Tag Archives: M from nepaliaustralian

Exploring Mayfield Garden: A Day of Adventure

Our autumn holiday in the Blue Mountains was the perfect opportunity to finally visit Mayfield Garden, a place that had been on my bucket list for ages. Known as one of the largest and most spectacular cool climate gardens in the Southern Hemisphere, Mayfield Garden certainly lived up to its reputation.

As Australia’s largest privately-owned cool climate garden, Mayfield is a testament to the vision of the Hawkins family, who drew inspiration from Europe’s most significant horticultural destinations. Since we were already staying overnight in the Blue Mountains, a day trip to Mayfield Garden was a no-brainer. The scenic hour-long drive only added to our anticipation.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by landscapes straight out of a fairytale. The garden unfolded before us, a paradise of vibrant autumn hues, serene water features, and inviting pathways. From the tranquil Obelisk Pond to the grandeur of the Hawkins’ Family Chapel, every corner of Mayfield Garden beckoned us to explore further.

I was particularly enchanted by the Pampas Garden, with grasses towering above me. It felt like a scene straight out of a Bollywood film, and I couldn’t resist the urge to take countless photos of the Japanese Maples, their leaves ablaze with rich autumn colours.

The kids were thrilled with the treasure hunt map they received at the entrance. They were so engaged in finding all the numbers on their map that they forgot how much walking they were doing.

The English Box Hedge Maze was a highlight for both kids and adults alike. Navigating its twists and turns was a delightful adventure, and we emerged with smiles on our faces and a sense of accomplishment. It took us around 10 minutes to reach the bell tower, it took us only 5 minutes to get out.

Our only hiccup came when we attempted to lunch at the garden’s restaurant. Despite available tables, we were turned away as we hadn’t booked in advance. Left with no other option, we settled for pizza from a nearby establishment. Unfortunately, the pizzas were a disappointment – burnt on the edges and cold in the middle. Lesson learned: always pack a picnic lunch to avoid food-related woes!

Despite this minor setback, our visit to Mayfield Garden was nothing short of enchanting. It perfectly complemented our Blue Mountains holiday, offering a blend of natural beauty and artistic landscaping that left us in awe. If you ever find yourself in the area, don’t miss the chance to experience this magical oasis firsthand. Just be sure to pack your own lunch to avoid any disappointments!

Mayfield Garden
530 Mayfield Rd, Oberon NSW
PH: (02) 6336 3131
Open 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday – Sunday.

Have you been there? Leave your experience in the comments!

M from Nepaliaustralian

XOXO

June Fitness Challenge

Hey everyone! I’m setting a fun challenge for myself: exercising every single day this June! If you need a little nudge to get out of bed on these chilly winter mornings, why not join me? We’ll keep each other motivated and accountable. Let’s crush this together!

I’ll be sharing my daily updates on TikTok, so follow me and let’s make it happen.

Together, we’ll stay active, have fun, and beat the winter blues! Let’s go!

M from Nepaliaustralian

XOXO

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 .