Waiting for us was this brand new QantasLink A220-300 sitting at Tullamarine airport, Melbourne.
I was excitedly anticipating this flight with Qantas’ one of only two newly acquired A220’s at the time. More fuel efficient and with nearly double the range, these will eventually replace the older B717’s in the Qantas fleet.
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Our holiday in Tokyo had sadly come to an end so after catching a train to Narita airport and some time at the Sakura lounge, we boarded our JAL flight to Melbourne.
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The Blossom Hibiya, Tokyo Japan
Our first time to Tokyo and Japan, we chose to stay away from the hustle and bustle but still close to subways, shops and eateries. We also found we could get a nicer place for our money and The Blossom Hibiya turned out to be in the perfect location with stunning views, modern rooms and an amazing all you can eat breakfast.
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Our JAL B777-300 aircraft preparing for our flight from San Francisco to Haneda, Tokyo
We were excited for our stay in Tokyo being our first time to Japan and were looking forward to our flight with JAL.
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Residence Inn by Marriott New York JFK Airport, Jamaica NY, USA
This hotel is one of the better airport hotels we’ve found in the US. There is a free shuttle to and from the airport, the rooms are modern and breakfast, although not great, is complimentary.
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Continuing on from our previous JAL flight from Sydney to Haneda, this time we would be flying on a 777-300 the rest of the way to New York. After about an hour and a half in the lounge I was excited for this next leg and to also be having a window seat.
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Japa Suites and Villas Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
We were in Bali for four weeks where we would be meeting up with our daughter and her husband for some of that time who were also holidaying in Indonesia. Hoping to get a good rate on four weeks of accommodation we reached out to a few places and Japa Suites and Villas came back with the best deal. So this lovely quiet retreat would become our home for the next few weeks.
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Apartamentos Tucha, Albufeira, The Algarve, Portugal
After spending a week in a noisy apartment we moved closer to Old Town to this delightful traditional Portuguese apartment, attractively renovated with all the mod cons and delightful views of the sea and the beach.
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The Paladim & Alagoamar Hotel, Albufeira, Portugal
We were excited to be spending some time in Albufeira down in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. Our first week would be at this apartment style hotel situated right in the middle of New Town (the strip) and Old Town.
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Hotel Alif Avenidas, Lisbon, Portugal
We were spending a week in Lisbon, Portugal before heading south and Hotel Alif Avenidas came out as being well reviewed, well located and affordable.
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Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Helsinki, Finland
As our tickets were booked with Finnair, our flight from New York to Lisbon involved a transit through Helsinki so I thought it would be the perfect excuse to see a bit of this charming city. We chose this hotel based on its location and as it reviewed well and was very reasonably priced, it was an easy choice.
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The Revolution Hotel, Boston Massachusetts
Boston is beautiful but like New York City, it is expensive. I searched for somewhere to stay in a reasonably good location that reviewed well and wasn’t too expensive. And so The Revolution Hotel became our accommodation for the next two nights.
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Our Finnair A320 flight from Helsinki to Lisbon
Excited to be going to Portugal for the first time, I was curious to see what Finnair’s Business class product was like within Europe. Would it match up to the amazing experience we had flying from New York to Helsinki? We were about to find out.
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The Hilton Garden Inn Times Square North New York
This was our third hotel in as many days and definitely the best of them. We enjoyed our stay at this new and well located hotel.
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Doubletree by Hilton New York Times Square South
In a convenient part of town we spent one night at this hotel. The location was great but we felt the hotel was overpriced and showing signs of its age.
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Martinique New York on Broadway – Curio collection by Hilton
At short notice my husband booked this hotel on our flight from LA to NYC. Steeped in history, this hotel is listed on the register of Historic Hotels of America.
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Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport
We decided to spend a couple of nights in LA on our way to New York after having just flown in to LAX from Melbourne, Australia. The Hyatt Regency was very close by and was a new airport hotel so we decided to stay there.
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Our Qantas B787-9 Dreamliner that would fly us from Melbourne to Los Angeles
After a long hiatus in international travel due to COVID, it felt good to get back in the air and fly internationally once again. Travel to the US required a negative COVID test from a travel pathology centre within just a calendar day of departure. The test could be done at the airport for less money but we couldn’t guarantee we would get the results back in time. A valid ESTA is also required which at the time cost around $20 AUD each and could be obtained via an online application. These are valid for two years.
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Time to board our QantasLink B717-200 for our flight back to Canberra
After an enjoyable break from Canberra’s chilly winter weather we finished up our week in sunny Byron Bay and the Gold Coast before it was time to catch our flight back home on the same B717-200 aircraft we flew over on.
