Perth

Posted on by ghotiindustries

Himself and I always wanted to go to Perth. It has been on our wishlist for many years, but we never quite managed to make it while still living in the country. So when I received a message from a friend that she was getting married, and it was in Perth, there was no way I wasn’t going to be there!

photo IMG_4885_zpsahw0jpbt.jpg

Why not travel around the world to see something you’ve never seen before?! We decided on balance that spending a week in Perth would be best. Achieve as much off our “want” list as possible. Would you like to know more?

Christchurch – Part 5

Posted on by ghotiindustries

As we were saying out final farewells, it was a time to drive around and remind ourselves that though Christchurch has come a long way in the three years since the big quake, there is still so much to do.

This is what’s left of the Cathedral in Cathedral Square. Still fenced off from the public.

photo IMG_0219_zpsd1fd6535.jpg

But there has been beauty to be found as well. Would you like to know more?

Adventure is out there!

Posted on by ghotiindustries

Oh the places you’ll go, the things you’ll see! – Dr Suess

So this post may not be entirely normal, as this weekend I did something that I’ve never done before. Actually, I did several things that I’ve never done before! The first was boarding a train to travel internationally.

Photobucket

Now, this may not mean much to most people, but when you grow up in Australia, when you catch a train, you can only ever get to other parts of Australia. Even traveling in a straight line for days, you still only reach more of Australia!

Photobucket

We were on a train for just over 3 hours (a trip to Canberra), and ended up here…

Photobucket

Yes, that’s right. We went to PARIS! *has a moment* Left on Friday night after work, and were back Sunday afternoon.

We have a gift though. We crossed countries (I’ve now been through Belgium! Another first!), and changed major international city, and still wound up in the Red Light District.

Photobucket

This is the day we woke up to. Weather was threatening rain, and given a friend of mine had just left Paris a few days earlier and it had been so hot she was unable to sleep, I was grateful for the respite in the heat.

Photobucket

This is the most comfortable bed I have slept in since arriving in Europe, and I’m not afraid to admit it. I can’t wait for our stuff to arrive. And the hotel had REAL black out curtains. *cries tears of joy*

Photobucket

Over breakfast we planned out our day. Wouldn’t be France without croissants and espresso. We’ll just gloss over the fact that this is what Himself has for breakfast every day…

Photobucket

Yet again, the architecture defines the city. The beautiful ironwork balustrades, covered with plant boxes, shutters, and the windows in the rooves. This is Paris.

Photobucket

Then it as off to the Metro to begin our days excitement!

Photobucket

I can’t get over how well looked after, clean, efficient, and old the metro is!

Photobucket

This’ll be a big week for posting folks, I hope you don’t mind too much following along on our adventure! 😀

Hitting the Streets

Posted on by ghotiindustries

With so much to see and do, and not much time before Himself needs to begin at the office, we decided to hit the ground running. Armed with a batch of brochures helpfully provided by the hotel we were staying in, we headed to breakfast.

Photobucket

With the assistance and input of a local, we reached the conclusion that we need to see everything, just not necessarily all at once.

Photobucket

So we headed off to wander the streets of Amsterdam and soak up our new environment.

The architecture is magnificent.

Photobucket

We keep being blown away just by staring at the buildings.

Photobucket

It’s so different from Australia and New Zealand.

Photobucket

Did you know the front of the buildings leans inwards in order to move in furniture? The stairs inside are too narrow and steep. These are still in use today, we’ve watched them be used.

Photobucket

Before street numbers, it was the different shapes of gables that identified your house.

Photobucket

And it doesn’t really show up in the picture, but can you see how the side wall heading back from the front of this house is slanted and not at right angles? I can’t imagine trying to furnish a house of this shape! *grins*

Photobucket

Houses built into the canal. I’m in love!!!

Photobucket

I laughed out loud when I saw this house, and yet there are many like it. I honestly am not sure how some of these buildings are still standing they are so far from square! But they have been for centuries now, and it’s beautiful!

Photobucket

I can’t wait to discover which one we’re going to live in!!!