True to its title, March definitely has quick-timed by leaving us feeling a bit breathless if I’m trustworthy. And wanting again via all we’ve executed this month, it’s little surprise.
Cruise ship excursions, Socceroo wins, fishing mayhem and a Fawlty Towers escapade — all punctuated with an unimaginable journey to Laos — managed to squeeze into the final 31 days.
Here’s extra about March ’25.
Cheers
Jim & Christina xx
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It’s been some time since we final had a tour of a cruise ship. I discover them fascinating. So a lot packed into a comparatively small area that’s set to drift across the ocean for days and even months at a time.
This is Cunard’s newest ship the Queen Anne, and it’s the primary time she’s berthed in Sydney.
Things kick off with a lavish backyard get together on the pool deck overlooking the Opera House.
There’s even an ice sculpture right here, in addition to a enjoyable form of whack-a-mole wall the place you ring a ship’s bell and a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne seems via considered one of three portholes.
Soon we’re off on a tour of the ship that takes us from high to backside. We see the varied eating places — of which there are 15, together with a sushi bar and Irish pub, a formidable spa zone and even an 850-seat theatre that has two exhibits per evening in addition to acts happening all through the day.
She’s an unimaginable ship. The solely time we’ve actually been on a cruise was ages in the past after we have been on an expedition voyage with National Geographic and that had underneath 100 passengers on board.
The Queen Anne has a capability of just below 3,000, so whether or not this type of journey is for us nonetheless stays to be seen. But like I say, she’s a wonderful vessel.
You can see our IG Reel of our tour of the Queen Anne right here.
We’re very excited at present — not solely to be travelling internationally once more, however as a result of we’re going to a brand new nation: we’re off to Laos! Here’s a photograph of our tasty Thai lunch whereas we transit via Bangkok Airport.
Sandwiched — or maybe burrito’d — by nations on all sides, Laos is landlocked by Thailand to the west, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, and Myanmar and China northward.
Of course, we’ll have so many tales to let you know about this journey, which we made with InfacetAsia, however for the second, right here’s the top-line stuff.
Our first cease is in Laos’ capital, Vientiane, an fascinating little metropolis proper on the Mekong River, which marks the Lao-Thai border.
As far as Asian capitals go, this one doesn’t have an enormous quantity happening, however it’s a good way to moist your toes within the nation. While we’re right here, our information, the wonderful Sakhoe, takes us round among the many Buddhist temples in Vientiane and to the Victory Arch — a monument to Lao’s independence from French colonisation
We additionally go to some glorious cultural spots like COPE(Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise) Visitor Centre, targeted on consciousness of unexploded ordinance from the Vietnam War, and Lao Disabled Women’s Centre, which supplies coaching and shelter to deprived and disabled girls.
Next, we hop on the nation’s model new high-speed prepare that takes us as much as Vang Vieng. Once a identified backpacker hotspot, this odd little city nonetheless has a considerably unpolished vibe, however its unimaginable countryside, missed by large domes of karst mountains, is nicely value visiting.
We have a morning sizzling air balloon journey amongst the karsts and an interesting tour of an area Kmhmu village. Laos has 49 distinct ethnicities with 160 ethnic teams coming from that. Kmhmu is essentially the most populous of these teams.
Our final — and to be trustworthy our favorite — cease on the prepare is Luang Prabang. Normally, to get from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, you’re taking a look at a bumpy eight-hour drive via mountain roads. The prepare will get you there in underneath an hour.
Luang Prabang is a wonderful spot clenched within the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Khan Rivers. There’s lots to do right here, from tumbling waterfalls and romantic river cruises to MandaLao Elephant Conservation Centre and Living Land water buffalo dairy and farm.
But the city itself is fairly and fascinating, excellent for wandering round, sampling among the native meals and having fun with the laid-back environment of this little riverside city.
Our excellent information AK exhibits us all the most effective components of his hometown, however all too quickly we’re making our solution to the airport for our flight house.
While we’re decompressing from the wonderful but busy journey to Laos, we benefit from one of many final evenings of late summer season climate and chill out in our backyard for a spot of backgammon and a glass of wine.
This is considered one of our most favorite spots on this planet. We really feel very fortunate to have the ability to name this little spot house.
