Kerala, India

We left Kovalam and arrived in Allepey, 1 hour south of Kochin in the Kerala region on the west coast. So green and tropical. We boarded a houseboat and wow, so fantastic, the scenery was breathtaking and very relaxing. Caught an amazing sunset and just as amazing sunrise. We had lunch, dinner slept on the boat and had breakfast the next morning. It was spotlessly clean and comfortable and the Captain was cook as well and the food was sensational!

We are now in Kochin where the were alot of European Missionaries, so the are always a few foreigners. Similiar shopping, visited Bazaar Road where all the spices and local markets are. Our hotel is 300 years old, Colonial influence with lots of European wood. There is alot of history here. Watched a traditional Kathkali Dance which was exciting and different. Visited Mikey's cousin, Vernon and his Uncle and meet his lovely family.

Heading back to Trichy today to rest before we head back to Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

Kovalam, India

It was sad to leave Mahabliparum, we had such a nice, comfortable stay. Our next stop was Pondicherry a French city down the coast. It was very busy. We visited alot of lovely relatives, visited markets and the Promenade. We only stayed over night and I would have liked to have spent another day checking out the French areas more.

The next stop about 5 hours south, was Vailankanni, a very spiritual place where the Shrine Basicillica, Our Lady of Vailankanni Catholic Church, where Mikey's Mum & Dad were married. It is like the Vatican in India. We attended Mass, lit candles, gave offerings, visited the priest and he blessed us. Cousin Johnny joined us again to guide us through our procession. It was hot and absolutely packed full with pilgrims and visitors, again I did not see another foreigner. There were markets leading down to the beach, where you could buy a fresh seafood lunch or dinner. The beach was like Currumbin Estuary, silty. Our hotel was quite good and cheap and the hotel restaurant was fantastic, delicious food and great service.

We left Vailankanni after dinner on the 2nd night to travel through to Kovalam, a beach resort on the south west coast, Kerala. It was a rough night drive but we had to make up time as we did not realise that 240 klms would take 5-6 hours in India, the traffic and roads are ridiculous! And did I mention our driver "Muthu" of Chella tours, he must be the best driver in the world! Yes we are now in lovely Kovalm, it is a little cooler as there has been a bit of rain. The beaches hear in Kovalam are lovely little tropical coves with lots of coconut palms. The sand is course and the sea is salty and there is a bit of sea lice. The surf is good and Mikey is taking advantage of that. There are a handful of foreigners and the shopping is like in Mahabliparum, alot of the shops are owned by the Kashmirians, from the north of India, lovely stuff like in "Tree of Life" but kinda expensive for India. It is very hard to bargain them down in the heat, just can't be bothered. Mikey wants to buy me something for my birthday though so maybe today I will find something. I might just get myself a massage for my birthday too!

Tomorrow we leave for Kochin to visit an Uncle and maybe spend a night on a houseboat, until the next internet wifi.....

Mahabliparum, India

We have had a lovely time in Mahabliparum, it is a kinda beach resort area, but still very very raw! Cows are everywhere just like as if there would be kangaroos bouncing around our streets at home! No one owns them, no one feeds them, no one milks them, they poo everywhere! I can't help but look and stare at the dumb cows in the way everywhere. They are just a part of the streetscape! Same in Chennai, cows in a huge city like Sydney! On the traffic islands even!

And Chennai, wow, sooo busy, and hot! We visited Mikey's Aunty, Phyllis Aunty. She is gorgeous, lives in a tiny room in an elderly home, only enough room for a single bed, cupboard, 2 plastic chairs and a bedside table. Painted concrete floor and padlock front door! She still jokes around, she is a character. She spoke of some interesting stories and blessed us. We bought her Cadburys chocolate, her favourite! Charlotte Aunty was also there to visit and see us. She is quieter, but still just as sweet. She is Hindu and had on the most gorgeous Sari.

We then had a late lunch at cousin Johnny's house on the outskirts of Chennai and met his gorgeous wife and 2 girls. We could have stayed there longer they were absolutely beautiful people.

The surf at Shore Temple at Mahabs was fantastic and Mikey and Brendan had a great time surfing every morning. Only a couple of young Indians surf and one morning one Aussie guy went out and a French guy too. There are a handful of foreigners around Mahabs, but the local women stare at me alot, I think it is the blonde hair. Johnny's wife said they only see blonde hair on dolls!

Yes the Jetlag has been a bit of a killer and I am still waking up about 4am which is 8.30am in Australia.

