Bowling, Cocktails and Laughs

On the weekend we went to Strike Bowling at the King Street Wharf (Darling Harbour).  My sister and her children came too and we had a fantastic time.

Much smaller and more intimate than other bowling centres, it is so much fun.  With the loud dance music, video clips, cocktails ( for the adults of course) and excellent finger food, it is as much a place for the adults as the children.

They even have private Karaoke rooms for hire so we are thinking of going back next time and doing that too.

Afterwards we walked from the King Street Wharf around past the Sydney Aquarium to Darling Habour (central) for ice-cream and coffee.  I was surprised that even on a Sunday night there were so many people around.  There were performers and tourists. All the restaurants were full and it had a fantastic vibe.

King Street Wharf - Darling Harbour

Even better was the fact that it was quite a balmy night.  The kids all ended up with glow stick light sabre's and ran around while we ate our icecream. 

It was a wonderful night and since I work long hours during the week, I always try to make my weekends fun for the family.  We like to get out and about and if the weather is good then we make the most of it. 

If you haven't been to the Strike Bowling at King St Wharf then I recommend it. 

Toys will travel...

Inspired by the 2001 film Amelie, a new travel agency in the Czech Republic called "Toy Traveling" is offering a unique luxury vacation not for you, but for your toys. You send them your favorite stuffed animal and they'll take it on an escorted luxury trip all around Prague, taking photographs of it at sights like Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge.

And if you'd like your fuzzy friend to really have a great time you can even pay extra for a massage, which includes incense and candles, or the 'dearest package' that comes with a cushion and duvet to make the journey home especially comfortable on his padded little behind.  Prices start at about $120 for the basic package and get up over $200 depending on options.
http://www.toytraveling.com/

However toys have been snapped taking holidays around the world for years.  On the internet there are numerous sites devoted to travelling stuffed toys.

From News.com (April 1, 2010)
 
HOLIDAYMAKERS are shying away from their cameras, preferring to point them at their favourite toys instead as part of a new trend.

Travellers Conny and Markus Morgenroth, who set up a website devoted to amusing travel pictures of their Kermit toy, provide one of the most famous examples.   Their toy has travelled across four continents spanning 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometres) and more than 21 cities.
The website shows the Kermit toy posing in front of various famous landmarks including London’s Big Ben, the Sydney Opera House and Times Square in New York.


With most of the world facing recession and economic downturn, many have chosen not to travel to save money.  Therefore sending your beloved stuffed animal abroad is a bit of escapist fun.

What I'd like to know is whether they'll take photo's of it downing a stein or twenty of beer at October fest, doing a pub crawl in a toga, running with the bulls in Spain or lying face down in a side alley face down with his ears held back by another fluffy ted.  (Oh, that's right, it isn't run by Contiki....yet!)

What I'm trying to picture is the tour operator of travelling toys taking out each fluffy toy individually for happy snaps at each location!   To save money maybe a bunch of Australians could get together and send all their fluffy toys over for bulk group shots.  Dress them in green and gold but I'm not sure how they'll get them to say "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi".

The best block of land in Sydney...

Sydney is obsessed by property.  It is discussed as much as the weather.  If you turn on the radio and TV you're bound to hear about the property market.  Will it go up?  Will it go down?  Which suburbs/areas are about to boom...

Dinner conversations are always peppered with real esate discussion.  Who's just sold, bought or renovated.  The gossip isn't about who wore what dress as much as who bought and sold.  And for how much. 

Land on the harbour overlooking the Sydney skyline is priceless.  A rarity in a city where even car parking spaces can go for over six figures in the right location. 

Sometimes I wonder if the residents of one particular area of land actually appreciate the land and the fine views they enjoy whilst they munch away on their meals.  Are they oblivious to the ooh's and aah's of passers by?  They seem completely non-plussed, arrogant if you will.  And it never ceases to amaze me.  The land and views are worth millions and yet they seem not to notice.  I wonder if they ever lift their lofty heads as a ship passes by and sounds it's horn.  Here they are :-

Sydney's Taronga Zoo

For me and the millions who visit Taronga Zoo it is simply the most amazing sight.  Even now after all these years I still continue to marvel at it all, snapping away on my camera and thinking that they must indeed be the luckiest giraffes in the world.  Prime real estate and views.  I wonder what they make of it all, the fuss and tourists clicking away on their cameras.  I'm sure they don't really care as long as they are fed and happy.

Taronga really is the most gorgeous zoo I've ever seen and I can spend a whole day there.  It is a photographers dream.  And my boys love exploring the zoo with its winding paths and quiet corners you can sit and watch the ships sail by. 

The new baby elephants have resulted in enormous excitement and children are studying wild animals and Africa with renewed enthusiasm.  My African artworks do well as children can't seem to get enough of them.  After a visit to Taronga the animals are the new celebrities which I think is fantastic.   It is wonderful to see pop posters pulled down and replaced with artworks of animals again.

Sydney's gone elephant crazy!

Ok, hands up everyone who saw photo's or footage on TV of the newest addition at Sydney's Taronga Zoo and "oohed and aahed"! The new baby elephant born this week is ridiculously cute.
Watching it take the first wobbly baby steps and start to play was wonderful.

I went to Taronga Zoo with family when the last little one: "Luc Chai", was born. Sydney went crazy for the him and the crowds were amazing.

I didn't put two and two together this week when orders started pouring in for my elephant artwork. It seems this newborn has started a trend in everything "elephant".

Kids in Sydney now want a little elephant picture for themselves. I've had this artwork for a while and this week it became the favourite order.

Now take a look at the photo below. How similar are they?!

I can't wait to take the kids to see the new baby elephant. Now Luc Chai has a little playmate. Hopefully it will have a name soon.