Tag: Booyah

Blue Water Sailing, Corlette NSW

Blue Water Sailing, Corlette NSW

Posted on by tduchess

Sailing Super Styling!

What is the best way to surprise a loved one on their birthday? Go Booyah all the way of course! And what better way to do Booyah than chartering your own private yacht from Blue Water Sailing, who do Booyah just right.

Aptly named ‘Champagne on Ice’, this beautiful yacht greets you from one of the most expensive Marina’s in Australia. Everything about this company exudes luxury and they simply cannot do enough for you.

When I called to organise this for KAM and explained that it was a Birthday surprise, Rhonda from Blue Water Sailing was more than happy to assist, including finding a very rare and expensive bottle of wine for the sail (KAM’s all time favourite!). You should have seen his face when it was brought up from below, chilled and presented like the Sword of Excalibur. He couldn’t have smiled any larger!

From the moment you board this amazing yacht for a sunset cruise around stunning Port Stephens, you are treated like royalty. The two crewmen are friendly and highly knowledgeable, which is helpful when you are sailing in some pretty high winds. They expertly navigate the yacht into a quiet bay, only accessible by boat and as the sun goes does we dine on large fresh prawns, a cheese platter and a cold bottle of Tyrrell’s VAT 1.

This is silver service without the pretence and there are linen tablecloths, proper cutlery, fine wine glasses and no paper plates in sight. Nothing is rushed, and time seems to stand still as you enjoy the romance of this experience.

Finally though, its time to head back. They ask KAM if he would like to man the wheel for a while and do a little real sailing on our way home. The boys teach him the ropes and he’s off, head first into the wind, pulling 20 knots like a pro! This yacht glides through the water like an elegant dolphin, riding the waves comfortably, making you feel alive and exhilarated.

Just as night falls we reach our destination back at the Marina and I know we will sleep well tonight. I’m sad the experience is over and I ask KAM if he enjoyed his Birthday surprise. He gives me the best answer ever… “Lets go and celebrate with a champagne on ice!”.

Thank you Blue Water Sailing for making a memory that will last a lifetime and one which we hope to repeat sometime soon!

Blue Water Sailing
Marina D, The Anchorage Marina
Corlette NSW
P: 0448111331
http://www.bluewatersailing.com.au/#!Home

Pelican Feeding, The Entrance NSW

Pelican Feeding, The Entrance NSW

Posted on by tduchess

Fish, Friends and a Mighty Good Time!

On any given day of the week at precisely 3.30pm, the Pelican Feeding occurs at The Entrance waterfront on the NSW Central Coast. No matter the weather – (yes it is done in torrential blinding rain), or if its Christmas Day, the wonderful Marine Rescue volunteers give their time to do an amazing show for the public.

You might think the show is purely for entertainment purposes – and why wouldn’t you!? Its an great show! But actually its more so Marine Rescue can check on the pelicans, see if they have any injuries, check for new babies or track regulars that haven’t been returning for quite some time. Marine Rescue is not just about rescuing people. You will quite often see them have to catch a pelican throughout the show that has fishing line caught around its beak or legs and remove it. The pelican would more than likely die without the help of these volunteers, so credit where credit’s due.

I have read on-line some good and bad feedback about the daily pelican feed and have realised that you either love it or you hate it. Yes it can get a bit crazy – you are dealing with wild animals who do what they want. Yes it stinks of fish and there’s a good chance you might get a spatter of fish guts on you. And no, it’s not glamorous, so don’t bring your Fendi or Louis Vuitton along!

What it is though, is an amazing display of sometimes up to 100 beautiful birds that you get the chance to get up close and personal with and learn a little along the way. There aren’t too many places you get an opportunity like this. These incredible specimens can fly for up to 24 hours without a break and have followed me up and down the East Coast of Australia. They have become somewhat of a mascot for KAM and I when we travel, flying high above, like angels, ensuring we arrive at our destination safely.

And this is why most Saturday afternoons you will find me at ‘The Feed’, smiling my face off, stinking of fish and loving every minute. The pelicans are large, graceful animals who I consider my friends. I, like the other volunteers, love the pelicans and work hard to look out for them and protect them.

So next time you have a spare Saturday afternoon come and check out the show and say hello to me and my friends. You may love the show – you might not. But hopefully you will come away having had an out-of-the-ordinary experience and a lot of respect for those who devote their time to looking after one of the water’s greatest wonders.

The Entrance Pelican Feed
3.30pm Daily
Memorial Park
Off Marine Parade
The Entrance NSW
http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/central-coast/wyong-area/the-entrance/attractions/pelican-feeding

Disney On Ice

Disney On Ice

Posted on by tduchess

Booyah in a Big Way!

Now I know what you are thinking.. Aren’t I little old for Disney?! Truth is that you are never too old for Disney!

You might think Disney and Booyah don’t go together – but I can’t actually think of anything more Booyah than front row seats to a bunch of my favourite characters skating and singing their way around an ice rink.

