). These parcels are usually steamed and contain glutinous rice, egg yolk, mushroom and a protein (chicken or pork).

The carts will also come round with sweet dim sums…we normally get these towards the end of our experience and always try to fit in the custard tarts (daan tart), tofu with sugar syrup (dau fu far) and the mango pudding (mong go pud-ding).

Another foodie experience that I’m looking forward to will be the sumptuous multi-course Chinese dinners. I suspect that we might end up with at least one if not two of these experiences in our time there.

I certainly hope to come back with a wider selection of food porn during this trip. One this is for certain….I think I’m coming back with a “phat”-ter bahookie!

princess::upsidedow

Adrienne

10-30-2011, 08:30 PM

usnuzuloose

10-30-2011, 08:34 PM

Well, Hmm.. not sure what to make of all that food. Never tried any of it. So I guess I can say :eek:

queenie82

10-30-2011, 09:34 PM

I love red bean :love:

dgbg100106

10-30-2011, 09:41 PM

I love red bean :love:

I have wanted to try the red bean ice cream, but was unsure how it would taste. But still curious.

franandaj

10-30-2011, 11:56 PM

Given how far I could have taken this, I think my food boundaries are simple. I will NOT eat:

Four-legged animals; domesticated nor anything I might find in a zoo! (Farmed is fine!)
If it slithers or is 6-legged or 8-legged, not land-based and definitely not air-bourne. (Water slithering or swimming is fine!)
Intestines or sweetmeats, feet, necks or any internal liquid is strictly prohibited. I’m definitely not a nose to trotter type of pig (eater)!

Well….that pretty much leaves a diverse range of food items that I will indulge in.

I'd say this pretty much sums it up for me, although at Napa Rose Andrew Sutton slipped in some sweetbreads on one of our dishes and they were actually OK.

And I love slithering swimming meats! Eel and cucumber roll, bring it on! Even Fran will eat this one!

What about brains? I used to eat what is the sushi where they bring you the shrimp raw and then the heads tempura battered and fried? i used to love that one until a friend of mine took a bite out of the head and then said, "Ooooh what is that red thing in there?" Now I have to have a lot of sake before I order it! Ama-ebi! It is so delicious, but I hate it that I have to be good and pliable before I order it now, it is so good! :goodvibes

Although I realize none of this is Chinese food, or Hong Kong, but I won't eat Shark's fin, not because of squeamish, but because of the awful harvesting practices. Fine if they would serve up the whole shark, but not that they cut off the fin just for that and let the poor animal die, what a waste anyways, I love shark!

queenie82

10-31-2011, 04:22 AM

I have wanted to try the red bean ice cream, but was unsure how it woikd taste. But still curious.

I'm not one to be adventurous with food. But I do love red bean.
Red bean icecream is a good introduction. The hot soup is LOVELY but the icecream will be sweeter and 'milder' usually hence introducing you to it.

I don't eat slippery and slithery things :lmao:

PrincessInOz

10-31-2011, 04:35 AM

oh dear, dont mention the aulani word - originally this hk trip was going to be an aulani trip but given we are 2 students who also work @ dominos and raise 2 kids, it just wasnt going to happen this time ( although i am tempted to save madly when i get back from HK and take the other half to aulani in 2 years time!) :confused3:rolleyes1

OH princess in oz - was jsut on that HK website u linked in - the AUD is very strong right now apparently ( averaging 8.4HKD to the aud) - makes things a little easier when everything is so cheap!

i cant wait, i have a mad case of itchy feet and disneyfever - plus it will be amanda's first time at disney park and her first time in a country that has a primary language other than english - should be fun to watch! :rotfl2::rotfl:
Adrienne.

My DS will also be in a country that has a primary language other than English. Fun.to.watch is NOT exactly the phrase that comes to mind!

Phig.Chans.Hee.Cly. is probably more likely!

Well, Hmm.. not sure what to make of all that food. Never tried any of it. So I guess I can say :eek:

Next time I'm in San Francisco, you and me are going to Chinatown for Dim Sum!

No.Chans.Orf.Yew. slithering out of it! :laughing:

I love red bean :love:

Yeah. Does Red Bean love you back???

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-fart002.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

I have wanted to try the red bean ice cream, but was unsure how it woikd taste. But still curious.

I'm not one to be adventurous with food. But I do love red bean.
Red bean icecream is a good introduction. The hot soup is LOVELY but the icecream will be sweeter and 'milder' usually hence introducing you to it.

What she said. I love red bean too. The ice cream is really mild in comparison.

I'd say this pretty much sums it up for me, although at Napa Rose Andrew Sutton slipped in some sweetbreads on one of our dishes and they were actually OK.

And I love slithering swimming meats! Eel and cucumber roll, bring it on! Even Fran will eat this one!

What about brains? I used to eat what is the sushi where they bring you the shrimp raw and then the heads tempura battered and fried? i used to love that one until a friend of mine took a bite out of the head and then said, "Ooooh what is that red thing in there?" Now I have to have a lot of sake before I order it! Ama-ebi! It is so delicious, but I hate it that I have to be good and pliable before I order it now, it is so good! :goodvibes

Although I realize none of this is Chinese food, or Hong Kong, but I won't eat Shark's fin, not because of squeamish, but because of the awful harvesting practices. Fine if they would serve up the whole shark, but not that they cut off the fin just for that and let the poor animal die, what a waste anyways, I love shark!

Unagi and me.....:lovestruc :lovestruc. Too bad for the unagi, though. I am getting to love cucumber roll too.

I hate the thought of a shark fin being harvested too. We have a "shark" here that is used for fish meat, as in fish and chips. It's called Flake. There's a lot of Flake sold in fish and chips shops.

queenie82

10-31-2011, 04:39 AM

Yeah. Does Red Bean love you back???

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-fart002.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

It's no worse than baked beans :rolleyes1

PrincessInOz

10-31-2011, 04:45 AM

OT - Halloween in Oz: Trunk or Treat

Yesterday, we headed out to enjoy a little bit of Americana culture in Oz. We joined the American Women's Association Trunk or Treat fund raiser for Halloween. Aside from the entry fee, we were asked to provide 250+ pieces of individually wrapped candy (or lollies as they are called here) and decorate our car trunk (or boot as it is known here).

This represents my stash of candy:

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/My%20candy/2011October30Halloween005.jpg

I'd tried to source spooky halloween related stuff...in the end it was surprisingly easier than I thought as one of the Aussie stores had decided to bring a whole set it. The trick was to get in early as most of this candy had sold out within 3 days of it hitting the shelves. How do I know? I went back to get more and there were none left!

The Skeleton Pops were a major hit with the teenage and tween set!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/My%20candy/2011October30Halloween006.jpg

My back-up to the Skeleton pops were popular...but only after the other pops disappeared.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/My%20candy/2011October30Halloween010.jpg

Marshmallow type sweets were also very popular for those with food allergies.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/My%20candy/2011October30Halloween007.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/My%20candy/2011October30Halloween008.jpg

And these gums just disappeared off my plates!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/My%20candy/2011October30Halloween009.jpg

Some of the candy on my plate!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/My%20candy/2011October30Halloween012.jpg

Skeleton pops looked great in this cauldren.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/My%20candy/2011October30Halloween013.jpg

And....notice the other pumpkin container. I filled that with Freddo Frog chocolates....which were the only chocolate I had on offer. Would you believe it was the LAST to be snaffled by the kids?

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/My%20candy/2011October30Halloween061.jpg

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

10-31-2011, 04:49 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

The American's Women Association did a great job in yesterday's event. About the only thing wrong with it? The weather!

It was a cold and stormy afternoon....mizzle was definitely in the air.....and I figure, with the wind chill, we were down in the mid 40's yesterday.

But we were there for a party!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween016.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween030.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween045.jpg

There were raffles to buy...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween019.jpg

Games to partake in...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween021.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween049.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween034.jpg

The decorations ranged from kitschy to great!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween051.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween054.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween074.jpg

The jumping castle always had a queue....until it was time to collect candy.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween042.jpg

Adults and children dressed up.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween026.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween050.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween043.jpg

Even the occassional dog...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween046.jpg

We were fed pizza, oreos and there was heaps of bottled water. The pizza was delivered from a local store and the organisers catered for 3 slices per person. It was about right.

Yesterday when I was there, I had thought there were about 50 - 75 cars. Looking at these pictures, I think I underestimated the amount. I reckon 125 is probably closer to what was there. This shot was taken halfway down the 'drive'.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween084.jpg

This one is looking back down the opposite side of the 'drive'....

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween072.jpg

....and around the bend closer to the entrance.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Festival/2011October30Halloween112.jpg

A great time was had by all!

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

10-31-2011, 04:55 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

But what did the trunks look like? Well....I took pictures (of course I did...why else did I go??)

This was our trunk.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween011.jpg

Here are some of the others....and there were heaps more that I didn't take a picture of. But this will give you an idea of the kitschy to the not so kitschy! :laughing:

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween052.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween056.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween058.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween062.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween065.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween066.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween068.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween069.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween077.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween083.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween088.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween090.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween093.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween096.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween098.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween101.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween107.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween109.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween111.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20October%2030%20Halloween/AWA%20Trunks%20or%20Treats/2011October30Halloween115.jpg

We had a great time at the event. DS had a ball....he sure came home with a stack of candy....I reckon it rivals the stack I got at MNSSHP last year!

princess::upsidedow

dgbg100106

10-31-2011, 07:31 AM

I'm not one to be adventurous with food. But I do love red bean.
Red bean icecream is a good introduction. The hot soup is LOVELY but the icecream will be sweeter and 'milder' usually hence introducing you to it.

I don't eat slippery and slithery things :lmao:

We go to the international market alot, and buy our produce, and all my Asian ingredients, and I always see tons of Red Bean items.... I will try the ice cream soon...:thumbsup2

dgbg100106

10-31-2011, 07:40 AM

The trunk or treat pictures look great....

Some people went all out in decorating. Glad you all had a great time...

Tonight I will sit on my patio with my DH and neighbors and have cocktails as we pass out candy to the children...

SCHBR'smom

10-31-2011, 09:22 AM

Looks like a lot of fun! We have trick or treating tonight. Due to the crazy amounts of candy 6 kids can bring home, we are trying to limit the number of houses. We are bribing them with going out to dinner after tot.

I have one question. Are there sombreros in the trunk of one of those cars? :confused3

OziJo

10-31-2011, 08:21 PM

How did I miss you started another PTR?!:confused3 And it's already 4 pages long!!

Looking forward to reading about your Hong Kong Disney plans and in 5months time when Disney is a distant memory for me and I am pining and wondering how I can start planning another trip I can come here and read about your trip.

BTW it's lunchtime and your Yum Cha or (should that be Dim Sum) photos are making me hungry.

PrincessInOz

10-31-2011, 09:49 PM

We go to the international market alot, and buy our produce, and all my Asian ingredients, and I always see tons of Red Bean items.... I will try the ice cream soon...:thumbsup2

If you do, I'll be interested to find out what you thought of it.

The trunk or treat pictures look great....

Some people went all out in decorating. Glad you all had a great time...

Tonight I will sit on my patio with my DH and neighbors and have cocktails as we pass out candy to the children...

Were you cold or were the cocktails more than sufficient to keep you warm?
:rolleyes:

Looks like a lot of fun! We have trick or treating tonight. Due to the crazy amounts of candy 6 kids can bring home, we are trying to limit the number of houses. We are bribing them with going out to dinner after tot.

I have one question. Are there sombreros in the trunk of one of those cars? :confused3

Oh...yes...6 alphabets....I'm trying to imagine 6 times the amount of candy my DS came home with....YIKES! :scared1:

Those are sombreros in the trunk of one of those cars. We have a mexican chain restaurant, Taco Bills, in Oz. For some reason, they were there and handing out sombreros, together with 25% off vouchers, to ALL the adults and kids. I guess that car owner just put them into the open trunk; rather than carrying them around.

How did I miss you started another PTR?!:confused3 And it's already 4 pages long!!

Looking forward to reading about your Hong Kong Disney plans and in 5months time when Disney is a distant memory for me and I am pining and wondering how I can start planning another trip I can come here and read about your trip.

BTW it's lunchtime and your Yum Cha or (should that be Dim Sum) photos are making me hungry.

I had some har wonton tong mihm (prawn dumpling soup noodles) for lunch.

I've been sneaking in here and updating the PTR. I'm not even sure how it got to 4 pages already! :rolleyes1

PrincessInOz

11-01-2011, 03:47 AM

I love red bean :love:

Yeah. Does Red Bean love you back???

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-fart002.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

It's no worse than baked beans :rolleyes1

:scratchin There are some of us on this thread that probably would have gone the way of Canned Creamed Corn :rolleyes1 ....but hey.....if baked beans does it for ya....go with it!

queenie82

11-01-2011, 05:18 AM

:scratchin There are some of us on this thread that probably would have gone the way of Canned Creamed Corn :rolleyes1 ....but hey.....if baked beans does it for ya....go with it!
I believe I'm not yet old enough to know of what you speak....

dgbg100106

11-01-2011, 07:17 AM

If you do, I'll be interested to find out what you thought of it.

Were you cold or were the cocktails more than sufficient to keep you warm?
:rolleyes:

My rear was numb but the cocktails worked their magic and all of the candy was gone!.... I only ate 4 pieces...:sad2:
:dance3: :dance3: :dance3:

admel00

11-01-2011, 06:38 PM

bobbiwoz

11-01-2011, 08:34 PM

What a great idea, trunk decorating! Thanks for the pictures!:thumbsup2

shushh

11-02-2011, 01:49 AM

Just noticed your PTR! Hurray!!!! Ok, got to read from the beginning first....will be back!

PrincessInOz

11-02-2011, 05:35 PM

Hey PIO, I have been to HK twice with my husbands aunt and his cousin! We stay at the City View in a Premier room, which is on the cnr of Waterloo and Nathan Rd, Kowloon. It is directly opposite the Yau Me Tei station, walking distance to Ladies Market etc You'll be fine with the Octopus card, it's so easy and the MTR is easy to use, even for a dummy like me with no sense of direction!!! Look forward to hearing what else you have planned for the trip! :thumbsup2

Thanks for reading!! And I'm researching accommodation options at the moment....so I'll check out City View as well.

What a great idea, trunk decorating! Thanks for the pictures!:thumbsup2

Glad you liked them. :goodvibes

Just noticed your PTR! Hurray!!!! Ok, got to read from the beginning first....will be back!

Hooray! You made it! :yay:

PrincessInOz

11-02-2011, 05:40 PM

”Pick a ‘Ph…’! Pick a ‘Ph…’!”…It’s Audience Participation Time

”Pick a ‘Ph…’! Pick a ‘Ph…’!" It’s Audience Participation Time!

That’s right, audience (that includes you lurkers as well)….you read it right here. It’s Audience Participation Time!

Pick a “Ph” – Disney “Phirst” or on Day “Phat”?

I’ve been looking at accommodation options and before I can progress further, I need to work out that most important of all questions!

Do I go to HKDL immediately after arrival, i.e., ‘phirst’? Or do I go to HKDL after day ‘phat’ (8)?

Remember audience….

We will have 11 nights in HK and plan to spend 3 nights at a HKDL resort hotel.
We are arriving into HK after 9 pm on a Saturday and I expect to be out of the airport after 11 pm (at the earliest).
I believe that we will purchase the 2-day entry ticket to HKDL, which should be ample time to see the park at a slow pace.

Which would you do and why?

princess::upsidedow

ps. Feel free to de-lurk and play!!

franandaj

11-02-2011, 06:24 PM

Well my vote would be for day Phat! My reasoning behind this is that you almost always know what to expect from Disney. It will most likely be a high point of the trip, even though you might experience some other great times before that, you can end on what should be a high note.

I've never combined a trip to Disney with anything other than a trip to Universal, and I did that first becuase I knew not to expect more out of Universal than Disney so I figured doing that second would be a let down. Having no idea what there is to do in Hong Kong, I may not be the one to ask. :confused3 I would end with the Magic you know and not the Magic you don't!

Mum from oz

11-02-2011, 06:31 PM

I finally made it across here!

I'm not sure about when to schedule Disney. We did it towards the end, but we were only there for 5 days. Two days should be enough. We did two days and didn't ride everything but I think that has to do with the fact more than half the park was shut down on one of our days and the other was packed with over an hour long wait for most attractions.

Really thinking about it I would end the holiday with a high. A Disney high! :cheer2:

OziJo

11-02-2011, 08:03 PM

Phat.

If you do Disney phirst them you may regret that you have to leave without doing Disney again. Of course this is assuming that doing Disney is going to be the highlight which considering we are on a Disney Forum goes without saying.:thumbsup2

If we were on a shopaholics forum then the plan would be shop do Disney then shop some more. If we were on a Gourmet Asian food forum (though this PTR almost qualifies) then I would say restaurant hop, Disney then some more restaurant hopping. So do your shopping, sight seeing and restaurant hopping phirst and Disney Phat.

