If you follow me on Instagram (@yellowdandy), or you've read some snippets here and there on my last couple of posts, you would know that we went on a holiday last week. This was a holiday that we had booked a long time ago, before we even decided to sell the house, and all the chaos that came with it. We had some frequent flier points saved up, and some really cheap return tickets became available, so we decided to head over to northern New South Wales to celebrate my Nephew's 1st Birthday. I only have one nephew, and we had only ever seen him twice before this trip, so needless to say, we jumped at the opportunity to go and visit our east coast family, who live in the idillic town of Cabarita Beach. Even though the lead up before the holiday was pretty chaotic, it turned out to be pretty good timing for a trip, I'm so glad it didn't happen before we had settled on the house.
The only thing that I was dreading about this holidays was the 5 hour plane ride with a toddler that NEVER EVER sits still. I was stressing myself out just thinking about what a nightmare the flights were going to be, and how we would be getting death stares from every other passenger on board. Thankfully on our flight over we had a row of 3 seats all to ourselves (even though we only paid for 2, I love it when they do that for you!!). We managed to keep Ezra happy with copious amounts of food and a season of Timmy Time and Shaun The Sheep on my iPad. For the most part it was a pretty decent journey, it certainly wasn't as relaxing as plane flights used to be, but we were all mostly sane by the end of it. So I call it a win.
Even with the on and off rain and storms that have been hammering Northern NSW and QLD we had a really great trip. It wasn't about sight-seeing or touristy stuff (we've been over there enough times now that we've seen most of the sights), it was about spending time with family and friends and just enjoying each others company. Ezra got to spend some quality time with his cousin, which usually meant trying to sit on him as he was crawling around, he just couldn't keep himself away. Luckily his playful eagerness was reciprocated and his younger cousin didn't mind the rough housing. He started to learn to share the attention of his Nan and Pop, and to get to know his Aunty and Uncle.
The flight home wasn't as pleasant as the flight there. We were told at check-in that a seat had been blocked for us, and I breathed a sigh of relief. It was a night time flight, so I thought Ez could sleep in the middle seat and we could get some rest too. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case, the airline had ended up allocating the aisle seat and we were crammed into two seats (middle and window) with a tired boy sleeping on our laps, and a guy who stunk like cigarette smoke and booze who was blocking our exit to the aisle. Our row companion chugged 5 cans of VB, and then fell asleep, SNORING loudly, and took up my entire arm rest!! Lets just say I was not happy. . . but, with all that, at least Ez slept. We made it home safe and sound, and because of the tight quarters I managed to score some swollen feet as well!
Here are some of my favourite pictures from our trip. I love how wild and furious the ocean seemed while we were there. It is so tame in comparison over here.
I hear ya on dreading the plane flights! Sounds like you lucked out on the way over.. but paid dearly for it on the way back Ugh. 5 beers!!
ReplyDeleteLove the pics, that is some rough surf!
Great pictures. Glad you had a wonderful time. Must be hard to be so far from family. I love that my sisters and my niece and nephew are less than 10 mins away!
ReplyDeleteI adore your photos! Especially the skateboard ones! Planes and children are hard work - I've done it too many times now - I completely feel your pain and downing 5 beers while sitting near a child - is not manners at all xx
ReplyDeleteLovely photos Karen! I dread the thought of taking my 3 on a plane - I don't even want to contemplate how much work that would be for me!
ReplyDeleteI know, who drinks 5 beers on a plane, especially when you have to pay for them!! I wasn't tempted to go swimming in that wild sea at all! x Karen
ReplyDeleteI feel lucky to be near most of my family, but my older brother moved out there about 7 years ago, and I don't think they'll be moving back any time soon :(
ReplyDeleteThanks Josefa! I love how cute they all looked on the skateboard, but almost impossible to get them to all look at the camera! My in-laws keep suggesting a USA trip, but I can't even imagine 30 hours of travelling with a toddler...
ReplyDeleteOh 3 on a plane, no way!! I have friends who are taking their 4 kids (including a 1 & 3 year old) to the USA I just couldn't do it!!
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