The NYC Easter Bonnet Parade 2024: Everything You Need to Know

The NYC Easter Bonnet Parade is one of the best free, annual events in New York City. Every year, thousands of New Yorkers get dressed to the nines in their most flamboyant, spectacular and creative Easter costumes and bonnets, to parade down Fifth Avenue. It is one of the most wholesome NYC events, and it’s one of my favourite-ever memories of living in New York … Continue reading The NYC Easter Bonnet Parade 2024: Everything You Need to Know

Genevieve LaurenMarch 1, 2024March 1, 20242 Comments

Ballarat, Festivals & Events, Victorian Goldfields

In Bloom: Ballarat Begonia Festival

Spring is in full bloom in Melbourne, which reminded me of the radiant beauty of the Ballarat Begonia Festival, which David & I stumbled upon back in April of this year. Over the Easter long weekend, David & I spent the weekend in Hamilton in the Southern Grampians. A spontaneous stop in Ballarat on the long drive home delivered one of the most beautiful moments … Continue reading In Bloom: Ballarat Begonia Festival

Genevieve LaurenNovember 21, 2021November 21, 2021Leave a comment

Festivals & Events, History, Religion & Spirituality, Tokyo

Exploring Yoyogi Park: Meiji Shrine, Earth Garden & The Tokyo Flea Market

As one of the biggest city parks in Tokyo, Yoyogi Park is a hive of activity. Yoyogi Park is home to the Meiji Shrine, as well as the Tokyo Flea Market. In spring it is a popular spot for enjoying the cherry blossom trees, but when we visited in Autumn, we found the Autumn instalment of the quarterly Earth Garden festival, which was a nice surprise. Japan … Continue reading Exploring Yoyogi Park: Meiji Shrine, Earth Garden & The Tokyo Flea Market

Genevieve LaurenMay 23, 2018October 30, 20233 Comments

Culture, Festivals & Events, Food & Drink, Melbourne

Melbourne’s Night Noodle Markets

The Night Noodle Markets sweep through Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney for a couple of weeks every year celebrating the diversity of Asian cuisine and its profound influence on Modern Australian cuisine. It’s one of my favourite foodie events. Whether you’re a local or a visitor in town, the Night Noodle Markets do a great job of representing the many cuisines that have played such a … Continue reading Melbourne’s Night Noodle Markets

Genevieve LaurenNovember 23, 2015October 11, 20214 Comments

Festivals & Events, New York City, USA

My first baseball game: Yankees vs Red Sox in New York City

The atmosphere at America’s favourite sports matches is legendary. I was determined to soak up the excitement at an iconic American sports game while in New York City. It was baseball season, so I bought cheap tickets to see the New York Yankees play the Boston Red Sox at Yankees Stadium in The Bronx. Two iconic teams, thousands of diehard fans and one age-old rivalry. I … Continue reading My first baseball game: Yankees vs Red Sox in New York City

Genevieve LaurenNovember 19, 2015August 3, 201914 Comments

Ballarat, Festivals & Events, History, Victorian Goldfields

Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

Sovereign Hill is an immersive, open-air museum in Ballarat that recreates a 19th century town during Victoria’s Gold Rush. It’s one of the best things to do in the Goldfields, and a popular attraction year-round, but especially in winter when the whole “town” lights up after dark for the annual Winter Wonderlights festival. David & I visited Sovereign Hill for the Winter Wonderlights on a … Continue reading Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

Genevieve LaurenJuly 6, 2015July 20, 20244 Comments

Festivals & Events, Melbourne, The Arts

Melbourne International Comedy Festival: The Great Debate

The Great Debate is one of the most eagerly anticipated shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Every April, Melbourne‘s theatres, bars and public buildings fill with a line up of comedians from around the world, and the crowds that come to see them. The Great Debate is held in Melbourne’s Town Hall, and is a comedic debate held by six high profile comedians, making … Continue reading Melbourne International Comedy Festival: The Great Debate

Genevieve LaurenApril 15, 2015November 21, 20212 Comments

Festivals & Events, France, Paris

Stumbling across the final leg of the Tour de France, Paris

My student exchange program in Paris coincided with the Tour de France, and many of my classmates had got up at the crack of dawn to stake out a good spot near the finish line. Me? Not so interested. I My friend Meredith and I were on our way to the Musee de l’Orangerie when we clambered out of the Tuileries metro stop to find … Continue reading Stumbling across the final leg of the Tour de France, Paris

Genevieve LaurenMay 29, 2013August 27, 20181 Comment

Europe, Festivals & Events, Italy, Venice

Venice: Home of the Masquerade

If you’re going to Venice, you’ll need to leave room in your suitcase and your wallet for a Venetian Carnivale mask (or twelve). You can buy them from street vendors but the most beautiful ones are in shops dotted around Venice. I have never seen so much beauty in one place. These small decorative porcelain masks were hanging on the door of a mask shop … Continue reading Venice: Home of the Masquerade

Genevieve LaurenOctober 9, 2012April 24, 20171 Comment