Travel – Page 65 – Life is a Journey

Weekend in Sydney – Day 1

Posted on August 11, 2012October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

Kevin and I were in desperate need of weekend away without the kids and with tickets to see David Attenborough on Saturday night we thought this would be the perfect opportunity. We left home about 12.30pm on Friday afternoon. Not too far into our trip up the expressway to Sydney we saw smoke.

Then closer we spotted flames.

It was VERY windy today and the flames were headed right for the road. We called it in and were glad we were through safely. Just read that the road was closed so we were lucky indeed.

Lunch was eaten on the way.

Our first stop was in Pyrmont where Kevin had to drop off a couple of (work) coffee machines to get repaired. Then it was over to Bondi, via a wet, windy and traffic-filled city.

To the Apple Store, where Kevin had to drop off some machines to also be repaired.

Finally at 5pm it was time for the fun stuff – the Max Brenner Chocolate Bar. We had a gift certificate to use here but apparently the company Smart Box have just gone out of business so we were not able to use our certificate :-(.

However the staff were most apologetic and gave us this to enjoy. So thoughtful. And yummy.

Kevin ordered the banana crepes.

Then it was time for a bit of shopping. I bought a few things at Wheel & Barrow . None of what is pictured here but isn’t this a cute display? (I will do a haul video back at home)

Of course I had to visit the Crocs store but I didn’t buy anything.

I did however make a little purchase at Lush.

About 6.30pm we left and headed to our hotel. We booked a secret hotel and got the Amora on Jamison, which we’ve stayed at before and loved.

We valeted our car and got checked in before heading to our room.

It was 7pm now so we headed straight back out for dinner. We asked the tour desk and he recommended a Japanese place a few mins walk away. The only tables available were outside but it was too cold to eat out so we opted for takeaway.

The staff were kind enough to give us some green tea to warm us up while we waited.

We took our dinner back to our room and ate while watching a movie on the ipad.

Kevin loved his meal but I didn’t really like mine – which was just a vegetarian udon dish – so I ate the accompany rice and salad. I then had a bath in the lovely tub (using one of my new lush bath bombs) and got ready for bed. I was REALLY tired tonight (probably due to all the missed sleep I’ve had during the week) so only read a few minutes before going to sleep. I think it was just 9pm!!!

Night owls we are not :-).

Onboard Toiletries

Posted on June 15, 2012October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

Nelbe wanted to know how I deal on toiletries for onboard a flight. Since nearly all international flights from Australia are some duration – often 15 to 24 hours – you’ll definitely want to take some supplies with you. Now I really just take the basics. Things I know I’ll definitely be using. I don’t tend to wear makeup on long flights and usually am too tired to be bothered at the end of a flight. If I needed to make an impression I’d pack a bit of makeup and apply before getting off. But really you don’t want to spend any more time than necessary in the restrooms. Plus they get pretty busy just before landing.

Travel packs like the one below are ideal. I actually bought this just for the containers (for my main travel bag) then realized the clear bag would be perfect for going through security and also ease of access on the plane – which is exactly what it’s designed for.

Now what do I take on board?

Deodorant, face spray, a solid perfume, a lip balm, face moisturizer (little pot or tube), hand cream, cuticle cream and an eye mask.

I’d also put in a mini toothpaste/toothbrush we’ve got on previous flights just in case we don’t get them (not all airlines provide them). But funnily enough I came across this little toothbrush and paste set at the chemist just this afternoon so I’ll be adding that to the bag. That has to be the cutest little toothpaste I ever did see.

I have heard of people packing clear face masks to use on a flight but I haven’t gone to that level yet – I guess if you do loads of travelling you might. I think the key is to just take what you know you will need – you really don’t want to be bothering digging through lots of supplies, or carting them around the airport. Also be sure to pack some socks (again some airlines provide them) and I always buy some water (after security) and some snacks. Even though you get fed, when you’re travelling across the international date line you end up missing some meals, and we always end up hungry.

