Heartbreaking News : We Lost The Twins

"Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

We WERE having Monoamniotic-Monochorionic (MoMo) twins, (identical twins that share same amniotic sac and placenta), which is "extremely" rare and high risk (50-50, mom and babies). Monoamniotic twins are rare, with an occurrence of 1 in 35,000 to 1 in 60,000 pregnancies, so I should thank God for being selected, for at least, by 13 weeks period of time. Allah is Great! Dengan kuasa Allah juga, we lost our babies at 13 weeks, where both stopped growing at 8 weeks and 7 weeks, each. Though we are still recovering from the heartbreak, we accept what has written and redha akan hikmahNya. DaripadaNya mereka datang, kepadaNya mereka pergi. Without knowing the gender, we believe that Adam is created first, thus, may

 Nuh Rafael and Hud Rafael

wait for us, right at Jannah's doorstep. Al-fatihah. And we will not stop trying. InsyaAllah. Semoga Allah perkenankan doa-doa kami."

-Momo and Popo-

Note : Post on babies chrono will be out soon. May this story remains as beautiful memory for us.

UPDATE! Part One : The Day I Found That I Am Pregnant ( Click HERE )

UPDATE! Part Two : The Day I Found That I Lost The Twins. ( Click HERE )

Monoamniotic twins

Pic 1 : Normal. Most safe twins. Non-identical.
Pic 2 : Seldom. Quite unsafe but still deliverable. Identical.
Pic 3 : Rare. 50-50. One could get less nutrient. One die, another could follow. Identical. (This is my twins.)
Pic 4 : Abnormal. Most unsafe. Conjoint. No one wants this to happen.

Monoamniotic twins are identical twins that share same amniotic sac within their mother’s uterus.[1] Monoamniotic twins are always identical, and always monochorionic as well (sharing the same placenta), and are sometimes termed Monoamniotic-Monochorionic ("MoMo") twins.[1] They also share the placenta, but have two separate umbilical cords. Monoamniotic twins develop when an embryo does not split until after formation of the amniotic sac,[1] at about 9 days after fertilization.[2] Monoamniotic triplets or other monoamniotic multiples[3] are possible, but extremely rare.[1] Other obscure possibilities include multiples sets where monoamniotic twins are part of a larger gestation such as triplets, quadruplets, or more.

Occurrence
Monoamniotic twins are rare, with an occurrence of 1 in 35,000 to 1 in 60,000 pregnancies,[1] corresponding to about 1% of twin pregnancies.[3]

Complications
The survival rate for monoamniotic twins has been shown to be as high as 81%[4] to 95%[5] in 2009 with aggressive fetal monitoring, although previously reported as being between 50%[1] to 60%.[3] Causes of mortality and morbidity include:

• Cord entanglement: The close proximity and absence of amniotic membrane separating the two umbilical cords makes it particularly easy for the twins to become entangled in each other’s cords, hindering fetal movement and development.[3] Additionally, entanglement may cause one twin to become stuck in the birth canal during labor and expulsion.[1] Cord entanglement happens to some degree in almost every monoamniotic pregnancy.[1]

• Cord compression: One twin may compress the other’s umbilical cord, potentially stopping the flow of nutrients and blood and resulting in fetal death.[1][3]

• Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS): One twin receives the majority of the nourishment, causing the other twin to become undernourished. TTTS is much more difficult to diagnose in monoamniotic twins than diamniotic ones, since the standard method otherwise is to compare the fluid in the sacs. Rather, TTTS diagnosis in monoamniotic twins relies on comparing the physical development of the twins.[1]

Diagnosis
Ultrasound is the only way to detect MoMo twins before birth.[3] It can show the lack of a membrane between the twins after a couple of weeks' gestation, when the membrane would be visible if present.[3]

Further ultrasounds with high resolution doppler imaging and non-stress tests help to assess the situation and identify potential cord problems.[3]

There is a correlation between having a single yolk sac and having a single amniotic sac.[1] However, it is difficult to detect the number of yolk sacs, because the yolk sac disappears during embryogenesis.[1]

Cord entanglement and compression generally progress slowly, allowing parents and medical caregivers to make decisions carefully.[3]

Treatment
Only a few treatments can give any improvements.

