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

Babymoon with my toddler Part One!

Hello my ladies! Hope you all are fine :)

I wanted to share on my first long haul travelling experience during pregnancy. It was actually a surprise trip because my dad won a hole-in-one from his golf tournament. He got a return ticket Jakarta - Sydney - Jakarta and gave it to me. I was so excited since my brother was studying there as well. 

Unfortunately, my husband couldn't come on this trip and my mother was only able to join towards the end of the trip. I guess I was too excited to think that I will be doing a trip, at 6 months pregnant, alone with my 3 years old son. Oh yeah, it is my first time traveling being pregnant without any adults accompanying me (HA!)

We took our flight in the evening by Garuda Indonesia. Thank God it was a smooth departure. Al slept all the way until we landed. After 7+ hours finally I could stretch my legs, phew!! We boarded off the plane and off to the toilet. Pregnancy made me have a shy bladder, hahaha! I asked Al if he needed to go to the toilet. Surely, he said No! 

About to wait in line for the immigration check and my cute little boy said he needed to go! So all the way back we went to the toilet. Lesson learned for me was just sit him at the toilet and just wait, don't just ask. He would eventually need to do his business!

With my circumstances, for my carry on, I tried to have less weight to carry on my shoulder. So I used a cabin size wheeled suitcase and I also put my handbag along with my son's stuff there as well. Turned out when he got tired while he was waiting, he could sit on it and I just pushed him around. Happy mama!

One of my concerns on this trip was on taking my luggage out of the baggage conveyor belt. I was ready just to pull and let it fall. Thank goodness for the nice man that helped me and made it settled on my trolley. Back in line for the quarantine check and finally remembered that I forgot to grab the stroller!!! Damn this pregnancy brain!!! 

All settled and finally en route to the hotel!

My next blog post on this topic will be about Preparing myself to travel while pregnant..

Stay tuned! ;)