Ideally you should be staying at a Disney Resort the whole time and doing Disney phirst and phat but this is not a Disney trip right ;)

queenie82

11-03-2011, 05:27 AM

Phe.....Phi.....Pho.....Phum..........

I say ....

GO ON WEEKDAYS!!!!!!

The main thing is -
Avoid "peak days"
Avoid Weekends
Avoid any time around national holidays...which usually tie in with 'peak' days but either way...avoid that...

Be aware....
They don't release the complete schedule until a WEEK in advance :scared1:

Unless things have changed

Adrienne

11-03-2011, 07:01 AM

skier_pete

11-03-2011, 09:20 AM

Hmmm....I'm a save the best for last type of guy - so I would tend towards "Phat". Though I do agree with Queenie's point, go when it is least crowded.

queenie82

11-03-2011, 04:18 PM

we we go we have the choice of tues wed or thurs for HKDL - what days do u recommend?

Any of them...

zaccy

11-03-2011, 07:22 PM

Avoid the weekends at all costs. Leaving it last also has you near the airport.

Princess have you considered buying a Magic Access card (Annual Pass) for at least one of you. They start at a tiny HK$650 and you get quite a few perks with them including a % off accomodation:thumbsup2.

We stayed for 3 weeks when we went to Hong Kong and found plenty to do. The Disneyland Hotel is just lovely and if you want a breakfast with amazing character interaction I recomend you do it here. The Chinese resturant is also very nice. The bus that runs between the park and the hotel is quick and easy or it's about a 15 stroll from the hotel down a dedicated walk way complete with disney piped music the whole way:wizard:

Enjoy your planning :yay:

PrincessInOz

11-06-2011, 04:13 AM

Hi everyone! :wave:

Thanks for your input. There are developments in the wind where accomodation is concerned and I'll share those once we have them sorted. Suffice to say....spanners and me? D-U-C-K!

(The question is who is ducking?? ::yes:: ME!!)

PrincessInOz

11-06-2011, 04:18 AM

OT - Collingwood Children's Farm and otherwise!

This weekend, I headed to the Collingwood Children's Farm.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm031.jpg

This farm is located within 3 - 5 km of the CBD. You wouldn't know it to look at pictures of the paddocks like this...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm045.jpg

The Yarra River, which runs through the Melbourne CBD is where the trees are.

They have a kitchen garden at the farm.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm040.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm041.jpg

Why did I head there? Well.....on the first Sunday of each month, it is Family Day at the CCF. And that means.....tractor Hay Rides! Yes, its a category for the Photography Scavenger Hunt and I'd been waiting patiently for the first Sunday to come round (couldn't make it last month and when next month comes round, the hunt will be over).

I got there early to look around the farm.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm004.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm008.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm025.jpg

Kids were encouraged to help milk this cow...I couldn't get in the barn! But noticed this window on the side. :thumbsup2

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm038.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm016.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm024.jpg

And I did get my hay ride shots!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm052.jpg

I got into the second ride of the day....

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm069.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm066.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm068.jpg

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

11-06-2011, 04:19 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

The CCF is located next to a-no-longer-used convent. You may have spotted the building in the background in the hay ride we went on.
The convent is now home to a variety of establishments and unbeknownst to me, I'd picked the prime day to visit the area.

It's spring in Melbourne....and lots of festivals and fairs are on. This one is at the neighbourhood Steiner school Spring Fair.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm136.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm130.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm131.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm133.jpg

The classrooms were all beautifully displayed with the children's works....like this.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm134.jpg

They even had a wood-fired pizza there!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm128.jpg

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

11-06-2011, 04:21 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

The Steiner School wasn't the only festival happening at the Abbotsford Convent. Look what I found!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm125.jpg

I'm sure you all know that I like quirky things....and this fair did NOT disappoint. Have a look at the activities happening at the World Vegan Day!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm122.jpg

Yup! Speed Dating! :scared1:

I was more attracted to these sorts of activities...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm123.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm124.jpg

....then again, looking at the food demonstration topics....maybe NOT!

Here's what the WVD looked like...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm082.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm094.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm090.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm092.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm103.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm104.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm103.jpg

....complete with some more items that attracted me!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm105.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm097.jpg

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

11-06-2011, 04:25 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

Where there are Vegans, there is bound to be vegan food. And have a look at some of these!!

I headed straight for the Soy-A-lent Green place. The name just kept a-calling me!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm085.jpg

The arancini...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm083.jpg

...and the rice paper rolls.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm084.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm087.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm098.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm088.jpg

And I was instantly also attracted to the Eggrolls/Spring Rolls.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm096.jpg

These are all vegan gluten free.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm099.jpg

This is a vegan soy cheesecake.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm121.jpg

I saw this produce and wanted to take a picture. I loved the colours and it did suit a Scav hunt category.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm106.jpg

The owner told me to take all the shots I wanted...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm117.jpg

...because she wanted me to send them to her as well! So, I obliged with the mandatory promotional shots to make sure I got product placement right!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm108.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm109.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm113.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm116.jpg

When I moved to go, she gave me a couple of things. It's not much...but I got 'paid' in an organic banana and two organic strawberries. I figured I had about $4 worth right here!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm119.jpg

Which reminds me....I need to send them to her.

I guess it was a pretty good day when you considered I was only heading out for a Hay Ride!

princess::upsidedow

usnuzuloose

11-06-2011, 04:55 AM

Nice pics, Oh the cow, looked like you disturbed his lunch?:rotfl2:

usnuzuloose

11-06-2011, 04:58 AM

I am sorry never been to that disney so I cant help you there. But I can enjoy reading it.:thumbsup2

dgbg100106

11-06-2011, 02:30 PM

looks like the Hay Ride panned out for you....

The pictures are awesome!:thumbsup2

franandaj

11-06-2011, 04:03 PM

Nice pictures! What I think is so funny is that you are so careful not to include pictures of people of whom you don't have permission from them, but then you post pictures of hundreds of strangers....Did you get their permission? :rotfl2:

Mum from oz

11-07-2011, 05:33 AM

Great photos, especially the vegan food porn. Who ever thought I'd be ogling vegan food! :lmao:

dgbg100106

11-07-2011, 07:53 AM

Great photos, especially the vegan food porn. Who ever thought I'd be ogling vegan food! :lmao:

:thumbsup2

skier_pete

11-07-2011, 01:43 PM

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20-%20Fall/Collingwood%20Farm/2011November6CollingwoodFarm085.jpg

Don't do it...the vegans are tricking you...it's made from PEOPLE!!!!:scared1:

Sorry...seventies Chuck Heston flashback there.:lmao:

PrincessInOz

11-08-2011, 09:08 PM

Nice pics, Oh the cow, looked like you disturbed his lunch?:rotfl2:

Wasn't me.....might have been the people inside the barn....milking HER!!! :rotfl:

I am sorry never been to that disney so I cant help you there. But I can enjoy reading it.:thumbsup2

That's okay. Hang around for the hayride!

looks like the Hay Ride panned out for you....

The pictures are awesome!:thumbsup2

Thanks! I have a habit of just falling into things when I go Disboard photo scav hunting. The festivals? Fell into the category of Fall (er...Spring) Fair.

Nice pictures! What I think is so funny is that you are so careful not to include pictures of people of whom you don't have permission from them, but then you post pictures of hundreds of strangers....Did you get their permission? :rotfl2:

I know...crazy, right? Give me 10 years or so....I'm sure I'll get over the feeling! :laughing:

Great photos, especially the vegan food porn. Who ever thought I'd be ogling vegan food! :lmao:

Shhhh....don't tell anyone....but I still enjoy eating at the Hari Krishna restaurant in Melbourne (Gopal's). The vegetarian lasagne is just delicious! :lovestruc

Don't do it...the vegans are tricking you...it's made from PEOPLE!!!!:scared1:

Sorry...seventies Chuck Heston flashback there.:lmao:

Yes...that was my first thought too! :hippie:

PrincessInOz

11-08-2011, 09:20 PM

”Get Your Phacts first, then you can DIStort them”…a little Mark Twain wisdom....It’s Disney Phirst!

“Get your facts first, then you can distort them as much as you please” Mark Twain

I'm taking inspiration from a little Mark Twain wisdom today.

It turns out that I should have checked some pertinent ‘phacts’ about my travel period. Turns out that Easter Sunday falls on the 8th April. I checked the public holiday list in Hong Kong (http://www.hkfastfacts.com/Hong-Kong-Festivals-2012.html) and it would appear that holidays are planned for the 6th, 7th and 9th of April.
Plus it seems like Wednesday the 4th April will be the Ching Ming festival, the day for mourning the dead.

I figure that it may be worth staying AWAY from Disney on those days.

I totally agree with you all about Disney on day phat….but given the way the public holidays have panned out, I think its probably more prudent if we do Disney phirst.
And I have to keep telling DH that this is a holiday to Hong Kong; NOT a Disney holiday. :wizard:

Our accommodation split stay will look something like this:

March 31 – April 3: HK Disneyland Resort for 3 nights
April 3 – April 11: HK hotel (possibly Kowloon) for 8 nights

I’ve contacted my TA at Small World Vacations….she does not book for Hong Kong. :headache: So I’m left to research and make the bookings myself.

I’ve followed Zaccy’s advice and looked at purchasing Magic Access. The lowest access provides me with 5% off accommodation; to a maximum of 25% discount. So, it’s definitely something that I’m considering.

Fuzzy Disney Maths (FDM) works out if I’m going to be using the 20% discount for 2 rooms.

I would need to purchase the Gold Cover Magic Access in order to get the 20% off accommodation, which would translate to about AU$200.
A two day ticket is AU$60; I’ve checked the block out dates for the Gold Cover and the two days that I’m planning on being in Disney are not blocked out.
FDM works out even better when I start looking at food and merchandising discounts.

So, I would be paying an additional AU$150 to get the Gold Magic Access but would breakeven via accommodation discounting for two rooms. I would definitely be better off through additional food and merchandising purchases.

However, I’ve checked out the current offers on the HK Disneyland website (http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/html/ToyStoryLand/en_US/index.html). They are offering 20% off if you stay 3 nights or longer. This offer applies between now and December 15.

I’m hoping that either this offer is extended or a similar offer made to cover my travel period. If this happens, then I won't need to get the Magic Access because I'll get the 20% discount and buy my own 2 day ticket.

The $150 (and 20% discount on accommodation) would go a long way towards food and souvenirs. Don't you just love FDM??? :rolleyes:

Looks like I’ll be waiting a bit before confirming the Disney accommodation part.

princess::upsidedow

skiingfast

11-09-2011, 02:31 AM

So is selling DLHK to DH really a phatter chance than selling a HK trip?

franandaj

11-09-2011, 03:03 AM

Don't know what to say other than, perhaps booking trips before coffee on a whim is a good plan that way you can check out all the angles of when you're going and stuff! I'm sure you've said this to yourself! But it sounds like you have everything under control.

Just wait until you read the update I'm about to post on my TR! :scared1:

PrincessInOz

11-09-2011, 03:32 AM

So is selling DLHK to DH really a phatter chance than selling a HK trip?

You know how I've been rolling with my ph-rasing on this PTR? (Work with me here)....

I would have thought that my chance of selling a DLHK trip to DH would have been buckleys to none. With the ph-rasing...this would equate to "*****leys to phone!" :rotfl2:

Don't know what to say other than, perhaps booking trips before coffee on a whim is a good plan that way you can check out all the angles of when you're going and stuff! I'm sure you've said this to yourself! But it sounds like you have everything under control.

Just wait until you read the update I'm about to post on my TR! :scared1:

The good thing about this trip is that April 2012.....seems so far away! :cool2:
I don't think the planning panic will set in until the other side of Christmas.....and only before coffee!

queenie82

11-09-2011, 04:21 AM

Are you saying your DH doesn't see THROUGH the ph-raising...... :scratchin

Or maybe just like you mess with him when he misplaces something....
He messes with you making you go through all this to get to go somewhere in particular...

As for holidays....
I didn't have the holiday booked yet...but I went through the hassle of working my itinerary around Chinese new year when I went as THAT was when the deal was for/starting....because.....I ....was....going....one....way....or....another :lmao:

But seriously. You have to avoid weekends and holidays. So I'm glad you can sort that

queenie82

11-10-2011, 03:18 AM

Haven't gone to the link but just spotted this.....

Experienced hikers as young as 12 years old can now explore nature for FREE with Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Guided Hiking Tours featuring five themed trails. This is the perfect opportunity to explore the bare wonders and lush greens of Asia’s World City in the company of experienced local hikers. For more info on the trails and bookings, visit http://www.discoverhongkong.com/promotions/hikes_walks/eng/pages/guidedHikingTours.pdf

It's only a free for now promo...
Bit just thought it might spark an idea...

*~*stacey*~*

11-12-2011, 03:27 AM

Hello I'm jumping in a little late (but better than never right).

Your pre-trip report is making me all excited because I'm going to Hong Kong in just over 2 weeks :dance3:

Just some advice with the hotel discount, they do have an allocation that exhausts very quickly. I called up to book my accommodation while they had two different offers going on and both were unavailable as they were full. However I would recommend calling to book anyway as when I was online it was only sea view rooms at the Hollywood Hotel (which for two students is a little steep) however as I was speaking to the booking people someone cancelled their garden view room and she was able to slot us right in there.

The booking line is also quite helpful with the magic access cards (or whatever they are called now) as you need your access number to get the discount through online bookings but since we live in Australia they can't ship them here. If you call up they will set aside a card for you and apply the discount to your room. Also if you call you can pay in advance to take advantage of exchange rates.

Anyway can't wait for the next post in the series and if you have any questions just ask and I'll try to help since I've just gone through the whole booking adventure.

PrincessInOz

11-13-2011, 03:16 PM

Are you saying your DH doesn't see THROUGH the ph-raising...... :scratchin

Or maybe just like you mess with him when he misplaces something....
He messes with you making you go through all this to get to go somewhere in particular...

DH and I are actually quite excited about heading to HK. It is somewhere new for us.

Haven't gone to the link but just spotted this.....

Experienced hikers as young as 12 years old can now explore nature for FREE with Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Guided Hiking Tours featuring five themed trails. This is the perfect opportunity to explore the bare wonders and lush greens of Asia’s World City in the company of experienced local hikers. For more info on the trails and bookings, visit http://www.discoverhongkong.com/promotions/hikes_walks/eng/pages/guidedHikingTours.pdf

It's only a free for now promo...
Bit just thought it might spark an idea...

Thanks. DS is still 11, so he may not be welcomed on one of these. But I'll take inspiration! :thumbsup2

Hello I'm jumping in a little late (but better than never right).

Your pre-trip report is making me all excited because I'm going to Hong Kong in just over 2 weeks :dance3:

Just some advice with the hotel discount, they do have an allocation that exhausts very quickly. I called up to book my accommodation while they had two different offers going on and both were unavailable as they were full. However I would recommend calling to book anyway as when I was online it was only sea view rooms at the Hollywood Hotel (which for two students is a little steep) however as I was speaking to the booking people someone cancelled their garden view room and she was able to slot us right in there.

The booking line is also quite helpful with the magic access cards (or whatever they are called now) as you need your access number to get the discount through online bookings but since we live in Australia they can't ship them here. If you call up they will set aside a card for you and apply the discount to your room. Also if you call you can pay in advance to take advantage of exchange rates.

Anyway can't wait for the next post in the series and if you have any questions just ask and I'll try to help since I've just gone through the whole booking adventure.

Hi Stacey! Welcome to the PTR and thanks for jumping in.

Yes....I'm hoping to sort out the Disney accommodation very very soon.

PrincessInOz

11-13-2011, 03:25 PM

“Room Service? Send up a larger room.”…..Going with the ph-low; Groucho Marx style

“Room Service? Send up a larger room.” Groucho Marx

Marx Brothers’ fans will recognize the Groucho Marx line from ‘A Night at the Opera’. If you’ve ever watched this movie, I think this line was uttered in the StateRoom scene where every man, his dog and his sheep were stowing away on the boat in a room way too small for that many people. You think it funny?

I think not! But then, I’m the one that has to live in that room! :scared1:

I’ve been spending the last couple of weeks pulling in some internet time researching hotel accommodation in Hong Kong. Turns out, with more than 50,000 rooms available, I can’t seem to find any room that is “Value for Money”. And it would seem that room real estate in Hong Kong would rival that in New York city.

S-M-A-L-L and E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E. (No offence intended to any Nu Yoickers reading this.)

Heck! Right now, I’d settle for a room capable of sleeping 3 people without having to have the 3rd person sleep on an airbed on the floor!

By the way, for anyone interested, I resorted to TripAdvisor, Expedia, Virtual Tourist and Lonely Planet for researching rooms.
For the record, I looked at the following hotels:

Marco Polo
Langham Hotel
Harbour Grand Kowloon
Park Royal Hotel (Sha Tin)
Chi Residences
City View Hong Kong

So, I’ve turned to the ‘experts’ for some help. Afterall, my parents and the family TA have traveled together to Hong Kong AND shared a room as well. If they could find a hotel that sleeps 3, they must exist!