Sulindac has been used experimentally in some monoamniotic twins, lowering the amount of amniotic fluid and thereby inhibiting fetal movement. This is believed to lower the risk of cord entanglement and compression. However, the potential side effects of the drug have been insufficiently investigated.[1][3]

Regular and aggressive fetal monitoring is recommended for cases of monoamniotic twins to look for cord entanglement beginning after viability. Many women enter inpatient care, with continuous monitoring,[1] preferably in the care of a perinatologist, an obstetrician that specialises in high risk pregnancies.[3]

All monoamniotic twins are delivered prematurely by cesarean section, since the risk of cord entanglement and/or cord compression becomes too great in the third trimester. The cesarean is usually performed at 32, 34 or 36 weeks.[3] Many monoamniotic twins experience life-threatening complications as early as 26 weeks, motivating immediate delivery. However, delivery around 26 weeks is associated with life-threatening complications of preterm birth.[1] Steroids may be administered to stimulate the babies' lung development[3] and decrease the risk of infant respiratory distress syndrome. Vaginal birth rather than cesarean section causes cord prolapse, with the first baby delivered pulling the placenta shared with the baby being left inside.

Source Wiki.

Kiama Town (Kiama), Kiama Visitor's Center (Glenbrook), and Great Western Highway (Lawson)

Part 2 : Read here for Kiama Big Blowhole, Little Blowhole Reserve, Centro Woolworths and Kiama Ocean View Motor Inn (Kiama)

Part 4 : Read here for Sydney Town, Bondi Beach, and Randwick Lodge (Sydney)

~ Part 3 ~

It was 3AM. Hubby woke up and flicked one of the curtains, to look where the sound came from.

“What is it all about?” I rubbed my eyes.

“WINDSTROM!” He shouted.

Note: Windstorm is a bad weather when there is a lot of wind but no rain.

“Huhhh?” I quickly jumped off the bed and had an immediate inspection on the situation. I almost had my eyeballs out, looking at the super strong wind that could bend a tree 45 degrees! Ya Allah, we were so closed, just few meters from the beach, please safe us from any tornado, typhoon, tsunami or what not!

We continued sleeping in vigilance mode. Yeah, we need to sleep, nonetheless, for we need strength and energy to drive to Blue Mountains.

Note : Take a good rest before you drive. It helps.

Few hours later, we woke up and got ourselves ready to check out. The wind still blew strongly, followed by drizzling rain that come and go. Crosswind, headwind, every types of wind were present at the moment. We had to run to the reception, to avoid from being blown away. Maklum la, ringan!

After a smooth checked-out, the reception told us an interesting fact.

“Ya know, this would be the perfect time for you to experience the Blowholes. Especially the Big one.” And he winked his eyes.

We both looked at each other and said, “Ya, why not.” Without knowing the consequences!

Hubby then drove out from the hotel and headed to the Big Blowhole. Soon we began driving, we started to feel something creepy! Our tiny Hyundai Getz was almost blown away! Scary ok! (Masa ni rasa macam nak keraskan bontot kasi keta berat skit.)

Slowly, we approached the parking area, where Big Blowhole is located exactly right in front of us. The only thing that separated us was the parking ring. WE WERE SUPER, DUPER, CLOSED!

We hardly saw anything outside, since it was really misty and foggy. We could hardly saw any car, in fact. The beach was on the left, we can clearly heard waves slamming the rocks. (Macam lagu Alleycats, hadiran ombak menghempas panteiiiiiii…) I switched on my camera and turned to video mode. We waited for the right moment, to capture the spray.

And suddenly, “KEDEBUSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

A BIG SPLASH OF WATER SLAMMED THE WINDSCREEN! THE CAR WAS ROCKING! AND WE WERE SHOUTING “OO MAK HANG!!! BODOOOOOH BODOHHHHH!!!”

