AW & BK's Wedding

Following on from last weekend's hens party, we arrive at AW and BK's wedding.  The day started early for us women because it takes a lot of time to turn us hags into hotness.  

The boys arrived from some wedding door games and bargaining for the bride.  

A waxed leg is a experience men must endure in order to appreciate the pain of beauty.  I don't wake up with hairless legs you know! 

Our beautiful bouquets.

After all the fun and games and respective tea ceremonies, we made our way to the park for the civil ceremony.  

Making my way up the aisle.  My extreme high heels had me paranoid about sinking into the grass or worse, falling on my face.  

The gang at the rotunda.

Can't wipe that cartoon smile off her face! 

After more prancing around the park and more shots at Sydney's tourist landmarks, we headed to the reception for our banquet and partying. 

Our bridal table. 

Cake! 

Yeah, JT and I bringing sexy back!! 

Photobooth fun!  All I can see are my nostrils. 

Our tired feet receiving a well earned break from the stiletto heels. 

Aaaah with the rest of the Sydney gang around, it was just like being in uni again!  Good friends and good fun.  A big thanks to AW and BK for letting me be a part of their wedding and to JT for being a most awesome maid in crime! 

Hen's Weekend

JT and I rocked up to Sydney this weekend for AW's hens party.  I read a newspaper article which likened organising a Hens Party to herding cats.  I can relate!  We had to herd 30 cats/women! 

JT, AW and I began the weekend with a relaxing spa session at Panpuri.  It's a been years since my last dayspa session anywhere and I really enjoyed being pampered.  I can totally understand why Ladies of Leisure remain so!

Once we were buffed and polished, off we went to The Loft for high tea.  

Most of the food was acceptable but they served the worst creme brulee I've ever had.  It was runny - bleah! 

Pop! 

Afterwards we trotted over to the Astral Apartments at the newly revamped Star City casino.  Oh but now it's a bit more fancy pants and is now known as 'The Star'.  

 JT had set up a nice selection of antipasto and finger foods to get us through the night. 

Cupcakes for all the hens to take home. 

The rest of the night is censored because there a lot of NSFW photos out there.  To get an idea of the shenanigans we got up to, just one phrase - man slaves.  

The following day we got our artisan baking hats on at private session at Brasserie Bread.  Yes, instead of the typical scraggy pole dancing and life drawing classes of other hens parties, this was a nice mellow activity.

Making our own caramelised garlic bread.  Seriously THE nicest garlic bread I've ever tasted!  Yum! 

Making our dinner rolls and a fancy looking baguette.

No, not an S&M session.  While our bread was baking we were divided in teams and subject to a sensory challenge.  Winning group won a hamper!  My group lost :(

Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch in the cafe all to ourselves and played a few hen quizzes.

Then we collected our bread!  We were also given free reign to take as much bread as we liked from today's unsold stock.  If I had a good reason for taking more bread, I would have.  

Next weekend - the wedding! 

Harry Potter Exhibition

When I told some friends I would be flying into Sydney for the Harry Potter Exhibition, I was met with 'nerd' taunts, ridicule and laughter.  I pity these people because they clearly do not know what they're missing out on.  *shakes head*  I could have been a much crazier fan - once, I contemplated taking a day off work to line up at Leicester Square for a premiere - but I have my limits.

When I found out that the exhibition featuring the props used in the movie series was leaving USA shores and landing in Sydney, I put it high on my to-do list.  I was hoping that it would travel around Australia but the website made it clear this was a Sydney only venture.  Boo.  But you know what?  That isn't really a problem because I "need" to collect frequent flyer points and what better way to do it than by flying in for the weekend and seeing some friends while I'm at it?  It's not preposterous at all!!

Despite the ridicule, I did manage to find some fellow appreciators of the wizarding world.  We found solace in each other.  JD's husband had refused to go with her when she wanted to attend a few months ago!

Look, I know deep down all you HP-haters are jealous of this souvenir photo ($20 wtf!!).  It's taken at the start of the tour and is waiting for you at the end.  All for your tourist rort pleasure.  

It was a good thing that we pre-booked tickets because today's session was sold out.  As we joined the line for our allocated timeslot, us girlies quickly noticed that we were pretty much the only adults in the queue without children hanging off our legs.  Pffft... Harry Potter is not for children!!

