Australia Day and Snorkeling Fun

So this past Friday was Australia Day.  Initially we thought it was probably the day Australia gained independence from Britain, but apparently it is the day of invasion of Australia.  They didn't start celebrating this until the 1990's.  There is a lot of controversy with this day and there were protests all over Australia.

We just wanted to see the ferry race in the Harbor.  Here's some photos from the day.

Air craft carrier parked n the middle of Circular Quay

Everyone out and about.

People decorate their boats

Yellow Ferry wins the race

Helicopter fly over 

Urban Cowboys....they fit in here with their hats.  Everyone wears stuff like this.

Also this day we had Whole 30 compliant wings and veggies.  We then took Brooks and Greg to Decathalon to get them some snorkeling gear.  We went on Saturday to Balmoral Beach for their first snorkeling experience.

fish blend in with the sand at the bottom

It was a super fun day and then went to the Boathouse to eat prawns and salad.  As long as the weather is good, we are going to try and hit up some different beaches at least one day on the weekend.

xoxo, Ann and Aram

Rouse Hill House and Farm

So for my birthday present from Brooks and Greg, I got two passes to twelve different museums around the Sydney area.  Aram and I went on our first adventure today.  It was called Rouse Hill House and Farm.  It was about 1 hour and 45 mins via public transportation outside of the city.  Here's the history on this place. More info click here.

At Rouse Hill House, there were six generations of the Rouse and Terry families.  It was constructed in the early 1800's and was lived in until 1993.  In 1994, the place opened as a museum.  Each generation left its mark on the house & never erased the evidence of those who lived there before.  Chairs from the 1840s sit beside textiles from the 1950s, grand tour painting sit above mantelpieces crowded with photographs and mementos, and a 1960s television sits in a room whose walls were papered 1/2 a century earlier.

Front of the house...had to wear booties since everything is still original

The back half of the house was added on later on.

Nothing like taxidermy when you walk in the front door

Leading up to the 2nd story...not sure if I'd trust these

hole in the 2nd story ceiling

old clock that still works

Stairs leading down to the cellar.

so much clutter!!

Check out that old school TV

Washroom

Scooter

Drying press

Stable...was actually nicer than the house

Yep...I hate snakes!!

Bar in the stable

old trunks

Nothing like the bathroom outside

So it was pretty cool that they preserved this, but man I would not trust living in that house at all!  Also somewhat bizarre because right across the road is a massive Bunnings Warehouse (like Home Depot).