Lake Macquarie, NSW

Limited express train to Lake Macquarie about 2 hours journey

We stayed at the Bayshores waterfront for 2 nights, booked via www.stayz.com.au website.  Bill, the owner of the property was very friendly and helpful.  He taught us how to catch crabs and even let us stayed for another night for free.  Just simply because the house was available on the next day.  What a kind guy!!!  The property is fully furnished, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  It can fit about 8 adults.

And one afternoon, he saw us went out from the house to walk to the shopping mall.  He quickly run out and asking where are we going?  He knew that we don't have car, so he offered to give us a ride to shopping center.  Very caring and kindhearted guy.  We're absolutely loved staying in this place.

small lake at the back door

Private jetty and free canoe to use in the back of the house.  You can also do some fishing and crab-fishing as well.  Or barbeque with family in the back yard.  Although, we're ended up didn't get any fish or crab but we had a great time in here.

Bayshores waterfront (self-contained town house)

Bill Tunbridge

Ph: +61 2 4950 5072 or 0412 505 077

Email: bayshores@optusnet.com.au

The property is only a short ride by bus from Fassifern Station.  Then you just need to keep walking straight inside the lane about 500 meters.  However, if you come by car, it should be a lot easier as they provide a private carpark as well. 

Random Food In Sydney

After 2 years, I haven't been back to Sydney.  There are lots of things changed.  It is definitely more food, both traditional and fusion food.  What a great thing to be back, although only for a week.  Since I moved to Thailand, I had realized that I missed Sydney food so badly.  I used to take them for granted.  In this a week, most of my time was spent with family, therefore eating out was only countable.  I tried to squeezed in one week the food that I missed with the new food I want to try.  

Foodcraft Espresso & Bakery, Erskineville

I left Sydney before the hits of this tella-thingy things.  By now, probably everyone already know and try one of this.  This is basically milkshake drink topped with doughnut balls (nutella, salted caramel, vanilla or strawberry).  Having just one full glass of this, my sugar level was rising up and I became a little hyper after that.  But taste wise was yummm.  They have a nice steak sandwich as well, made fresh in the shop.

World famous tella balls shakes: Nutella and salted caramel $10

Beef sandwich

Variety of fancy doughnuts from doughnuttime

Giant Jajangmyeon from Arisun served for 4-6 people

KOI Dessert bar: Moss $15 (left), Carmelised white choc cremoux, pistachio mousse, caramel jelly, matcha soil, apple jelly, pistachio micro sponge and dill
and Mango yuzu $10.50, Mango mousse with yuzu curd.

For me the desserts in KOI Dessert Bar just a little over rated.  It was a good dessert but it wasn't reach to the point where it is great.  Nice names and creative colorful looking cakes.   Price-wise, I won't complain about that, although lots of people said that it is over-priced.  But for me, more like paying for creativity and quality ingredients.  But the taste didn't reach my expectation.  Especially with that famous moss cake, so many things were going on in this tiny jar but they didn't compliment each other so well.

Foodcraft Espresso & Bakery

33 Bridge Street

Erskineville

Ph: +61 (02) 8384 6657

Doughnuttime

A few branches all over Australia: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne

Arisun Korean Restaurant, Chinatown branch

35/1 Dixon Street, Haymarket

Ph: +61 2 9264 1588

KOI Dessert Bar

46 Kensington Street, Chippendale

Ph: +61 2 9212 1230

Swiss Valley Hip Resort, Suan Phueng

Previously:

Royal Good View Restaurant, Suan Phueng

Wow, Swiss Valley Hip Resort!!! What can I say!!!  It is a great resort.  The most luxury around the area according to many reviews and my own experience.  Once you enter the front gate, it was like a journey itself.  The entrance leads you to the huge lawn, on the left hand side they have a vineyard while on the other side is an open lawn with free-running horses.

When we arrived at the car park, there was a buggy waiting for us to take us to the reception area.  This place is definitely suit for family and kids.  Most of the people who come to Suan Phueng and stay else where, they normally need visit the Scenery Vintage Farm.  But if you stay in Swiss Valley Hip Resort, you will have your own farm to run around, horse to ride on and sheep to feed.  It is inclusively privilege only for people who stay here.

him with his welcome drink

mountain background

on the left is our home for tonight

The room is so spacious, I didn't expect it will be this huge though.  More like a house, I'd say.  Complete with small pantry-like without stove, big bathroom, bathtub in the middle of the room, and unused fire place in the corner.  And the roof top relaxing and barbeque area on the second floor.

Each house has different style and size.  Some even comes with a private swimming pool. 

There are dolls everywhere that you can play with but not allow to take home.  It's keeping my son busy for awhile.  They also gave us complimentary hats. (as picture above)

Bathtub next to the bed

Bathroom

BBQ and relaxing area

Farm inside the resort

Feeding the hungry sheep

Feeding fish

Small vineyard

Swimming pool

This place is very good to visit in the winter season.  With the farm-theme parks in the area, it will be too hot in summer time.  However, the negative side is we could not swim as the water is too cold.

Instead, we do soaking in our own bathtub

Pad thai goong

I'm always into in-room dining.  I like the feeling of having a nice meal in our pajama.  Great thing to do before end the night.

Deep fried sun-dried pork

Creamy pumpkin soup

Blueberry yogurt smoothie

This was the best smoothie I ever had.  Quite big statement but it was true.  Since then I keep trying this drink in any shops but none can beat from this resort.

Swiss Valley Hip Resort, Suan Phueng
7/7 Moo 7 Ratchaburi, Thailand
Ph: +66 87 773 3950