No prizes for guessing who kept track of all these important numbers on our trip!
95 days
11 countries and 27 cities
21 beds slept in
2 suitcases, 1 Chindiwi bag (thanks Nina), 2 strollers and 2 car seats
9 flights on five airlines
10,000km driven
11 rain days
570 nappies filled
35 friends and family visited
2 Disneyland parks
2 rounds of chicken pox
6 kids drink bottles lost
1 birthday
Untold gelati
And still another two weeks in Christchurch before the holiday is REALLY over.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
On the road again
.. Or we will be tomorrow! Hard to believe that after 3 months of flights, road trips, tram rides and train journeys we are only one flight away from being at home. If anyone wants to welcome us back to Godzone with a band and waving a banner our Jet Star flight arrives at Christchurch airport at 5:45pm tomorrow ;)
We are still enjoying our time in Melbourne and will be sad to leave. Yesterday was a stunner so we joined the rest of Melbourne at St Kilda beach for a paddle in the sea and fish and chips for tea.
Photo: Daniel and Callum enjoying their fluffies made by Aunty Jelaine this morning.
We are still enjoying our time in Melbourne and will be sad to leave. Yesterday was a stunner so we joined the rest of Melbourne at St Kilda beach for a paddle in the sea and fish and chips for tea.
Photo: Daniel and Callum enjoying their fluffies made by Aunty Jelaine this morning.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Just relaxing!
Not quite so many interesting, new destinations to blog about now we're almost home. Things have slowed down to a more holiday-like pace and the boys have even stopped napping in the day time again (though they've yet to stop waking in the night from being cold and/or hungry).
Mike and I had a day to ourselves in Melbourne on Thursday. It was our first day "off" from the kids since we left Singapore in July and felt very strange! But was also a fantastic break (thanks John and Elly!)
We took the train into the city in the morning, which almost needs a blog post of its own - Melbourne could learn A LOT from the rest of the world when it comes to public transport options. Long story short, it's not possible to buy a single fare at the train station and it was cheaper to go buy a day pass from a bus at the interchange than to get a Myki card. Ridiculous. Anyway, we figured it all out and made our way to the Big Smoke for a walk along the Yarra River and late breakfast of Eggs Benedict.
After breakfast we walked some more, sampled more coffee, shopped, lunched in Lygon St, shopped some more and then found Little Creatures Dining Hall for some more drinks and snacks under the gas heaters. Meanwhile the boys had a ball back in Yarra Junction with Nan and Grandad and apparently barely noticed we weren't there ;)
On Friday we drove down to Mt Eliza to catch up with Liz, Ned and Sophia. Another fantastic day of play for the boys and it was so nice to see some old friends from Singapore. Fingers crossed our paths cross again sooner rather than later x
We're now down at Jelaine's till Thursday. Since we were here last, Jelaine and Tez have knocked down their house and rebuilt a new home on the section. It's beautiful! Loads of room for the boys to get up to mischief while we enjoy the sun. Who could ask for more?!
Last night we called on the babysitters again and the four of us (adults) left the kids at home while we went into town for dinner and drinks. We ended up a MoVida in Hosier Lane which was bloody brilliant! I wish we could go back again before we go home just to try the other half of the menu.
Photos are a bit out of order below but apart from the Eggs Benedict, all the food photos are from last night :) see if you can identify the dishes!
Mike and I had a day to ourselves in Melbourne on Thursday. It was our first day "off" from the kids since we left Singapore in July and felt very strange! But was also a fantastic break (thanks John and Elly!)
We took the train into the city in the morning, which almost needs a blog post of its own - Melbourne could learn A LOT from the rest of the world when it comes to public transport options. Long story short, it's not possible to buy a single fare at the train station and it was cheaper to go buy a day pass from a bus at the interchange than to get a Myki card. Ridiculous. Anyway, we figured it all out and made our way to the Big Smoke for a walk along the Yarra River and late breakfast of Eggs Benedict.
After breakfast we walked some more, sampled more coffee, shopped, lunched in Lygon St, shopped some more and then found Little Creatures Dining Hall for some more drinks and snacks under the gas heaters. Meanwhile the boys had a ball back in Yarra Junction with Nan and Grandad and apparently barely noticed we weren't there ;)
On Friday we drove down to Mt Eliza to catch up with Liz, Ned and Sophia. Another fantastic day of play for the boys and it was so nice to see some old friends from Singapore. Fingers crossed our paths cross again sooner rather than later x
We're now down at Jelaine's till Thursday. Since we were here last, Jelaine and Tez have knocked down their house and rebuilt a new home on the section. It's beautiful! Loads of room for the boys to get up to mischief while we enjoy the sun. Who could ask for more?!
