Tourist!
Friday, March 20, 2009 at 03:41AM Well yes today was a day of leisure! We all loved it and I slept in until 10am. I was planning to get up about 8am so I would catch my parents in Spain so I could find out about my Nan. I slept right through it and onwards. I did find out how my Nan was, as dad left a message on my answer phone. Sadly Nan has cancer, and it's spread through her bladder, kidneys and its now in the bone. She is not in any pain but they have only given her months to live.
I am happy and sad about this, its crazy. very bittersweet. But my grandmother has had a great life, lived a lot and loved a lot, and annoyed a lot! She is having the best care she could get and she is not in any pain so I am thankful for that. Of course I am sad about it, but it's going to free up my parents when it happens and they can start to live their life too as Nan has stopped this for the last 3 years. I think she is headed home next week at some point and mom and dad are talking to the hospital about home care as I type! So I will keep you updated!
Well I have been a total tourist today. I always like to do an open top bus ride in every city I go to, so I can get to know what is around and also to get around easier. And this is what we decided to do... loved it!
I used to do a bus sightseeing tour of London when I was much younger, so I know how hard it is to do this, but the voice kept saying, please sit in your seat at all times. But Kev... being Kev... oh no! He didn't want to play by the rules did he... he stood up and had his big camera taking pictures. I was warning him when branches were aiming for him. I think I spent me whole time shouting KEV! Anyway he ducked, and then didn't see the other branch that was headed for him and it caught it. He got smacked right across the face!! So funny, thankfully he is ok!
We saw the Sydney Opera House and so many other famous sights that you only see on TV. It was so much fun.
We then headed to Bondi Beach! And it was beautiful and I just know Mike and Jonesy would have loved it here.
Mike is a surfer and this is one of the places to surf. Me, I have a phobia with the ocean, and I have struggled to go in for years. Mike and Jonesy took me in 18 months ago and I clung for dear life on to Mike and I was only in up to my knees.
However today, I wished I had had my swimwear as I was itching to get in and play around with Charlie.
Charlie didn't have his swimwear either but kids can get away with it more, and he just went it with his white undies, which of course went transparent with the water, but he loved it, and waded in and started catch waves with the big boys! He is a strong swimmer just like I am, but I kept my eager eye on him... and I was so proud of myself that I was thigh deep in the ocean and not panicking!!
Here is Charlie in the water!
After a tiring day we finally got home showered and headed out to get some food. We went to a beautiful restaurant, and had a lovely meal, although Kev and I both feel that we now own shares in the place... it was SO expensive and we only had main course... lol However it just topped off a perfect day!
It is so nice to spend time with the family and relax. I don't do it enough but it's great. I gave in to being a tourist and loved it. And we have another few days of it before we head to Ayers Rock on Monday!
What I learnt is by just giving in to things and relaxing and not worrying about what was being done you actually enjoy yourself so much more!!!
Have a fantastic weekend!
With love
Lisa, Kev and Charlie xx
Reader Comments (49)
Dearest Lisa
For education sake, we don't say ayers Rock any more since its return of ownership to the Indigenous peoples, it is Uluru. It has been very interesting hearing about your experiences. Enjoy yourself and also hope the boys have fun. Be well xox
So pleased you having such a fantastic time-
Sending shell hugs
I love the role of being a tourist. Enjoy!
So sorry about Nan....I hope she is in peace......deb t/illinois
Sorry to hear the news about Nan. Thanks for the email, really appreciated it. Big hugs chick xxx
Sorry to hear ur nan has cancer, that is very sad news, but it is a relief that she is not in pain.. I am sure she will come and visit u in the afterlife... my thoughts and prayers are with u and ur family at this time..xo
I am glad u are having a fantastic time in this wonderful country of ours..
Enjoy the rest of ur stay, tell Kev to watch out for more tree branches...lol...
hugs...
Lisa, sorry to hear your Nan has cancer. Hopefully her days will be comfortable.
Love your update on the vacation. Keep enjoying!
Hi Lisa,
I LOVE you posting photos! What a great addition to your blog....cant believe how much
Charlie is growing up, what an amazing trip for you all. Have a wonderful weekend, you really have earned your fun times after all your hard work.
Sorry about your Nans update, i understand the bittersweet view on it, just hope she is kept comfortable....she must be very proud of you!
hugs xx
Sorry to hear about your Nan's cancer, but as you said, she's had a long and fruitful life. Glad you're having a wonderful time in Australia - I hope the family time will help you to recharge and relax. All the best to you and your family.
Big (((((HUGS))))) for you for your nan. I hope her days are comfortable and you get to spend more time with her.
I'm glad you are enjoying Australia as a tourist. lol @ Kev being slapped around hee hee.
Love the pics and love hearing about all your adventures. You will love Uluru, I am sure you will feel the energy there :)
Love & Warm Fuzzies,
Vikki (peridot) xxx
I do love the pictures. Let's see more of you Lisa dear!
What a fabulous day....It is a wonderful city for sure....(biased since I grew up there, hehe)
I am so glad you are looking forward to seeing Uluru...magical...
So sorry to hear the news about your Nan...love to you all at this sad time...
Sharon xoxo
Bonjour Lisa!
Well, good and bad news about your Nan...but you're right the most important thing is keeping your Nan comfortable... I guess the next few months will be though for your parents... But for this present time, you're in vacation and enjoy it!
Happy you have a clear and sunny day. Family seems to have a lot of fun and I'm sure the boys are very happy to be alone with you... They look very happy on the picture.
Thanks again to you and your family for pictures and say hello to them too..
Have yourself a wonderful tourist week-end!!! ( :
Ciao!
