Dutched Pinay Travels

Walking the ‘Dyle Path’ in Mechelen

2012-01-29T02:09:00.004+01:00

In November last year I was in Mechelen, Belgium for a weekend. I was in Brussels for work that week and thought it would be nice to spend the weekend in another town since I am already in Belgium. Mechelen came to mind as it is near Brussels and when I googled pictures of the city I was sold out.

I stayed in a church—Martin’s Patershof, a beautiful old church that has been converted into a hotel. While there, I discovered the ‘Dyle Path’ (Dijle in Dutch), a walkway along the River Dyle. When I am travelling alone, I walk a lot, and I really mean—I walk a lot.

What I like about the Dyle Path are the views to the historical houses and stone buildings along the river banks, as well as being able to pass through the residential areas. It allows some catching a glimpse of the local daily life which for me is very pleasing. I like to be able to see beyond the usual touristy and on-the-surface type of sights when travelling.

One can find the walking path at the Vismarkt, right beside the little foot bridge.

Walking the Dyle pedestrian pathway and the sights along the way.

This is the Vismarkt.

Travel Period: November 2011

Paris lunching in Promenade Plantee

2012-01-28T21:40:00.004+01:00

For our last day in Paris last October, Blondine and I we went to the Richard Lenoir Market aka Bastille Market. We wanted a different kind of lunch that day so we bought wine and food in the market and brought it to the out-of-the-ordinary park called ‘Promenade Plantee’ which is a few blocks away.

We sat down on a bench, opened the wine and ate our lunch—pain saucissons. I have my dried sausages as well, while Blondine, her crepes. The wine was okay. It was a different kind of lunch indeed, open-air and public, a very interesting breather from the usual Parisian city scenery.

The Promenade Plantee, also called as the Coulée verte in French, is a viaduct that follows the Vincennes railway line that is now abandoned and transformed into an elevated walkway green park. It is 4.7 kilometres long and is located near Place de la Bastille in the 12th arrondissement.

While lunching, we saw many people running and exercising here. Others came with friends and families for a stroll. It is a Sunday and the weather is nice so people are out and about.

When we finished our meal we went to a café across the street for some coffee. I always need my espresso after lunch. The coffee arrived and Blondine had the biggest cappuccino we have ever seen, the froth was monstrous, haha!

Now it’s time to wrap up our Paris long weekend, go back to the hotel and check out, and drive back to the Netherlands.

And now the photos... this is the walk to Promenade Plantee:

This is the viaduct green park: Promenade Plantee

Finally, lunching in Promenade Plantee:

The views down to the street:

More pictures of Promenade Plantee:

Humongous cappuccino!

The elevated park, Promenade Plantee from the cafe:

Travel Period: October 2011

Avalanches warning sign boards

2012-01-28T02:59:00.004+01:00

Dutchman found these avalanche warning sign boards in Saint Francois Longchamps ski village.

It takes a while to get to Saint Francois Longchamps from Valmorel. But faster by skiing and snowboarding through the mountains than the fastest car out there on offer. I’ll talk more about the villages soon.

Avalanches are a real phenomenon in the Alps. Last year in January 5 people were killed when an avalanche happened in Val d’Isere in the French Alps and 2 people died as well last month in the Austrian Alps. It’s scary when it happens.

Avalanche risk levels: 1 - Low Risk, 2 - Limited Risk, 3 - Significant Risk, 4 - High Risk, 5 - Very High Risk.

Here is moi in skiing action again:

Travel Period: January 2012

Valmopass Ski Pass: Le Grand Domaine

2012-01-27T20:01:00.007+01:00

France is widely known in the winter sport world, or rather, skiing and snowboarding world, for their ‘wide slopes’ and ‘blue pistes’. Piste is a European term for slope. It’s a German and Dutch word I believe.

Because I am still learning to ski well we have opted, and will be opting for the next year I guess as well, the French Alps. Trust me, it takes a few years to learn to properly ski. Skiing is not only about being able to get down from a mountain, be it a red or a blue slope. We’ll do the Austrian Alps again later. We are also thinking of skiing in Colorado, USA and Whistler, Canada, as well as in the Scandinavian countries but that will be for the future.

The ski area in Valmorel is called the ‘Le Grand Domaine’ which is a combination of pistes from villages such as Valmorel and Saint Francois Longchamps, as well as the smaller ones, La Charmette and Le Crey, the later is where we stayed. Le Grand Domaine has 160 kilometres of pistes. The famous Col de la Madeleine is located here.

