On a plus side to travelling with kids...

I have been compiling a top 100 list about travelling with children for an eBook recently. Let me share one with you...

Tip: bless 'em.

Going on holiday doesn't stop the tantrums, the dirty nappies, the naps, the getting up in the middle of the night, the need to go to playgrounds. It does stop late night jaunts, long lazy meals, relaxing with a book, and lazing in the bed every morning before ambling to a mid morning breakfast.

It closes a number of doors, but where one door closes, another opens. Literally.

IN MOST CULTURES, CHILDREN ARE THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION.

You are invited in to families homes, people stop and chat, the children encourage conversation, you are looked after, and above all... you learn and experience more. You get out to the where the locals hang, venture to new frontiers (heck, go out the back gate!), meet many people in one day, and see a different way of life to your own back home. Whether you are travelling in your own state, or across the other side of the world.

In Phuket we were welcomed into a villagers home for the night. A woman on moped asked only families to come in. We were fed, offered a place on their lounge floor, and taken care of while a tsunami warning played out down below. Going up, locals even carried (yes, carried) our strollers up the hill in sections for us. Helping to get us away from the impending tsunami even faster. Thankfully, it never came, but we were safe indeed with locals.

In Bali we played on the beach and grass with local kids. None - adults or children - could verbally communicate with each other but so much fun was had.

Here in South Australia, we are constantly chatting to locals, finding the best coffee, playgrounds and places to go.

Have kids, will travel. Use it to your advantage to get more adventure and fun into your holiday. Get curious, and have it sated.

Dull and boring... not Canberra's Diamant Hotel.

OMG! There is black and white swirled wallpaper - not on my walls - but on the ceiling. I have a green apple on my bed with the hotels business card. There is a stump of wood as the side table.

I like this place.

And I haven't even ventured into the cosy bar yet, filled with books, cushions, retro chairs and glimpses of the garden taps acting as light fittings in the nearby dining room.

I tried hard to stay here, and must have got the last room. Most sites were 'sold out'. I came cross fingered that my booking wasn't a mistake. It wasn't.

Rewarded, I am. It is just across the road from where I am working at ANU. Every room is unique. It has a good 'warehouse store' coffee shop, and the funky fitted out restaurant and bar. I don't want to work, I want to stay here.

This hotel beats the drab, run of the mill hotels that you can find anywhere. Grab some character, and head for the Diamant Hotel!

http://www.8hotels.com/canberra-hotel/diamant-hotel/

Atmosphere @ Eat at Whalers

On the waterfront at Encounter Bay, backed by the bluff, this is a perfect spot to end the day. Indoors or outdoors, the views are only interrupted by the palm trees swaying out front in the carpark.

I've been twice recently, both thanks to Fleruieu Living Magazine. As a guest at a launch, and then to photograph two chefs and their delicious creations. Both days were packed. Day or night, the atmosphere is beachside calm and trendy. Nice.

www.whalersinnresort.com.au

www.fleurieuliving.com.au

Loving my work... getting paid to experience the world.

I've been busy in the last few months... and so happy to be working more for businesses in the SA tourism industry. It's a focus of mine, to work more within the tourism industry and define heidi who? photos as the 'go to' photographer for not only amazing photography but a fun experience too. It's something that clients are always commenting on - how much fun they have. The 'models' also have a laugh, and soon enough, are looking really comfortable in front of the camera. Maybe because they are!

I believe 'why not?' Why not have fun? Why not get fantastic images? Why not work hard and have fun at the same time? Why not make sure everyone is happy?

Photography, travel and people (including my little family!) are my passions. I'm so lucky to be able to combine them all in my life, earning money and travelling. And hopefully helping and affecting people through my images too.

How do you travel more often? I'd love to hear how you do it!

Lake Bonney at Easter time...

Easter is a great time to get away with the family for some fun. And working from home, to get away from work. The laptop and phone did come with me, but didn't get much of a work out.  My niece loves taking photos... and I decided to give her my D800 and 70-200mm lens to have a play with. While my sister held her breath with anxiety, I let my niece go. She got some great shots. A penchant for angles - or maybe just a heavy camera weighing her down. Love the fact that I am inspiring a new generation of photographers. Whether it be for capturing family moments, or creating a living from it.

Lake Bonney is about three hours from Adelaide. The lake is a wonderful place for skiing, fishing and sailing. The waterfront in Barmera is grassy, long and scattered with fun things for the kids. A monster playground with 'dinosaur bones' in the sand, a skate park, a sandy volleyball patch and in front of the caravan park, two giant trampolines sitting on the water.

With Berri and Renmark just up the road, it is a quieter spot to base yourself for a few days. And down the other way, towards Adelaide, is Banrock Station. Perfect. For big boys and their toys, they are not forgotten. Loveday is on the doorstep - fun for four wheel driving action.

If you are after a good coffee though... don't stay over a public holiday. With one coffee shop in town that is closed most of Easter, I am in withdrawal mode. The Tourist Infomation Centre has coffee too, but I never made it in to try. An excuse to go to Berri was made.

