Where the Globe-Trotter Rests

In keeping with Karam's wandering lifestyle, we created a mural in his room to represent all his travels. Thanks Tom of Pied Piper Designs for making it happen!

The artist at work

Sydney, San Francisco and NYC

Delhi and Mumbai

Africa (he hasn't been yet but we were being proactive)

Barcelona and Dubrovnik

The friendly skies

The full effect

Other posts in the Miscellaneous  series:

Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas for the Traveling Parent

Your Portable Sydney Map with Momaboard Recommendations

Simply print and add to your diaper bag!


View Momaboard.com's Portable Sydney Map in a larger map

Sydney, Australia - No Lift at Martin Place Station on the City loop

For the most part, the Sydney train system is pretty baby-friendly. However, beware of getting off at Martin Place station in the city, as it has no lift and the one piddly elevator to get to street level won't accommodate very wide prams. I had to depend on the kindness of two passers-by to get my pram and I up the stairs.My first time was a bit of a shock because this is such a busy station, but mostly for business commuters (even though the only Prada and Jimmy Choo stores in Sydney are in Martin Place). If you want to get to the main city hub, get off at Townhall station instead - it is much better equipped, albeit larger and much more chaotic.

On another note, the Christmas tree in Martin Place is beautiful, if you are ever visiting at that time.

Other posts in the Sydney series:


Australia - General Travel Tips


Sydney, Australia - Yummy Mummys Salon


Sydney, Australia - Lollipop's Land on a Rainy Day


Sydney, Australia - Best Kids' Shopping Under One Roof


Sydney, Australia - My Picks for Bubby-Friendly Brunches


Sydney, Australia - Mum 'n' Bubs Movie Date

Sydney, Australia - Yummy Mummys Salon

For a taste of how much Sydney loves its mums, and how they all have that hot, MILFy glow, check out the Yummy Mummys Salon in Paddington. This is way off the beaten tourist track, but is worth a try because it's such a novel concept.

When I say full-service salon, I mean full-service. YM offers hair, nails, laser, tanning, massages, pregnancy treatments, cellulite reduction, facials, beauty packages, waxing, and the list could go on. You can bring your own wine and champagne or taste some of their own pretty delectable coffee. And if you are in town for a party, they can even organize catering for you.

The kicker is - they have a little creche downstairs with playing equipment inside and out, as well as cots if baby needs to sleep. For AUD 7.50/hour, their caretakers will supervise your child, or if you are traveling with your nanny, bring her in for free! The best part is that this place is fairly low key, so it's not ever bustling like some overexposed salons can be.

I won't lie- this place is expensive. But the surrounding is clean and pleasant and the low stress and guilt factors of having your children near you is worth a few extra dollars. That, combined with the fact that it is close to Oxford Street, Sydney's premium shopping street will punch a decent hole in your wallet. Perfect for a day out when dad's working (or golfing).

Other posts in the Sydney series:


Australia - General Travel Tips



Sydney, Australia - Lollipop's Land on a Rainy Day


Sydney, Australia - Best Kids' Shopping Under One Roof


Sydney, Australia - My Picks for Bubby-Friendly Brunches


Sydney, Australia - Mum 'n' Bubs Movie Date

Sydney, Australia - Yummy Mummies Pole Dancing

Sydney, Australia - Saturday Paddington Markets

Sydney, Australia - My Picks for Bubby-Friendly Brunches

Aussies love their children and Sunday brunches are part of family traditions. While most places in Sydney will welcome babies, some tend to be harder to maneuver around with a pram, etc. Here are some recommendations with wide passageways, kids' menus and outdoor seating that make for a great brunch experience.

Centennial Parklands Cafe: If you don't live in the Eastern Suburbs, you may very well be oblivious to the existence of Centennial Parks, one of the most beautiful recreational parks in Sydney. You will find tons of spots with bbq hubs, horse-riding, biking, several playgrounds and a lake to make for a great day of family picnic-ing and relaxing. Or instead of a D-I-Y meal, make your way over to the Centennial Parklands Restaurant and Cafe. The restaurant offers more by the way of fine dining, but I really like the cafe with its bright space, outdoor patio, and proximity to a playground. The menu is gourmet brunchy (mind you, you'll pay for it), and there is an assortment of items on the children's menu. The cookies for kids and the wine list for adults make it a happy afternoon for all! Beware that it can be quite crowded on the weekends so arrive early or prepare for a bit of a wait.