Anyway, no photography is allowed inside the exhibit (poo) but to give you a run down, we were first ushered into a room where the Sorting Hat welcomed us.  A few kids got sorted (as if they had time to sort all of us) and then the side doors were magically opened... by people.  We were then free to wander around and look at Harry's bed, Hermione's purple Yule Ball dress (she's my size I think!), Ron's shoes (big), Hagrid's hut (big chair inside) and of course Voldemort related stuff.  It was really well set up.  So much effort went into the costumes!  We spent about 90 minutes inside all up.

I "think" the exhibit prevented us from making our own souvenirs (photos) because they generously wanted to give us the opportunity to BUY our own souvenirs.  Oh yes please!  Rip me off, please!  Take my money, please!!  There was heaps of stuff to buy (gold plated Time Turner necklace for $100 anyone?) and after scouring the shelves, I limited my purchase to just two things.

Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans ($5 for a total of 34 grams.  Wtf!!!).  

I have not opened these yet to try but this will be an interesting exercise.  Vomit and booger flavoured jellybeans!

Yep my other souvenir. 

A muggle mug!!  ($20.  Wtf!!!)  Admittedly, I did want to buy much more but just could not bring myself to do it. 

On our exit, we were allowed to take pics next to the Hogwarts Express.  I wasn't too excited about that - I've already ridden it!  

For anyone interested in going (I know you all are), adult tickets are $32 a pop but hurry because it closes on 9 April!

Snorkelling with Spu

When in Cairns, one must go to the Great Barrier Reef.  I had a most fun time swimming with the fishies last time, I really wanted to go again but not as a Nigel this time.  Cue the Spu.  

Spu was a bit worried that he wasn't a strong enough swimmer for snorkelling.  I said, 'I reckon I'm a worse Asian swimmer than you and if I could snorkel last time, you can do it too.'  We contemplated diving but the health restrictions recommended not flying within 24 hours.  Best not to risk it but anyway, it was much more expensive.

We examined a bunch of brochures and settled on the Moore Reef Cruise from Sunlover.  I had thought my previous tour had a big boat but this Sunlover boat was about double the size.  

Our boat.  Ok, it's a catarmaran. 

Spu sitting next to Mr. Green Sea Turtle.  

First pit stop.  Fitzroy Island!  This seemed more to be where locals got off with their BBQ and cricket bats.  

A good 30-40% of passengers got off the boat at Fitzroy Island, leaving Spu and I with a LOT of rowdy Mainlanders.  Of course we were mistaken for them too.  

Once we reached the Sunlover purpose built pontoon, we all jumped off ready for our chosen activities.  Spu and I decided to snorkel first.  

Spu and I channeling our inner ninja.  Stinger season peeps!  I don't need a stinger bite.  

The view from the pontoon.  Water so clear.  Fish so bright and pretty.  

These pics were taken by a disposable waterproof camera and the grainy appearance is genuine, not Instagram filtered.  

Fishies so close to me!!!  Spu and I each tried to touch them but they were too quick.  

We also saw a Green Sea Turtle :D  I couldn't get a photo but I'm so happy to have seen one especially as I was quite disappointed at missing out last time.  I can die happy.  Content with our snorkel adventure, Spu and I decided to hit the buffet lunch and of course missed out on the fresh prawns because they'd been attacked by the Mainlanders.  Grrrrrrr.  

Next actvity - the semi submersible tour.  It's almost a submarine.  

Spu decided that it was too hot for a shirt.  Mainlander demonstrating a Camera Stance. 

Next activity - Glass bottom boat.  It's so dangerously close, it's a wonder they don't hit any of the coral.

My view through the glass bottom. 

Better idea of the view through the glass bottom.  My favourite coral is there too!  The spaghetti looking coral.  I like how it wafts in the water.  

Next activity - petting zoo.  Ok, it's not a zoo, it was a touch tank.

Spu not enjoying the big black sea cucumber.  Me enjoying it too much.  It was slimy and squishy and we were discouraged from squeezing it.  It would spurt water otherwise. 

Another sea cucumber I think.  It looked like a loaf of bread in the water, but when removed became deflated and bit sad :(  Me so happy to have a baby starfish in my hands.  It was alive! 

