admin March 19th, 2010
I’m not thrilled by a great deal these days, but having dinner and a cooking class with Rick Stein in his new restaurant at Mollymook (3 hrs south of Sydney) is the best thing I’ve done in ages. I have been a fan because he is so down to earth and uncheffy, and he does a good line is gastro-tourism with his very entertaining TV series – French Odyssey (canal boating thru France), Mediterranean Escapes and coming to ABC TV in May Far Eastern Odyssey. All of these by the way come with the same-name cookbook. He is just as charming and passionate in person, as on film.
Rick Stein at Bannisters (Bannisters is a boutique hotel at Mollymook) is the first restaurant he has done outside his home base of Padstow in the UK. We were part of a group of foodies who spent 2 days at the hotel indulging in some excellent food, a dinner with Rick and a cooking class at his nearby home. Here is a very easy recipe he gave us, perfect for your next dinner party:
Marinated Tuna with Passionfruit, Lime & Coriander
“Chefs agree that tuna is best served rare. Here I’ve taken the idea of a ceviche and added some Australian flavours — but don’t marinate the fish for longer than 10 minutes.” Rick Stein
3cm thick piece of tuna loin fillet (or Atlantic Salmon)
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 passionfruit
3 tablespoons sunflower oil
1 medium/hot green chilli, seeded and finely chopped
1 teaspoon caster sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt plus ground black pepper
Slice tuna into very thin slices. Lay slices overlapping onto plaates. Just before serving make the dressing. Sieve passionfruit pulp into a bowl to extract the juice and mix the rest of the ingredients. Spoon marinade over tuna for 10 minutes only and serve.
Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel at Noosa organised the trip, and hopefully will be able to do another … after Rick has filmed his northern Spain/Portugal TV series. noosa@gregorlewis.com.au or phone 5447 4666.
admin October 4th, 2009
Did you know that you can take a 2 1/2 hr canal boat ride, starting in the centre of Paris (under the Bastille) and finishing in the gentrified suburb of Parc de la Villette? The cruise takes you via the 100 year old Canal Saint Martin, through four locks and two swing bridges, pasts retro style cafes and shows you ‘Parisians’ Paris’. Whilst in a long tunnel at the beginning of the trip they give you a “Sound and Light” history trip of the area. Quite unlike anything else we have ever done in Paris. You can catch the Metro back into Paris from Parc de la Villette. More info: www.canauxrama.com
admin October 3rd, 2009
We have just returned from Paris and this time we took an apartment for 5 nights, rather than a hotel room. Paris hotel rooms are notoriously miniscule (they must price real estate there by the square inch), and even though our “apartment” was hardly commodious it was still the much better option. Get a one bedroom not a studio, so that if one of you is jetlagged you have the living room to read your book, rather than perching on the toilet in the middle of the night. We used ParisAddress.com which gives you excellent information (including the square meterage of the unit) and you can book in real time. It pays to do your homework on which areas of Paris you prefer. We like Ile Saint Louis (the little island behind Notre Dame) because it’s 17th century little streets are like a village in the heart of Paris. Other areas to consider are the Marais (the medieval Jewish sector) and The Latin Quarter. I prefer to avoid the Champs Elysee and Louvre areas because of the wide boulevards and traffic. If you are set on a hotel check out Hotel du Jeu de Paume on the Ile Saint Louis (www.jeudepaumehotel.com) — small and full of character.
Another option is VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) which Kathy from Lets Travel told me about (minimum 2 nights). Kathy said that she did this very successfully in Rome, where the owner picked them up at the Airport and showed them the nuts and bolts of the apartment.
admin August 4th, 2009
Just returned from Sydney and can recommend these 2 hotels — ones that you may not have considered before:
The Lord Nelson Hotel
The Lord Nelson Hotel — said to be the oldest hotel in Sydney, it is situated in the Rocks area in a quiet backwater on the corner of Argyle Place & Kent Street. It is a micro brewery, popular bar, brasserie and rooms. The queen or king bedrooms with ensuite and breakfast (with contemporary fitout) cost $190. The rooms offer individual charm and with only 9 rooms you wont find any specials for this hotel on Wotif. I would however check how noisy it gets downstairs in the bar in the evenings.
Observatory Hotel
The Observatory Hotel – is now 16 years old but has the timeless appearance of an old (but stylish) English aunt. The rooms are huge and luxurious and as a “small” hotel of 100 rooms you are really looked after by staff who really care. Although they do have harbour view rooms (Darling Harbour, not the more spectacular views you get from Circular Quay hotels) I would choose the city view rooms – their standard room at $315 per night, and worth every penny. (There may be specials on Wotif.) It also has an amazing subterranean heated pool with twinkling LED lights on a deep blue ceiling — just like the movies — and a spa for massages and facials. The high tea is quite special too. This hotel is part of the Orient-Express group of unique hotels, cruises and luxury rail advantures.
Marilyn April 13th, 2009
I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do this year is shoe-horn myself onto a plane for 25 hours and go to depressed Europe or the UK. I have better things to do with my money.
