AU with the Gardiners

Australia was one of our favorite places while on our round-the-world trip - we loved the beaches, the rock pools, the cafe culture, the flat whites, the wine, ALDI stores... and most of all, the people.  So, we've had it on our list to return to since 2012.  Last month, we finally made it happen and we are already looking for another opportunity to return.

We spent our first week in Collaroy at the Gardiner hale where giant cockatoos came screeching to the lanai each morning begging for snacks,

Gordy and the boys (Max and Pierce) played wresting, cars, and dress up,

We enjoyed day trips to Manly,

we went to Max and Pierce's footy game,

and we checked out the Taronga Zoo.

We spent a few days up north in the Hunter Valley cruising the Central Coast on the way up, drinking a fair bit of wine, getting the VIP treatment at Tyrrell Wines (thanks Cam!), swimming in some killer pools, and eating lots of good food from ALDI.

For our last week, we drove about 3 hours south of Sydney to Manyana with the Gardiner crew.  Gordy had so much fun with all the kids - every morning he would wake up and jump out of bed asking "where the boys?".  Once he found them, he'd chase them around the room yelling, "here comes the Gogo monster!".  The beaches were beautiful and empty, and Dean and Sherene were great company.  We cannot thank the Gardiners (Deano, Sherene, Charlie, Pieces, and Max) enough for sharing their little slice of paradise with us.  We had a wonderful time!