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Mantra on View, Surfers Paradise Gold Coast QLD
We stayed at Mantra on View about three years ago and although I was keen to explore something different, the great prices being offered by this place along with its handy location made us choose this spot for a second time.
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Byron Springs Guest House
We were here in Byron Bay to celebrate hubby’s Birthday before heading off to the Gold Coast to continue the rest of our week away. We loved this adorable Guest House and can’t wait to one day return.
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Our QantasLink B717-200 at Canberra Airport preparing for its flight to the Gold Coast
This was our first flight since January 2020 before COVID had really taken off. So we were excited to be back in the air and at the same time cautious about what to expect. Was it going to be safe? Were adequate measures in place and what impact would this new way of flying have on our experience? We were about to find out. Continue reading
Our Singapore Airlines B777-300 ER displaying her Star Alliance livery
After a very enjoyable holiday in Singapore with my husband, two daughters and my parents, it was time to fly home. This time we were booked on a Boeing 777-300 ER which would take us all the way through to Canberra with a quick fuel and pickup stop in Sydney on the way.
Our Singapore Airlines A350-900 in preparation for it’s flight from Brisbane to Singapore
Following on from our flight to Brisbane our family was very excited to be flying Singapore Airlines to Singapore where we would join my parents on an eight day holiday. The plane was less than a year old and we were already familiar with the good service and food on board Singapore Airlines so couldn’t wait.
Our Virgin Australia B787 on the tarmac of the Canberra Airport just before its flight to Brisbane
Our family was flying to Brisbane where we would take a connecting flight on to Singapore to meet up with my parents for a holiday together. We chose this flight as it was cheaper than the direct flight with Singapore Airlines and also avoided flying through the night which isn’t my favourite.
Seabreeze Beach Hotel, South West Rocks NSW
On our way back from Queensland we stopped off at a town that was very special to us called South West Rocks where we had previously camped on a couple of occasions. As it was already late and we would be leaving the following morning, we were after a place that was cheap and where we could park the truck we were driving. Above the pub would be where we spent the night.
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Grafton Lodge Motel, Grafton NSW Australia
We were passing through Grafton on the way up to Queensland and needed somewhere cheap and cheerful to stay the night before continuing our drive first thing the following morning. The Grafton Lodge Motel fitted the bill nicely and on hearing about our ordeal getting there, the lovely owner upgraded us to a Queen suite. The highway had been blocked due to the bushfires so we were forced onto a narrow back road that not only added a fair bit of time to our trip, but was quite scary to drive on.
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Boarding our Singapore Airlines B777-300ER aircraft at Changi airport
After an enjoyable breakfast at the Changi Airport’s Aerotel hotel where we had spent the night followed by a second breakfast in the lounge, we boarded our Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to Canberra in Business Class via Sydney.
Our Singapore Airlines A350-900 ULR that took us on the longest flight in the world
We were about to embark on what was currently the longest flight in the world – Newark, NJ to Singapore on Singapore Airlines’ A350-900 ULR in Business class. The journey was scheduled to take a whopping 18 hours and 45 minutes. We caught the hotel shuttle to the airport turning up with plenty of time to grab a bite to eat at the Polaris Lounge. It was situated in the other terminal but I had heard a bit about this lounge so was eager to try it out.
Our Singapore Airlines A350-900 ULR that took us from Singapore to Newark, USA
After a whole day’s layover in Singapore, we were ready and excited for our next flight which was a long one at over 18 hours. And what better way to spend it than flying on Singapore Airline’s A350 in Business Class. We had heard a lot about the A350 and were about to try it out for the first time.
Our Singapore Airlines B777-300 ER at the Canberra Airport
We were very excited to be trying out Singapore Airlines’ Business class product on our flight to Singapore and then on to New York. It would be my first time flying internationally direct out of Canberra before. Singapore Airlines don’t have a lounge at the Canberra Airport but upstairs you can use the Virgin lounge. It’s fairly simple with a modest selection of hot and cold food but given it was very late at night and we were getting a meal on board anyway, there was plenty to keep us happy. I settled with a bowl of tasty creamy tomato and basil soup.
Our Qantas A380-800 aircraft we were flying from Singapore to Melbourne
Although not keen on overnight flights in Economy, I was looking forward to flying this leg with Qantas on the A380 for our flight back to Australia from Singapore. My plan of selecting a window and aisle seat paid off as we had no one sitting in the middle and more room for us to spread out whilst trying to catch a bit of sleep.