Here is the Valmopass ski pass and the Le Grand Domaine plan des pistes:

As you can see from the ski map below there are so many nice BLUE PISTES! The highest point is 2,550 metres and the lowest point is 1,250 metres.

The Valmopass ski pass can be bought at the Tourist Office in Valmorel. Some travel agencies offer the ski pass inclusive in winter sport travel package deals.

Travel Period: January 2012

Welcome dinner in the Alps: Raclette

2012-01-27T18:57:00.007+01:00

We stayed in a little chalet hotel in Le Crey near Valmorel. Dutchman has been very upfront before we booked this winter sport holiday. He doesn’t want us renting an apartment or chalet and having to prepare breakfasts and cook or dine out in the evenings. It can be a hassle at times especially when you are tired from the skiing activity the whole day, ergo, you just want to be served. Thus we opted for a hotel all-inclusive package.

On our first night we had ‘raclette’—a typically Alpine region specialty indigenous to Switzerland and the Savoy region of France. The Savoy or Savoie region of France is the Alps.

We had a little intro about raclette and the cheese they will use.

The cheeses are ready.

It is my turn to have my raclette.

Dutchman's plate.

My plate. Now I am ready to eat.

We were served with cheese from the Savoy region melted by fire and chafed on to your plate. Not too much though because cheese is very salty. Raclette is usually served with thin cuts of deli meats, pickles, boiled potatoes, bread and green salad.

Raclette always reminds me of our skiing holiday a few years ago, also in the French Alps. We had raclette for dinner at our chalet in St. Jean d’Arves. In the middle of the night we both woke up raiding the fridge for drinks. Salt makes us thirsty, it dehydrates our system, so not too much please!

Anyway, I love salads so I heaped loads of greens on to my plate. This was a very nice hearty and traditional welcome dinner in the Alps.

The little poodle of the owner of the chalet hotel. He was not very friendly to me though. This little monster almost bit me.

Travel Period: January 2012

Paragliding in the Alps

2012-01-24T22:06:00.003+01:00

We saw a few paragliders during our winter sport holiday in the Alps.

When the Dutchman was younger he used to do this kind of sport as well. Nowadays he is banned (by me haha) plus the fact that he is not getting any younger... I say, better stick to snowboarding.

Travel Period: January 2012

Brasserie Bresson: A touch of French in Utrecht

2012-01-24T18:36:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago I met up with Blondine for the usual ‘catch up’ lunch in Utrecht. We were to do a sushi lunch but because we are girls we changed plans at the last minute. We decided to go French.

Blondine discovered ‘Brasserie Bresson’ just recently while shopping with her mom. It’s a new restaurant in Utrecht on the Oudegracht. They were both quite positive about their experience here and Blondine was very eager to share this new restaurant find. Now, I am easy when it comes to food, so I am all for it.

We had a nice seating by the window. I ordered ‘Salade Perigord’ with truffle, duck confit and mushrooms while Blondine had a baguette with salmon. I had a glass of chardonnay as well. For dessert, we shared ‘Tarte Tatin’ with caramel and ice cream. Then we had coffee.

Thus the verdict: 4 stars out of 5.

I saw that they have ‘Fruits de Mer’ on the menu -- fresh oysters, crab legs, prawns, mussels and other seafood catches on a plate. MMMmmm, I will come back for this.

Visit Period: January 2012

French autoroute sceneries and tolls

2012-01-22T21:58:00.014+01:00

In the Netherlands there are no road tolls because every car owner is levied with road tax that is automatically deducted from our bank accounts every quarter. The road tax is calculated based on the type of car, weight, type of fuel used and car value. Thus the more expensive and heavy the car, the more road tax you will pay in the Netherlands.

In France they don’t have the road tax system, the French still implement the traditional toll collection on the highways. Driving on the French autoroutes will cost the road traveller a lot of money, however the autoroutes are the fastest option to get from point A to point B. We have not yet calculated the total tolls we have paid but I think they come close to €200 for the entire journey, back and forth. I think the locals get a discount through the automatic payment system (telepeage).

We left the Netherlands around 4AM and entered France in the Champagne-Ardennes Region around 8AM after a quick pitstop in Luxembourg. We also did a quick pitstop in Maastricht.

Here are the pictures of the scenery along the French autoroutes on our way to the Alps and the toll gates:

Mist hovering over the autoroute when we entered France in the Champagne-Ardennes Region.

As we emerged from the mist we saw thin snow blanketing the valleys.

With regards to driving, I drove the first leg from the Netherlands to Luxemburg which is about 3.5 hours. Dutchman took the wheel from Luxemburg to Chambery which is a good 5+ hours drive. Then I took the wheel again and drove the rest of the journey to the Alps. Thus a big chunk of the French autoroute drive I was sleeping however I managed to take a few pictures.

