Kids fave spots around Sydney CBD

SYDNEY..... It is like home away from home to me :)

Never get bored of this city. The people, food, weather, scenic just soothes me. Lucky you who lives there! Not only my favorite place, it is also my son's! 

Al wanted to share his fave places (and mine!) around Sydney CBD. Feel free to add for more fun places for kids :D

• The Opera House

Come here in the morning, where there aren't many people, so the kids can go up and down the stairs, and just explore the outside of the Opera House. From here you can continue to Sydney Botanical Garden that is close by. 

• The Rocks

The Rocks is located opposite the Opera House towards under the Harbour Bridge. At weekends there is a market that showcases art, food, from healthy organic stuff to greasy stuff (LOL!). There are chocolates, cupcakes, ice cream, seafood, BBQ meats. YUM!!!

Image from The Daily Telegraph

• Darling Harbour

This is my fave place for my "chillaxing" moment while kids can still have fun. I mean, there are shops, cafes, and playground at one area.

Giant Christmas Tree 2013

• Imax Theatre

Kids (and adults!) will be amazed with the huge screen, claimed as the world's biggest screen (Imax.com.au). They have movies and documentaries being played here. So better check their website to check what is playing at the moment and for more information. 

Image from TimeOut Sydney Australia

However, in regards with the huge screen and audio (15000 Watt!), I think it is suitable for kids aged 3+. 

• Darling Quarter Playground

This is definitely my son's must-visit every time in Sydney. This open air and free playground will just make your kids gone wild (in a good way!). 

                                         

They have water park, balance ropes, flying fox, octanet, the giant ring, and so much more! The best thing is we can wait for them with free Wi-Fi under the shade zone!!! (Did I hear some AAAHHH..??)

• Carousel

It is not just an ordinary carousel, it is the second oldest carousel in Australia. This carousel has been a member of Darling Harbour since its opening in 1988. There are more fun rides placed around the carousel. 

Image from www.darlingharbour.com

• Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife Zoo

If you think going to Taronga Zoo, a bit far, there is another option to see animals at closer place. Here, you can see the under water and land animals at adjacent location. There is option to buy combo tickets that will give you discounts, sounds like a good deal, huh?!?

Can you spot the koala?

• Fireworks

Every Saturday at 9pm (check their website for more updates) you can watch fireworks at Darling Harbour. There is so many spots to get a good view, but be there 5 - 10 minutes before the show starts to pick yours :)

Pretty awesome for a weekly thing!

• Mini Train

This train would take you around Darling Harbour for $5 per ride and you can stop at any time.

• HobbyCo 

This is a toy lovers dream store! Located on the 3rd and 4th floor of QVB, your kids (especially boys) can stay there all day long. The 3rd floor's window displays live train miniatures with beautiful landscape. 

Image by Jo Wing (A Sydney Summer blogspot)

Smaller kids can have their own meetings at the Thomas the train table :D

• Powerhouse Museum

With free entry for kids 16 years and under, Powerhouse Museum is the perfect family destination for exploring the interactive side of arts and science.

Image from www.abc.net.au

Located at Ultimo, the building adjacent to Darling Harbour, the Powerhouse Museum is the flagship venue of Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS). It is to reach Powerhouse Museum, This Museum holds unique and diverse collection that includes science, technology, design and decorative arts, engineering, architecture, health and medicine, fashion and contemporary culture. More info please visit https://maas.museum/powerhouse-museum/

• Australian National Maritime Museum

Image from www.aviewoncities.com

The museum offers an exciting program for the whole family with kid’s activities held on weekdays, weekends and during the school holidays. Kids and adults can also climb aboard our vessels including a real submarine and retired warship, and roam the museum’s expansive exhibition space. To reach the museum, you can take the bus and light rail, or just walk across the Pyrmont bridge at Darling Harbour.

Image from http://www.anmm.gov.au/

For more info on the Australian National Maritime Museum, please visit http://www.anmm.gov.au/

• Fish Market

Sydney Fish Market is located at Pyrmont, behind Darling Harbour. The easiest way to get here is to take the Light Rail which stops just across the road. The Fish Market opens at 7am. Not only you can buy fresh seafood but you can eat them here too!! Fried, grilled, or fresh, it's all there... (Okay, pardon me, imagining those Fish and Chips!! ok, lemme wipe my drool ;p)

Warning! It can get pretty crowded during lunch time :o and if you choose to eat outside beware of the seagull who would loooveee to join you, hahaha. But the kids love them to be chased around, haha.

Here you can see the process of opening oyster, which is quite fascinating even for adults!

 Inside that huge place is where the fun is ...

• Luna Park

Luna Park is an amusement park located at Milsons Point, just over the Harbour Bridge. You can see it the park when you passed the bridge. There are various rides for adults and kids. Opens from 10 am. More info: https://www.lunaparksydney.com/

Image from Luna Park Sydney Instagram (@lunaparksydney)

Here is how you can reach here (take off at Milsons Point station):
             Train : 10 minutes : depart from Town Hall
             Ferry : 20 minutes : depart from Darling Harbour
             Bus    : 30 minutes : depart from QVB

Public transport information can be found at www.transportnsw.info

Well that was Al's favorite places to go while in the CBD, we hope you guys enjoy it as much as we do! :D

Canberra

Good day to you :)


Canberra is the capital city of Australia. It is more like where the government operates, where the embassies of various countries are located. One of the Australia's iconic building is here, The Parliament House. Canberra is quite close from Sydney. You can take the bus (3 hrs 55 mins), train (4 hrs 05mins) , or even plane (50 mins). I have always took the land method and the view along the way just made the time passed by. Pretty!