Our Malaysia Airlines A330-300 plane that would take us to Singapore
After a very enjoyable time in Malaysia, it was time to say goodbye to the friendly people, great food and warm weather and make our way back home. Having flown Malaysia Airlines on our way here, we had an idea of what to expect on this short flight to Singapore.
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The Hilton Kuala Lumpur photographed from Perdana Botanical Gardens
I had a good feeling about this place even before we arrived. The reviews I read online were great and the customer service I received from Hilton leading up to our stay when I contacted them was excellent. Turns out our expectations were not just met but surpassed.
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Grand Millennium Hotel Kuala Lumpur
I chose the Grand Millenium as one of our places to stay in KL due to a Youtuber’s recommendation as well as the fact it was well priced and reviewed pretty well too. Its best attributes were its location, attractive lobby and great buffet breakfast.
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The Aerotel Hotel at KLI2 Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
We were being met at the airport the next morning and driven to our Luxury Escapes accommodation at Pangkor Laut. So we needed a hotel for the night after our flight from Canberra, Australia and the two year old Aerotel seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
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Our Malaysia Airlines A330-300 aircraft that would take us from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur.
Our Qantas flight on the A380-800 had been cancelled so we were moved to this Malaysia Airlines flight on their A330-300. Not having flown with Malaysia Airlines before we were not sure what to expect and to be honest were a little nervous. Our flight to Malaysia was to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary with a stay on spectacular Pankor Laut and a week in Kuala Lumpur.
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Our Qantas B737-800 plane preparing for its flight to Melbourne
We were about to embark on the beginning of our holiday to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary and what better way to kick it off than 5 nights in an overwater bungalow in tropical Pangkor Laut, Malaysia. However when we got to the airport we were in for some unexpected news.
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Marriott Park Motel Nowra
For our overnight stay in Nowra with hubby’s parents we wanted something cheap, well located and that reviewed well. The Marriott Park Motel happened to fit all these criteria and it turned out to be a good choice.
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Our Qantas A380-800 having just landed in Sydney
After our short layover at Los Angeles LAX we were back on the plane for our 15 hour flight to Sydney Australia. This time it would be on the Airbus A380 so I was interested in comparing the Business class product on this to the B787-9 Dreamliner we had just been on.
At just over a year old this Qantas B787-9 Dreamliner has been painted in the Yam Dreaming livery adapted from a 1991 Indigenous painting
After our two weeks in New York State it was time to say good bye and make our way home. A ride on the Amtrak train for just over two hours landed us at Penn Station where we caught the E train to uptown Queens getting off at Sutphin Boulevard Station. From there we purchased a Metrocard to take the AirTrain to terminal 8 where Qantas was located. Continue reading
Mohonk Mountain House, New York
Mohonk Mountain House is the ideal place to celebrate any special occasion. We were fortunate enough to be given the opportunity of spending a night here thanks to an invitation to celebrate a couple of Birthdays.
This was our third flight on our long journey from Canberra to New York and after hopping off this plane and spending more than an hour going through immigration, customs and security, we hopped back on the very same plane we had just been on. Continue reading
Our Qantas B787-9 Dreamliner waiting to take us from Brisbane to Los Angeles
Continuing on from our flight from Canberra to Brisbane, we were excited to be doing our first ever long haul business class flight together. I looked forward to being able to lie down and get some sleep on this Qantas’ 787-9 Dreamliner and turning up refreshed when we hit the ground.
Our Qantas B717-200 plane loading up at Canberra airport for its flight to Brisbane
This flight would be our first time ever flying Business class together so we were both very excited. Not all of Qantas’ 717-200’s are configured with a Business class but QF1562 is one of the few that are. This flight would take us to Brisbane where we would fly to New York City via Los Angeles.
Oval Motel Bendigo
Hubby and I drove to Bendigo to go see the Little House Festival the town was putting on. Therefore we were just after a cheap night’s accommodation for one night. Our only requirements were that it was clean and we had our own room and bathroom. The oval motel fitted the bill perfectly offering a great rate and a few extras we weren’t expecting.
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We were in Sydney for a concert so just needed one night’s accommodation not too far from the venue to keep us happy. Rydges Parramatta was probably more than we needed but this was the hotel we booked for our family of four.
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We wanted a place close to the city where we could walk to the shops, eateries, attractions and train station whilst keeping the cost down. We also wanted something not too old and which received good reviews. Oaks Southbank appeared to fit the bill nicely.
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Our jumbo Qantas A380-800
After our flight from JFK to LAX, we waited to board our next flight that would take us to Sydney, Australia. The plane was late in so boarding and takeoff were delayed by just over half an hour.
