Pictures 2018
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Roadtrip to the Blue Mountains and Three sisters
Blue Mountains and the Tree Sisters behind us
I wanted to tell all about our road trip to Mudgee, Blue mountains and Pulpit Rock that we did this weekend but I can’t keep my eyes open much longer. Zzzzz
I just have this one sneak-peak pictures of us at the beginning of our short road trip. We stopped at Blue mountains just to enjoy the view from the lookout, I think this lookout is called Echo Point Behind us are the Three Sisters .
I love this place, you can read more about Blue Mountains and the Three Sisters HERE
Its worth visiting for sure when you are in Australia. Well, if you like me and like nature, otherwise it’s not for you I guess. I really need to start putting up videos here. Pictures don’t have the same “feel”.
Now I about to pass out. This road trip to Mudgee and the Blue Mountains was fun but intense! Ciao xx
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site makeover
Looking super serious for no damn reason…
I have some exciting news, this site is going to get a fresh makeover, We have so many good ideas that have been going back and forth for a while now. But the site makeover is finally about to happen and I think you guys are going to like it more.
I don’t want to go true too much of the site makeover details, but one of the reasons I am looking forward to it is because I believe it will provide a broader content that will comply with a broader audience.
Well its hard to explain without giving away too much. And the reason why I am being secretive about the whole makeover is not to sound cool but because we need to finalize the site details.We are aiming for the new site to be out by Wednesday next week!
It’s funny because this site started as a place for me and Ambrose to show “prove” our relationship for the Australian immigration. That didn’t work out as planned since Ambrose has not contributed once since we started this site 😉
Then it also turned into a place my friends and family back in Europe could read about my everyday life after i choose to move across the world.
Looking back now, somewhere along the way this site developed into my private journal. Well maybe not so private but it is has been both amusing and interesting to go back and see what I was doing a couple of years back.The last part – private journal, is my favorite. This site acts as a great reminder of all the good times. But it also reminds me how sometimes what you write is totally dishonest. Not what appends but how some pictures and description of a day seems really amazing but you really just felt like shit.
And that is one major detail that will change in this so-called site makeover.
The intention of this site is honest, authentic and kind of a “it is as it is” mentality as my favorite guy Eckhart Tolle said.
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How to be a tourist in Bowral in 24h
I promised to come back with the details from the recovery in Bowral. Recovery is what they call the day after the wedding. Not sure if we have a word for it in Sweden but, whatever they are called I think it’s a great idea to have them. It’s quite nice to catch up with everyone the day after a wedding and talk about the big day. Especially if you have destination wedding where people have traveled a long way. Often, the bride and groom don’t have enough time to catch up with all of their gusts, that’s when recoveries come in handy.
However, after rambling on and on about this recovery in Bowral, it turns out I only took one picture from that event…
Need to get back to you on that after I find some pictures. Sorry.Lets instead have a look into how to be a tourist in Bowral in 24h:
Small alleys with charming café’s and shops.
Bowral is a perfect little town to just stroll around in.Right after we arrived in Bowral we had set a lunch-date with Tim, Mia and this amazing little creature – Millie
The recovery took place about 10 minutes outside Bowral, at Briars Inn – Moss Valle
Our friend Nour recommended this little pastry place in Bowral.
As you can see both from my face and the awards all over their window… lets just say this bakery is worth a stop when you are visiting Bowra. We tried their sausage roll, pulled pork pie and their almond croissant. Its called Gumnut Patisserie located on Bong Bong street.
We did stop to have a quick look at some of the wineries in Bowral. Non of us felt like wine-tasting, instead we enjoyed the beautiful estates and vineyards. And one more thing. This is quite strange but if you like tree’s, Bowral is the place for you. hahah I have never seen that many different types of amazing tree’s in one spot.
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Mike & Lucinda’s Wedding in Bowral
Another weekend, another beautiful wedding. This time it was our friends Mike and Lucinda who we were celebrating. Their wedding was in Bowral, a cute town about 1.5 hours from Sydney. After the wedding ceremony we went of for some drinks at the Gibraltar Hotel and then we were all off to Centennial Vineyards for the wedding reception.
The place was really beautiful, especially their terrace. Both me and Ambrose got reminded of Mudgee while walking around the property. Actually the whole of Bowral reminded us a lot of Mudgee. More about the town and the recovery tomorrow, lets have a look at Mike and Lu’s special day…
Btw, I love weddings!
Right after the wedding ceremony – Mr & Mrs Shaw-Taylor <3
The gorgeous bride Lucinda
Ambrose “the usher” with the groom Mike
Right before everyone arrives to the church. Ambrose and Cappa were suppose to be the ushers for the wedding, but neither of them knew what an usher is supposed to do …
Lucinda and her father
haha Mike – always making me laugh
us <3
The boys
Blurry picture capturing one of the best moments from the wedding
L O V E
A big thank you to Mike & Lu for letting us be part of their special day. We love you guys and wish you a forever of happiness! xx
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Margarita’s at Li’l Darling
Some of the team members from Life Changing Experiences Foundation
Meet a couple of the lovely people who work with me at the place I volunteer – Life changing experiences Foundation. I often just call it Sister 2 Sister but that is just one part of our program.
Once a week we all go to Li’l Darling in Surry Hills and have one (or a couple) of margaritas. Don’t usually like margaritas but this place really make good ones. And it is not even an option in this group I think. When I started they called it “Margarita Tuesday” and every time I’ve been with them they all order only that – margaritas! Part of the couture at the office I guess 😉I had 2 the other day and felt drunk on the train back to the coast. I am not a great alcoholic I tell you that for sure.
