Stay in a heritage cottage in one of the world’s great parks

 

For all our fabulous followers you can stay in this iconic location with 25% off accommodation.

Its simple just email The Residences and use the code ‘UNIQUEHOME’

Imagine being able to stay in a heritage cottage in one of the world’s great parks. Well it is possible, and just minutes from the Sydney CBD.

The Residences Centennial Park  are set to become an iconic accommodation experience for locals and tourists alike.

We were thrilled to enjoy a night away in Sydney in the gorgeous Rangers Residence with kids in tow.

The homes are beautiful, spacious and so well maintained it has the perfect historic feel to it, yet with all the modern convinces at the same time.  It’s so well stocked full of everything you could wish for in the kitchen. We loved the fact you could just pop out the door and find yourself on the Centennial Parklands cycleway loop just a few metres away.

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About The Accommodation

The historic (1890s) Residences are uniquely located in Sydney’s Centennial Parklands.

Featuring two unique Residences – Originally built in 1890-91 from sandstone quarried directly from the site, The Superintendents Residence was the home of the Park Superintendent and his family. The building offers a superb view down Parkes Drive and across Centennial Park to the suburbs beyond.

The Superintendents Residence sleeps up to eight people in four King or twin bedded rooms, ideal for weddings, family, social or corporate groups. It also offers a beautifully landscaped private backyard with a courtyard for entertaining and parking. The house also offers a stunning dining room, study and fully equipped kitchen.

 

The Ranger’s Residence  circa 1890s, is perched on a hilltop inside Sydney’s Centennial Parklands, near the Roberston Rd Gates. With sweeping views across the park, this home welcomes everyone, including the family pet, to experience its hidden charm and see the park at dark.

The Ranger’s Residence has 3 king and queen bedrooms with views into the parklands, 2 bathrooms, full-service kitchen and private garden. The wrap-around verandah overlooks the ancient Morton Bay Figs and parkland lagoons. This nook is ideal for wine with friends, luncheons, intimate garden party, special occasions, or for the bridal party to stay and get prepare for the big day and a family brunch afterwards.

Experience the vast gardens, labyrinth, bike tracks, duck ponds and horse riding adventures during your stay. Watch the sunrise and be the first to say ‘hello’ Centennial Park!  While enjoying home-grown honey from your own backyard.

Boasting unlimited park access and close to Sydney’s Eastern suburbs and local beaches, with horse riding, bike hire, native flora and fauna, formal gardens and a vibrant range of community events on the doorstep, The Residences Centennial Park are a truly unique short-stay experience.

The Residences are one of Sydney’s most unique accommodation experiences that is not to be missed.

Amenities

Air conditioned 

Dining Setting 

Cots Available 

Linen and Towels Provided 

Non-Smoking 

Kitchen 

Laundry Facilities 

Outdoor Setting 

Verandah 

Wireless Internet 

Views 

Barbeque 

Bath 

Lounge Area

Heating 

Cable/Satellite TV 

Pet friendly 

2 bathrooms 

On site parking 

Breakfast provided upon request 

Tea/Coffee Making

 

For us one night was just not enough and it’s at the top of our list to revisit one day!

If you have any questions please just drop us a line we love to chat.

Kerry xoxo

Contact www.theresidencescentennialpark.com

 

*This post was written in collaboration with The Residences Centennial Park  but as always, opinions are honest and my own.

Photographer – Anastasia Fua

Wardrobe – Alfaberry

 



Caribbean Resort Mooloolaba Staycation Review

Looking for a staycation package that is thoughtfully-designed with families in mind?

What about reasonably priced and just a stone’s throw away from the beach?

Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it?

I’ll give you a quick overview of our recent staycation at the Caribbean Resort Mooloolaba that ticks all the boxes.  

The location is excellent as you can walk everywhere and not use the car, it’s within easy walking distance to the Esplanade and Shopping Center, just a short stroll to the Beach, Restaurants, Surf Club and Wharf entertainment area. Plus the hotel has a nice café attached for coffee & breakfast if you don’t feel like using the fully equipped kitchen in your room.

This is, by far, one of the most memorable staycations we’ve ever had. We were really looking for a simple beach side holiday where we could just relax for a couple of days and take some time out to just be together as a family.