TERKEJUT OK!

 

And not long after, another splash came by!

“KEDEBUSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!” It was from the beach side. Nothing came out from our mouth than OMG, OMG, OMG.

“Ok, I think we have to make a move. Or…we’ll be swipe away.”

“HOI! Don’t say that!” I lepuk hubby.

Note : Experience Blowholes during strong wind IS RECOMMENDED. At your own risk, please.

 

The car was still rocking left and right, especially when the wind blew across the direction that we were moving. We drove as careful as we can, further out from the Blowhole area. We passed by the Kiama Post Office, and headed to Princess Highway.

Our printed Google map showed Blue Mountains was 173KM away, and approaching Picton Road, the weather changed. Using this “country” trail, surrounded with tall trees, small road, no lights, I prayed for not seeing any bigfoot or sasquatch crossing the road. Hahaha!

Scary la jugak sebak kereta tak banyak. The road then merged into Hume Highway, then Sydney Motorway. It was still raining, when we finally reached Glenbrook, where Kiama Visitor’s Center is located.

Note : Basically, this center provides all-you-need-to-know-about Blue Mountain. Stop here to know it all and grab some souvenirs for yourself.

Know it all, huh? Wait. I spill the bean!

In the rain, we ran out from the car and walked into the visitor center. Bundles of brochures, pamphlets, maps, souvenirs (FMs, stickers, t-shirts, mugs, coasters, postcards, etc), you name it, you can get it there. As usual, I bought few fridge magnets lah kan.

There were other tourists as well, asking the shop assistants on the weather and how to get to Blue Mountains. We kind off ignored them at the first place, but joined to hear the quick briefing, later. But there was nothing absurd.

So we continued driving to Lawson, approximately 27KM away from Glenbrook, 14KM away from Katoomba. Before us, we saw more and more vehicles queuing on the road. From a distance, we saw red and white construction cones in between. I thought, it was just a minor road construction and we were still allowed to go through.

But half and hour had past! All cars were still on the road, not moving even an inch away. Aku resah! We were just 20 minutes away of Blue Mountains! I then zoomed in my camera and saw a police officer, talking to few drivers. Few cars turned back to the opposite way.

“Huh sudah, kenapa?”

Then we saw…

“Is that………………SNOW???” Aku nganga.

“Haah la! But…snow in Spring???” Hubby was pretty sure that he did not wrongly check the weather.

“YOU MEAN…IT IS SNOWING UP THERE? IN BLUE MOUNTAIN??” I confused.

“Guess so…” Hubby contemplated, tried to think of the alternatives.

More and more vehicles switched off their engine. On my left, there was a yellow school bus, with the driver smiled at me. Before it, there was one super cool car, ejecting its roof. “WHOA…”

I turned to the bus driver, and asked him “What’s going on up there?”

“Heavy snow. They have to close the road, and I heard it was closed since 3AM. The locals are asking the authority to open it up. I guess, another 3-5 hours, perhaps.”

Like, what??? Gile ape! AND KIAMA VISITOR’S CENTER DIDN’T EVEN WARN OR INFORM US!

And he continued “I have no choice but to wait. I need to pick up kids at Blackheath. Well, no one expect this, even the locals. Snow in Spring, huh?”

Hubby raised his eyebrows, confirming the issue. After wasted an hour moving nowhere, hubby persuaded me to cancel the plan. I mean, the whole Blue Mountains plan with 9 SERENE LOOKOUTS, will be dumped straight into the dustbin? 

"You must be kidding!" We had massive argument whether to proceed or return. Hubby told me that we can plan another visit next time, but for me, "I don’t want to repeat the same place, twice!"

Hubby remained silent.

“What happen to Wentworth Falls, Sublime, Gordon, Kiah, Echo, Evans, Govetts, Hassans, Bellbird, and Baltzer Lookout the hanging rock???” I threw the Tour Cookbook down the legroom.

