Red Flame Diner

Barely slept and my husband showed signs of waking by 6.30, so we got ready and went to get some breakfast...

The red flame diner

67 W 44th St, New York, NY  10036, United States

TA rec

I had the fruit cup and a bagel, my husband had eggs on toast... The food  was delicious, fast with a lovely server... Will definitely be back...

Day 1 including shake shack

We are a couple in our mid/late 30's from Melbourne, Australia, taking a trip without our kids, a rare experience, and also super exciting! We LOVE NYC, this is our fourth trip... The last time we came was 6.5 years ago, with our daughter, at that point we knew the next time we came back it would be sans kids!

We have been to NYC 3 times previously, and have our go to things we like to do, places we like to eat, my vegetarian husband has since been diagnosed with lactose and fructose intolerance, so we have had to make changes, it's been refreshing to try new things...

The 26 hour trip was quite tedious, though it was a joy to have peace for that first 14 hours in flight... A long layover at LAX, I'm pretty sure that's my least favourite airport in the world... The rest of the trip I was tired, but we made it...

If you are on a visa Waiver, you can go via the automatic machines... I believe it was only if you have travelled to the U.S. on that passport since 2008... Which was awesome today, but our next trip I will have a new passport, that is a downer...

Taxi is a flat fee from the airport, we have him $70 (flat fee, toll and tip) I read somewhere that that was it and I was too tired and excited to do maths...

The first thing on my list at 10pm when we arrive, is Shake Shack, I know there are mixed reviews of this spot, but it was dope! The queue was out the door, but it wasn't that long, the queue and pick up was only 20 minutes... So worth it... I had the shack burger and the white way frozen custard, mark had the shroom burger and fries, all delicious... 

We hit Times Square, I was probably too fragile for that, especially with all the girls with body painted breasts, I don't remember that from previous visits... Can see why New Yorkers avoid it... A few shops later and we were ready to go to bed... 

I got about 2.5 hours sleep... Let's see how today goes! Shopping and a Fourth of July cruise...

(So much cheese in that portobello mushroom patty)

Tesselaar Tulip Festival

I'm not a flower person... I have a few flowers I enjoy seeing or smelling, but I'm not into flower shows or growing them... The pictures from the Tesselaar Tulip Festival sold me on it, it just looked so magical... On reading about the school holiday activities they have, I was completely in...

We arrived on opening, there was a queue but it moved super fast! And once in, the crowd dispersed, the grounds are huge! Our plan was to find face painting immediately so we wouldn't have to wait in line foreverrrrr... We asked a staff member and headed over, it was $10 per face which I thought was a bit much, but the promise was made and whilst there was a kid in each chair, there was no queue! About 30 seconds after we got there, a group of 8 kids joined, so glad we weren't behind them! The job itself was really good, worth the money...

Straight to the tulips, they were magical and beautiful... It honestly felt so special to be there... The kids loved walking through them, I just loved the feeling of them on my eyeballs!

At 10.30 The mikmaks were on, a mediocre kids music group... The kids got a free balloon made (a dinosaur and a fairy sword), we ate, checked out the fairy garden which was just beautiful... The children loved the fairy garden, and around a corner we saw Fairy Monica up a tree, Marley's mind was blown! A bit more strolling around and we were done... 

A thoroughly enjoyable day... Already looking forward to going back next year!

There was also a reptile zoo, craft, art, sand work, tractor rides, we simply ran out of time as mace was exhausted!

http://tulipfestival.com.au

Rolling Stone presents Golden Era FUNKOARS Briggs Vents and K21 workers club Melbourne

I was so keen to get to this show, we got our tickets the minute they went on sale... 200 people in a room that was reminiscent of a garage...

The minute we walked in, the heat radiated... We missed K21, aimed to get there for Vents... Vents performing is like guerilla rap, tight and raw... A good start to the night...

