Life on Lee Avenue

The Red Centre, Australia

Hello Again! I thought I would share a few more photos from our recent trip to Australia.

The third part of our trip consistent of us flying from Darwin to Alice Springs and then on to Yulara. When arriving in Yulara, we realized just how remote the area was and why people call it "the Red Centre". The soil is an incredibly rich red colour and you feel as though you have stepped into another world. 

Although we spend three days here, we hiked alot. This included: 

a breakfast hike around Ayers Rock: 

      

 and touring around the Olgas: 

        

       

We also visited Kings Canyon and toured the cultural centre at Uluru. One of the most interesting things we saw on our trip, besides the unique rock formations, was a "sorry book" filled with letters from travellers who took pieces of Ayers Rock. Since the rock holds much spiritual significance to the Aboriginal people of the area, tourists are cautioned against taking anything with them. The letters in the book outline all the bad luck the tourists experienced when they returned home. Consequently, these people then mailed a letter to the people of Uluru apologizing and sending their rock pieces back to their rightful place......Super interesting!

I can't help but have fond memories of this place. While touring the area, I felt very small and but very fulfilled in my life. Maybe its because I had overcome the jet lag or Aaron and I were having a great time. Everything seemed to make sense. I am glad to say that this feeling has continued to wash over me now that we are home. I would highly recommend visiting Uluru if you ever get the chance.

Happy Wednesday!

Kakadu National Park, Australia

Greetings from Canada!

Aaron and I flew in to Toronto Tuesday night after 24 hours of travel. Needless to say that we are tired, but the jet lag has me up at all hours. Since I can't fall asleep, why not blog? Below are pictures of our three day camping trip with Territory Expeditions to Kakadu National Park, close to Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory.

Day One

After getting picked up from our hotel at 6:30 am in the morning, by what looked like an old school army vehicle , we took a boat tour of a billabong. 

                  

This particular billabong was incredibly beautiful and full of crocodiles! From my last count we saw seven crocs up close and personal.

Midday, as the sun was blazing, we entered Kakadu National Park and then toured around Ubirr, an aboriginal site that is known for its caving drawings and spectacular views. 

                

Day Two

After waking up freezing in the middle of the night, the group climbed Jim Jim Falls, which is one of my proudest accomplishments on the camping trip given that I am 5 months pregnant. It took approximately 1.5 hours to hike to the top - all worth it to see and swim in a remote waterfall. 

                                       

After a swim, I basked in the sun, rested my weary legs and had some belly lovin' time before we made the trek down the hill. 

Day Three

On our last day, I woke up early to take pictures of the sunrise, the outback and camp. 

After eating a hot breakfast close to the fire, we packed up camp and climbed Gunlom Falls. 

Before leaving Kakadu for Darwin, we had a picnic in the park and I was able to sit back and reflect on the incredibly beautiful and diverse landscapes we had just seen.  

Overall, this was a great trip to introduce us to Darwin Territory and aboriginal culture. I can't believe that has been two weeks since it has passed!

I promise more pictures of our Australia trip to come over the days ahead! 

Cheers!

Sydney, Australia

 
 
Greetings from Australia! Aaron and I are having a great time on our vacation "down under". Sydney is a clean, lovely city that is mixed with old and new buildings. Right now it is fall and a bit chilly. Although it has been sunny everyday the temperature only gets up to 16 degrees....which pales in comparisson to the 42 C humidex that Toronto is sweating through currently!

We arrived in this grand city Monday morning, after enduring what seemed like two endless flights.  I love love love Qantas airlines and am kinda excited to fly home with them. Since we are in Sydney until Friday, we took the first day pretty easy.  After checking  into our hotel, Fraser Suites, went out for dinner at Cafe Sydney and took in the Lights On Festival down by the waterfront. Although it was dark, Aaron and I felt extremely safe. Also, we were super impressed at the creativity of the artists' installations.