Value-for-Money Staycation Package

At the Resort, head down to the central pool to work on your tan and enjoy a relaxing swim and spa. Clear your head and get the body moving with an invigorating workout in the gymnasium or cleanse your pores in the steam room.

Let the kids take advantage of the well stocked games room at the resort. With a number of games on offer, there is plenty to keep them entertained while you enjoy some peace and quiet. Back in your room, there’s free Foxtel TV with two movie channels plus a kid’s channel or take advantage of the free wi-fi

Inside Your Room:

Open plan lounge, dining and kitchen area

  •       Fully equipped kitchen
  •       Air-conditioning / heating in lounge only and fans in the bedrooms
  •       Free foxtel satellite TV
  •       Free WiFi Internet access (download limits apply)
  •       Spa bath in bathroom (or outdoor jacuzzi)
  •       Walk-in shower (most)
  •        Private balcony / terrace
  •        Flatscreen TV / DVD player / Stereo / CD player
  •        Second TV in master bedroom

 

Book the Perfect Hotel in Mooloolaba – Visit www.caribbeanresort.com.au for full details and reservations.

 

I hope this post answers all your questions but if not feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll be sure to get back to you!

Happy exploring xx

 

 

*This post was written in collaboration with Caribbean Resort but as always, opinions are honest and my own.

 



Scenic World Blue Mountains

We are on the road again (surprise surprise) and this time we are heading to the Blue Mountains! While researching some fun family friendly activities to do in the area I kept coming across Scenic World! Located in beautiful Katoomba, Scenic World is an array of different sight seeing attractions and loads of FUN! With a Scenic skyway, Scenic cableway,Scenic walkway and even a Scenic railway Scenic World is the best way to experience the beautiful mountains and lush rainforest that surrounds it. From the moment the kids saw the Scenic World website they were so excited to experience all of the attractions! and after experiencing it first hand I can definitely say we were not disappointed. It was such a fun day out and really great for the kids to learn about the rich history of Katoomba and how important our wildlife and rainforest echo system is. Here is some information on Scenic World and the attractions it has to offer below.

Scenic Skyway-

Suspended 270 metres above ancient ravines, the Skyway provides a unique thrill as breathtaking views are revealed beneath your feet through the electro-glass cabin floor. For the less adventurous, seating and solid flooring is also available!

With 360° views, the 720 metre journey provides the best views of Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, and Jamison Valley stretching to the horizon.

Following a three million dollar upgrade to improve the visitor experience in November 2017, the new Skyway cabin features 30% more capacity, free Wi-Fi, and improved loading and unloading to make the Scenic Skyway one to remember!

Disembark at the Skyway’s east station to access lookouts over the valley along with bush trails to Echo Point.

 

Scenic Cableway-

Discover panoramic views of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains from the Scenic Cableway.

The 510 metre journey gently descends into the Jamison Valley and also returns visitors to the top of the escarpment. The Cableway’s fully enclosed cabin provides a unique vantage point for viewing the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock, Mt Solitary and Katoomba Falls.

Disembark at the bottom station to access the Scenic Walkway and stroll through 2.4 kilometres of Jurassic rainforest.

Wheelchair accessible with a capacity for 84 passengers, the Cableway is the steepest and largest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere.

Scenic Walkway –

Discover the tranquility of ancient rainforest – or simply tire the kids out – strolling along our 2.4 kilometre Scenic Walkway.

Brilliant in sunshine and even better in the rain, this elevated boardwalk immerses visitors in Jurassic rainforest on the Jamison Valley floor with minimal impact on the environment.

Along the way, explore elements of the site’s coal mining history including the mine entrance, a replica miners’ hut and scale bronze sculpture of a miner and his pit pony.

Learn about local flora, listen for the native lyre bird or taste pure Blue Mountains water straight from Marrangaroo Spring. Enjoy a peaceful moment in the open-air Rainforest Room, or on rest benches located along the route.

Options for various walks taking ten minutes or a full hour are clearly signposted, along with the wheelchair accessible link between the bottom Cableway and Railway stations.

Experiencing the Walkway in the rain is magical; colours change, mist shrouds the towering cliffs above, hidden waterfalls murmur, raindrops cling to leaves and native birds become more vocal.