Next activity - presentation on the Great Barrier Reef.  Held on the pontoons underwater theatre.  This was very pretty and an excellent way of seeing up close the fish you didn't get to meet while snorkelling.  I could sit here for hours just staring at them..... or I could stare at a screensaver.  Nah, real fish are better.

Look at the parrot fish!  It has human buck teeth!  

I was pretty satisfied that Spu and I did EVERYTHING available on the pontoon bar the extra optional activities.  So with our fours hours up on the reef, we boarded the catamaran and headed back to Cairns.

Now for dinner.  I had eyed a ramen bar near my work and even though it's never soupy weather in Cairns, nothing was stopping Spu and I from scarfing up some tonkotsu goodness.  Hearing Japanese spoken within the restaurant is always encouraging and we were seated promptly.  Spu and I had popped in at a good time because shortly afterwards, a queue formed.  Also, when a ramen bar gives you the option of stipulating how 'hard/chewy' you want your noodles to be.....well that's a good thing.

I ordered the Tonkotsu I think whereas Spu, feeling the heat ordered a cold soup ramen.  He was a bit apprehensive but happy with his very tasty and refreshing choice.  We also ordered a serve of the homemade gyoza.

The reviews for this place are generally positive and while it's probably not the best bowl I've had (soup was tasty but some more topping wouldn't have hurt) I was pretty happy overall and Spu (being the less fussy eater) was super happy.  We shall return!  

Cairns - again!

I thought I'd guarantee myself a bit of a Summer and headed up to Cairns for work once more.  I really liked the vibe of the town last time and was more than happy to return.  As usual, I've been supplied an apartment (a much better one than last time) and also a car.  

Here's a tour of my abode.  

Open plan lounge and kitchen.  

Off we go upstairs.  Upstairs.  I have a two level apartment.  

Main bedroom and second bedroom.  Both had ensuites.  Apartment - too big for little old me.  

My rental car for the next two weeks.  Never driven an Hyundai before and will probably never buy one, but given that it was brand spanking new, it was a pretty sweet, zippy ride.  

Clearly this apartment is too big for one person.  Ma really wanted to come and visit but unfortunately being retired means that her diary is jammed pack with activities such as watching live Viet concerts.  Given that Spu is still a bum and has never been to the Australian tropics, I have forced him to come and visit me :D  Our adventures will follow! 

Go Ape

After deciding that we weren't flying out of London for the weekend, Smee and I decided to take advantage of the weirdly excellent weather and get our chimp on at a Go Ape ropes/zipwire course.  I first went two years ago and it was super super fun!  If it was possible, I would do this every day!  Smee couldn't make that occasion and had to run away on a jet place back to Oz.  His fear of heights certainly caused an excessive reaction.  But just recently, Smee had decided that Go Ape was 'easy'.  I showed him clips - 'Easy' he said.  I showed him the Tarzan rope - 'Easy' he said.  I don't disagree at all, it is easy!  But for Smee, I was a bit worried.  

We initially wanted to do the Leeds Castle course but it was booked out for the day :( so we headed back to where I first did the course at Bedgebury.  A word of warning when travelling to Bedgebury.  Give yourself a buffer of about 30 minutes 'getting lost' time because the GPS will direct you to the wrong entrance of Go Ape!  (Don't worry, the correct entrance is just a few hundred metres down the same road.)  This is what happened to us and we ended up arriving 15 minutes late to our safety briefing and understandably annoyed many of our fellow climbers.  We can also blame the extra slow service of the Park Gate Inn who took far too long to serve our food.  Nice surroundings in the pub though.  

With the harness and carabiners on the ready, we started on the first section which involved a short six metre rope walk and a zipwire with a maximum height of I dunno, two metres.  Smee initially got off the zipwire and said 'I'm going home'.  We didn't end up going home - he then decided he wanted to prove he was more manly than me! 

The second course.  So tough at the base of the rope ladder.  Smee found the rope net quite comforting.  Smee giving me the thumbs up from the ground.  

Smee's nervousness eventually gave way but only after verbally abusing the ropes.  'This is bullshit', 'Wtf', 'I should be home playing computer games'.  All lovely things to be heard by the very confident seven year old girl behind Smee and egging him on.