Last night we called on the babysitters again and the four of us (adults) left the kids at home while we went into town for dinner and drinks. We ended up a MoVida in Hosier Lane which was bloody brilliant! I wish we could go back again before we go home just to try the other half of the menu.
Photos are a bit out of order below but apart from the Eggs Benedict, all the food photos are from last night :) see if you can identify the dishes!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Almost there.
It's strange. We're not quite "there" yet, but being here feels like home. Perhaps it's the chilly mornings, brilliant sunshine and Monteiths from the supermarket.. But I suspect it's really just being with family at last :)
We are having a ball! We've been busy catching up with Elly and John and also Jelaine, Tez, Caden and Elliott. The boys have been digging up the garden, slip n sliding round the back yard, riding bikes down hills, making friends with galahs and koalas at Healesville Sanctuary and eating chicken and rice (some things never change!)
Tomorrow Mike and I are off to the city for the day. Our first day "off" since we left Singapore. Any restaurant or coffee suggestions appreciated!!
On Friday we hope to meet up with Liz, Ned and Sophia, friends from Singapore who we haven't seen since 2010 which is very exciting. On Saturday we'll all head to Jelaine's place to spend some time with them before we leave.
Tonight we are eagerly awaiting our first BBQ down under ... It smells amazing already. This is almost as exciting as Paris! Or it will be once the kids go to sleep. Sigh.
We are having a ball! We've been busy catching up with Elly and John and also Jelaine, Tez, Caden and Elliott. The boys have been digging up the garden, slip n sliding round the back yard, riding bikes down hills, making friends with galahs and koalas at Healesville Sanctuary and eating chicken and rice (some things never change!)
Tomorrow Mike and I are off to the city for the day. Our first day "off" since we left Singapore. Any restaurant or coffee suggestions appreciated!!
On Friday we hope to meet up with Liz, Ned and Sophia, friends from Singapore who we haven't seen since 2010 which is very exciting. On Saturday we'll all head to Jelaine's place to spend some time with them before we leave.
Tonight we are eagerly awaiting our first BBQ down under ... It smells amazing already. This is almost as exciting as Paris! Or it will be once the kids go to sleep. Sigh.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Family time x
We survived!! 31 hours from door to door - 19 hours on two flights, 2 hours on the playground in T3 and another 2 hours going through immigration and quarantine in Melbourne (they've got a bit to learn from Changi!) John, Elly and Jelaine met us at the airport and we were all home at Yarra Junction for tea and toast around 11:30. Kids in bed by midnight and AMAZINGLY they both slept till after 10 when Mike and I woke them up.
It is SO NICE to be home with family. The boys are enjoying playing with Nan, Mike is in heaven talking house renos and computers with John and I am trying to stay awake :o)
Photos below from the epic plane journey and Daniel's first night in a Big Bed.
It is SO NICE to be home with family. The boys are enjoying playing with Nan, Mike is in heaven talking house renos and computers with John and I am trying to stay awake :o)
Photos below from the epic plane journey and Daniel's first night in a Big Bed.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Au revoir
It's actually here. October 17. The day we leave Europe. We are off to Melbourne today for the next exciting chapter of our trip home. I am sad to be leaving Europe but at the same time I am really looking forward to being a little bit closer to home. I am hoping that a couple of weeks in Australia will help us ease into antipodean life and make arriving in New Zealand less of a shock.
I'm sure the boys will be happy to have some time with their cousins and Nan and Grandad and also lots of outdoor space to explore without us worrying about the downstairs neighbours. Callum is certainly looking forward to to journey to Melbourne - he asked yesterday whether we would be going on a plane with TVs in the backs of the seats and when I said yes he shouted, "THANK YOU for letting me go on a plane tomorrow Mummy. I love you" Sometimes being a Mum is a pretty easy job ;)
I'm sure the boys will be happy to have some time with their cousins and Nan and Grandad and also lots of outdoor space to explore without us worrying about the downstairs neighbours. Callum is certainly looking forward to to journey to Melbourne - he asked yesterday whether we would be going on a plane with TVs in the backs of the seats and when I said yes he shouted, "THANK YOU for letting me go on a plane tomorrow Mummy. I love you" Sometimes being a Mum is a pretty easy job ;)
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Disneyland Paris (and fun with the Griffiths)
Our long-awaited Paris Part 2 finally came around this weekend. We had a cold, wet drive down from Belgium but arrived to find a lovely haven in our apartment in Paris. The host, Monica, is an interesting old duck. Like many of the Airbnb apartments we've stayed in, there are shelves FULL of interesting books - Shakespeare, art history, divine cookbooks, Bill Bryson and DVDs galore in English, French and Spanish (including plenty for the kids). It has been great as our first two days were cold and wet - a bit different from our first Paris stay in August!