Protected by the rainforest canopy, the Walkway has its own microclimate which can be quite distinct from the weather at the top of the escarpment. We recommend the rainforest in the rain – don’t let a little weather stop you!

Scenic Railway-

Discover the thrill of a 52 degree incline (128% incline) riding the steepest passenger railway in the world, the Scenic Railway.

Following an award-winning redevelopment in 2013, this unforgettable experience offers glass-roofed carriages with expansive views of the rainforest setting and spectacular Jamison Valley.

Custom designed carriages allow passengers to choose their own adventure like never before, adjusting their seated position up to 20 degrees! Choose an adventurous ‘Cliffhanger’ ride at a steep 64 degree incline, or for those seeking a relaxed journey select the ‘Laid Back’ option. Of course, loyal fans can still ride the ‘Original’ at 52 degrees (128% incline).

The Railway experience descends 310 metres through a cliff-side tunnel, emerging into ancient rainforest at the Jamison Valley floor. Operating since 1945, the Scenic Railway has thrilled 25 million passengers – this is the fifth generation train to ride the tracks since the Hammon family opened the attraction.

Carrying 84 passengers, the train departs every ten minutes. Disembark at the bottom station to access the Scenic Walkway and stroll through 2.4 kilometres of Jurassic rainforest.

The term ‘Scenic Railway’ was first used in the late 19th century in reference to amusement rides at English seaside funfairs. Consisting of simple carriages on rails, passengers passed a series of exotic ‘scenic’ backdrops such as the Swiss Alps or Egyptian pyramids.

As you can see Scenic World has so much to offer, as a family we had so much fun learning new things and trying out all the different attractions and we would go back in a flash! If you have any questions please comment them below or if you’ve been to Scenic World and loved it as much as us!



The Simba Hybrid Review, Engineered for the perfect sleep

Did you know that sleep is one of the most important things in your daily routine! Lack of sleep can lead to: Lack of concentration, weight gain, depression and you’re more likely to have accidents such as falls etc when you’re sleep deprived.

 

I don’t know about you guys but I know the best part of my day is when my head hits the pillow and I get to drift off to sleep, people spend a third of their lives in bed sleeping, chatting, reading, Netflix-ing, planning and laughing, thats a lot of life lived out on your mattress and that is why its so important to have the right one. For too long, there’s been a lack of innovation in the mattress world and until now, investing in one has been overwhelming and a confusing decision.

That is where I step in to give you a helping hand! I have discovered SIMBA, a sleep technology company who has created an innovative “one- type-fits-all” bed, the SIMBA Hybrid®.  First launched in the UK in February 2016, high-tech sleep brand Simba was co-founded by James Cox and Steve Reid alongside the McClements family. James previously worked with start-ups, advising them on growth and strategy, and investing in their innovations. Steve founded Tribesports.com, an upmarket leisure wear brand. James’ was introduced to Andrew McClements, who – from a bed-making dynasty – had been selling thread used for the making of mattresses since 1979. In 2002, he started making them himself. Andrew is the innovator and product developer. Simba has the stamp of approval from some of the UK’s most respected heavyweight investors. Tom Teichman is Simba’s chairman who’s backed Made.com, Lastminute. com and Notonthehighstreet.com. Richard Reed, founder of Innocent Drinks, Numis Securities, Henderson Global Investors, Nigel Wray (formerly Domino’s Pizza and Saracens) and advertising legend, Sir John Hegarty, founder of incubator The Garage Soho, all invest their time and money. SIMBA has already achieved extraordinary sales of 100,000 mattresses across Europe, with thousands of five star customer reviews.

Tested with the Sleep to Live Institute who have compiled body profiling data from 10 million people, the SIMBA Hybrid® mattress is the highest quality spring and memory foam mattress of its kind in the Australian market. The design itself is based on millions of people’s sleep habits and a development process that involved many different prototypes to arrive at an ultra- premium, yet affordable, model. The SIMBA Hybrid® springs are patented and move horizontally and vertically to fit the shape of your body to give you the best sleep.

Since the moment i received my Simba Hybrid I was impressed, it was easy to get into my room and once I had unpackaged and trailed the mattress I was so impressed it was without a doubt the best sleep id ever had. The springs adjust under each person’s bodyweight because they’re conical, rather than the normal barrel shape. They don’t compress in a linear way: the more pressure applied, the more resistance the springs give, so everyone gets the right amount of support.

