Visiting Georgetown : Penang

April 9, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 4 Comments

I first came to Penang with my sister, her husband at the time who worked in KL and Clare my beautiful niece. She was about 1 at the time. She’s now 46!

So it was ages ago.

Needless to say Georgetown has changed. It’s big and spread out to an area called Gurney where there are big apartment blocks. Huge glossy shopping plazas and no one swimming in the oceans. There are signs for stinging jellyfish.

We walked straight to the Upside Down Museum just as the storm hit.

Perfect timing for this quirky museum. You step into rooms that are perfectly staged with everything upside down. Each room has an attendant who positions you and then takes photos on your own camera.

We spent an hour there. It cost about 100ringgit. about $30

Money well spent. When we came out with big smiles on our faces the storm had passed and we started wandering the surrounding street toward the jetty area.

Some cool street art in the Beach Rd area.

We stopped for a delicious gelato and found the Armenian area. Known for its great little shops and interested side streets. I bought a little umbrella and another fan.

We slowly wound our way towards Chew Jetty.

Past the Fire station.

We walked out along one jetty area. Such an interesting place to live. It was quiet and clean with water lapping against the pylons.

Caught a local napping.

Then onto Chew Jetty. People live and run little businesses from their front terrace. You just want to support them all. The jetty is open all day to visitors who wander up and Fien past true little terrace houses. So kind of them to share their lives with us tourists.

Crossing back into the myriad of streets we walked and walked. Pete got hungry and stopped for a few samosas at a stall in little India.

Onto the Red Garden food court. I must say our 5 year old is a trooper. We walked 11,000 steps this afternoon and he didn’t complain. He just chatters away asking questions about what he’s seeing.

Huge array of food stalls. Our little seafood monster had grilled prawn, octopus and crab. I forgot to mention he demolished a stingray last night!

King Island

March 26, 2025 / brisbanefrannie / 1 Comment

Departing Launceston was a master class in packing. We were told we had a limit and some , particularly the golfers had clubs to check in.

After lots of laughs and weighing we made it into a small 16 seat plane.

A brief touch down in Wynyard to collect another 2 passengers then onto King Island.

Collecting the 3 cars takes a small committee of drivers. Not me !

Three couples are staying at Green Ponds Guesthouse with our pocket rocket Host Sonia

The remaining 3 couples are in 2 apartments just up the road.

We stopped for lunch at Legs. A coffee cafe in the day and a wine bar at night. We all walked in and the owner paled somewhat and said service would be slow. And it was but the coffee and the pizzas were great.

Across the road we could select between the IGA and Foodworks for our supplies. Fruit, wine and bread. Sonia has such a well stocked house for us to choose from. It’s so generous.

Our super host showed us the 8 big crays she would be using for our cray salad dinner. My goodness they amazing.

She got all the meat out for us and we had a mighty salad to go with it and Helen’s super dressing.

Beautiful Tasmanian wines and ice cream for dessert was the perfect alfresco dinner.

The air got cool so inside to the prelit fire for chat then early to bed. The beds were cosy, the quilts were a perfect weight, a window opened so sleep came easily.

It’s easy to sleep in. It’s dark until at least 7.30!

So we enjoyed breakfast whilst the golfers had left at 7 to drive north to Cape Wickham golf course.

The non golfers head to the Calcified Forest on the southern tip of the island. On the way we stopped at the site of the shipwreck Cataraqui. It was very sad to read about the 400 people who died there in 1845. Many of them children.

Onto the forest which I hadn’t read much about. Fascinating, they look a bit moon like.

Seal rocks was next. Absolutely gorgeous views. The coastline is treacherous.

Back into Currie the biggest town on the island. After a sandwich a few of the girls went exploring. We wanted to visit the Art Gallery and Museum. No luck. Both were closed even though they were advertised s as open. On small islands there is usually a reason they close. I’m sure our hostess Sonia will know.

We walked the trail around to the Boathouse- a restaurant with no food.

What a place. Colourful, fun, eccentric it’s a must. You can bring your own supplies and sit at one of the many painted tables. Done by local artist Caroline ( she came to the island for a week, 20 years ago and hasn’t left! ) the room is filled with of seafaring memorabilia. I don’t know how to describe it. Like being in Greece !