Note : These lookouts are must place to visit. It offers serene panorama especially for nature lovers.

Hubby still, remained silent. Nak makan penampo agaknyer bini dia nih...

 

Hubby said nothing but turned back, waving crazily to those queuing vehicles, and wish them GOODLUCK! The queue was nearly 2KM and yet, no one knew what had happened up there. The whether then changed drastically, from bad to clearer sky. Pfft!

"OK, I MARAH NI. MARAH SANGAT! WHY DON'T WE JUST GO? DAH SAMPAI PUN KAN? TAKKAN NAK BURN HOTEL KAT KATOOMBA TU? AND WHAT'S THE POINT OF RENTING THIS CAR, IF WE DON'T GO TO BLUE MOUNTAIN??" I shouted and slammed the dashboard.

"DO YOU WANT TO GET STRANDED UP THERE, IN THICK SNOW, NOT KNOWING WHEN WE CAN GO UP AND WHEN WE CAN COME DOWN? IF, AND ONLY IF, WE CAN COME DOWN THE NEXT DAY LAH!" 

Terasa virtually ditunjal-tunjal dahi ini. Bini pun terdiam kaku. Terpaksa tido basement malam ni...sob sob!

Kiama Big Blowhole, Little Blowhole Reserve, Centro Woolworths and Kiama Ocean View Motor Inn (Kiama)

Part 1 : Read here for Kingsford Smith Terminal 1 and East Coast Car Rentals (Sydney), Grand Pacific Drive, Otford Lookout, Sea Cliff Bridge, Bald Hill, and Lawrence Hargrave Memorial (Stanwell Park), Flagstaff Hill and Kiama Lighthouse (Kiama)

Part 3 : Read here for Kiama Town (Kiama), Kiama Visitor's Center (Glenbrook), and Great Western Highway (Lawson)

~ Part 2 ~

"Hmmm...mendung jer..." Hubby looked up to the cloudy sky.

The journey continued to Kiama, where we wanted to experience two most amazing sea miracles. From Stanwell Top, we drove an hour, passed by Princess Highway, heading to Wollongong, before we reached at Kiama Blowhole Point Road. We parked our car at the end of the cape where another lighthouse is located. This place is nicely developed and maintained, for the purpose of tourist attraction, complete with info boards, stairs, with gates around the Blowhole Point.

Note : Park closer to minimize your steps.

We walked down to the famous Big Blowhole, where it is said can spray water up to 25 meters in the air that can drench any bystanders! 

How Blowhole works? With right condition, large waves enter the mouth of Blowhole and compress the air within the inner cavity. As the water leaves, it is forced upward, as the mouth is still blocked by the receding wave. The escaping air causes the loud “oomph” which accompanies the water spout. Paham? Thus, you can experience the water spray, ONLY when there is large wave.

This Kiama Big Blowhole was discovered by George Bass in 1797 after anchoring his whaleboat in Kiama harbour. Anyhow, it is said that Bass wasn’t the first, as local Aboriginals had for generations referred to it as “Khanterintee”.

Stand still right before the Blowhole, is the Lighthouse that was established in 1887, purposely built for the manmade harbor. Having fun to the fullest at the Flagstaff Hill’s Lighthouse, this lighthouse had no longer served any fun for us. Hahaha!

 

Besides this Blowhole, this site offers panoramic view of the ocean where blue colors of the ocean sparkled in the distance. The sun once in a while, hid behind thick clouds, which affected our mood and the outcomes (pictures). To stimulate the thrill, hubby and I played video capturing where hubby was forced to be the bystander, to experience the water spout! Out of 10 blows, he might get sprinkled twice, with the help of huge wave and strong wind.

We laughed at each other, but still, astonished with this super-NATURE-al formation.

Note : Stand closer to listen to the blow noisy sound and to experience the water spout. Rugi if tak merasa! Nganga skit mulut tu.

 

After a while spending time at Big Blowhole, we drove few minutes to the second-less-famous Blowhole in Kiama, Little Blowhole, known as Big Blowhole’s little cousin.