On Sunday the Griffiths gang joined us from England. They came round in the afternoon and Callum was so excited to see Maia again, it was very cute to see. We drank wine, ate too much and had a lovely few hours catching up.
Monday was Disneyland Paris. We felt extremely lucky to wake up to blue skies and sunshine and only a 5% chance of rain (according to Google's weather forecast). We met the Griffiths at the gate and spent an unforgettable day meeting characters, riding in teacups and flying elephants and eating burgers and popcorn. We stayed right till the light show and fireworks and when we got home at 9:30 Callum asked if we could go back again tomorrow. If only!
Today has been a bit crazy as we have been packing, clearing out the kitchen, washing and drying clothes, weighing baggage and looking for missing shoes... In the midst of all that we met up with Nina and Giles and the kids again for a trip up the Eiffel Tower and pizza for dinner. We had a great afternoon despite a couple of chunders from Callum, poor thing. He seemed ok by the time we got home this evening so fingers crossed for our flights tomorrow!
So here we are. Our final night in Paris and in Europe. It has been noisy, funny, interesting, stressful, confusing, diet-busting and more fun than I ever imagined possible. I know a lot of you thought we were a bit mad taking a toddler and a preschooler round the world for three months but I can say now that all the sleepless nights, roadside nappy changes, chicken pox dramas and tantrums have been WORTH IT. It's been amazing and I wish we could do it all again. But fortunately we have another adventure to look forward to now - 10 days in Melbourne with Mike's family and then home to New Zealand.
On Sunday the Griffiths gang joined us from England. They came round in the afternoon and Callum was so excited to see Maia again, it was very cute to see. We drank wine, ate too much and had a lovely few hours catching up.
Monday was Disneyland Paris. We felt extremely lucky to wake up to blue skies and sunshine and only a 5% chance of rain (according to Google's weather forecast). We met the Griffiths at the gate and spent an unforgettable day meeting characters, riding in teacups and flying elephants and eating burgers and popcorn. We stayed right till the light show and fireworks and when we got home at 9:30 Callum asked if we could go back again tomorrow. If only!
Today has been a bit crazy as we have been packing, clearing out the kitchen, washing and drying clothes, weighing baggage and looking for missing shoes... In the midst of all that we met up with Nina and Giles and the kids again for a trip up the Eiffel Tower and pizza for dinner. We had a great afternoon despite a couple of chunders from Callum, poor thing. He seemed ok by the time we got home this evening so fingers crossed for our flights tomorrow!
So here we are. Our final night in Paris and in Europe. It has been noisy, funny, interesting, stressful, confusing, diet-busting and more fun than I ever imagined possible. I know a lot of you thought we were a bit mad taking a toddler and a preschooler round the world for three months but I can say now that all the sleepless nights, roadside nappy changes, chicken pox dramas and tantrums have been WORTH IT. It's been amazing and I wish we could do it all again. But fortunately we have another adventure to look forward to now - 10 days in Melbourne with Mike's family and then home to New Zealand.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Back in Paris
I've just put two extremely excited little boys to bed.... Absolutely no signs of them going to sleep any time soon. Why are they so excited?? Today we arrived back in Paris and tomorrow afternoon the Griffiths are joining us. Who wouldn't be excited?!
The drive down from Turnhout was wet and grey. It was freeeezing outside but we were toasty and warm inside the car. Of course, Callum had an urgent need to pee just before we got to France. No rest stops in sight... Oh here's one.. Oh it doesn't have a toilet.... He REALLY needs to go... In the rain. At the side of the road. Choice.
The kids are thrilled with our newest apartment. It's small but there's (just) enough space for the kids to make themselves comfy with all the toys in the living room. Callum is particularly excited to share all the toys with Maia tomorrow, as you can see in the video. We're not actually going to Disneyland tomorrow; we plan to go on Monday as the weather is supposed to be clear, if a little bit chilly. Let's hope the weather doesn't foil our plans to take Callum on the teacup ride again! At least we don't have to worry about typhoon warnings here.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Happy Birthday Daniel
Two years ago today my littlest baby came calmly into the world, all dark hair and scrunched up eyes and only 3.3kg. This morning he weighed in at approximately 15.7kg (the same weight as his older brother) and has a head full of blond hair! Still has those beautiful dark eyes though :)
We had a lovely start to the day. Daniel slept late and then we all had waffles with banana and cream for breakfast before opening D's birthday present - a folding Chuck the Dump Truck fire station which was very popular (yay!)
