Marauding Mauritius

"YOU gather the idea that Mauritius was made first, and then Heaven; and then Heaven was copied after Mauritius."
~ Mark Twain, 'Following the Equator', 1897

This was our first big holiday since M was born.

A week on an island paradise at a really gorgeous resort.

Fun. Relaxing. Beautiful.

Despite it being winter, it was great beach weather: Z dug to her heart's content and M ate the sand.




We stayed at the Four Seasons Anahita.

Lovely property. Nice staff. Food VERY average (and extremely exxxx).



But accommodations were fantastic: We had a massive two bedroom villa with a full kitchen, dining room, lounge and a heated plunge pool - great for the kids.

One highlight of the trip was a speedboat ride to to the tiny island of Ille Aux Cerfs for a lunch picnic.



Two other highlights: Mauritian Sea Urchin and the hottest most delicious Piment Vert (Addictive! I bought back a dozen bottles of it!)


D and I spent much of the trip was spent on the golf course. While the kids were happily playing at "Hobbits Village", we carved up the greens. Oops!


And chowed down on the most amazing "energy bars".

Burp!

Sydney Aquarium

FISH really isn't my thing.

Neither is it Z's. After one tank we were kinda tanked.

Zzzz

Ferry to Manly

THE moon was still high in the sky even though it was noon.

After an inexplicable 40 degree fever the night before, we decided on an easy day.

A ferry ride to Manly for lunch. Half an hour of beautiful views.


Sweetie came along for the ride.


Z got a little sand time as we waited for the ferry back.

Coogee Beach

ONE of Z's most favourite activities is "dig dig".

Unfortunately, we didn't have the right tools with us this morning during an impromptu visit to the beach.

After dragging her off the sand, we went for some super Yum Cha in Randwick. Here is Z with some cha siew pao in her mouth next to Tai Yee Poh, Z's grandauntie (#1 out of 8 kids) on her father's maternal side.


Earlier that morning, Z picked up a new pet. Meet "Sweetie".

Aussie Cousins

Z RELISHED the company of her cousins after having been stuck with the oldies for so many days.

And Natasha and Stefan seemed to enjoy her as well. Natasha dressing her up in quite a few outfits.


My favvvv Aussie dessert.

A Sunny Saturday in Sydney

WE took a long walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens, where Z had a great time feeding the ducks - and some rather disgusting slithery eels at the main pond.



Then heading over to the markets at The Rocks, via two of Sydney's icons.

Zoe's house

THERE was a pseudo construction site for budding builders at The Powerhouse Museum that Z really enjoyed.

Especially the fact that it was called Zoe's House.

Sydney by night

Accomodation

WE decided a hotel room just wouldn't cut it for a week so we got a one bedroom serviced apartment.

Views from the 37th floor we nice, though we didn't quite get a harbour view.



But space was of the essence. It was nice to be able to spread out and relax. Not to mention, having the necessary elbow space to colour in.

Hong Kong

A QUICK trip to HK for D to run the half marathon and for Z and I to catch up some some great friends and to do a little shopping.

So I'm not sure how we ended up spending so much time on the water.

The first ride was on the SCB junk on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning around the harbour.

Z got tossed around a little.


And she tasted her first Cheetos... which she didn't really like.


Late afternoon Sunday, after an amazing lunch, we hopped on a friend's friend's poshie 50ft yacht, but unlike the day before, it was rough and cold at sea. *puke*

Still, Z seemed to have a good time.


But the best part of the ride was getting off! And playing at an amazing playroom at the yacht club.



NB: D made it under two hours in the half! On ya' PaPa!