Al Ponte Antico Hotel
Trip Over to Venice
Arriving in Venice at around noon after a 3 hour drive from Como with Milan from Como Limousines, Milan showed us to a water taxi and our Venetian adventure began, it was hard to know whether to just look and take it all in or keep taking photos of this magnificent old city.
As we navigated the Grand Canal I caught sight of the Rialto Bridge in the distance, so knew we were nearly at the Al Ponte Antico Hotel, it came very highly recommended by friends in Sydney who had recently stayed there.
Oliver came out to meet us as our water taxi pulled up, it was like walking into another world as we entered this beautifully renovated palace from the 1500s through the centuries old gates. He took us upstairs and served coffee on the terrace where again we sat agog at the view of the Grand Canal, as we took in how this city of no roads goes about its day. Matteo, the most charming, calm, eloquent, gracious and sartorial elegant gentleman you could ever hope to meet, the owner of the hotel came out to introduce himself to us. He told us a bit about Venice and very proudly, (and rightly so), all about the hotel and the restoration he had done to bring it from the crumbling old palace he bought to the fine example of traditional Venetian interior design it now is.
Matteo then left us back with Oliver who recommended we go and have lunch at La Cantina, while our rooms were made ready. He gave us a map, and told us, “Getting lost in Venice is what everyone does, so don’t worry, it’s really just exploring.” It all looked fairly straight forward on the map, and we went out and promptly got lost! Eventually getting back on track after many more deviations for more photos, we had a very enjoyable lunch, sitting outside looking over Strada Nova watching the people go by. Looking at the map to find our way back to the hotel, I can’t believe we got lost, it’s almost a straight line!!
Oliver had finished his shift by the time we returned, we were welcomed back by Alex who showed us to our rooms – absolute heaven, I never wanted to leave, the furniture, the Murano Glass Chandeliers, the fabric wall coverings with corded edges – I couldn’t stop walking around the room admiring everything.
Breakfast is cooked every morning by Matteo, he whips up eggs and pancakes however you like them and there is the buffet selection (sorry, my photo shows empty plates – but that happens when the food is that good!) of juices, cold meats, fruit and pastries. Coffee is made in the vintage espresso machine and served on the terrace. At this point I very quickly realised that to see Venice I could just stay on the terrace all day watching the Grand Canal and how it is the life force of Venice. Water taxis, gondolas, ferries, barges delivering building materials and produce, barges taking garbage away, water ambulances, water fire engines, water police, water council rangers – everything we have on the roads, they have on the water. As you can see from my many photos taken from the terrace, even though the background is the same, the water traffic is always changing.
The Rialto Bridge was not looking its best as it was undergoing a major restoration while we were there, courtesy of the Diesel Fashion House, but Venice needs constant maintenance and the fashion industry often steps in providing the funds to see that this happens, all over Italy. I have heard criticism of these fashion houses for putting up advertising during the restoration and leaving a small sign afterwards. Personally, I can’t praise the Diesel enough for putting up the money, without them the alternative would be to let history crumble away leaving nothing for future generations to admire, they deserve to use the advertising space, they’re paying an absolute fortune for saving these monuments for all of us.
Alex and Oliver were never short of dinner recommendations, everything from modern pizza restaurants, to traditional home style Venetian food. They are full of information about where to go and what to see, when there will be less crowds, they are both born and bred Venetians and it is lovely chatting with them about Venice in their childhood, compared to now. There is a lot more to Venice than the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco.
One of the most impressive things at the hotel was all the staff always call you by name, without waiting to be introduced. We did find out their secret when we returned late one night and Thomas, the night watchman, who we had not met before, greeted us with a hearty, “Good evening Lyn and Christine, have you had a good dinner?” How did he know our names and that we had been out for dinner? We got chatting with him and he revealed that when we give a photocopy of our passports on arrival, they copy the photo to leave at the front desk and put any relevant notes with it so the change of shift staff are aware of anything they need to know. Perfect, it adds an extra touch to the customer service and is very much appreciated.
Matteo had told us about other hotels that he and his family own, one other in Venice, one where he comes from on the coast north of Venice and a new one he is renovating in Tuscany. I’m sure all Peruch Boutique Hotels will be as fabulous as Al Ponte Antico.
