We're back...

We finally have internet...

Hello everyone,

You cannot imagine how much we miss you all. We keep talking about you (only the good stuff, of course). I hope you are well and back in your routine by now.
I just wanted to keep you up to date to how things were going around here...here as in Australia!

Staying with Oliver was hilarious every day, between sharing the baths together and dinners; they had a ball, kissing each other good night every night and waking up first thing in the morning to shout each others’ names.

Moving on...Landed safely, had a very good flight. Skye was delighted with all the kids’ channels, cartoons and movies to watch. It was a good day flight but little one here did not have a nap which was alright. Skye kept saying that she wanted to show Oliver the plane and Australia. I kept nodding...

Where we are staying is quite spacious and very practical with everything in it. They even had a starter package with pasta, tomato sauce, coffee, milk,etc... Our first night, we cuddled all together, hugging each other in one bed in this strange city. The city is busy! You cannot stop on the pavement without causing a traffic jam behind you while walking. People are going to work, to lunch, busy, busy, busy! It still intimidates us especially during the lunch hour rush. Oh, and yes, Skye saw her first town lunatic...a man with his head in the clouds, wearing very wide pink trousers, with large red star shaped glasses and singing loudly off tune in the middle of the town square. “Mummy, mummy, what’s that?” she says. “Oh, it’s just a happy man singing.” Skye is entering the “questioning ever thing” phase. What’s that? Why? How? What for? She is very clever and brilliant! Both, Michael and I, have to make sure our answers are correct all the time, there is no short cut or changing it, she will quiz us again later, she does, believe me, she is a funny, one this one!

It took us a few days to recover from the flight and the different timings, I got rid of my nasty cold and thankfully no one else caught it.
We went to the zoo the second day. Skye loved it! It took us half a day and we even skipped a few areas as well because we were tired. So we have not seen any koalas nor any kangaroos yet. Maybe next time. But we did see the African animals like the elephants, lions, etc...Skye was speechless. It was mother day that Sunday and mothers got in for free and kids under 4 are always free!

Parks are everywhere and free. It is the law for any construction/building to have a space for children to play, which means if you want to build something you have to have some space for the children...Very respectful to humans those Australians.
Food is a bit expensive but we need to find what is in season, it would be cheaper and this Saturday we are going to explore the farmers’ market and the fish market, which is every Saturday in an open area, sounds very nice and fresh! Our first cooked dinner was smoked cod in the oven with sweet potatoes and veggies on the side, delicious!

Skye and I spend the mornings at home, between breakfast, colouring, playing with play dough, etc... anything to keep us entertained then after lunch we go out for a walk so she can sleep in her stroller. We spend every afternoon in the park. People are enjoying the company of their own kids and playing with them in the park and having barbecues, which are everywhere by the way and free, just bring ur own meat and press the switch button for the gas! Some restaurants have signs: BYO which means bring your own alcohol if you want! How civilised!

We have not seen any wild animals yet except for the birds, which are some colourful parrots, beautiful colours and the big crows which are the size of a medium sized dog, they utter a horrible sound like someone strangling a cat!, and guess what there are not afraid of humans. First morning thought it was Skye sobbing in her bed but it turns out it was the horrible crows. We went shopping for bread yesterday before going to the park and they stole half of it even though it was hidden in the bag inside the stroller! They even stole my hot coffee! I left it for 2 min to go to the toilets with Skye. They steal things and fly with containers even! We have to be more careful, at least Teddy is safe and Skye stays close to me.Driving on the beach coast is stunning, trees, grass, parks, slides everywhere. Even in the centre of town, everything is green, we are surrounded by giant trees that sways with the wind and you can hear the autumn leaves ruffling...Not like Dubai and its sand storms.Beautiful in its own other way. It is just very beautiful, very peaceful once you are out of the city. People are cycling, jogging, walking with their kids, family, dogs...It is so alive and natural!

The weather is still warm for autumn but occasionally you need to put on a thin cardigan, but it is not warm enough for us to swim. The leaves of the trees are changing colours like the colour of a flame, it is different here, I am actually enjoying the change of weather and getting exposed to the seasons!
Wish you all well, big kisses and hugs...