Smee goes across the wobbly planks.   

Hmmm.  They should probably think about replacing some of their ropes.  

There are some videos of today's adventure but they are full of expletives.  Anyway, we completed the course and had HEAPS of fun.  I got a few bruises from bumping the ropes too hard and Smee ate too much tan bark from his bumpy landings but all in all, a good day out.   More importantly, Smee is less scared of heights and wants to do the course again!  :D 

Hurrah! 

Seriously peeps, get your butt down to a Go Ape course.  

Parc Asterix

I've never read an Asterix comic.  There were plenty opportunities, they were always around the house but I just never picked one up.  Smee on the other hand read them all and would still happily re-read them to this day.  Smee loves Asterix and especially likes Dogmatix.  While chatting to Frenchie Cuz last night, he mentioned that he liked 'Idefix' to which I asked 'Who?'.  'Obelix's dog!' 'Oh, you mean Dogmatix?'  Idefix is the French name for Dogmatix!  How cool is that?  Frenchie Cuz was so surprised but we both found it awesome that the English translation was such a good interpretation of the original French name and if anything, better than the original French pun.  

I'm not sure how I discovered the existence of Parc Asterix but I think I might have been researching Paris Disneyland and this was offered as a more grown-up alternative.  I was taken to the official website which back then only had a French verison and despite not understanding anything, I understood this place had ROLLERCOASTERS.  Not crappy, kiddy rollercoasters, but destroy-your-back-adults-only rollercoasters.

I have been wanting to tick it off my bucket list ever since and I had been bugging/begging Moo over the weekend to allocate Sunday as Parc Asterix day.  Smee, even though he is not a maniac for rides like me, has wanted to go to Parc Asterix for the sheer experience of being immersed in Gaul cartoon land.  There was some genuine anger when I told him that I would be visiting Gaul land without him.  Yeah, he was pretty upset with me.  Don't worry Smee, I'll take you there!  Today is just a practice run!  Muwahaha. 

Despite retiring quite late from last night's shenanigans, Moo and I heroically made the extra effort to wake up early to maximise our day.  There are several ways to get to the park and we opted for public transit which all up took about 30-40 minutes.  The park is about 35km out of central Paris, about the same distance as Paris Disneyland.  We dropped off little baby Gnoudesavanes at Chatelet station and hopped on the RER B3 (blue line) to all the way to the second last stop, CDG Airport Terminal 1&3.  We headed upstairs from the platforms to find the ticket booths marked 'Parcs de Loisirs'.  Although not a very official looking booth, it was quite obvious and situated close to the bus terminal and toilets.

Here Moo and I bought the combined entrance (€40)/shuttle bus (€6.90) ticket which cost us €41, a saving of €5.90.  Deal!  I had no idea what the ticket booth guy was asking but luckily Moo kinda did.  The shuttle buses depart every 30 minutes and we jumped on excited about today's adventure.

Oh yeah.  Here we are.  A giant Asterix on top of the mountain greets us.

Mooey with the map.  Listen to the atmospheric music!

 The park is divided roughly into sections of the different empires featured in Asterix.  Here we go to Ancient Gaul.  :D

The next I return to Parc Asterix I'm gonna try for a weekday.  Yes, I am that definite about coming back.  The queue into the actual park wasn't long but the wait for some rides were up to an hour.  The first ride we went on was due to excitement and it had a short-looking queue - Epidemais Croisieres.

I made sure Moo fulfilled the 1.30m height requirement.  

Moo with the Bavarian-looking Swiss.  Me with some errr.. Asterix characters.  

Moo and I realised this was a kiddie ride and we were pretty much the only adults without kids in the queue.  We devised a plan to get on all the monster rollercoasters and titled it 'Get on the all the rides that Smee won't go on.'

Next up - La Trace du Hourra.

Moo not so happy about the 30 minute wait time from here.  We already had been in the queue for 15 minutes!  

During our wait there was plenty of time to inspect the track or more like, come to the realisation that 'Hey, wtf, I think this ride has NO TRACKS!!!'  I verbalised this thought a few more times at various points during the wait because I simply could not believe it.  Then I saw a part of the ride where, yep, it was confirmed, your cart is not attached to the track. 