The shopping in Mahabs is good, alot of basic clothes you see in the shop in Australia "Tree of Life". Also jewellery, bags, etc. - a bit like Bali but very raw.

Some photos...

Hi from Trichy, India!

Well we arrived in Trichy safe and sound. The flight to Kuala Lumpur was very good, it was an Air Bus, so the landing was also nice and smooth. Kuala Lumpur reminded me a little like Bangkok and Bali I spose, nice and hot 30degrees and humid. Busy, alot quite modern, some old, green and reasonably clean. Mostly Muslim, Hindu and Indians in KL. Hotel Sentral in good position, satisfactory and clean. Food good. Jumped on monorail next morning and stopped off at Petaling Street where there are heaps of markets. It will be very good shopping on way back. Flight to Trichy was good too, nice new airport, basic though. I think I was the only Blonde on the plane! We were welcomed by Mikey's cousin Johnny with flowers for me and the kids. He is very sweet. We were also welcomed by our driver Chella with a Hindu garland of flowers. Our mini bus is quite new, air conditioned and comfortable. Our hotel is reasonable and comfortable. The kids went swimming in the pool straight away. It is hot 30 degrees or more and humid. Trichy is a small city for India, busy of course, cows on the streets, and it is quite green. We had dinner at our hotel in their very popular full service, air conditioned Restaurant. Lovely buffet packed with Indian food. Jesse got right into it, but MIa still doesn't like any spices yet, but she was a good girl and tried alot of different things. In the end she ate plain rice and chicken and a few little bread rolls and of course a little chocolate cake. She then fell asleep in my arms. We are about 41/2 hrs behind over here, so me and the kids went straight to bed after dinner. I seem to wake up Australian time, so here I am at laptop catching up on emails etc. Anyway, we will be traveling again today in our mini bus first to visit the Rock Fort Temple in Trichy and then to Villuparum where Mikey's parents lived. Then on to Chennai and Mahabliparum on the east coast where we stay for 3 nites and Mikey is hoping for surf!

Everything great so far, we are looking forward to a few days stop at Mahabliparum.

Hi from KL!

Well it has been quite a while since I have blogged, but I thought what a great opportunity to get back into it with documenting our trip to India. It all starts today with our flight from Gold Coast to Kuala Lumpur flying Air Asia. Wow, we are impressed with the Air Asia flight, comfortable and friendly and very safe smooth landing (always tells it all for me). I am dragging around my laptop on this trip and I did some work during the flight.

I liked Kuala Lumpur as soon as I disembarked, 30 degrees and humid! We have only just checked into our hotel and free wifi!! Cool!

So now we are all hungry and are just about to find some dinner and check out some markets or something!

Tomorrow we will spend the morning sight-seeing and then back to the airport in the arvo to South India!

Until the next internet connection we find during our journey...

ZiP-E Logo

Working on a logo for a drawing class and I have just about finalised it in illustrator and it is due this Tuesday. I would love some feedback, on colour etc.

Long Awaited Tea Packaging

It's not the Mad Hatter, I have settled on Storm in a Teacup and after many variations, my 3 prototypes are....

Storm in a Teacup teas are to relax, calm, sooth, comfort and settle any of those worries, and are good for well-being.

Guest Blogger Miranda Lloyd - Pretty Little Thieves

Hi everyone I'm Miranda and I'm contributing to Susie's blog today.
I guess first I should tell you a little about my hats! I wear a few different hats… I have my graphic design hat, illustrator hat, daughter hat, big sister hat, girlfriend hat, best friend hat, toy maker hat and a few others to go along with them.

At the moment I am wearing my inspiration hat and I have found these wonderful illustrations to show you. I found this site called Pretty Little Thieves, on it are some of the cutest and prettiest illustrations, I love the very handmade look to these illustrations, I hope you like them too!

Take a look!

 Here are the links to view more or Pretty Little Thieves...

http://prettylittlethieves.com/home.html

http://prettylittlethieves.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/prettylittlethieves

and you can visit my blog at...

www.raa-aar.posterous.com

http://raa-aar.blogspot.com/

A big thankyou to Susie for letting me contribute to her bog ^-^

Retro

What do you call "Retro"? When do you refer to or describe something as "Retro"? We seem to use this word often to describe something from the past.

Some say Retro is something from the 50's or 60's, some say 70's or 80's.

Actually, "Retro" is a culturally outdated or aged style, trend, mode, or fashion, from the overall postmodern past, but have since that time become functionally or superficially the norm once again.