A small rest for all before heading off to Grassey on the opposite side of the coast. To Wild Harvest. It’s a small restaurant owned jointly by Lucinda and her business partner Ian Johnson. They own 2 restaurants here. Different styles on opposite coastlines.

Ian giving us a between course food description

This one does a degustation. 5 courses. Before each course Ian – the most relaxed chef ever, comes out and explain to the diners what is coming next. there were 22 in the rustic room which Ian built himself.

Ian also runs a tour company for the island. People get off the plane. Onto his bus to the restaurant for dinner and stay the night at the hotel’ perfect!

We drove home avoiding kangaroos and fell into bed.

I’m on Fiji Time

May 29, 2024 / brisbanefrannie / 2 Comments

Bula. This friendly greeting is said by everyone you pass in this land of smiles.

It’s a traditional greeting. A hello. Or Hi. It’s easy to say and so lovely. The breakfast staff are full of greetings and smiles. How can you not start the day well when you are so well looked after. Nothing is too much trouble.

Today’s swim is here at the Sofitel. Right out the front. So a light breakfast. Did I mention how yum the local peanut butter is!!!! I had a little on toast before we headed to the beach front. The flags were up. The swimmers were all greeting each other like lifetime friends – which they probably will be by the end of this week.

The end of swim flags with our grass skirt class warriors.

Scott Rice , the organiser gives a clear briefing for the first swim. The 1 km. Conditions are much better, so optimism is high amongst the swimmers.

People are all rubbing cream onto each other. The anti lice cream is getting a big following. Quite a few got eaten by the lice yesterday and we know there are lice here. So much rubbing is going on. Armpits, under swimmers- no one is shy here!

The first race is off- a deep water start.

Jill and I waited, then leisurely entered the water for our private race for two. Water temperature is beautiful.

We swam around the area next to the course until we saw the first swimmers returning. The pool swimmers were favoured today in the flat conditions. But Ky Hurst’s young son once again came second.

I spoke to him after and he is such s a lovely kid.

As they finished people had jubilation written all over their faces.

Then the 3km briefing.

The briefing with Kim & Steve centre photo.

Into the water and away to the sound of the conch shell.

The young Fijians filled in time teaching a little one how to blow the conch shell.

And practised doing the Floss dance. To the cheers of the crowd.

The US guy was able to pull his passenger along.

He set of last but unfortunately as he overtook people ( he’s such a strong swimmer) the kayak hit a few swimmers. They weren’t happy so she had to be towed back by a jet ski.

Once again Ky Hurst cruised home for a win.

Our friends from NZ, Avy and Kim came in not far behind the leaders in under an hour.

David and Steve swam well and came in just over the hour I was in a good spot for cheering on the swimmers. They are all shapes and sizes. And the variety of swimwear is amazing.

We had lunch by the water outside the Waitui Club. It’s an adults only section of the hotel.

Jill, Avy and I walked after lunch. Just down to the Marina about 2 km away. Bought a few tshirts for the kids and a jar of the local peanut butter.

Back to the infinity pool a sit on the deck chairs, a book and a cocktail completed the afternoon.

The evening drink session and days wrap was again a success. The 5 minute highlights movie is terrific. Lots of claps and cheering as some very happy people ran, jogged, danced and in one case fell over the finish line.

We sat with some new friends and had a pizza before heading to our room.

Farewell Broome

June 18, 2022June 21, 2022 / brisbanefrannie / 4 Comments

Our last day in Broome was slow and leisurely. Just the way Beach holidays should be.

I started with an early massage in the beautiful spa.

Then it was coffee and a trip to the beach. The last day called for a beach chair and umbrella. We loved it!

We made ourselves comfortable and enjoyed the ocean breeze and the passing parade of swimmers. Beaches are wonderful people watching places.

Photo from every angle in our comfy chair.

We went to Divers Tavern for lunch I swear that is my last chip for the holidays. Why, oh why, does everything come with chips?

Chip Tactics…….1. I try not to eat them at all or 2. try to just have six, or 3. ask to have salad on the side instead……. Today I tried this tactic but my unsmiling service man said ‘ no changes to the menu’. So I went to tactic 2 ! Also, why are chips so yummy?

Our last afternoon was spent pottering around our hotel, a last swim, packing and our last sunset drink. Apparently it’s cold and rainy in Perth where we fly tomorrow.

Farewell Broome, it’s been great.

