WITH all the excitement of our Melbourne trip now behind us *sigh*, we’ve already started planning the next interstate holiday *jump for joy*. But it’s not for a quite a few months yet *sigh*. But by then the weather will have picked up *jump for joy*.
Our options are to fly or go via this.
Well, the version without eyes and a mouth, anyway.
Princess Ella gets to see this out the lounge room window every day. If you haven’t figured out what it is, it’s the Spirit of Tasmania. Each time we watch it come in and out of the Mersey River, Ella remarks “there’s Uncle Rick’s boat’’. He doesn’t own it; he just sailed on it – once.
Funny story, just prior to going to Melbourne, Julian was talking to Ella’s child carer. Ella repeated her usual “yes, we’re going to Melbourne to see Uncle Rick, aren’t we Dad?’’.
“We hear so much about Uncle Rick. Apparently he has a really big boat?’’ the child carer said.
Julian then had to explain that the “big boat’’ is actually the Spirit. The child carer had more than a little chuckle at that.
Due to the boat being so visible, there’s been repeated requests we go to Melbourne on “Uncle Rick’s big boat’’ instead of the plane this time. However, there’s a huge issue with that.
As I was telling Tina Gray on her post the other day – the post where she revealed a rather green looking version of herself on the Manly Ferry – I actually suffer the same disease. This is despite being the daughter of a rather keen trout fisherman.
I might add though, there’s a big difference between fishing in a lake and fishing in the sea. Although, give me fishing from the shore and that will make me really happy.
A very young Ella fishing with her Nan.
Unless I don’t catch anything.
Ella after catching her very first fish a couple of years ago.
I NEED calm seas when I’m on vessels of any size. The last time we went to Melbourne on the Spirit of Tasmania, I ran out of seasick tablets, followed by having a panic attack and then ending up in the single bed WITH The Bloke in The Shed.
Let’s just say, he wasn’t impressed! It was 27 degrees, there was no ventilation and me squishing him up against the wall just made things even hotter. And no, I don’t mean in THAT way. There was nothing romantic about this scene at all.
Anyway, after all that, we’ve now debating whether to go to Sydney and Queensland too. No boats, ahhh. If anyone would like to sponsor these trips, my bank account details are…
What’s your favourite place to holiday? Is there somewhere our family should be visiting?
We’re planning to go to Melbourne in late August and are tossing up between boat & plane. Boat means we can take the car, our pram & car seat (& means I can do more shopping LOL) Might have to meet up for a cuppa if we go by boat 😉
Favourite place to go – queensland for sure. I love warm weather. wasn’t a huge fan of sydney last time I was there but was only there 3 days & didn’t get to see much of it
Would love to catch up for a coffee, Caroline. Please do let me know if you decide on the boat. We’re only a few minutes away from the Spirit terminal!
And yes, we’re huge fans of Queensland too. I really can’t wait to take the girls there. I think they’d have a ball. Hubby is pretty keen on getting them to one of the theme parks, of course. 😉
In Sydney, we loved Toronga Zoo, the Powerhouse Museum and Darling Harbour. All really worth visiting. 🙂
wel of course you should plan a visit to sunny perth! no boats involved in getting here unless you have an extra long holiday planned… today is cold but the sun is still shining and the sky is a beautiful blue and really it is like that most of the time so yes WA is were the princesses should grace next!
perhaps princess ella and the little emperor would hit it off with all that discussion of royal matters 😛
Oh, of course!! hehe!! Hubby’s been to Perth, but I haven’t travelled that far yet. After hearing all his reports, I’m really keen to go. Mind you, the hour-long plane flight to Melbourne was a challenge for Ella, so I can’t imagine how she’d sit still long enough to get to Perth! LOL!
Would love to see Princess Ella and the Little Emperor playing “royals” together!! Classic! hehe!! 🙂
I remember coming over your side on the spriit years ago (pre-pinks). We love the trip over but the trip home was rough and I couldn’t wait to get off. These days we tend to head over to Adelaide a lot as we have rellies there. Not game to plan anything bigger yet with my three. Maybe soon though as little miss pink has now hit three. Enjoy planning 🙂
Ah, I didn’t know that, Caz. Well, it looks like we’ve both visited each other’s territory in our past lives!! 😉
You definitely have to pick your days with the Spirit – a rough trip can really spoil things. The thought of having kids sick on the boat for eight hours… no thanks!
Back in the day, when the Spirit 3 used to go direct to Sydney, hubby took the car on the boat and I flew up! I just couldn’t bare the thought of being on the boat that long.
Hopefully you’ll be planning some big trips soon, Caz. 🙂
I am never never ever going on a boat unless the weather is perfect and the water is not moving. That is all.
Oh and thanks for linking me xx
LOL!! Ditto for me, Tina!!! 😉
I once got sea sick standing on the floating dock thingie waiting for the Manly Ferry to arrive. I’m not sure how I’d cope crossing Bass Strait.
LOL!! Oh dear! Now that’s when you know you’ve got a problem with sea sickness! I’d say skip the boat and fly!! 😉
I nanny in Port Melbourne, and every day I see the Spirit docked as Miss A and I drive to work. I have a fear of open water, as in if I can’t see land I freak out, so no cruise ship holidays for me! I’ve travelled on the Spirit overnight and loved it, even the rough night sea. I just had to stop myself thinking I was surrounded by water! 🙂 We are so due for a family holiday, will probably be a honeymoon family holiday in four months after our wedding. I want to go back to Hamilton Island, or any island for that matter!
I’m exactly the same, Shelley. I think too much, which then turns into an anxiety attack!!! I like my feet to be on solid ground. I’m also not the best flyer, but much better than I used to be.
Oh, Hamilton Island is definitely on my list! 🙂
We are off to Darwin in a couple of weeks, which Maya is very excited about – I will be too once we have survived the 10 hour wait in melbourne 🙁
How exciting, Amie. Can’t wait to hear all about it. I can just imagine how excited Maya is.
Best of luck with the 10-hour wait! We survived the plane flight and a few downtimes during the Melbourne trip by pulling out a LeapPad Scribble and Write at the last minute for Ella, which kept her well entertained. Would highly recommend it! She’s also flying through learning to write the alphabet as a result! 🙂
I got sea sick on the boat last trip too, too some kwells on the way back but didn’t really help me sleep. My son also fell off the top bunk.
Oh dear, Nicole. Those bunks are pretty high!
I was actually OK during the day trip, but it was the night trip that started the panic attacks and sea sickness for me. Might have to send Julian and Ella on the boat and Holly and I can fly!! 😉
i work for the Spirit so Obviously i have to sort of vote this lol My Daughter has a slight obsession with the Boat/Ship as it known in our house . needs to know if its in melbourne or home . am i going to work today and tells the world where i work . Plane well your there in hours …. 9 or 11 hours is an awfully long time for fill in time with Kiddies 🙂
but well worth the experiance if u want your own car , pram , car seats … request an L Shaped Cabin where you can they have a slight more room for a family of 4 and internal in the middle of the Ship ( No Window ) are much MUCH better for the Odd case of Green eye Monster … I’m sure which ever you choose the Kids will love it .
LOL! Funny how utterly fascinated they become with boats, planes, trains and buses! The car? Not so!
I think we’ll more than likely wait a few more years before we attempt the boat with the girls. Mind you, I’d nearly go on it if I could afford those big rooms with the double beds. They look lush! Thanks for the tip about the L shaped cabins too, Cheryle. That’s actually really good to know! 🙂