Stylish girls back in Malta

Blue skies and no heavy jackets and 2 sets of pants

Reflections on a holiday ...

I often think ... why is it so important that we go on a family holiday ... 

Well, for starters - it allows the kids 24/7 with Phil! Fortunately / Unfortunately they get me every day ... But they only get Phil in chunks - and they really love him, so going away from home means disconnecting from everything associated with home and work and really spending quality time getting to know the kids and them getting to know us ... 

Being away from the house means a 'break-away'- from everything - the routine, the washing, the cooking, the bedtimes etc etc  ... lots of eating out, lots of treats, lots of new experiences, late nights, TV before bed - basically 'breaking all the rules' ... which returning home means 'getting back to the rules' ... 

I often wonder if Azi remembers anything from the trips .. but then she surprises me, like the other day - out of the blue, she said 'Will there be a cable car at this zoo like there was at Tarrango Zoo' - I couldn't believe she remembered the name of the Zoo in Sydney! 

The 'hard' part  of a holiday is teaching the kids gratitude and to be grateful for these holidays and the treats etc ... (There were days when we were more ON than ON holiday .. Azi and Zaria both had their up and down moments) ... 

A beach holiday or all inclusive holiday is definitely 'easier' than a water city escape. But Berlin really surprised me - it was MODERN, had every form of pubic transport, EVERY type of cuisine (I thought we would be eating sausage for 7 days ... we didm't eat it once, and ate Vietnamese for 7 days - my fav) ... It was SO easy for Zaz and I to be Gluten-free, every place knew about gluten-free and most menus were marked with different intolerances! 

The hard part is coming back from holiday - washing, making food, routine etc! The nice part - is your own bed, shower, pillow and Thermomix! 

I'm super grateful that we had a week away - in the cold - and everyone was healthy and well! 

Berlin kept us fit!

We did at least 10km walking and exploring per day!

Leaving Berlin

Slightly heavier than when we around!

Arrived with 2 light big bags, half empty small bag and carry on bag!

Leaving with 23kg big bags, 2 checked in small bags and a carry on reusable bag!

So thankful we don't live in a big City all the time! Azi would be s shopaholic!

Our very own glass elevator in the building!

Bits and bobs from Berlin

Plant rides!

On the way there I had 3 seats myself. On the way back I have baby and DREADS! Ewwww

Everyone heading to the airport ...

In their new gear!

Zaz top and shoes, azi - jumper, boots, and switch!

Phil - socks, jeans, top, puffy!

#islandersinabigcity

Couch incident

Lesson learnt - honesty is the best policy!!

Walking

Talking, learning Hamilton songs, learning the Hakka, talking, looking, seeing new things, people, buildings, keeping warm!!

We got sucked up by superdry today

Mega sale! Mega styles! Lots of searching for sizes (shop assistants here don't help!!! )

This store was huge!!!

Azi became really good at finding sizes!

Zaz sat under her jacket moshing about her hair! #preteen

After a week of begging!

Zaria finally got her Starbucks today!

Yummy lunch

We went back to Saigon green!!! And it was as delicious (and more busy) than the first time

Dinner time at zen sushi

Super yum! Super busy!

9pm

After a long day out in the cold ... and a good meal /s ... it's on the couch and time for switch and modern family! #holidaysleeptime

Berlin

I asked Phil and the kids words associated with their experience of Berlin ... here's the answers: (mine included)

Nintendo switch
Restaurants
Kimchi
Sushi
Shoes
Saigon green (twice)
Mega store superdry (and sale)
Pho
Minion top from uniqlo
Erik
Vietnamese rice bowls with Erik
Legoland
Gloves
Ampelman
Bike tour
Subway
Scootering
Gluten free
German currywurst
Organic products
Big dumplings
Starbucks
90 percent dark chocolate
Superglue
High boots
Nike air max
Unfriendly and friendly germans (no interruptions)!
Kids hanging on Phil!
Phil - daddy powered shoulders, daddy powered scootered, daddy powered bicycle carriage, daddy powered credit card, daddy powered breakfast, daddy powered grocery shopping ...
Rock, paper, scissors
Family movies - about a boy, the devil wears Prada, modern family
Zoo and aquarium
Heaters
Unwashed hair ... Zaria moaning about unwashed hair
Public toilets
Walking, walking, walking
Memorial to The murdered Jews of Europe
Berlin Wall, checkpoint Charlie
Bus tour (twice) with live crap commentary
Meeting South Africans
Mom surviving on the bike on the road
Hot chocolates
Gluten free cake
Christmas markets
Dried pineapple and mango (1kg of each, coming home with us)
Jumpers for zaz
New wardrobe for Phil (thanks superdry sale)
Awesome boots for mom
Islanders in a big city
KaDeWe
People people people
3 days of no people and shops (over Xmas and boxing)
Falafels and pomegranate seeds





Sent from my iPhone

More Friday pics

A surprising Friday

After not really having any plans today, we took a subway to the 'turkish' part of town ... very different to where we staying ... we went to a cool indoor food market, are a delicious plate of short ribs with all condiments! Bought 1kg of fair trade dried mangoes and 1kg of dried pineapple, super friendly guy recommended delicious falafel place, walked to falafel place! Super delicious, subway back ...

Got 'stuck' in huge and awesome show shop! So many choices! Kids were great, sat around and played (life is great when zaz is in a good mood) ... then went into super hot uniqlo - had to buy numerous things! Then a walk home with singing and skipping ... homemade dinner, modern family, bed! (10:30 for kids)

I shall not use coconut oil near a couch again!

Chocolate heaven

How many bars can you buy?! 3 more walls like this!

Morning treat!

Thankfully after 3 days of most things being closed! It was nice to step outside today and most (not all) things were open! (Streets were still very quiet - and it was after 11am that we left house)

Anyway, our first stop was this coffee shop that we had been eyeing out (through the window) ... little did we know that it has a room filled of different chocolate bars, awesome turmeric lattes and homemade hit chocolate - which was basically melted chocolate!!!!

Kids spent most of the day on a sugar high!