As a family we’re blessed to travel a fair bit. We’re very lucky. So you might want to stab me in the eye with a fork when I tell you this next thing; Earlier this year we got travel fatigue. I know, don’t open the cutlery drawer just yet! Please. It’s such a blessed, first world problem to have, but it’s true. Hubby and I decided that we were just going to stay put for a while. So we said no to many trips, and we just enjoyed being home. I’ve loved being home, but just recently I’ve started to get the itch again…
As a kid, we never traveled. We just didn’t have the means to do so, and being one of four kids… it just wasn’t as easy, I imagine. When I was 12 we saved up {and by saved up I mean they most probably spent their whole tax return!}, and took our very first family holiday. We packed our Tarago and drove 14 hours up to the Gold Coast. I was so excited about that holiday that I can’t even explain. I soaked it up like my life depended on it. I journal-ed the whole thing, and all the little details. I remember getting smashed at the beach and losing my beautiful headband. That totally went in the diary, don’t you worry.
A few weeks ago Stayz.com.au asked me to go back to that town where I first holidayed as a kid. I was totally down with it, because I knew it was a mere 11 minutes from where I lived and I’m always up for a Stay-cation. I love where I live. I’ve been using Stayz for years {it’s a site where you rent houses around Australia for holidays}. I used it for my own hen’s weekend, for getaways, for my sisters wedding, and just recently for a getaway for the kids last school holidays. I searched for the fanciest house I could find {Currumbin Beach House won}, and we packed up and drove the WHOLE eleven minutes up the coast.
We arrived and I was a little bit stoked. We picked the best house on the most awesome street. It’s the house that people stop out the front and stare at. It was nice to pretend we were fancy for a few days.
We picked our bedrooms. This was mine and Hubby’s room. FYI: I’ve always thought Shane was a bit of a girly name.
The girls pretty much lived in this room for the most of the weekend.
Around the corner from the house was Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where we also visited as kids on that one holiday back in 1992, so we headed back there for their night street food market. Ironically Lacey had been to the Sanctuary for a school excursion that day, and Hubby went as a parent helper. The food at this market is INSANE. This is where you’ll find us every Friday from now on. Live music, amazing food = happy mama.
Kids’ fish and chips.
One of those potato on a stick things, which was indulgently good. The other food we ordered was beautiful and fresh; corn fritters, garlic prawns, Vietnamese and Thai too.
We then went home and slept like babies. Except we didn’t because Lulu was unwell and kept us awake half the night. Such is life.
My Saturday morning ritual is heading to the markets and grabbing produce for the week. This time I took Ma along for the ride and met my little sister there.
If you’re a Gold Coast local, or traveling in the area… check out the Palm Beach Markets on Saturday mornings. I get there before it opens, because I’m a little bit crazy like that.
Hubby is a little bit obsessed with SUPing {stand-up paddleboarding}. He headed out as soon as I got home from the markets and hung out with some dolphins. Sitting on the deck at the house we saw so many dolphins and whales too.
Cushion game = strong.
The rest of the day consisted of us munching on this, and friends and family dropping in and out. And lots of lying around and doing nothing… being fancy.
We did have one momentary burst of energy in the afternoon when we decided to climb Elephant Rock, that was over pretty quickly. Poor Lulu passed out as soon as we got back to the house…
Hubby and I walked up to the Elephant Rock Cafe for dinner, and totally chillaxed; wine, oysters and chocolate cake for dessert. We then geared ourselves up for another sleepless night… but thankfully Lulu slept slightly better than the night before…
I dragged the kids to the beach so Hubby could sleep in for Father’s Day. Yes, I’m hoping my Wife Of The Year medal is in the mail. They collected shells, and sand in every crevice of their bodies and clothing.
Hubby went for another paddle, and then jumped in the pool… because apparently he doesn’t feel the cold. FREEZING.
And then it was time to pack up, and say goodbye…
It was honestly the getaway we didn’t know we needed. I’ve been suffering from daily stress headaches, and they’re gone. I totally switched off and just sat in the sun and did not much at all. The house was all fenced in, so the kids could explore all day and I didn’t have to freak out. It was just nice. Hopefully Lacey will remember it, just like I did with our trip all those years ago when I was a kid.
Where did you holiday as a kid? Have you ever been back?
My family and I stayed as a guest of Stayz.com.au.
The Gold Coast as a kid would have been like going to Europe! We went to Wodonga. Every year. I call it the ‘inland Venice of Australia’, sans canals. And everything else that represents Italy.
Ha ha ha! It freaking was.