Since I lived in Canberra when I was a toddler, so most of the time the trip was walking down the memory lane. Visiting the house, relatives, and eating at the same old place, hahaha.

We went to the Parliament House, the symbol of Australian democracy. It is the House of Representatives and Senate chambers. Your family can enter the building, it is free! Then take the guided tour. A visit to the roof of Parliament House provides one of the best views of Canberra and the opportunity to get up close to the building's iconic 81-metre high flagmast, one of the world's largest stainless steel structures (www.visitcanberra.com.au)

Parliament House

On the way we passed a fountain that is located in the middle of a lake. The lake name is Lake Burley Griffin. The fountain is actually a memorial water jet of Captain Cook. The water jet is powered by two 560 kilowatt electric motors driving four stage centrifugal pumps capable of pumping up to 250 litres per second against a head of 183 metres. The water velocity at the water nozzle is 260 km/h. While running both pumps simultaneously the main jet throws approximately six tons of water into the air at any instant, reaching a maximum height of 147 metres. Alternatively the jet can be run on a single pump reaching a lower height of 110 metres. During special occasions it can be illuminated, often with coloured lights (Wikipedia). The jet operates between 2pm and 4pm daily.

A visit to Cockington Green Gardens is fun too. Here you can stroll the miniature buildings and gardens. It is fascinating how detailed those miniatures are. 

Tired walking around then you might want to take the train. The whole family can take a ride with the steam-train miniature. You think the kids who will be enjoying it? Guess again!

That would be all from my 1 day trip in Canberra. See you later!!

Harus bawa mainan!

Hai semua!

Gimana travelling sama anak-anak? Makin seru atau ada sport jantungnya? Hahaha

Kalau ajak anak-anak pergi, suka denger kalimat seperti "Aku mau bawa Avengers'nya"  "Mobil-mobilannya dibawa semua ya?" Atau tiba-tiba siap dengan 2 tas besar penuh dengan mainan. Apalagi kalau mainan baru, kemanapun harus ikut. Horror yaa.. Hahaha.

Jangan buru-buru dilarang dulu. Bisa berguna lho si mainan ini untuk jadi teman si kecil kalau bepergian dan mengajarkan anak untuk bertanggung jawab untuk barang miliknya.

Sebelum saya memberi izin untuk membawa mainan, ada beberapa hal yang saya masukkan di "perjanjian" dengan anak.

Pertama, ukuran mainan. Saya ambil contoh mainan, karena anak saya laki-laki, misalnya mobil HotWheels. Saya bilang "Bolehnya bawa yang ukurannya seperti ini ya". Jangan sampai dibawa robot yang tinggi besar karena biasanya  ada saat kita yang membawakan mainannya.

Kedua, jumlah mainan. Saya memperbolehkan 3 - 5 buah mainan untuk dibawa. Walaupun kecil tapi kalau 1 tas penuh juga menjadi kerjaan tambahan untuk kita ya.

Ketiga, bertanggung jawab. Nah, namanya juga anak kecil ya, tetap saja kalau ada yang hilang atau rusak, kita juga ikutan repot. Tetapi kita bisa melatih tanggung jawab mereka dengan barang bawaan ini. Suruh mereka untuk menyiapkan tas untuk mainannya. Hitung bersama-sama jumlah mainan ketika memasukkan ke tas. Lalu biasanya saya bilang misalnya "Al, ini mainannya ada 5. Harus dijaga ya. Tidak boleh nangis kalau ada yang rusak atau hilang. Ok? Deal?"

Itu adalah perjanjian kita. Nah, kalau ada "korslet" nah ingetin ke perjanjian tadi.

Semoga berhasil ya

Lombok...a piece of heaven on earth

I’M IN LOVE WITH THIS ISLAND!!!

From the first time I landed my feet at this island, I just knew there is something about this island that will take me back again and again. 

The main attraction here is the beach and the small islands nearby, called Gili. But don’t get me wrong Pulau Lombok has various other natural attractions that would just mesmerize the whole family. There are local villages that are still hold strong their heritage tradition, even their floor are made from cow’s poop! Mount Rinjani will also take your breath away. The water falls are amazing as well, it is rumored that Jenny from the Block a.k.a Jennifer Lopez visited one of them.

         

So how to get to this beautiful island of Lombok?

If you are from outside Indonesia, you can take a connecting flight from Jakarta or Bali. Actually from Bali you can opt to use ferry from Padang Bai, cheaper but takes longer time. The domestic airlines that goes to Lombok International Airport is Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Lion Air, and Batik Air. Plenty of flight times to pick from.

Touchdown!!

My favorite area is these hidden gems around Kuta. Yes, it has the same name with the famous beach in Bali. But this one fascinates me! Seeing the view already leaves me in awe, then the clear sea water, and the unique sand. If you are thinking what so unique about sand, well let me tell you, the sands are pepper-like, or as locals say "Pantai Merica", tiny marbles!

Pasir Merica at Kuta Beach, Lombok

With grandma... isn't it magnificent?!

Just can't wait to play

My hotel of choice has been Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort. They have beautiful pool, nice clean beach to stroll, and definitely helpful staff. It is located in the city centre, however it takes approximately 1 hour from the airport.

Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort from the beach

My little tiger enjoying his down time playing at the hotel's beach

But if you want to stay in hotel that is closer to the airport and near the infamous beautiful beaches in Lombok then I would suggest, Novotel Hotel.

Photo cred: Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas

Come and visit Indonesia's hidden gem!