HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!

For this auspiscous occasion, the family did something different. We booked ourselves onto a House Boat and sailed down the Murray River for 4 days.

The house boat had 4 bedrooms each with their own bathrooms, dinning room, living room, plenty of sofabeds, upstairs bbq and a fantastic jacuzzi.


There was 10 of us that went on this trip. We were just all so happy that everyone was able to make it.













Not only did we have a wonderful time, but we did what all asians like to do.... Gamble. We had a little blackjack table going... needless to say we did make a little bit of money. A very good sign for the year to come.... hehehehehe.


And the icing on the cake was that we were lucky enough to catch a couple of cod fish.

Food & Wine Festival

Steve and I decided to visit the Food and Wine Festival at the Docklands, which is located quite centrally in Melbourne. The Docklands like in the UK, used to be the ports where shipping containers were unloaded. Now, they have transformed them into very up-market residential apartments. So being the nosey people we were, we went to see what sort of food and wines were being marketed.

This is the face of a greedy ice-cream lover. The day was so hot (mid 40 degrees) that the ice-cream was melting faster than I could eat it.

A drive to the Dandenong Mountains

The weather was perfect for a drive up the Dandenong Mountains, which is about 1 hour outside of Melbourne city. It's an easy drive as the roads are smooth and are surrounded by massive eucalyptus trees and lush ferns. Another reason for the visit was to have tea and scones at some of the boutique restaurants. Yummmmm..... and they were definitely worth it. Below, Steve shows me how it's really done.... by stuffing his face...hehehe!!!

The Australian Open

Arriving at the perfect time, we were able to purchase tickets to the Australian Open and watch some great tennis. We spent the entire day there moving to different courts, watching lots of nailbiting tennis and stuffing ourselves with pies and hotdogs. By the end of the day out in the hot sun, Steve and I were thoroughly burnt.

Finding Nemo....

We were on a treasure hunt to find Nemo at Melbournes Under Water World. We saw many species of fish but Nemo was harder to track down.

Is Nemo here? Steve befriends a Morray.



Steve holds his breathe under water in search of Nemo... funny that..... he didn't even get wet when he came back up. ;o)


We found many different species of fish but Nemo was harder to track down. The Jellyfish display was definitely a must see, as well as the gigantic squid found in Australian waters.


















Steven got distracted and found himself a much larger fish, the Australian Cod. I think he's hoping he'll catch a fish this size on his next fishing trip.


But in the end, he's happy to have Rita and his unborn baby to go home to.

Boys being Boys!!!

We met up with our good friends Rob, Ratna and their lovely boys Ethan and Conner. We missed the boys a lot as we spent a lot of time with them while we were in Melbourne. And like old times, they didn't waste any time climbing all over their Uncle Steve.

Yum Cha in Melbourne

We arrived early on the 14th Jan in Melbourne without telling my parent. So when we turned up at my mum and dad's place 2 weeks early, we certainly gave them a surprise. Dad was speachless but teary and mum was mum.... she couldn't stop screaming. Both couldn't believe what they were seeing. Well worth coming back to see their reactions ....hehehehe!!! Then it was off for the chinese pre-requisite.....YUM CHA!!!!

(L-R: Steve, Dad, Steven (Brother), Rita (Sister-in-law), Mum, Me and Lynn (Sister))

A very pregnant sister-in-law and my brother. Rita is due late in March, so only 2 or so months to go but she looks fantastic.

We're Godparents to HASKER METCALFE!!!

Last night we met up with our close friends Dan and Swee Metcalfe and again gorged ourselves on Chilli Crabs. Half way through the meal, we were asked if we would be godparents to their newborn son. Of course WE WOULD, we were SO HONORED!!!! We were almost all bought to tears. Below, the happy couple and proud parents.














We finally got to meet Hasker the next day, and without sounding bias.... he's one gorgeous baby!!! Definitely a good looker, and by the look of his long fingers he's going to be taller than 6ft when he grows up, just like his dad. Hasker (named after Dan's grandfather) was born on the 19th Dec 2005, and with his light blue eyes, looks like both his mum and dad. After meeting the little fella, Steve had to stop me going to all the baby shops and buying him little presents.

Eating Our Way Through Singapore

With the unfortunate demise of Shaikh Maktoum, the former ruler of Dubai. The country went into a sort of a shut down for morning and then for the Eid holidays. So Steve and I thought we would take advantage of this and make an earlier start to our holidays. Hence we booked the earliest flight out to Singapore for a week and then plan to fly down to Melbourne to spend Chinese New Year with the Banh family.

Arriving into Singapore, was like coming back home for us. Especially, the shopping and the eating part of it. Basically, we've been eating our way through Singapore. Firstly, Singapore Chilli Crab (which is a must), then wonton noodles and then Hainanise Chicken Rice, then Japanese. Obviously, we love our Hawker food!!! The rate we are going we'll be carrying our heavy bellies home.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

May 2006 bring you all Health, Wealth and much Happiness!!!!


We rang in the new year with friends, lots of drinking and most importantly a FANTASTIC time.




Steve, Eden, Frankie and I went to celebrate the New Year at Wafi's Rooftop Party. The night started off with so much promise, and it certainly didn't disappoint either. Throughout the evening, the boys attempted to do their version of a dance but we girls showed them how it's really done.

Below, I'm not sure what Eden, Frankie and Steve were on, but lets say whatever they drank made them VERY happy!!!!

And then the dancing began!!!!

We finally stumbled into bed at 5 o'clock New Years Day morning, with sore feet, full bellies of Burger King and knowing when we next wake up ..... splitting headaches. All totally worth it !!!!