I am one if those people that when a new Disney movie is released, I am lining up at the movies with thousands of kids to see the first session available, and I have no problem sitting at the back, crying my eyes out to a happy ending.

So when I heard that Disney on Ice was coming to Newcastle, I convinced KAM that we simply had to go. I love the classics – give me the little mermaid any day of the week and I’m a happy girl. Who wouldn’t be?! It’s a happy film full of singing crabs and seagulls and a love story that rivals any Oscar winning performance. And this years Disney on ice just happened to feature the little mermaid, beauty and the beast and of course, Frozen. Let it go, okay?

KAM having never experienced a live Disney production was a little apprehensive when I told him I had purchased VIP front row seats. But knowing that the only way we do things is VIP, and seeing how excited I was ( I really was like a 5 year old on Xmas morning), he just smiled and said “ok, what do I wear?” I do love him!

Newcastle I think does it a little differently to Sydney whereby I believe the rink itself is a little smaller. However this does nothing to deter the masses and for us it just meant sitting that bit closer to Mickey, Minnie and all of their friends and experiencing the cold first-hand, especially when real snow starting falling from the sky and blanketing us all in a winter Frozen wonderland.

The show itself goes for 2 hours with a 15 minute interval and each set is broken up into small 20 minute snippets of the highlights from 4 different Disney favourites. Ariel at one point rises to the sky from a rope (with no safety harness) and completes a beautiful routine to rival her name. When the ice melts for good during Frozen the stage is filled with around 50 singing, dancing and skating birds, bees and flowers! It is an information overload that you just can’t help but smile at and clap along with the spectacular!

I know you might think this is a little naff. But please give it a chance. Disney on ice puts a smile on your face from ear and ear and takes you back to a time in your life when everything was just simple, honest fun. Forget your day and leave your worries at the door. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and all of their friends will make you realise that life doesn’t have to be so complicated all the time. Well… At least for a couple of hours anyway!

Thank you Disney for reminding me about the simple pleasures in life. Love and music equal happiness. If only life were that simple all the time xo
http://www.disneyonice.com/au/en-au/magical-ice-festival

Hope, love & a whole lot of music!

Hope, love & a whole lot of music!

Posted on by tduchess

‘Booyah’ is more than a word – it is a way of life! 

But what does it mean to be Booyah? Our definition of this is: cool without pretence or judgement. Into each other without being show-ponies. Sophisticated without attitude. Relaxed, yet aware. Status without arrogance. Dripping in indulgence without splashing the cash. Living the high life but remembering where we came from.  

It was given to us like a gift at the place where Booyah is best defined – Hope Estate, in the NSW Hunter Valley. When it comes to Booyah only the best will do – and Hope Estate know just how to do it. 

There are a number of venues in the Hunter now offering big name acts in concert, and they all do it well. However ‘Hope’ seems to get the biggest and the best acts and if you are going to be dancing around in a muddy paddock after dark, then you MUST do it in style. ‘Style’ however does not mean a high pair of heels and a short dress – remember ladies, you will be in a paddock!  

Hope Estate offers a number of great packages in which to enjoy big headline acts on their epic-sized stage. But our favourite of all is the Cocktail Package. Ranging in price dependant on the artist, this package is 100% worth the cost with inclusions from plentiful food and wine, a great spot to watch the support act as the sun goes down and of course, a VIP seat within inches of the main act – no picnic blankets required.  

The lanyard issued as you breeze past the line at the main gate allows you to enjoy the night in a way most cannot, and you will find yourself feeling special everywhere you go. Then of course, you are escorted to your seat. At that point, although you realise you’re close, you really have no idea what you are in for.  

Sitting meters away from superstars such as Sir Elton John and Alicia Keys, the music engulfs you and you wonder

The Stage comes alive after dark!
The Stage comes alive after dark!

whether this is all real or just an amazing dream. Just like a good dream, I guarantee you definitely will not want it to end! As the sun goes down and the lights come up, do yourself a favour and look back. The sight is impossible to put into words, as there is a sea of people all dancing and singing to the same tune. We can’t help ourselves and even though it’s tight, we are dancing too, loving every moment of the experience. 

Taking a moment to head up the hill to the food and wine stalls also gives you a great chance to breath, take in the view and enjoy a nice glass of wine, away from the center of the action for a while. It is impressive as you see thousands of people enjoying the show just as much as you are. As Sir Elton sings Tiny Dancer, all the stars seem to align and twinkle in time with the music. This is not just Booyah – it’s magic. 

There is no doubt that doing a VIP package at Hope Estate is expensive. But if you want value for money, a little bit of luxury and a whole lot of Booyah, a ‘Hope’ VIP package is the only way to go. 

Hope Estate
2213 Broke Road,
Pokolbin NSW 2320
www.hopeestate.com.au
Ph: 02 4993 3555