YNB Challenge

Apologies for the big gaps in my blogs. I keep forgetting about this page.

So anyway the end of last year was pretty crazy. Our big trip to Phuket was followed by 4 days at the Ashes test at the Gabba, a trip down to Sydney and Albury for Christmas to visit the relos and also a trek up north to Agnes Water for new years with some mates. These big trips included a bit of indulging and plenty of drinks to undo some of the work Sarah and I had done in our weight management for the year. So we decided to shake things up.

First we said goodbye to our loved, but small Jetts gym and signed up with a larger one. Genesis Lawnton. Around 10 times the size, this gym also appealed with added classes, more machines and a specialised spin class RPM room. They also had a new program coming up in the new year called the Your New Beginning (YNB) Challenge.

The YNB challenge runs for 12 weeks starting on February 17. So we signed up, paid our fee and met our new trainer Sami B. Sami set out our goals, designed our meal plans, provided recipes, organised our training exercises as well as taking us for a personal training session once a week. The program also included group PT sessions every Saturday.

So for the next 12 weeks, Sarah and I had to give up alcohol, takeaway, soft drinks and anything that is basically bad for you. We also have to work out every day. We also took this opportunity to sign up to the Spartan Sprint and Twilight 10km. After Sunday's Twilight run, we will look to register for the Gold Coast Half Marathon.

So far Sarah and I have lost 4 and 7 kgs respectively. 4 weeks down, 8 to go.

Head to www.fraserland.com to follow our progress

Phuket

Ok since I've updated the website, I should update my blog. I wonder if anyone even reads this thing?

Anyway this year marks 5 years since our wedding in Ballina, so we thought a trip away would be a great way to celebrate. The location we decided on was Phuket, Thailand.

We booked our flights through Air Asia, flying out of the Gold Coast to Phuket via Kuala Lumper. The flight left quite early on the Saturday, so we decided to head down the the Gold Coast the day before. We were able to park our car at the hotel for the duration as well. We stayed at the Gold Coast Airport Hotel which was opposite the airport at Cooloongatta.

The flight was nice, although flying with Air Asia meant we had to pay for everything on board. We hired a couple of iPad's for the flight with pre-loaded movies. We also bought a few beers, spirits and food along the way. We had a 5 hour stop over at KL so to kill the time we checked into the Premium Plaza Lounge. It cost us $50 AUD for the 5 hours and included beer, soft drink, some food, WIFI and comfy seats to pass the time. We finally arrived at our hotel around 10:30pm.

Our first hotel was the Centara Beach Resort. A very large resort with three different pools, each with their own swim up bar (although one of them was under maintenance the three days we were there). Their gym was well equipped and we started every day in there. The buffet breakfasts were great and were included in the accommodation.

The first day we hung out around the resort, drinking in the swim up bars, relaxing in our private balcony juccuzi and ordering room service. We tried the Lotus room resturant for their Wok on Fire theme night the first night. You got to choose the ingredients (chicken, prawns, rice, noodles, veges etc) and they cook it up in front of you. Very nice. The other nights we visted the nearby bars and resturants outside. Two Chefs was the pick of them.

On the second day we caught a cab into Patong Beach to do some shopping and have a look around. A very busy place, but we had a nice time. The last day we did a short little pub crawl around Karon Beach.

The second hotel we stayed at was the Radisson Blu Plaza at Cape Panwa. This was a 5 star resort located on the other side of Phuket. We got it as part of a voucher deal. It also included wine on arrival, a couples massage and a day trip for two to Phi Phi Island. The resort was very nice, but a little expensive and also a bit isolated. We enjoyed the pools and the nearby shops and restaurants. The second day there we did the day trip to Phi Phi Islands, which was amazing.

The last resort we stayed at was the Novotel, Kamala Beach which was the pick of the locations and our favourite part of Phuket. 3 kilometres of beach with hundreds of bars and restaurants. Can't wait to get back.

2013

Man have I been slack with this blog account. Just did a re-launch with Fraserland, new location at Fraserland.com and linked to my blog account to read when I last posted. For those that were eagerly awaiting the next update. Yes we did go to Stanthorpe and it was fantastic. Photos up on Fraserland. Since the last post, Sarah and I began a health and fitness challenge. Results and photos also up on Fraserland. We are both feeling a lot better and fitter. Our next big adventure will be Phuket, Thailand. Which we are very much looking forward to. Before then I will also be heading down to Melbourne for my mate Jimmy's bucks party. 