The experts have recommended the Harbour Plaza Metropolis. It’s rated 78 out of 312 Hong Kong hotels by Trip Advisor; 34 out of 243 hotels by Virtual Tourist and a score of 4.3 out of 5 on Expedia. Lonely Planet have yet to stay there.

Hey…at least it is rating in the sub ‘phat’-ties on Trip Advisor!

I’m checking with the family TA on this one….on strict instruction from she who must be obeyed. Yes, there is someone that outranks me….my mother!
My mother has asked that I chat with the family TA to see what rate she can get so that I can then compare it against the on-line price (and that includes the Disney hotel as well!). :faint:

If the price is right, I’m definitely going with the ph-low on this one. By the time we get there, I hope that I won’t be the one picking up the phone to room service with an order for a larger room!

princess::upsidedow

ps. If there are any readers and lurkers out there that have gone to Hong Kong, feel ph-ree to post your favourite place on here. There is a distinct lack of information about where to stay in Hong Kong on the Dis. I know...I know....it is about HK Disneyland and we know all about the hotels there....but still. It is definitely time that we try to address this oversight for the rest of Hong Kong!

shushh

11-15-2011, 02:53 AM

usnuzuloose

11-16-2011, 04:48 AM

Hotels that dont accomodate three? WTH?

queenie82

11-16-2011, 04:51 AM

Hotels that dont accomodate three? WTH?
Welcome to Asia and Europe.....
:rolleyes:

dgbg100106

11-16-2011, 05:35 AM

Hotels that dont accomodate three? WTH?

I had no idea? I have travelled outside the us but never to Asia, so this will be first experience (visiting) thru your TR.

PrincessInOz

11-17-2011, 01:43 AM

Princess... I am so behind that I have no hope of reading everything. I can however write about where we stayed!

We stayed at Cosmo Hotel which was about $99 per night (I think! I have to check..) but that included breakfast and free wi-fi. It is in the Wan Chai area. A little away from everything but still within easy walking distance. ie not good for summer but great for other seasons. They have free frequent shuttles to the main attractions/main train stations and has great public transport right at their doorstep eg direct bus to The Peak, Stanley markets, etc.

Rooms are very small. You get discounts for staying longer and the best rates I got was emailing the hotel direct. It was cheaper than the hotels website. Don't ask me why/how.

Thanks. I looked at Wan Chai and Causeway but in the end I've gone with the ph-low.

Hotels that dont accomodate three? WTH?

Yeah. The rooms are small. They fit a double/queen or two single beds. Don't be fooled by the pictures that make it seem like there are two beds in the room....there is; usually singles. The exception is the Disney hotels. Their rooms have two doubles.

Welcome to Asia and Europe.....
:rolleyes:

::yes::

I had no idea? I have travelled outside the us but never to Asia, so this will be first experience (visiting) thru your TR.

Welcome.to.Asia! :headache:

PrincessInOz

11-17-2011, 01:59 AM

Going with the Ph-low: ‘Phat’nights at the Harbour Plaza Metropolis con’ph’irmed

Well, I can confirm that we are staying 8 nights at the Harbour Plaza Metropolis (http://www.harbour-plaza.com/en/home.aspx?hotel_id=hpme&section_id=home&subsection_id=overview)in the Hung Hom area. This area is about 10 minutes walk away from Tsim Sha Tsui, which is the area that I consider to be the Times Square of Hong Kong. Looking at the location map, I think the Hung Hom MRT station is about 5 minutes walk away.

In the end, I decided it was easier to go with the ph-low and listen to the experts.

I think I am happy with this decision. Here’s why:

The price was the standard room is about $180 a night for the time of year that we’re going. Turns out April is peak season in Hong Kong, so we weren’t going to be getting any bargains for accommodation…unless we were prepared to wait and see what was available last minute. DH and I could have coped…but I wasn’t prepared to do that to my parents nor DS.

I got the TA friend to book the accommodation as she was also quoting about the same. The thing is – she has guaranteed a ph-ree upgrade to the 1-bedroom suite. :cool1: :cool1:
I'm not counting on a Harbour View...but I don't think this will matter too much to me. I will probably be able to find somewhere in the hotel to admire the view and to see if the night view is photo-worthy.

Time will only tell if I’ll be back with a TR post heading of “Groucho Marx – Eat your Heart out!”.

The TA friend and I also had a discussion about Disney accommodation. She definitely thinks that I’ll do better going direct. So, I’ll be doing that this weekend….after I double check my Disney Fuzzy Maths!

princess::upsidedow

hjd0411

11-18-2011, 01:45 AM

areweindisneyyet

11-18-2011, 07:20 PM

All caught up and on board. Nice work on getting the parents along.

areweindisneyyet

11-18-2011, 07:22 PM

I am a happy to have begun page PHAT

areweindisneyyet

11-18-2011, 08:05 PM

Sorry. Double post.

OziJo

11-18-2011, 08:16 PM

Just caught up. Nice work on finding accommodation. We often talk about traveling to Asia. We have been to Thailand but I'm now convinced we won't be traveling to Asia unless it's just DH and me.

aussietravellers

11-18-2011, 09:42 PM

Have just phound your PTR. Following along.

PrincessInOz

11-23-2011, 05:18 AM

Wow, can't believe I've just discovered this!! I did notice your ticker before, but not the PTR..!!! :confused3
It has been a long time since I was in HK - think the month after handover! But I do remember the small rooms. Good for you for getting the 1br suite - will make all the difference to you!
Love your photos of Halloween and the hay ride etc. You did well! I've been a bit slack on the photo front at the moment - but I hope to rectify that soon! Not time enough for the Hunt, though. :sad2:
Keep up the good work - I will keep up with your PTR as well! Looking forward to hearing more! :surfweb:

:wave: Glad you're here....and thanks! One more weekend left for the photo hunt and then I'm hoping to take a little rest from carrying the camera.

It would have been interesting to be in HK one month before handover!

All caught up and on board. Nice work on getting the parents along.

I am a happy to have begun page PHAT

Someone had to begin page phat! :thumbsup2

Just caught up. Nice work on finding accommodation. We often talk about traveling to Asia. We have been to Thailand but I'm now convinced we won't be traveling to Asia unless it's just DH and me.

I often talk about Asia too. But travel rarely pops into the conversation when we talk about Asia. :laughing:

Gonna be interesting to see how we go on this trip.

Have just phound your PTR. Following along.

:yay: So glad you phound my PTR! Have you been to HK?

dgbg100106

11-23-2011, 07:06 AM

PIO,

Our neighbors are from a small town outside of Bejiing and they have been trying to get us to go "home" with them, and they want to show us around. DH wants to see the Great Wall. but I have no idea when we will make it there.

So for now we will live thru your PTR, and maybe it will help him take the plunge and go for it...:goodvibes

PrincessInOz

11-23-2011, 02:56 PM

aussietravellers

11-23-2011, 03:11 PM

:yay: So glad you phound my PTR! Have you been to HK?

Yes, been to HK. Oh I love HK, the shopping :cloud9: and one of my favourite restaurant in the world is in HK, it's called Chesa, it's at the Peninsula hotel and it's a swiss restaurant (go figure, going to HK for swiss food :rotfl2: ). But it is such a great restaurant.

I havent been to HKDL :sad2: (yet.... :rolleyes1 one day) I've got such a severe peanut allergy (touch, trace, airbourne), that I've become a little paranoid travelling to Asian countries with their use of peanut oil.

I would love to go back one day.... But for now, I will travel there through your TR (and some of my family and friends who seem to always be popping to HK for a shopping trip!)

usnuzuloose

11-26-2011, 02:56 AM

I am glad you finally got accomodations. That must of been stressful to find something. Now you can move on to better things about your trip.! :thumbsup2

PrincessInOz

11-28-2011, 01:10 AM

Yes, been to HK. Oh I love HK, the shopping :cloud9: and one of my favourite restaurant in the world is in HK, it's called Chesa, it's at the Peninsula hotel and it's a swiss restaurant (go figure, going to HK for swiss food :rotfl2: ). But it is such a great restaurant.

I havent been to HKDL :sad2: (yet.... :rolleyes1 one day) I've got such a severe peanut allergy (touch, trace, airbourne), that I've become a little paranoid travelling to Asian countries with their use of peanut oil.

I would love to go back one day.... But for now, I will travel there through your TR (and some of my family and friends who seem to always be popping to HK for a shopping trip!)

Swiss....:scratchin....I have to say that I'll add Chesa to the list; but I doubt that I'll be making it there. I don't think I'd be able to drag my parents to a Western style meal of any persuasion when we're in Hong Kong. :sad2:

I am glad you finally got accomodations. That must of been stressful to find something. Now you can move on to better things about your trip.! :thumbsup2

:wave: Thanks. Yes, accommodation is something that I do try to plan ahead if I can. I still have the 3 days at Disney to confirm; but I'm waiting to mid December to see if any deals come out.

PrincessInOz

11-28-2011, 01:28 AM

OT - 30,000 reasons for Dis-sanity!

Well! Guess what?

This is my 30,000th post.

30K

Mind boggling, isn't it?

So lets break it down....

Assuming 40 seconds between posts, this roughly equates to:

1.2 MILLION seconds (OMG)....or...

20,000 minutes (:eek:).....or....

333.33 hours (:scared1:).....or.....

13.89 DAYS!!! :faint:

:scratchin Where has the time gone??? :sad2:

And those of you who know me, will know that I've accumulated my post count mostly on the Games Board. I also hang out on the photoboard as well as the Other Lands>Australia section....but really....my Dis-home is the Games board.

Thanks to all my Games board friends-in-the-box for playing with me, particularly the LASTERS and the word gamers.

(But really...let's face it....its the part of the Dis where you really can't put anyone on ignore! :rotfl:)

princess::upsidedow

usnuzuloose

11-28-2011, 01:32 AM

:thumbsup2

franandaj

11-28-2011, 01:46 AM

OT - 30,000 reasons for Dis-sanity!

You are really super woman! I don't know how you cook all you do (WFD thread) take the pics you do (photo thread, which I don't even follow, but I know of your involvelemnt) post awesome TRs that you actually complete, and take care of your family while keeping up with all the games on the DIS and still have a job! :lmao:

You are definitely an awesome over achiever! You go girl! :thumbsup2

Me, I better go to bed and sleep for about 10 hours! :faint:

OziJo

11-28-2011, 03:11 PM

30,000 :woohoo:Congratulations!!:thumbsup2

Now get some sleep...

dgbg100106

11-28-2011, 04:47 PM

congratulations..... :thumbsup2

PrincessInOz

12-01-2011, 01:48 AM

:thumbsup2

You are really super woman! I don't know how you cook all you do (WFD thread) take the pics you do (photo thread, which I don't even follow, but I know of your involvelemnt) post awesome TRs that you actually complete, and take care of your family while keeping up with all the games on the DIS and still have a job! :lmao:

You are definitely an awesome over achiever! You go girl! :thumbsup2

Me, I better go to bed and sleep for about 10 hours! :faint:

30,000 :woohoo:Congratulations!!:thumbsup2

Now get some sleep...

congratulations..... :thumbsup2

Thanks!!

PrincessInOz

12-01-2011, 01:52 AM

“You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.”…..Orientation time!

“You got to be careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there." Yogi Berra

Yogi Berra, that great baseball catcher is probably equally as famous for his malapropism as he is for his catching. In this case, I’m gonna follow his lead and take a look at the general layout for Hong Kong.

http://images.chinahighlights.com/city/hong-kong/hong-kong-map-b.jpg

From what I’ve read, Hong Kong is divided in to 3 broad areas:

Hong Kong Island.

Wan Chai District appears to be the main area that tourists stay in if choosing to stay at Hong Kong Island and broadly stretches from Admiralty to Causeway Bay.
The Central District is another prime tourist haunt. Central is the main financial center of Hong Kong. It broadly stretches the other side of the Island to Wan Chai, from Admiralty towards Victoria Harbour.

Kowloon Peninsula.

Kowloon City District includes the Kai Tak Airport, Ma Tau Wai and parts of Hong Hum. If you flew into Hong Kong prior to 1998, you flew into this district.
Yau Tsim Mong District is the main urban area in Hong Kong. It is an acronym for Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok. Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok are where you’d find the markets. Tsim Sha Tsui has a dazzling concentration of 5-star hotels and is where you catch the Star Ferries from. It is the major tourist hub in Hong Kong.

The New Territories and outlying islands, including Lantau Island where Disney is located.

If you can see or read the map, we’re staying near the Hong Hum station in Kowloon.

To get around Hong Kong, we’re going to get ourselves an Octopus Card. (http://hong-kong-travel.org/Octopus/)

Start-up costs will be about HK$150 per adult and HK$70 per child. When first purchasing the Octopus Card, HK$50 is included as refundable deposit, and the remaining value will be stored in the card for normal payments. Given how the MTR or KCR system spreads throughout HK, this will be our primary mode for transportation around HK. My parents and our friendly TA has advised that they have also taken taxi’s from time to time.

It is definitely a case of be flexible to 'catch' public transport. Maybe we'll end up being as good a catcher as Yogi Berra!

princess::upsidedow

stephielela

12-03-2011, 10:31 AM

usnuzuloose

12-03-2011, 04:16 PM

So when you go do we get a gps tracker so we know where you are at. I hope you never get lost.

dgbg100106

12-03-2011, 04:18 PM

So when you go do we get a gps tracker so we know where you are at. I hope you never get lost.

I agree...:thumbsup2

PrincessInOz

12-12-2011, 03:02 AM

I am FINALLY subbing! It would appear you started this PTR while I was heading off to my trip, so I didn't notice it right away and it has taken me a bit to get caught up!

This trip looks amazing. I have to be honest, I have never been interested in travel to Asia, but my dad lived in Hong Kong for several years as a child and has traveled to many Asian countries with work and speaks Chinese (though I believe he speaks Mandarin, not positive...) Anywho, I am interested to read about your trip and see if it sparks a desire to travel to Asia in the future!

YAY!!! You made it over. Thanks for subbing in.

So when you go do we get a gps tracker so we know where you are at. I hope you never get lost.

I agree...:thumbsup2

Getting lost on holiday is part of the fun. My philosophy? Always take the left fork.

Sorry for the lack of update folks....life's been one teacup ride spinning revolting revolving door at my place. Decemberitis has struck bigtime! :scared1:

franandaj

12-14-2011, 02:38 PM

Hang in there it's almost over, then you can get back to updating us!

usnuzuloose

12-14-2011, 10:02 PM

Just do what you need to do, dont over do.

dgbg100106

12-15-2011, 06:21 AM

If you promise to finish. All will be cool with me. :rolleyes1

PrincessInOz

12-15-2011, 01:35 PM

If you promise to finish. All will be cool with me. :rolleyes1

On my current track record, I ALWAYS finish what I start. :thumbsup2

dgbg100106

12-15-2011, 01:51 PM

On my current track record, I ALWAYS finish what I start. :thumbsup2

Good!!!!

I may be slow but I get it done!

franandaj

12-15-2011, 02:25 PM

On my current track record, I ALWAYS finish what I start. :thumbsup2

Haven't you finished three TRs since Kimmar started hers? :rotfl:

PrincessInOz

12-16-2011, 04:46 AM

Haven't you finished three TRs since Kimmar started hers? :rotfl:

By my count, it was 2 PTRs and 3 TRs. I don't count the 3rd PTR because I started that before Kimmar started her Trippie with No Name....:rolleyes1

dgbg100106

12-16-2011, 07:17 AM

By my count, it was 2 PTRs and 3 TRs. I don't count the 3rd PTR because I started that before Kimmar started her Trippie with No Name....:rolleyes1

My goal is to finish before she does... Maybe I can make it!!!:thumbsup2

PrincessInOz

12-21-2011, 11:46 PM

OT - December in Melbourne and Life's Perspective through a camera lens

It's December over here and nearly Christmas time. To say that life has been a juggling act in the last 6 weeks would be an understatement.

But I thought I'd share with you a bit of my perspective of December through my camera lens. This might take a couple of posts...

Firstly, it was about food preparation.

My cherry tree had an unusually bumper crop this year. The cherries could have done with a couple more weeks on the tree but the birds were having a field day....and it was wet. They were starting to mould...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Food/2011%20Miscellaneous%20Food/IMG_0857.jpg

...so we picked over 10 kilos (more than 20 lbs) from the tree.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Food/2011%20Miscellaneous%20Food/IMG_0862.jpg

We ate them over a course of about 3 - 4 weeks; and then I noticed that the last few of them were going off.