After our two hour Amtrak train ride from NY State to Penn Station, we caught the E train to uptown Queens getting off at Sutphin Boulevard for the JFK airport. The ride took about half an hour and from there we took the elevator to the third floor (C floor). After putting $5USD onto our AirTrain card we checked the terminal we needed which was eight and hopped onto the AirTrain. I love seeing all the different airlines on the way to our terminal.
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This time our plane actually looked like an Alaska Airlines plane and not a Virgin American one. Despite this flight leaving at 9:30 at night, due to the time difference between San Francisco and New York, we would be arriving at around 6:00 the following morning.
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As was the case with our last Alaska Airlines flight, the plane was one acquired from Virgin America and hadn’t yet been painted or decked out in the Alaska livery. This route appeared a strange way to get to New York, travelling west for nearly two hours only to then fly east to New Jersey’s Newark airport.
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This was my first time flying Alaska Airlines and I was surprised to discover the aircraft was painted in the Virgin America livery. What appeared to be a pilot sitting behind me explained that Alaska Airlines acquired Virgin America in 2016 and were still in the process of repainting and refitting the planes they purchased off VA.
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I was excited to be flying Qantas again and back on the A380. I like the food and entertainment on board Qantas and the leg room is definitely an improvement over the B787 Dreamliner.
Our Qantas Dash 8 plane that would take us to Sydney
This was the first of several flights for our trip to New York via Las Vegas. Qantas often run the Dash 8’s from Canberra to Sydney and back as they’re smaller and more economical. In hindsight I wouldn’t have chosen the first day of daylight saving for the start of our trip as putting the clocks forward an hour meant we had to be up very early. Continue reading
Virgin’s Airitalia ATR turboprop ready for it’s flight to Canberra
I had never flown on this particular type of aircraft before so I was interested to see what it was like. This joint venture French/Italian manufactured turboprop aircraft has just 68 seats with it’s passenger door located at the rear. Continue reading
Boarding our Virgin B737-800 plane the old fashioned way
Sad to be leaving, we made our way to Coolangatta Airport for our flight home. The weather had been perfect on our trip so we didn’t mind that whilst we were inside the airport waiting to board our flight, it started raining. Due to the strong winds in Melbourne and Sydney some flights had been delayed, but fortunately our flight left just ten minutes later than scheduled. Continue reading
Mantra on View, Surfers Paradise Gold Coast QLD
This was our first time staying at a Mantra hotel. We were given a room on the 18th floor with views of the Pacific Ocean. At under $200 a night for the three of us including full buffet breakfast, this well located hotel was a good find.
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Our Virgin Boeing 737-800 plane on the tarmac at Coolangatta Airport on the Gold Coast
Excited to be spending a few days at the Gold Coast with our eldest daughter on her Birthday, we booked our flights with Virgin who were offering departure times that best suited us along with reasonable prices. Continue reading
Having just walked off our Qantas Dash 8-400 flight from Sydney to Canberra
Our third and final flight home was a short 55 minute ride in this twin propeller Qantas Dash 8. It’s a strange looking aircraft but I like seeing it up close which you can’t do when you have to board via an air-bridge. Continue reading
American Airlines B787-9 (Dreamliner) taking off from Sydney Airport
It had been a long day already with a car ride to the train station, a two hour train ride to NYC, a couple of subway rides to the airport, a six hour flight to LA and now a 15 hour flight to Sydney followed by a short flight home. So needless to say I was not too excited about this red eye flight except that I was looking forward to seeing our family back home. Continue reading
Our jetBlue A321 plane that would take us from JFK to LAX
Having never heard of JetBlue before I was a little unsure of what to expect. This airline was offering a suitable price, departure time and a direct flight and with another two flights to follow this one, we wanted to avoid a stopover from New York to Los Angeles. Aware that like most airlines flying within the US, this was not a full service airline, I read some reviews and was pleasantly surprised with what I found. Continue reading
The Amtrak train waiting at Penn Station, New York
The Amtrak train to Hudson departs from Penn Station in New York and takes approximately two hours to reach Hudson. The trains run every hour or two from 7:15 in the morning to the last train which de 7:15 at night.
The Westin New York Grand Central
The Westin New York Grand Central was where we chose to stay after our long haul flight from Australia. This modern hotel was well located and gave us the perfect opportunity to explore Grand Central Station properly. It was also a Trip Advisor 2017 Certificate of Excellence winner.