Exploring Lord Howe

February 21, 2022 / brisbanefrannie / 4 Comments

Steve set out at 7am for a swim with some of the other keen swimmers.

They swam to the pontoon about a 1.5 km along the lagoon – and back! I had a walk following them along.

Back in time for breakfast we had to be ready for pickup by Peter from Chase n’ Thyme tours. I. booked a few weeks ago. It is about 2-3 hrs and Peter has a 12 seater van and takes you to as much of the island as possible.

Chase ‘n’ Thyme

It was a perfect orientation to the island. The history and geography. Peter is married to a 5th generation local and he’s lived here for 30 years.

He took us to the south of the island and pointed out the features including the two Norfolk Island pinetrees that act as a navigational guide to boats entering the lagoon.

There are pine trees all over the island and are really regarded, by the head gardener at Pinetrees, as a pest. Their needles drop and leach the soil. They don’t break down easily and also germinate causing more trees to grow! But they are here to stay and certainly look attractive.

We drove up to Neds Beach where there is a good coral reef close in – so is a must for snorkeling.

Then to the top of a hill and saw the solar farm. It and the Tesla batteries were provided at a huge cost by the NSW Govt. The power source is proving very valuable and has improved the cost of power to the island.

We saw the jetty where once a fortnight the supply shop arrives with the order for the resorts, restaurants and locals. It is a very popular day in LHI and occasionally due to very bad weather it is held up and everyone suffers. It’s also the reason why everything on the island is very expensive and planning for goods has to be thoroughly done.

Peter dropped us off at the pontoon area. This is the Main Street where they are a few shops and a restaurant, PO, local hall, a small bar called The Crooked Post and a general store. All on short hours! You must plan your visits to be between 10-12 and 2-4. Or miss out. Mind you the Crooked Post opens at 3ish or so the sign says!

Pinetrees has delivered us a bbq. This is part of their lunch options. A picnic , a bbq, or lunch on the deck.

Today we chose a bbq and after getting the woodfire going enjoyed our sausages. Next time I’m opting for fish! It comes with vegetables to grill, salad. All the trimmings. Even a beer or wine!

We packed up and left the picnic basket under a tree for pick up by Pinetrees later. We walked back via the coastal walk and enjoyed an hour rest before another swim.

The dinner was once again delicious. A Japanese style eggplant entree then fish for me and pork belly for Steve.

Steve had met Damon from Sydney. He’s here with the family for his mother in laws 70th. They have the Banyan Cottage. It looks great for a family celebration getaway.

Check out the Pinetrees website and see the Banyan Cottage. Just lovely.

https://pinetrees.com.au/pinetrees/

We are now used to no tv, no wifi, no phone. no contact.

Tony from Melbourne is going to teach us to play backgammon. Lessons start tomorrow!

We’ve met a few people now and enjoy chatting with drinks or sharing dinner.we seem to be the only people from Brisbane. Lots from Sydney and Melbourne.

Let the exploring begin.

February 21, 2022 / brisbanefrannie / 2 Comments

We started the day with a great breakfast on the deck at Pinetrees. The staff here are lovely. They remember your name and help plan your day. You can choose a picnic or BBQ lunch or stay and have lunch on the deck.

The lagoon is perfect for a swim or a snorkel.

So what is there to do on LHI? It’s mostly about walking, swimming , snorkeling, golfing, bike riding and generally getting out into nature and making the most of it. Fortunately our weather is looking good. Apparently it’s been rainy and windy the last few weeks.

We’re a bit limited with some activities but I’m able to walk and Steve can swim so between us we are getting some activity.

After breakfast we walked to the little museum. It’s run by volunteers and has a lovely deck and cafe. It’s also one of only two places on the island with public wifi. I resisted!

The museum gives an overview of the history of LHI. This island is a unique place on earth. It is world heritage listed. More on the history later.

We passed the hospital- one doctor and two nurses. They are kept very busy with locals and then the visitors who seem to fall off bikes, or slip on walking tracks, or fall on Mt Gower. Let’s hope we don’t need medical attention.

We checked out Joy’s general store. It has a huge range of things. From fresh and frozen produce to gifts, toys, useful items and alcohol.

Government House has very low security! The islands administrator lives there. It S just lovely.