Cleverly rolled and perfectly packed in its box; the Simba Hybrid® can be delivered to your door the next day in metro areas – there are no awkward manoeuvers in the hallway, or navigating the stairs.
The Simba Hybrid® comes in a variety of sizes including – Single $799, King Single $899, Double $1,099, Queen $1,199, King $1,299. Each mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial promise with no hassle returns and a 10-year guarantee.

 

 

*This post was written in collaboration with Simba but as always opinions are honest and my own.



TravelShoot the best way to connect with local photographers around the world

As you all are probably aware (from all our Insta spam) we recently visited Dubai on a family holiday and had an absolute ball.

One of the highlights of the trip for me was the photo shoot we did with Travelshoot.

Travelshoot is a company full of photographers around the world. All you have to do is visit the website, choose your location, pick your favourite itinerary and book your shoot!

Travelshoot will then connect you with the best local photographer that fits your brief and then everything is taken
care of until the photo-shoot day! Then once the shoot has been finished you’ll receive a couple of sneak peaks within 48 hours and then the full album within 7 days.

Our experience with Travelshoot was amazing it was such an easy process from start to finish.

Dubai is such a breathtakingly beautiful place with so many stunning photo locations and this shoot was such a perfect way to keep the memories of our trip alive for years to come.

Piper is always good when it comes to getting photos taken and often says things like “Mummy can you take my photo here so I can look at it later” and often they are the ones that turn out the best, but I was a little concerned going into this shoot as to how she would go with a new photographer and a foreign location but as always she proved me wrong and was an absolute star during the shoot and even drawing quite the crowd of onlookers
who also wanted to snap her photo saying how gorgeous she was.

 

The photographer we had on the day was so friendly and incredible with Piper candidly capturing all her smiles and
expressions perfectly. The final photographs that we received were breathtaking and exactly what we were after.

If your looking for a way to capture your holiday you can’t go wrong with Travelshoot.

 

 

*This post was written in collaboration with TravelShoot but, as always, opinions are honest and my own.



Best Family Hotel in Manly Sydney – Novotel Manly Pacific

Looking for a fabulous staycation hotel by the beach?

Travelling with little ones can be very tough, especially on long haul flights. Luckily
for all of us within Australia, we are able to reach places that are both family friendly
and luxurious (I know right, sounds almost impossible), within just a few short hours.

 

The Novotel Manly Pacific is one of these amazing places – Superbly located beachside in beautiful Manly in Sydney it’s just minutes’ walk to all that this wonderful area has to offer.

Space to sit and relax in the foyer watching the world go by.

 

As well as being right on the water and just a short walk to some unique shopping and cafes it offers easy access to the ferry terminal so it’s just a short trip across the harbour to Circular Quay and the heart of Sydney.

The Novotel Manly Pacific ticks ALL the boxes.

 

Located along Marine Parade is the lovely Fairy Bower rockpool it’s one of a number of historic pools cut and blasted along the New South wales coast.

 

When searching for kid-friendly accommodation, it’s a given that the Novotel brand is worth checking out. Each hotel aims to provide families with a comfortable and child-focused stay.

The spacious layout of the 213 luxurious rooms includes a mini bar, workspace, television and floor-to- ceiling windows as you just can’t go past the exquisite views over looking iconic Manly beach.

 

Manly Beach is situated among the northern beaches of Sydney.

 

Manly surf school runs classes for kids and adults daily.

Although it is important that rooms contain comfy furniture and space, when travelling as a family it is the little family-friendly touches that make stays homelier. The Novotel Manly Pacific contains so many of these, in the bathroom, there is an all-important bathtub, and essential when travelling with little ones.

But, family-friendly doesn’t just end with the room, a digital games table and arts and craft table keeps kids entertained during check-in and check-out.

Plus sand toys, buckets and spades, boogie boards, beach chairs, umbrellas are all available FREE to borrow in the reception area, just as long as you rinse and return. For me this is the best thing a hotel near the beach can offer, to not have to pack and lug the beach toys or worse still tell the kids you couldn’t fit them in the suitcase can make or break a beach trip for us.

