threelilprincesses.com

Tag: holidays

  • Spirit of Tasmania versus flying: Which do you prefer?

    Spirit of Tasmania versus flying: Which do you prefer?

    Sponsored Post

    spirit of tasmania
    Right now, as I write this, I’m looking out the window at the Spirit of Tasmania sitting out on the Mersey River. It’s such an awesome sight on a still night.

    It’s one of the reasons we first bought his house. You never tire of watching the Spirit sailing in and out of the mouth of the Mersey.

    I’m going to be honest and say it’s been a while since we last sailed on the Spirit. Pre kids actually. I remember doing a day sailing over and getting to explore the ship, while on the way back we opted for a night trip with a cabin.

    A few years back, just before one of our previous trips 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’’ since instead of the plane.

    Watching this video I’m questioning why on earth we don’t go on the Spirit more often. Especially with trying to organise kids. I know they would think it was such an adventure.

    Tell me: do you prefer to fly or sail?

    DISCLAIMER: I was paid to write this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

  • Aussie Giveaway Linkup #116: On vacation

    Aussie Giveaway Linkup #116: On vacation

    TLP1

    Woohoo! We’re on holidays. Not that travelling with kids is really ever a holiday. Especially the bit about getting them to sleep at a decent hour in a strange bed each night. Hard work, I tell you.

    But it has been nice seeing our born and bred Tassie girls excited by the idea of a dip in the water before breakfast, bats at night and more options for babyccinos in one Queensland city than in the whole of Tassie.

    After a few nights in Noosa, we’re then tackling Australia Zoo, Sea world, Dreamworld, Wet ‘n’ Wild and Movie World.

    Thanks to everyone for the suggestions on our Facebook page of what to do and of your fave theme park too.

    Stay tuned for more on our travels or follow us on Facebook , Twitter  and Instagram .

    In the meantime, here is this week’s Aussie Giveaway Linkup!

    Aussie Giveaway Linkup instructions:

    If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:

    1. Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately. If you need to delete it, hover over your link, wait until the red “x’’ appears and click.
    2. Giveaways must be open to Australian residents and be run by Australian-based bloggers or businesses.
    3. Grab the button below to add to your post.
    4. A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
    5. Start entering the giveaways! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.

     

     

    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses



  • 6 romantic date ideas in NSW

    New South Wales was the destination for part of our honeymoon, so it holds fond memories for us. eHarmony Australia has written a great post for us on six romantic locations for dates in the NSW region. Hopefully it inspires some romance in your life.

    Guest post sponsored by eHarmony Australia

    Dates are the foundation of all good relationships, allowing you to spend quality time together. Planning a thoughtful date is the perfect way to show that you care. They can reflect yours or your partner’s interests, hobbies and ambitions, and you can really get creative with them. So, whether you’ve been married for 20 years or are going on your first eHarmony date, here are six romantic date ideas.

    1. Winery tour

    The central coast is home to New South Wales’ proud wine heritage. Take a weekend, or even a day trip, to take in the world-famous vineyards, views and cuisine of the Hunter Valley. Check the concert schedule too – your date might coincide with one of the signature music events held in the region.

    threelilprincesses_1Photo credit

    2. Southern Highlands retreat

    The Highlands, just an hour and a half south-west of Sydney, is a hub for a romantic country break. With plenty of relaxed wining and dining, boutiques, gardens, drives and galleries, the towns of Bowral, Mittagong, Berrima and Moss Vale are a great date destination for NSW couples.

    3. Cultural date

    New South Wales is a cultural lighthouse of writing, art, music and performance. Try a date in Byron Bay. Check out the local festivals line-up for the music, book and arts festivals (not to mention the galleries, eateries and general creative atmosphere – and the beach!). If you bonded over a mutual love of culture on a dating website, this is a perfect date destination.

    4. Surf’s up!

    For the activity-inclined, try a surfing lesson. The South Coast has plenty of surf schools so learn the basics and have a great time. The endorphins are a great way to kickstart a date. A few spills in the ocean, some laughter and exercise will certainly take away any nerves, and give you a fun experience to look back on.

