TOURIST TUESDAY: SYDNEY HEAD ON PHOTO FESTIVAL 2017

At the end of May we jumped on a plane, and headed down to Sydney for a couple of days. The main reason being Justin was exhibiting in the Head On Photo Festival. (Note One) But, lets face it, it does not take much for me to go on a holiday/mini getaway.

Justin flew down earlier in the week to set up his exhibition, normally flying solo with Jarvis doesn't bother me at all...however, a few days before we were to leave Jarvis was diagnosed as having pneumonia. And I was starting to feel like something the cat spat out, so knew I was heading down the same path.

But, my baby flew like the experienced traveller he is, and travelled like a angel, on the plane and on the two trains to our Airbnb location.

Our first day in Sydney, Justin organised to go to Taronga Zoo. (Note Two) Zoos always give me mixed emotions, I love seeing the animals, but hate seeing them trapped into artificial spaces.

That night, we all caught the train to Justin's exhibition. I was so proud of Justin and his amazing work on display. Plus, it was also good to discover other artists.

The following morning, all we had time for was a scrumptious mid-morning snack, and a play in the park, and then it was time to do the reverse trip home. 

As you can tell by the portrait Justin took of me, at the train station on the way to the airport, the flu had well and truly smacked me around. Also because I was sick, I made Justin feel sorry for me and forced him to do a couples selfie, which he hates with a passion.

Holly Molly, I have never struggled on a flight so much. With high temps and a face that felt so compacted, I am surprised the airport security did not stop me and drug test me.

Lucky for me, Tamika always does the airport runs, and picked us up and transited me home and to the comfort of my bed.

Sydney, it was short and sweet, next time lets make it longer.

Note One: The Head On Photo Awards represent a global selection of the best work from emerging and established photographers across four categories; Portrait, Landscape, Mobile and Student.

Head On Photo Festival, one of the world's most prestigious photo festivals is calling for photographers to submit work to the Head On Photo Awards 2017.

Note Two: Taronga Zoo is the city zoo of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and is located on the shores of Sydney Harbour in the suburb of Mosman. It was officially opened on 7 October 1916.

I TRAVEL A LOT! OR THIS COULD BE TITLED 'HOW TO TRAVEL ON A MINIMAL WAGE.'

It has been commented that I go on a lot of holidays. This is true. But I have a very strong love for travel. From the dodgiest hotels to the best money can buy. I love them all. I don't care if it is somewhere in my own country or somewhere overseas, I just love visiting new places.

I have also been asked how I manage to travel so much on a very minimal wage. It is a combination of two things.

One: Advise given when I was a single mother.

I was working a dead end job trying (barely) to make ends meet. I have never left the country and not travelled much within Australia. When I was talking to a very elderly lady. She asked if I could save $20 a week, after much thought I answered yes. To which she replied that if I could do that, every three years I could afford to go a an overseas holiday to anywhere in the world.

Yep, $20 a week ads up to $3120. Throw in extra from asking for cash for birthday presents and any spare I would have left over at the end of a week, Tamika and I managed to travel to 16 countries by the time she was 16. Not a bad feat for a single Mum, who worked part-time and studied.

To this day I have continued my $20 a week savings.

Two: Do not buy 'Stuff'.

Some people are really bad with credit cards, I am the opposite. If I have cash in my purse I buy 'stuff', most of it I really don't need. So much money has been saved with me not having cash on me. It also helped that for the first 12 months after Jarvis was born I bought nothing for myself. (Undies and Make-up excluded). As time passed, I found I needed less and less. This has even split out over into buying stuff for the house. The less I buy the less I want.

So if it is your priority, like it is mine, travel is very possible on a minimal wage.

Having said all of the above... in two more sleeps we are all off for a holiday to the Sunshine Coast for four days!!

The salt air is just what my body needs. 

TOURIST TUESDAY: DAY SEVEN PADANG BAI DAY/LEGION NIGHT

Another perfectly lazy day spent at the beach and pool. Ah Bali, you are what my soul needed.

Padangbai is a small town in eastern Bali.  It serves as a ferry port for travel to island nearby. It is a sleep beach town perfect for people like me who prefer a small town atmosphere.

But with that small town vibes you also get small town glitches. The whole town lost power about 10am in the morning. No big deal for us as who need power to swim. Or then shower and pack up. Umm, but you do need power when you are checking out and trying to pay via EFTPOS. unlike most of the locals we did not carry much cash on us. I must remember to research more when travelling on which countries like cash over cards. Obviously Bali is one of them.

We ended up napping in one of the bamboo huts on the beach for an hour or so. Then the owner said it was okay if we paid our driver for our accommodation once we got into Legion. Typical of Bali locals, so nice about everything.

Another car ride where Jarvis watched The Avengers, again. Back to Legion, and our original hotel with the eerie corridors, but great buffet and pools.

After a morning and an afternoon at the beach, we opted to get takeaway and have a picnic on our hotel floor. While the boys had a long soak in the huge bathtub I went out to get food from Jarvis's favourite restaurant.

I have to mention how safe I felt wandering around Legion at night as a solo female, the only off comment I got was from a drunk Australian making some dumb remark about the colour of my hair. So, again I have to be embarrassed of my own country and impressed with Balinese people. 

Thanks to the locals for being so nice and polite.