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American Airlines A321 with sharklets
As soon as we had walked off the plane from our flight from Sydney to LA, our express boarding passes for our next flight to New York were stuck on the wall with our names on them. It was just as well as because by the time we got through security and immigration, it was time to board our plane. Continue reading
Excited to be boarding our American Airlines B787-9 plane to Los Angeles
I love flying to a country on its national airline and today we were trying out American Airlines for the first time on our flight from Sydney to Los Angeles. Not only that, it would be our first time on the B787-9 Dreamliner which I had heard so much about and couldn’t wait to experience.
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Our Qantas 717-200 waiting to take us to Sydney
We were excited to be commencing our journey to New York State with this first flight to Sydney on a Qantaslink 717-200. As it began to gently rain, the thought of warmer weather on the other side of the world felt so enticing. We bid our beautiful daughters goodbye for the next couple of weeks and boarded our plane. Continue reading
No.9 train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Date: October 2017
Destination: Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Thailand return
Class: Second
After weighing up the advantages of catching a train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok over flying, hubby and I decided to purchase a couple of return train tickets. We both loved trains and this would allow us to travel like the locals. It was also an inexpensive way to get to Chiang Mai which included a night’s accommodation. Continue reading
Qantas QF24 soon to be on its way from Bangkok to Sydney
Our holiday to Thailand had come to an end and we were ready to sit down and relax on board our Qantas flight to Sydney after a busy day which involved lots of walking. Hopefully we would get some sleep too. Continue reading
Galare Guest House, Chiang Mai Thailand
For our fourth place to stay on this Thailand holiday we wanted somewhere cheap to stay with markets nearby and the Chiang Mai train station not too far away for our trip back to Bangkok. This place fit the bill just fine. Continue reading
Joy’s House Chiang Mai, Thailand
We chose Joy’s House due to its excellent ratings on tripadvisor and for the Children’s shelter the owners founded just up the road that provides a home, education and training to 45 underprivileged children from the hill tribe villages of Northern Thailand and Burma. Continue reading
Arun Residences, Bangkok Thailand
Just up the street from our previous accommodation, Arun Residences would be our home for the next night allowing us to see more of the nearby attractions and in easy reach of the Hua Lamphong Train Station where we would be catching the overnight sleeper to Chiang Mai. Continue reading
Sala Arun Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
This holiday I left choosing and booking the accommodation up to hubby as it was usually me who did all that. So it would be interesting to see what he came up with. The Sala Arun Hotel, despite being close to a number of attractions was situated in a less touristy part of town on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and with the most glorious views of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). Continue reading
Looking out the window of our Qantas A330-300
My Husband and I were flying to Bangkok where we would spend a couple of nights before catching the sleeper train up to Chiang Mai. Continue reading
Club Quarters Hotel, World Trade Center, NY
We needed somewhere to stay for the night before heading out of the city the following day and this place was well priced and well located. Whilst it seemed it was designed for longer stays in mind, it provided the perfect place for just the one night too. Continue reading
A great view of our Qantas B737-800 from the lounge at Tullamarine Airport
It had been a long journey which commenced with a two hour train ride to New York City but this would be our third and final flight for the trip to get home. I find flying to a destination exciting and enjoyable but coming home, I’m keen to get it over with, especially if the rest of the family are back home. I also don’t enjoy overnight flights as much and for some reason the flights back seem to always be overnighters. Continue reading
Boarding our A380-800 flight from LAX Los Angeles to Melbourne Australia
Due to the late arrival of our flight from New York to Los Angeles, our next flight which we boarded immediately was already nearly full. Finding room in the overhead compartments was a bit of a challenge which is a good enough reason to board early when possible. It was late and we had a long 16 hour flight in front of us to Melbourne, Australia. Continue reading
Our Qantas 747-400 plane from New York to Los Angeles
This was to be a long journey. After a two hour train ride from New York State to New York City, we had to negotiate the subways and Airtrain to the airport where we had a five and a half hour flight to Los Angeles followed by a nearly sixteen hour flight to Melbourne, Australia before yet another flight to Canberra. Continue reading
Our Qantas 747-400 aircraft at LAX bound for JFK in New York
Having just arrived at LAX from Sydney, we had little time to make our connecting flight to New York. We followed the signs to International Transfers and made our way to Immigration. Continue reading
A view of the wing from inside our A380-800 Qantas flight to Los Angeles