    5. Country music date

    Country music lovers will always find their way to the home of the genre in New South Wales: Tamworth. Whether it’s during the annual festival or any other time of year, the Golden Guitar is a beacon to fans everywhere.

    threelilprincesses_2Photo credit

    6. Bushwalking date

    Lovers of the outdoors are right at home in New South Wales. Head to the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, to experience breathtaking scenery, Aboriginal heritage and great hiking trails. Top off the day’s walk with dinner at one of the excellent local restaurants or pubs.

    Going on dates is important at any stage of a relationship. Whether you’re just getting to know each other or have spent many years together, it’s a way to reinforce the strength of shared interests, attraction and mutual compatibility.

    What are your favourite date destinations?

  • What to do in Melbourne with young kids

    What to do in Melbourne with young kids

    Melbourne has become a bit like our second home. We visit so often we nearly need to buy a house – if only they weren’t so bloomin’ expensive. Seriously, I could buy three houses in Tasmania for the price of one in Melbourne.

    Our regular visits also mean we have done, what feels like, most things in Melbourne. This time however, we did get outside the usual Melbourne zoo and aquarium – both of which we love, by the way – to have some new experiences.

    Melbourne With Kids 2

    Here is what we did:

    Build a Bear

    Build a Bear was part of our first day in Melbourne. We headed to Chadstone Shopping Centre and Ella got to make Rabbi (a hugely original name for a rabbit). She chose the bear, gave him a heart, selected a sound (she chose the song Under the Sea), watched him being stuffed, cleaned him and then picked out an outfit. The whole bear cost us $60. It might sound a lot for a teddy bear, but it really was worth the experience. Plus, she gained a bear at the end that holds sentimental value because she created him herself. And it was with less pain than I went through to bring her into the world.

    Scienceworks

    Julian and I went to Scienceworks years ago – pre-kids – and thoroughly enjoyed it. We knew the girls would love it because it’s so hands on. When we got there we were blown away. It was just fabulous, with a Wallace and Gromit display (ending this month). The highlight was certainly Nitty Gritty Super City.

    Collingwood Children’s Farm

    We arrived on a day when the Collingwood Children’s Farm was free and a Channel Nine film crew were there, so it was extremely busy. Ella unfortunately didn’t make an appearance on TV, but she didn’t care – she “got to milk a cow, Mum’’. Her summation was that it was “very wrinkly’’. She also rode a pony, lining up for about an hour for that five-minute ride. I’ve never seen her so patient. Holly, absolutely petrified of animals, was excited by the whole show. Just as Ella dismounted, Holly piped up with: “my turn’’. Maybe next time. By the end of the day, Holly was feeling much more comfortable being around animals.

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    We’d had a picnic dinner in the Royal Botanical Gardens before, but had never had the chance to look in the children’s garden. Super sweet, it gave Ella the chance to learn about The Magic Pudding. She also found a ladybird she was thoroughly fascinated with. The girls were excited to see all the veggies and herbs growing and asking which we were going to plant this year. We also sat by the lake at the other end of the gardens and watched the ducks, geese and a few eels. Eww.

    There were plenty of other smaller things, but that sums up the main attractions.

    What are your favourite things to do in Melbourne?

  • My Tasmanian Backyard: Horizon Deluxe Apartments Stanley

    My Tasmanian Backyard: Horizon Deluxe Apartments Stanley

    We set off from home last Saturday – without our two motor mouths. “It just doesn’t feel right without them,’’ The Bloke in the Shed said as we hit the highway for Stanley, in Tasmania’s far North West. That’s what happens when you spend three looooong years without having a night away together. After the constant sickness in our household over the past two months, we were well and truly ready for a break though.

    We stayed at the Stanley Seaview Inn in June with the girls and got a chance to take in Highfield House, Stanley Seaquarium and climbing The Nut. This time, we were treated at the sublime Horizon Deluxe Apartments and didn’t go anywhere. Seriously why would you?

    Horizon Deluxe Apartment Stanley

    It’s hard to describe how incredible this place is.

    The view:

    Horizon Deluxe Apartment Stanley
    The accommodation

    Horizon Deluxe Apartment Stanley Tasmania

    That spa – in all its glorious forms
    Horizon Deluxe Apartment Stanley
    While you may have acknowledged the spa needs to be full before turning on the jets, it doesn’t then pay to start playing around with the buttons (“ooh, look, it has a radio in the spa’’) and accidentally push the “jets’’ button, sending water flying throughout the entire apartment. He then had the cheek to ask if he could listen to the footy on the radio while we were soaking and sipping our champagne. Seriously!