Briggs up next, if you don't have his new album, you need it, it is phenomenal... Makes you think, hopefully changes the world a little bit... Man has charisma for days, so his set did not disappoint... Track after track he rocked that little room, by this time we were front row, so it felt good to be in the thick of it... Purgatory was my highlight, I found it hard to keep it together, I have no idea how Briggs does... 

Last up the FUNKOARS, these three together know what they are doing on a stage...  That they are so aware of each other to be able to fit on that tiny stage and by no means we're they still! The set itself was full of bangers, the boys delivering with their unique style... The crowd got more and more hectic building to the end, it was pretty crazy in there...

I am sure that I appreciate it more because I don't get out much, but this show was special, it felt magical... I was so pleased to be there to witness it...

Royal Melbourne Show...

Today we went to the Royal Melbourne Show... You either love it or hate it... I love it, the kids love it, 3 out of 4 ain't bad!

The problem is the money suckage, I recommend arriving early, with healthy snacks and taking advantage of the free entertainment... W find that having a show bag and ride budget/limit keeps everyone in check, you know I love boundaries!

We arrived at 9.30, headed up to the kidz zone and then the fresh food pavilion, these both fill up quickly and become a nightmare... The kidz zone is full of junk, until you get to the cats and dogs at the end, the kids loved patting them!

Then 10.30 we headed to 'my backyard' to see the mr and mrs potato head show, straight to the Mickey and Minnie Mouse show at 11.30... Outside to the Frozen karaoke marquee (highlight) for the kids to do some Frozen karaoke, got some food and back to the Sam Powers Master Illusionist show... You should have seen Marley's face when he sawed a woman in half!

Cruising around looking at animals etc, getting show bags and a pony ride on the way out... The longest we have ever stayed there, and I'm sure next year will be even longer...

Meatspace - Nikesh Shukla

Meatspace by Nikesh Shukla

This book was important, I really didn't want to be reading it in 2 minute sections between parenting, so I read it in two halves on weekends when we weren't full of commitments... 

To start, if you are a social media user, especially if you are a social media fiend, this is for you! It's like a parallel universe to my own, all of this going down now, in a city I love with characters and events that are hilarious... So I'm coasting along feeling the hilarity and the dark twisty aspect, and next thing you know you are filled with emotion, and these could be your friends... By the time it ends it's been so funny and so emotional, and you don't really want to say goodbye...

Exxopolis Luminarium

We finally got to Exxopolis Luminarium at the Jam Factory car park today... Went with a 3yo and a 10 month old and we all had a blast! Seriously considering taking Marley on Friday... If you are about, children or child free, this was an awesome experience...

Venue:  JAM FACTORY CAR PARK
Address: 500 Chapel St, South Yarra 
Daily: 12pm – 9pm 
Tickets: 
$15 (+ Transaction Fee)

Children 5 years of age and under FREE  
As places are limited a ticket is still required – these can only be reserved through our Box Office Line please call 03 8290 7000.

http://chapeloffchapel.com.au/melbourne-comedy-theatre-art/melbourne-events/melbourne-exhibitions/exxopolis-luminarium-as-part-of-glow-winter-arts-festival/

Nas - Time is Illmatic - Melbourne International Film Festival

Yes it is about the making of Illmatic, there is a recap of each track and how it happened... For me, this was about so much more... About how growing up in queensbridge projects shaped Nas as a youngster... How his mother supported him, his father gave him music, his friends were the true victims of crack arriving on the scene... And the most telling if all, where his friends are now... 

I don't want to say too much, but of you are a hip hop fan, especially if you are a Nas fan, you must see this!

Veronica Mars the thousand dollar tan line...

I finally got to read this in Hawaii... It was devoured in a couple of days, it was just sooooo nice to catch up with these characters again!

Written in true Veronica Mars fashion, witty, clever, and with an ending that you wouldn't have guessed... 

What is beautiful about the books that the franchise will release is that IF there is another film, it will continue from where the books leave off! And it definitely leaves you wanting more...