Mooey and I in position.  Ok, so this was not the smartest time to whip out a camera but I had to get a memento!  At least if things went wrong on the ride, there would be evidence that Moo and I went out with a bang.  

I swear, they employed some darn good engineer and physicists to design this ride.  Newton's Laws were certainly obeyed and I'm appreciative that the designers understood them better than I did.  As Mooey pointed out, we were essentially in a giant bobsled for most of the time and I did yell 'THIS IS SO UNSAFE!  THIS IS SO UNSAFE!' during the ride.  However, I was also simultaneously laughing my head off and screaming.  Man, if the queue wasn't so long, I'd jump right back on this ride.

Next was Periferix, a mini rollercoaster.  Parents, if you want to train your kids to enjoy big rollercoasters, this would be a good starting point.

The queue was short-ish so we joined.  Moo and I were both impressed to see attendants kicking off kids who were clearly too short off the ride.  Why are some parents so dumb?  There are signs everywhere informing you about the height restriction.

On our way to the next ride, a castle smiled down at Moo.  She smiled back.  

Next up, Goudurix, a corkscrew rollercoaster.  Not one or two but SEVEN loops!  YIPPEEEEEE!!!

The queue was short-ish, still about 30 minutes.  This ride FREAKING ROCKED!!!!  

We both felt a little dizzy after the ride but soldiered on and wobbled towards the Tonnerre de Zeus.

60 minutes from here.  A good, old fashioned, rickety wooden rollercoaster.  Doesn't really look safe.  The wooden joints moved with the carts.  There are so many joints, how does the maintenance guy keep up?  Eeep.

Moo and Zeus.

Zeus wears floral undies!  

We were unlucky enough to queue behind the French equivalent of English teenage chavs.  Ugh.  They constantly felt the need to spit on the ground for no reason.  Anyway this ride... kinda hurt.  The cart seats were not cushioned and banging our backs against the hard seats didn't do us any good.  The sudden stop at the end threw everyone's neck out.  But... it still was fun!!

Hungry by now, Moo and I wandered around the grounds and decided that we wanted to eat amusement park food.  Hot dogs for lunch it is.  I got annoyed at myself for spilling tomato sauce on my white dress :-S

Hehehe Obelix on a merry-go-round.  Moo heads to the Gaul Village with her Asterix-themed doggy bag.  

Now this was a bit tightass.  I was hoping to see (several) Obelix and Asterix walking through the park grounds and get a photo with them.  Instead they were behind a wooden fence and you had to pay for a professional photograph!  Moo and I got our own unofficial ones anyway.  

Awwww Dogmatix/Idefix's kennel.  

We tried on Obelix's shoes.  Big, they were. 

Helping out with roasting the dinner. 

Well at least there were some druids wandering around town.  All hail me, the chief of the village! 

We had smartly left the water rides to the end and with our tummies satisfied, queued up at Le Grand Splatch.

A 30-40 minute queue wasn't bad.  Inside the cave leading to the water ride.  This was a relaxing way to finish the day.  The views from up top were nice.  The water splash at the end wasn't too big.  I'm not really a fan of water rides.  Who wants all that dirty water on them?

I was a bit disappointed to not have gone on more rides, but we were both fairly tired from the whole weekend and the long-ish queues, well what can you do.  We stopped to buy a few souvenirs - as if I was going to leave without buying something! - and hopped back onto the shuttle bus.

For those interested in going, just be aware Parc Asterix is not open year round.  But for anyone who loves rides, get your ass down here - this place was SUPER-FUN!  I can't wait to go again!  I don't understand the few bad reviews about the park.  Long queue times?  C'mon what do you expect?  Which major theme park have you been to where the queue is less than 15 minutes?  Crowded?  Don't go on a weekend or public holiday, you idiot.

Smee was the recipient of my purchases.  Dogmatix t-shirt, a mini dogmatix and figurine magnets of Obelix and Asterix.  Moo bought a giant Obelix which I kinda really wanted too but I had so much stuff to carry back to London, I just couldn't fit him.

Tired from all the weekend activity, we decided not to venture too far for dinner and settled in at a local brasserie.

Tuna tartare, escargot and the house special cheeseburger.  

Aaaah Paris, you never disappoint. :D