Itinerary for Trip Over to Italy – Milan, Como and Venice
Qantas flight (Emirates code share) to Milan (Malpensa) from Sydney via Dubai
Stayed in Milan, Airbnb, for a week before going to Como
Picked up in Milan by Como Limousines and driven to Como
Stayed in Como, Airbnb, for 3 weeks
Picked up in Como by Como Limousines and driven to Venice
In Venice, water taxi to Al Ponte Antico Hotel for 3 nights and water taxi back
Picked up in Venice by Como Limousines and driven back to Como
Picked up in Como by Como Limousines and driven back to Milan (Malpensa) Airport
Qantas flight (Emirates code share) to Sydney via Dubai
Thevlakevin Regent`s Park, London. With weeping willows, ducks and seagulls enjoying the park as much as the people walking around the lake.
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#regentsparklondon #regentsparklake #regentspark #lakeinthepark #viewacrossthewater #flyingbirds #ducks #seagulls #royalparksandgardens #royalparks #londonlife #londonparks #londontrip #londonwalks #london #blueskyandsunshine
Hampers full of Christmas cheer in the window display @fortnums on Piccadilly.
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#fortnumshamper #fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #fortnumswine #fortnums #christmaswindowdisplay #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasinlondon #christmasatfortnums #windowshopping #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #shoppinginlondon
Upstairs in Fortnum & Mason on London`s Piccadilly, in the beautifully decked out china and hampers area.
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly @fortnums #ilovefortnumandmason #piccadilly #shoppinginlondon #oneofmyfavouritethings #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasatfortnums #christmasdecorations #londonvibes #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #londonstyle #londonatchristmastime #london #london
Fortnums hampers full of chocolates in the Christmas window display on Piccadilly, you can never have too much chocolate!!
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#fortnumshamper #fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #firtnumandmasonchocolates #fortnumschocolates #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #oneofmyfavouritethings #windowshopping #shoppinginlondon #windowshopping #londonlife #londontrip #londonlandmarks #londonchristmas
One of the Royal parks in London for some time out from the hustle and bustle.
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#regentsparklondon #regentspark #londonparksandgardens #royalparksandgardens #londonwalks
Christmas decorations in front a shelves full of black and white checked McKenzie Child teapots, kettles, aprons and all sorts of lovely things in Fortnum & Mason on London`s Piccadilly.
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@mckenziechildarm @fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #piccadilly #mckenziechildsdecor #mckenziechilds #blackandwhitecheckdecor #blackandwhitecheck #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasdecorations #christmasatfortnums #londonlife #londontrip #londonchristmas #londonatchristmastime
Exploring St James`s in London, there are many little lane ways, visit them all and see what is to be discovered.
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#stjamess #pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #exploringlondon #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
The old St James`s Theatre in King St, St James`s was demolished in 1957, it has been replaced with a hideous 1980`s office building and some of the bas-reliefs from the theatre balconies are in the Angel Court side of the building along with this plaque.
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#stjamess #stjamesstheatre #demolishedtheatre #historiclondon #exploringlondon #oscarwilde #laurenceolivier #vivieneleigh #historictheatre #basrelief @basreliefsculpture #london #londonlife #londonlover
Darling Harbour from Pyrmont Bridge, looking very tropical on a Sydney spring day.
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#pyrmontbridgesydney #pyrmontbridge #darlingharbour #darlingharboursydney #whotel #palmtrees #tropicalscene #sydneycbd #sydney #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #sydneylocal #sydneyinspring
In the Christmas windows at Fortnum & Mason, the turkey is ready with all the trimmings.
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnums #christmasdinner #christmasdinnertable #windowshopping #shoppinginlondon #londonlife #seekandyoushallfind #piccadilly #londontrip #londonlandmarks #london #londonchristmas #christmasinlondon
Inside Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, their famous hampers, cups and saucers, teapots, tea cosies, and all the Fortnums goodies you can dream of.
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #fortnumshamper #cupsandsaucers #teapots #teacosies #piccadilly #christmasatfortnums #christmasinlondon2022 #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #londonatchristmastime #shoppinginlondon
Pickering Place is London`s smallest public square, located in St James`s not far from St Jame`s Palace, home to London`s oldest wine merchants Berry Bros, it feels a but like you are walking into someone`s private courtyard.
