Peaceful Location for a Long Lunch – O’Reilly’s Vineyards

26 Thursday Oct 2017

Posted by Lyn Douglas in O'Reilly's Vineyard and Winery, Queensland

Tags

australia, Brisbane, Canungra, Gold Coast hinterland., O'Reilly's Winery, O'Reillys, Photography, Qld, Queensland, travel, vineyards, Winery

My friends suggested going to lunch somewhere special however decided it was a surprise for me so would not say where we were going. We drove about an hour and a half south from my house in Brisbane. We drove through beautiful countryside and due to the recent rain everywhere was green, lush and healthy. As we were nearing our destination they told me we were going to O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards and winery which is located in the Gold Coast Hinterland. This area is one of Queensland’s emerging wine growing regions.

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We arrived at the winery about mid morning. Our first stop was the Alpaca enclosure. There is special food available at the winery that you can purchase for $3 to feed the alpacas.

Alpacas

Alpacas

We then walked over to the stream, which runs through the property, to see if we could spot a platypus or one of the local turtles. This whole area is stunning. Sit by the creek and enjoy a picnic hamper which are available from the Vintage restaurant. Although we went on a weekday, we did see a few small groups of people enjoying their picnic lunch on the lawns.

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The stream on this rainy day

After looking for turtles and platypus from the viewing platform on the stream we walked over to the cellar door area to try some of the locally produced wines. Starting with a Verdelho for me, then a couple of reds including a shiraz and merlot. All really good however I decided on a glass of their bubbles to enjoy with my lunch in the Vintage Restaurant.

Cellar door

The restaurant is in the original old Queenslander farmhouse which is a wonderful structure, both inside and outside retaining much of its old world charm and beauty. The 100-year old history of the O’Reilly family in the area is fascinating.

Inside beautiful old house

We sat on the screened veranda with amazing views overlooking the property, vines and jacarandas. The menu for lunch offered a great selection so we were all very pleased with our individual choices. The service was excellent.

Screened veranda

View from the restaurant

The grape vines

The grape vines

The vines with a little sun trying to peep through

What a wonderful way to spend a few hours. It is a perfect location, within a short drive of Brisbane and also the Gold Coast however well and truly away from the hustle and bustle of “life”

Amazing Piece of History – Củ Chi Tunnels

15 Sunday Oct 2017

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Cu Chi Tunnels Vietnam

≈ 37 Comments

Tags

AK47, Cu chi tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City, Photography, Saigon, travel, Viet Cong, Vietnam, Vietnamese

We were picked up by small coach at 8.30 am from our hotel in Ho Chi Minh City for the short 45 minute drive to the district of Củ Chi where the tunnels are located.

On arrival to the underground tunnels we were shown a short film of the Củ Chi Tunnels so that we had more of an understanding of how the tunnel system actually works
Củ Chi tunnels are an underground tunnel network, stretching almost 200 km’s, constructed by the Vietnamese fighters during the struggle for independence. This underground city which took about 25 years to build was home to around 10,000 people for several years. The tunnel system was an excellent way for the Vietcong to move around the countryside undetected by the Americans. The tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces, and helped to counter the growing American military effort. It surely would not have been any easy life.

It was fascinating to see the tunnels. If you keep an open mind it is interesting to see the way the government portrays the war from its perspective.

Tunnels

Tunnels?

The network includes countless trapdoors, entangled living areas, storage facilities and weapons factories, mini military hospitals, command centre and even kitchens. Many of our group chose to crawl through some of the tunnels but just keep in mind that this is quite difficult for anyone with health or physical issues.

Traps

Cu Chi Tunnels are a must-visit for anyone visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Being able to hear and have a firsthand look at the tunnels where the Resistance hid and fought was amazing. And then seeing their huts where they cooked, made weapons and how they dug their trenches and hideaways was a great experience and very eye opening.

Shoes worn by Viet Cong

Now made from rubber tyres

Not only do you get an insight to the history, but for a few dollars you can take the opportunity to fire an AK-47 or M16 rifle at the nearby Cu Chi tunnels shooting range. It was incredibly loud and I found quite unnerving hearing the constant noise of the guns however there were many people who really enjoyed it. There is a souvenir shop at the shooting range where you can pick up items that may interest you.

Shooting Range

Take a half day trip to the tunnels and you won’t be disappointed. Learn about the incredible ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Vietnamese and the unbelievable feats of engineering to create a safe space to live, work and fight from. The tunnels are not to be missed. It’s absolutely amazing how they were able to fight and survive in such SMALL enclosed spaces.

Picturesque Sawtell – Coastal Australia

02 Monday Oct 2017

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Mid North Coast NSW, Sawtell

≈ 34 Comments

Tags

australia, beach, Boambee, Bonville, Coffs Harbour, Mid North Coast, NSW, Photography, Sawtell, travel

Situated on the mid north coast of NSW, approximately half way between Brisbane and Sydney is the very beautiful city of Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour is where my family lives so I am lucky to visit this beautiful part of the NSW coast regularly and often. It is less than a 5 hour drive for me from my home in Brisbane.

Safe Swimming Area for families

Main street of Sawtell

About a 20 minute drive south of Coffs Harbour is the lovely seaside town of Sawtell.

With its idyllic beaches, chic cafes and a stunning coastal national park Sawtell is a delightful destination for a seaside escape. Its unspoiled beaches, rain-forest, wildlife, wetlands and estuaries, make it an ideal location for outdoor adventures.

Sawtell Beach

We have stopped often for lunch at the Sawtell Surf club which is right on the beach. It not only offers great food but a gorgeous outlook.

20170926_123117 Just about a few minutes drive or a 10 minute walk from the centre of town is the Boambee Headland with its breathtaking views towards the north and down to the south.

Boambee Headland

If travelling south towards Sawtell this is an easy lookout to access. Be sure to drive to the second, higher car park where it isn’t even necessary to get out of you vehicle to enjoy expansive views to the north and also south toward Sawtell. If you have time there are gentle paved paths down to the ocean. Also, timber stairs which offer easy access to the swimming beach.

Looking north

Looking north

Looking north

Looking north

Looking north

Buy a picnic, take it up to the headland and just sit and relax looking out to sea. There are regular sightings of hump backed whales and dolphins.

Looking south

Rock pool

Standing on the headland and looking towards the south the views are spectacular.

The village’s main street is adorned with enormous fig trees, which provide shade for boutiques and outdoor dining at cafes and restaurants. Stop in to one of the many restaurants and cafes for a coffee or great lunch or just stop at one of the many table and benches in the centre of the town for a picnic lunch. The street, trees and cafes in the evening are decorated with lights giving it a fairy tale look.