As I cast a lazy summer’s eye over the year that was 2014, one thing stands out clearly. We travelled a lot. Overseas trips were interspersed with hard work at home, followed by more travel to recover. Mr T and I made an early New Year’s Resolution to travel less in 2015, but I have noticed some overseas bookings creeping into the 2015 calendar: only because the fares are so ridiculously cheap and because we are irresponsible old gypsies at heart.
Our year away begun in January with two weeks spent in West Java and Sumatra. The highlights of this trip included time spent with my old friend Banardi and his partner, Adam in their house in the mountains near Puncak, West Java. Daily cooking lessons were the highlight of this trip as well as spending time with B’s family. Lake Toba, Sumatra was an exotic side trip and an intriguing foray into Batak culture.
Thanks Banardi and Adam, but also our big thanks goes to B’s family, especially Baria and family, Tony and Li Li and all B’s extended family, who made our stay so special.
After returning to Melbourne, we soon set up camp in our family compound by the sea on the Mornington Peninsula. This annual camp is as old as Methuselah and involves four generations of family members. As we travel between homes, our regular home and our ‘canvas’ trailer by the sea, various family members and guardian angels take care of things left behind at either end. Thankyou for watering our garden and looking after our chooks, and thanks to the ‘guardians’ down by the sea.
In May we set off for our annual trip to New Zealand. The North Island is still wonderfully clement in May, and as the prices for hiring a motor home plummet to $30 a day, it’s a mere hop, step and jump to fly to Auckland and then on to the glorious bays of the North. The natural scenery in New Zealand is breathtaking. And the local seafood is pretty tasty too. We have decided that NZ is not to be classed as an overseas trip since we share the same sea and a few relatives as well. Thanks Rachael, Andrew and Renato for monitoring things at home.
On returning from New Zealand, things turned rather cold in Melbourne and it was just as well we had our holiday booked for Thailand, China and Indonesia. After a few days experiencing Bangkok and its Coup, we headed off to China for a few weeks in Yunnan province and then a further two weeks with our wonderful friends, Tia and Carol in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The food, the glorious days in ancient walled cities: China stole my heart. Thanks Tia and 松树 for the wonderful long drive through the countryside of Sichuan, and Carol and husband for the great trips around Chengdu. Also thanks to Richard and Jo Jo for the great day out at the Panda zoo in Chengdu.
On the way back from China home, we called into Indonesia again for a month, this time in Pemuteran in the North coast of Bali, an ideal spot to snorkel, dive and relax. This area is not a major tourist destination- unlike some of the other hotspots in Bali. It is restful, shopping free and remote. We also flew over to the island of Flores, followed by a lazy week back in Sanur. Thanks Helen for being such a relaxing and easy-going travel companion and to Rosalie and Ian for your great company and friendship too.
We did stay put for six weeks of Melbourne winter and then headed off to the outback, via South Australia, a rather slow meander through lovely countryside. It’s good to be a toursit in your own country.
A quick five day trip to the Murray River with family in November, saw the cousins get along in the great outdoors.
And in December, our annual trip to my favourite beach, Lake Tyers, in Gippsland provided a fitting finale to the year, along with a side trip to Paynesville and Raymond Island to visit the land of our great grandparents. Thanks Kerrie and Bruce for sharing this trip with us.
And thank you my dear readers if you got through this rather long and indulgent New Year’s Eve Post. I hope you had a great year too. Best wishes for the next one. Capo d’anno. F xx
ALMOST ITALIAN 
Sounds like a Truly great year for you!
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Thanks Francis, and now to slow down. Best wishes for the new Year.
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Marvelous armchair tour with beautiful photos. What a year you had! Capo d’anno a tu!
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Happy New year Ardys. It was a bit too much and now the neglected pantries, cupboards, and small renovations must be dealt with. I will enjoy a little peace before getting stuck into it- I fear there is a big list on the horizon!
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I thoroughly enjoyed a vicarious trip through the exotic East …many thanks for that. Have a great 2015:)
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Have a great year too, Roger. I always enjoy reading your posts.
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Your gypsy hearts sing to me. What a lovely yearly review. Your double rainbow photo is the bomb. I have to suggest you google ‘double rainbow’ in youtube from Yosemite Bear. You may have already seen it but it is a crack up. Happy New Year to you and the mister. 😊
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Must view the link. Happy New year to you too Cheery and the hairy poatto loving Yak.
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Buon anno Francesca! What is the purpose of our toil if we cannot travel and see a little of what lies beyond our own magnificent shores. I made one of your cakes yesterday to share last night, it was a hit, but a blueberry version – will post it and show it off!
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Ooh yum- bluberry and almond, can’t wait. I think we overdid the travel last year so this year, I can see a house renovation on the horizon! Buon Anno.
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Happy 2015 Francesca. Your travels sound wonderful! 2014 was our year of travel less. Ha, we didn’t manage to whole month at home, or to take the caravan on the road, just no trip OS! We’re going to NZ north island late Feb for 4wks, 1st time. Any must dos? This year we want to slow the pace a tad but it’s not looking good!
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Happy New Year Sandra. And good luck with that crazy idea of slowing down. I am trying to do that too, but I have succombed to a few more crazy Asian trips, namely in the interest of some dental work. I feel overwhelmed with the amount of work that needs doing here and in Brunswick.
The North Island is absolutely lovely. I’ll write a list of my fave spots if you like and pop them here or in an email.
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Travel is one of the best things in the world isn’t it? I love visiting new areas and other countries. As you’ve shown it’s so colourful and diverse 🙂 Happy New Year Francesca!
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And a Happy New Year to you too Lorraine. Your New Year’s Eve photos looked gorgeous.
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Will you travel or will you not, that is the question. My money is on travel, even if it is slowed down somewhat. Yet, there is pleasure in staying put, too. A little of both, perhaps? You really did have a spectacular year in pictures. Hope you and yours have a wonderful New Year (with more photos!).
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I think you are right- you win the bet. But we do need to moderate it a little. And Salute to you and your family too.
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Wow you sure did travel and to all the places I wish I went. Can you link me to your Lake Toba post? tania@mykitchenstories.com.au
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Sadly I didn’t do a post on Lake Toba, I mislaid the pics for some time but I have now found them all on google drive so may just do one. I’ll let you know.
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What a wonderful busy year, I’m even more impressed you’ve managed to keep you fabulous garden going! Best wishes for 2015 too.
Beck
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The fabulous garden was kept by my adult children dropping in and also my long term Wwoofer, Renato, from Milano. I’ll have to watch it this year though, I think I overdid it last year and their good will might run out.
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