Monthly Archives: May 2024

Autumn Holiday to the Blue Mountains: A Family Adventure

For the autumn school holidays, we decided to take a trip to the Blue Mountains, a picturesque region located about 100 kilometres west of Sydney. This area is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, especially in autumn when the landscape is adorned with vibrant yellow, orange, and brown leaves.
The Blue Mountains have always been a popular destination for us to show to our overseas visitors. However, this time we decided to stay for a few days and explore the area ourselves.


We spent our days exploring the numerous attractions the area has to offer. One of the highlights was visiting the iconic Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point, which provided us with a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding valleys and cliffs.

We also enjoyed a ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest passenger railway in the world, offering a thrilling descent through lush rainforest.


Another unforgettable experience was gliding between cliff tops on the Scenic Skyway. This 720-metre journey offers the best views of Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, Mt Solitary, and Jamison Valley. Suspended 270 metres above ancient ravines, the breathtaking views of the rainforest canopy are revealed beneath your feet through the electro-glass cabin floor.



As they stepped onto the glass floor of the Scenic Skyway at Blue Mountain, the kids initially froze, their eyes wide with a mix of awe and trepidation. The transparent surface revealed the dizzying drop below, making their hearts race. Clinging to each other and to the railing, they hesitated, their nervous laughter betraying their fear.

However, as the initial shock wore off, curiosity began to replace their anxiety , they started peeking down at the forest and waterfall far below. Suddenly, the fear turned to exhilaration. They giggled and pointed out the tiny trees and winding trails beneath them, marvelling at the unique perspective. The glass floor, once a source of fear, became a thrilling experience, and they began to move around with increasing confidence, enjoying the breathtaking views from their lofty perch.

We also experienced the Scenic Cableway, a 510-metre journey that gently descends into the Jamison Valley before returning to the top of the escarpment. The fully enclosed cabin offers a unique vantage point for viewing iconic rock formations including the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock, and Mt Solitary. It is the steepest aerial cable car in the Southern Hemisphere. The Cableway disembarks directly onto the Scenic Walkway, allowing visitors to experience the temperate rainforest.


We took advantage of the many walking tracks, such as the Katoomba Falls track, where we were greeted by cascading waterfalls and lush greenery.

The crisp autumn air and the crunch of leaves underfoot made our walks even more enjoyable.


One of the most exciting activities for the children was Gruffalo Spotting on one of the walking tracks.

This interactive experience brought the beloved storybook character to life as we followed a trail and used an app to spot the Gruffalo and other characters from the story hidden throughout the garden. The kids were thrilled to see their favourite characters, and the adventure added an extra layer of fun to our visit.


Overall, our autumn holiday to the Blue Mountains was a memorable experience, filled with natural beauty, adventure, and family fun. It was the perfect getaway to enjoy the seasonal splendour and create lasting memories with the kids.

Have you ever been to the Blue Mountains area? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience! If not, be sure to add this stunning destination to your must-visit list for your next trip to Sydney.

M from Nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Chhora said: Why I Am 4 Years Old All the Time

So, the other day, Chhora asked me how old he would be tomorrow. I said, “Four.” Then he asked, “What about the day after tomorrow?” Again, I said, “Four.” He was relentless—”What about next week?” I replied, “Still four, until June 14.”

He was visibly upset, wondering why he’s always four years old and not five like his friends. This led to a mini tantrum about the unfairness of being perpetually four.



It reminded me of a similar conversation I had with Chhori when she was his age. She too went through this phase of wanting to grow up as quickly as possible, and it made me realize that all kids seem to go through this at some point.

Isn’t it funny how kids are in such a hurry to grow up? They don’t understand that we parents would sometimes love to pause time and keep them small for just a little longer.

Have you ever experienced this with your little ones, them wanting to grow up so fast? How do you handle it? I’d love to hear your stories!

M from Nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Our Bali Adventure: Preparation

We finally took the plunge and headed to Bali, and I regret waiting so long to visit this tropical paradise. Despite Bali being a top destination for Aussies, it hasn’t always had the best reputation here. The Bali bombings and high-profile drug cases had made many Australians, including me, a bit wary about travelling there. But I’m thrilled to report that our trip was absolutely amazing, and I’ve got a heap of stories to share with you!


We explored stunning temples, breathtaking waterfalls, and lush gardens. Our entire family had a blast. But before we dive into our adventures, let me write about how we prepped for our Bali trip as a family of four.