The crappy thing was that you couldn't get the book on the Australian kindle site, so I had to import a copy...

FAMILY DAY PARADE (GOD’S OHANA DAY PARADE)

FAMILY DAY PARADE (GOD’S OHANA DAY PARADE)  July 5, 2014  It will start at Kalakaua Ave/Fort DeRussy/Saratoga Rd., To Kalakaua Ave., to end at Queen Kapiolani Park.  9-11am.

We saw the signs posted up and thought we would take the kids to the parade... We didn't twig that it was a Christian parade, a lot of God going down, we stayed for the whole thing though as the kids really enjoyed themselves... They loved the music and dancing, and the candy! So much candy!!!

Moiliili Summer Fest

University Ave & Coyne St Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 Email info@moiliilisummerfest.com Website http://www.moiliilisummerfest.com About Join us at the Moiliili Summer Fest - July 5, 2014 from 5:00-10:30pm. It's a free community event! 

We planned on going to the Moiliili Summer fest and it was great to notice that it was basically across the road from Step N Up Hawaii where I wanted to get my daughter some new dance stuff...

There was a kids area, some great face painting, delicious food trucks and dancing... What I loved about it, and Eat the Street, was doing things in the community... I like getting a feel for what people get up to on their home cities...

Building Lego Portraits...

My friend Nick made this, and if you are a bit of a Lego fan, you NEED to see it! Basically it let's you upload a photo and then gives you the plans and list required to build it! Go, go, go!

Www.photobrix.com

Lights On | Lights Off pop up art installations Melbourne...

Lights On | Lights Off

Friday, July 11 at 4:00pm - Thursday, July 31 at 12:00pm in UTC+10 at 220 Spencer St

A great pop up gallery with installations of modern art... Some great pieces to check, a good varied selections of mediums... If you are in  the area, check it out!

Kuhio Beach Torch lighting ceremony and hula...

Kuhio Beach Torch Lighting & Hula Ceremony

Kuhio Beach Hula Mound, Honolulu, Oahu, HI

 

Held Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting) at 6pm November through January and 6:30pm February through October, this hour-long tradition includes a conch shell blowing, Hawaiian music and hula performances by Hawaii’s finest hula halau (troupes) at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound near the Duke Kahanamoku Statue. The show varies each night, so it’s worth checking out every evening that’s convenient.

We checked this out one Tuesday night, we arrived about 15 minutes before and found a spot on the side... Most of the best spots were taken, but we could see just fine on the side... The shell blowing, music and dancing were awesome, and managed to keep our 3 and 5 year olds entertained the whole hour! A free event, it's a nice way to spend an evening...

Waikiki Gun Club Hawaii

Waikiki Indoor Range 2142 Kalakaua Ave. 2nd Floor Honolulu, Hawaii 96815 Tel: (808) 922-6442 Email: waikikigunclub@yahoo.com	Business Hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 11:30pm Sun: 12pm - 11:30pm

Waikiki gun club

Now you might remember my first shooting experience in Vegas last year... It's the absolute delusion of power, and I loved it! I disagree with the NRA, the gun laws etc, but as an experience, I can totally see why people love their guns... Which enforces why I disagree with the gun laws!

You can print off a coupon for a 20-30% off discount, which we did, and considering that they only sell packages (I would have been happy shooting a CX-4 Storm and trying an AK47, but got roped into the high power course), it's worth printing it out just in case... It's a small indoor range with no queues, great professional and friendly staff, and of course the gun I had been wanting to shoot for the past year...

Overall a great experience!

The Gruffalo National Theatre

The Gruffalo 

Where:	National Theatre  Cnr Barkly & Carlisle Streets St Kilda, VIC 3182

This morning we went to see The Gruffalo with 3yo Mace... He LOVES the story, so when my aunt offered to buy tickets, he was in!