Our picnic lunch was ready for us and we found a shady spot near the lagoon and enjoyed our ham, cheese, beetroot and feta salad followed by cheese and crackers.

A perfect lazy picnic.

The sun was shining and the water blue so I had my first swim. It’s beautifully clear water. It’s easy to swim out to where the coral starts. You start to see coloured fish or if you’re lucky a turtle or some rays. Steve did when he swam out a lot further.

The water temperature was just perfect. It’s around 23 in the water so very comfortable. Apparently, it’s best swim weather over the summer months. February in particular.

The afternoon was spent reading and dozing in the afternoon sun and suddenly it was G & T time.

Dinner was once again delicious. A few lightly spiced prawns followed by swordfish for me and beef cheek for Steve. Dessert was a small cinnamon donut with poached pear. It was Valentines Day so we enjoyed a few bubbles.

Sleeping was easy.

Bicheno – a jewel Tasmania

September 16, 2021September 16, 2021 / brisbanefrannie / 4 Comments

We packed up and headed towards Ginetta & Stephen’s holiday house at Bicheno.

It’s on the east coast of Tasmania and a popular summer holiday place.

It takes about 2.5 hrs to drive there normally! But took us more like 6. We had numerous stops as our friends know the area very well and stopped at local landmarks.

The day was sunny but typical for Tasmania it decided to have another season and turned cloudy. and cool.

We drove to Sorell for coffee then on through green farm land for another stop at Buckland. The Anglican Church, St John the Baptist had a pair of carved wooden statues out the front.

Next stop the Lisdillion salt works. Established in the 1830’s they were producing salt only until the 1840’s and the stone work in the photo are the remains of the salt stores.

We drove onto Swansea and passed the Spikey Bridge which was built by the convicts for a purpose not entirely clear. Perhaps to stop people jumping off!

Then time for lunch. The Freycinet Marine Farm was the perfect spot. We had plump sweet oysters and the most delicious seafood chowder I have ever had! Along with a Rose we sat in the garden covered with rugs to keep out the chill.

We put off visiting Coles Bay and headed onto Bicheno as time was getting on!

Not without another stop at the Pondering Frog. Ginetta & Stephen promised it was the most gorgeous berry ice cream ever. Served by Lester and wife Camille we enjoyed our ice cream as we heard Lesters story of his move from Qld to Tasmania. I think he has made his fortune in selling ice cream and giving advice. One of life’s great characters.

We finally arrived at Bicheno. Ginetta & Stephen’s house is the perfect beach shack. By 5pm it was very cool so we lit the fire poured the Aperol and explored the house and the view.

This is the view looking back towards the beach house. It’s on the Sandy beach on the left. A two minute walk from the town. Perfect!

Holiday Close to Home

April 18, 2021 / brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

The beauty of Queensland is there are so many great places to visit close to home.

It’s school holidays so eldest son Peter is home and invited us to have a day out on his boat. He keeps it at home and trailers it to boat ramps for a days outing.

Today we headed south towards Dreamland. Just behind there is a boat ramp and today, a Wednesday, it wasn’t busy.

In no time the boat was in the water and we were away.

We were heading towards South Stradbroke Island. I’ve written an earlier blog on North Stradbroke- go back and read it.

Today South Straddie. We headed into the wind so it was a little breezy !

Ollie didn’t like it much! He pulled his hat down and listened as I sang in his ear.

We passed the lovely Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove. We’d stayed there a few times when the boys were young. It’s a lovely resort.

https://www.intercontinentalsanctuarycove.com

We headed past the resort Couran Cove. This resort has rooms, little apartments and house. All available for rent.

https://www.courancove.com.au

And arrived at Tipplers. The weather was perfect.

There’s a beach where you can pull up and jump out onto the sand. The minute you arrive it feels like a holiday.

There is a restaurant with indoor and outdoor tables. all very casual resort style.

We made ourselves comfortable in the shade, waiting for our lunch to be delivered and were entertained by a watching a large lizard roaming around.

Ollie watched from the safety of Didi’s arms.

Our lovely lunch came – nice salads, sandwiches and fish & chips. Ollie liked his kids serve contained in a pirate ship!

After lunch along came a wallaby! So much entertainment.

Following the wallaby show we played in the sand and the shallows until time to go.

El and I walked along the path to find the camping ground. It’s really lovely. There’s a few tent structures for hire if you don’t want to bring your own. lots of bbqs , picnic table and access to the beach. We decided we’d like to come here to stay.