Excited to be flying on an A380-800 again, our youngest daughter drove us to the airport for our 7:20 am flight to Sydney where we would board our next plane to New York via Los Angeles. I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation as it was the first time leaving the Girls at home on their own with our youngest only just getting her licence the month before. Continue reading
North Sydney Harbourview Hotel, Sydney NSW, Australia
As its name suggests, this place will give you some great views of the harbour and Sydney Harbour Bridge if you choose a harbour view room. We’ve stayed here a few times over the years and the view from the window never disappoints. Continue reading
Seaview House, Queenscliff, Victoria
Although no longer a B&B, this 1875 Queenscliff guest house has a tonne of character and old world charm. Formerly a green grocer and then the Seaview Coffee Palace, it was later converted to a Guest House with fourteen guest rooms each individually unique from each other. Continue reading
The Hilton Garden Inn, NYC
Situated on West 35th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, this modern Midtown Manhattan hotel built in 2009 is in an ideal location. Close to the Empire State Building, Macy’s at Herald Square, Times Square, Madison Square Garden and Fifth Avenue shopping there is plenty to see and do in the area. And with just a short walk to Penn Station, it’s easy to get to places further away. Continue reading
lower section of the Lucerne, New York, USA
The Lucerne, built in 1904 is a grand old building situated on the upper west side of New York. Bell Boys are waiting by the large doors to open and close them at the ready. Recently renovated, it has an old world charm combined with the usual range of modern amenities such as complimentary WiFi, spa services and a fitness centre. Continue reading
Regal Airport Hotel, Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong – photo credit Regal Airport Hotel
Recognised as the World’s Best Airport Hotel by Business Traveller Magazine for nine years running, this hotel is directly connected to the passenger terminal of the International airport, just a short three minute walk away. Continue reading
Royal Plaza Hotel, Kowloon, Hong Kong
This luxury 5 star hotel is situated in Mong Kok in the heart of Kowloon. Boasting 699 guest rooms over 18 floors, there are some spectacular views to be had. The Royal Plaza Hotel is attached to the famous seven storied shopping centre known as Moko Mall. The bottom level has an MTR that connects to Mong Kok East Station. Continue reading
Our A330-300 Cathay Pacific plane getting ready for its flight from Sydney to Hong Kong
This holiday to Hong Kong and New York was a Christmas present for our daughters and although we booked it well in advance, we had to keep it a secret until Christmas. Needless to say they were pretty excited. It did however come with one condition. Continue reading
Ayung Resort Ubud
I was excited to be returning to one of our favourite resorts, this time with our two daughters 15 and 17. On arrival you are given a warm welcome which comes as a blessing after the hour and a quarter taxi ride from the airport combined with the hot and humid weather. Continue reading
Our Garuda A330-300 from Denpasar Bali, to Sydney
Date: January 2016
Destination: Sydney to Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia return
Aircraft: Airbus A330-300
Flying Time: Sydney-Denpasar 6hrs| Denpasar-Sydney 5hrs 30mins
We surprised our daughters on this trip, telling them we were going to Sydney rather than Bali. It wasn’t until we dropped our hire car off in Sydney that we told them. Continue reading
Sky RIder Motor Inn, Katoomba, Blue Mountains
Room Reviews Rating
We spent three nights here and chose this place based on its positive reviews along with the fact it was ranked No. 1 in Katoomba on TripAdvisor . It was also fairly well priced at $160/night for our family of four. Continue reading
We chose to stay the week in Hobart in a cabin which not only kept the cost down but meant the in-laws who were travelling with us could stay in one next door which made seeing each other nice and convenient. The cabin was located close to the airport although there was not a lot of air traffic and the windows were double glazed so it was never a problem. Continue reading
The Spirit of Tasmania docked at Port Melbourne
Date: September 2014
Destination: Devonport, Tasmania, Australia
Vessel: Spirit of Tasmania I
Sailing time: 10hrs 30 mins
As our two Girls had never been on a ship before we thought catching the ferry to Devonport would be the perfect way to start our holiday. We drove to Melbourne where we met up with my husband’s parents who were joining us on our holiday. After grabbing a bite to eat, we joined the queue in order to drive our car onto the ship. It was an overnight sail which was due to depart at 1930 and arrive at 0600 the following day. Continue reading
Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel
This four and half star hotel is situated in Sydney Airport’s International terminal which is extremely convenient if you have an early morning flight to catch as it is literally just across the road. Continue reading
our Garuda A330-200 from Sydney to Denpasar, Bali
Date: August 2014
Destination: Sydney to Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia return
Aircraft: Airbus A330-200
Flying time: Sydney-Denpasar 6hrs | Denpasar-Sydney 5hrs 30 mins
Catching a Murrays bus from Canberra to Sydney, we stayed at Rydges Airport Hotel and caught our flight with Garuda (Indonesia’s own airline) the next morning at 9am. Garuda have lifted their game significantly in the past few years and were awarded SkyTrax’s 5 star rating in 2014, an honour bestowing to only six other airlines in the world. Garuda were also awarded World’s Best Economy Class in 2013.
