Brisbane Aug 30- sept 9 2012

Our 10 day holidays started with a midnight flight with Scoot. Unfortunately for both LC and I, we had hardly any sleep on the plane. Early morning 6am, we arrived at Goldcoast airport. Had crossant and coffee, rented Hyundai from Red dot, and here we went - 1.5 hr to Brisbane city to Goh's family house. We were greeted with friendly and excited Emma who showed us her backyard and Guinea pig and had a wonderful chicken wing and rice lunch at home. Shortly after, we took a ride in Cheryl's car to pick Jonah up from State school. The two boys had no need for an introduction. They started running side by side down the road! First stop was not what we anticipated - DFS! Nathan's school gave way, and we had to buy him a new pair. We shopped for about an hr, and he got his brand new pair of sports shoes for Aus 15. Then we headed to pick Edward up from work and first dinner was Vietnamese restaurant. Great for a chilly night, we ordered soup noodles. The duck was tasty. First night experience was cold, but bearable. There was only one toilet so we took turns for the 8 of us. Next day was sat! It was the most wonderful day exploring Brisbane up North to Sunshine Coast. First stop was Strawberry picking farm. It was LC and Hannah's first time. Nathan did it with me in Cambridge when he was 2. So, he's quite a master at it this time. We had 2 boxes full of strawberries. The sun was glorious and the wind was cool. Simply splendid day outdoors! Second stop was the Eumundi Market. We ate on the go - pancakes, fried chips, bananas and the great treat for the kids - a bouncy castle to hop their lunch off. Hannah refused the fun. Then, it was the adults' turn to walk off some lunch - to Noosa Beach. We did a short trail stroll alongside forest and beach. The kids kicked sticks and knocked some rocks. It was really nice to do walks in Australia's forests during Spring. Finale was sand play and splashing in the sea. Hannah did her first public pee in the sand. Jonah graciously flushed it away with a bucket of sea water. Digging and dancing in the water and sand was so much fun for the kids. The ladies laid on a mat some distance away with more coffee and chips. Seafood dinner at a nearby restaurant. Day 3 Its Sunday and we visited their church. Cheryl helped at Emma's class and so I sat in with Hannah. Nathan happily went in with Jonah. After class, we headed off to Goldcoast seaworld for whale watching experience! Kids were very excited until the sea became choppy and they started feeling sick. First Nathan, then Hannah vommitted, then LC. I was safe, yeah, probably my training from diving days. But the whales were truly amazing, They were up to performing for us all noon and we had a great view. Nathan loved the burst of water from the blow holes ... they were indeed whales, huge gigantic whales. Dinner was home cooked pasta with lamb rack. We baby sat the kids while Cheryl and Edward went out for dinner to celebrate their 10th yr wedding anniversary. How lovely. The kids were entertained with Nemo. And lights off at 10pm. Day 4 Seaworld part 2 - theme park. For me, the Dolphin show was the most spectacular. Lc and Nathan were glued to the tank watching rays and sharks and many other big fish swimming. Hannah liked stroking the starfish. We enjoyed 3 baby rides - dump trucks, helicopter and carousal. The dino park was a treat for Nathan. It was new and quite good. Man-sized dinos with electronic buttons to press and play. The cable car ride was brief breezy and nice too. Day 5 We left Goh's house to be up close to farm animals at Lilydale farm. But on the way, we visited Lone Pine. It was a sanctuary for Koala and Kangaroo, as well as see many Australian wildlife like platypus, free ranging turkey, emu and water lizards, dingo, tasmania devil, wombat and many birds. The Koala were the cutest. We paid for a carry and photo shot with the most friendly and fragile creatures. Then we drove another 2 hrs to the farm. We did our first grocery shopping at Woolsworth. The farm was very far and the view was fabulous. With mountains on all sides, and wide open spaces of green. We made in time for the first animal feeding. To our pleasant surprise, there were 3 other singaporean families with children. It was more fun when the kids bundled together to feed the animals and ran from fence to fence. We bottled fed a lamb. a faun and calf who lost their mums at child birth. Therer were two pairs of twin lambs and many calves walking alonside their mummies and staying really close. There was a stable with a couple of horses too. I experienced horse riding for the first time in my life, all on my own on a horse, not led! I drove the horse up and down terrains and left and right. No galloping, phew. The kids joined a stable club where they learnt to brush the hair of the pony and led on a pony ride for 30mins. What a wonderful experience for all of us. Nathan enjoyed collecting eggs at the barn the most- running up and down the hay stack. LC and nathan also explored a nearby cave called the dinosaur cave. We caught the lovely scene of the night sky filled with shinning stars. That was really cool. We stayed 4 days 3nights on the farm and explored nearby lakes and mountain trails. Feasting on the best and freshnest home made scones at Spring creek up a mountain with a terrific scenic view was gorgeous. We bid our good bye to the farm and drove down to Goldcoast for our next 3 nights at a sea front apartment. This was my favourite home - fully furnished with washerm dryer and dish washer, warm carpeted floors, ceiling fans, and a balcony overlooking the sea. We were that near to hear the crashing waves. Next morning, we spent some time at the sea with sand play and water. We got alittle burnt from that. We explored nearby trails at Tweed heads and Broken arrow (captain hook hill) and surfer paradise. Shopping at Target was quite fun too, buying clothes and toys for the kids. Nathan earned himself a brand new transformer - Otimus Prime. Last day of our stay was spent with the Goh family. We drove up Mt Tamborine together, bought a bottle of Tambourine wine, had cheese and crackers for lunch and strolled along a tourist road lined up with interesting shops. We also did a little hike to a small waterfall and visited Glow worm cave. Playground was great fun for the kids - Jonah was on flying fox, while nathan loved to cycle on the train... Dinner at Hog's breath. Fabulous steak - the best we've tasted. We even treated the kids to chocolate fondue with bananas and strawberries! The most meaningful part of the trip was spending time with the family, and with the Goh family. I love the mountains, lakes and walks. It was a truly amazing holiday. Thank you Lord Jesus.