This night, I’m out with my pal Ben Groundwater. Courtesy of Destination NSW, we’re fortunate sufficient to attain sell-out seats on the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between the Socceroos and Indonesia!
It’s an ideal recreation, made higher by the 5-1 scoreline to Australia, however made even higher than that by the massive Indonesian contingent within the stands. Their vitality and enthusiasm is so contagious, and never even the one-sided outcome dampens their spirits.
Tonight, our mates Kath and Jarrod are spherical for a spot of fishing. It’s been ages since we caught up with these beautiful folks, and even longer since we forged a line.
Christina dominates the haul with some beautiful little bream, however when she pulls her line in for the final time, on the tip is a really grumpy moray eel. In my naive try to unhook this toothy beast, it whips spherical and slices my finger open with its sharp gnashers.
My fault — and I’m not offended. After all, what a narrative to inform. I simply hope it leaves a scar so I can ‘do a Richard Dreyfuss’ a la Jaws. #iykyk
Christina and I are out for lunch at present. We’re in our previous stomping floor, Surry Hills. We’ve heard lots in regards to the large stuffed Yorkshire pudding of the Foresters, so at present’s the day.
The Foresters has modified a lot since we lived right here. I really boycotted this venue for a lot of a 12 months due to a nasty expertise I had with the workers. Now, its gentle and ethereal renovation and pleasant workers could have put it again on my ‘safe to visit’ checklist.
As for the enormous Yorkshire, it’s fairly good. In the type of a Sunday roast that you would be able to get any day of the week and a special meat served every week too, it’s positively value testing. I’ve hit the jackpot at present as this week’s protein is brisket.
However, I nonetheless maintain a rivalry right here. Foresters claims the enormous Yorkshire pudding stuffed with goodies as their very own invention, however this can be a pretty well-known amount in English pubs. In reality, it was a large Yorkshire stuffed with every kind of roast goodies that obtained me out of a homesick funk after I was at college many (many) years in the past.
This one on the Foresters is nice, however does measure up towards my nostalgia?
We’ve obtained a stunning bundle at present from considered one of our favorite Sydney distilleries: Solander Rum Co. in Botany.
From their father or mother distillery (Banks & Solander Distillery) these guys make great gin and limoncello, and world-beating espresso liqueur (critically, the distiller provides like a dozen pictures of precise espresso pictures to the combination), in addition to a bunch of different scrumptious spirits.
But house owners Ed and Marty Svehla have simply launched their newest rum launch. From a single 200-litre ex-bourbon cask, the place it’s been ageing quietly for the final three years and 4 months, this uncommon rum is one thing extraordinary.
On the nostril, you’ll discover candy fruity notes of bitter cherry and oaky vanilla alongside a contact of true blue Aussie funk that appears to be in all our aged spirits and one thing I at all times look ahead to.
To style, you instantly style the candy supple notes of American oak and the Heaven Hill bourbon it as soon as held. There’s additionally a healthful nuttiness to this rum and tropical notes of banana and roasted pineapple that sit properly alongside the spice and unctuousness from the Aussie molasses.
Also, bottled at a formidable 48percentABV (diluted down from a heady in-cask of 56%), this rum lingers delightfully on the palate, coating your mouth in a syrupy, oily spirit that you just’ll solely need to add an ice dice to or maybe a touch of bitters for an quaint.
Get your bottle of Solander Rum SRC-2632 right here.
Today, Christina and I are again up within the Blue Mountains. We’re within the fairly city of Leura — particularly within the Leura Gardens Resort.
Not removed from its large sister lodge, the extra formal Fairmont Blue Mountains, Leura Gardens has extra of that ‘retro-motel’ vibe. Far from the considerably scary price range roadside choice that motels as soon as proffered, the development for these smartened-up variations is a number of enjoyable. Our keep within the Hillcrest Motel in Merimbula is a superb instance of that.
This lodge is about on the historic Lady Fairfax Garden, which dates again to the Twenties. These stunning gardens are stuffed with dramatic timber, vibrant color and even bluebells.
Modelled on Lady Mabel Fairfax’s reminiscences of her English gardens and woodland again house, then added to with a Japanese aptitude within the Nineteen Sixties, this can be a must-visit for any horticulturalist.
The unique home that stood right here burnt to the bottom within the bushfires of 1957, however the backyard stays, and the lodge that exists now, with its current renovation, is a superb place to remain within the Blue Mountains.