Back on board the breeze had dropped and we cruised back via Couran Cove. There are some great looking houses. Again we decided it would be good to rent a house when we want a family getaway.

We cruised around the canals of the Coomera area. Then back to the boat ramp.

Ollie was having a great time and loved running up and down the ramp! With me in hot pursuit.

He wore himself out and slept on the way home.

Why not consider a Queensland holiday? Right in our own backyard we have a wealth of great beaches, rivers parks. Plan a visit soon. You’ll love it.

South Coast NSW. Tripping along

November 10, 2018November 11, 2018 / brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

Breakfast with a view is always a good idea. It sets you up for the day.

We picked up a car and headed off – south past the airport.

Down towards Cronulla , an area referred to as ‘The Shire’. It’s a beach area with comfortable bungalow style houses and access to the beach via a long Boulevard.

Onto the road through the National Park and then we wound down towards the Sea Bridge Cliff drive. This road is an engineering feat. It’s about 700mt long and goes out over the water. It’s not attached at the bottom of the steep rock cliffs as there are the dangerous boulders will break loose and roll onto the road.

It’s a cameramans delight! The clouds in the sky made it more dramatic.

We had to stop at the Scarborough Hotel for a reviving coffee and were tempted to share the gorgeous home baked carrot cake. Definitely no lunch needed.

Then the trip took us past little seaside places of our childhood. My parents had their honeymoon at Kiama and our family had holidays at Gerringong, Steve’s family at Austinmer, Erowal Bay and Huskinson. So we had a little trip down memory lane.

We continued south past Berry, Molleymook, Batemans Bay. Then into Moruya, took a left turn and onto Bingi. There’s no town there. It’s a National Park with some acreage land with home. Built in secluded spots. Jan & Stuart live there in a house designed by Stuart.

The floor of the outdoor terrace is actually the top of an enormous water tank. The mosaic floor has been designed as a map of the area with their house shown as the white pebble circle in the photo above. Quite stunning.

There are big kangaroos grazing just outside and if you ignore them they’ll ignore you. You don’t want them coming over and boxing you!

We walked through the trees to the beach. It’s secluded and very special.

Home to many birds, you have to respect their habitat. We climbed up the hill to the side and spotted The Pinnacles sitting in isolation on a small beach.

Dinner was prepared by Stuart a man of many talents. He’s an architect but paints wonderful scenes of the area and designed built and ran The Rivers at Moruya, a great restaurant- the first to get one hat on the South Coast.

The night was dark, the frogs croaked the kangaroos stood on hind legs boxing and we slept in peace.

Passing Time in Bali

June 27, 2018 / brisbanefrannie / 5 Comments

It’s amazing how time passes when you’re not doing much!

Bali is super relaxed.

A day goes like this:

Wake up when a 3 year old Zali or 4 year old Jack appear at the bedroom door. Chat in bed. Share a story or play a game.

Prepare for breakfast- walk to the restaurant. Share the delicious breakfast and the chat, the hat swapping and some games.

Back to the villa for a swim and playing games together.

Then have a walk to another area we haven’t explored . Catch a buggy to the gate or for exercise walk! Walk!

The streets aren’t the easiest places to walk so we manoeuvre the ups and downs of the pavements which have a gold star in a red square every few metres.

Today we walked and explored the W hotel by the beach. It’s beautifully done – from the tree lined drive way

to the restaurant with a lovely pool area. Just right for a G&T!

The graffiti/ street art livens up the buildings

We usually have a sleep in the afternoon before heading out for dinner.

Last night we went to Bikini.

What a great restaurant. I’ll do a whole separate post on the restaurants we visited.

Tonight we walked down a long drive to Potato Head Beach Club. What a scene! It’s a great place to relax with a drink and watch the sun set.

We sat on the lounges near the pool. The dress seemed to be Bikinis 👙. The smaller the better. But we maintained our standard and dressed up, not down!

We watched the sunset with a cocktail in our hand and talked about the great week we’ve had together.

There was a large sculpture at the entrance which depicted the waste all salvaged along the shores of Bali’s west coast. 5,000 thongs or flip flops as they are known in some countries!

Another lovely day.

Tomorrow we pack and leave late at night.

frans travel tales

come along with me

Beaches