Amana Villas Seminyak Bali Equilibria Hotel
On arriving we checked in and were taken to our pool villa which had our own private pool. In the lounge adjoined to our room, there was a table set up with cold drinks, refresher towels and a piece of cake each. We were introduced to our private butler and told how to order breakfast. Continue reading
reception area at Ayung Resort, Bali
This was truly one of the best accommodation experiences I’ve ever had. The Ayung Resort is located approximately 20 minutes out of Ubud town but there are free shuttle buses that take guests into town daily.
Set alongside the Ayung River, the resort is situated on eight hectares of lush tropical rainforest surrounded by picturesque rice paddies. Continue reading
Emirate A380 from Sydney to Dubai
Date: August 2013
Destination: Sydney to Dubai return
Aircraft: Airbus A380-800
Flying time: Sydney-Dubai 14hrs 30mins |Dubai-Sydney 13hrs 50mins
I was really looking forward to this trip as I was flying to London via Dubai with Mum and Dad to attend my youngest brother’s wedding. It had been ages since I last travelled just with my parents and I was excited to be spending some time with them and seeing my brother again. Continue reading
The Arthaus, Hackney, London
As I was travelling with my parents, we thought an apartment with a couple of bedrooms and bathrooms would be more suitable than a hotel room or two. Airbnb had a new complex in the heart of Hackney, London that was perfect. The Arthaus was to be our accommodation for the time we were in London. Continue reading
Dubai International Hotel – photo courtesy of hotel’s website
Also known as Dubai International Airport Terminal Hotel, this modern hotel boasting 530 guest rooms is situated smack bang inside terminal 3 of the Dubai International Airport. After a 14 hour flight from Sydney, a night at this conveniently located hotel provided a great night’s sleep and a refreshing break before our continued journey on to London early the following morning. Continue reading
Vogue Resort & Spa, Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand
We booked a Deluxe Room including breakfast for seven nights which cost us an amazing $557 for the two of us. Located about 40 minutes from the Krabi airport, the resort was well situated, in easy walk of shops and restaurants. Continue reading
our Thai Airways plane from Sydney to Bangkok
Date: April 2013
Destination: Sydney to Bangkok, Thailand return
Aircraft: Boeing B747-400
Flying time: Sydney-Bangkok 9hrs 20mins | Bangkok-Sydney 9hrs
Our flight out of Sydney was due to take off at 10am but had been delayed by nearly an hour due to coming in late. Once on board we were welcomed with friendly Sawadee’s and handed a cup of water after taking our seats. Continue reading
Espace Elastique, Tai-O, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Located on the western side of Lantau Island, this fishing village is like what Hong Kong used to be like before the days of expensive shopping malls and high rise apartments. Continue reading
View out the window of our Qantas A380 flight from Hong Kong to Sydney
After a fun-filled couple of weeks in Hong Kong, we were on our way home again. This time we would be flying on Qantas’ A380 which I was really looking forward to after our great experience flying on one with Singapore Airlines the previous year. Continue reading
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
This place was magical from the moment you arrived. Described as a lavish Victorian palace nestled along the shores of the south china sea, a trip to Disneyland is not complete without a stay here. Continue reading
YMCA Salisbury Hong Kong

I have to start by saying this place is not what I expected from a YMCA. The foyer can be mistaken for that of a typical five star resort and the commanding views of the harbour and excellent proximity to the hustle and bustle of the city make this place worthwhile.
