2015: The Year of Continental Drift in Review

2015 was another year of change and saw us switch continents and traverse the globe. Look back with us on the highlights of the year that was. 

When I was looking for photos for this post the pickings were slim and mostly covered our weekends away and holidays through the year. Apparently our New Year's Resolution is to blog more! 

The year started in Argentinian Patagonia, 

and we squeezed in a weekend in Santiago, Chile with our dear friends Joan and Mayira before heading home to Vitoria, Brazil. 

View from our balcony, Vitoria

At the end of January we were fortunate to squeeze in another long weekend with these beautiful people and their wonderful families in Buzios, just north of Rio 

Carnival in Vitoria in February

We hosted a South African braai at our condominium in March

We visited the magnificent Iguassu Waterfalls on the border of Brazil and Argentina over Easter. 

At the beginning of June we visited Florianopolis with its beautiful beaches,

and the turtle conservation project there as well. 

At the end of June it was time to say goodbye to Vitoria, Brazil, and our friends there. 

It was time for a new adventure. 

View across the bay of Vitoria from Convento da Penha

But First! A holiday!

#SAroadtrip2015

We had a wonderful 5 week holiday road tripping  around South Africa visiting family and friends.

The holiday started in Jo'burg, 

and moved on to the Drakensberg, 

Durban,

Uvongo,

St Francis Bay,

Addo Elephant Park,

Wilderness, Mc Gregor,

Cape Town,

and back to Johannesberg. 

And then it was time to travel to our new city:

Perth, Western Australia.

View of Perth City from King's Park

View of the city from the shores of the Swan River

Sunset in the city after an afternoon of rain

Justin travelled to Sydney and the East Coast at the end of August 

In September we moved into our furnished short term accommodation,

welcomed Isla Jane Cross at the beginning of the month,

and Daniella Grace Finnemore at the end of the month. 

We've enjoyed exploring and getting to know our new city. 

This craft brewery in Fremantle has become a firm favourite,

as has King's Park.

We loved getting our tourist on with all the Aussie animals at Caversham Wildlife Park, 

and enjoyed a quick stop at the unusual Pinnacles National Park.

Over the long weekend at the end of September we enjoyed a Cirque du Soleil performance. 

At the end of October we celebrated 7 years of marriage and were thrilled to receive our brand new Honda CR-V at about the same time. Isn't she a beauty.

And then it was moving day! 

After much stress and paperwork, we leased a property, our furniture was delivered and we finally had a place to call our own. It's been a flurry of activity unpacking and getting organised but it's all come together and we have even put up a Christmas Tree! 

Pics of our cosy new place coming soon! 

ACDC stopped in at Perth on their world tour and with the stadium a 5 minute walk away, we decided to go along. Wow, can these guys rock! It was loud, very loud. But great fun too.

We've also been enjoying all the end of year craft and Christmas markets that have sprung up everywhere. This was a delicious Moroccan lamb shank with couscous, 

And we have made some new friends! 

A picnic dinner with Margo and Sheila and their families to celebrate Sheila's birthday. 

(Other new friends not pictured ;) )

We are currently enjoying a fabulous and much needed holiday in Bali. 

Think: beaches, seafood, massages, snorkelling, yoga, temples, rice paddies. 

Jam packed posts are sure to follow! 

Wishing y'all a very Happy New Year filled with blessings.

Sydney, and a bit of the east coast

My work has brought us to Australia, or Perth to be exact. And rumour has it that people from the east coast don't consider Perth to be a part of Australia. As part of the introduction process to my new role I got to visit the east coast offices, and check if this theory has any truth behind it.

My first stop was the Gold Coast.  Golden sand beaches, palm trees, sunshine, and surfing. So far this sounds just like the coastline around Perth.

My next stop was Newcastle.  You would be forgiven for thinking that the saying, 'it's like taking coal to Newcastle' came from Australia. Newcastle, the Australian one, is home to the world's largest coal export terminal.  Western Australia has similar bragging rights when it comes to iron ore.

My final stop was Sydney.  With the iconic opera house and Sydney harbour bridge, you would be hard pressed to find anything quite like it anywhere in the world, let alone in Australia.

Sydney is one of those 'must see' places, and so I was glad to have some time at the end of a hectic week of travelling, meetings and work to be able to be a tourist in this city.  Unfortunately Bron wasn't able to join me this time, but this is definitely a place we will be back to visit together :)

Down at the beach in Newcastle:

Early morning sunrise at my accommodation just outside Newcastle:

Sydney harbour bridge and the opera house

Sydney city centre

THE opera house

And THAT bridge

I also had some time to visit Manly Wharf

One of Sydney's favourite surf spots

And there is some great national park land right next door

The view back towards the city from North Head

And the waves crashing below

Another view from North Head

Back in the city, at the botanic gardens

Darling harbour

So, Sydney has some great sights that has put it on the world map as a place to visit.  But there are also some great attractions right here in Perth.  More blog posts to follow...