Hubby explained “Little Blowhole should be more interesting, as the water spray is higher…and less people.”

He was well-prepared.

Finding this Little Blowhole was neither that hard nor easy, for there were signboards, but it is located right in front of someone’s house. Untungla orang tu, hari-hari bleh tengok Blowhole kannn! Overlooking at the left and right of this site, there was approximately 1.8km beautiful scenic coastal walk. This place also officially announced as Little Blowhole Reserve “Endeavour Lookout”, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the discovery and exploration of the east coast of Australia by Captain James Cook in 1770.

I then walked further down towards the monument, and this time, I became the bystander, while hubby was shooting me out. I seriously didn’t expect the water spray that high, so I ran up and down and acted comical. Hahaha!

We then walked closer to Little Blowhole, where two locals were also enjoying the scene. Strong wind and huge wave helped the formation a lot, hence, we experienced higher water spray almost all the time, compared to Big Blowhole. The reason being was the smaller the hole, the higher the pressure, the higher the spout. 

Note : Again, stand closer to feel the sprinkle. Do not run, face it! Sambil depa tangan macam Titanic tu. Tapi kalo nampak anjing, sila lari!

“Ayang! Anjing! Anjing!” Hubby suddenly panicked BUT HE WAS LAUGHING. There was a huge black dog running towards me! I had no idea whether I should run or stand still or play dead!

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAA SHOOSHHH! SHOOSHHH!” I tried to chase it away AND I WAS ALSO LAUGHING!

It was OK if the dog was dried, but being sprinkled with Blowhole, I straight away thought that “Where the hell I should find tanah to samak???!!!” HAHAHAHA!

The dog owner then called his dog and the dog backed off from me and ran to its owner. FIUH!

AND BOTH OF US STILL LAUGHING.

Initially, hubby recommended to visit Mount Pleasant Lookout, 5KM away (approximately 7 minutes) from Little Blowhole. This lookout offers viewers to look down over Gerringong and Seven Mile Beach, with picnic tables and parking facilities ready-to-be-use.

Note : So called “The Bends”, Mount Pleasant Lookout is a must visit to place, for excellent views over the town, the beach, the landscape of coast of Kiama.

Anyhow, we had to pass the plan. It was getting dark and we had to find a way to our place for the night, before the reception closed. On the way, we stopped at Centro Kiama, and went into Woolworths, where we grabbed few things for dinner.

“Ahhhh sudah…hujan la pulak!” It was raining cats and dogs! We quickly ran to the car and drove carefully to Bong Bong Street.

The Kiama Ocean View Motor Inn wasn’t that far from the Big Blowhole. It is located right before the beach where we can feel the strong wind blew wild to our face, complete with heavy rain. Hubby booked this place from Latestays.com, with the price of AUD84 per night. Though it was raining, the best part was the drive-in. We parked our car, right in front of the room, took out everything and ran as fast as we can, to avoid rain.

Note : Cheap, friendly, close to restaurants, café, beach, railway station, town, blowholes, and what not.

The host was friendly and he told us a lot about Kiama, especially the weather of the day. He told us this was the right time to experience Blowhole, for it can go up to the max height due to strong wind and rain.

“Okayyyy…that sounds…scary.” Hahaha!

The room was okay, with one queen bed and one single bed. Closet, bathroom, TV were also available. We heated the room and prepared our dinner. We settled with self-wrapped “wonder wraps” (contained chili tuna and salads), with blueberry scones, smoky bbq potato chips, and two bottles of orange-lime soda. Jadilaaaaa…sedap makan hujan-hujan nih!

 We slept…and suddenly awake!

“Woooooooooooooo…wooooooooooooooooo…panggggggg…pangggggggg!” We heard strong sound! Very loud!

“WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT???” Gulp!

