Two months before my wedding, I flew from Bangkok to Sydney to meet my girls. Harbour views, ocean pools, late nights and white sand in the Whitsundays.
By Dee Gerodias Gilbert · Oct 10, 2026 · 7 min read
February 2019. The wedding was in April, my inbox was full of seating plans and work deadlines, and I badly needed a few days off from all of it.
Part 1 of my bachelorette was a quiet one: just me and a girlfriend, up in the mountains of Thailand, playing with elephants. Part 2 was louder. I flew from Bangkok to Sydney, where friends flying in from Singapore met up with friends who were already in Australia, and from there we went on to Melbourne and Hamilton Island.
- Part 1Northern ThailandMountains and elephants
- Part 2 · Stop 1SydneyStraight off the plane from Bangkok
- Part 2 · Stop 2MelbourneMore friends, more catching up
- Part 2 · Stop 3Hamilton IslandSailing the Whitsundays
The whole trip, in minutes
A quick look back at the girls, the harbour and the islands. Press play, then come back for the photos.
Watch on YouTube →Getting everyone into one city at the same time is its own small miracle. Some of the girls flew in from Singapore, some were already living in Australia, and one more friend turned up partway through just to celebrate with me.
No seating plans, no to-do lists. Just my girls and a lot of sunshine.
Harbour days and ocean pools
Boarding pass in hand, I landed in Sydney and went straight into holiday mode. Ferries across the harbour, a reunion at the Opera House, the coastal walk to Bondi, lazy hours at the Icebergs pool and a very colourful brunch.
Little black dresses, big nights
By night we dressed up. Cocktails at Palmer & Co, a grand old bar with paintings on the walls, a bottle of bubbles wrapped in stars, and another friend who came to celebrate with me.
White sand and turquoise water
Then north to Hamilton Island and a few days on a boat. Whitehaven sand, the view over Hill Inlet, snacks on deck and the dinghy run to shore. Some of these I could only share later, after I dropped my phone into the sea.
We ended it the only way that made sense: one very large tomahawk steak at Chophouse Sydney, a bottle of red and these ladies. Two months later I walked down the aisle, a little more rested and very well loved.
If you’re planning yours, my one piece of advice: go somewhere with your favourite people, and leave the wedding admin at home.
Warmly, Dee ♥︎