So, I made me...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Food/December%2011%20Cherry%20Muffins/2011-12-11001003.jpg

...a batch of cherry muffins.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Food/December%2011%20Cherry%20Muffins/2011-12-11001013.jpg

YUM!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Food/December%2011%20Cherry%20Muffins/2011-12-11001014.jpg

I also cooked up some Bourbon Fruit cake.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Food/November%2021%20Christmas%20Cake/IMG_0611.jpg

They are all ready to go for Christmas presents!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Food/November%2021%20Christmas%20Cake/IMG_0647.jpg

I also made some Rum Balls to give away as presents...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Food/December%2017%20Rum%20Balls/2011-12-182011December19Rumballs025.jpg

I plan on making another batch if there ends up being 26 hours in the day over the next couple of days.

Christmas around my place is taking shape. Between the tree and presents, I'm pretty much done. Only food left.

My tree looks like this!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%20Christmas%20Tree/Nov%2021%20Pictures/2011November21067.jpg

It's a musical theme...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%20Christmas%20Tree/Nov%2021%20Pictures/2011November21048.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%20Christmas%20Tree/Nov%2021%20Pictures/2011November21050.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%20Christmas%20Tree/Nov%2021%20Pictures/2011November21052.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%20Christmas%20Tree/Nov%2021%20Pictures/2011November21056.jpg

And yes, I do have Disney references on there too..

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%20Christmas%20Tree/Nov%2021%20Pictures/2011November21049.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%20Christmas%20Tree/Nov%2021%20Pictures/2011November21061.jpg

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

12-21-2011, 11:59 PM

(Continued from Previous Post)

Life has also been about one merry-go-round of activities, catch ups and events.

Such was life for me that sometimes, I just felt like I was herded along like in school....

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Fish%20Bowl/2011November14Misc027.jpg

...barely keeping up with the swimming...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Fish%20Bowl/2011November14Misc007.jpg

...waiting for the sharks to go away!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Fish%20Bowl/2011November14Misc008.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Fish%20Bowl/2011November14Misc028.jpg

But there is always a light at the end of the tunnel...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Fish%20Bowl/2011November14Misc034.jpg

And we turned our attention towards an event of starry proportions.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty009.jpg

I'm really lucky to be working for an organisation that still holds the annual christmas party.

It was really dark in the venue and I had to push the camera and lens to get some shots.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty008.jpg

Our dinner menu:

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty028.jpg

Starters:

The Taste of Victoria

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty023.jpg

The Duck

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty025.jpg

The vegetarian option

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty024.jpg

Mains:

The lamb

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty036.jpg

The fish (definitely no longer swimming)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty040.jpg

The delicious vegetarian option

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty042.jpg

Desserts:

My company understands that we all like to eat desserts. So, desserts is always of finger food bite-size and PLENTY of it.

Each table gets served a platter like this and then it just keeps on coming out in the foyer area outside the venue, which is where I went to take these shots. Much.more.light! :thumbsup2

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty057.jpg

I loved the lemon tarts.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty051.jpg

The mango sorbets were also amazing.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty059.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty060.jpg

This was chocolate cake with chocolate mouse on top encased in that dark chocolate shell. It was delicious but a little too rich for me.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty067.jpg

(Continued in Next Post)

DisneyFirefly

12-22-2011, 12:05 AM

The fish (definitely no longer swimming)

This made me literally LOL :teeth: Anyway, the pictures are gorgeous! I particularly like the one of the guys in suits in the fish tunnel!

PrincessInOz

12-22-2011, 12:23 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

Christmas is my favourite holiday of year. I just love the decorations and everywhere I walk in the city....there is the colour and glitter of Christmas, albeit in a summer setting.

Every year, one of the departmental stores will decorate the City store windows with a Christmas theme. They get a local celebrity to sing a song and sell the CD in aid of charity.

This year's theme is Santa Claus is coming to town.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas022.jpg

These are snapshots of the windows...and really, it is nothing more than mechanical puppets; but its about the tradition of the Myer windows!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas025.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas029.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas031.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas035.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas037.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas040.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas043.jpg

I took the above shots in daytime. Just so you know...the people come all day until late. This is outside the Myer windows at 10 pm at night!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights228.jpg

Melbourne City decorations are reasonable. They aren't a patch on the ones in Europe; but they do hold their own as a collection of pictures....

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas008.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-172011December17Playathon003.jpg

The city has a number of arcades...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas016.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights022.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights017.jpg

...and a number of grand old buildings that are just beautiful inside. This is the outside of my favourite building in Melbourne...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights023.jpg

Why? Check out the interior!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights027.jpg

And that domed roof!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights032.jpg

This is walking out the back of the foyer.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights037.jpg

This bridge over the Yarra River is supposed to have a large 'mistletoe' hanging....well....kiss my bahookie.....no one is fooled!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights108.jpg

Town Hall is decorated with a ribbon this year...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas056.jpg

...and some of the squares around town look quite festive.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights117.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas071.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas075.jpg

Take note of the church in the background....

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas062.jpg

(Continued in the next post)

PrincessInOz

12-22-2011, 12:35 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

I went on a little walk the other night round the city. Ended up walking for over 3 hours.

It definitely isn't Vegas....but there is ONE casino in Melbourne. Competition for Vegas it definitely isn't; but they do try to have a Christmas display in the hotel foyer. It's sound and light....

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights047.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights051.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights058.jpg

Remember that church from the previous post? The front of the church looks like this from Federation Square...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights118.jpg

I took my tripod along that night and staked out a position. These might be repetitive...but hey....between staking out my spot and waiting for the lights to start and then taking the bazillion shots, I figured that if I had to take them, SOMEONE has to see them!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights162.jpg

(I think we've decided that if you play connect the dots, you might make out a PIG in this shot.)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights170.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights176.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights187.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights196.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights206.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights209.jpg

The other building that was lit up was the State Library of Victoria. The theme there was the Nutcracker.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights261.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights266.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights267.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights273.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights274.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights258.jpg

DH and I are contemplating heading into the city again tomorrow night. Rumour has it that there might be fireworks at the Docklands. I am so definitely checking it out if this is the case.

Who knows? There might be a follow up posting on life through the camera lens!

If I don't catch you later, I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Thanks for reading along and sharing my PTR with me.

princess::upsidedow

PrincessInOz

12-22-2011, 12:37 AM

This made me literally LOL :teeth: Anyway, the pictures are gorgeous! I particularly like the one of the guys in suits in the fish tunnel!

:teeth: Thanks for reading! :thumbsup2

aussietravellers

12-22-2011, 12:44 AM

Fabulous Fabulous posts! :lmao::lmao::lmao: I was :lmao: and :lmao: at the fish/shark portion

This was chocolate cake with chocolate mouse on top encased in that dark chocolate shell. It was delicious but a little too rich for me.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20November%2010%20MLB%20Aquarium/Xmas%20Party/2011-12-172011December17ChristmasParty067.jpg

They served a mouse with the chocolate cake? YUMMY :rotfl2:

[SIZE="3"]

Christmas is my favourite holiday of year. I just love the decorations and everywhere I walk in the city....there is the colour and glitter of Christmas, albeit in a summer setting.

Mine too

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2018%20events/2011-12-162011December16MelbXMas043.jpg

Absolutely gorgeous!

I took the above shots in daytime. Just so you know...the people come all day until late. This is outside the Myer windows at 10 pm at night!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights228.jpg

Melbourne City decorations are reasonable. They aren't a patch on the ones in Europe; but they do hold their own as a collection of pictures....

They are heaps better than on the Gold Coast! We hardly have any, it's SO sad!

...and a number of grand old buildings that are just beautiful inside. This is the outside of my favourite building in Melbourne...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights023.jpg

Why? Check out the interior!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights027.jpg

And that domed roof!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights032.jpg

This is walking out the back of the foyer.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2020/2011-12-192011December19XmasLights037.jpg

Stunning!!! Absolutely Stunning!

Thank you for sharing your photos PIO, they were all absolutely gorgeous. Your Christmas party meal look divine, made me hungry looking at it (especially the desserts, as really, dessert is the most important part of a meal :rotfl: )

aussietravellers

12-22-2011, 12:47 AM

Were some of those photos from outside the Westin hotel? That's where we always stay when in Melbourne.

PrincessInOz

12-22-2011, 12:48 AM

:wave: You know....I might just leave that mouse alone! :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

PrincessInOz

12-22-2011, 12:50 AM

Were some of those photos from outside the Westin hotel? That's where we always stay when in Melbourne.

The ones of the square with the large nutcracker and the boxes are of the old City Square outside the Westin.

I do have some night shots of the same place taken at night. I walked into the Westin and headed out that balcony...just haven't loaded it up yet.

aussietravellers

12-22-2011, 12:51 AM

:wave: You know....I might just leave that mouse alone! :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

You have to leave the mouse there! I thought you may have put it there on purpose being a "Mouse" related board/forum :rotfl2:

aussietravellers

12-22-2011, 12:53 AM

The ones of the square with the large nutcracker and the boxes are of the old City Square outside the Westin.

I do have some night shots of the same place taken at night. I walked into the Westin and headed out that balcony...just haven't loaded it up yet.

It's not the normal view that we see from our window. I can't tell you how many times my DS has looked out of the hotel window in the morning and drawn in the sandy/gravely stuff below is a very large drawing of the male anatomy. :lmao: He finds it hysterical.

PrincessInOz

12-22-2011, 12:54 AM

::yes:: Let's pretend it was deliberate! :lmao:

PrincessInOz

12-22-2011, 12:55 AM

It's not the normal view that we see from our window. I can't tell you how many times my DS has looked out of the hotel window in the morning and drawn in the sandy/gravely stuff below is a very large drawing of the male anatomy. :lmao: He finds it hysterical.

:lmao: I'm going to have to take a look in the early morning now.....:rotfl2:

aussietravellers

12-22-2011, 01:16 AM

:lmao: I'm going to have to take a look in the early morning now.....:rotfl2:

:lmao: Yes, make sure you go up to the lobby balcony as it wouldn't be the same view at street level and more likely to find some interesting artwork in that gravel on a Saturday or Sunday morning :rotfl:. We are often on the 3rd floor (it's the starwood floor or something) and the few times we have seen it, they have drawn it quite large :lmao: Oh the things intoxicated youth get up to :rotfl: That gravel is just too tempting to not draw big things in :rotfl:

I just went through my photos to see if I'd snapped a photo but I haven't. If we ever see it again, I'll snap a photo for you :lmao:

bobbiwoz

12-22-2011, 05:08 AM

Your pictures are amazing! Wow!:goodvibes

skier_pete

12-22-2011, 08:47 AM

Beautiful shots of Beautiful decorations. I do find it amusing that even down there the displays depict the European view of Christmas which is "It's snowy and cold and everyone is dressed in their winter coats." when clearly this is NOT the case down under! I admit growing up /living in a Christmas/Winter climate nice weather is a real stumbling block to feeling "Christmas-y". Partly why I find I don't really get into the decorations at Disney.

OziJo

12-22-2011, 01:19 PM

Melbourne looks beautiful all dressed up for Christmas! Thanks for the Gorgeous photos.

I'm going into the city (Sydney) today. I might get some photos of the QVB in her finery but Sydney overall doesn't have the same old world charm that Melbourne has.

Have a Wonderful Christmas :santa:

franandaj

12-22-2011, 04:59 PM

Beautiful Photos, love the Christmas Lights on the church!

ACDSNY

12-22-2011, 08:15 PM

Beautiful photos, I think I remember seeing that church when I was there in 1999.

stephielela

12-23-2011, 09:20 AM

Beautiful pictures!! Makes me want to come visit! :lmao:

usnuzuloose

12-23-2011, 11:35 AM

They are wow pictures! Its nice to see a place that makes the city all christmasy..:thumbsup2

PrincessInOz

12-25-2011, 03:47 AM

Your pictures are amazing! Wow!:goodvibes

Thanks! Glad to see you visiting again. :hug:

Beautiful shots of Beautiful decorations. I do find it amusing that even down there the displays depict the European view of Christmas which is "It's snowy and cold and everyone is dressed in their winter coats." when clearly this is NOT the case down under! I admit growing up /living in a Christmas/Winter climate nice weather is a real stumbling block to feeling "Christmas-y". Partly why I find I don't really get into the decorations at Disney.

Give it some time....its only been 7 or 8 generations since the white settlers left the Old Dart. They might need a bit more time to get used to the idea of Christmas in a t-shirt, thongs and that shrimp on the Barbie! :rotfl:

Melbourne looks beautiful all dressed up for Christmas! Thanks for the Gorgeous photos.

I'm going into the city (Sydney) today. I might get some photos of the QVB in her finery but Sydney overall doesn't have the same old world charm that Melbourne has.

Have a Wonderful Christmas :santa:

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas yourself. And I checked out your pictures of QVB on your PTR. :thumbsup2

Safe travels. :goodvibes

Beautiful Photos, love the Christmas Lights on the church!

It's the first time I've seen them light up the city like this. I hope this becomes a yearly tradition; with more building added to the list.

Beautiful photos, I think I remember seeing that church when I was there in 1999.

I hope you liked your visit in 1999. The church is St Paul's Cathedral and stands opposite the main railway station; and Federation Square. I don't think Fed Square was around in 1999.

Beautiful pictures!! Makes me want to come visit! :lmao:

Just let me know when. :goodvibes

They are wow pictures! Its nice to see a place that makes the city all christmasy..:thumbsup2

They are a little bit spaced apart...but there is a nice Christmas feel to Melbourne; if you go walking and seek out the decorations.

Thanks everyone. :goodvibes

PrincessInOz

12-25-2011, 04:03 AM

OT - Christmas Food Porn

A Christmas Eve Feast!

On the first dish of Christmas, my mother made for us,
A Pork and Pineapple Assam curry.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24XMasEveDinner005.jpg

On the second dish of Christmas, my mother also made for us,
A picked vegetable Achar.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24XMasEveDinner006.jpg

On the third dish of Christmas, my father made for us,
Chicken Rendang!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24XMasEveDinner007.jpg

Sambal Prawns… (I made this)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24SambalPrawns022.jpg

Fried spicy chicken…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24XMasEveDinner008.jpg

Chickpea curry (another one of mine)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24XMasEveDinner009.jpg

And a vegetarian mushroom broccoli.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24XMasEveDinner016.jpg

For the eighth dish of Christmas, my brother made for us
Warm Thai Beef salad.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24XMasEveDinner011.jpg

My plate!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24XMasEveDinner020.jpg

For the ninth dish of Christmas, we ventured into sweets.
A lemon tart with berries.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24XMasEveDinner032.jpg

For the tenth dish of Christmas, we OD’ed on fats!
Vodka laden trifle.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24XMasEveDinner036.jpg

Two more dishes of Christmas….to have with coffee.
One of which was Madelines….

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24XMasEveDinner034.jpg

And my alcoholic soaked Rum Balls!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-242011December24XMasEveDinner001.jpg

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

12-25-2011, 04:06 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

Followed by another Christmas Day Feast….:faint:

Not content with stuffing ourselves on Christmas Eve, we had my parents over for Christmas Day lunch.
My menu consisted of Roast Turkey Breast Roll. My chicken shop at the Vic Market debones it and sells them in a roll – stuff or unstuffy. I decided to go with the unstuffed version this year.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-252011December25XmasLunch051.jpg

It might look a little pink in the picture…but it was beautiful. Tender and moist. I did make gravy…but I didn’t take a picture of it (nor of my plate!)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-252011December25XmasLunch055.jpg

Salmon with a dill stuffing. DH is vegetarian; so the turkey is wasted on him. I found this recipe years ago and it seems to fit the festive season. The stuffing includes breadcrumbs, onion, dill, pine nuts and parsley.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-252011December25XmasLunch052.jpg

My sides included roasted bell peppers, marinated in oil and white wine vinegar;

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-252011December25XmasLunch059.jpg

Stuffing for the meat lovers. After consultation with the What’s For Dinner thread, I decided on individual portions cooked in a muffin tin. The stuffing is made from breadcrumbs, pine nuts, apple, onions, apricots, thyme, parsley, salt and pepper.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-252011December25XmasLunch057.jpg

Potatoes, roasted with rosemary and garlic. They were cooked, just…and could have done with 10 more minutes in the oven.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-252011December25XmasLunch056.jpg

A large salad. The lettuce leaves are all from my garden, the tomatoes come from my MiL’s garden. We dressed it with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-252011December25XmasLunch058.jpg

Dessert? Absolutely.

The traditional plum pudding.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-252011December25XmasLunch062.jpg

I served it with custard.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-252011December25XmasLunch066.jpg

Another trifle.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-252011December25XmasLunch001.jpg

..and berries.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2025/2011-12-252011December25XmasLunch063.jpg

I would have pulled out the Rum Balls; but everyone was stuffed to the gills by this stage. No dinner for me.

Merry Christmas everyone!

princess::upsidedow

ps. These pictures and the recipes for the Salmon and the Sambal Prawns are likely to feature in the WFD thread in the next week or so.

franandaj

12-25-2011, 11:15 AM

Everything looks just great! You're making me crave a home cooked meal! I hope you enjoy Boxing Day!

dgbg100106

12-25-2011, 11:20 AM

Everything looks just great! You're making me crave a home cooked meal! I hope you enjoy Boxing Day!