Kingsford Smith Terminal 1 and East Coast Car Rentals (Sydney), Grand Pacific Drive, Otford Lookout, Sea Cliff Bridge, Bald Hill, and Lawrence Hargrave Memorial (Stanwell Park), Flagstaff Hill and Kiama Lighthouse (Kiama)

Part 2 : Read here for Kiama Big Blowhole, Little Blowhole Reserve, Centro Woolworths and Kiama Ocean View Motor Inn (Kiama)

~ Part 1 ~

It was January 2012.

“Biqque, Sydney’s ticket is cheap!” Chawanna called me while I was right in the middle of having my sweet lunch at the most piercing warung.

“Huh??” I traumatized…

I quickly called hubby and told him that the air fare was only RM571.00 with tax inclusive. Hubby straight away gave a green light.

With the help of crazy so-called, flight-ticket-personal-agent, Chawanna helped us to secure two tickets for the coming 10 months trip! Yup, that was the length of period that we had to wait. Well, normal lah *flipping fringe*

Hubby, as usual, did his very best to come out with superb itinerary, complete with Google Direction. When someone questioned us how did we survive driving or taking public transport or even walking in other countries, this would be the secret. I kid you not, this way has helped us in saving our travel times. Regardless some people don’t really go well with planned itinerary (well some people don’t really trust in it), it’s all up to someone’s way of traveling. Do not condemn! My call, not your call. If you gone astray, sendiri mau ingat.

With everything on place (ETA, Car Rental Voucher, Hotel Voucher, Malaysian Hall Form, Tour Cookbook) and two bags loaded with light jackets and jeans (hola, it’s Spring), we boarded into D7222 AAX to Kingsford Smith Terminal 1, Sydney, with approximately 8 hours of traveling time.

Note : ETA was done by Intan Azlynna (introduced by Kaki Berangan), via email and M2U.

While looking at the cloudy and gloomy weather outside, we had pre-book meal, Nasik Lemak Pak Nasser, as our breakfast. Hubby and I kept on praying that the weather would be better once we landed. We were fully relying on the weather that day, for most of the places listed in our Tour Cookbook were outdoors.

“Rain, rain, go away, please come another day.” Mak Esah sang *read as chanting mantra*

“Eh, don’t la another day, another 5 days…ok?” Hubby corrected my song, since we’ll be in Sydney for 5 days.

 

Once landed, we’ve gone through hard time during immigration screening. Hubby was chosen randomly, and was instructed to open his trolley bag. At this point of time, hubby looked seriously dissatisfied. He looked around and most of the foreigners went through. He said straight to the officer’s face “Is it because I’m Asian??”

ANDDDDD…the officer was an Indian. FROMMMM...India. *geleng-geleng kepala* 

He, however, went through. We quickly went out from the arrival hall and looked for our pick-up. We walked further down the waiting area, there wasn’t any car with East Coast Car Rentals sticker on it. We then returned to the arrival hall, and called for help from the airport assistant. Hubby requested for a small change, and tried to call the car rental, but failed.

 

Failed because he didn’t know how to use the payphone. Hahaha!

The airport assistant then helped him to call the car rental, and voila, we managed to get the driver. The driver then came and drove us to the car rental office. There, hubby settled everything and thank God, we went through a smooth and quick process, hence, getting us a cute 4-doors car, Hyundai Getz, for the rate of AUD37 per day.

 

Note : Always check the car condition (dents, scratches, fuel level, etc). Point out if those aren’t mark as on paper.

Driving out from the area wasn’t that easy, for our map point A was Sydney Airport, not the car rental’s office. So we decided to find a way back to the airport, and start from there. We had encountered one funny case once, where we drove into paid parking area. I, as the map reader, quickly gave a confused but cheeky face to the parking attendant, and we got through it without any charges. *muka lega*

 

“Ok. To the South, we shall go. Stanwell Tops.” I led hubby, as per stated in our Tour Cookbook.

“Via Grand Pacific Drive kan?” Hubby re-confirmed.

“Yup.”

We started the journey by driving on Princess Highway, heading to Wollongong. The roads then split, where we decided to proceed with Grand Pacific Drive, also known as Scenic Drive. Our expectation on this road was really high, as high as Scenic Drive in South Island, New Zealand. But the road disappointed us, for what we saw were only bushes and trees. Tak cantik lah! Apa ni??

