I celebrated my 26th last weekend and here's what happened.

It was a long time coming, and highly anticipated. This past weekend it arrived, and then... It left.  

Drinks for the birthday girl? You bet. (No, not all of them in one sitting... Sorry to disappoint.) 

 I am now officially 26... Over the hump! (And that much closer to 30). I would never have guessed I'd be celebrating my "champagne birthday" in Australia, but I did, and it was an awesome way to spend it. My birthday also coincided with the long weekend, which was nice.

I didn't take a picture of Yelo, but this is what it looked like. Duuude.

The first order of the day was to get coffee by the ocean. We visited the Yelo Cafe by Trigg Beach, a nice place with a very chilled-out vibe to it. Whether it was the location or the people, there was something about this spot that reminded me of a California setting... Or what I believe California to be like. After taking our coffee, we sat on the beach and watched dogs run amok, like the hooligans they are.

 Later, we went out for drinks (as demonstrated above), and then J&P and I went for dinner at Jamie's Italian. (Harrison had to politely decline on coming because it was passed his bedtime). We didn't get a table until 8, but that was fine with us. We passed the time with a few games and more drinks because... 26.

Dinner was pretty good; no, it was really good. But of course, when it comes from the Jamie Oliver empire, you can expect nothing less. We had a bunch of appetizers to start, and for my main course I had a gourmet burger with fries. I would have taken more pictures, but it was all too beautiful to live.

The lasting proof that I ever ate at Jamie's. This was my baked ravioli starter with a killer chilli pepper. Eat one, and your mouth will and throat (and possibly stomach) will burn for 5 minutes after consumption. You have been warned.

The rest of the night passed for us in a drunk/eaten-too-much stupor, and we stumbled home shortly after 11.

On the Sunday after, we ventured out to the Swan Valley. We first visited a place called the Cheese Barrel; they had a variety of cheeses from all over the globe, and you could order a selection of cheese and wine off the menu. We got a cheese plate of cheddar*, edam, blue cheese and brie, and ate out on the patio, because it was such lovely weather. Harrison, meanwhile, had some fun in the sandbox. (Yes, it had three gigantic sand boxes for children.) 

*I got myself some aged cheddar cheese. It was finished by the end of the week.

When we were finished with our cheesy indulgences, we headed up the road to the House of Honey for a sweeter level of indulgence. It was a very pleasant and welcoming place, with flowers galore. It was also a surprisingly busy place--people love their honey, it would seem. (And so do I.)

All sorts of pretty.

Winnie the Pooh would be overwhelmed.

They had an amazing variety of honeys, and honey/beeswax products...  There's also a cafe, where they use honey in all of their homemade goods. Needless to say, I'll be coming back here before I have to go home.

The famous Australian iced coffee. This one's particularly special, however, because there's honey ice cream in it!

My newest obsessions.

As for holiday Monday, we went back to the beach and enjoyed the sun. And that concludes my birthday weekend! Next year I hope to be spending my 27th at the casino.

Yelo cafe image from here