What’s stacked in Pak!
this month! Editor’s Note
FEATURES 4 Easter Holiday Fun 10 Feng Shui for Children 16 Choc Full of Chocolate!!! 21 April Fool!!! 25 Essential Tips for Internation Travel with Kids 27 Real Easter Eggs that last Forever 46 Bridging the Gap when the family breaks up 52 Easter Egg Hunts - Fun for the Whole Family 58 Where did the Easter Bunny come from? REGULARS
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Sea FM Daddy Diary Mummy Motivator Restaurant Review Time for a Laugh PaK Monthly Medical Walking on the Wild side With Jenna Mothers Group Goss Kids in the Kitchen with Teah Look Like a Star with Candy Designer Dress Ups Family Holiday Tips Out & About Photos PaK MaG Mini Mag Pull out for Mag for Kids Colour it in to Win! Easter Jokes Did you Know? PaK Activity Extravaganza
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Whats on in Cairns to make Family Plans Bopstars Bulletin #2 Best Bunny Movies PaK Animal Facts PaK MaG Awesome Achievement Awards PaK MaG Community Notice Board Pet Tips & Hints Fav Pet Shots Pak Review DIY PaK Projects PaK Health & Fitness BCC - Movie Review Focus on a Fundraiser PaK List Student Times PaK Vouchers PaK Activity Answers PaK Activity Answers Prize Winners Business Directory Essential Information
The PaK MaG Crew Editor: Bree James Sub Editor: Graham Thompson Articles: Leigh Fraser-Gray, Barbara Randle, Nicole George & submitted writers Graphic Design & Layout: Marika Thompson Cover Photo by: Marika Thompson Contact Us Phone: 4031 9915 Fax: 4031 9916 Email: info@pakmag.com.au Postal: PO Box 7433, Cairns QLD 4870 Enquiries Sales & Advertising enquiries: sales@pakmag.com.au Stories, events, distribution to : info@pakmag.com.au Subscriptions to :subscription@pakmag.com.au Photos to : photos@pakmag.com.au
Hello and Welcome to the 9th edition of PaK MaG our Easter Eggstravaganza This month we get you ready for Easter with some great cooking tips from Teah, we give you all the good things about chocolate PLUS we have a fantastic colouring in competition this month where you can win Easter baskets from Mount Sheridan Plaza. Easter was always a fun time in the James house-my mum always made sure we left a carrot out for the Easter Bunny and sure enough an Easter egg hunt in the back yard always came to fruition. Strangely enough I loved the Easter egg hunt, but always had the majority of my eggs left the following Easter (oh how things have changed!) The most prominent Easter memory I have is when one of my primary school teachers gave us eggs to make into little Easter Egg babies-we received adoption certificates and where encouraged to make sure the Easter egg baby lasted at least the whole day- mine lasted five years before my mum was allowed to throw out little rose. Yes I had attachment issues to chocolate; thankfully as an adult I have overcome them. Enjoy the time with your family, stay safe and don’t forget to tell everyone-you read it in PaK MaG
Disclaimer:: No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be re-produced, in part or in whole without the expressed permission of the editor. Whilst the greatest of care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at the time of going to press, readers are advised to check details before visiting. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. The opinions expressed within PaK Magazine are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.
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Easter H liday Fun!! The Pak Mag family believe that you can never have too many holidays. And although some of us have barely recovered from Christmas and the New Year, Easter is upon us and with a bit of luck some rest and relaxation is on the cards for many families. So here's a few ideas for your Easter break whether you're staying at home or venturing away.
EASTER AT HOME EASTER ON THE 'NARD Good Friday (21st March) 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Foreshore Fire
Saturday (22nd March) 8.00am - 4.00pm
Carpentaria Masonic Lodge Fundraiser Sausage Sizzle for the Cairns Hear & Say Centre. The charity supports children with hearing impediments and their families. All money raised will go to the Cairns branch and stay in Cairns!