Li’l Darling is in a couple of places in Sydney. Check them out HEREMost of this week has been really busy, Both I and Ambrose kind of crash on the couch because we have been so tired. We started watching this show called Black Mirror on Netflix which is super creepy and super great. We stared watching it because each one is like a short movie and that’s it. Neither of us want to commit to season after season so it fits us perfectly. Except the fact that we are kind of hooked now and we are already up to season 4 on this thing. So much for not committing to Netflix….
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The cultural clash reunion
One normal picture. And that’s because Javier took it on his phone and sent it to me. Dinner at the Greek restaurant Xenos. Very charming place in Crows Nest. Always vibrant which I like.
We could not stop laughing. My camera keeps making these weird pictures where everyone looks, well not great….
After drinks comes dinner and after dinner comes Gelato. A must if you are hanging out with Ambrose.
But this is not your ordinary ice-cream place. This is heaven in you are into ice creams. Or any sweets, they have cronut’s or croissants with ice cream inside…just saying. The place is calles C9 Chocolate & Gelato. Just go there.Last night we had a proper reunion with some of the old Barcelona crew. Started with an after-work in Crows News and I could not help but t feel like its was like the good old days in Barcelona. It’s such a cultural thing, and of course it helps when you live in a country where the weather actually “welcomes” you to make plans and do something after work.
Yesterday during drinks we were actually discussing the cultural differences we experience.
For example the difference between Swedes and Australians. Swedish people tend to be more direct. In Sweden it is socially accepted to answer your phone with a ” Hello”. Not in Australia. I remember Ambrose being so shocked when he heard me answer my phone. Australians answer more like ; ” Nicci Speaking”.
Another example was asking for something in a store. In Sweden you go to the store attendee and you can say; Hi, shoes? with a smile of course. That means Hi, please tell me where I can find the shoe section in this store. In Australia life is not this easy. Here you have to go; G’day mate! How y’a going?! I am interested in maybe buying myself some shoes. If there is no troubles, would you please help me to find where your shoe section is located bla bla bla……I mean, who the F*#@k has the time and energy for these kinds of conversations?? Am I wrong? Or have I perhaps too many years in Sweden, becoming a cold and too direct person. I don’t know. Somethings I actually think I moved around too much so now I have a little bit of one too many cultures in my brain. So I am not good in any country!
Okey, back to our evening. Ambrose came after work and so did Ninnie and Javier. I used to work with the two of them back in Barcelona when I worked for TMC. Great memories so it was really great to get a full night with them, just like back in the days.
I can’t wait when we get this whole partner Visa done and we go visit Europe. I am trying to convince Ambrose to do a summer trip this time. I want to show him my favorite spots in Europe, and visit new places that neither of us has been too. Like Croatia and Turkey.
And of course Barcelona. That city will forever be one of my favorite homes in the world.
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Baha’i House of worship – A Persian gift to Australia
The other day, after driving back to the coast from another event in Sydney, we drove by this beautiful building. We decided to stop and have a look. I hate those times when you say ; “maybe next time”. That almost never happens, at least not for us.
As we walked towards this beautiful temple we were approached by a lovely guide who told us more about it. Apparently this is called Baha’i House of Worship. It is a temple given to Australia as a gift by Persia.
As the guide was showing us around the temple I tried to make a joke to Ambrose, that I (Persian) was a gift to him (Australia) He did not laugh. hahah. I thought it was such a good one myself!
The temple is as beautiful inside as it was on the outside. It is not much inside, just a couple of chairs and some large flower arrangements. I think they like to keep it simple. People go there mostly to meditate the guide told us. So that’s what we did. Well for a short time at least, I cant get Ambrose to sit still doing nothing for a very long time.
The only rules was that you could not take any pictures if any other person was in the temple. I waited for bit and then we took a couple of pictures of this gorgeous building. Such a nice gift!
If you guys want to find out more you can to so HERE
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Beers with an old friend from Barcelona and the Sydney Ballet in Darling Harbour
Yesterday was absolutely full on. Think we got out of bed at 5:50 in the morning and back in it around midnight. But somehow we were both full of energy.
I went to do some volunteer work at the office in Sydney. Felt good after 2 weeks of Christmas holidays.
The afternoon came and it was time for an early Ramen dinner in China Town with Ambrose. We finished our dinner pretty quick because we had plans to see Javier for a beer. Javier is an old friend and colleague of mine from the time I worked for TMC in Barcelona. I was so excited, have not seen him in over three years. Crazy how time goes by so fast!Since we had tickets to the Ballet in Darling Harbour and Javier had dinner plans with some friends from Sydney, the beer date ended after just 2 beers. Instead we made some proper plans for next week, dinner and drinks all night in Sydney.
We rushed over to Darling Harbour, trying to find Marnee and the rest of the group. It was our first ballet, neither I or Ambrose have been to one before. We both really liked it, well maybe me more than Ambrose haha.
If you are interested to see it check it out HERE https://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2018/tree-of-codes
It must have been around 2 thousand people there. not easy to get out, get our bags ( which they for security reasons made us hand in) and get to the train back to the coast. At the station we bumped into our friend Matty who just arrived from New Zealand. Everything was good until he informed us that the trains had been cancelled due to railroad works and the storm. So we were forced to take a bus and then change, in the middle of nowhere to a train. Gah!!
To keep the story short… the train was delayed from this new place the bus took us. We bumped into another guy we new, Bart’s colleague. Found out that Matti’s parents lived close to the train station we were stranded at. Made hos dad come pick us up, we drove the dad back to his house, helped him move some heavy pots. Matty drove his car with all of us to the coast. Dropped us at our parked car so we could drive to the house and then took Bart’s colleague home.
At the house we had a shower, laughed about our surreal night and fell asleep like to babies.
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