I love all things retro, they have character, worn and well loved, a story to tell, warm fuzzies, those were the days when.....

Semi-Permanent Brisbane 2010

Yesterday, a few of us from Kingscliff Design attended Semi-Permanent Brisbane and were totally inspired and in awe of each of the 8 speakers.

Alexia Sinclair was an inspiration talking about her study, her travels and beautiful work. I am going to check out her blog!

I am loving the magazine Frankie and it's special appreciation of a little retro, and we received a free issue in our sample bag!

Stephen Dupont is a well known photojournalist and has produced photo essays from some of the most dangerous regions like Afghanistan, Iraq, Burma, Cambodia, Somalia, East Timor and Port Morseby. We were lucky to view his 18 minute short film documenting the war he witnessed in Afghanistan.

Mymo showed us her cute little monsters in the walls of Barcelona and Berlin and was very relaxed and playful.

We had a great day!

If you missed it, definitely attend next year.

D'alliance Carnivale @ Currumbin RSL

So busy, so much to juggle....

Do not miss D'Alliance Carnivale @ Currumbin RSL this weekend.

Comedy, acrobats, story telling, henna tattoos, free art workshops for the kids, clowns, stilt performers, art & sculpture, magicians, live music.... something for the whole family!

Me and my little girl went to the first D'Alliance Carnivale last year and had a fantastic time. This year the event is spread over 4 days with Saturday being free entry.

And that's my little girl dancing last year @ about 3.58 minutes!

Check the full event schedule @....

www.currumbinrsl.com.au/whats-on/read/dalliance-carnivale

You have got to check out "Lightmares"!

Attended the opening of "Lightmares" Saturday night and I very impressed and inspired.

Met with a couple of the artists and I had to say my favourite pieces were the magpie collection by artist/teacher Fiona Kennedy Altoft.

There were some beautiful illustrations by Hannah Smith and some amazing kinetic art by Michael Candy. The Berlin artist, Mymo, had created quite a number of gorgeous little mymonster characters. There is something for everyone!

Fiona Kennedy Altoft

"You can run but you can't hide"

Check it all out @....

www.19karen.com.au

...stumbled upon Heath Killen

Wow, I just happen to stumble upon this freelance Graphic Designer and Artist Heath Killen based in Newcastle and I love his work.

Logos...

Illustrations...

There is so much more and check out Heath Killen's blog...

(particularly the post dated 19 May, re: bank note)

visit www.madebyhk.com

Lightmares @ 19 Karen

LIGHTMARES
22 MAY- 19 JUNE 2010
Opening Night: Sat 22 May, 6-9pm

LIGHTMARES is an 8-week art program held at 19 KAREN invoving an on-site studio residency, exhibitions, workshops, talks,live painting and side-events. Over 50 artworks created at the gallery studio will be showcased at 19 KAREN from 22 May-19 June 2010 featuring works by internationally-renowned Berlin artist MYMO and emerging Australian artists SUSAN SIMONINI, VITOR DOS SANTOS, GEORG WHELAN, HANNAH SMITH, WILL DUNCAN, ABIGAEL WHITTAKER, MCHAEL CANDY, FIONA KENNEDY ALTOFT + JESSE DOLMAN.

See you Saturday night!

W> www.19karen.com.au

Mad Hatter Tea!

This is one of my long awaited Logos for Tea packaging, "Matter Hatter Tea" actually!

My husband loves it and wants it printed on a T-Shirt!?

A T-SHIRT!!

I immediately shelved this design (for a T-Shirt) and continued work on my logo for "Storm in a Teacup". I might tone down the madness!

To be continued.....

Condom Tin Design

This is my response to the Condom Tin Design Competition. The Pop Art influence gave a bright punchy result and the message is a direct hit!

Make sure you vote for my design.

Go to & vote...... http://www.stidesigncompetition.net.au/Vote.aspx?d=ONI61

Thanx heaps!

Ben Frost

In researching and gathering inspiration for the Condom Tin Design Competition, I decided to look into the artwork of Ben Frost, one of the 3 judges for the competition.

I was very drawn to and interested in what I found.

Sydney artist Ben Frost is most well known for his confronting and often controversial Pop Art paintings. Using a 'collage' style of unlikely juxtapositions, his dynamic paintings are complex mash-ups of popular culture that savagely critique our media and advertising obsessed society.

I am keen to go with a Pop Art style for my condom tin design.

I will keep you all "posted"!

visit http://www.benfrostisdead.com