Till next time

Fraser out

Stanthorpe

Think I might take the missus to Stanthorpe this year for our anniversary. Anyone been? Im not a wine expert, but do enjoy the odd glass. Got a great deal on a spa cottage with daily breakfast. Not sure if November is a great time wine wise, but at least it wont be cold. Probably arrange some kind of wine tasting tour, so hopefully we will be able to stock the wine rack at home when we get back. Providing we don't drink it all while we are there.

Our last venture into wine country was Mount Tambourine a few years back. Should be fun.

Gold Coast and Oktoberfest

My favourite part of the year.

Last weekend I went down to Surfers Paradise with an old mate for his birthday. Nothing but warm sun, beach and drinks. Thanks to the Le Chelsea for another enjoyable stay. Highlights were the pasta at Billy Baxters, The Sushi Train at Broadbeach, The Beer Garden nightclub and The Groove Train bar in Robina. Top weekend as always.

This weekend marks the annual Brisbane Oktoberfest at the RNA Showgrounds. Thousands of people enjoying beer, sausage, pork knuckles and the music. If you're bored pop down for a beer, we'll be there, starting just before lunch on Saturday the 13th.

Pics from last year

Back

A little late, but I did end up going to the South Island of New Zealand and it was magnificent. I'm still getting together all of the photos and will put them up on my website soon.

Our itinerary was:

Flew from Brisbane to Christchurch and stayed one night there. We had dinner down the road from the motel at the Monteith's Hotel. It was fantastic, the beer was superb and my first taste of NZ seafood was a terrific blue cod fish and chips. Sarah had the pork belly which was massive.

The next morning we flew to Queenstown and checked into our hotel at the Mercure Queenstown Resort, which was nestled on one of Queenstown's massive mountains. The view was spectacular. Since we arrived a little early to check in, the concierge booked us lunch at a restaurant that is only assessable via gondolier. We travelled up into the sky and had a huge all you can eat buffet. We got some great photos, checked out the town and went to bed early after some tasty room service.

Early the next morning we were picked up from our hotel by Real Adventures who took us on an all day tour to Milford Sound. The trip was long, but enjoyable. Once we arrived there, we were put onto a boat that took us on a nature tour around the sound. We got some more photos and got close enough to see some lazy seals. After the long day, we had dinner at the hotel restaurant, which was nice.

The next day we had two things booked in. Number one was an exciting ride on the Queenstown Shotover Jet. A high powered jet boat that goes through the Shotover river and through some canyons. Pretty cool. After that we went into town for lunch and then got picked up for our afternoon event, which was a tour out to the Onsen Hot Pools. We had the indulgence package which included champagne, grapes and an hour in our own private hot tub that had its own retractable front wall and roof that gave us a view over the mountains. After that we went into Queenstown for dinner, Sombreros Mexican Restaurant. Definitely recommended.

After another early morning pick up, we headed out to do some skiing at the Cardrona Ski Fields. Sarah went skiing, I did the snowboarding. Sarah was probably the better of the two of us. We spent most of the day in lessons, so in hindsight we should probably have done two days there. Dinner was room service again...gotta love those room delivered pizzas.

The last day in Queenstown was unplanned, so we just hung around the town. Breakfast was very nice, we killed some time at the Wharf Casino, then some Chinese for lunch and then hit the local wine tasting place. After some very tasty beverages we tried the local Italian place. The service was wonderful and the wine was prefect. The pasta itself was a little bit of a let down, but still an enjoyable day.

The next day we flew back to Christchurch where we once again hit up the Monteiths Hotel (massive chicken wings with sweet chili sauce and sour cream for entree...so awesome). Steaks and Lamb for dinner with some more of their great beer capped off our trip nicely. The next day we flew back to Brisbane.

A terrific holiday that I would thoroughly recommend. We did have perfect weather the whole time, so I guess we were a little lucky. Also with all our early morning starts, we didn't get a chance to check out the Queenstown nightlife, so a return trip with a group of mates will have to be done.

choice trip bro

Holiday

Ok, been a while since I last posted. Tax time has come and gone for me. For once the tax man was kind. So the next logical step is a holiday. I've thrown around a couple of options, but the one leading the race is the New Zealand South Islands. The plan is to land in Christchurch, then make my way over to Queenstown. Plenty to do there I've been told. It will probably be cold. Other options are Fiji and on a smaller budget, our own Hunter Valley. Fiji for the beach, the Hunter for the wine. Kiwi-land will be the more expensive option. We did get Flight Centre to do a quote for us. Although Sarah might not be happy with the possibility of driving with snow chains. I would, but unfortunately hire car company's don't care for P platers. Ether way I should be flying somewhere around mid August. Any of my kiwi friends let me know your tips for the South Island if we end up on going. It will be choice bro.