You are so funny! Fancy Wodonga!
My grandma has a holiday unit in Forster so as a kid we spent every school holidays there. Sometimes mum and dad would even drive us up to Port Macquarie for the night. Fancy! I still love going back to Forster but these days it is only once or twice a year. As soon as I arrive there I instantly relax. Bliss!
That sounds like BLISS!
Just realised I owe you an email, thank goodness I saw this. On it. x
That looks spesh. I remember my mum would take me somewhere hot and sunny. Funnily enough I was going through my old albums at the weekend and I found photos of us in the former Yugoslavia. I must have been about three because I was topless and strutting around in a bikini like a boss! When I was old enough to read and write, I journalled every single holidays and still do. I’m such a geek!
A lovely geek!
That house looks amazing. You got gorgeous photos as always and how cheap were the flowers at the market!! Bliss
Yeah, they are cheap! Thanks for reminding me. 🙂
We holidayed and still do at Port Stephens every year. We’ve been going there for over 30 years and love it. Hubby and I have now started holidaying there as well. We go at the same time and my parents and take an apartment in the same building. It’s awesome and we get a real break because, you know, Grandparents!! YAY! Your weekend sounds great. So pleased you had a good time. Jx
GRANDPARENTS. I love my Ma, I love her company, and I love that she looks after my kids so beautifully. 🙂
I am lucky to feel the exact same way about mine. xx
I love Stayz Chantelle – we have a furbaby so it’s a great option when we want to take him along for our getaway. I call Currumbin home and you will find me at the markets most Friday nights, the Vietnamese is my absolute favourite. I feel so lucky to have such great food and culture right at my doorstep! Looks like you had a fabulous weekend x
I saw that the Vietnamese corner was really busy. We’re going there this Friday as well. I wish I’d known about it earlier. It’s amazing!
Gorgeous pics! That fish n chips is making my mouth water {and on a fast day – GAH! lol}
I’ve used Stayz.com.au quite a few times and never had a bad experience! 🙂
Oh yes, we did mostly grandparent stays as well.
I freaking love Stayz and would have used it at least 10 times in my life so far {which is why it was so easy to say yes when they emailed me}. Never had a bad experience either.
I’m overdue for a staycation myself! When I realised being in bed with the flu was the most do-nothing “holiday” I’ve had in a few years I realised I was WAY overdue!
Way overdue Ness. It doesn’t matter if it’s a year away, start planning something. 🙂
The only holiday we went on as kids was to my grandparents in Port Stephens which luckily is beautiful. As an adult, hubby proposed to me there (on the aptly named Bennett’s beach!). I haven’t been on a holiday or getaway since Olivia was born (3 years now!) so am looking forward to some sea, salt and sand very soon xx
Looks divine!! 🙂
The house you stayed at looks amazing. A staycation is definitely great. You get the break you need, but don’t have to worry about a long drive/ plane ride.
What a beautifully relaxing weekend. Apart from the not sleeping bit. That house looked incredible! Living in Melbourne as a kid we would go to Warrnambool every Christmas and Bright every Easter. I have been back to both as an adult because I had such wonderful memories of the autumn colours in Bright and the Shipwreck Coast near Warrnambool. Wonderful.
Lovely and just what you needed by the sound of it. I recall our beach holidays as a kid and now they are an annual affair for whoever can make it. A unit on the beach for two weeks of complete relaxation. I sometimes manage to drop by for the weekend and I miss those two week holidays. Most of our holidays though were at my Grandparents house which we, as kids, loved and I think Mum loved that parenting help for a few weeks meaning she could have some time out from supervising us.
Wow he must be a good SUP to do it in the surf! I’ve tried the waves near the mouth of Currumbin and been BURNED! What a fabulous spot, and those flowers at Palm Beach look like they have very well priced flowers! I vow to one day meet you at a market or a beach early one morning so the kids can play and we can sip coffee and yarn. xxx
Ahh sounds heavenly
Sounds like a great weekend away. I love stayz! Some amazing properties can be found on there. That’s how we found the Blue Green House at Byron Bay for our ten year wedding anniversary.
I can only dream of ever staying somewhere like that.
My parents are divorced, I’m one of the lucky ones that has amazing step parents and got two families to holiday with. We had a few holidays, mostly domestic. My favourite was when we went to Rotorua with my Dad, we booked a different hotel every night which was SO MUCH FUN! I felt like such royalty at any hotel, collecting all the freebie soaps. My first ever overseas trip was to CURRUMBIN! I was most excited about going on the plane, still my favourite part of holidaying 😛