Our Preparation Checklist for Bali with Two Kids (Ages 4 and 9):

  1. Passport Validity: Made sure our passports were valid for at least six months from our arrival date in Indonesia.
  2. Visas:
    • For us Aussies, we got a visa on arrival for AUD $52 each.
    • For AS with a Nepali passport, we sorted out a visa through a travel agent in Sydney, which cost AUD $390.
  3. Travel Insurance: Bought comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and any unexpected events.
  4. Vaccinations and Health Precautions: Visited our GP and got all the recommended vaccinations, costing about AUD$500 for the whole family.
  5. Medications and First-Aid Kit: Packed essential meds and a basic first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers.
  6. Hotel Reservations: Booked our stay at the Bintang Bali Resort through Bookings.com for around AUD$185 a night.
  7. Packing: Packed summer clothes, swimwear, sunscreen, hats, and mosquito repellent.
  8. Entertainment: Downloaded movies and series for us and offline games and movies for the kids, making sure everyone had headphones.
  9. Travel Adapters and Chargers: Brought the necessary power adapters and chargers for our devices.
  10. Money and Currency: Used our 28-degree travel card for most payments and carried some Aussie dollars to exchange for local currency.
  11. Transportation: Arranged a driver to pick us up from the airport and help with tours during our stay for $60 per day.
  12. Travel Documents Backup: Emailed digital scans of our important travel documents to ourselves for safekeeping.
  13. Google Maps: Downloaded an offline map of Bali on Google Maps for easy navigation.

I hope this checklist helps anyone planning a family trip to Bali. Stay tuned for my upcoming posts where I’ll share all the fantastic places we visited. Until then, take care and happy travels!

M from Nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Read my other pots from Bali .

Vivid Sydney 2024: A Festival to Remember!

Vivid Sydney is back for its 14th year, and they promised that it’s going to be epic!

This annual creative festival truly captures the soul of our city, bringing together the most brilliant and boundary-pushing artists, thinkers, and musicians from around the world. From 24 May to 15 June 2024, Vivid Sydney lights up the city with mesmerising art displays, 3D light projections, exhilarating live music, all set against the iconic backdrop of Sydney.

This year, we decided to mix things up and take a boat cruise to watch the lights—it was an absolute blast!

Our adventure began at Circular Quay, where we boarded a two-storey boat with a fantastic outdoor space. We were handed drinks as we stepped on board, and our 90-minute cruise kicked off. Gliding through the harbour, we enjoyed breathtaking views of Sydney’s skyline illuminated by Vivid lights, including a stunning display on the Opera House.

The boat cruised over to Darling Harbour. While we didn’t catch as many Vivid details from there, the stunning night skyline of Sydney more than made up for it.

After disembarking back at Circular Quay, we took a leisurely stroll around the iconic Opera House, which was buzzing with people enjoying the cool evening and amazing light displays. The kids were over the moon with the happy atmosphere!

We made our way to Customs House, where creativity and innovation were on full display with lasers and 3D video projections—definitely a highlight for the kids. They were so mesmerised that they didn’t want to leave!

To wrap up the night, we grabbed dinner at a nearby food mart and headed home, still buzzing from the incredible light show.

I can’t wait to go back and explore more of Vivid, especially the displays at Darling Harbour and other areas we haven’t seen yet.

My posts from past Vivid 2013 2014 2016 2017.

Have you been to Vivid yet? Does your city host anything similar?

M from Nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Where Do We Belong?

Ever found yourself caught between two worlds, not quite sure where you truly belong? I think many of us can relate to that feeling, especially if you’ve been born in one country, spent part of your life there, and then moved to another to settle down. The sense of belonging can be incredibly confusing.

When I first came to Australia, I felt like I would go back home to Nepal one day. At that time, Nepal was home. But now, when I think about home, it’s Australia. You know that feeling you get when you reach home? It’s definitely Australia for me.

Nepali flag

I’ve touched on this topic before, but as I grow older and add kids to the mix, the complexity of it all only deepens. I’ve been living in Australia for over two decades now, which means I’ve spent more time here than in Nepal, where I was born. So, when people ask me if I’ll ever go back to Nepal to live, my answer is a straightforward “No.” This response often surprises people, as it comes out so easily and without hesitation. But it’s the truth.

My emotions and feelings about this are usually pretty black and white, and in this situation, “No” seemed like the obvious answer. There’s no need to be diplomatic or politically correct about it. Some people might get offended by my answer, while others are simply surprised. But how can I be true to myself if I say “Yes” when I know in my heart that it’s “No”?

Australian Flag

Yet, there are moments when I question if I truly belong in Australia. Sometimes due to some people’s reaction to the the colour of my skin I feel a pinch in my heart. I occasionally find myself not getting the humour, which can make me feel like an outsider.

If you ask my Chhori (daughter), she’ll say I’m Nepali and she’s Australian. That’s the general perception people have of us. But then, when I visit Nepal, everyone tells me I’m more Aussie than Nepali because of the way I think, talk, and view life. This contrast only adds to the confusion as I grow older.

The concept of belonging is complex and personal. For me, Australia is home now. It’s where I’ve built my life, my family, and my future. That doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten Nepal or that it doesn’t hold a special place in my heart. It always will. But when it comes to where I belong, where I feel most at home, it’s undeniably Australia. And that’s okay. Each of us has our own journey and our own definition of home.

I think one of the main reasons for starting this blog was because of this same feeling. I want to connect with people in similar situations. As the world gets smaller and we travel and migrate more, sharing how we feel will help us stay grounded and feel like we are not alone in this complicated world.

If you’re in a similar situation, tell me how you feel. How do you manage your emotions? How do you find contentment amidst the confusion? Sharing our experiences might help us all feel a little more at ease in our chosen homes.

M from Nepaliaustralian

XOXO