Ditto.

hjd0411

12-26-2011, 01:35 AM

Wow - just - WOW!! Loving the photos of festive Melbourne. There are not a lot of lights in Brisbane city! Maybe one day!!!
And your food - yummmmm!! Love it all!
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and are relaxing today! And, perhaps, dare I say - fasting??? :rotfl:
Merry Christmas to you and your family! :santa:

PrincessInOz

12-26-2011, 01:42 AM

skier_pete

12-26-2011, 08:12 AM

What a yummy looking Christmas feast! We've been eating so much leading up to Christmas, and only had a few people at our house, we stripped Christmas dinner down to basics this year. Christmas celebration was a day of rest. Today - more wrapping for visiting relatives over New Year's.

hjd0411

12-27-2011, 01:36 AM

Sorry -strange things happening here...!!!! Better now - refer post below...!!!!!!

hjd0411

12-27-2011, 01:42 AM

Thanks! Merry Christmas to you too!

Try substituting the 's' with an 'r' in that 'f' word. :thumbsup2

:rotfl::rotfl2::rotfl::rotfl2:

You make me laugh!! :lmao:

Hey - I meant to check that you fared OK in those storms on Christmas night. They caused us some havoc at work that night and the next day..!! :scared1:
From the news footage they looked pretty fierce! :eek:

PrincessInOz

12-27-2011, 02:13 AM

:rotfl::rotfl2::rotfl::rotfl2:

You make me laugh!! :lmao:

Hey - I meant to check that you fared OK in those storms on Christmas night. They caused us some havoc at work that night and the next day..!! :scared1:
From the news footage they looked pretty fierce! :eek:

Thanks for asking!

We had an amazing lightning and thunder show here and I didn't think about my camera until too late. :sad2:
Lots of rain (probably about an inch of rain in 40 minutes or so) and small hail. No where near as bad as further north and east of us.

PrincessInOz

12-27-2011, 07:13 PM

Everything looks just great! You're making me crave a home cooked meal! I hope you enjoy Boxing Day!

Ditto.

What a yummy looking Christmas feast! We've been eating so much leading up to Christmas, and only had a few people at our house, we stripped Christmas dinner down to basics this year. Christmas celebration was a day of rest. Today - more wrapping for visiting relatives over New Year's.

Thank you. :hug:

Pete - you might find the Sambal Prawns on the menu for you and your family, should you decide on the home cooked meal. :thumbsup2

PrincessInOz

12-27-2011, 07:22 PM

OT – That Fireworks Curse Again!

I think I mentioned that we were planning a trip into the city to catch some fireworks in a previous post. Naturally, there's always a story with my pictures.....

Some of you may be aware that the camera I shoot with was never intended for me. It was always going to be DH’s toy. DH has always had an interest in photography and never seemed to be without his SLR (no d) when I first met him. Getting into the ‘d’ had been a long time coming for him….we had gotten into the point and shoots for a long time and he had stuck with film. We bought it in April 2010 in preparation for our trip to WDW in May of that year.

Whilst I did use the camera (sparingly), most of the pictures we took were from DH. But when we came home, that very expensive toy stayed in the bag for 6 weeks. In my opinion…what.a.waste!
And then I found the scavenger hunts on the Disboard photography sub-forum. Ever since July of last year, that camera has been mine.

I’ve been trying to take fireworks shots with it since July last. Hanging out of the Disboard photography sub-forum is expensive….it makes you want to go out and get better lenses in order to take pictures like some of the pro-sumers and pro-fessionals that hang out on that board.

Curse #1. Taking the tripod all the way to the World and NOT using it! October 2010

I had learnt enough from that subforum to know that if I wanted to take firework shots with long trails, I was gonna need a tripod. And (to cut a very long story short) I had the unexpected opportunity to re-visit the World in October 2010.

The tripod came all the way with me to the World. But I really don’t know what I was thinking when, on the day that we were going to check out HalloWishes, I PACKED the tripod in the bottom of the suitcase in preparation for out departure the next morning. So, I went to Magic Kingdom without a tripod; and ended up with shots like this.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/Oct%202010%20USA%20Holiday/16%20HalloWishes%20Take%202/USAHolidayOct2010338.jpg

Let’s just say that if I wish I was one of those Chinese acrobats capable of contorting my body. Leg to bahookie! comes to mind. :headache:

Curse #2. Always find out where the fireworks are going to be set off from BEFORE going out to see them. NYE 2010

There are maybe about 4 or 5 events in Melbourne where I have the opportunity to go shoot fireworks. One of them is New Year’s Eve. So for NYE last year, we headed into town….on a day over 40 C (over 100 F)….in search of a shot. I had assumed that the fireworks would be fired from over the Yarra River or over the city. Afterall, where else could they be let off when this had been the case year after year?

On NYE, there are two firework displays. The early ‘Children’s Fireworks’ is set off at 9.30 pm…and the later show is at midnight to herald in the New Year. Last year, we decided to catch the Children’s Fireworks only because DS didn’t think he could stay up past midnight.

So, into the city we went….in the heat. We made our way to what I thought would be prime viewing location….only to find out that the City of Melbourne had changed the location of the fireworks that afternoon due to the heat. They moved them down river, near the sporting complexes; about a mile down from the city. By the time we found out, it was too late for us to head down there, so instead of getting a nice city lit up as the backdrop, these are the types of shot that I got.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2010%20New%20Year%20Eve/NYE2010057.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2010%20New%20Year%20Eve/NYE2010064.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2010%20New%20Year%20Eve/NYE2010075.jpg

Nice…but no cigar in my book! And no amount of persuasion, bribes (nor threats) was budging my DS from wanting to go home afterwards.

Curse #3. Even when I’m in the right spot, the Fireworks Gods will NOT align the moons for me (yet). March 2011

Melbourne is a festival town. It hardly seems like there is a week that goes by without yet another festival or event! Sadly for me, not many of them include fireworks….so the next occasion that I had to take fireworks was in March 2011. The festival that is typically Melbourne is the Moomba Festival.

Moomba is an aboriginal word…as best as anyone can work out….it roughly translates to let’s get together and have fun.

I checked the newspapers and confirmed that the fireworks would be let off from pontoons on the river. There would be 6 pontoons, stretch out over a mile on the river.

So, we headed into the city to enjoy the festivities and I went to scope out these pontoon and shooting angles. Take a look on the river….there’s a pontoon there. And I had worked out that I liked this backdrop…with the city and the carnival rides going off in the back.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Moomba%20March/1-3%20Cityscape%20and%20Fireworks/11-MarGardenshots255.jpg

There we were….all set up….waiting for the fireworks to start. A boat came round and started to fiddle with the pontoon….my pontoon. The schedule start time came round…and we waited….the boat was still there. 3 minutes….5 minutes….6, 7, 10……before the boat finally took off. And then an announcement. Apologies for the delays, but there was a problem with one of the pontoons. Fireworks about to start.

Guess which pontoon it was?

Yes….my fireworks shot from that night….sadly, like this; from the pontoon down stream from me. :sad2:

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Moomba%20March/1-3%20Cityscape%20and%20Fireworks/11-MarGardenshots267.jpg

Now I would say that I’m more a glass half-full type of person than a glass half-empty. But the fireworks gods were starting to get on my nerves at this point.

Curse No 4. What good is good positioning if there isn’t a spectacular background in the back? July 2011

July in Melbourne is winter time. Even though it doesn’t snow in Melbourne, don’t be fooled. We can have a biting wind that blows up from the Antarctic that cuts through you like you wouldn’t believe.

There are areas in the city that are natural wind tunnels and one of these is the Docklands precinct. So, in order to encourage visitors there during winter, they offer fireworks on a Friday night on every Friday in July.

And there I headed. I was determined to set up in front of a pontoon and didn’t pay any attention to the backdrop. So, the fireworks shots are decent….only; when I came home and looked at the shots properly, the background is a little lacking.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Summer%20Scavenger%20Hunt/July%202011%20Docklands%20fireworks/2011July08Docklands106.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20Summer%20Scavenger%20Hunt/July%202011%20Docklands%20fireworks/2011July08Docklands124.jpg

I should have moved further down the waterfront so that I could get the city in the background. But I guess maybe the Fireworks Gods liked me a little...as long as I was cold?

Curse #5. The Fireworks Gods are really not kind to me at all!!!!! December 2011

December 2011 and I found out that the Docklands were running their yearly Carols night; closing with fireworks. On the event website, the fireworks were planned for 10.30 pm.

So, off we went. It was a beautiful balmy summer night.
This time, I had planned to move further down the waterfront…no wind chill…but I couldn’t see pontoons anywhere on the water.

We weren’t sure where the fireworks would be let off from, so DH asked one of the organizer people walking around. Turns out, there would be pontoons brought into the harbour around 9.30. So, I scoped out the location and decided that I wouldn’t mind this backdrop. Not spectacular; but not unreasonable either.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2023%20Fireworks/2011-12-232011December23DocklandsFireworks001.jpg

I’d barely taken the above shot (and it was 9.30 pm) when all of a sudden….I heard explosions happening above head….behind me!

I whipped the tripod round; and just hoped for the best….

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2023%20Fireworks/2011-12-232011December23DocklandsFireworks002.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2023%20Fireworks/2011-12-232011December23DocklandsFireworks016.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2023%20Fireworks/2011-12-232011December23DocklandsFireworks018.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2023%20Fireworks/2011-12-232011December23DocklandsFireworks021.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%20Xmas%20in%20City/2011%20December%2023%20Fireworks/2011-12-232011December23DocklandsFireworks029.jpg

All DH and I could do afterwards, was …. Laugh! He’s well aware that I’m on the naughty list where those Fireworks Gods are concerned. :sad1:

Fireworks Gods…if you’re hanging around on the Dis….I really could do with a break for the curse.

New Year’s Eve 2011 fireworks is coming round again….as is Moomba…..and I really want to get some decent fireworks shots behind me before I hit HKDL in April.

Keep watching out for the next installment in this story. Who knows how it's gonna end?

princess::upsidedow

focusondisney

12-27-2011, 07:55 PM

OK, those might be bad pictures to you, but I think they're beautiful!! :goodvibes

franandaj

12-27-2011, 08:11 PM

Well at least you'll know where to stand in HKDL! :rolleyes1

I hope your luck improves on Saturday!

Edited to add: I still they are lovely and far better than any of the shots, I ever get, but I know you're an over a$$chiever!

PrincessInOz

12-27-2011, 08:13 PM

OK, those might be bad pictures to you, but I think they're beautiful!! :goodvibes

Thanks. I think the fireworks themselves are pretty good. It's just that I've been trying to get a 'great' shot to post on the photoboard (and at least feel like I've held my own), you know? Some of the regulars there just have FANTASTIC shots.

PrincessInOz

12-27-2011, 08:14 PM

Well at least you'll know where to stand in HKDL! :rolleyes1

I hope your luck improves on Saturday!

Where ever I choose to stand in HKDL, after I've set up, I just have to turn around 180 degrees! :rotfl2:

I hope my luck improves on Saturday as well. I've been wording DS up about the Children's fireworks (confirmed to be over the sports precinct) and the midnight ones (confirmed to be NOT over the river; but off the buildings in Melbourne).

ACDSNY

12-27-2011, 08:15 PM

Those bad pictures are awesome compared to my firework pictures.

usnuzuloose

12-27-2011, 08:18 PM

Well at least yours are excellent and I love looking at them, we only get fireworks for the 4th of july or the River cats games. Dont beat yourself up, it takes time to learn. But I still love seeing them despite what you think!:thumbsup2

PrincessInOz

12-27-2011, 08:20 PM

Those bad pictures are awesome compared to my firework pictures.

:hug:

Check out Tom's (aka WDWFigment) work (************************************neutral-density-filter-reviews-buying-guide/)....

ACDSNY

12-27-2011, 08:37 PM

:hug:

Check out Tom's (aka WDWFigment) work (************************************neutral-density-filter-reviews-buying-guide/)....

I love his pictures!

PrincessInOz

12-27-2011, 08:40 PM

I love his pictures!

Some of the older term regulars on the Photoboard still remember when he bought his first dSLR and looked to them for inspiration. If I've understood correctly, he's been taking pictures for about 5 or 6 years now. :thumbsup2

PrincessInOz

12-28-2011, 02:08 AM

Edited to add: I still they are lovely and far better than any of the shots, I ever get, but I know you're an over a$$chiever!

:sad1: No one understands me at all. :sad2:

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:
I'm really not complaining about my shots....I'm pretty happy with most of them. It's just that I see the missed opportunity for how much better they could have been. :sick:

zanzibar138

12-28-2011, 11:29 PM

skiingfast

12-29-2011, 01:14 AM

Would it be nice if all you had to do is read a Times Guide, stand on main street and face a Castle?

PrincessInOz

12-29-2011, 08:44 PM

We're going to HKDL in March 2012 too (early March though)! So I'll be most interested to follow your PTR. We're from Melbourne too, but will be going to HK via Vietnam and back via Africa (yeah I know, not quite on the way...) as part of our honeymoon :love: We'll be at the HKDL Hotel for 4 nights - I can't wait!

Unfortunately I can't see your fireworks photos right at the moment as the company I work for has decided to block all photo uploading sites :confused3 But if they're anything like your Christmas decoration photos, they would be beautiful!

Hi Zanzibar! Nice to see you around on the Dis. Is it your Wedding and Honeymoon already? I remember reading your TR when he popped the question and gave you the ring.

Congratulations. Which part of Africa are you going to? Are you going to see the game animals? I'm envious!

Would it be nice if all you had to do is read a Times Guide, stand on main street and face a Castle?

*sigh* Yes.

But knowing my luck, I'd probably be pointing the camera in the wrong spot! :laughing:

PrincessInOz

12-29-2011, 09:54 PM

"DON’T PANIC!" Just because there seems to be no rooms available on the website….

I have a lot to learn from the sub-title of that HitchHiker's Book!

So, I’ve been trying to finalise the accommodation side of this trip and have only got the first 3 nights to worry about.

When I first started to play on the Hong Kong Disneyland website (http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/html/ToyStoryLand/en_US/index.html) in October/November, I could have sworn that when I put in my dates, the website provided me with a quote for the 3 nights that I was after. I chose not to book because the promotional offer at that time was not available for my travel dates.

Since the start of December, every time I’ve gone back into the website, I’ve not had any success with getting any rooms available for my 3 nights.

Just like Marvin the Paranoid Android…I might have perhaps hit the panic button a little. Hardly more than a little. Hardly. Perhaps.not.at.all.

Today, I finally decided to call the Reservations desk. Turns out that Hong Kong Disneyland only release accommodation 3 months in advance. So, you can only book for up to the 31 March and can’t book accommodation for the 1st and 2nd April either. Explains why I’ve been coming up with a big fat nothing on the website!

The cast member I got was AWESOME! Definitely not a Ford Prefect...but a Ford PERFECT!

She understood all about Disney Fuzzy Maths and I figure she must have been sitting at her desk with 4 sessions opened; running through the different permutations and combinations for me, even though it was only for 1 night.

To cut a 30-minute conversation short, I’ve got the first night accommodation booked at the HK Disneyland Hotel, sea view room. She advised me to get the Magic Access Member pass for the two seniors traveling with me so that we would get the 20% discount off the accommodation. The accommodation saving alone has paid for the MAM passes. (We want 2 rooms; so that means two separate MAM passes…one for each room). On my current one-night only reservation, I’ve also purchased 2 day passes for all the individuals without MAM.

In addition, she will keep an eye out for when the other 2 nights are released and promised to call me back.

We also want to do the special Disney-style Dim Sum whilst staying at the resort. Bookings are currently up to 31 March. She’ll also keep an eye out for when the bookings are opened. Check out the food porn opportunities here (http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/general/popup?name=CrystalLotusDimSum2009PopUpPage)! Did I forget to say that she PROMISED to call me back?

She's also checking out if we can score a birthday promotion cake. One of the senior's in my party will be celebrating a birthday in late March...she needs to find out if we can get the promotion cake in April. Did I forget to say that she PROMISED to call me back?

She also advised that should a promotion be offered in the New Year, I can cancel this one without penalty up to 2 days before my arrival date.

Oh – That awesome Cast Member also told me that catching a taxi from the airport to the DLR would be about 25 minutes and would cost about HK$120. This would be the cheapest option for me instead of catching a shuttle bus, which is HK $100 per person. The train system is significantly cheaper; but given how late we are arriving, I don’t think I’ll be thinking about this option at all.

I think my panic attack is over….Hong Kong Disneyland arrangements are almost nearly sorted!

