Road Trip!

BEWARE! MANY PICTURES BELOW!

It's been a while since I last blogged. Apologies to anyone who actually checks up on me but frankly I just haven't been in the mood. Lately I've been playing the role of the dutiful daughter; staying at home, making meals, cleaning the house, doing some chores, making coffee for Dad, etc...

I went on my first ever road trip down to Terrigal two weeks ago which was comprised mostly of Eminence staff/crew/lackeys...whatever they'd like to call themselves and Kev (the only other non-Eminence person on the trip) who was designated kickass photographer and driver.

We stayed at a gorgeous two-storey luxury apartment at the Star of the Sea which was absolutely terrific with on-site facilities and smashing views. The staff were excellent and even gave us the first night free since we checked in close to 12 midnight (as we were unfortunate enough to leave for Terrigal during the Mt Ku-ringai bushfire period meaning that the first day ended up being an adventure in itself, with the freeway closed and us spending some 5? 6? 7? hours waiting at Wiseman's Ferry in order to get there) .

The first night was meant to be a surprise birthday party for Dacia but we ended up having to postpone that till the next day. The pool people were responsible for keeping Dacia from returning too early to the apartment whilst the rest of us decorated the dining and lounge area (I still remember Cathy and me ordering the boys to blow up a whole packet of balloons since we didn't know what else to do with the surplus of helpers on hand that night. There are only that many people who can fit in a kitchen at any given time!). We even bought party poppers and Michael smuggled some to the pool people whilst they were returning from the pool with Dacia in front. Quite a feat, given the fact that we had 17 people in the know and trying to act sneaky!

It was also rather amusing trying to sneak 18 people in and out of the complex for four days when we had only booked for 6 by following the classic 'Cheap-skate Hotel Formula' in which you slowly bring in a large group of people by trickling in in small groups of three's and four's via various exits over a long period of time, often performing certain unnecessary acts to further solidify our innocence such as swinging arms wildly in an exaggerated manner, whistling off-key whilst nonchalantly tilting one's head heavenwards and widening the eyes etc... (these clever deeds were however probably ruled moot simply by the fact that we seemed to be the only group of Asians staying at the complex).

All in all, the trip was a smashing success with plenty of suntans/sunburns, deep and meaningfuls out on the balcony and people doing what they usually do at home (which is, to wile the hours away with gaming consoles) albeit with more people and not at home.

Although we've been over this before, I'd still like to give a big thank you to Cathy and Steve for organising this huge event and to everyone who came for making it such a memorable escape from reality. Thanks all! (For a more in-depth post, check out my sister's (Bon) blog either via the link on the right, or here or Kev's Xanga site)

(Now sit and enjoy the pics below!)

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The long wait at Wiseman's Ferry; it was basically a move 2 metres/hour kinda day. We saw police cars (complete with sirens and flashing lights) headed down towards the bottom of the valley and reasoned that they were probably trying to catch drivers speeding albeit with little success.

One of the downstairs bedrooms

The other downstairs bedroom

Lounge area

Master bedroom

Chris and Steve were jumping for joy when they arrived...literally...

Fun in the sun! Andy buried alive mermaid(man?)-style!

Flowers, chocolate and alcohol...the perfect 'thank you gift combo' for our two fantastic organisers!

Guess which foot's mine!

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