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#pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #stjamess #london #historiclondon #sculptureinthesquare #exploringlondon #londonlife #londontrip #seetheworldthroughmylens #christmastree #walkingaroundlondon #seekandyoushallfind
Bondi Beach with tge Bondi Pavilion in the top right corner of the photo. I love tge colours of the water swirling off the rocks, it looks inviting, but I understand it`s quite treacherous.
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#bondibeach #bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #bondi #bondipavilion #bluewater #sydney #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneyphotographer #sydneyparks #sydney_insta #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Waiting at McMahon`s Point for the ferry to Circular Quay, lovely day for it, blue sky, blue water, what more can you ask for on a weekend.
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#sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourbridge #sydneyferries #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #sydneyoperahouse #sydney_insta #sydneylife #sydneyweekends #bluesky #bluewater #outandabout #exploretheworldwithme #explorethecityyoulivein #sydneycbd
Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, all decked out as an Advent Calendar for Christmas. Fortnums is definitely one of my favourite stores in London, but trying to get inside on Christmas Eve was impossible!!
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #adventcalendar @fortnums #piccadilly #oneofmyfavouritethings #localgrocerystore #londonatchristmastime #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasshoppingtime #londonvibes #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londonstyle #londontrip #londonlover #londonchristmas #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveltheworldwithme
The Christmas Lights are shining all over London, here yesterday evening in the Princes Arcade, outside the Ritz, and even on a bus!
It`s been a very rainy morning in London so I have busied myself creating a Postcards page on my website, where I will send short postcards everyday, click on the link in the bio to have a look.
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#london # londonbus #theritz #theritzlondon #christmaslights #princesarcadepiccadilly #piccadilly #christmasinlondon #exploretheworldwithme #traveltolondon #lightsinlondon
A day out in Sydney, catching a ferry across the harbour then heading out to Bondi Beach and walking around the headland looking at Sculpture by the Sea.
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#sydney #sydneyaustralia
The Christmas windows at Fortnum & Mason all festive with baubles, lights and chocolates, even the reflection of the Christmas angel lights above Piccadilly showd in the window.
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#fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumschocolates #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #fortnumschristmas #piccadilly #christmasangel #christmasbaubles #christmasdecorations #windowshopping #oneofmyfavouritethings #lovelondon #seetheworldthroughmylens #londonlandmarks #londontrip
After a few years of not being able to hold the annual Sculpture by the Sea along the coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama......it`s back!!!
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#sculptureinthepark #sculpturebythesea #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk
As my ferry pulled in to Circular Quay I saw this new sculpture near Government House in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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#sculptureinthepark #sculpturegarden #artinpublicplaces #governmenthousesydney #royalbotanicgardenssydney #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyaustralia #bluewater #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Sculpture by the Sea returned to the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk this year after it`s Covid hiatus. This one is my favourite.....
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#sculpturebythesea #bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #sculptureart #sculptureinthepark #sculpture #artinthepark #sydneycoastalwalk #sydneyinspring #clearbluewater #pacificocean #sunnyday #explorethecityyoulivein
Another sculpture gleaming in the sunshine at Sculpture by the Sea on the coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Tamarama, looking out over the Pacific Ocean.
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#sculpturebythesea #sculptureinthepark #sculpture #artinthepark #sydneycoastalwalk #pacicocean #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #artinpublicplaces #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneyparks #sydneywalks #exploretheworld #seekandyoushallfind
The water receeds around the edges of Tunks Park under Long Gully Bridge, but there seems to be another downpour forecast next week, so itbis likely to go under again. But look how green the grass is!!!
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#tunksparksydney #tunksparkwalk #tunkspark #longgullybridge #longgully #greengrass #parkunderwater #aftertherain #sydney #sydneyparks #sydneylife #sydneyharbourwalks #myhometown
The Fortnum & Mason Christmas windows on Piccadilly in London, each window is a work of art.
Click on the link in the bio to see my postcards from London.
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#fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschristmaswindow #christmasinlondon #piccadilly #merrychristmas #exploringlondon #seekandyoushallfind
From the National Maritime Museum in Sydney behind the boats in the foreground you can see the masts on the replica Endeavour, on the right are the glass towers in Barangaroo.