After a slow start to Tuesday, (thanks pregnancy + jet lag), we did a hop on- hop off city tour. We saw all the major attractions including but not limited to:

The Harbour Bridge:

Sydney Opera House:

and Royal Botancial Gardens:  

                                            

                                          

 
 
Up at a reasonable hour on Wednesday, (thanks Starbucks), we walked Bondi to Bronte Beach:   

                                        

 
 
                                          

 
 and toured The Hyde Park Barracks Museum(aka....the best museum I've been to EVER): 

                                         

As you can see, I have really been enjoying my camera. In fact, one of the things that Aaron and I have in common is our shared passion for travel and photography. Thanks to him, Aaron planned out this wonderful trip. If the first few days are any indication of what the rest of the trip will be like, I can't wait to experience it! Not to mention the kind hospitalilty of Australians.....they make it very easy to get around.

As for today, Aaron is touring Manly Beach, while I take a bit of a break to blog from Woolys and shop. Later this afternoon we will meet up and tour the Australian Museum and go out for dinner with a sibling of a friend. Tomorrow we will pack up and head to Darwin for the second lag of our adventure! We will be camping in Kakadu National Park for three days with Territory Expeditions!

Until next week.......G'day! 

The difference one year makes

This time last year, Aaron and I were touring India - Rajasthan, to be specific. It was my first trip to Asia, I was completely blown away by the scenery, the culture and the people. Oh and for most of vacation, the weather surpassed 40 degrees Celsius or 104 Fahrenheit. For someone who lives in the great white north, and experienced her 47th snowstorm yesterday, you can imagine that the weather was a bit of shock to my system.

Last night I was reading my journal I wrote while on the trip. It instantly took me back to where we were a year ago. This time last year, Aaron and I trekked through the hills outside of the city of Udaipur.

We saw women herding goats in their incredible beautiful sari's: 

We saw water buffalo or buffalo like creatures. Some with blue painted horns from Diwali and some with out:

We saw weird plants that blew my mind: 

And walked on a road that seemed never ending: 

Looking back it's hard to believe that those experiences were real given that yesterday I was shovelling snow, struggling with what to make for dinner and watching American Idol. I am so happy I kept a journal and that we took lots of pictures (all the pictures on today's post were taken by Aaron - thank you for letting me use them!). Looking back makes me excited for our trip to Australia in June. For those interested, Oprah is replaying her travels to Australia today - missing it the first time I will definitely be watching the second time round!

Happy Thursday!

 

California Photobook

Aaron and I, Tree Bones Resort, Big Sur, California October 2008

As I mentioned on Friday, Aaron and I are leaving for Australia in three months. Given that we take lots of photos on our trips and I have yet to scrap any of them, I am feeling motivated to create a travel album. Inspired by Steph's post  on photobook printers reviews, I have decided to construct a digital photobook from Blurb that highlights our 2008 trip around California. 

Below are a list of supplies I will be using for this project: 

Paislee Press, Off to press set 1 & 2

Ali Edwards' Remember This and That Paper

Anna Aspnes, Find My Way Compass Set No. 1

 
Katie Pertiet, Postmark Travel Brushes and Stamps

Ali Edwards Travel Hand Drawn Brushes

As I complete the digital pages, I will post them here on my blog. I am looking forward to completing this album and making my first book!

Have you made a photobook? What service would you recommend? 

Happy Monday!

A is for Australia

So it's official! In June, Aaron and I will be traveling to Australia to enjoy the "land down under". Hey if it's good enough for Oprah, it's certainly good enough for us!

Not having any children, we are lucky to able to travel to far and distant lands. In the eight years we've been together, A and I have been to India, Argentina, Chile, St. Lucia, Italy, New York, California as well as lived in Ireland for a period of time.

It's funny no matter where we go, A always seems to take the lead, planning our timeline, thinking about the big picture as well as paying attention to the little details. Growing up in a small town, we never really traveled. I like that as an adult, I am going outside of my comfort zone and seeing the world. Thank you A for making this happen!

I will share the details of our trip as it we get closer to our departure. I can't believe were heading to Australia! I'm so looking forward to it!

What about you? Planning a trip in the near future?

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