As long as that Ford PERFECT calls me back.....;)

princess::upsidedow

DisneyFirefly

12-29-2011, 09:58 PM

Don't forget where your towel is ;)

usnuzuloose

12-29-2011, 10:04 PM

Save her number. At least your getting rooms for your 3 days.:thumbsup2

PrincessInOz

12-29-2011, 10:05 PM

Don't forget where your towel is ;)

I'm gonna wrap it around me for warmth as I bound across the cold blue seats of Buzz Lightyear; lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of the HK Disneyland Resort, inhaling the heady sea vapours from the South China Sea; sleep under it beneath the fireworks which will burst forth on the world of Main Street!

:thumbsup2

(For now, I'm making sure it's firmly wrapped round where the sun don't shine ON).

PrincessInOz

12-29-2011, 10:06 PM

Save her number. At least your getting rooms for your 3 days.:thumbsup2

I got her name! ::yes::

DisneyFirefly

12-29-2011, 10:57 PM

Also, I was kind of hoping your cab fare would be HK$42! :lmao:

PrincessInOz

12-30-2011, 12:04 AM

Also, I was kind of hoping your cab fare would be HK$42! :lmao:

It might be...per adult! :teeth:

zanzibar138

12-30-2011, 03:27 AM

Hi Zanzibar! Nice to see you around on the Dis. Is it your Wedding and Honeymoon already? I remember reading your TR when he popped the question and gave you the ring.

Congratulations. Which part of Africa are you going to? Are you going to see the game animals? I'm envious!

Thanks! Yeah I've been spending majority of my time on wedding forums lately :rotfl: It's a bit scary how quick the time has gone :eek:

We're spending two nights at Vic Falls, then 5 at a game reserve in Botswana (Chobe). Our accommodation includes up to 2 road or river safaris per day, so I suspect we'll be seeing lots of animals :thumbsup2

Glad to hear you found someone helpful to speak to at the hotel. I wouldn't mind doing the Disney Dim Sum either, and also the high tea, at least one character meal, and some spa time :rolleyes1 Not sure how far in advance I need to book for those though and how to do it...

Forgot to mention too, we were originally going to book a sea view room, but we came across a stay 3 nights, get the 4th free deal on expedia that only applied to garden view rooms. It saved us over $400! Having said that though, I wish I'd have thought of an annual pass type thing for a discount, since we'll be there for 4 nights it would probably have been worth at least one of us getting one.

stephielela

12-30-2011, 10:38 AM

Glad you got an uber helpful CM!! Sounds like you are going to be all set! I love any type of Disney math, fuzzy or otherwise :lmao:

skier_pete

12-31-2011, 10:24 AM

And I saw just telling my wife: "Say you know that hoopy princessinoz. There's a frood who really knows where her towel is."

No wonder we get along. A Disney and Hitchhikers fan. It is not coincidental I think that I am visiting australia at the age of 42!

PrincessInOz

01-03-2012, 05:51 AM

Thanks! Yeah I've been spending majority of my time on wedding forums lately :rotfl: It's a bit scary how quick the time has gone :eek:

We're spending two nights at Vic Falls, then 5 at a game reserve in Botswana (Chobe). Our accommodation includes up to 2 road or river safaris per day, so I suspect we'll be seeing lots of animals :thumbsup2

Glad to hear you found someone helpful to speak to at the hotel. I wouldn't mind doing the Disney Dim Sum either, and also the high tea, at least one character meal, and some spa time :rolleyes1 Not sure how far in advance I need to book for those though and how to do it...

Forgot to mention too, we were originally going to book a sea view room, but we came across a stay 3 nights, get the 4th free deal on expedia that only applied to garden view rooms. It saved us over $400! Having said that though, I wish I'd have thought of an annual pass type thing for a discount, since we'll be there for 4 nights it would probably have been worth at least one of us getting one.

The CM that I spoke to said something about at least 2 or 3 days before check-in. You could ring them on the 1830 number listed on the website.

That sounds like a great savings on Expedia. Wish I'd seen that deal!

Glad you got an uber helpful CM!! Sounds like you are going to be all set! I love any type of Disney math, fuzzy or otherwise :lmao:

Yes...I'm hoping she will also follow through on the call-back. Nothing so far. I'll give it till mid January and will be checking the website to make sure I don't miss out on any new promotions.

And I saw just telling my wife: "Say you know that hoopy princessinoz. There's a frood who really knows where her towel is."

No wonder we get along. A Disney and Hitchhikers fan. It is not coincidental I think that I am visiting australia at the age of 42!

:rotfl: I'll carry a towel round on May 25, if you will....:thumbsup2

PrincessInOz

01-03-2012, 06:18 AM

OT - More Fireworks Curse!

Old Chinese Curse: "May You Live in Interesting Times!"

I've mentioned a couple of times that I REALLY am a shy retiring type in real life. So far, I'm not sure if anyone really believes me on this one. In real life, I much rather live a sedate lifestyle and be a homebody than to be living in interesting times! R.E.A.L.L.Y! :confused3

It's been a busy New Year's period for me so far. I'm guessing that that old chinese curse has not yet been lifted off me yet.

So it was on New Year's Eve....on my 6th attempt to capture fireworks in Melbourne. Here's how it panned out....

Curse #6. All the previous experience in the world makes no difference at all! December 2011

It’s the final opportunity of 2011 for me to break this fireworks hoodoo I’ve had all year.

We headed into Melbourne City early. I was determined to catch both opportunities to shoot the sparkles. There was two locations for the 9.30 pm fireworks – Docklands, where we were for Christmas Carols (Curse #5) and over by the Melbourne Cricket Ground (Curse #2).

I chose the MCG location…purely because it would be a LOT easier to head back into the city after the early fireworks session and set up for the midnight explosion.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children001.jpg

There was entertainment…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children006.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children008.jpg

Activities for kids….I kept DS away from finding these things; cruel – yes. But I didn’t want him to get tired out and whining about going home.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children016.jpg

Food stalls….Would you believe that I gave them a wide berth too? Didn’t want too much distractions tonight..

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children011.jpg

I asked around. Spoke to 3 of the attendants and they all told me that fireworks were to be shot out from behind the big stage. Aim for the stage…can’t miss! All Three of them! So, we found a spot…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children023.jpg

…and I set up with my tripod and lens facing this direction in plenty of time before sunset.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children031.jpg

The First Explosion!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children032.jpg

Excuse.me.whilst.I.turn.the.camera.90.degrees!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children034.jpg

I figure I’m so resilient to ANYTHING that those Fireworks Gods throw at me now that I’m just over it.

Is 2011 over? Stay tuned for 2012!

princess::upsidedow

post script. This session wasn’t a total waste. I still got me some sparkly keepers. :yay:

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children052.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children046.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children050.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Early%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Children044.jpg

dgbg100106

01-03-2012, 07:34 AM

PIO - your pictures are beautiful and you captured the fireworks very well...

PrincessInOz

01-03-2012, 03:58 PM

PIO - your pictures are beautiful and you captured the fireworks very well...

Thanks Brandi. :hug:
I think that after the practise I put in last year, I hope to get some shots with a castle in the background that I'd be happy to share on the Dis photography sub-forum.

Midnight set coming up next.

PrincessInOz

01-03-2012, 04:03 PM

OT – A Brand New Year!

After the Children’s Fireworks, we made our way towards the city center and tried to find a spot to watch the fireworks from. The organizers had promised that there would be Golden Fireworks for this year; set off from some of the buildings in the city. Vantage points would be plentiful…

Despite that, Melbournians still flocked to the Yarra River; me included. With no fireworks planned to be let off from the Yarra, I took aim at the buildings.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Midnight%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Midnight017.jpg

And as the clock counted down, we would have the occasional burst of sparks to the theme of Goldfinger.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Midnight%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Midnight024.jpg

With the chime of midnight, 1 Jan 2012 rolled round. And with that, the fireworks burst out again over Melbourne.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Midnight%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Midnight030.jpg

They promised gold….and gold it was.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Midnight%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Midnight031.jpg

Yup.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Midnight%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Midnight040.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Midnight%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Midnight046.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Midnight%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Midnight052.jpg

The fireworks were spread out all over the city.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Midnight%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Midnight055.jpg

And we finished with….yet more gold.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Midnight%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Midnight058.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Midnight%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Midnight066.jpg

Nice as the fireworks were, the star of the night was undoubtedly this spire. I took this shot earlier in the evening. The spire on the Arts Center is normally lit up at night in blues and greens. For this evening, the colour had been change to the golden theme.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Midnight%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Midnight005.jpg

I sat with my back to the spire and I was aware that they were firing off sparkles all the way up and down the spire.

So, after the show was over and I had packed up, we turned to head home when we, along with the rest of the revelers, noticed that the spire was on fire. One of the fireworks had set the plastic container the fireworks had been stored in on fire and that top section of the spire was alight. And at one point, I saw 3 separate spots alight on the spire and fire falling down the 156 ft tall spire.

With over 600,000 crammed into the area it was impossible for anyone, let alone emergency services to head into the area. Luckily, the fire burnt itself out and according to the experts, no structural damage to the spire.

Sadly, I'd put away my camera and there was no way I was going to be able to take it out in the throng around me. So, I missed the real fireworks of the night! :rotfl:

Oh….and for the record, I’m happy with my fireworks shooting on this night. DH has categorically told me that he does NOT intend to see another fireworks show in Melbourne for a long, long, long time. I think he’s over the Fireworks Gods too.
Me? I can’t WAIT to take my tripod to HKDL and get some shots with a castle in the background!

The bonus of the night?
For me, I had a spur of the moment impulse to take a shot of the crowd. I only took one picture. For some reason, I actually love this shot more than the midnight fireworks pictures I took on this night. I think it just depicts the “Waiting for Sparkles on New Year’s Eve” accurately.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2011%20December%2031%20New%20Year%20Eve/Midnight%20fireworks/2011-12-312011December31Midnight025.jpg

Happy New Year everyone. May 2012 bring you health and happiness and lots of magic; Disney or otherwise.

princess::upsidedow

dgbg100106

01-03-2012, 04:24 PM

PIO. Everything is beautiful and the waiting shot is very descriptive

usnuzuloose

01-03-2012, 06:07 PM

Those are awesome shots! Gold indeed. So glad that the fire didnt spread anywhere.

franandaj

01-03-2012, 06:19 PM

PrincessInOz

01-03-2012, 08:38 PM

Very nice pictures! That's pretty funny and scary about the spire catching on fire. I'm glad you are pleased with them.

But I missed a thing or two a page or so back, what's with the towel and the $42?

My quote for the proper PTR update of "Don't Panic" comes from Douglas Adams' Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Marvin the Paranoid Android and Ford Prefect are characters in the book. In the book, 42 is the answer to life, the universe and everything.

I had to google this quote as I really couldn't quote it all in correct detail...

The original Towel Quotation from the Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy

"A towel, it says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have. Partly it has great practical value - you can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Santraginus V, inhaling the heady sea vapours; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Kakrafoon; use it to sail a mini raft down the slow heavy river Moth; wet it for use in hand-to- hand-combat; wrap it round your head to ward off noxious fumes or to avoid the gaze of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (a mindboggingly stupid animal, it assumes that if you can't see it, it can't see you - daft as a bush, but very ravenous); you can wave your towel in emergencies as a distress signal, and of course dry yourself off with it if it still seems to be clean enough.

More importantly, a towel has immense psychological value. For some reason, if a strag (strag: non-hitch hiker) discovers that a hitch hiker has his towel with him, he will automatically assume that he is also in possession of a toothbrush, face flannel, soap, tin of biscuits, flask, compass, map, ball of string, gnat spray, wet weather gear, space suit etc., etc. Furthermore, the strag will then happily lend the hitch hiker any of these or a dozen other items that the hitch hiker might accidentally have "lost". What the strag will think is that any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the galaxy, rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through, and still knows where his towel is is clearly a man to be reckoned with.

Hence a phrase that has passed into hitchhiking slang, as in "Hey, you sass that hoopy Ford Prefect? There's a frood who really knows where his towel is."

Pick the HGttU geeks in this crowd! :rotfl:

Sugarglider

01-03-2012, 09:23 PM

Ohhhh - Disney Yum Cha - WOW!

PrincessInOz

01-04-2012, 03:38 AM

Ohhhh - Disney Yum Cha - WOW!

I know, right??

Can't wait to shoot......I mean.....eat..... the Disney Yum Cha. :thumbsup2

PrincessInOz

01-04-2012, 03:41 AM

PIO. Everything is beautiful and the waiting shot is very descriptive

Thank you. Even for this over-(pain-in-the-butt)-A$$chiever, I was very happy with the outcomes on NYE.

Those are awesome shots! Gold indeed. So glad that the fire didnt spread anywhere.

All of Melbourne were glad that the fire didn't spread anywhere else and that damage was pretty minimal (aside from the scorching).

Very nice pictures! That's pretty funny and scary about the spire catching on fire. I'm glad you are pleased with them.

But I missed a thing or two a page or so back, what's with the towel and the $42?

Thanks Alison. I am really pleased with the shots from this night. I preferred the ones from the 9.30 pm fireworks....I can well imagine a castle in the background. :thumbsup2

usnuzuloose

01-04-2012, 05:25 AM

You venture out and keep those wonderful pictures coming! What is up with a $42.00 dollar towel? Did I miss something?

PrincessInOz

01-04-2012, 05:29 AM

You venture out and keep those wonderful pictures coming! What is up with a $42.00 dollar towel? Did I miss something?

It's the towel that is the answer to life, the universe and everything. (References from the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams).

PrincessInOz

01-04-2012, 05:36 AM

OT - A Mini Victorian Getaway

From January 1 – 3, we went away to the Yarra Valley in Victoria for a mini-vacay. The Yarra Valley is about an hour’s drive away from my home and is one of the areas where grapevines grow and wine is fermented. The valley…and my pictures…might have looked like this from one of the vineyards…..

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2010%20Scavenger%20hunt/0803ValleyAAugust02.jpg

…..sadly, this trip was not about the wine as much as it was about minimizing the whine. Three families were involved in this mini-vacay (not that you’ll see much of them in this set of posts)….and there were 4 whines to minimize and keep occupied.

Needless to say, pictures were involved….lots of them! So for anyone not interested, come back in about a week or so.

For the rest….here we go.

It’s A Not so Early Start

It is my lot in life to be considered the pace-setter where holidays are concerned. Thus is the case with these two groups that I tend to be the tour guide when we go on our yearly time away from the rest of our families.

So, when I was asked to nominate a meeting place and a meeting time, I had already had my game plan all worked out. We would meet at 11 am at Hedgend in the Yarra Valley.

To those of you that have been following my other TRs, you will realize that the starting time is practically late afternoon by my normal standards.
Yes…I knew we would be up late on New Year’s Eve and had deliberately picked a start time that would allow me the opportunity to down 3 cups of strong coffee beforehand.

To say that DH and I were slow on this day would be an understatement. I think we got home at around 1.30 am and by the time I’d gotten into bed, it was closer to 2.30 am than anything else. DS…he’s just an Eveready battery.

Let me just say now that these 3 days have turned out to be the HOTTEST days in the year so far. Okay…literally that’s true given that we’re only day 3 into the new year…but we are talking about temperatures in the very high 90’s to 110 Farenheit here. All 3 days!

By the time we got to Hedgend, it was already high 80’s. Lots of water was going to be the order of the day in order to prevent ourselves from going the way of the visitors before us….

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend007.jpg

What is Hedgend?
As the name suggests, it is a hedge….a maze. Fun.for.kids! Little and Big. After paying the entry fee, we headed for the maze entrance.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend011.jpg

And into a world of green!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend015.jpg

The people at the desk gave us a scavenger hunt list, complete with questions and told the kids that they had to find every item on the list. The items were to be found in dead-ends and along the way….so they were encouraged to go down every single windy path.

Some of the items that caught my eye…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend016.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend020.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend025.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend023.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend035.jpg

We eventually followed the kids, who made their way to this garden….

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend039.jpg

….which was the way out of the maze. And at the end of this universe, there was a pavilion strategically placed so that people could take pictures of the maze.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend046.jpg

The pavilion also provided additional entertainment for the kids. Check out the artwork underneath…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend040.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend041.jpg

Very cleverly hidden in the painting, were about 20 items. The list was also included and the kids then spent a great deal of time looking for those items.

Hedgend Maze also includes a mini golf paddock that no one felt energetic enough to try out.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend005.jpg

By this stage, it was past 1 pm and temperatures were in the mid 90’s. The kids decided it was time for lunch.

We’ll eat ANYTHING…..as long as it’s airconditioned

There are a number of little townships in the Yarra Valley, some bigger than others. Given where we were staying, the one that we decided to adopt was Yarra Glen. Yarra Glen has one pub, one Chinese restaurant that doubled as a sushi shop, one supermarket, one service station, one bank, one bakery and about 4 cafes. All of which, except for the pub, Chinese restaurant and one café were shut on New Year’s Day.

The pub was deemed too expensive for lunch, the Chinese restaurant was ruled out because it wasn’t air conditioned….so the café it was.