 

On and off, we experienced some drizzles. 44km, approximately 50 minutes, we arrived at the first pit stop, Otford Lookout. We parked the car by the hill top and started to jump up and down. The sky was blue, with group of whitey clouds, green grass, chilly wind, and wide ocean.

 

“WAHHHHHHHHHHH CANTIKKKKKK NYERRRRRRRRRR!” We shouted happily at each other.

 

We locked the car doors and started to observe the surrounding. There was bunch of hikers, with huge bag packs, climbing up the lookout point. There was Coastal Walk signage as well, maybe, they came from that site.

 

Having the hill on our own, we started to capture videos and pictures. We danced, we rolled, we laughed, and we had fun, like no one’s business.

 

“Ayang, look there. The bridge that I really, really want to see. See the S-shape.” Hubby then pointed to me one huge bridge.

From that distance, I barely seen the bridge, not till I zoomed in my camera.

“OMG! The Sea Cliff Bridge!”

 

Located in Illawarra, right on the Lawrence Hargrave Drive, this bridge had cost the government, AUD52 million! But who cares, besides road for vehicles, it serves pedestrian and cycleway, with spectacular views. The story behind the bridge was quite interesting, where it was once, closed due to rock falls. Hence, the new bridge was built slightly further out the cliff, that allows viewers to see the curve of the Earth.

A to the M, to the AZ-ING! *pose hip-hop*

 

Note : You can stop at both, the beginning and the ending of the bridge, to enjoy the view of “The Coast With The Most”, and the world class surf beaches.

“What’s next?” I asked hubby.

“To the Bald Hill, we shall be. Jom!”

We drove further down the stretch and reached the Bald Hill. No, Bald Hill isn’t bald at all. This area is also under Stanwell Park, where cliff flight (paragliding) operation is happening. Anyhow, there are set of rules that the operators have to follow, and all stated clearly on the info board.

 

We thought of buying a cup of hot coffee at one of the mobile vendor, but looking at the price, hmmm, thanks but no thanks la kan. So we enjoyed the breathtaking scenery, squatting and jumping, with the presence of white seagulls and black crows.

 

Not far from this site, there was Lawrence Hargrave Memorial, the aviation pioneer, who built and tested kite-design-aircraft. The Dream of Flight said “If any man deserves to fly, that man is Lawrence Hargrave.” So, those who fly today, you must bow to this man, for he has shown the world, how to fly. *with Allah’s help, for damn sure*

 

Our journey continues, driving on the award-winning Sea Cliff Bridge, heading to the Flagstaff Hill. We initially wanted to include in Cathedral Rock (volcanic rocks with mysterious formations) but due to time constraint, we took it out from the revised plan.

Note : Cathedral Rocks is a must place to visit, for these rocks are a photographer’s delight.

 

At Flagstaff Hill, the weather turned gloomy with minimal sunlight. We quickly drove into the parking area and parked our car. The Kiama Lighthouse can be clearly seen from far, but honestly, it cannot beat the lighthouse at Byron Bay, Gold Coast.

Flagstaff Hill, also known as Signal Hill, was once, military barracks in 1829 and a place that guided shipping settlers. Also seen, were 68 pounder cannons, to defense against possible threat of Russian attack. Penah meletup hokay! Overlooking manmade harbour, this lighthouse was built on Blowhole Point that can be seen in a range of 15 miles.

"I want to see blowhole! I want to see blowhole! Where?" I terkinja-kinja.

"Waitttt...lighthouse first." Hubby calmed me down.

 

In strong windy and chilly weather, we continued video and picture capturing, before we chased away those whitey cutie seagulls of the ground, and headed to the car.

"Minum susu unta?" Hahahaha!

 

It was still noon and we had more places to visit. 

“Ok. Next pit stop. Choose. Blowjob or Blowhole?” Hubby tricked me. Pfft!