September part 2-a murder, a day spa, and lot's of good food!!

not too long ago, there was an old man, who were ( in his own word) constantly being bullied by his wife of 47 years!! one day, when the country music is playing in the living room, and after a few drinks, the nagging wife start to nag and nag and nag and just could not stop. He snap, and in the heat of the moment, beat his wife to death! So, everyone deserve to have their side of the story being told. Yes, even the murderer have his side of the story to tell, and husband happens to represent him. The only problem is that his trial will be held in Newcastle- a beautiful coastal town about 2 hours drive from Sydney. It's a pretty straight fwd trial as it is no doubt that the man killed his wife, so really it's just a case to decide if it's a case of manslaughter or murder. So, they estimate the whole trial would take at the most one week! Initially, my husband was really reluctant to go because he dun want to leave his pregnant wife behind, but his boss suggested that the wife should tag along, and they arranged a good hotel for us. Even Casper get to stay in his doggie hotel for that few days, and i did not hesitate at all to say yes!!
It was the weekend before my bday, and in fact, i was so excited to go and immediately looked it up online to see what actives i can do by myself. Day spa pop up a few times, so i booked one immediately! I'm quick to pamper myself :p



The trial start on Monday, so we drove up on Sunday afternoon. After dropping Casper off at Hanrob, we continue to drive and drive and drive..and i became very very hungry. It doesn't look like I can hold my hunger until Newcastle, so we stop half way to have dinner. I can't even remember what town we stop by but it was pretty quiet!! It was sunday night, 7pm at the most, but most shop/restaurant were closed!!! And after making a few rounds, we found this bistro and I'm very glad! I order a pasta and husband opt for the wagyu on stone grilled. It was good. not fantastic, but i'm happy.



We reached Newcastle at about 9pm. The office booked us in a super duper HUGE room in the Sebel Newcaslte. I LOooove the room. Poor husband immediately set up his working desk complete with laptop and printer! Oh dear! While i get ready for bed!!



Husband was long gone when i woke up the next day. I do not like to dine alone so i order a breakfast from the hotel restaurant Darby downstairs. Oh boy was it huge?! and good!!
I must admit i enjoy the room service the most during my stay at the Sebel!


After my huge breakfast, I took a stroll around the famous shopping district in Newcastle, Darby street, and do some shopping. And then it's time for my day spa appointment just down the road from the hotel.


I opt for the mommy package, which includes a 15 mins foot soak and massage,45 mins massage and 30 mins facial. Except the foot soak ( which i think it's a bit unnecessary ), the rest is pretty relaxing, especially the 45 mins massage. This is the first time since pregnancy that i went for a massage, and i wonder why i didn't book myself in for a massage session sooner!! Baby was kicking too during the massage, quite funny! And I fall inlove with the Endota products after my facial. I bought the whole shebang-cleanser, moisturizer and eye cream!! and i'm glad there are a few Endota spa in Sydney as well. So, If i'm not going to my hair coloring appointment during the pregnancy, i think it is justified to for for a day spa instead! The cost is the same ( or even lower ) Hehe!!



At night we went for Mexican food and the restaurant was so full and loud and dark!! Apparently, every Monday they have a promotion where all the meal cost AUD10!! Very good value and i totally enjoyed my chilli con carne.


Because of the lack of lighting, i only manage to take one good photos ---nachos! hehe.



Room service for breakfast again on Tuesday morning. This time i skip the bake beans and opt for sunny side up. It was yum. And then i went to another shopping join called the Junction. Bought quite a lot of stuff for bub.



and i went to a saloon to get my hair a good treatment and layer, and a good blow dry! We were suppose to meet up with our friends Roger and Celeste that night, but unfortunately Celeste was sick, so we hunt for food around the Honeysuckle bay area.

Poor husband was trying to finalized his job while i wait for him to go to dinner..


Oh, and i bought a nice summer dress as well! I love it!


getting too bored waiting for husband i took photos of bub! ( need a big of imagination if you can't see him! )


and finally, we're out the door and we stroll around the beach before dinner.





Isn't it lovely?!


We drove up a hill and enjoy a good sunset view




I love Newcastle! Really do!


We dine in Isobar that night. And another blessing--it's Tuesday, and they ran a 10 dollar tapas every tuesday! Yipee!!


view from Isobar


We order quite a lot of tapas, but the bar was again dimly lit, so only manage to produce 2 good photos!

Seafood platter tapas

Duck fettucine



and while i was having my hair done, my hair dresser tell me that i MUST try the Grilled in Newcastle as they have the BEST burger in town. So, just before we drive down to Sydney on Wednesday, we have lunch at Grilled. And it was awesome!!



I'm a bit sad that my trip was over. Although husband was so glad that his trial was over!
I was too tired to cook so we went to Hurstville and have dinner. Like a good Chinese, after 3 days of not eating rice, we order rice dishes.


this is the "Mui Choi" 3 layer pork! OMgoodness it's so good. although no way near as good as the one my grandma used to make though! ( but it was good enough and so far, we have this dish 3 times already!! )


Casper was completely wasted. I bet he have a fantastic time in Hanrob!
After our sunny little holiday in Newcastle, Sydney have been raining non stop for almost a week. Welcome to Spring!

P/S for those interested to know: The man get murder. So the moral of the story is
1. dun mix alcohol with country music, drives one crazy!
2. got a nagging wife? -not a good enough reason to lost your temper , learn to live with it.