Dreaming and Achieving
… with very “mixed” feelings. It’s cold, dull, aggressive, expensive, cold, cold, and cold. Bishkek is not for vegetarians and not for little kids.
On the other hand – Matt loves snow; BoonEx team is great and we love being close and personal; meeting with friends is awesome; and our old car is a pleasure to drive.
Get something, lose something.
I miss Sydney.
…was yesterday.
OK, we had a party yesterday – mostly with “Russian Sydneyors” and the whole thing was terrific! We REALLY enjoyed making new friends, and somehow absolutely everyone who popped-in happen to be wonderful people.
So, we had talks, talks, talks, beer, beer, wine, port, beer, beer and finally even went on to singing songs together (mostly russian songs, but “Yesterday” was there anyway). Sitting together in a light of candles and singing with a guitar… it’s just… like magic, it makes you happy.
Thank you guys! Thanks for coming to our big house, which now makes so much more sense, since we can actually invite so many friends all at once. And we hope to see you again (including those who didn’t make it this time).
And a few shots:
We had a “long weekend” last week thanks to the Labor Day. So, we made good use of it and went to our very first camping. Most of the camping sites are booked well in advance, but our friend Andrek found a couple of sites in Two Shores Holiday Village – a camp in The Entrance.
“Two Shores Holiday Village is located at the The Entrance is situated directly on the shores of beautiful Tuggerah Lake is surrounded by surfing beaches national parks. Only one a half hours drive north of Sydney, Two Shores Holiday Village is the perfect break away for romantic escape weekend a relaxed holiday atmosphere.”
We had 3 great sites, right near the lake shore. It’s not a bush-camping place actually – there’s a kitchen, toilets, pool and other amenities, but still – there’s that feeling of being “out of home, closer to the nature”. We actually were in group – 4 families/3 cars/3 tents – all very nice people (ourselves included) – so, we really enjoyed every moment. Matt and other kids just couldn’t be happier… ok, now you’d better see the photos:
Eucalyptus can be really big
Little Beach. A small camp, which was all booked, but we still decided to sneak a peek.
Julia loves: me, Matt, Australia, sea, nature, fresh air. So, this is the "Happy Julia" picture.
Pelicans love coffee.
Black swans. Lots of them... Rare birdie, huh?
Kids and Julia started camping first.
AndreK arrived last, but looks full of energy.
Brad helped us with the tent... Well, we tightened one rope on his tent too 
Matt was SO excited. Camping is definitely the best thing you can do for your kids.
Ok, not only for kids.
Our site was one of the best - breathtaking views and unforgettable memories.
It's all about love
Alex and Kate. Enjoying Australia. And each other.
Good lough - THAT's what makes people closer.
Be free
The lake is incredible. Pure gold.
Fishing.
Alex, making a "Fishing" picture.
Learning new skills. Aizek is a really talented little boy. He's just 6 y/o but knows what "Prime Number" is, creates word puzzles, multiplies 2-digit numbers, knows all sushi types and is the only one who actually caught a fish!
Kael.
Hunting for girls!
Oh joy! Matt is definitely going to be camping again.
Kids... found a small spot of mud, and here ya go!
Neighbors
The master of the lake.
And the magical night.
Going to the beach together. Brad and his family stayed in the camp though.
Sharing precious findings.
Aussie sandheart.
Eyes of a child...
Mortal Combatmud. Kael - pose of dragon. Matt - pose of poet.
The Death of The Last Trousers.
And a few photos from Alex (published without permission):
We were all busted by rain, but pelicans didn't care much.
Our tent. 2-bedrooms + rumpus + deck.
Golden air.
MORE pelicans.
Aex hanging out on a playground - solving a serious puzzle. Programmer.
Another playgrounds-addict.
And, a few more pics, stolen from AndreK (published without permission):
Packing up.
Symmetric feeding.
Fishing again.
And, finally, a couple of pics from Brad (published without permission):
Kids are bad posers. Check out 4 made-up smiles, and one little girl (Olivia) that doesn't think it's such a big fun (but is obviously forced (by Matt) to be photographed).
Our little family.
