New Years Eve, last day of 2015

Today's plan was to stay home half day and leave around the afternoon to Darling Harbor. We were debating about the Midnight fireworks at the Harbor Bridge.

We left home around 1pm maybe. We found a Parking Spot, then headed to different Malls.
Broadway Mall, Central Station Mall and I don't remember the next. We made our next stop for dinner at the China Town, that tasty Fish area.

After dinner, time to go sit down in front of Darling Harbor and reserve the spot. As the time passed, it started getting more and more crowded. Around 8:45pm, Abhisa called me saying, she has arrived and got stuck. We finally met and then sat in our original area to watch the fireworks. We took a short video of us together with fireworks. It was nice. We hung out for about half hour, she left to meetup with her friends and we headed home.

While on the way back to where we Parked our cars, we clicked some pictures and then ready for home. We got some drinks, some snacks and sat in front of the tv to watch the 12am Fireworks at the beautiful Harbor Bridge.

Nelson Bay Day turned into Technology and Facial Day

We were planning to leave home at 5am to head to Nelson Bay, that's another place, I really wanted to go other than beach and Darling Harbor.

When I woke up, my hurting knee felt worse. So, I woke up too early and told everyone, lets cancel the plan as my knee is hurting more. I was looking forward to slide in the Sand beach, go Paragliding even though I am scared. Also go on a Camel ride for the first time. Unfortunately, none of this happens and I will have to come back to these.

So, instead we decided to stay home and relax. It was all worth it though. We did some technology stuff, we dust off the heavy carpet, and then finally facial in the evening.

Auburn Botanical Garden and Sydney Olympic Park

Auburn Botanical Garden 
As soon as we reached there, we picked a spot to sit down and grill to have lunch. We had a lot of food starting with

Appetizers
- Fruit plate with Kiwi, Watermelon, Apricots
- Lychee

Entree Items
- Shrimp, Mushroom, Red Pepper, Red Onion skew
- Grilled Fish
- Chicken Kabab
- Sausages
- Grilled chicken with the Lebanese bread

Before the food got ready, we went around the Garden, it was beautiful and different than I was expecting. It had a small area where they are animals, Kangaroos, Peacocks, and few other animals. I thought I would see a big Kangaroo with the baby in her pocket but it didn't happen.

Sydney Olympic Park
This park was something om my my. My brother-in-law told me, I will love this park. Initially, I was thinking, I don't know. Once I saw all the fun activities, I fell in love for sure. They had swings, one of those was very interesting.

Five people could sit on it and it swang side ways. Another fun thing was the Zip line, I had fun on that as well. There was another thing called Mystery, I didn't climb up too high with my hurting knee, but I definitely enjoyed going up a little and crossing the little bridge. There were tons of kids, I hadn't seen that many kids together.

Sydney Olympic Stadium

Audley Boating and Night life

Audley Boating
Oh well, today was a different boating experience. It was nice sunny day when we started driving out. It took us about an hour to reach Audley. We put sunblock lotions, dropped off all the bags in the car and headed out to rent the Canoe. We were five of us including a four year old.

While rowing, we sang different songs, clicked 'Welfies', videos of us singing and rowing. We also had three instances where our hats flew off. Overall, it was very much fun. Luckily, it started raining when we were done Canoeing.

After returning the Canoe, we headed to Wattamolla to see the Waterfall. We drove all the way there, but only to find out the road was closed. So, we were not going to do the 3km walk one-way so headed home instead to get ready for tonight night out.

Sydney Night Life afterwards
We started roaming around in Darling Harbor, met Umesh Pau and Maiju, we clicked a lot of family pictures. We then headed to the Casino, ate some food. then to hop different clubs. By the time, we were done it was 1:30am.

Sunday Funday at the Manly Wharf Beach and Circular Quay

Everyday starts after the breakfast at home. Same thing for today too. I checked the temperature last night, but forgot how cold it was going to be. When we got down the train in Sydney's CBD, it was chilly. All of us were in shorts, short sleeves shirt and we had the whole day ahead of us.

Our first stop and picture time at Hyde Park. The first thing I saw there was a beautiful fountain, wow.

CBD Sydney

Manly Wharf Beach

We played in the water for an hour or two. We were almost completely drenched, it was a beautiful day so we couldn't complain. Our lunch was at the beach, fruits, chips, dips etc etc.

The Ferry ride to the Manly Wharf Beach was so beautiful. I couldn't get tired of this ever. The views were spectacular, I couldn't stop taking pictures. 

