Newcastle, Australia

February 2013

Newcastle use to be a popular destination for us, but we haven't been for a number of years with me working in Auckland....

So for our wedding anniversary this year we went back to our roots.

Stay
We always stay in the Crowne Plaza, in a harbourside 1 bedroom suite

Eat
Mereweather Surf House, its a shame the weather wasn't better, but you still got to see the raging sea

Nagisa Japanese

Buffet breakfast at the Crowne Plaza, they even have a made to order omelette stand

Drink
Its something I've got to say about Newcastle, as a non-drinker to get a variety of cocktails is a wonderful thing, to get to a place like The Landing Bar and be told they can make me whatever I wanted was fantastic. This is pretty common in the area from my experience, they train their bar staff well.

Do
The rain made Saturday miserable, but it was perfect weather to check out the Centenary Antique Centre

Long weekends of the past

I always avoided travelling over long weekends, prices were higher, airports were busier, it was generally school holiday time and more screaming kids, but a few years back I decided we could be wasting a good free three or four days and have tried to travel each Easter and October (Labour Day in NSW).

Easter 2012 - Wilson Island, Queensland

Easter 2011 - Bay of Fires, Tasmania

Easter 2010 - Daintree/Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

October Long Weekend 2012 - Hobart, Tasmania

October Long Weekend 2011 - Lord Howe Island, Australia

Or we use the public holiday to extend an otherwise already lengthy trip, such as:

Australia Day 2013 - Waikiki, USA

Australia Day 2012 - Tahiti, French Polynesia

I'll keep you posted in a few weeks where we spend Easter 2013.

The type of traveler I am not...

You might have seen my travel style post, but this is a post on the type of traveler I am not....

Trendy

If I ever cover trendy locations it's usually because of the view, the location in general or the food tastes good. In fact if I go to a place that was once deemed trendy, it's no longer trendy. I love to follow other blogs where people go to trendy bars and hotels, but it's not my thing.

Thrill Seeker

I love the great outdoors and I love a challenge, but I can't see myself jumping out of a plane anytime soon. DH on the other hand....

Long term stayers

Our trips can range from over night to 6 weeks, but we don't like to stay in the one place for long. Time is short, we see what we can, when we can and don't worry too much that we might miss something because we only have 8 hours one location. I'm also convinced the people that claim you need to spend a week in each location have never been to Nazca....

Spontaneous

I like planning, I like to have a plan and I like to be planned. I would never show up somewhere without a booking or without a list of things to do and places to eat. Having said that, if plans change or fall apart due to delayed flights I am also luckily patient.

Lawry's Prime Rib, Las Vegas

January 2013

Lawry's Prime Rib was one of my parents picks. I'd never been too and been a beef lover I have no idea why i didn't visit sooner....

Lawry's really provides a full meal, we didn't order any starters or any sides and our Lawry's cut came with.

The famous spinning salad (or the end result)

The Lawry's Cut with mashed potato sides $42 - Medium Rare, just the way I like it

Roy's, Summerlin, Las Vages

January 2013

While Roy's originated in Hawaii, we had already decided to visit at one of the two Las Vegas locations. The food was fabulous and the service spectacular. I would definitely return - hopefully the original in Hawaii.

I don't drink, but we all started with Mai Tais (mine of the non alcoholic variety)

We shared to starters, the first being Panko Crisped Calamari

Calamari $11.95

The second was Roy's Canoe for Two (or three!), which included Lobster Potstickers, Luau Chicken Spring Rolls, Teppanyaki Shrimp, Grilled Szechuan Pork Ribs, Spicy Tuna Roll

Canoe for Two $26.95

We all had different mains, mine being the Surf and Turf that I'd heard so much about, the steak was cooked just right.

Surf and Turf $39.95

Mum had the Macadamia encrusted Mahi Mahi

Mahi Mahi $28.95

Dad had the Shellfish Sampler, which included half a lobster tail, Seared Crab Cake, U10 Sea Scallop
& Shrimp

Shellfish Sampler $36.95

Serendipity 3, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

January 2013

My mother and I decided to have a fun early dinner at Serendipity 3, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. It's a fun little spot with a neat menu.

The main reason for our visit was the try the Frozen Hot Chocolate, which may sound like a contradiction but is basically the mix you would use for hot chocolate in a frozen form (if your still confused try one!).

Frozen Hot Chocolate for Two $15

We decided to split the Safe at Home Wagyu Sliders

Wagyu Sliders $14 and a side of onion rings $5

And of course I couldn't resist a side of onion rings (with parmesan cheese!)

Mon Ami Gabi, Paris Hotel, Las Vegas

January 2013

People always rave about Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris Hotel, Las Vegas, which sometimes makes me a bit skeptical  however I was glad my mother and I had brunch here on our latest visit of Las Vegas.

We both started with cappuccinos which were good but a little bit pricey ($4.95) compared to the rest of the menu.

I had heard that the eggs benedict (with Canadian bacon) was made with fresh english muffins, and it was as good as I'd been told.

Eggs Benedict with Canadian Bacon $14.95

While my mother enjoyed the blueberry waffles made from scratch.

Blueberry Waffles $11.95

The food was fresh and fabulous. We didn't sit outside as it was a bit cool and while they have heaters we both don't like to get chilly.