The theatre is old and unheated, so even in our jackets, we were still cold, 4 degrees outside, maybe 6 inside!!! We got front row seats, which is usually awesome, however in this theatre, the stage starts where your feet stop, so we were literally under the lights and very close to the actors... Unfortunately being small, mace had to get on his knees to catch some parts... I recommend row C and higher... 

The production itself was quite sparse... The actors were great, costumes and set mediocre... Mace found it quite scary, which I find funny because he loves the story, but didn't seem to like the predatory nature of the fox especially! Certainly not one if the better productions we have seen...

Ala Moana Mall Oahu Hawaii

Ala moana

An open roof mall, it's quite massive... Aside from all of the usual stores, there a a few awesome niche stores... It's a $10/12 cab from outrigger reef... You can also get the trolley for $2 each way...

Their  Macys is 100% better then the one in Waikiki, it's massive and has a great kids section... Don't forget to get your travellers discount, near the cosmetics!

We were there for the opening of the Disney store in the morning... They do put a lot if effort in, with singing and looking for a magical key to open the door, my daughter loved it!

Eat the street Hawaii...

Eat The Street Hawaii is Honolulu's premiere food truck rally, happening on the last Friday of every month in Kakaako. 555 south street from 4-9pm Honolulu, Hi · eatthestreethawaii.com

I had been wanting to go to this for months, following them on Instagram, getting excited to see what would be the theme this month... It was Luau, it was awesome... Just being somewhere with locals, eating local food, checking it out, people watching... The food was good, we ate from 5 trucks in total, ribs, Swiss mushroom bacon burger, veggie pad Thai, pop poppin doughnuts and an all natural fruit icy pole... Not one bad item, reasonably priced... The only downside was having to leave so soon, could have easily spent another hour there! 

It's about a $20 cab from outrigger reef, and afterwards if you go left at south street and cross the road to the waterfront plaza, there's a phone to call a cab there...

Outrigger Reef on the beach

Outrigger Reef on the beach

We stayed for 16 nights in the one bedroom suite... When booking we used our racv card to get a discount of $50 per night... We stayed in room 1133, 11th floor...

We arrived early and our room wasn't ready, we were given a room to freshen up in which was awesome... By midday we were in our room having a group nap!  We had heard about a refreshment room and preps led a couple of backpacks at the top of our luggage with summer clothes and suncream etc for the day...

All staff we encountered, check in, cleaning, pool, cultural activities, bell, concierge, were all unbelievably friendly... On top of a beautiful lobby that opens to the pool, and on to the beach, rooms that feel Hawaiian, and a short walk from the hustle and bustle of the centre... The chilled location was great for kids...

The suite was huge, absolutely big enough for the four of us for the whole stay... The only downside was the fold out bed definitely better on floor, and still not great!

The biggest drawback is that the pool has no shallow end, or it does, but it starts deep and gets really really deep!  They have floaties, etc at the store for reasonable prices if the kids need them...

The beach here had some massive palms for shade which is perfect for kids, we didn't use the lounges, but had we not had the kids, we would have! The water gets deep and rocky quickly... A short walk to better beach...

We participated in cultural activities:

Ti leaf bracelet

Renew vows

Kukui Nut bracelet

Hula lesson

The lei making was the only one that got full and was the only day we weren't ten minutes early so we missed out!

The laundry is in the basement 1.25 for powder, $3 a wash, they have change machines so you can being your dollar bills!

All in all a wonderful stay, we will be back!

Hawaii

I have been gone with that wretched chest infection, then off to Hawaii for 2.5 weeks (end of June until mid July)...

We went to Waikiki, Oahu, and it was beautiful... Great weather, I took a cardigan and long shorts and wore neither!!! The highlight really was the people... Everyone was kind, no grumpy people, pushy people, people in a rush, it's like the Aloha is infectious... The best infection I ever had!

There were 4 of us, we are in our mid 30's and our kids are 3 and 5, we met my in laws over there for some of our stay... We stayed at Outrigger Reef on the beach, they stayed at Outrigger Waikiki on the beach... 

Going to do seperate posts for each element of our stay...