After all the ferry ride, fun at the beach, it was time for us to head back. We walked on the Harbor Bridge, it had the most amazing view of Sydney CBD, Opera house and everything else. It was a bit chilly but, we walked. We talked about walking on top of the bridge, but found out it is very expensive like $280 AU dollar. 

Boxing Day in Sydney, the after the Christmas

I don't remember we did this day.

Christmas day at home Grilling and enjoying family time

I don't remember what we did all day at home, but definitely it was nice staying home. We prepped to Grill in the afternoon. It was all worth it. Nothing much to write than that. We ate so much, we were exhausted drinking "Thho" too.

Coastal Walk and Darling Harbor afterwards, ended with Christmas Eve Fireworks

After having breakfast, we headed out to see beautiful Sydney.

CBD Sydney, Opera House, Mrs. Maquarie's Chair

I don't recall the name where we went to watch the beautiful sea view. I have some memories of those and posting below.

Coastal walk from Watson Bay to Bondi Beach
The view from the Coastal walk, Watson Bay to Bondi Beach. The trip 2 hours and 30 minutes walk. It was so beautiful with breathtaking views, I could go for walk, every day without being tired.

Darling Harbor
After the long beautiful walk and clicking many pictures, I went to the famous Darling Harbor. The name I have been hearing for years.

Canberra, the capital of Australia

Today was the Canberra day, to see the Parliament House, War Memorial etc. It was a 300 km ride from where we were at.

After breakfast, five of us started our ride. The roads started out straight and boring. As the time passed, the roads started to get interesting, beautiful trees, beautiful landscapes etc.

Parliament building view from outside of War Memorial

War Memorial

First World War

After going around these beautiful places, we had lunch outside the Museum groud. It was time to head back as the ride back was another 300 km.

Wollongong and Kiama Hole

After breakfast and lunch was time for the day to start. Four of us started our drive to Wollongong to get to the Nan Tien Temple. It was raining really hard, we visibility was very poor to get where we were going. It was worse as the roads were in the mountains. We made it safely, it was a big relief getting there. 

Nan Tien Temple at Wollongong 

Kiama Blowhole

By the time, we reached Kiama, it was colder, rainier than earlier in the day. We waited to see the water coming out of the Blowhole but, it didn't happen. It would have been nice, had it been Dry and Sunny. 

It was so nice to finally lie down and sleep after 3 day and nights

I woke up early morning, then got fresh and we all had breakfast together. I didn't know the traveling plan for today. Santosh and Ren made plan to take me to Blue Mountaina. We walked down to see the Blue Mountain, the flies were attacking on. We had lunch and soon after that it started raining. By the time, we reached Blue Mountain, it was foggy.

The Blue Moutain was anything but Blue. It looked like Snow in the background with the fog. We took some pictures, and headed to the Scenic World, Blue Mountains. We went on the rides and it was somewhat worthwhile . The best was the world's steepest Train Ride. It was scary at first but was super fun.

The Beautiful Waterfall

First day in Sydney, Australia

The feeling of reaching my destination 12 hours later than I was supposed to was a big relief. Now, I know no more delay and stuck anywhere. It was just after 6am, we landed in Sydney. I was excited to see my aunts and the family. I went through the Immigrations and picked up my baggage and then I met my aunt, two sisters. When I saw them, I had to control my tears, which made my eyes look red.

We headed home, it was about a 30 minutes ride to Macquarie Fields. I was tired, Subi and Ren were excited and they kept calling, asking me, I must be tired, how was the trip etc etc. I opened and gave Tisa's gifts, she had been sitting in front of the me for it. Haha...little kids

It was hot there and I was super tired and needed a shower. But,Subi and Suraj decided to drop in to meet me. I was embarassed how I looked though. After shower, we had lunch and Ren came home. After she got fresh, we headed to Stanwell Park beach. It was a very hot day omg. The beach was nice but super big scary winds. The water was very cold, with the scary waves, we decided to not get into water, we did get a bit wet though. We had some beer, chips and after about an hour or bit after, we headed to Subi's house for dinner.

It was so hot, I couldn't breathe very well. They had cooked really tasty Newari food, I was full yet, I wanted to eat more. We left around 10 or so, when I reached home I found it was 99 Fah and it was 11pm. I was starting to get worried about the rest of the days weather.

Second day of my journey to Australia, the day in Honolulu, Hawaii

At 7:00am
I woke up with a massive headache due to lack of sleep. We landed in Honolulu at 6:20am . Since I had 5 hours 14 minutes of layover, I wanted to get out in Honolulu. When I did the Math, it wasn't a good idea. The traffic around in Honolulu is way worse than I had thought.I asked around the ladies who work in airport, they had the same response, too little time to go around as the traffic around is pretty bad. I stuck around. While waiting for my flight, I talked to Shristi cha on phone and then sat at the corner to fall asleep for a bit. It was a good 20 minutes of sleep, I wish it was longer.