Our room — a Pool View Balcony Studio — is neat and well-thought via. Touches like comfortable chairs, material art work and a really sharp lavatory suite deliver the room proper into line with what you’d count on from a contemporary lodge with retro origins.
The views from the little balcony out over the pool and the gorgeous gardens, and with the golf course within the distance, give the room that additional pop of delight.
But we’re not right here to simply overview the lodge.
To coincide with the centenary of the Lady Fairfax Gardens, the sensible comedy Fawlty Towers can be turning 50 this 12 months (are you able to imagine it?!), with its first episode airing in 1975.
Christina with Sybil Faulty aka Monique Lewis Reynolds
In line with the ‘70s feel that the motel still retains, it’s an ideal match for the exceptional Faulty Towers Dining Experience.
Interactive Theatre — an Australian efficiency firm that began in 1997 — has been operating the Faulty Towers Dining Experience from the start. It now excursions globally in 43 nations.
I’m not often a theatre individual, nor do I take pleasure in viewers participation — a two-word horror story that sends shivers down my backbone. So as time for supper approaches, we transfer to the restaurant with some trepidation.
As we take drinks within the foyer earlier than dinner, we change into conscious of a tall man with a suspicious moustache transferring via the gang. Behind him, one other man, with a simian gait and sporting a white butler’s uniform, follows him intently.
The shenanigans are about to start.
The snooty, irascible Basil Fawlty, performed by Jack Newell, and his comedian foil Manuel, performed by Adrian Espulso, are good representations of the unique. Full of confused instructions and silliness, it’s a brilliantly run present.
And then the screech of “Basil!” rents the air. Below a superbly teased beehive, the dolled-up visage of Sybil Fawlty, performed by the beautiful Monique Lewis Reynolds, enters the room. Far from quelling the dysfunction, however calming our nerves of being dragged right into a slanging match with the confrontational Basil, she units the tempo for the night.
Basil Faulty performed by Jack Newell
Dinner goes as appallingly nicely as anticipated. Mercifully, I’m sat removed from the centre of the proceedings, capable of benefit from the present with minimal interplay. The forged are sensible, by no means breaking character, at all times prepared with the right come-back to interjections from the visitors and following a well-developed script on the similar time.
There are hints from all 12 exhibits (sure, there have been solely ever a dozen episodes of the programme) all through the night. From Basil the Rat to fireside alarms to that unforgettable high-kick goose step, it’s such a intelligent present.
Of course, for those who’re actually not into this type of interactive theatre — it’s not often my cup of tea both — then keep away from Faulty Towers the Dining Experience. However, being held someplace just like the Leura Gardens Resort makes this splendidly camp, gently piss-taking present work.
Manuel performed by Adrian Espulso
As for the meals, it’s high-quality. The cream of cauliflower, blue cheese and truffle soup is scrumptious, the hen supreme with pumpkin risotto and inexperienced beens is serviceable and the alternate desserts of white chocolate creme brûlée or white chocolate panna cotta are each nicely executed.
Wine choices — each domestically sourced — add much-needed lubrication to proceedings and take the sting off the cruise ship cabaret notion of the present.
We depart feeling totally entertained and considerably in awe of the performers, who’ve turned what would have been an inexpensive meal into a night we’re by no means prone to overlook.
This night, Christina’s operating solo for a meals occasion on King Street Wharf within the metropolis. Here’s her report:
Alegre is a Mexican restaurant, impressed by Tulum, and the stunning backdrop to the inaugural Gluten Free Foodie occasion.
Though not gluten-intolerant or coeliac, I used to be thrilled to be invited to the primary occasion to assist our good friend Sarah and study from the visitor audio system.
We mingled whereas sipping on sangria and later requested questions of nutritionist and dietitian Josephine Rand, and gastroenterologist Dr Vincent Ho, also called Gut Dr, to study extra about managing life with out gluten.
Sarah, a coeliac, has created an incredible useful resource for the gluten-free group, and Alegre did an unimaginable job offering a coeliac-safe eating expertise and catering to the eating restrictions for all of us.
Keep a watch out for future Gluten Free Foodie occasions and ensure to comply with Sarah for all of her unimaginable sources for gluten-free meals and journey.
We hope you’ve loved this Flavour of the Month.
Cheers
Jim & Christina xx