Taronga Zoo

While we were camping at Narrabeen we took the opportunity to visit Taronga Zoo. 

This Zoo holds so many memories for me, from when I used to visit as a child to taking the girls when they were young, to the present time with the little ones, I guess I will be going there still when I'm old with the grandkids!

We love going to Taronga Zoo, we each have our favourite animals we always want to check out and the kids love following the map and signs that show us the way. This visit we used the annual passes we got in Melbourne, although the policies for entry had changed slightly, and took a packed lunch so that it didn't cost us much at all. We decided to take the half hour drive from Narrabeen instead of battling the buses and arrived for opening ready to explore. Our favourites are always the bird and seal shows as well as Meerkats, Tassie devils and this time we wanted to check out the relatively new (to us) walk through Lemer exhibit.

We spent the whole day exploring, the last part in the pouring rain, and only left when we got kicked out because of closing. 

Check out what the kids thought through this link.

Mumma Bear.

Nan Tein Temple

On the way home from the south coast Laura and I stopped into the Nan Tien Temple. I have only called in once a long time ago and so because we weren't in a rush to get home we took the opportunity to visit.  

While in the carpark we discussed the possibility of having to cover our shoulders, so it wasn't a shock when we saw the signs outside the pagoda depicting this, but we weren't prepared with leg covering. Since you cant get into the temples etc without being covered we borrowed some sarongs 

( looked great with our converse!) before exploring the surrounds.

Each of the temples and the pagoda as well as the surrounding gardens and ponds are beautiful, and even though there were lots of visitors, we felt as sense of peace. You can't take photos in some of the areas out of respect, the temples and pagoda are memorials to the dead, and this made me appreciate my surrounding more.

We took the opportunity to have some lunch before we hit the road again, enjoying some dumplings, spring rolls and coke spiders!

I am thinking of returning to the temple to give retreat a go, probably just a day one to start off, not sure how long I can stay quiet and peaceful for...

Mumma Bear.

Down the coast

My family has been holidaying down the South Coast since before I was born and it is a place of memories, relaxation and peace for me. It doesn't matter what life is throwing me at the time, the minute I drive into town I exhale a huge sigh and instantly forget anything that is bothering me. 

• Tattooed lady!

Chasing bubbles at the races.

Ivy  was wished she had her outfit.

Celebrating last day of 2015.

We haven't been down for a long period of time over Christmas for a while, road trips and an overseas holiday happened instead, so this year soon after Christmas we drove down to spend close to 2 weeks hanging out with the family.

Are they drinking the water?

Testing out the kayak.

Admiring the view.

Looking gorgeous. 

Always kicking a ball!

Making the perfect sandcastle.

The days were spent sleeping in, going to the races for New years eve then heading down the beach to see the clock roll over to midnight, riding bikes, fishing, swimming, kayaking, reading, movies and playing board games. Even when the rain came flogging down it didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves. 

Relaxing in the sun.

Walks up to the light house.

Fishing off the rocks.

New rod!

Waiting to get her rod back.

The 12 days flew by and soon we had to head home, back to reality, sad that we had to leave, but happy that we have this haven full of great memories to return to.

Ivy's first fish!

Her second!

This fish was so small Jay wasn't positive it was on his line!

                           

                                                      Body boarding down the coast

Mumma Bear