Santos Boys do Sydney

Busy is an understatement.  We have not stopped going-going-going, really since we got here.. but especially this past week or so.  Our good friends- Dave and Enso Santos came to visit us last Thursday from Seattle.  I used to work for Dr. Santos and nanny Enso when he was a baby- and on and off since (he is now 4 1/2, wow time flies!). 

Santos Cafe at the Airport- how perfect!

We had a packed schedule- trying to fit in the sites and highlights of Sydney in 5 short days.  And I must say- we did a darn good job.  They arrived on Thursday morning at 8:30am- and we wasted no time getting started on activities.  After a quick stop off at Dan's work for lunch and to say hello- we hit the Tonanga Zoo.  We spent some time checking out the local beaches and headed home for dinner before passing out.  The jet lag had kicked in- and everyone (including Dyllan and I with our sympathy jet-lag) passed out early.

Gondola Ride up- over the elephants

Clock Garden

Friday morning Dan took Dave to Manly for his Friday morning ocean swim - group practice.  Dave joined the pink caps and kicked off the morning swimming with over 150 other pink capped die hards + 2 sharks.  I stayed home with the kids (haha, not that I would have been up for plunging into the ocean with sharks at 6am anyway)- and got them ready for our overnight trip to the Hunter Valley for some wine tasting. 

Pepper Tree Winery

We got up to the Hunter at around 1pm- checked into our villa and headed straight for the wineries.  We had a ball- Enso and Dyllan enjoyed smelling wine and playing in the fountains as well.  We went to Pepper Tree first- which was probably my favorite of them all.  Next we went to Tyrell's, then David Hook and the Enzo Cafe, and finished at Tempus Two and the Smelly Cheese Factory. Big day- great wine- awesome weather- perfect location-and fun company sums up the day.

Pepper Tree

"Leave me alone mom, I'm wine tasting"

Enso entertaining Dyllan at Pepper Tree

Tyrell's Winery

Hi Dyllan!
Tyrell's Winery

David Hook Winery and Enzo Cafe

"David Wines"

David Hook Winery

Enzo Cafe

David Hook Winery

Enzo Cafe

Tempus Two and the Smelly Cheese Shop

The next morning we had breakfast and did some back country sightseeing- er... exploring up the mountains on a gravel road just to see whats up the hill- and to make sure we wernt missing out on any hidden wineries..

Broke Back Mountain

View from the top

We did one more winery before leaving the Hunter Valley- Rosemount and Lindemans (same building- two tastings).

Looking for ants...

Look, Dyllan wasnt the only baby wine tasting!

Saturday night we did an Aussie BBQ at the house- and drank wine.. obviously.

Sunday morning Dave and Dan did the Manly 2k Ocean swim race.  Enso, Dyllan and I cheered from the beach!Followed by Thai in Manly and a ferry ride to the Sydney Opera house and drinks at the opera bar.  Dave and Enso even did a Jet boat ride around the Sydney Harbor while Dyllan and I stayed back and took photos.  After a big day touring around- we headed home, ordered in, and crashed.

Manly Surf Club

Race Start - Manly 2k
Do you see Dan and Dave?!

Just cruising down the beach... in his Budgy Smugglers.  No. Big. Deal.

Ferry Ride to Circular Quay- Sydney Opera house

Opera Bar

Opera Bar

Having snacks at the Opera Bar

Monday we woke up early and spent the morning at Mona Vale beach.  Enso was excited to do some snorkeling- and after some time in the water- he had his dad bury him completely in sand- nearly getting stepped on by an old man walking toward the pool.

We had a quick bite to eat- and a little rest for Dyllan- then headed to Manly for some shopping and to meet Dan for dinner and drinks at the Manly Wine Bar.  

Watching Enso at the playground on the Manly Corso

Manly Wine Bar

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our roommies this morning.  We had a blast- and can't wait for them to come back!