I’ve been inspired after a trip by the billabong, the Billabong Retreat to be precise, out in the bush an hour out northwest from Sydney CBD where I experienced a profound sense of serenity and quietness and on diet of vegetarian food for 3 days. I felt pretty amazing after that retreat and was determined…
Easy recipe : Baharat spiced lamb cutlets
After all my travelling, it’s good to be back in my kitchen making my own meals, always with the freshest quality ingredients that’s easily available to me. That said, what I make has to be easy too and preferably with left overs I can take for lunch on Monday as I usually have a busy…
Banyan Tree Ungasan, Bali: What to See, Taste and Do in 5 days
I was off the grid for 5 days when I travelled to Bali, Indonesia, an island known for its lush green forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice terraces, temples, monkeys, traditional markets and beaches. It was nice to getaway for a few days away from high rise city buildings and just see lush greenness and panoramic ocean views….
Blu Bar High Tea Buffet in the Skies at Shangri-La Sydney
As the lift stopped on Level 36 of the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney today I stepped into the Blu Bar, natural light streaming in on a glorious Saturday, you cannot help but look out the enormous glass windows and expansiveness of Sydney Harbour with unrivalled views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, before…
Recipe: Spaghetti with truffle
It’s always nice to play with the real deal truffle and not a version of it bottled up in oil. It’ the first time I tried using this powerful fungus (thanks to MD Provodores) that gives you the oomph and sexiness in a pasta dish. I tried a truffled spaghetti recipe published by Acadamia Barilla…
Recipe: Lebanese Fattoush Salad
I could’ve walked down to my local shop and bought Lebanese bread for $1.50 to make my fattoush salad but I chose not to and decided to make my own Lebanese bread. I recently learnt to make an Italian focaccia from scratch thanks to the teachings of Francesco Zarella who I met when he…
Beachside Staycation: What to See,Taste and Do Around the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach
A well-executed staycation can be just as relaxing as jet setting off to another location, particularly if it is a beachside location in Sydney. On the M5 East Motorway I was there in 30 minutes and it’s not too far from the Sydney CBD and airport. Coogee Beach is where I headed for a weekend…
Travel Diary :: Nashdale Lane Luxury Glamping Tents in Orange, NSW
I must admit, I’ve never ‘roughed it’ and been camping or pitched a tent. It’s just something my family never did when I was younger. My perception of camping has only been influenced by what I have seen on television: falling asleep under the stars, leaking tents, campfire pits, creatures in tents, sleeping on bumpy…
Shangri-La Sydney: How to spoil yourself on your birthday
Forget buying stuff that adds to clutter to your home. Book a staycation close to home and experience luxury for your birthday instead. Yes, as a Sydneysider I’ve seen our Harbour Bridge and Opera House many times before but have you ever just woken up to the sight of the Sydney trifecta of Sydney…
Travel Diary:: What to See, Taste and Do in Orange, Central West NSW
“You may already know that a dedicated bunch of food lovers want to create a special gustatory event which will appeal to interested locals and tourist in Orange in colourful autumn … What better theme than to use the riches right under our noses?” – Rhonda Doyle, Journalist, 1991 The humble beginnings of Orange F.O.O.D…