Packing Toiletries for Travel

Posted on June 12, 2012October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

I’m not sure why but last week I was determined to reorganise my travel toiletry bag. Are we going anywhere soon? NO. Maybe it was wishful thinking as this is the first year since 2007 that we won’t have been away in Winter :-(.

This is what normally lives in my toiletry bag. With the exception of my brush it’s travel size containers of all my normal beauty/body products.

I recently splurged and bought a new bag set from Priceline. Again, I think it was due to that wishful thinking. The bag is not as good (for me) as the one I had before but I think it will work.

Luckily everything fits.

But you actually have to pack everything on one side to close it up without everything falling out.

Would like to see exactly what I pack? This would be in the bag for a 1-4 night stay. I keep stuff for in the shower in the clear zippered pouch that you can see above.

Some sample sizes of face masks and moisturiers.

Some of the following would be removed if not needed.

I keep all sample and gift products in a drawer so I can swap out and grab as needed. It’s actually my goal at the moment to use up most of this instead of keeping for travel, as I keep getting more.

Ah, now what about makeup? I have these matching bags for makeup and the small one for jewellery.

I forgot to take a photo before putting it into the bag but it’s just the basics. The jewellery bag even fits in on top. These bags don’t stay packed as they are my everyday products.

Now what about those longer trips? I have this great big pink bag (it’s actually a dance bag) that I can put other smaller bags inside of. I used this in Alaska last year and it worked great.

There is a hook so the bag can even be hung open and things grabbed straight from it.

When I pack for Disneyworld I’ll be sure to show you this bag in action. Obviously I might need bigger bottles of product (depending on the length of the trip) and just swap out sizes as required. And add a big bottle of suncream and a selection of nail polishes. For our 6 week trip to the UK I took full size products and shared with Amy so we used it all up while we were away and didn’t have to bring it home. We then restocked with duty free :-).

Please let me know if you have any questions or any wonderful ideas for me to incorporate.

Planning for a Disney holiday – part 1

Posted on June 7, 2012October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

One of my greatest joys in planning a holiday, esp. a Disney holiday. We gave a lot of consideration as to where we should celebrate 20 years of marriage. Being December we ruled out Europe as we’d like our first visit there to be in the warmer months. For the same reason we had to rule out many possible destinations and came back to an old favourite – Walt Disney World. We made our first visit here when Amy was just 9 months old, with our best friends, Leanne & Noel.

There were a number of other trips when the girls were young but we haven’t been to WDW (Walt Disney World) since October 2004. With the girls aged 3 and 5, I’m gathering this upcoming trip is going to a be a lot different.

Of course, we can’t go to Florida without doing a Caribbean cruise (they are crazily cheap). So our initial plans were 2 weeks at WDW and a week cruise.

Usually about one year before the trip I have a rough draft and flights booked. But this time around things were up in the air for some time – do we take the kids? how will we cope with my arthritis? etc.

Our first booking was our cruise – when I found out a certain room was available – a large rear facing verandah stateroom. We are cruising on Freedom of the Seas out of Port Canaveral.

Next I found some great accomodation – the Wydham Bonnet Creek – off site, but so close – a 2 bedroom apartment for the price of about 3 nights on-site. Since we’re staying 14 nights it was a bit of a no brainer. And we’ll love, and appreciate, having so much space…and more spending money.

Then finally, after watching the flight prices for months, we got a great price flying Qantas (our preferred airline). Kevin said 6 months out was the best time to buy and he was right. Definitely worth waiting for.

With our flights booked the holiday was definitely a go ahead. In my next planning for Disney holiday post I’ll share my favourite resources and the start of my day-to-day plans.

Further, in the midst of planning this trip we found out about a school excursion that Amy is going on. A 3 week trip to Germany next April. With her Nan & Pop paying for Amy, Kevin and I decided it was a great opportunity (and price) for us so we’re going to tag along as well. Christy is most excited to be staying with Nan & Pop so we don’t have to feel guilty about not taking her. No planning for me on this trip though. Just follow the noisy bunch of school kids :-).