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True to its title, March definitely has quick-timed by leaving us feeling a bit breathless if I\u2019m trustworthy. And wanting again via all we\u2019ve executed this month, it\u2019s little surprise.<\/strong><\/p>\n Cruise ship excursions, Socceroo wins, fishing mayhem and a Fawlty Towers escapade \u2014 all punctuated with an unimaginable journey to Laos \u2014 managed to squeeze into the final 31 days.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s extra about March \u201925.<\/p>\n Cheers It\u2019s been some time since we final had a tour of a cruise ship<\/a>. I discover them fascinating. So a lot packed into a comparatively small area that\u2019s set to drift across the ocean for days and even months at a time.<\/p>\n This is Cunard\u2019s newest ship the Queen Anne<\/a>, and it\u2019s the primary time she\u2019s berthed in Sydney.<\/p>\n Things kick off with a lavish backyard get together on the pool deck overlooking the Opera House.<\/p>\n There\u2019s even an ice sculpture right here, in addition to a enjoyable form of whack-a-mole wall the place you ring a ship\u2019s bell and a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne seems via considered one of three portholes.<\/p>\n Soon we\u2019re off on a tour of the ship that takes us from high to backside. We see the varied eating places \u2014 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.<\/p>\n She\u2019s an unimaginable ship. The solely time we\u2019ve actually been on a cruise was ages in the past after we have been on an expedition voyage with National Geographic<\/a>\u00a0and that had underneath 100 passengers on board.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s a wonderful vessel.<\/p>\n You can see our IG Reel of our tour of the Queen Anne right here.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019re very excited at present \u2014 not solely to be travelling internationally once more, however as a result of we\u2019re going to a brand new nation: we\u2019re off to Laos! Here\u2019s a photograph of our tasty Thai lunch whereas we transit via Bangkok Airport.<\/p>\n Sandwiched \u2014 or maybe burrito\u2019d \u2014 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.<\/p>\n Of course, we\u2019ll have so many tales to let you know about this journey, which we made with InfacetAsia<\/a>, however for the second, right here\u2019s the top-line stuff.<\/p>\n Our first cease is in Laos\u2019 capital, Vientiane, an fascinating little metropolis proper on the Mekong River, which marks the Lao-Thai border.<\/p>\n As far as Asian capitals go, this one doesn\u2019t have an enormous quantity happening, however it\u2019s a good way to moist your toes within the nation. While we\u2019re right here, our information, the wonderful Sakhoe, takes us round among the many Buddhist temples in Vientiane and to the Victory Arch \u2014 a monument to Lao\u2019s independence from French colonisation<\/p>\n We additionally go to some glorious cultural spots like COPE<\/a>(Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise) Visitor Centre, targeted on consciousness of unexploded ordinance from the Vietnam War, and Lao Disabled Women\u2019s Centre<\/a>, which supplies coaching and shelter to deprived and disabled girls.<\/p>\n Next, we hop on the nation\u2019s model new high-speed prepare<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Our final \u2014 and to be trustworthy our favorite \u2014 cease on the prepare is Luang Prabang. Normally, to get from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, you\u2019re taking a look at a bumpy eight-hour drive via mountain roads. The prepare will get you there in underneath an hour.<\/p>\n Luang Prabang is a wonderful spot clenched within the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Khan Rivers. There\u2019s lots to do right here, from tumbling waterfalls and romantic river cruises to MandaLao Elephant Conservation Centre<\/a> and Living Land<\/a> water buffalo dairy and farm.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Our excellent information AK exhibits us all the most effective components of his hometown, however all too quickly we\u2019re making our solution to the airport for our flight house.<\/p>\n While we\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n This night, I\u2019m out with my pal Ben Groundwater. Courtesy of Destination NSW<\/a>, we\u2019re fortunate sufficient to attain sell-out seats on the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between the Socceroos and Indonesia!<\/p>\n It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Tonight, our mates Kath and Jarrod are spherical for a spot of fishing. It\u2019s been ages since we caught up with these beautiful folks, and even longer since we forged a line.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n My fault \u2014 and I\u2019m not offended. After all, what a narrative to inform. I simply hope it leaves a scar so I can \u2018do a Richard Dreyfuss\u2019 a la Jaws. #iykyk<\/p>\n Christina and I are out for lunch at present. We\u2019re in our previous stomping floor, Surry Hills. We\u2019ve heard lots in regards to the large stuffed Yorkshire pudding of the Foresters<\/a>, so at present\u2019s the day.