    We ordered dinner from its sister restaurant The Nut View Restaurant, which was sublime. And then had another spa.

    Horizon Deluxe Apartment

    We slipped into the fluffy dressing gowns and watched Spud the movie (review to come) with surround sound and sunk into the gloriously comfy lounge. We’d brought our own movie, not realising there was a selection already there, along with CDs.
    In the morning, when everything was quiet, city slicker Julian heard a noise. He jumped. “What’s that?’’. Me: “Ah, it’s called a cow’’.

    It was enough to prompt him to get out of bed and cook me a full breakfast, with the kitchen bountiful with eggs, bacon, sausages, breads, cereals, orange juice and there was even a Nespresso machine. Although, we didn’t attempt that.

    Horizon Deluxe Apartment Stanley

    While I headed for the rain shower to freshen up before our trip home,

    Horizon Deluxe Apartment Stanley

    Julian spent his time basking in the sun on the front patio, taking in that glorious view – after packing the dishwasher.

    Horizon Deluxe Apartment Stanley

    The apartment, with all its five-star mod cons and perfectly styled decor, was pure luxury. The service was real country style, with nothing too much trouble. It’s hard to fault, to be honest. We would recommend it to anyone who needs to escape and be pampered for a little while. It would be ideal for a honeymoon, anniversary or just a reward for being a good parent. And we all need those.

    To learn more about Horizon Deluxe Apartments at Stanley in Tasmania, visit the site.

    When was the last time you went away with your partner? What about even a date night?

    DISCLOSRE: We received a complimentary night at Horizon Deluxe Apartments. We were not paid for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

  • How to slide your way into a child’s bad books

    How to slide your way into a child’s bad books

    girl in pool on boardDECKED out in their swimmers, they excitedly wave as they pass us on their way to the top of the waterslide. The Bloke in The Shed grabs a mat in the hope it might help he and Princess reach the bottom more smoothly.

    As Li’l Holly and I waited for them to reach the top, we watched pretty young thangs in bikinis and fake tan, closely followed by scrawny white college boys with raging hormones (I could see it in their eyes) and horrendous pimples. They need to watch more daytime TV. Hello, Proactive!

    As this took place, Holly and I learnt a few things that may have been quite valuable for The Bloke in The Shed to know BEFORE he made his descent with Ella.

    Things like:

    • A mat will actually make you go faster,
    • Going down with two people will actually make you go faster,
    • Being a heavier person will actually make you go faster.

    Hmm, combine all three elements and you’re leaving Speedy Gonzalas for dead.

    Then there was the little matter of children. Seasoned parents reached the bottom of the slide and then threw their arms into the air, holding tightly to their little ones so they weren’t dunked like Arnotts biscuits in a cup of English Breakfast tea. Most of the children stayed relatively dry.

    All extremely valuable things to know. Of course, The Bloke in The Shed was totally obvious to all this.

    Finally, it was time. Ella clung onto The Bloke in The Shed in the most awkward of ways, while the two pushed off on the mat plummeting faster than so-called prices as Coles supermarkets. As they made the final bend, they headed for the pool at the bottom. Then… SPLAT! They smacked the water hard. Ella went under, but her legs went up. All this caused large gushes of water to go up her snotills (her term for nostrils) and into her mouth.

    When she came up, she screamed. And amid the screams came a “Don’t ever take me on that again, Dad. I hate waterslides’’. We heard this sentence for much of the rest of the day.

    ****

    Fast forward to a week later. Ella and Holly have been happily playing with a little slide indoors. It’s aimed at two year olds, but Ella still loves it. Holding tightly onto her “baby’’ Jemima, she sat at the top of the slide, ready to push herself down.

    Before plunging the two of them to the bottom, she turned to Jemima and said: `It’s OK Jemima, I’ll hold you over my head when we get to the bottom’’. See Dad, that’s how you do it.

    baby in pool

    Do you brave the waterslide at the pool? Do you have any tips for The Bloke in The Shed next time (apparently, Ella is over her fear and ready to try again)?