It’s time to set off for Lewis and Vincie’s Barmitzvah bash in Perth,Australia.

We had 2 great flights with Emirates on the A380 both legs Manchester - Dubai Dubai - Perth. Fab food all the way although eating Green Thai curry for breakfast was a bit weird!

Lewis and Vincie at home with their new watches.... Barmitzvah presents from Aunty Nikki and Uncle Steve.

Cottesloe Beach Hotel for coffee and chips!

Cottesloe Annual Art Festival featuring interesting and innovative sculptures by the sea.

Morning out in Freemantle

Steve was brave enough to swim in the ocean. Even without a shark net!Deserted beach at Leighton.

Fabulous and memorable day at Lewis and Vincie’s Bnei Mitzvot at Templ David in Perth .

It’s party time for the Weintroube family

Start the day with delicious breakfast at the botanic gardens cafe

Sightseeing in Perth at Kings Park. Memorial to Australia’s fallen soldiers from 2 world wars and beyond.

Had a fun day out with Rabbi Dan and Liat Lieberman. Went to Sorrento Beach and Hilary’s Boat Harbour just outside Perth. Gavriel, Tamar and Eliana enjoyed the Ben and Jerry’s. We all had a fun time .

Vincie opening his Barmitzvah gifts. \240incredible surprises inside every envelope.

Last day in Perth woken up to a beautiful morning

Breakfast at Millpoint Caffe Bookshop. Owned by lovely Italian lady. Delicious coffee!

Arrived at Brisbane airport to find a driver waiting to take us to Redcliffe

Oaks Mon Komo resort in Redcliffe is stunning

Flying out from Redcliffe Airstrip. Great Barrier Reef adventure begins

Wow look at that clear water! What a view!

View from the plane over Lady Elliot Island

Ok I’ll describe my snorkelling experience. Went on 3 separate trips. 1st one was jumping off the glass bottomed boat into the Coral Sea on the Great Barrier Reef. We had been floating around for about 20 mins and seen various fish through the glass including a shark 🦈 so you can imagine I was a bit nervous 😬. We had 3 guides who basically counted us off and on the boat again ( after we’d signed the disclaimer 😂) so you can imagine I was a bit nervous 😥. Nothing to worry about it was fabulous!

Glass bottom boat in the Coral Sea

Saw a shark and turtles before jumping in to snorkel amongst them

Steve taking time out on a bike ride around Applecross

Well I’m here alone on my tropical island 🏝 with just the sharks, turtles and Manta rays for company

Return flight from LEI to Brisbane. Barry’s waiting at the Aerodrome and we’ll be back in the city in no time

Nikki and Steve all ready for their Red Centre adventure. Fly nets attached and ready to go hiking In Uluru.

Historical Tour of LEI early start

Pasonia Trees are naturally seeded trees

Enjoying some Israeli hospitality atvMax Brenner on the South Bank in Brisi’

Arrived Melbourne looking forward to our 4 days with family

Breakfast

The local penguin colony lives at the end of the pier in Breakwater, St.Kilda. It’s a man made collection of rocks built in 1956 for the Olympic Yacht racing. There are 1500 of them living in the rocks. They go out at dawn and search for fish all day. They come back from their busy day out at sea around dusk. We waited a long time but only managed to see 3 penguins. Don’t know what happened to the other 1497! They were probably having a beer down their local , celebrating an early St.Patricks Day.

Delicious meal out at Donovans with Nikki,Steve and Jason. There’s a story about how we got a table at this always booked up ”go to” venue in Melbourne. We were walking along during the day and liked the look of Donovans.so we popped inside and enquiries about a table for this evening. “No way” they said ”really sorry fully booked”. Then Barry came up with an ingenious idea. “My name is Hamilton, I’m Lewis Hamilton’s brother, in town for the F1 Grand Prix tomorrow.”

Maitre d’ “Oh Sir! You should have said. How many people? 5? Yes we have a table for you and your party Mr.Hamilton. See you later!! “

Lovely Stones Winery with Nikki and Steve, Ange and Andrew, Liz and Richard.

Stopped off at another Winery in Yarra Valley. TarraWarra Estate and Gallery. Beautiful setting .

VALHALLA

Callum Morton’s awe inspiring installation Valhalla has been given a permanent home at TarraWarra Museum of Art.

Originally created for the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007, the work has been installed at the entrance to the TarraWarra grounds, sitting resplendently on the crest of a hill, greeting visitors as they arrive.

When viewed from the outside, Valhalla appears as an apocalyptic folly set in an idyllic landscape. By contrast, inside the work is a pristine, anxious and unexpected space.

Originally conceived in the wake of the destruction of Afghanistan, Valhalla is a three-quarter scale remake of Morton’s childhood home in ruin – collapsing the artist’s own personal history with our collective history.

THE ESPY STORY

“As much as you’ve bought The Espy, you’ll never really own it” – a message passed on from the previous owners of Hotel Esplanade and a statement that rings true today.

Your favourite band in The Gershwin Room, pre-gig beers in the Star Wars bar, stumbling in from the seaside… everyone has a story to tell about The Espy. 140 years of stories and secrets are hidden in its walls, from budding romances, to celebrations, break ups and make ups. If the walls could talk, they’d tell some unbelievable tales.

A home for many years to Melbourne’s colourful characters, from members of the arts community, to musicians looking for their first big break and the philanthropist, Alfred Felton, who lived and died in The Espy.

Since reopening its doors in 2018, every square centimetre of The Espy is now open for your enjoyment, including the fifth level which has never before been open to the public.

The reimagined Hotel Esplanade is full of music, arts, cocktails, fun and laughter.

To put it simply, there is no pub like it.

Last day in Melbourne. Nikki and Steve did a walking tour of the city.

Saying goodbye to Jason in Melbourne and the local parrots in St.Kilda

Spent the day meeting up with family

1st stop Edna and Steven Viner, formally of Glasgow.

Met up with Billie Glass who showed us arounfnthe Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.

Arriving in Sydney

Turned the whole room upside down and eventually found the critter! #ozpet

Early morning swim on 41st floor, Curry for breakfast, wedding in the hotel

Fab swim in the rain

Goldfish Market,Flower Market,Ladies Market and Bird Street all in Kowloon

Stopped in Bangkok for a quick tidy up and reloading of food and \240passengers all headed for Dubai.

Another layover. This time in Dubai. Nice lounge.