Visiting aquariums is our thing, it’s what we do when we travel and we absolutely LOVE it. Both of the boys have always been a tad obsessed with all things ‘ocean’, an interest Dave and I can wholeheartedly get behind. When we confirmed our (very) last minute trip to the Sunshine Coast, a visit to Mooloolaba and its famous Sea Life …
Travelling with Kids? 5 Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday
Some people are obsessed with shoes, some with working out, hipster coffee or mastering their winged eyeliner. I’m a sneaker-wearing, Nespresso-drinking, tinted moisturiser kind-of-girl who’s allergic to the gym, hence, my passion is slightly more far-flung and requires a little more planning than simply co-ordinating my active wear. I absolutely LIVE for travelling with my family. And by family, I …
Family Travel Japan: Nara and the Great Buddha
Nara was added to my Japan To-Do list pretty early on as I felt it was an easy combo of culture, religion and cool stuff for the boys, ie lots of roaming deer lol. Oh and this place is ancient! The boys and I were on our own (which is always slightly terrifying for me at the moment because…..Nixon!). Dave …
Family Travel Japan: Tokyo > Kyoto on the JR Shinkansen Bullet Train
Lord have mercy bullet trains are freaking amazing. Pure Japanese innovation and technology designed to increase the efficiency of people moving between Japan’s two biggest cities. Of course, the Shinkansen trains now run the full length of the country and with the amazing Japan Rail pass you are free to use Shinkansen at will. When we planned our multi-stop itinerary; …
Family Travel Japan: Day 3, Ueno Park
After declaring it an anime-shopping-free day, we decided to make the most of the beautiful weather in Tokyo so headed for Ueno Park. In Cherry Blossom season, this is one of the spots to be in Tokyo, however, as we are visiting in winter I was willing to take a gamble and have a wander. Home to many museums and …
Family Travel Japan: Day 2, Ikebukuro
In my fast and loose ‘Mind Itinerary’, I had pencilled in Monday for a trip to Sea Disney in Tokyo. However, after one day on the ground, what we really wanted to do was simply see and experience more of Tokyo. So, we ditched Disney and saved hundreds of dollars. The kids did not care and Dave and I were …
Family Travel Japan: Day 1, Tokyo
Lord. Japan is far, far away from Auckland, New Zealand. And I mean far. But that is what makes it so amazing. After two great Jetstar Flights (thanks Jason for the attention you gave the boys on the long Gold Coast – Narita leg!), we landed on Saturday night at 6.30pm at Narita Airport. It felt heaps later of …
8 Ways to Nail That Family Road Trip
How good are the school holidays guys?! Slow starts, maybe a sleep-in (not in my house but a girl can dream), no lunchboxes, no homework dramas and maybe a road-trip thrown in for good measure……… The easiest way to kick your school holiday mojo into gear is to take a second to remember just how much you lived for the holidays …
Family Travel: 5 Ways to Make Travelling with Kids Amazing
If the idea of traveling with your kids is enough to induce a cold sweat, or the thought of spending 4 hours (or more!) on a plane with both your toddler AND the general public warrants a stiff drink, then read on friends. Traveling with your kids, whatever their ages, is a great privilege and luxury afforded to few. If …
Family Travel Blog: 48 Hours in Tauranga
Earlier this month I was stoked to have been invited to compete in the first-ever Choice Hotels #ChoiceNZTravelgrammer2017 competition against 10 other NZ based Instagram Influencers. We were despatched to 10 stunning and varied locations around NZ with the goal to ‘do the regions proud’ and snap up a social media storm across Instagram. Cool right?! I hadn’t spent any …