Free beach toys are available to borrow.

 

Like all Novotel family friendly accommodation the family promise is upheld, where kids under 16 years stay and eat breakfast for FREE (one of a parent’s favourite words) for two children who share a room with their parents or grandparents.  The kids menu offers meal options that are both affordable, and healthy. The breakfast buffet
selection located at the Zali Restaurant includes an ‘Eggs Any Style’ station, as well as a pancake machine. Both of which, of course, are major hits with the kids.

Filled with kid-friendliness aspects from beginning to end, as well as its location being perfectly ideal for a beautiful family getaway.

Pool with a stunning beach view.

 

If you are looking for a fabulous staycation hotel by the beach, that offers both a luxurious and relaxing feel, as well as being 100% kid-friendly then Novotel Manly Pacific is most definitely for you and your family.

You can check out prices and availability HERE  Novotel Manly Pacific

 

 

 

 

*This post was written in collaboration with Novotel Manly Pacific but, as always, opinions are honest and my own.



Melbourne Zoo – We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo. How about you, you, you?”

Come on, who doesn’t love the zoo!

It’s fantastic for kids of all ages.

 

Even as an adult, I LOVE visiting the Melbourne Zoo there’s a great diversity of animals on display and plenty of interesting things to see and do.

Even though we don’t live in Melbourne, we have been quite often, and try to fit in a trip when we visit a couple of times a year, as it never gets boring!

At the zoo you can move around and tire out the little ones, there is a playground and lots of spaces to sit and rest, food, coffee and lots of different animals to see.

We usually spend about 4 -5 hours there, its not a place you want to rush, we take our time and have a picnic lunch under a big shady tree around midday. A packed picnic lunch and snacks really helps minimises the cost of the day, food is expensive and isn’t of the best tasting I’ve tired in places like this, so I highly recommend bringing your own.

We find the location easy to get to, we normally drive to the zoo and parking has never been an issue but I’m told that it can be a nightmare if going on the weekend. We have caught the train also a few times which drops you right out the front of the entrance and makes for a fun and easy travel solution with kids.

Make sure you find out the show times upon entry so you can catch the shows on throughout the day, they teach you more about the particular animals, the ‘Meet The Keeper’ has a lot of information and may even allow you to pat an animal they have been talking about.

The thing I like most, beside the animals of course is that most of the zoo is shaded by trees, so even on a hot day you can enjoy the visit you don’t feel like you are in a concrete jungle.

It does get busy and can be very tiring for little ones so if they are walking its a good idea to pack the pram and lots of water, each time we have gone it has taken us around 4 plus hours just to walk around the zoo, that’s a lot of steps for little legs.

Price as of October 2017

Children 3 years and under receive FREE entry every day

Children 4 – 15 years FREE weekends and Victoria school holidays but Mon – Fri (outside holidays)  $18.00

Concession $27 and Seniors $32.50

Yearly Zoo Membership is available for Melbourne zoo, Werribee zoo and Healsville and locals tell me it’s definitely worth the money for an adult pass as children are free with that ticket and it gives you unlimited entry to 3 zoos, kids register for FREE and access to VIP members only events.

I love the zoo and will be going back again on our next visit as its always a highlight of our Melbourne trip.

For more information visit the official zoo website Click Here



Marriott Resort and Spa Merlin Beach – Phuket Paradise

I have had so many questions on where we stayed in Phuket recently and I have no hesitation in recommending the Marriott Resort and Spa Merlin Beach

They have all the bases covered for an active holiday, regardless of weather conditions.

Just how Marriott has managed to keep the personal touch in such large grounds is a mystery, yet also a welcome surprise.

Located on a secluded stretch of Tri-Tang Beach it’s close to the excitement of Patong close by, but the serene surroundings make it seem a world away.

Take advantage of the Phuket weather and relax by one of the three outdoor pools, while the kids  enjoy some time at the kids club with an all day activity program available from 8am to 8pm.

I can’t speak highly enough of all the staff, they were all fantastic and so very welcoming, the whole resort is just so beautifully set out and clean.

Of course you get all the little extras that 5 star offers like slippers and bathrobes and the cute towel animals on your bed every day but the main thing is being able to walk straight into the pool from your room. It is such a nice touch to wake up, open the curtains and step into the pool for an early swim before heading over to a huge breakfast at one of the two buffets available.