Fortunately for us, the meals there were reasonably priced and decent. Around my side of the table, the consensus order was the burger…..with the lot.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2001%20Lunch/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend055.jpg

The pesky vegetarian I travel with chose the uber delicious eggplant tart with Persian fetta.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2001%20Lunch/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend051.jpg

The other side of the table ordered toasted sandwiches and lasagna; but it was too hot and too far for me to get up and grab pictures of the food.

Needless to say, it was water all round…..with ice…..and air conditioning.

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

01-04-2012, 05:38 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

Our Home away from Home

When deciding on where we were heading to this year, I had suggested to the other families that we head to the Yarra Valley not because of the location; but because of the accommodation.

Our home away from Home was the Sebel Heritage Resort. It was a 4-star rated resort, had 2 x 18 hole golf courses, a restaurant, swimming pool, sauna, gym, tennis court, walks along the Yarra River….and did I mention the Mii Spa complex?

And price-wise, it was considered reasonable for Aussie standards.

Check in was after 2 pm….and it was already past this time by the time we finished with lunch. That swimming pool beckoned! It was really hot.

Our room…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Sebel%20Heritage/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend057.jpg

…facilities…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Sebel%20Heritage/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend064.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Sebel%20Heritage/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend069.jpg

….and freebies!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Sebel%20Heritage/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend065.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Sebel%20Heritage/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend063.jpg

We headed for a swim…and I didn’t take my camera with me. In fact, I don’t think I took my camera with me to that part of the resort for the entire 3 days!

I’ll put these pictures in here now as it is more logical to post them in the one location rather than post them in the correct time order.

These pictures are taken from the room balcony later that evening.

Our view to the left…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Sebel%20Heritage/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend096.jpg

…and the view to the right.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Sebel%20Heritage/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend097.jpg

Looking straight ahead, we have a view of trees. And at the time I took these, there were quite a few of the galahs there…making a loud noise. I was to find out that they did this twice a day at sunset…. and sunrise. Sunrise is around 5 am right now.

Shooting the galahs? I had the wrong equipment with me! :headache:

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Sebel%20Heritage/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend088.jpg

That low-ish building to the right is where the restaurant is located.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Sebel%20Heritage/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend099.jpg

The courtyard looks a pleasant spot to sit; except it was way to hot.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Sebel%20Heritage/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend102.jpg

The main drive-way entry…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Sebel%20Heritage/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend115.jpg

…and the entry.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Sebel%20Heritage/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend131.jpg

There is underground parking and an elevator in the parking. All in all, we were very comfortable in the room and resort.

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

01-04-2012, 05:40 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

Too hot to eat!

After the swim, everyone was still cranky, hot and tired. The kids were hungry; but none of the adults were particularly hungry after that burger platter.

We headed back to Yarra Glen and into the pub. We had to sit OUTSIDE….everyone else had come early and there were no tables available for us inside in the airconditioning.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2001%20Dinner/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend079.jpg

There was a surprising range of food on the menu.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2001%20Dinner/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend078.jpg

Pity we weren’t hungry. The kids ate off the kid’s menu….food, soft drink and dessert.

The adults settled on the antipasto platter, which was meant to be large enough to be shared between 2 – 4 adults. We also decided to supplement the platter with a plate of dips.

The platter…..

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2001%20Dinner/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend085.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2001%20Dinner/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend086.jpg

And the dips were delicious.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2001%20Dinner/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend081.jpg

Hard to believe…but for tonight, this was more than ample for the 5 non-hungry adults! Particularly when we all eyed off the jelly cups that came with the kid’s menu. So, we asked and got one for all of us.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2001%20Dinner/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend087.jpg

With dinner done, the cranky, tired and hot adults called it a day!

princess::upsidedow

skier_pete

01-04-2012, 08:00 AM

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2001%20Hedgend/2012-01-012012Jan01Hedgend007.jpg

Man, I knew there was a heat wave / drought going on there - but that's just ridiculous! Your poor dog! I guess you shouldn't have left him tied outside overnight. ;)

stephielela

01-04-2012, 09:55 AM

Love your mini TR! I'm sorry the heat made everyone cranky, I find that to be true more often than not! In your opinion, what is the best time to visit "down under"? Is that heat unusual for this time of year? I've always wanted to visit Australia but it will be a while before I am ready to take DS on that long of a plane ride :rotfl:

skiingfast

01-04-2012, 04:35 PM

I had, and still have some catching up to do.

But first, is the sea view room at DLH HK more expensive or less than a park view? Most sounds desirerable.

zanzibar138

01-04-2012, 04:50 PM

We've stayed at that hotel! Just for one night for our anniversary one year. But it's only half an hour from us. It was lovely! On a separate occasion we took my parents there for high tea, and can highly recommend that too :thumbsup2

We actually didn't notice the heat wave that much, but I'm from Perth so I like the heat :rotfl: And we basically stayed inside with the air con on all day (though we were renovating our kitchen). I'm sure if we were outside trying to do stuff we would have known about it!

usnuzuloose

01-04-2012, 05:09 PM

Very nice room. Beds look so comfy. So did your DS find everything on the list? Food looks yu mmy. You have so many places to visit that are very interesting. But you survived the heat.

PrincessInOz

01-04-2012, 11:52 PM

Man, I knew there was a heat wave / drought going on there - but that's just ridiculous! Your poor dog! I guess you shouldn't have left him tied outside overnight. ;)

:rotfl2:

(Just don't report me to the RSPCA!)

Love your mini TR! I'm sorry the heat made everyone cranky, I find that to be true more often than not! In your opinion, what is the best time to visit "down under"? Is that heat unusual for this time of year? I've always wanted to visit Australia but it will be a while before I am ready to take DS on that long of a plane ride :rotfl:

Best time to visit 'down under' depends on where you want to go. For Victoria and Tasmania, I think March/April is the best time. It's autumn and the weather is warm without being hot.
For Western Australia, springtime is best...to catch the wildflowers in bloom.

For Queensland and the Northern Territory, I think May/June is pretty good, after the wet season. This is the best time...dry but with everything lush and full of water and wildlife...lots to see.

NSW is generally good all year round.

I had, and still have some catching up to do.

But first, is the sea view room at DLH HK more expensive or less than a park view? Most sounds desirerable.

The seaview room is more expensive than a garden view. The park view rooms are on the higher floors and are more like CL rooms. I didn't even ask about them....yet. My mother reminded me about them; so next time I speak to them, I'll find out. :thumbsup2

We've stayed at that hotel! Just for one night for our anniversary one year. But it's only half an hour from us. It was lovely! On a separate occasion we took my parents there for high tea, and can highly recommend that too :thumbsup2

We actually didn't notice the heat wave that much, but I'm from Perth so I like the heat :rotfl: And we basically stayed inside with the air con on all day (though we were renovating our kitchen). I'm sure if we were outside trying to do stuff we would have known about it!

We. were. outside. :headache:

Very nice room. Beds look so comfy. So did your DS find everything on the list? Food looks yu mmy. You have so many places to visit that are very interesting. But you survived the heat.

We didn't find one item on the list. The kids looked for over 20 minutes for that last item. By this time, all the adults decided to point out something that remotely looked like it and call it quits! :laughing:

PrincessInOz

01-04-2012, 11:54 PM

OT - A Mini Victorian Getaway – Day 2 morning

Over dinner last night, the adults had a quick discussion about the plan for Day 2. Temperatures were forecasted to hit mid-100’s today and we debated the sanity of heading anywhere. Another check of the weather forecast indicated that Day 3 was not going to be much better weather-wise; so we decided that an early start would be wise…particularly given where we had planned to head to.

The other discussion point was what to do for breakfast. One of the families on this mini getaway was on a pretty tight budget. We had discovered that the rooms were equipped with kettle and toaster.

So, we opted to buy food to eat in our rooms instead of heading out for breakfast. Easier said than done…particularly on New Year’s Day in a country town. The supermarket was shut and out of desperation, we headed to the service station where we managed to get a small box of cereal, milk, bread and that Aussie staple of vegemite.

Why am I telling you this? Because there is no food porn for breakfast on Day 2.

Healesville Sanctuary

Zoos Victoria consists of 3 zoos and all 3 provide a different zoo experience:

There is the Melbourne Zoo, which is the really traditional zoo and is located about 2 km out of the city center.
The second zoo is Werribee Open Range Zoo. The zoo holds African animals and you can have the safari experience here if you want. The zoo is located about 20 minutes outside of the CBD.
The third zoo is Healesville Sanctuary, an hour out of town. This facility provides you with experiences of the Australiana kind.

Our excursion for the morning was Healesville Sanctuary (http://www.zoo.org.au/HealesvilleSanctuary).
Specifically for Skier_Pete…if you are looking for a guaranteed close encounter with Australian animals, check out the website and look at the Wild Encounters at this zoo. There is an offering for Magic Moments, which will give you 10 minutes up close and personal with an Aussie animal. They cost $10 per person for the 10 minutes and you can do as many of these as you like.

We got to the Sanctuary at about 9.20 am. It was already hot and humid; just bearably so. The sanctuary is not a big zoo, so there is really only ‘snack’ bar facilities there. We hadn’t planned on eating here…but you might want to bear that in mind, should you decide to visit. It does have enough water fountains around the zoo; so bring a bottle and just fill up along the way.

There is a creek that runs through the park..

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/General/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville081.jpg

..with one big circuit to cover.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/General/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville007.jpg

And it really is bush setting that you are walking in.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/General/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville312.jpg

You might find wild galahs in the trees.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/General/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville005.jpg

There are trees on the property that are old.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/General/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville077.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/General/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville079.jpg

And you might find signs around the place with a distinctively aboriginal theme.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/General/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville080.jpg

I have a heap of pictures of the animals and have culled them down as best I can. But this morning’s update may go for a couple of posts.

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

01-04-2012, 11:58 PM

(Continued from Previous Post)

The Rat Pack

I’ve coined this collection of animals ‘The Rat Pack’. It all started with a Koala that the Lasters thought looked more like a rat than anything else.

Why don’t I just let the pictures of the animals do the talking, rather than filling in with canned creamed corn jokes?

This is the Koala bear.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville035.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville025.jpg

Usually, you’d expect them to be sleeping. But I guess I was lucky enough to be there when this particular one had an itch on the bahookie.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville023.jpg

Back to sleeping…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville030.jpg

There was another koala….doing what they do best.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville012.jpg

Did you notice that it looked a bit wet? Here’s how the park keeps them cool on days like this.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville034.jpg

One of the rangers was doing a show and tell with the Echidna.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville015.jpg

Notice that the face has been retracted right in? That’s for protecting the more vulnerable part of the echidna…the spines on the bahookie are the biggest and sharpest! Puts a whole new spin on ‘pointy end’, doesn’t it?

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville018.jpg

I have seen echidnas in their native environment; and there also is an echidna at the Melbourne Zoo. Somehow, the ones in the zoo seem so much more active than in the wild.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville028.jpg

Kangaroos are kept in an enclosure that you walk into.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville039.jpg

They know to leave us alone; providing we stay off the grass.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville044.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville041.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville051.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville054.jpg

The Emu and I had a difficult connection today….I kept missing them looking at me.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville108.jpg

I had to go back for this shot just before we left! I guess it was so hot by this stage that the emu had decided that low and slow was the way to go.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville322.jpg

The Platypus poses an extremely difficult subject to shoot for me. The enclosure is practically in total darkness and it swims extremely fast. These were the best I could do.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville086.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville089.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville090.jpg

The Quokka was also in another enclosure totally in the dark. I was lucky with this shot…this one was up high, closer to the night light and as soon as I snapped it, the quokka jumped down and started to run along the ground.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville162.jpg

Which only leaves the Dingo, or Warrigul.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville314.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville315.jpg

I was fascinated by this dog tree.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/The%20Rat%20Pack/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville320.jpg

I missed the Tasmanian Devil and the Wombat...it really was too hot and they were located on the other side of the circuit. By this time, we'd all had enough!

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

01-05-2012, 12:00 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

If it slithers, don’t touch it!

The sanctuary has a couple of displays for reptiles.

The goanna or lizard was having a nice old time in the heat. Really, really active!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Slitherers/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville113.jpg

I have a thing for tongues….

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Slitherers/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville123.jpg

Particularly forked tongues!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Slitherers/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville124.jpg

The sanctuary has just opened a new enclosure for snakes and the like. So these are all indoor, dangerous and behind glass. Should you come across any of these in the wild, stay well clear!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Slitherers/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville165.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Slitherers/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville169.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Slitherers/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville170.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Slitherers/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville172.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Slitherers/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville173.jpg

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

01-05-2012, 12:02 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

Birds of a Feather

A lot of today’s pictures are birds. I wish I had taken more note of the bird varieties and have been staring at my pictures trying to remember the names of birds. I did take note…but of course can’t remember a single thing!

So, my apologies for not being able to provide info on some of the birds…what more can I say other than….bird brain strikes????

Most of the birds were caged or in aviaries. A fair few of the bird species were on the endangered list and the sanctuary is running a breeding program to build up the numbers.

Ibis…pretty much had free-range of the park.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20a%20feather/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville038.jpg

This was one of the Lorikeets. I even think it might be the Scaly-breasted lorikeet. Any Aussies lurking that knows for sure?

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20a%20feather/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville107.jpg

From the Finch family…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20a%20feather/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville135.jpg

Pretty yellow bellied bird…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20a%20feather/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville132.jpg

…another pretty bird.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20a%20feather/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville139.jpg

Guardian of the Ga’hoole…Tyto Alba

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20a%20feather/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville145.jpg

And the Frogmouth.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20a%20feather/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville158.jpg

Watch out for the pelicans!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20a%20feather/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville156.jpg

Kookaburra

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20a%20feather/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville157.jpg

This is the female Lyrebird…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20a%20feather/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville303.jpg

The male was hiding behind bushes…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20a%20feather/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville306.jpg

…but that distinctive tail was showing!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20a%20feather/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville308.jpg

Why have I stated that a lot of today’s pictures are birds? Well…that’s because one of the attractions in the sanctuary is the Spirits of the Sky show.

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

01-05-2012, 12:10 AM

(Continued from Previous Post)

Spirits of the Sky

The Spirits of the Sky show is a bird show featuring parrots and birds of prey in flight. The show is held twice a day at noon and at 3.30 pm. We were told to catch the first show as when the temperature gets above 95 F, they cancel the show.

We made sure that we were at the Arena the requisite 10 minutes before the show commences. The sanctuary didn’t seem that busy that day; but we were all seeking shade.

We weren’t the only ones. Check out the empty chairs in the front….everyone was hanging round the back.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville178.jpg

I have to thank Pea-n-me and my friends on the photo-board at this point in time for organising the photography scavenger hunts on the Disboard. Her lists are so diverse and the items are designed to help your understanding of your camera. And last year, she had an item called “bird in flight” on the summer list. I think the practise I got last year in shooting bird in flight helped me today.

Shooting at such shows is a lot easier than shooting in the wild. The birds are guaranteed to fly within the arena and are likely to be lower to the ground.

I started off with a slower shutter speed; because I like seeing ‘blur’ in the wings.

This is a sulphur crested cockatoo. Relatively common bird and can be found in the parks around Melbourne.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville180.jpg

This is the Major Mitchell cockatoo. More common in the western part of Victoria.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville188.jpg

Galah.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville213.jpg

The birds of prey were up next and I decided to switch to a much faster shutter speed to freeze the action.

Barking Owl.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville198.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville191.jpg

I think this was the Eagle.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville205.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville211.jpg

More birds of prey.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville215.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville219.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville227.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville236.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville245.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville256.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville260.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville268.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville272.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville275.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville277.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Healesville%20Sanctuary/Birds%20of%20Flight/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville282.jpg

The show goes for about 20 minutes or so. At the end, there is a ranger of aboriginal descent that comes on with a didgeridoo and his boomerang. He plays with both and then sets up 'shop' to see boomerangs. They do make a nice souvenir and all the kids scored one.

I do have pictures...but they seem relatively tame in comparison to the birds of prey.

By this stage, the day was getting ridiculously hot. A retreat into air conditioning was in order!

princess::upsidedow

usnuzuloose

01-05-2012, 12:26 AM

Great pictures! I love seeing all the animals. The wing spans can be so wide.I love the kangaroo's tail they are huge. Sorry it was so hot. I dont function well in the heat.

skiingfast

01-05-2012, 02:07 AM

Isn't getting an Aussie kid a boomerang like me getting DS another baseball to add to his collection of them?

Great posts tomorrow after school I'm sharing the awesome "wild" life shots with DS.

skier_pete

01-05-2012, 07:23 AM

OT - A Mini Victorian Getaway – Day 2 morning

Healesville Sanctuary

Zoos Victoria consists of 3 zoos and all 3 provide a different zoo experience:

There is the Melbourne Zoo, which is the really traditional zoo and is located about 2 km out of the city center.
The second zoo is Werribee Open Range Zoo. The zoo holds African animals and you can have the safari experience here if you want. The zoo is located about 20 minutes outside of the CBD.
The third zoo is Healesville Sanctuary, an hour out of town. This facility provides you with experiences of the Australiana kind.