8.00am - 5.00pm
Esplanade Markets (receive an entry ticket for every ten dollars spent at any one market stall and go in the draw to win a fabulous Easter hamper)
9.00am 1.00pm
Bopstars Jumping Castle and Face Painting (bunny noses and or more)
9.00am 10.30pm
Bopstars Kids Show with special guest “The Easter Bunny�
12.00pm - 3.00pm
Out Of The Blue Duo
4.00pm - 7.00pm
Clare de Loon Trio
Easter Sunday (23rd March) 4.00pm - 7.00pm
Lucky Phil Solo
GREEN ISLAND Great Adventures has a 30% locals' discount that is available all year round. (So do the Quicksilver cruises) There's a number of packages available but for the "Green Island Eco Adventure" with the 30% discount applied, the fare to Green Island would be $46.90 for adults and $23.45 for kids. This includes:
- Return fast catamaran transfers - Morning tea/coffee served until departure from Cairns - Choice of glass bottom boat coral viewing tour or use of snorkelling equipment - Self guided Eco Island Walk - Exclusive use of the Island swimming pool - Use of day visitor facilities
The family can pack an esky or enjoy lunch and refreshments at one of the island's food outlets. There are a number of optional activities available on the island such as scuba diving, parasailing, canoeing and there's even the Marineland Melanesia crocodile habitat to visit. 2
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EASTER ADVENTURES CLOSE TO HOME THE SAVANNAHLANDER - 1800 793 848 or www.savannahlander.com.au Departs Friday 21 March and returns evening Easter Monday (4 day trip)
PACKAGE 1 - TRAIN 'N TOURS - Savannahlander at Almaden Save with this package - do the full trip and see all the sights! This package offers all the tours, but staying in accommodation in Forsayth and Mt Surprise, rather than out at the tour sites. Includes transfers, tours of Chillagoe Caves and town, Cobbold Gorge and Undara, dinner and breakfast at overnight accommodation, which is at the Chillagoe Eco Lodge (ensuite cabins), Forsayth Tourist Park and Bedrock Village Van Park (ensuite cabins) in Mt Surprise. Cost: (per person twin Share) - 2008 Prices Adult $799.00 - Conc $766.00 - Child $399.50 - Single Supp +$78.00
PACKAGE 2 - ECONOMY TRAIN BUFFS - Almaden Here is a package for budget travellers. Stay at the historic Post Office Hotel in Chillagoe , Goldfields Hotel, Forsayth and shared facility air conditioned cabin at the Mt Surprise tourist park. Dinner and breakfast is included at Forsayth and Mt Surprise. Great meals from $10.00 are available at the Post Office Hotel in Chillagoe. Cost: (per person twin Share) - 2008 Prices Adult $506.00 - Conc $473.00 - Child$254.20 - Single Supp+$33.00
The Savannahlander departs on its four day adventure from Cairns Station on Wednesday Mornings at 6.30 am, except during the week leading to Easter. During Easter, the Savannahlander travels during the four day holiday period, departing Cairns on Good Friday, and returning on the evening of Easter Monday. While the rest of Cairns is only just stirring into life, the train quietly slips out through the Northern Suburbs of Cairns, Freshwater and Redlynch, where it then begins its ascent of the famous Kuranda Range. Stops are made at Stoney Creek to view the falls, Barron Falls and Kuranda. From here we follow the Barron River around to Mareeba . After a short stop, we proceed to the small town of Mutchilba for a morning tea stop, then a quick visit to Dimbulah . From here cultivated fields and agriculture give way to the rugged bush, and we begin more ascents up the Featherbed and the Lappa ranges. At 1.00 pm we arrive at the first day's destination, Almaden where lunch is available and most passengers will transfer over to Chillagoe by coach for an afternoon of touring the caves and their overnight accommodation. Thursday morning is an 8.00 am departure from Almaden bound for Mt Surprise and Forsayth. Enroute, we stop at Bullock Creek for morning tea, Mt Surprise for Lunch, then Einasleigh for an afternoon leg stretch and refreshments. After Einasleigh, we climb the rugged Newcastle Range, then pass through the stunning Delaney Gorge before terminating at our destination of Forsayth . Passengers are either transferred to Cobbold gorge or enjoy a relaxing evening in the town.