We were all excited for our two week family holiday to Hong Kong which we had eagerly been looking forward to since we came across some great fares six months earlier. We flew into Sydney to catch the bus to the international terminal where our plane was to depart from. Continue reading
Our Singapore Airlines flight to Phuket via Singapore
Date: January 2012
Destination: Sydney to Phuket, Thailand return
Aircraft: Airbus A380-800
Flying time: Sydney to Singapore 8hrs 5mins| Singapore to Phuket 1hr 45mins
This was our first time flying Singapore Airlines and the four of us were very excited. We drove a hire car to Sydney Airport where we would board our first A380-800. We would get to sit up top where it was quieter, more spacious and less crowded. Upstairs was decked out for premium economy but for some reason the airline decided not to use it for that. Continue reading
Now this resort stands out as something really special and is probably the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in. Indigo Pearl was renamed The Slate in 2016. They have won a number of well deserved awards over the years including winner of the best luxury beach resort in Thailand and winner of Asia’s leading design hotel. And it was not hard to see why. Continue reading
Pacific Club Resort, Karon, Phuket, Thailand
We chose this place due it’s great ratings on Tripadvisor and also because of how well priced it was. We stayed for seven nights with breakfast included. Unfortunately, things didn’t get off to a great start. Continue reading
Double Tree by Hilton, The Espanade, Darwin – photo courtesy of Double Tree by Hilton website
I was keen to to take hubby and the kids to Darwin where I was born and spent seven years of my childhood growing up to show them my old home town. And Double Tree by Hilton (then Holiday Inn) seemed like a good choice. Continue reading
Villa 360, Phi Phi Island, Thailand
Villa 360 is built into the side of the hill. To get here, we caught the resort’s speedboat from over at the Pier at Ton Sai Bay at Phi Phi Village. Continue reading
Jetstar Sydney to Phuket
Date: December 2010
Destination: Sydney to Phuket, Thailand return
Aircraft: Airbus A330
Flying time: Sydney to Phuket 9hrs 15mins|Phuket to Sydney 9hrs 05mins
Our last minute decision for hubby and I to go to Thailand over the December/January holidays left us with not a lot of options. Jetstar had the cheapest prices and even they weren’t cheap. Continue reading
Dewa Phuket Resort Nai Yang Beach, Thailand
The Dewa is located just five minutes from the airport beside Nai Yang Beach and 30 minutes from Phuket city. The resort has a mix of pool villas and junior and family suites. On arrival we were told we had been upgraded to a villa with a private plunge pool. Things were off to a good start. Continue reading
Quay West Bunker Bay Resort
Whilst in Perth with my parents and my brother’s family to celebrate my Nanna’s 90th Birthday and my Aunt’s 70th, we decided to extend our stay by a couple of nights and drive south to Bunker Bay resort. It looked like a lovely place to base ourselves to relax and explore a bit of Cape Naturaliste and the Margaret River wine region. Continue reading
Holiday Inn San Francisco Golden Gateway, SF, USA – photo credit Holiday Inn
Situated near eateries and public transport, this Holiday Inn provided heavenly views over San Francisco’s bay or city. Here kids twelve and under can stay and eat for free. With 26 floors, all 496 rooms are non-smoking. Pets are allowed to stay at this hotel. Continue reading
Four Points by Sheraton, (was Holiday Inn) San Diego, California, USA
At the time we stayed here it was a Holiday Inn hotel but in 2012 was taken over by Four Points by Sheraton. The hotel offers 360 degree views of San Diego Bay and Downtown. It is located close to the airport with complimentary shuttle buses. Continue reading
Embassy Suites by Hilton, Arcadia, California
The Embassy Suites in Arcadia are located in a quiet and attractive part of Los Angeles county, close to Monrovia and Pasadena. Santa Anita shopping mall is just up the road and the Botanic Gardens and Arboretum are both nearby.
overwater bungalows at the Holiday Inn Resort, Port Villa, Vanuatu
Holiday Inn Resort in Vanuatu has had a number of name changes from when it originally opened in 1975 as an Intercontinental Hotel. When we stayed it was Le Meridian before it then changed name again to Palms Resort and Casino and finally Holiday Inn Resort.
Our Air Vanuatu flight to Port Vila, Vanuatu
This was our second overseas holiday with our daughters and we were looking for somewhere kid friendly, not too far away and inexpensive. Vanuatu seemed to fit the bill perfectly and it seemed only natural to choose Vanuatu’s own carrier to fly with.
Radisson Tree Tops Resort & Spa – now Ramada Resort Port Douglas
We stayed at this same resort with the kids when they were little back in 2001 and decided that when they were a bit older hubby and I would return for a few days on our own to explore the area a bit more thoroughly. So in 2005 the Girls went to stay with their Grandparents and we went back to Port Douglas. Continue reading
Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa
Our flight had us turn up late at Nadi airport and even later by the time we reached our resort on Yanuka Island. After check-in we were taken to our room which smelt really bad and I was beginning to wonder if I’d made the wrong decision in coming here. Continue reading
Photo credit RN Smith, Aussieairliners.org
Date: May 2002
Destination: Sydney to Nadi, Fiji return
Aircraft: Boeing 747-200
Flying time: Sydney to Nadi 3hrs 50mins|Nadi to Sydney 4hrs 45mins
This was the first time our two Girls had flown and our first overseas holiday as a family. Our youngest was not yet two so were interested to see how she would go with overseas travel. Continue reading