The private beach was right on our doorstep and if that’s not enough beach for you the hotel has a free bus that leaves 4 times a day that can drop you down to Patong for some local shopping and lots and lots of food plus more beach!

Below are a couple of real highlights that you can do with out even leaving the hotel.

Indulge At The Thai Pantry

Dinning at the Thai Pantry at the Marriott Resort and Spa Merlin Beach is a must do! You must order the chicken and pork satay, papaya salad and vegetable rolls topped off with some fresh mango juice. Good value for top class cooking in an elegant restaurant, service was so friendly and professional we ate here on the first night staying at the hotel and knew straight away that another visit would be needed before we left.

Learn To Cook

While in Phuket, there is no better place to learn to cook world-renowned Thai food, what an awesome experience it was to learn to cook three dishes, all of which were simple to make, and exploded with taste.

The Marriott Resort and Spa Merlin Beach classes provide a fascinating insight into Thai life, beliefs and culture through learning about its food, cooking and culinary myths, we learnt about the exotic herbs and spices used in everyday dishes.
Classes are part demonstration, part hands-on and are held in the Pantry restaurant at the Marriott Resort and Spa Merlin Beach a couple of times a week. We had a blast, the staff were amazing teachers and very patient with me (someone with pretty lousy cooking skills) but the best bit is getting to eat the lavish feast you have prepared at the end.

Visit The Butterflies

It is always fascinating to learn how nature works her magic turning the caterpillars into beautiful butterflies. If you want to see lots of butterflies, this is the place to come. There are also a large numbers of insects and other creepy crawlies and educational displays. We had an enjoyable hour getting hands on and learning from our guide Katy. Located in the heart of the Marriott Merlin Beach it’s available for in-house guests and made for a great educational experience for us and the kids.

It’s a great resort that I highly recommend for families with children, the best thing is the kids are asking when we’re going back and I’m ready to go anytime.

 

 

*This post was written in collaboration with Marriott but, as always, opinions are honest and my own.

 

 



Amazing Thailand – Our top 6 to do while in Phuket

Phuket guarantees an unfading vacation memory for parents and children, being one of the most family-friendly destinations with a wealth of attractions and activities for all ages to enjoy. This joins the wonderfully friendly people and culture which are present for the parents.

With so much to see and do in Phuket and so many great Thailand Deals available right now its the perfect time to take the family.

 

Here are just a few of the things that we got up too.

 

1. Visit A Temple

 

Wats – or Buddhist temples – are among the most important symbols of Thailand, partly because the majority of Thais are Buddhist and partly because they are so beautiful. In Phuket alone, there are 29 Buddhist temples spread around the island. They have been extending a warm welcome to visitors for over a century, locals come to pray and westerners come to learn something about Buddhism. The temples are open from seven in the morning till five in the afternoon and are a great way to get a feel for the country and mix with the locals. I would suggest visiting Wat Chalong, it’s the biggest and most important temple said to shelter relics from Budda plus it’s surrounded by local markets complete with roaming chickens, dogs and cats so there is something interesting for everyone to see at every turn.

2. Get Up Close With Some Monkeys

 

We just took a drive to see if we could find some local monkeys – The best place to start is “Monkey Hill” (real name is Khao To Sae) on the north side of Phuket Town – it’s the hill with the aerials / radio masts on top, easy to spot from much of the south of the island, being around 270m above sea level. There are lots of monkeys here, mostly they are found near the top of the hill. Local people come up to feed them, it’s not really a tourist attraction but we had a great time wandering around and checking out the monkey’s but I do suggest you don’t try and feed them yourself they did get quite aggressive with Piper when they found out she didn’t have any food for them, if you have small children I suggest even observing them from inside the safety of your own car.

Rang Hill

Also on the north side of Phuket Town, Rang Hill is quite popular as a viewpoint, we found a great place to eat with the locals and got some fresh air and exercise. We found monkeys a-plenty playing in the trees which was great to watch while we dined, again worth the visit and an experience we will never forget.