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TINAROO TROPICAL HOUSEBOATS - Ph: (07) 4095 8322 www.laketinaroo.com.au Discover one of Australia's best kept secrets.....Spectacular Lake Tinaroo, the jewel in the crown of the Atherton Tablelands, is just an hour drive from tropical Cairns, North Queensland. With over 200kms of scenic shoreline, this beautiful freshwater eco-system delights naturelovers, adventurers & photographers alike. Aboard your houseboat you can spend lazy days cruising, swimming & fishing, or bushwalking in the magnificent forests. If you're a keen photographer or nature-lover, you'll be delighted with the abundance of tropical flora and fauna all around you. Swim and enjoy other water activities all year round. Watch over 300 species of birds on & around the lake. If you're quiet, you may even catch a glimpse of a timid platypus. There's challenging year round fishing for world-record size barramundi or try the famous local delicacy - redclaw freshwater crayfish. Your houseboat is simple to operate, no licence is required & we include a detailed map of Cruising routes and mooring sites along with friendly personal instruction on arrival. All houseboats are fully self-contained with deckchairs, gas stove, fridge, hot shower and toilet, mattresses, pillows, cooking & eating utensils. Just bring food, beverages and linen (Sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, tea towels). Alternatively linen can be provided by prior arrangement. With your choice of luxury or economy sized houseboats this is a unique & relaxing adventure holiday for couples, families & friends. We invite you to create your own holiday...the possibilities are endless.... 4 Night Minimum Easter Weekend: Economy $1090 / Luxury $1660
EASTER ADVENTURES DOWN SOUTH SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW
www.eastershow.com.au
The Sydney Royal Easter Show is Australia's largest annual event, a nationally iconic showcase of many of the elements that make up Australian culture and heritage. The Show aims to recognise achievements in agriculture through competition, and promote awareness among city Showgoers, honouring our agricultural heritage whilst providing a platform for the future. Live music, extreme action performances, entertainment, sideshow, food, rides, and shopping make up the rest of the Show, providing a dynamic entertainment experience for the whole family. Don't miss the 2008 Show, from 20 March - 2 April at Sydney Showground. O Around 15,000 competitors showcase the very best in breeds and livestock, art, food and produce each year at the Show, competing for a prestigious Sydney Royal Blue Ribbon. o Live music featuring Australia's hottest talent on the stage, extreme sideshow, street performance, comedy, culture and entertainment for all ages. o Shopping at the Show provides a one-of-a-kind retail experience featuring gourmet Australian food & wine, home & garden products, hand-made Clothing, arts & crafts, Showbags, health & beauty products, and much more. o Interactive education including hands-on farming experiences, food production demonstrations, cooking shows, animal nursery and much more. The Sydney Royal Easter Show is a world class event unique to Australian culture. Around 900,000 visitors attend each year making it one of the largest events of its kind in the world. 24
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daddy
Diary
Daddy Diary Entry # Nine Summer
I recently woke up to what I thought, in my dream like state of consciousness, was two cats making love but as my brain came into focus I realised it was Summer trying to sing. Well off key and not within coo-ee of a note, but still the sweetest song I've ever heard. Her little vocal chords Desperately reaching for a melody. Just like her old man, couldn't carry a tune if it had handles.
Albeit with a very limited vocabulary she's finding her voice, is our Summer. I love simply listening to her garble to herself. I'm sure it all makes perfect sense in her world, to me it's like listening to Keith Richards talk after a big night on the sauce with the Stones. Fascinating, without being able to clearly identify one word. She has three words in her vocab bag at the moment. 'Mummy' sounds cute when she says it. 'Baby' even cuter. And 'DADA' it's deep and low and sort of scary, she sounds like the drag queen Cara VanPark. When Summer drops her first F-word I'm going to do what most Dad's who swear like a trooper do. Blame Daycare. I look forward to her learning our language and listening to her excitedly recount the days stories with speed and purpose because I know as she gets older and becomes a teenager the vocab shrinks back to 'yep', 'nup', 'nothin', 'sort of', 'dunno' and 'I hate you'. Love, Dave xo
Dave and Gabby - the Sea FM Morning crew live weekdays from 5.30am
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WIN By Deborah Storer To all you Mummy’s out there!! How would you like to win a Motivalional Flip Chart By Deborah Storer All you need to do is ask Deborah a question, and the question that gets published next month by Deborah Storer WINS!! Please email your questions to pakmag@deborahstorer.com.au to enter. Good Luck Mummy’s!! www.pakmag.com.au
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Restaurant Review By Natasha Reidel
This month we thought we would head into mums kitchen for dinner- I know mums cook most of the time- however this month we thought we would share a recipe from one of our readers. We all know eating out is GREAT but our mums are usually the best cooks and a home cooked meal is always the best! This is a great chicken dish perfect for Good Friday or any night really! Enjoy.
Simple Moroccan Chicken (low-fat) Ingredients (serves 4) * 500g chicken fillet, cut into 2cm dice * 3 tbs (1/4 cup) flour, seasoned with salt and pepper * 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil * 2 onions, sliced * 2 tsp ground cinnamon * 1/4 tsp ground cloves * 2 tsp sumac* * 3 tbs (1/4 cup) sultanas * 1 cup (250ml) chicken stock * 50g toasted pine nuts* * 3 tbs (1/4 cup) chopped fresh coriander * Juice of 1 lemon, plus wedges to serve * Couscous, Greek yoghurt and Lebanese bread, to serve Method 1. 2.
Toss chicken in the flour. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large frypan over high heat until hot, then cook chicken in batches until golden and set aside. Heat remaining oil in pan. Add onions, reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes, stirring, until golden and softened. Return chicken to pan with spices, sultanas and stock. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes until heated through and thickened slightly. Stir in pine nuts, coriander and lemon juice. Serve with couscous, yoghurt, bread and lemon.
Notes & tips * * Sumac is a purple, lemony spice used in North African and Middle Eastern cooking. From spice stores and selected delis. * * Ready-toasted pine nuts are available from supermarkets
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