Spring Break 2015 -Sydney

 As soon as we arrived, we went out to explore. It was so nice to wear sleeves and pants again! We stayed in Circular Quay and were very close to Sydney Opera House and The Harbour Bridge.

Day One
 We spent our first full day in Sydney exploring the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. Our traveling buddies the Heinrichs joined us. We started in Bondi and had some fun in the large cold waves before eating lunch at The Bucket List. Then we trekked along the coast making our way to Coogee where we stopped for dinner.

Bondi Beach 

The Bucket List

The start of the "beach walk"

The Iceberg public swimming pool. 

The kids were loving the wide open spaces!

Day Two- We checked out the Sydney Opera House, walked through the Botanic Garden, toured some local neighborhoods, and had dinner in Darling Harbour.

Sydney Fish Market

Darling Harbour

Day Three- We "hired" a van with the Heinrichs and drove to Featherdale Wildlife Park and then onto the Blue Mountains. It was Josh's first time driving on the 'wrong' side of the car and road. It was my first time seeing a wombat. And, the girls first time hiking a mountain. Also a first, petting the koalas and kangaroos. 

Wombat! 

The Three Sisters rock formation

Day four- We took a 40 minute ferry ride to Manly beach. The water was pretty chilly, but the girls enjoyed climbing the rocks and playing in the tide pools. 

Day Five-  We loved the beach walk so much, we went back and did it again. This time we started at Coogee Beach and walked to Bondi. It was a warm day and the ocean was full of surfers. 

Day Six- We spent our last day wandering around the city again. We also walked across the Harbour Bridge.  The girls were not old enough to do the bridge climb that takes you to the top, but we loved Sydney so much we've decided we'll go back and do that next time.  

Hoi An, Vietnam

Day One-

                                                                  The Victoria Resort

                                    We spent the morning exploring the Hoi An old town area.

                                       The Japanese covered bridge- constructed in the 1590's.

                                                                         Beautiful temple

 This was the tailor that we stopped at- Ms. Forget Me Not.  So much fun to have custom pieces made             for us in just 24 hrs!

                                       Back at the resort for some beach and pool time.

We went back into town for dinner and ate at a spot overlooking the river.

                     Day Two-  We started the day with a sidecar tour of fields and small village.

                The afternoon was spent back at the beach. We had great waves for body boarding.

                                                           woven bamboo basket boat

                                               My pretty girls got dressed up for dinner.

                                                        Flowers at the street market.

                             The busy river with shophouses and restaurants along both sides.

                  These boys were selling paper lanterns to wish upon and then place in the river.

                                                   Before we set them in the river.

Day Three- We went back to pick up our clothing. These are the dresses the girls chose.  The women that helped us were so kind and helpful and loved to work with the girls.

                                                           Josh in one of his new suits.

                                                               And my new coat.

                                                                        Street market

                                      This family was unpacking their portable restaurant.

 We purchased a lantern from this shopowner. The people here are so nice!

 We absolutely loved our time in Hoi An. It was our favorite SE Asia trip so far! (Maldives excluded)