Spending the afternoon with my parents at Mingyue Lay Buddhist Temple was such a beautiful and calming experience. Tucked away in Bonnyrigg, this incredible temple is one of the largest Chinese Buddhist temples in the Southern Hemisphere and a truly special place in the Fairfield area.
From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt peaceful and welcoming. The temple grounds are stunning, with beautifully designed prayer halls, intricate traditional architecture, peaceful gardens, and so many different Buddha temples and meditation rooms to explore. Every room had its own unique feeling, filled with culture, spirituality, and quiet reflection.
My parents absolutely loved walking through the temple, taking in the beautiful surroundings and learning more about the Buddhist traditions and artwork throughout the complex. It was wonderful slowing down from our busy lives and simply enjoying quality time together in such a peaceful place. The calm energy, the smell of incense, the sound of prayers and the beautiful statues made the entire visit feel incredibly special and meaningful.
Sometimes the best memories are the simple ones — spending a nice afternoon with parents, sharing conversations, exploring beautiful places, and appreciating moments together. Feeling grateful for family time, peaceful moments, and experiences that stay in your heart long after you leave.
Spent such a lovely afternoon with my parents exploring Fairfield City Museum & Gallery and honestly it was one of those special days that stays with you. From the moment we arrived, the place felt peaceful, welcoming, and full of history, culture, art, and stories from so many generations. We enjoyed fresh coffee and tea together before slowly walking through every room and exhibition, taking our time and appreciating all the beautiful details around us.
The museum itself is incredible. Established in 1983, the site is filled with history and charm. The beautiful Edwardian-style building dates back to 1913 and was once the original Council Chambers for the Smithfield and Fairfield Municipality before becoming a family home and later transforming into the museum it is today. Walking through the old rooms felt like stepping back in time. Every corner had something interesting to discover — vintage furniture, historical objects, photographs, old household items, and pieces of local history from more than 150 years ago. My parents especially loved seeing how people once lived, worked, and raised families in earlier generations. It really makes you appreciate how much life has changed over time.
One of the highlights was the nostalgic Vintage Village area. It truly felt like walking through an old Australian town from another era. The old-style buildings, shopfronts, and preserved artefacts created such a warm and authentic atmosphere. There are not too many places left that preserve history in such a beautiful and interactive way. Every room had its own story and personality, and we spent so much time simply looking around and talking about the memories it brought back.
We also explored the powerful exhibition SÔNG SỐNG SONG by Vietnamese artist James Nguyen. The exhibition was deeply moving and emotional, telling stories connected to Agent Orange and its lasting impact on families and communities. One room featured large installations of shirts washed in the Parramatta River, while another showcased video works of Nguyen’s mother and local Vietnamese aunties singing survival songs by the riverbanks. The atmosphere inside the gallery was so powerful, emotional, and reflective. You could truly feel the connection between memory, family, migration, survival, and healing through the artworks.
Another beautiful part of the visit was the We Are Here exhibition celebrating First Nations culture, storytelling, and artistic traditions in Western Sydney. The Aboriginal artworks on display were absolutely stunning and full of meaning. Through art, film, and storytelling, the exhibition highlighted the importance of visibility, connection, knowledge-sharing, and community. The colours, textures, and stories throughout the rooms created such a strong sense of culture and belonging. My parents really enjoyed learning more about the local Aboriginal history and seeing the incredible creativity of the artists, Elders, and students involved in the project.
What made the day truly special though was simply spending quality time together. Walking through every gallery room, sharing conversations over coffee and tea, admiring the artwork, learning about history, and enjoying the peaceful surroundings made it such a meaningful experience. Sometimes the best days are not about big plans, but about slowing down and appreciating beautiful moments with family. Feeling grateful for these memories with my parents and for places like this that keep stories, culture, art, and history alive for future generations.
I’ve got to say, Black Friday and Cyber Monday used to feel like something we mostly watched from a distance — a bit of an American thing that didn’t really land here. But every year it seems to get bigger in Australia, and this year honestly felt like the biggest yet.
I’ve been keeping an eye on a few of my regular brands, and it’s been interesting to see which deals are actually worth it and which ones are just marketing noise. I’ve spotted some genuine savings on clothes, Christmas gifts for the kids, a few cosmetic bits and pieces for myself, clothes for the whole family, and even a decent price on an upgraded vacuum cleaner I’ve been wanting for ages.
But here’s the thing: if you know what the prices used to be, you can tell straight away that not everything labelled a “deal” is actually a deal. Some stores slap a sale tag on the exact same price they’ve had for months. Others genuinely discount things you’d normally pay full price for. It’s really a mix of great finds and a few “nice try” moments.
Still, I kind of enjoy the hunt — checking old prices, comparing deals, and seeing which brands actually turn up with real value. And with Christmas coming up, it does feel good to tick off a few things early and save a bit along the way.
Curious if anyone else felt like the deals were hit-and-miss this year.
Our visit to Mt Wellington (kunanyi) in Tasmania was one to remember. We were incredibly lucky to be there on a rare day with no wind and plenty of sunshine, which made the whole experience even more magical. If you’re visiting Hobart, this iconic mountain is an absolute must-do – and trust me, photos don’t do it justice.
Driving up to the summit was an adventure in itself. The road is winding and rocky, with beautiful views around every turn. There are plenty of places to stop along the way if you want to stretch your legs or take some photos. When we reached the top, we were blown away by the panoramic views of Hobart, the River Derwent, and beyond.
We explored the mountain walks around the summit area, taking in the rugged landscape and crisp mountain air. There are clearly marked tracks and plenty of rock formations that the kids enjoyed climbing. It felt like a natural playground with views everywhere you looked.
One of the highlights was stopping by the informational displays – they were excellent and answered so many of the kids’ curious questions about the mountain, the native wildlife, geology, and even the cultural significance of kunanyi to the local Palawa people.
We climbed some of the larger rocks (carefully!) to enjoy a better view of the city below – what a perspective. After that, we made our way to the observation shelter, a beautiful enclosed space with wide glass panels offering uninterrupted views. It’s a great spot to enjoy the scenery even when the weather isn’t ideal, but we were lucky to experience it on a clear day.
The walk to the lookout from the shelter was equally amazing – short, easy, and with breathtaking views all around. The kids loved running along the track and spotting the different layers of the mountain and cityscape.
We wrapped up our visit with smiles all around. It was the kind of outing that left us feeling refreshed and connected to nature. Peaceful, scenic, and fun – Mt Wellington is definitely a top highlight from our Tassie trip.
We accidentally discovered the Chowk while returning from one of our day trips — it was just around the corner from our hotel, so we decided to check it out for dinner. The place was surprisingly big, warm, and welcoming, filled with beautiful Nepalese décor that instantly made us feel at home.
We started with the Paau cocktail, which truly reminded us of flavours from Nepal. It was a perfect blend of tangy, fruity, and spicy — refreshing and so nostalgic!
Then came the food. We ordered the meat platter that featured two pieces of sausages, along with half portions of regular-sized meats such as taas, choila, and chicken wings.
But the highlight for us was definitely the momo platter – juicy, perfectly spiced dumplings served four ways: steamed, fried, chilli, and sandheko. Each bite was absolutely delicious. Even the kids couldn’t get enough!
We’re so glad we found this place — such a lovely dining experience. If you’re in Hobart and craving authentic Nepali food, highly recommend it!
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