A Bike Ride in Bali {Travel}

Whilst holidaying in Bali over New years Mr hubs and I decided to do a bike tour to take in the countryside, It was truly beautiful and a great way to see the Balinese culture.

The tour starts from Kintamani, nestled high on a volcanic crater rim and meanders through trails, tracks and roads. We did the morning tour through Bintang Tour it was 40km (the easiest 40km I have ever done). 

 We rode past this gentleman (above) stopped on the side of the road making ice creams from the back of his bike for a few locals, he even had the “Ice cream man jingle” playing from his motor bike.

We were half way though our tour when mother nature greeted us with a shower.

Automatic coffee grinder.

Yum coffee!

We also had the opportunity to try poo coffee from then Uwak animals (like the movie The Bucket List).....The Uwak animals taking a nap (below)

Where have I been? {Travel: Airlie Beach Whitsundays Australia}

Maybe you were wondering where I have been the last few days, or maybe not... I am going to tell you anyways! We have been in Airlie beach {Whitsundays Australia} for our gorgeous friends wedding!

We Stayed at the Pinnacles Resort, beautifully equipped accommodation, the resort is situated on a hill about 5 minutes walk from town.

The wedding was beautiful despite the weather (a little rainy) My dress was Alannah Hill, love it!

The very dapper looking Mr

The ceremony was held on the Waterfront

On our last day we went for a walk at "Coral Beach" it is part of the Conway National Park, the track starts at Shute Harbour and travels through open forest to Coral Beach, The beach was amazing and a highlight of our trip along with attending our beautiful friends wedding.

We attempted a panoramic photo and then the camera battery died, isn't that always the way! 

Travel {Hunter Valley Weekend}

I have a little birthday coming up this weekend, just a little blip birthday really nothing to fuss about. Last weekend the girls and I headed to our Farm in the Hunter Valley for a little R & R on the third annual "Frolicking in the Vineyards tour". 

The weekend Started with an amazing Lunch at The Veranda Restaurant at Calais Estate Palmers Lane Pokolbin, a lovely Tapas Style restaurant and we managed to eat ourselves silly with:

• Slow roasted Lamb shoulder with Kipfler potato and green olive
• Sydney rock” trio oyster taster plate; tempura with wasabi aioli, Virgin Mary and soy mirin
• Pan seared haloumi with rhubarb, orange and cinnamon compote
• Porcini and wild mushroom arancini
• Thai style blue swimmer crab and prawn cakes with nam jim dipping sauce
• Chicken ballontine of sage and pistachio nuts with glazed eschallot
• Jamon with panko crusted duck egg, truffle oil and pecorino (served with Apera)
• Slow braised Asian style pork belly with celeriac puree  

 Followed by the fluffiest Chocolate Souffle ever for desert (They have 4 different flavours)

After lunch the sunshine was so beautiful so we had a little walk around followed by the obligatory stop at the Hunter Valley Cheese Co to pick up some Branxton Brie. We then headed back to the farm for a dusk walk to see the cows (The farm is an operational black Angus farm).

Dinner was an amazing cheese plate, Sam Sam Cocktails and wine (or bottles of Yum as Ricki likes to say), the cheese plate had every type of cheese you could think of including macerated figs (A must try with any soft cheese if you can find them). My sister bought this cake:

Sunday morning after we headed to Resturant Cuvve at Peterson house for a campaign (Sparkling wine to be politically correct) breakfast:

The girls! Ricki, me, Christine and Jess

Super excited on the count down to our trip next year!

Berry pleased to meet you...

House in Berry - Southern Highlands of NSW, loving the coastal/ water pic above the lounge

Are you loving this painting as much as I am? (I feel a DIY coming on).

Melbourne & The little bar cart...

I would of brought this little bar cart home - but alas we are in Melbourne at the Chapel street Bazaar and I couldn't fit it in my suitcase- how cute is it! Here are a few random snaps of the shenanigans from our recent trip to Melbourne.

If you are heading to Melbourne the Chapel street Bazaar is a must - If you are from Melbourne you probably already know how great this place is for antique and retro furniture, clothing and accessories. 

In true Aussie style we quenched our thirsts with a beer at an Irish pub.

After all of that shopping

Our digs for the week featured a not to shabby view over the Yarra and Melbourne city skyline, the Yarra is stunning for a brisk morning walk. 

Beautiful by twilight

We ate at many beautiful restaurants - for some reason we went with a numbers theme, Number 8 (crown) and no 35 (Sofitel) both are fantastic and highly recommended. The meal at No.35 reigned supreme even compared to the two and three hatted restaurants we have eaten at in Sydney.

Mum is all for the Spencer Pratt Crystal collection and bought me some more Amethyst  crystals.

And....My little sister is such a cutie, don't you think!

The confused look on her face? asking why are you taking a photo of me?

Number 1 - for someone traveling I think she looks stunning & Number 2 - I loved that she was teaming with the aeroplane theme!