Our excursion for the morning was Healesville Sanctuary (http://www.zoo.org.au/HealesvilleSanctuary).
Specifically for Skier_Pete…if you are looking for a guaranteed close encounter with Australian animals, check out the website and look at the Wild Encounters at this zoo. There is an offering for Magic Moments, which will give you 10 minutes up close and personal with an Aussie animal. They cost $10 per person for the 10 minutes and you can do as many of these as you like.
(Continued in Next Post)

Thanks for the advice. Our Daughter loves zoos/aquariums and we will definitely hit a few while there. Since we will probably be in Melbourne 5-7 days, we would likely fit in one of the three. The idea of having animal encounters would definitely be a plus and would also be more interested in seeing the native species, and $10 each isn't bad either!

zanzibar138

01-05-2012, 02:23 PM

Loved seeing your pics of the Sanctuary - that's where we're getting married! Even though we've been several times for meetings with the function coordinator, the only area I've seen is between the front entrance and the function room. I hope it's nice weather on the day so we can enjoy all the Sanctuary has to offer.

Is that pretty yellow bird a helmeted honeyeater?

And how cute that they have sprinklers for the koalas! You guys probably could have used a sprinkler of your own :rotfl:

Stephie - end of December/January/early February is generally the hottest time of the year for much of Australia. And yes, we have been known to get heatwaves over New Year.

franandaj

01-05-2012, 11:47 PM

Loved the pictures, looks like a very amusing time!

Skier_pete, I just noticed your ticker, you are hitting DL on your way to OZ, How cool is that?????

Have a great time!

PrincessInOz

01-06-2012, 06:19 PM

Great pictures! I love seeing all the animals. The wing spans can be so wide.I love the kangaroo's tail they are huge. Sorry it was so hot. I dont function well in the heat.

Living here, you get used to the hot.

Isn't getting an Aussie kid a boomerang like me getting DS another baseball to add to his collection of them?

Great posts tomorrow after school I'm sharing the awesome "wild" life shots with DS.

Actually, getting an Aussie kid a cricket bat or a footy (ball) would be like getting a US kid another baseball. We have an assortment of footy's; but would you believe...that's only DS' 2nd boomerang?

Thanks for the advice. Our Daughter loves zoos/aquariums and we will definitely hit a few while there. Since we will probably be in Melbourne 5-7 days, we would likely fit in one of the three. The idea of having animal encounters would definitely be a plus and would also be more interested in seeing the native species, and $10 each isn't bad either!

:thumbsup2

Loved seeing your pics of the Sanctuary - that's where we're getting married! Even though we've been several times for meetings with the function coordinator, the only area I've seen is between the front entrance and the function room. I hope it's nice weather on the day so we can enjoy all the Sanctuary has to offer.

Is that pretty yellow bird a helmeted honeyeater?

And how cute that they have sprinklers for the koalas! You guys probably could have used a sprinkler of your own :rotfl:

Stephie - end of December/January/early February is generally the hottest time of the year for much of Australia. And yes, we have been known to get heatwaves over New Year.

You're getting married at the sanctuary? How cool is that? It will be a great venue providing the weather is nice.

I'm not sure that that yellow bird is the honeyeater. I did see the honeyeaters in another enclosure; but they were flying too fast for me to take a picture and hiding behind bushes. But if you're sure, I'm happy to call it a helmeted honeyeater.

Loved the pictures, looks like a very amusing time!

Skier_pete, I just noticed your ticker, you are hitting DL on your way to OZ, How cool is that?????

Have a great time!

Aside from the heat, we had a great morning.

queenie82

01-06-2012, 07:02 PM

stephielela

01-06-2012, 07:10 PM

I NEED to stop reading your mini trip updates. It's making me really want to plan a trip!! Unfortunately I do believe it's slightly outside my budget... but it's definitely on my bucket list!

SCHBR'smom

01-06-2012, 07:14 PM

PiO, I've been ignoring your trip report. Of course, I'm sure you expect that from me. ;)

zanzibar138

01-06-2012, 07:20 PM

You're getting married at the sanctuary? How cool is that? It will be a great venue providing the weather is nice.

I'm not sure that that yellow bird is the honeyeater. I did see the honeyeaters in another enclosure; but they were flying too fast for me to take a picture and hiding behind bushes. But if you're sure, I'm happy to call it a helmeted honeyeater.

Lol! No not sure at all! I've yet to see one in real life even though the only place they still exist in the wild is about 10 mins from where we live. I volunteered there for a whole day once and still no sign of them... All I know is they've got yellow on them :laughing:

franandaj

01-06-2012, 07:27 PM

I have a boomerang. It hangs on my wall right underneath the Batleth. :lmao:

PrincessInOz

01-06-2012, 07:43 PM

Great mini trip reports...

I do NOT think NSW is ok year round though. I would avoid January and February. Jan is typically the hottest month (based on my memories no stats.) Feb second most likely.
This past December it rained I think 23 of 27 days...

Then as SOON as you head inland from Sydney the temps will RISE...
Just looking at the weather for the Sydney area. On the Coast will be say 27 C and the West (30-60mins away) will be 32 C. At the same time.

So the advice for Melbourne I would apply to Sydney as well.

As for the fireworks....
I just hope you get great ones at HKDL. :hug:

I hope I get great ones at HKDL too. With some of the early/children fireworks shots I got, I could well imagine a castle in the background. Here's hoping!

I NEED to stop reading your mini trip updates. It's making me really want to plan a trip!! Unfortunately I do believe it's slightly outside my budget... but it's definitely on my bucket list!

Steph - if you don't dream, it may never happen! As I said before, if you do make it, let me know. :hug:

PiO, I've been ignoring your trip report. Of course, I'm sure you expect that from me. ;)

I've been expecting it of the ignorami. :thumbsup2

Lol! No not sure at all! I've yet to see one in real life even though the only place they still exist in the wild is about 10 mins from where we live. I volunteered there for a whole day once and still no sign of them... All I know is they've got yellow on them :laughing:

That's real close! There were a few at Healesville. I think they'd been housed together (with no other birds) in the hopes of starting a breeding program.

I have a boomerang. It hangs on my wall right underneath the Batleth. :lmao:

What? No Staff Weapon??

And it seems logical to me. Afterall, where else would you hang a boomerang but underneath the Batleth? :rotfl:

Qa Pla!

PrincessInOz

01-06-2012, 07:46 PM

OT - A Mini Victorian Getaway – The rest of Day 2 and 3, mostly food porn

The kids decided that a swim was in order so we headed back to the resort and spent most of the afternoon in the pool. Temperatures were definitely in the 100’s in the afternoon so none of the adults complained about their plan. I think that by this stage, we were all pretty much over the heat that we decided that enjoying the resort seemed to be the best bet for the rest of the mini-break.

So, completing the rest of this mini-TR will be a cinch!

What I had for lunch on Day 2

Healesville Sanctuary is all of a 5 – 10 minute drive away from the township of Healesville. Healesville is a much larger town than Yarra Glen; so we knew we would be able to find a place to eat there.

We managed to find some space for all of us in the bakery at Healesville. It’s not the old-fashioned kind of bakery but rather the modern sort that borders on the edges of a café. Lots of glass cabinets with cakes, pies, pasties, sausage rolls, salads and focaccias.

My order got mucked up. So by the time I sorted it out with the counter staff, most of the others had tucked in and I didn’t get food porn from the others. But this is what I ordered and eventually got….chicken pesto focaccia. Most of them ordered focaccias with different fillings.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2002%20Lunch/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville325.jpg

DH and I decided to split a pastry. We chose the lemon tart.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2002%20Lunch/2012-01-022012Jan02Healesville327.jpg

Dinner at that Pub

Given how well non-dinner looked the night before, the adults all decided that we needed to go back to the Yarra Glen pub and sample the mains. This time, we made it into the main dining air-conditioned room. The outside of the pub:

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2002%20Dinner/2012-01-022012Jan02YarraGlenDinner016.jpg

DH ordered the rockling….

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2002%20Dinner/2012-01-022012Jan02YarraGlenDinner007.jpg

Some of the other adults chose the chicken and chorizo salad…

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2002%20Dinner/2012-01-022012Jan02YarraGlenDinner006.jpg

My dinner was the rib eye.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2002%20Dinner/2012-01-022012Jan02YarraGlenDinner010.jpg

We tried to get jelly cups again; but there were only sufficient cups for the kids. Apparently some people had come in the night before and wiped out the jelly cups.

I did check out the menu at the Healesville Pub/Hotel and the menu was nowhere near as extensive as the Yarra Grand Pub.

Sure…there might be other places/restaurants around with better food; but the food we had was great, value for money (by Australian standards), reasonable serving size and the service had been good.

Having had both our dinners at this venue, I would recommend the place without hesitation.

(Continued in Next Post)

PrincessInOz

01-06-2012, 07:50 PM

(Continued from Previous Post)

Around the resort

For anyone wondering about the food at the resort, they do have a restaurant on site. Just be aware that food is pricey there.

DH and I decided that we needed a hot breakfast the next morning. There was plenty on offer and these plates may give you an indication of the selection.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2003%20Breakfast/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning083.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%20Food/Jan%2003%20Breakfast/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning086.jpg

NOTE: We passed on the pastries and the cereal. There was a reasonable selection there.

I did take a couple of walks around the resort at twilight or very early in the morning to avoid the heat. I thought I’d finish up this TR with what the landscape looks like where we stayed.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Night%20shots/2012-01-022012Jan02YarraGlenDinner019.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2002%20Night%20shots/2012-01-022012Jan02YarraGlenDinner023.jpg

I started out at 5.20 am for this morning walk on Day 3. Hey – those birds were loud and given that I wasn’t going back to sleep, I might as well enjoy the morning!

Around the Yarra River.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning011.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning016.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning026.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning029.jpg

Sunrise over one of the golf courses.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning018.jpg

The thing about starting out so early is that I was guaranteed to catch wildlife.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning001.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning038.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning053.jpg

Those are long-billed corellas in the foreground.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning054.jpg

Sometimes, I really like the blur of feathers!

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning061.jpg

The golf course in the morning.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning066.jpg

Spot the kangaroos….

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning064.jpg

…providing target practise.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/PrincessInOz/2012%20Quarter%201/2012%2001%20Jan%20Yarra%20Valley/2012%20Jan%2003%20Morning%20walk/2012-01-032012Jan03Heritagemorning070.jpg

We got our check-out extended to noon. And the kids pretty much spent the morning in the pool and playing some tennis.
The adults were still hot and cranky so we decided that an afternoon at my place was in order. Which is exactly what we did for the rest of the day; and I have to say that we were all relieved when the cool change came in late that afternoon. Sleep was in order for the night!

I hope you enjoyed the mini-TR as much as I enjoyed being on vacay with my friends and family!

princess::upsidedow

franandaj

01-06-2012, 09:24 PM

queenie82

01-07-2012, 12:46 AM

What a lovely end to the mini-TR.
Love the morning and twilight shots. Remind me why I love this country :love:

So glad you still had a good getaway despite the heat. It was just as hot in the city so at least you had a pool to chill in and some relaxation

Thanks for sharing

usnuzuloose

01-07-2012, 09:42 AM

It is a relaxing at a golf course. I remember the one in Arizona, I opended the curtain to see people playing. I love seeing Kangaroos instead of the deer. Food looks good too. We are on the train. Thanks for sharing.

skiingfast

01-08-2012, 02:46 AM

I bet that is one crappy golf course.

PrincessInOz

01-08-2012, 04:13 AM

Looks like a very nice relaxing getaway. I wish I could convince Fran to go places where there is "nothing to do". Notice in all my trips we've only gone to one trip that wasn't Disneyland, WDW, Vegas, or somewhere else that we were out every day at museums. Just one-third the time it would be nice to hang out at the resort, chat with friends and enjoy the countryside.

Sounds wonderful!

By my standards, it was a very relaxed vacay. But with the crowd I was with, it was fairly standard.

What a lovely end to the mini-TR.
Love the morning and twilight shots. Remind me why I love this country :love:

So glad you still had a good getaway despite the heat. It was just as hot in the city so at least you had a pool to chill in and some relaxation

Thanks for sharing

:thumbsup2

It is a relaxing at a golf course. I remember the one in Arizona, I opended the curtain to see people playing. I love seeing Kangaroos instead of the deer. Food looks good too. We are on the train. Thanks for sharing.

Kangaroo on golf courses are pretty standard here. Deer would be really exotic. :rotfl:

I bet that is one crappy golf course.

No bet. I refrained from taking a picture of how crappy it was...now I wish I had so that I could share. :rotfl2:

PrincessInOz

01-08-2012, 09:40 PM

“Everywhere is walking distance, if you have the time”….Things to see in Hong Kong

“Everywhere is walking distance, if you have the time” Steven Wright

I’m taking my inspiration from Steven Wright for this post. With 8 days proper in Hong Kong, I’m figuring that we have time to walk as much or as little as we want.

Frommers claims that Hong Kong is a surprisingly easy city to explore on foot and if it weren’t for the harbour, you could walk everywhere.

There are a few hits using google for guided walks but I’m not looking for guided walks per se but rather to just be able to meander about, getting semi-lost in the general direction of ‘thereabouts’.

I’ve headed to my favourite Hong Kong information website and it turns out that there is a booklet called Hong Kong Walks published by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The visitor centers seem to be located at:

Hong Kong International Airport. Transfer area E2 and Buffer Halls A & B, Arrivals Level, Terminal 1 (7am – 11 pm)
Lo Wu. Arrival Hall, 2/F, Lo Wu Terminal Building (8am – 6pm)
Hong Kong Island. The Peak Piazza, between the Peak Tower and the Peak Galleria (9am – 9pm)
Kowloon. Star Ferry Concourse, Tsim Sha Tsui (8am – 8pm)

There appears to be ‘phat’ recommended walks on the website/booklet. For anyone interested in the walks, I recommend you head to the website (link here (http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/things-to-do/hongkong-walks.html)) and take a look. There are pdf documents for each walk providing the key buildings as well as basic facts about the buildings, opening times and the walking map. There is also information about Hong Kong walking apps in the documents.

I’m thinking that if my parents are up to it, we’re going to try to do at least one or two of these walks per day….which would cover off the major sites and attractions on Kowloon and Hong Kong itself. Naturally, lots of time in between for shopping and eating will be included!

And if 8 seems too much for you, check out the Frommers site (link here (http://www.frommers.com/destinations/hongkong/0078010008.html)). There are half as many recommended walks. The Frommer’s walks are worth taking a look as they include the best and worst days for heading out on the walk. If you do the comparison between the two sources, it would seem that the Frommer’s walks mash-up bits of the walking tours recommended by the Discover HK site.

Me? I’d like to do the following highlights:

Central and Western District; covering temples, the Peak, the mid level escalators, Chinese herbal shops, heritage buildings and the Gas Lamps.
The Central district is the financial hub and aside from heritage buildings, there is the option to go to the top of the Hong Kong bank (180m tall) for a fee. The Western district is considered to be least influenced by western culture. I’m looking forward to seeing if this is true or not.
Tsim Tsa Shui; including shopping, heritage buildings and Avenue of the Stars (including the Symphony of Lights show). Seems like there is loads of shopping and eats to be had in this shopping mecca on Kowloon. I guess it might be worth checking out. :rolleyes:
Yau Ma Tei/Mong Kok; particularly the Bird, Flower, Goldfish, Jade, Night, Ladies markets. This one - I'll have trouble getting DH away! He loves local markets almost as much as I do. The fly in the ointment will be DS. I hope there might be stuff that he wouldn't mind looking at; otherwise this might be the time to bring the electronic babysitter along as well.
Lantau Island; the Tung Chung fort and Po Lin Monastery (and giant Buddha statue). I'll be walking here for sure!

Another spot to view the Symphony of Lights show is over in Wan Chai from the Golden Bauhinia Square. I wonder if I’ll make it over there at night?

If I'm very lucky, my travelling companions will be walking everywhere with me. If not, I think I can count on DH to go the extra mile....providing I don't step into too many shopping complexes/malls but focus on the markets and local shops instead. :rotfl:

I still have to research Macau, Shen Zhen (which reminds me – I need to organize visas for China) as well as decide on whether to pre-purchase tickets for some of the attractions or not. I’d rather keep our days free and easy; rather than planning on hitting a particular attraction per day.

princess::upsidedow

skier_pete

01-09-2012, 09:24 AM

Hmmm, maybe I'll have to squeeze a round of golf in when we get there...I've never hit a kangaroo with a golf ball before - only geese. :lmao:

Though on the other hand - if it really is that "crappy"....

Enjoyed your mini-TR!

stephielela

01-09-2012, 05:09 PM