The Gate changes to I had to move to Gate 17 to board to Sydney. While waiting, it was announced that the flight is delayed due to Electrical problem in the plane. We weren't told how long, I kept my family in AUS updated. The flight was around 11:20 am or so, soon found out, we are boarding. By then it was maybe about an hour delay. All of us at the Gate were excited thinking we will be flying soon.

Around 12:30 or so
Boarded the plane. To our surprise, we found out, the same electrical issue appeared. Now, they have to fix again and they have to wait for the paperwork. While we waited for the paperwork to reach, I had a thought in my mind, they will need to re-fuel. After couple of minutes of that thought, they announced, "we need to refuel". Oh my my, we had to wait for the fuel to come from somewhere else, soon we found out, we have to Deplane. The worse part was, noone knew when we could fly.

Around 1:30 or so
Stuck in Honolulu, Hawaii. Good or Bad, not sure.
Even with lack for sleep for 2 night in a row, I didn't feel upset. I was just tired. Soon, we found out we will fly at 10:00 PM. We were given options for meal, either the $15 voucher or buffet at the Hotel. I chose the hotel option as I will get chance to get out in Waikiki. I had to wait for an  hour and half for the Bus/Shuttle to arrive at the airport. And then, it was another minimum 20 minutes of walk to get to the shuttle from the Gate. It took us another hour to get to the Hotel, it was a 9 miles road.

Around 5pm
Finally, we reached the hotel and after taking the Buffet voucher. The Seafood buffet was awesome. it was all worth the wait. It was pretty tasty and healthy. Plates full of salad and all seafood.

Around 7pm
This is the view of the hotel lounge from the 2nd floor.

After the dinner, we waited at the Hotel an hour for the bus ride to the airport. It took us about 15 minutes in Freeway, I almost fell sleep when I reached airport. It was then time for the Security and then we all boarded and flew on time to Sydney.

So, the journey to Australia begins right now

At 5:25pm
I am waiting for my flight to Las Vegas, NV. To beging my trip, like the last trip, I had Subway for dinner at the airport. The past two trips, Subway instead of McDonald Fish-o-Fillet. I am not sure what I will find in Vegas airport to eat. Is it going to be similar to LAX where I can't find a restaurant to eat some veggie/seafood mean.

11:50 pm
Almost midnight my time, in a regular day, I would be in bed at this time. Its been a long day from 6am, with very little good sleep. My flight is not until another 3 hours and 40 minutes. The boarding is in 2 hours and I am not sure how long I am going to stay awake. This is going to be one of the hardest night to stay awake. This will also mess up the sleeping time.

I walked around the airport to time pass, I found a little shop where I purchased a lunch box "Frozen" for Tisa maiya. I am excited about it, I hope she will be very happy when I give her.

While waiting I met a couple with two kids, traveling to Hawaii. Their flight has a delay and their flight was rerouted and now they are waiting in the airport to get to Honolulu. I felt bad looking at the kids. They were an interesting, very fit looking, couple. I found them more interesting as they were farmers, who looked so modern and healthy. We had very good conversations.

Its been a long time, I have been saying, I will visit you Australia

Its coming soon, as a matter of fact only few more days before I fly, and just about a week before I land there. I am so much to finish before I leave, I can't seem to get excited. It seems like that way, every vacation I take these days. I always have so much to finish and I don't even have time to feel the excitement.

The day of the flight, I get everything done, head to airport and that's the moment, I feel I am getting there soon. I felt that way with Thailand and it was great. I hope AUS will be great as well. I am looking forward to meet family, friends, explore, relax, have fun and sleep well. 

New purchases from Macy's

I needed sweaters as well as sweatshirts, winter jacket and winter boots. I tried to buy couple of days ago, something didn't work. I just found out what I was doing wrong. So, I was able to make the purchase, with a bit higher price. I hope these will reach home soon and I will like all. Purple, pink and black. 

 

Ideology Space-Dyed Pullover Jacket

INC International Concepts
Scoop-Neck Long-Sleeve Sweater

Karen Scott
Solid Zip-Shoulder Sweater

Style & Co. Petite
Starry Night Embellished Tunic Sweater

Puma Logo Hoodie Sweatshirt

Birthday gift for myself from in Thailand

Mine is off-white, no picture which is why I have posted the Blue. I don't have anything else new this time.

Benetton Fanny Bowling Bab - Blue