Hope you all had a great Easter!

10 tips for baby travel

1. Don't call it a holiday - it's travel 2. Baby wipes

3. iPad or dvd player

4. Bubble blower

5. Baby food squeezie sacks

6. Nibbles and bribes

7. Sling, backpack carrier or lightweight stroller

8. No expectations of sightseeing - you will do what you can do

9. Stickers and craft packs

10. Pipecleaners - amazing what you can do with these furry things

Womadelaide 2013

Womadelaide. Love it.

I was so excited to take my kids this year. Belle went when she was little, she still loves seeing live music, and Ashton loves to jiggle and scream - but then along came 38 degrees. Hot. Sticky. Tired.

It was in the park. Slightly more refreshing. And it was overcast at times. Ashton couldn't help but heat things up in his mouth too, eating most of his dads curry. And then sticking his tongue out trying to cool down. Belle was satisfied with her frozen lemon yoghurt. Much better choice perhaps.

The kids area is great - free amusements, craft, things to see and do. Belle even had her face painted for the first time. Ever. The look of excitement and unknown on her face when she ran over to show everyone is something a won't forget in a hurry.

I won't forget the ciders, the organic donuts that everyone raved about (but I missed out on), the fantastic music, the loose and varied crowd, and the dirt on my feet from salsa hip shaking fun in front of stage two. How fun. Neither will I forget the cost to get in for the day - $330 plus for two of us. Thank goodness the kids were free.

And another impressive note. The amount of bikes that were ridden. Go greens. The only other time I have seen this many bikes in one place is Amsterdam. Jealous I couldn't ride. Not twenty five kilometres in 38 degree heat with two little children, one big lunch bag, one nappy bag, four drink bottles, a pusher and umbrellas. Maybe one day.

Was it worth it? Yes. Would I go again. In a shimmy shake. But next time, maybe for a few days. So much to see, so much to feel, so much to hear.

Cash Store Cafe, Gilles Street ADL

This cute cafe at 269 Gilles Street in Adelaide is a tiny treasure. The Lemonade sign is enough to get me in. And the old wooden doors that lead in. Then there are the salads. I order a chicken salad, and get all the trimmings. Yummo. $11 for a salad and drink,  yes please.

I am introduced to this character by a friend who works nearby. And it seems all who work nearby know about this place. Lunch trade is rockin'. As I bite into my fork full of sundried tomato, avocado, and chicken - I realise why.

Same time next week?

The Divine experience, with a bit of ouch.

I am new to the world of massages and spa experiences, normally only offering the luxury to myself on holidays. So, receiving a voucher for an 60 minute Aromatherapy massage for christmas was exciting.

Situated in one of the upmarket areas of Adelaide, expectations were high. The Divine is on The Parade in Norwood, about five minutes from the CBD. A cosy reception area instantly calmed me, with dark feature walls, incense and soft music. I was not offered my herbal tea to enjoy while filling out forms, as stated in the brochure. Something I was looking forward to.

The treatment room was spacious, with dim light, and nourishing oil burners flickering away on the shelf. Cold towels on the massage table wasn't unpleasant, but not comforting either. The audible chatter from businessmen next door was distracting and annoying to begin with.

Anita, a lovely Phillipino lady, chattered intensly while massaging my legs about the Clipsal 500 that we could also hear. At first, I wished for silence to relax, but then found myself asking questions about the Phillipines and history. A few minutes passed, and we both quietened.

I normally tick the light to medium pressure on the forms, but this time thought I'd like something a bit firmer. I ticked medium. And boy, Anita found what felt like every sore spot in my back. Looking down at her feet, I scrunched up my face in pain, hoping I would not flinch and make it worse. Not the relaxing massage I had been imagining.

Driving home, I feel light and somewhat 'high'. Even though I suffered through the massage, I am undeniably more relaxed now. And feel like I am as light as a kite flying through the air.

My newbie experience... seven out of ten. The uber relaxed feeling I had after walking out added a few extra points.

Lucky Lupitas... lucky us.

 

What do you do when you can't escape overseas? Go eat out, on international food. I haven't been to Mexico, so can't comment on the authenticity - but damn, this is fine food.  Lucky Lupitas.

In an unfortunate location perhaps, just outside of Flinders Medical Centre, with not much parking. This little cantina packs a punch. So many rave reviews. Frequent waits for tables.

Why? No bookings. Fresh, basic, tasty food. Casual and friendly service.

Cute mismatched cutlery and glassware to match the granny tables. Green walls. Funky lightbulb feature lights. Rustic. Music. Music that my three year old daughter bops to. A vibe to comfort and relax.

Yuca Fritas - taking me back to Brazil.

Hamburguesa Hogao - converting me to the meat in bun meal

Elote - the tastiest corn and condiments I have ever eaten.

And I think we all loved the crsip, salty, every so just right, papas fritas.

We went for our eight year wedding anniversary. At home, we watched our wedding video. We saw us speaking of our travels, watching a belly dancer perform, and us dancing salsa and merengue to Turkish music. How cultural.

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