With this thought in mind we recently spent 2 wks in one of our favourite places — New Zealand. Close to home, and great value for money (the exchange rate is very much in our favour at the moment), NZ offers relaxed touring on uncongested roads, great food, wine and accommodation options and fabulous scenery … not a grey gum tree in sight.
International carriers like Emirates are only charging about $200 each way to Auckland, a city remarkably like Brisbane in size and feel. We had two outstanding meals there – at the French Cafe (not a bit like a cafe, but a quietly elegant upmarket restaurant), and Soul at the Viaduct on the harbour. Both remarkably busy considering that New Zealand has been in recession for over a year now.
Whilst in Auckland try to spend time on a nearby island called Waiheke, a charming 45 minute ferry trip from Auckland harbour. There are some excellent overnight accommodation options or just go over for the day. Besides being very scenic, there are wineries and olive oil producers — have lunch at Mudbrick Restaurant or Cable Bay Vineyards. Take a private tour of the island in a 6 seater bus with Christine Gisby www.seewaiheke.co.nz
A 40 minute drive north of Auckland is Matakana, a small village with an exceptional Farmers’ Market every Sat morning. Introduced to us by Lauraine Jacobs, a food editor with Cuisine Magazine (one of the best food mags in the world we believe, and comes bi-monthly out of little NZ). She has written a book about Matakana (recipes, where to stay and eat) so tap into some local knowledge and buy it directly from her: jacobs@ihug.co.nz
New Zealand is an easy place to discover yourself, but here are a few tips: Continue Reading »
Marilyn April 7th, 2008
Whilst moored in Madang Lagoon, 27 of us chartered a plane for the short flight to Goroka to see the famed Mudmen. Those who remained on board had the option of just having a relaxed look around the town and markets, a more involved tour which included a trip to the village of Bilbil (famous for its pots) for a sing-sing, or go scuba diving.
The mudmen were fascinating and the trip also involved visiting a coffee plantation, museum and the local Goroka markets.
Since the Australians departed PNG the economy is fragile with, we’re told, corruption rife. The traditional clan (Wontok) system does not blend well with democracy and it will probably take a couple of generations for this country to get its act together. Nevertheless, the people we met were happy, healthy and many spoke English — compliments of the various church groups that still hold sway in PNG. Of course we did not visit Moresby and Lae where things are more chaotic.
In the Milne Bay area we visited a tiny island on Easter Sunday and attended the lovely stone church for a service. The harmonising voices of 100 locals soared above the pounding of a tropical storm. These people are strong, with deep faith.
Marilyn April 7th, 2008
Francis and I are a bit over travel as hard slog, so when a friend recommended that we see PNG aboard the expedition ship ‘Orion’, it sounded right up our alley. This Australian owned, small luxury ship (takes 100 passengers with 70 crew) is part owned by Paspaley Pearls and everything about it spells class. Menus are by Serge Dansereau (of Bathers Pavilion fame) and the food was superb. Likewise, the service, spaceous cabins, friendly efficient staff … absolutely flawless.
The ship goes only to small, remote locations – having first organised the villagers to welcome us with special dances, firewalking, historic tours (related to World War 11), and just to show us their way of life. We mostly did “wet landings” via Zodiacs and the ship has very knowledgeable expedition leaders who have great local knowledge. Highly recommended.
On a small ship like this you meet everyone, it’s quite a personal experience. One amazing 92 year old gentleman, who had been in the area during the War, went on all the tours including being transfered from Zodiacs to traditional outrigger canoes for a paddle up the Sepik!
Genuine, well-priced artifacts (carvings, pots, baskets and shells) were a bonus of our visit.
Marilyn October 10th, 2007
A great read to get you in the mood to see a more personal side of Paris — ‘True Pleasures, A Memoir of Women in Paris’ by Australian author Lucinda Holdforth. She tells the stories of Collette, Marie Antoinette, Nancy Mitford, Pompadour, Coco Chanel and others, all strong women who made their mark. She introduces you to some of their favourite places in Paris: Continue Reading »
Marilyn October 10th, 2007
Carcossonne – An almost perfectly restored walled city between Toulouse and Montpellier, it is of course crawling with tourists during the day but I recommend you stay at a hotel within the walls and emerge at night (everything is floodlit) to eat and enjoy the magic. Take the tour of the castle.
Hotel Donjon — hotel.donjon.best.western@wanadoo.fr. 132-157E high season for a double room. Old world setting.
Hotel de la Cite — www.hoteldelacite.com if you are feeling cashed up, this Orient Express luxury hotel is wonderful. 375-525E per double. Or just drop in for a drink as we did but expect to pay $A14 for a beer — worth it though.
Continue Reading »
Marilyn October 10th, 2007
I think I have discovered my all-time favourite area to stay in Paris — Ile St Louis, the little island behind Notre Dame. This was the first part of Paris to be settled by the Romans and is like a separate little village in the heart of Paris. It’s also an easy walk to the interesting bits of the Left Bank and the fascinating old jewish sector, The Marais.
As you can tell by the photo (left), it was World Cup time Continue Reading »