3. Check Out The Magnificent Beaches

 

Few islands can boast such an abundance of sandy beaches and clear waters as Phuket. The winding coastal roads along the west coast of this 540-square-km island offer stunning views and easy access to some of the world’s finest beaches.

Whether you want to sample the frenetic pace of Patong or find solitude on a remote stretch of sand in the north, Phuket’s beaches have it all for the sun seeker. Remember the sunscreen and bring bottled water for a fun day in the sun.

4. Visit The Protected Turtle Sanctuary

 

The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation is actually part of the wider JW Marriott Resort in Phuket and sits on Mai Khao Beach. The foundation was started in order to protect the nesting turtles in the area as well as to promote clean seas and beaches on the island.

The foundation is located within the grounds of the JW Marriott Resort in Phuket, but you do not have to be a guest of the hotel in order to visit. There are information sessions held daily here from Monday to Friday at 11:00 to 12:00. At one of the sessions, you will be able to learn all about how the foundation started as well as hear the story of the turtle population in Phuket. The emphasis here is on educating the public on how to sustain the delicate ecosystems that the turtles live in and promote their protection. There is also a feeding session where you will get the chance to see some of the resident turtles who live at the foundation and who have disabilities which mean that they would not thrive in the wild. The sessions are free to hotel guests and the general public, although donations are appreciated and all proceeds go towards to wellbeing of the turtles.

5. Learn To Cook

 

While in Phuket, there is no better place to learn to cook world-renowned Thai food, what an awesome experience it was to learn to cook three dishes, all of which were simple to make, and exploded with taste.

The classes provide a fascinating insight into Thai life, beliefs and culture through learning about its food, cooking and culinary myths, we learnt about the exotic herbs and spices used in everyday dishes. Classes are part demonstration, part hands-on and are held all over Thailand in many different hotel and restaurants. We had a blast, the staff were amazing teachers and very patient with me (someone with pretty lousy cooking skills) but the best bit is getting to eat the lavish feast you have prepared at the end.

6. Visit The Day Spa

 

A visit to a Day Spa is a must while in Thailand it’s the perfect place in which to unwind. You will find them everywhere throughout Phuket set away from the crowds, the luxurious treatments they offer in a serene space give guests a sense of calm, tranquillity and rejuvenation. Enjoy a post flight pick me up or treat yourself to a signature treatment, you will find it all and I can class myself as an expert as I was sure to do my research on this one having three Thai massages in 7 days stay.

 

Have you been to Thailand? Or are ready to book? Book a Tour

We would love you to share your experiences with our readers, so please leave a comment below and share with other.

Any questions on our trip just let us know and we will be happy to help you out.

Love Kerry and Miss Piper xoxo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Visiting Melbourne with the kids? Be sure to visit Sealife Melbourne

If the kids love the ocean and sea animals then a visit to Sea Life Melbourne is just what you need.  Sea Life allows the whole family to get up close and personal with the animals in a way that would not be possible, unless you were actually scuba diving in the ocean!

SEA LIFE Aquarium offers an interactive, hands-on experiences, displays and shows for all ages.

A day out at SEA LIFE will leave you with fantastic memories and feeling empowered to make a difference to the underwater world.

Our favourite was the ocean tunnel with massive stingrays, sharks and tropical fish, the whole family can wander through the tunnel and marvel at the different species of sharks, fish and turtles as they swim over head.

Another huge highlight for us was the tidal touch pool where we got up close with starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers, the kids just loved putting there hands in the water and getting to touch and feel what was below. They were totally fascinated by the sharks eggs and had heaps of questions which were answered by the Sealife staff who manned the touch pool, all of the staff we meet during our visit were well informed, very interesting and friendly and we learnt a lot and found heaps to keep us entertained for hours.

Penguin Playground completes the unforgettable experience where visitors can marvel as the majestic King and cheeky Gentoo Penguins slip and slide across the snow-covered ice. Piper found the penguins are very entertaining and she didn’t want to leave, she was just having too much fun watching them as they slipped and waddled around the ice.

Moving through the exhibits there are lots of interactive experiences to keep little to big kids informed and entertained.

If you find yourself in Melbourne I highly recommend you take a few hours and check it out for yourself.

Click Here for some Great savings on Tickets and Experiences

If you have any questions just let us know we love a chat,

Love Kerry and Miss Piper xoxo