Relaxed Christmas Break in Australia

Rather than go into the intimate details of our 3-week trip to Sydney and Canberra, here’s a highlights package…

Date Night 1: a surprise meal at the Park Hyatt in the Rocks, complete with stroll over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Christmas Day: started with surfing, progressed to family present-opening (Isabel did particularly well!), church and a relatively small family gathering at our place. While it was low-key, unlike some of the Christmas lights we’d seen the night before, it was still special.

Hang-gliding: not really an adrenalin-charged extreme adventure, but enjoyable nonetheless. Heather, Will and I casually walked off the cliffs at Stanwell Park (south of Sydney), accompanied by a guide and a hang-glider. Perfect summer conditions made the whole day out with the family, including picnic lunch on Austinmer Beach, a definite highlight.

‘Wicked’ Musical: spontaneously purchased matinee (1pm) tickets for the extreme back corner of the Capitol Theatre in Sydney was inspired. One of the best musicals Heather, Isabel and I have seen, with its clever take on the ‘Wizard of Oz’ story exploring the nature of good and evil.

New Years Eve: an afternoon picnic on the grassy slopes near Fairlight Beach, with 9pm fireworks off Manly Cove, followed by midnight fireworks on the roof of the family home.

Food, food, food: unsurprisingly, food was a highlight, both in Sydney with my family and also in Canberra with Heather’s family. Mmmm… cheese… Heather and Isabel made an amazing gingerbread house. We even had food thrown at us, tepanyaki-style…

Bella Fella time: quality Mike-Isabel bonding time was had at Cockington Green. We were wide-eyed at the intricate miniature scenes and later gorged ourselves on food and lollies (don’t worry, a salad was also on the menu!).

Date Night 2: two lots of flowers (one purchased, one home-made by Isabel) greeted Heather at the door. I was there too. Beautiful food and company once again…

Chillaxing: between family-bonding time, shopping and eating, there was plenty of chilling and relaxation time. Interesting reading and mesmerising TV (Russell on ‘Survivor’ and yet another great escape in the Sydney cricket test)!