After a slow start to the morning we drove down to Leuven for the afternoon. The boys slept the entire way there (yay again!). We marveled at the buildings and the kids watched the flags blowing around in the cold wind and then we found a place for lunch (beer and fries and a few other things). After another wander through the narrow streets and interesting buildings it was time to head home again for Daniel's birthday tea.
He loved his cake! And all the other Mickey Mouse things I found. Carrefour has a Carrefour Kids range which is plastered with Mickey so it was pretty easy to keep him happy ;o) I even found Mickey-shaped ham!!
Tomorrow we drive down to Paris for our final four days in Europe. I can't believe this trip of a lifetime is drawing to a close. It feels like we've been away forever but it has truly flown by. As we'd hoped, the Griffiths are joining in Paris so it will be a busy few days but we are all excited to see them again.
With the boys asleep in bed and our bags almost packed for our final driving day, it's time for me to go set up another episode of Dexter on the netbook.
Here's some photos from Daniel's European birthday...
We had a lovely start to the day. Daniel slept late and then we all had waffles with banana and cream for breakfast before opening D's birthday present - a folding Chuck the Dump Truck fire station which was very popular (yay!)
After a slow start to the morning we drove down to Leuven for the afternoon. The boys slept the entire way there (yay again!). We marveled at the buildings and the kids watched the flags blowing around in the cold wind and then we found a place for lunch (beer and fries and a few other things). After another wander through the narrow streets and interesting buildings it was time to head home again for Daniel's birthday tea.
He loved his cake! And all the other Mickey Mouse things I found. Carrefour has a Carrefour Kids range which is plastered with Mickey so it was pretty easy to keep him happy ;o) I even found Mickey-shaped ham!!
Tomorrow we drive down to Paris for our final four days in Europe. I can't believe this trip of a lifetime is drawing to a close. It feels like we've been away forever but it has truly flown by. As we'd hoped, the Griffiths are joining in Paris so it will be a busy few days but we are all excited to see them again.
With the boys asleep in bed and our bags almost packed for our final driving day, it's time for me to go set up another episode of Dexter on the netbook.
Here's some photos from Daniel's European birthday...
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Relaxing in Turnhout
Callum and I were discussing Daniel's birthday in the car this morning. We've got a yummy birthday tea planned with an Ee Mouse theme (Mickey Mouse) including cake and candles. Callum was talking about the party and singing happy birthday and then he said, "and Fraser is coming. And James. And Leo will be there. And Mogret."
Oh dear! I wish.
It's lovely and sunny here today. I've been to Carrefour Planet for party supplies and Mike and the boys spent a couple of hours at the Stadspark - fantastic playgrounds!
We've just popped home for lunch and now we're heading into the city for a nosey and a hot chocolate. I LOVE this cool, crisp, sunny weather.
Oh dear! I wish.
It's lovely and sunny here today. I've been to Carrefour Planet for party supplies and Mike and the boys spent a couple of hours at the Stadspark - fantastic playgrounds!
We've just popped home for lunch and now we're heading into the city for a nosey and a hot chocolate. I LOVE this cool, crisp, sunny weather.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Netherlands Part Two
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| Domtoren, Utrecht |
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| Pancakes for breakfast |
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| At the pirate ship playground |
Asleep at 5:30pm!
Our week in Holland went much too fast. It was lovely to catch up with Christa and Ciske and also to meet the rest of their family. The boys had an absolute ball playing with their cousins - Callum keeps asking to go back there after the boys get home from school.
Other highlights from the week: Kinderdijk, the Escher museum in Den Haag (survived it with two stroller-bound boys), Madurodam near Den Haag which turned out to be a fun afternoon for BOTH boys, an afternoon in Utrecht with Christa followed by delicious dinner at home with Christa and Mark, Daniel's new best buddy :o)
We also explored Obdam where Mike's grandparents grew up at met each other and drove by the house where Elly and Wim were born in Amsterdam.
Add to all that seven days of stuffing ourselves with rookworst, stroopwafels, hot chocolate and more... It was a busy week!!
A week in the Netherlands
We arrived in Turnhout, Belgium this afternoon after seven idyllic days in the Netherlands. A few photos below..
Playing in De Kwakel (our home for the past week)
Mike in his happy place
Daniel in Time Out ;)
Hot chocolate on the way!
At the Escher Museum, Den Haag
Life sized board games at Madurodam
Daniel's favourite spot
It rained a lot (but we had beautiful sunshine every afternoon too)
Building towers at Christa and Mark's
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