30/06/2006 and the time: 10.15 am. We are all prepared and ready to head off to Hunter Valley.


Our Pit stop for lunch and Guess what's our favourite food?

It was late afternoon before we managed to reach Hunter Valley. The whole trip was like a 4 to 5 hrs drive from Sydney. It sure is a long way. The very first place we stop by is the visitor centre. We have to find a place to stay and check out if the hot air balloon flight is it available tomorrow morning.

The Visitor Centre

After some calling, we finally found a cottage: IronBark Cottage that is still available. But due to the weather, the hot air balloon flight is cancel tomorrow. It is abit disappointing. So, we headed down to check out the cottage with our finger cross. It took us awhile to find this cottage.

An unexpected welcome from Joey

When we reach the cottage, we were like AWESOME!! This place look gorgeous and stunning. The owner came out to welcome us and show us our the cottage. We came to know that this cottage was build by Drew, himself. Every single piece of furniture inside the cottage and the cottage, itself, was build by him. We were like wow. This is definitely not the kind of stuff that one would be hearing especially from where we came from.

The IronBark Cottage

For more detail information about this place, check out their website: http://www.ironbarkcottages.com.au/accommodation.asp
It is definitely a good place to escape with your friends or love ones to have a nice relax weekend.

Well, now with our accommodation found, we head down to what Hunter Valley is best well-known for: Wine Tasting. Yummy. Wine.

HungerFordHill, Tempus 2, Bimbadgen Estate & Cellar Door

It was quite an accomplishment. Given 2 hours, we have toured four speculator winery, a smelly cheese factory and chocolate factory. Wine Collectors, I would highly recommend Tempus 2 bottles. It is specially design and they come different with every wine. Last stop before we head back to cottage, Coles. Seriously, the pricing between a suburb like Hunter Valley and Sydney is huge. Here, you could get a sirloin Steak for really cheap. But in Sydney the price seems like 1/4 more. Anyway, we head down to Coles to grab some food for the BBQ.

The temperature feels like it drop until 15 degree at night. It is simply a good weather for BBQ. All the hotdogs, chickens wings and steaks. Lastly, wash it all down with bottles of wine. That is indeed life.

*Ps: notice the big bug on the corner of the pictures. We found it sticking to our window. Man, it is one mean looking bug.

After stuffing ourself with so much meat & vegetable, not to mention the smell we had from the BBQ, what is more relaxing than a spa.

The 3 guys sure know how to enjoy, although it is kinda of squeeze.

After so much excitement for the day, it is time for light out. The adventure to be continue ... ...