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#theendeavour #sydneymaritimemuseum #australiannationalmaritimemusem #barangaroo #darlingharboursydney #tallships #sailingboats #sailonsydneyharbour #glasstowers #sydneyharbour #blueskywhiteclouds #visitthemuseum #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #sydneylocal #myhometown #traveltheworldwithme
The Endeavour at the National Maritime Museum of Australia. It`s a replica, but a very good one. You can go onboard and take a look around - all those ropes, how did they cope?
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#nationalmaritimemuseum @sea.museum #maritimemuseum #endeavour #theendeavour #tallship #darlingharbour #sydney #barangaroo #outonthewater #sydneyharbour #thewayitusedtobe #sydneylife #blueskyandsunshine #seetheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens
Between down pours, Tunks Psrk continued to fill with water. Lucky someone thought to put the "Ground Closed" sign in the middle of the cricket ground 🤣 I think anyone who turned up to play would have realised after wading through knee deep water on to the sodden grass that it wouldn`t work out!😂
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#tunkspark #floodedpark #waterwatereverywhere #greengrass #aftertgerain #walkinthepark #sydneyinspring #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #myhometown #cricketground #toowettoplay #waterviews
Bright floral arrangement in the David Jones Spring Flower Show at the Elizabeth St store in the Sydney CBD.
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjones #davidjonessydney #elizabethststore #sydney #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydneyflowers #sydneylocal #sydneystyle #sydneycbd #flowers #flowersofinstagram #flowerseverywhere #notthechelseaflowershow
Even the tiny little alley/pathway to London`s smallest public square has a proper street sign!
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#londonstreetsign #pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #stjamess #londonvibes #londonlife #londontrip #london_city_photo #londonlandmarks #londonwalks #londonssmallestpublicsquare #londontravel #londonlover #londonhistory #seetheworldthroughmylens #seekandyoushallfind #traveltheworldwithme
At the eastern end of Pyrmont Bridge, one of the old sandstone pylons dwarfed by highrise towers now all around the Darling Harbour area.
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#pyrmontbridge #pyrmontbridgesydney #sydney #sydneyinwinter #darlingharbour #sydneycbd #lunchtimewalk #blueskyandsunshine #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #sydneylocal
The Darling Harbour Ferris Wheel, surrounded by the highrise jungle that is developing in that area, not a person in site!! Yet another soulless enclave!
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#ferriswheel #darlingharboursydney #darlingharbour #nopeeps #nopeepshere #soulless #highriseinvasion #highrisejungle #lunchtimewalk #sydneyinwinter #sydney #sydneylocal #sydneyaustralia
At the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Lego model of the bow of the Titanic heading down to the ocean floor, with the two funnels breaking away.
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#titanic #titanic1912 #lego #legofun #anmmuseum #legoexhibition #sydney #darlingharboursydney #darlingharbour #sydneymuseum #thingstodoinsydney #myhometown #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #visitsydney #sydneyaustralia
The Red Lion pub in St James`s, one of the old workers pubs, also made a name for itself as a Gin Palace. Apparently holds the 2nd oldest licence in the West End, having been around forvover 200 years!
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#redlion #redlionpub #mayfairpub #stjamess #crownpassage #exploringlondon #seekandyoushallfind #londonlife #londontrip #londonwalks #london_enthusiast #londonlover #londontravel #londonhistory #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme
A final check on the recipe for the Christmas pud, making surectgatvlast drop of magic is in there. All part of the amazing Fortnum & Mason Christmas window display on Piccadilly in London.
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#fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #windowshopping #windowtotheworld #london #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #londonstyle #londonatchristmastime #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasatfortnums #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
The trick is to go on Christmas Day to take photos of the lights, not Christmas Eve!! There are 75% less people doing the same thing!!
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#london #christmaslights
My favourite of this years Sculpture by the Sea on the Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk.
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#sculptureinthepark #sculpturebythesea #sculpture #artinpublicplaces #artoftravel #bluewater #bluesky #sydneyaustralia #sydneyinsummer #sydneylife #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #sydneycoastalwalk #sydneyphotographer #sydneystyle #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything
It`s a squirrels life, just sitting in a tree, eating a snack, looking over the lake and watching the world go by.....in Regent`s Park in London.
