Archives for 2013

Even kitties have a sweet tooth.

Meow.In Abu Dhabi there was a fairly fancy sweet shop on my block. I never went inside but I’d often glance at the extravagant cakes in the window on my way by. One afternoon when I came home from work, I noticed someone else taking a little peek too…

So cute.

xo, jill

 

From the Hip Friday

Guten tag.

Today’s photo from the hip comes from the small town of Hahndorf in South Australia. Hahndorf was originally a German enclave and the people there today are holding tightly to the past. Now it’s essentially a very pretty tourist town selling German souvenirs.

We stopped into one shop specializing in German food products. It was fun to see a few past novelty snacks on the shelves and then I was blown away by the gigantic cans of sauerkraut (use the shopping basket for reference). No photos allowed so I snuck one from the hip.

xo, jill

From the Hip Friday features photos taken without the use of a viewfinder. If you have a photograph that was taken from the hip you’d like to share here, please contact me!

Sunrises or the one good thing about snoring.

But I still hate it.

The other day I was up at 3:30am thanks to a gentleman loudly snoring in a tent nearby. Instead of digging around in the car for my earplugs, I decided to just get up and get a headstart on the day. This mostly meant reading blogs on my phone until it grew light enough to read. But I did manage to take a little walk around the park at sunrise.

Lake Macquarie
Pelicans!

So while I do have that man to thank for these photos, there was still an exchange that went something like:

Me: I need the car keys.
Mike: Why?
Me: I’m going to sit in the car… and then drive over that tent!! 

xo, jill 

Creepy camping and other stuff.

I swear there are photos. Keep scrolling.

I didn’t take too many photos heading back down the coast. I’m just not as motivated to take photos of places I’ve already been. Unfortunately, my lack of motivation means there is nothing to document our stay at the creepiest campground ever!!

After our brief stay in Agnes Water, we headed down to the much adored Noosa.

Only photo taken of Noosa.

Oh Noosa. The hostels were booked so we turned to camping (which I prefer anyway). We decided to head out to the cheaper option which required crossing on a ferry (which negated the savings) to a more remote area. At reception when we asked about a site the man said something like, “Yeah, I think we’ve got a few open spots for you.” Implying… there are other people camping here too… right?

The camping area was fairly far from the office, back behind an archery field and other cabin-like buildings. Rolling up it was pretty clear… we were the only ones here. It looked like everything had been closed down for the season. We picked a spot, got set up, and started cooking dinner… until we got attacked by birds!! Flapping their wings in our faces…

Birds of every kind were all over us… turkeys, magpies, parrots, ibis, the works! Mike finished cooking while I tried to keep the birds away. We ate in the car. There were several expletives and jumping into either the car or tent during this visit. I was even swooped by a magpie when I thought its nest was a koala… (that sounds so stupid).

On top of the attacking birds, the games room at the park was on and abandoned. The flickering lights of arcade games in a nearly deserted area is really unsettling late at night. Especially when you have a long walk to the bathroom. I never felt at ease in this place. We both still shudder when one of us brings it up. Ugh.

After Noosa we spent a much needed night at a hostel in Brisbane. Sometimes it’s nice to live the city life and catch a movie (Perks of Being a Wallflower). Then we spent a night camping in Coolangatta, stayed for a bit in Lennox Head, a stop in Coffs Harbour, and finally reached Port Macquarie. That’s where I started taking photos again…despite having been there before. (1, 2)

At this point we were playing the waiting game. We had some house sitting lined up but still had five nights to kill. We found a campsite for a good price and didn’t want to risk the high holiday prices by going anywhere else ($50+ for a non-powered piece of earth?!).

We spent our time playing at the beach, browsing at the library, and taking nature walks. This time I saw three koalas! (No big deal).

Flying Foxes … which are giant bats
Koala bums!

At the end of this camping trip, we were ready to house sit. Proper bed and fully equipped kitchen, here I come!

xo, jill

Creepy camping and other stuff.

I swear there are photos. Keep scrolling.

I didn’t take too many photos heading back down the coast. I’m just not as motivated to take photos of places I’ve already been. Unfortunately, my lack of motivation means there is nothing to document our stay at the creepiest campground ever!!

After our brief stay in Agnes Water, we headed down to the much adored Noosa.

Only photo taken of Noosa.

Oh Noosa. The hostels were booked so we turned to camping (which I prefer anyway). We decided to head out to the cheaper option which required crossing on a ferry (which negated the savings) to a more remote area. At reception when we asked about a site the man said something like, “Yeah, I think we’ve got a few open spots for you.” Implying… there are other people camping here too… right?

The camping area was fairly far from the office, back behind an archery field and other cabin-like buildings. Rolling up it was pretty clear… we were the only ones here. It looked like everything had been closed down for the season. We picked a spot, got set up, and started cooking dinner… until we got attacked by birds!! Flapping their wings in our faces…

Birds of every kind were all over us… turkeys, magpies, parrots, ibis, the works! Mike finished cooking while I tried to keep the birds away. We ate in the car. There were several expletives and jumping into either the car or tent during this visit. I was even swooped by a magpie when I thought its nest was a koala… (that sounds so stupid).

On top of the attacking birds, the games room at the park was on and abandoned. The flickering lights of arcade games in a nearly deserted area is really unsettling late at night. Especially when you have a long walk to the bathroom. I never felt at ease in this place. We both still shudder when one of us brings it up. Ugh.

After Noosa we spent a much needed night at a hostel in Brisbane. Sometimes it’s nice to live the city life and catch a movie (Perks of Being a Wallflower). Then we spent a night camping in Coolangatta, stayed for a bit in Lennox Head, a stop in Coffs Harbour, and finally reached Port Macquarie. That’s where I started taking photos again…despite having been there before. (1, 2)

At this point we were playing the waiting game. We had some house sitting lined up but still had five nights to kill. We found a campsite for a good price and didn’t want to risk the high holiday prices by going anywhere else ($50+ for a non-powered piece of earth?!).

We spent out time playing at the beach, browsing at the library, and taking nature walks. This time I saw three koalas! (No big deal).

Flying Foxes … which are giant bats
Koala bums!

At the end of this camping trip, we were ready to house sit. Proper bed and fully equipped kitchen, here I come!

xo, jill

From the Hip Friday

On the lift.

Today’s photo from the hip is another ski related shot from Natalia at Always Trekking. This one was shot with a Go Pro while on a ski lift in Vermont. I love how you can see two pairs of skis poking out of the bottom of the photo. It feels just like you’re there. Great perspective!

Thanks, Natalia!

xo, jill 

From the Hip Friday features photos taken without the use of a viewfinder. If you have a photograph that was taken from the hip you’d like to share here, please contact me!

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