Pascale, Quebec
xxx
Hi again Lisa,
Don't forget my tip about taking bottled water to Uluru (the Rock). We didn't take enough and decided to do the walk from the Rock to the Aboriginal Cultural Center (40 min walk) - we were nearly dead by the time we got there! In our photos our faces all look like beetroots! We had refilled at the tap at the rock, but no-one wanted to drink it, it was soooo bad! We all decided dying of thirst was the better option! The icy cold drinks at the Cultural Center were a welcome sight I can tell you.
Oh, and also - you can climb the rock at a roped off area (weather permitting), but the Aboriginals prefer that people don't climb it (out of respect for their beliefs/culture). We didn't care to climb anyway, as it is very steep and apparently over the years, 12 people have died trying it!!! aah. It's so breath-taking just looking around anyway.
Enjoy your weekend and have a great time at Ayres Rock.
Looking fwd to the pics,
Deb, Sydney :-)
P.S. Sorry about your Nan :-(
Lisa, your trip sounds awesome!!! We all are enjoying your pictures so keep them coming since many of us will never get to Australia. We can live vicariously through your pictures : ) Make sure you post some pictures of you so we all can see your "new skinny self!!"!
I'm sorry to hear about your Nan.... hopefully the doctors will keep her as comfortable as possible.
Sue
Hi Lisa,
I can understand when you say bittersweet about your Nan,but God bless her and your family our thoughts are with you and am really glad she is not in pain.
Really really happy tho you are having a great time and got a bit of a sleep in you deserve it.Poor Kev well you did warn him!! Great pics again and the backdrops, good girl for keeping an eager eye on Charlie and having the courage to go in the water!!
Had to laugh aboout the restaurant prices some places here can be expensive.
You should try the Garden Buffety at the Sydney Star City Casino its a fantastic place and all you can eat and really cheap prices here is the link...
http://www.starcity.com.au/Dining__Top_Level-Garden_Buffet.cms?ident=DHKHLRBYZDGI9873CUA3PBCCR6C7J9
Have a great weekend and dont forget if you have time take Charlie to the Zoo or Luna Park!!
HUGZ
Maureen xxxxxxxx
So glad you're having a fab time in Sydney. Glad that Kev's ok from the branch. I knew Charlie would love Bondi. I took my boys when they were a little younger than Charlie and they went in starkers!!! Boys can get away with it tho, LOL. Bondi's got a great energy about it, you can't help but feel relaxed when you leave it. I've no doubt you'll sleep well tonight.
I wish your Nan all the healing light she needs. My hubby's mum was a recipient of home-care. It really is the best thing, it helps them more being surrounded by their familiar territory. I wish your parents all the strength they will need to get through too, it's not easy, having watched my father-in-law go through the same with his wife, the mixture of emotions will be great. You all will be each other's "rock" at various times as well as needing all the hugs to help you through.
Enjoy your time in Australia, I will miss your shows, hoping they'll be aired on cable tv, but I do wish you the very best of energies for your shows. I'm sure they'll be a blast.
♥
Toni
Honey, I'm so sorry to hear about your Nan, I hope for everyone's sake it's quick and painless, my Uncle died of bone cancer and it was very quick and a blessing for all involved.
I'm sorry Kev had a close encounter with a tree but I have laughed to much I nearly wet myself! :) Your holiday looks perfect sweetheart, enjoy every minute xx
wow.. that is way cool!!! This will be a memory of a liftime!
{{{hugs}}}
Poor Kev, 1st the ketchup gets him and now branches.....
thank you for the pictures, I love seeing Australia through your eyes....
Hi Lisa ,
Soo sorry to hear about your nan ....
I bet you and your family have a
good time in Australia ..
Massor av kramar ( lots of hugs )
Loved your blog today and thank you for the pictures. Congratulation on going from knee high to thigh high on your ocean visit, now thats growth LOL. Sounds like your having a wonderful family vacation and thanks for sharing it with us, as always Lisa, you are the best of the best. Have a fantastic weekend.
Hugs to you, Kev, and Charlie.
Sue
Hi my love, First I want to say how sorry I am to hear about the cancer that your nan has. I pray that she will remain pain free. They could always put her on a morphine drip when that time comes when she will have the pain. She is in my prayers and thoughts. As well as your parents. Yes, its a hard thing that they are doing. God bless them'
Wow, Lisa, you sound wonderful-all rested and really enjoying yourself as a tourist! Kev had better watch out before he gets himself hurt! Funny though th way you told it!! I am glad that you went into the water up to your waist! I, too, have a fear of water. Especially when it gets onto my face. (I drowned in a past life). Not even in the shower do I let water run ionto my face! I prefer baths anyway.
Well my love, continue on with your fun times with the boys and thanks for adding the pictures to your blog. And for letting Kev get in one of them with Charlie. Now how about the three of you?
Love you my dear. Continue on with your fun times and hurry back home. Love to Kev and Charlie and you ,of course.
Love ya lots, Mary
Sorry to hear about Nan. But I am happy you and the family are having a wonderful time. Love the pics.
Hugs.
Hi Lisa! It is so wonderful to hear of your fun and relaxation in Oz. It is a beautiful place for you to have a family vacation, what a grand trip! Savor every minute! Blessings to your family on the news of your nan. xoxo Wishing you joy every minute of your journey! Lots of love, Heike
I wish I had more time in Sydney to do an open top bus tour! I always love having a guide who knows so much about the city I am in because I love hearing and learning about the history and landmarks of a place! They can provide you with fun facts that you would have never known or known to look for going on your own... I love it.
Note to self: Do Not stand up on the bus if I end up taking one. ^_-
I am glad Kev is okay, but he could have had one interesting adventure "battle scar"! =P
I hope you continue to have an amazing time and safe travels!
<3<3