          Bill's Woollahra: Bill Granger's casual but sumptuous scrambled eggs have made him a household name in Sydney brunches. While there are three locations in Sydney, the one is Woollahra may be the most pretentious, but it is definitely the best brunch location. Settled on elegant Queen Street, Bill's offers patio dining as well as a small indoor option (usually empty on warm, sunny Sydney days). They don't have a children's menu but their breakfast all day, made-to-order omelettes and freshly squeezed juices make for great baby-friendly options. Plenty of space for prams, large tables and breakfast classics with a twist have Bill's one of our favorite brunching spots in Sydney.

When you are done, check out some of Queen Street's exclusive boutiques (especially if you care to drop AUD 500 on a Baby Dior jacket) or nip into educational kids' store Kidstuff right next door for a post-brunch treat.

Other posts in the Sydney series:


Australia - General Travel Tips

Sydney, Australia - Yummy Mummys Salon


Sydney, Australia - Lollipop's Land on a Rainy Day


Sydney, Australia - Best Kids' Shopping Under One Roof


Sydney, Australia - Mum 'n' Bubs Movie Date
Sydney, Australia - Yummy Mummies Pole Dancing
Sydney, Australia - Saturday Paddington Markets

South Island, New Zealand - Mapping the Route

By the time we were planning NZ, Karam was 11 months old and was not interested in taking long car rides. So despite the fact that New Zealand has some of the most beautiful and scenic rides in the world, we decided to drive partly and fly a bit, to reduce time in the car.

Here's what we did:
- Flew Sydney-Christchurch: short and uneventful flight.
- Drove CC to Kaikoura: Pleasant 2.5 hour drive. We planned it around Karam's nap time so he literally opened his eyes as we pulled into the inn.
- Drove Kaikoura to Blenheim : Short 1.5 hour drive that brought us into the wineries just in time for lunch
- Drove Blenheim to Nelson: 1.5 hour drive that was completely avoidable. Nelson is a small, unremarkable town. Our purpose for visiting was catching a flight to Queenstown which could have happened from Blenheim.
- Flew Nelson to Queenstown: 1.5 hour flight, very manageable!
- Day trips from Queenstown to Wanaka and Central Otago wineries - Perfect driving distances, left after breakfast, made it back in time for dinner.
- Flew Queenstown to Christchurch: Stayed overnight in airport hotel
- Flew Christchurch to Sydney!

Cons to our approach: More expensive than just driving (domestic flights were NZ 200 each), we missed out the whole of the west coast (glaciers, etc.), and wasted some time waiting for flights, driving to airports, etc.

However, Karam had a perfectly comfortable time and gave us no trouble at all. So it was a good experience from that standpoint. We'll just have to go back when he's older to do it the right way!


Other posts in the South Island, New Zealand series:

New Zealand - General Travel Tips

South Island, New Zealand - Other Flights We Could Have Avoided

South Island, New Zealand - Baby Friendly Accommodation

Sydney, Australia - Mums 'n' Bubs Movie Date

If you have a morning off in Sydney, I would highly recommend you try to catch a "Mums 'n' Bubs" Movie showing at one of the local cinemas. This is a uniquely Australian offering and just what the doctor prescribed when you're feeling closed off from the cultural world after having a new baby.

New releases are shown, once a week (different days at different cinemas) for babies and their caretakers. The shows are around 10 in the morning, and at a discounted rate ($10) and children under 5 are free. The lights are a bit brighter and the soundtrack is a bit softer to make the babies feel comfortable and you are free to walk, bounce or rock your baby in your seat or in the aisles. Prams are a fire hazard and therefore, not allowed inside the actual theater but can be parked conveniently in the foyer outside.

When Karam and I went to watch Duplicity, there were about 50 babies in the room, and surprisingly, it was a pretty pleasant movie-watching experience with no major disruptions. Most mums had brought along all distraction and pacification tools, and the babies slept, played or fed leaving mum to ogle at the newest eye candy tossed up by Hollywood (Clive Owen in my case).

Greater Union and Hoyts, the two largest cinema chains offer Mums 'n' Bubs (aka "Babes in Arms") at their various cinemas.

Other posts in the Sydney series:

Australia - General Travel Tips

Sydney, Australia - Yummy Mummys Salon


Sydney, Australia - Lollipop's Land on a Rainy Day


Sydney, Australia - Best Kids' Shopping Under One Roof


Sydney, Australia - My Picks for Bubby-Friendly Brunches
Sydney, Australia - Yummy Mummies Pole Dancing
Sydney, Australia - Saturday Paddington Markets