Posts Tagged ‘Holidays - Australia’

We spent our first day in Australia at Moreton Island, Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort.

Look at the really blue sky and water at Moreton Island. We didn’t do much photoshop effect to this photo, taken with our iPhone, and I already love the NATURAL DEEP BLUE:)

We got off from our overnight flight from Singapore, then hopped onto the tour bus, went on a quick supermarket tour near the airport and then took an approximately 75-minute boat ride from Brisbane. Finally, there we were! At the beautiful Island of Moreton in Queensland Australia.

Wow! The first impression we had was “Such crystal-clear and turquoise sea water, such a relaxing getaway destination and so many pelicans!”  An awesome blue, green and brown sight! At that scorching noon time, the first idea I had was to really dip into the crystal clear water and have a swim. Haha!

The crystal-clear and turquoise sea water at Moreton Island and the boat we took

Nature, wildlife and sea lovers or those who just want a relaxing getaway would love an experience at Moreton Island.  Besides being a protected nature reserve (95% National Park), the island houses the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Island Resort and is the world’s 3rd largest sand island. It is popular for its beaches, sea activities, tall sand dunes, dolphin feeding and encounters, whale watching, snorkelling, sand toboganning, quad biking, Tangalooma Wrecks and historic lighthouse (oldest in Queensland) and many others.  For families with children, it offers kids’ activities too ranging from eco kids environment activity, board games, dolphin education, tennis, badminton, playground, swimming pool and more.

The beaches at the Moreton Island

Nature, ocean, relaxing moments enjoying the calming ocean breeze, close encounter with sea animals, thrilling sand toboganning…..These are definitely what our family desires:)

For bird lovers, you will be rewarded with beautiful sights of pelicans and sea gulls who play beautiful hosts to welcome you to the island

So. As soon as we had our lunch, we headed for the Desert Safari for sand toboganning/sand sledding/sand ski/sand boarding (there are so many names for it) at what they introduce as the world’s tallest stabilised sand dune, standing at 80m.

As soon as we alighted from the bus, what fascinated us was the awesome sight of sand at the Desert Safari…PLENTY of soft and clean SAND!  Haha…the closest to describe the land of sand would be “brown snow”:)

They are so gentle to the feet and we were so tempted to dip ourselves in…haha:)

The boys were jumping high in the air - for JOY:)

Kids being kids…it doesn’t take much instructions from the parents before they were around and about …running, jumping, building sand castles, burying the sand toboganning board, wrapping themselves in sand, attempting that sand toboganning at one-quarter slope.  Simply creating their own fun in their own way….feeling unrestrained in a vast sand land.

As for the adults…..the feeling of wind and sand brushing against the face and that adenaline soar is such an excitement and it got Papa Ed busy sand toboganning again and again:)  Despite the determinations to climb up that sand dune again. Despite the sand flying into the mouth with that screaming. Despite the sand splashing into the face.  Despite sometimes accidentally dashing into people along the way. It is still a rewarding experience and fun sand boarding down the dune!

To summarise our experience on our activity at Desert Safari of Moreton Island : “An awesome experience for the family - kids and adult!.” :)

We have more to share about Tangalooma and our other getaways in Australia :)

Meanwhile, catch this YOUTUBE video with Papa Ed in action while sand toboganning.

[See that tiny man sliding down and our Darren running towards him? He is definitely Darren's HERO of the day:) And our Brendan humming that joyous tune? They are obviously in an ENJOYABLE mood] :)

When friends heard that we had chosen Australia as our travel destination, they started asking :”Why are you going to Australia for vacation when you have been there a number of times?”

[Yeah, we have travelled to some countries a number of times but to us what is important is still the purpose of being there and cherishing moments with the company we enjoy.]

When I was single, my main concentration in Australia was about work and training. I loved the snow ski and winter which I would never have been able to experience in my homeland.

When I went to Australia again with hubby, the trip became romantic and balanced with sightseeing and shopping.

Ever since we have the boys, we began to pick travel destinations that will engage members of the family, especially the boys. Hehe…while we are fortunate to have some stamina left, we do not mind engaging in some active programs with our boys……yes, while we still can *smile*.  Knowing that the boys will be super bored if the shopping venues have nothing to attract them, our holiday trips have since been less shopping-oriented.

Now, going back to Australia - this time with two boys- the trip was fun-filled with activity-based and educational programs, and lots of play times.  There was less focus on shopping/spa and whatever a woman would fancy but still I enjoyed every bit of the trip with the young ones, engaging in their preferred activities.

The boys never fail to enable us to learn and enjoy life in a different perspectives. Haha…I think I would never have  ventured into the totally dark nature reserves late at night or come so close to the wildlife or scale those heights and immerse myself in a different level of enjoyment if I do not have the company of these kids *grin*.

Hehe…I feel younger already, with their lively company, although totally drained of energy and somehow like a baked potato, at the end of the trip *haha*.

So, same country of destination, different cities, different company AND a WHOLE NEW purpose and sensation.

Afterall, it is still about the whole new experience spent with people that we truly enjoy our moments with *smile*.

As for you, have you re-prioritised your travel destinations after you have your children? What kind of activities do you usually look out for when you choose an overseas travel destination with your children?

Looking forward to you sharing your views :)

“In a vast and barren desert, a boy was held captive in a bus. Aha! When the opportunity arrived, the boy ran for his life!  Surrounded by only a desert of sand, the chance of escape was slim but the boy was not missing any chance.”

Well, well, at least, this is what the picture seems to tell so *wink*.

Hehe. The real story is ……

The boy in the picture (our Darren) was actually having a fantastic time in the “desert” at the Tangolooma Island Resort at Moreton Island of Australia, running around wildly and carefreely -  like there is no barrier and only the sky’s the limit *haha*. I like this candid shot :)

We have just returned to Singapore after a wonderful holiday and most enjoyable week in Australia :)

Blue sky, ocean, nature reserve, desert, theme parks, shopping, wildlife, cruises, flying and more…..

It has been an activity-filled holiday and we (the boys especially), enjoyed ourselves tremendously :)

Will be sharing more. Look out for our posts on our holiday in Australia soon!