Parents Are The Best

Parents are the best. No, I’m not trying to use my blog to publically show my affections for my awesome parents in an attempt to ask for money… I am simply preaching the truth – parents are the best.

My parents came to visit me the other week, and I cannot express how great it was to see them!  They arrived early on a rainy Saturday morning, where I met them at the airport with pretty purple flowers and a big smile on my face.  Although the weather was not ideal, it was still such a happy day because the Plotts were reunited!!! (minus Katy… *sad face*)

The parents stayed in a hotel close to my flat in Bondi, so it was very easy meeting up with them in the mornings when we were in Sydney.  I took them to my favourite Sydney eateries, including Churburger (which dad is still astonished that a milkshake would cost $6… and a burger – without fries – would cost $10…), Hurricanes (yummy ribs joint), Trio (yummy brunch joint) and Icebergs, which is the restaurant/pool club that is located in South Bondi.  I was really excited to take them to Icebergs because it is a local fine-dining establishment, with amazing views of Bondi beach.  They LOVED it!

Because my parents love me so much that they traveled 10,000 miles to visit me, I obviously took off work to spend time with them.  It was a great holiday away from work and away from reality.  Fortunately I got to take the entire week off, but unfortunately that week went by too fast! We fit so much into our quick week vacation that it would be the longest post ever if I described it, so here is the sparknotes:

SATURDAY: Brunch. Rain, rain, rain and more rain. We explored Bondi – in the rain. We took the ferry over to Manly – in the rain. Dad had an episode of almost getting seasick on the ferry back to the city. Mom and I laughed at the Asians using a pole to take epic selfies.

SUNDAY: Bondi to Bronte walk. Yummy fruit salad and banana bread. More rain. The Plotts went to a symphony at the Opera House. I successfully ate my snacks during the performance while Dad was unsuccessful at opening his peanut M&Ms without getting glares from fellow audience members. The Rocks. Plotts (& Bridget) go to Icebergs for dinner; Mom and Dad are in awe as they watch the HUGE waves crashing against the rocks and the side of the Icebergs pool.

MONDAY: The parents force me to show them the Bashful offices, which really wasn’t as bad as expected. Today is also Designated Shopping Day! Dad wishes he was anywhere but Sydney, Australia going store to store with his daughter and wife.  He gets grumpier as the day goes on.  We meet a family friend for dinner at Movida, a restaurant that I have wanted to go to for a while.

TUESDAY: Leave for Whitsunday Islands early in the morning. Our flight is delayed and I am not happy as it is cutting into my planned R&R time in the sun. Finally make it to Whitsundays and we spend the afternoon relaxing and exploring Airlie Beach.

WEDNESDAY: Wake up early for our Whitsundays snorkeling adventure.  We obviously follow the crowd and purchase body suits to protect us from jellyfish. We successfully look like goobers.  Our cruise takes us to two separate snorkel locations where we see bundles of coral, big fish and tiny fish, turtles and clams.  We have a late lunch at Whiteheaven Beach, which is the most majestic beach I have ever been to.  We enjoy dinner and ice cream in Airlie Beach.

THURSDAY: Leave Whitsundays in the afternoon after a morning tan session by the pool. Get back to Sydney in time for a long walk along to coast to Clovelly Beach before heading to Hurricanes for dinner.  Dad puts his bib on because he gets a fine stack of ribs.  We all leave Hurricanes feeling full of protein and starch.

FRIDAY: Wake up early to pick up our rental car and head to Hunter Valley (aka Sydney’s closest wine country). Immediately are delayed due to Easter traffic.  We manage to get to Hunter Valley around 2:00pm, just in time to visit a few vineyards before tastings close for the day. Two tastings in and the Plotts stock up on 6 bottles of wine.  Tipsy Colleen turns into sleepy Colleen.

SATURDAY: Dad plays golf.  Mom and I go to a super cute café before going on a two-hour pony ride.  In the afternoon, we go on a vineyard tour, hitting three more vineyards and purchasing 18 more bottles of wine. I get to keep four bottles.  We leave Hunter Valley after dinner, and head to the airport hotel where we stay as a family for their final night in Australia.

SUNDAY: Walk the parents across the street and say farewell.  I jump into the taxi queue, and wave goodbye with a tear in my eye. 

Montage of fave pics from the week!

Like I said, it was a wonderful – but super short – week spent with my two favourite people in the whole world.  They are my biggest supporters of my Australian Adventure and I cannot thank them enough for being the best parents a daughter can ask for.  I love them so much and I cannot wait to see them again: if that happens to be in a few months, or even if it is in a few years… They are simply the best.