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#squirrel #squirrelsofinstagram #squirrellife #squirrelinatree #regentsparklondon #royalparks #royalparksandgardens #regentspark #walkinthepark #londonlife #londonparks #londontrip #londonwalks #london #traveladdict #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens
In the mid 1800s, Pickering Place was the home to the Embassy of the Republic of Texas before Texas became part of the United States of America. This plaque remains on the wall of the small lane leading to London`s smallest public square in St Jame`s.
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#texasembassy #texasembassylondon #pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #stjamess #exploringlondon #historiclondon #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonwalks #london #londontravel #traveltherapy #traveltheworldwithme #seekandyoushallfind
The Christmas tree in Pickering Place, St James`s, London. These houses are now the offices for Berry Bros & Rudd, London`s oldest wine merchants.
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#pickeringplace #pickering #berrybrosandrudd #stjamess #christmasinlondon2022 #christmastree #exploringlondon #winemerchant #publicsquare #londonssmallestpublicsquare #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londontravel #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything
Another shell fullnof flowers at tge David Jones Soring Flower Show at the Elizabeth St store in the Sydney CBD.
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjones #davidjonessydney #flowersofinstagram #flowershow #flowerseverywhere #underwatertheme #notthechelseaflowershow #sydneycbd #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydneyflowers
High up on a rock on the Sculpture by the Sea coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama, this `flying` sculpture even has a plane fkying past in the background.
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#sculptureart #sculptureinthepark #sculpturebythesea #bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #blueskyforever #highonarock #flypast #artinpublicplaces #explorethecityyoulivein #sydney #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydney_insta #seekandyoushallfind
This was Christmas Eve outside Fortnum & Mason, it was raining, the store was packed with people - look at all the blue Fortnums bags!!! Plenty of last minute shopping going on!!
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@fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #christmaseve #fortnumschristmas #christmasatfortnums #christmasinlondon2022 #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #london #piccadilly #traveladdict
Looking south towards Tamarama and Bronte Beaches, and all those people walking on the Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk to see Sculpture by the Sea.
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#bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #pacificocean #sculpturebythesea #bluewaterwaves #sydneylife #sydney #sydneyaustralia #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #outandabout
The chocolate department at Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly. So many delicious goodies to choose from - best to just buy at least one of each!!
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#fortnumandmason @fortnums #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschocolates #shoppinginlondon #piccadilly #christmasatfortnums #christmasinlondon #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveladdict #londonlife #londontrip #londonatchristmastime
Choppy day out on Sydney Harbour, as I caught the ferry from McMahons Point to Circular Quay, lots of boats around Fort Denison, Sydney`s eastern suburbs in the background.
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#sydneyharbour #fortdenison #sydneyferries #choppywater #sailingonsydneyharbour #boatsontheharbour #crossingtheharbour #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylife #myhometown #explorethecityyoulivein #sydneywaterways #bluewater #seetheworldthroughmylens
Lego models of the scenes in the pictures behind them at the Australian National Maritime Museum @sea.museum
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#lego #legomodels #legomuseum #shipwrecks #shipwreckmodels #anmm #maritimemuseum #sydney #sydneymuseums #darlingharboursydney #seeeverythingdoeverything #myhometown
Passing the bow of HMAS Sydney, a WWl ship in the Australian Navy fleet. The bow of the ship sits on the edge of Sydney Harbour as a memorial to its successful battle in the Pacific.
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#sydneyferries #hmassydney #hmassydneymemorial #milsonspoint #sydneyharbour #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #palmtrees #outontheharbour #explorethecityyoulivein #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens #seekandyoushallfind #bluewater
A twisted woiden sculpture on show on the rocks not far from Bondi Beach on the Sculpture by the Sea coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama.
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#sculpturebythesea #sulptureontheshore #artinpublicplaces #sculptureart #sculpture #woodengardenart #woodensculpture #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #bonditotamarama #explorethecityyoulivein #ontherocks #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything
A swan and a few ducks on the lake in London`s Regents Park, enjoying a moment in the winter sun.
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#regentsparklondon #regentspark #swansandducks #swansandducksofinstagram #swanlake #outonthelake #reflectiononwater #walkinthepark #londonparks #london #londontrip #londonwalks #londontravel #seetheworldthroughmylens #seekandyoushallfind