<\/p>\n 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 \u2018safe to visit\u2019 checklist.<\/p>\n As for the enormous Yorkshire, it\u2019s 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\u2019s positively value testing. I\u2019ve hit the jackpot at present as this week\u2019s protein is brisket.<\/p>\n 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<\/em>) years in the past.<\/p>\n This one on the Foresters is nice, however does measure up towards my nostalgia?<\/p>\n We\u2019ve obtained a stunning bundle at present from considered one of our favorite Sydney distilleries: Solander Rum Co. in Botany.<\/p>\n From their father or mother distillery (Banks & Solander Distillery<\/a>) these guys make great gin and limoncello, and world-beating espresso liqueur<\/a> (critically, the distiller provides like a dozen pictures of precise espresso pictures to the combination), in addition to a bunch of different scrumptious spirits.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s been ageing quietly for the final three years and 4 months, this uncommon rum is one thing extraordinary.<\/p>\n On the nostril, you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n To style, you instantly style the candy supple notes of American oak and the Heaven Hill bourbon it as soon as held. There\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019ll solely need to add an ice dice to or maybe a touch of bitters for an quaint.<\/p>\n Get your bottle of Solander Rum SRC-2632 right here.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Today, Christina and I are again up within the Blue Mountains. We\u2019re within the fairly city of Leura \u2014 particularly within the Leura Gardens Resort<\/a>.<\/p>\n Not removed from its large sister lodge, the extra formal Fairmont Blue Mountains<\/a>, Leura Gardens has extra of that \u2018retro-motel\u2019 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<\/a> in Merimbula is a superb instance of that.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Modelled on Lady Mabel Fairfax\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Our room \u2014 a Pool View Balcony Studio \u2014 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\u2019d count on from a contemporary lodge with retro origins.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n But we\u2019re not right here to simply overview the lodge.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Christina with Sybil Faulty aka Monique Lewis Reynolds<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In line with the \u201870s feel that the motel still retains, it\u2019s an ideal match for the exceptional Faulty Towers Dining Experience.<\/p>\n Interactive Theatre<\/a> \u2014 an Australian efficiency firm that began in 1997 \u2014 has been operating the Faulty Towers Dining Experience from the start. It now excursions globally in 43 nations.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not often a theatre individual, nor do I take pleasure in viewers participation \u2014 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s uniform, follows him intently.<\/p>\n The shenanigans are about to start.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s a brilliantly run present.<\/p>\n And then the screech of \u201cBasil!\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Basil Faulty performed by Jack Newell<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Dinner goes as appallingly nicely as anticipated. Mercifully, I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s such a intelligent present.<\/p>\n Of course, for those who\u2019re actually not into this type of interactive theatre \u2014 it\u2019s not often my cup of tea both \u2014 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.<\/p>\n Manuel performed by Adrian Espulso<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As for the meals, it\u2019s 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 br\u00fbl\u00e9e or white chocolate panna cotta are each nicely executed.<\/p>\n Wine choices \u2014 each domestically sourced \u2014 add much-needed lubrication to proceedings and take the sting off the cruise ship cabaret notion of the present.<\/p>\n 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\u2019re by no means prone to overlook.<\/p>\n This night, Christina\u2019s operating solo for a meals occasion on King Street Wharf within the metropolis. Here\u2019s her report:<\/em><\/p>\n Alegre<\/a> is a Mexican\u00a0restaurant, impressed by Tulum, and the\u00a0stunning backdrop to the inaugural\u00a0Gluten Free Foodie<\/a> occasion.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0visitor audio system.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Keep a watch out for future\u00a0Gluten Free Foodie<\/a> occasions and ensure to comply with Sarah for all of her unimaginable sources for gluten-free meals and journey.<\/p>\n We hope you\u2019ve loved this Flavour of the Month.<\/p>\n Cheers<\/p>\n Jim & Christina xx<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Jim & Christina xx<\/em><\/p>\nSign as much as our free publication right here<\/a> for extra journey inspiration. <\/em>You additionally get your individual copy of our journey e-book \u2014 it\u2019s on us!<\/em><\/h6>\n
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