From Utrecht to the French Alps is almost 11 hours drive non-stop. With stop overs, that would be around 12-13 hours. Hopefully with no traffic. We only encountered traffic on the peage/tollgates.

Burgundy region now to the direction of Rhone-Alpes region.

Tunnels through the mountains.

I can see the Alps!

Peage - tollgate.

Queueing up to pay for the toll. For non-French cars always queue up on the green arrow sign.

The T sign is for telepeage - this is only for locals or individuals with the automatic toll payment system in their cars.

Toll fees for this leg only.

In Chambery area now... almost near!

Getting closer and closer to the Alps.

In the Alpine valley now...

Yup, we have arrived in the Alps!

More stories and pictures soon of our wintersport - ski and snowboard holiday in the Alps. À bientôt!

Travel Period: January 2012

Aire de Berchem in Luxembourg: cheapest petrol, gas, fuel in Europe

2012-01-22T13:12:00.013+01:00

Fuel—gasoline, diesel, petrol in Europe is very expensive especially in the northern part. The Netherlands is one of the countries where the most expensive petrol is sold. As of January 2012, gasoline per litre has reached to a record-breaking €1,759+- and €1,487+- for diesel.

I drive diesel for my temporary lease car from work while for my private one which I rarely drive nowadays is gasoline. I will sell my private car soon when I get to order my new lease car from work.

For many road travellers in northern Europe they all come to Luxembourg (Luxemburg) for cheap fuel prices. In comparison to the Dutch petrol prices, the difference is about €0,42+- per litre for gasoline and €0.25+- per litre for diesel. That is a lot!

Aire de Berchem gas station in Luxemburg is already busy early in the morning. Many of these road travellers are winter sporters bound for the Alps.

It is half past 7 in the morning. I did not adjust the car's clock to winter time.

For many Dutch it is an obligatory routine to do a pit stop in Luxembourg when travelling down to the south for winter sport and summer holidays. The best and most convenient fuelling station is the ‘Aire de Berchem’ on the E25 main highway just before reaching the border to France.

Aire de Berchem is also the biggest petrol station in Europe. IT IS ALWAYS BUSY HERE. If not for the holidaymakers from northern Europe passing to refuel here, the citizens from border countries--Belgians, Germans and French come here to tank because of the cheaper prices.

Luxemburg always guarantees the cheapest fuel prices in Europe. Basically, the government in Luxemburg levies lesser tax on fuel. A tiny country must learn to compete eh.

Travel Period: January 2012

Crepes and Vin Chaud

2012-01-19T15:10:00.003+01:00

Having vin chaud (hot spiced red wine) and crepes (with butter and sugar) at Le Grenier Restaurant in Val Morel while waiting for the Dutchman.

It is not busy here at all. Peak season for skiing/wintersport is February when the schools have their semestral break.

Travel Period: January 2012

Finally skiing!

2012-01-18T22:23:00.009+01:00

We have been skiing (moi) and snowboarding (Dutchman) for several days already here in the Alps (French part) and surprisingly I am really enjoying this wintersport holiday, and I mean the act of skiing, well, for the very first time... and to think this is my 4th year of skiing. I started back in 2006 but missed some years in between.

If not for the Dutchman I would never go on a skiing holiday. I would not even try to learn to ski! I am not the sporty type and a skiing holiday would be the last thing on my mind. But in a relationship one has to compromise.

Skiing as well is a lot of hard work. It is painful and it can be dangerous. Right now though I must admit that I am learning to enjoy this sport, and mainly because I have finally grasped the technique. I just now need to work on more speed.

Here are a few pictures of me in action today:

More photos, stories and videos as well soon!

Travel Period: January 2012

Off to the Alps

2012-01-13T22:44:00.005+01:00

Done packing. It is time to sleep for a bit before we wake up early for the long journey to the Alps.

We will be going to the French part, mainly because they have wide slopes. This is the ski village where we will be skiing for a week:

Valmorel village in wintertime...

And Valmorel in the summertime...

Laters!

Travel Period: January 2012

Ortigas Skyline circa 2000-2001

2012-01-13T01:32:00.003+01:00

Just reminiscing...

I saw a video of the new Metro Manila on Facebook and I just cannot help but dig out old pictures of my place in Wack Wack Greenhills. The photo above is the view from my place. I miss my old place, on the 15th floor with the view down to the Wack Wack golf course, the subdivision and the Ortigas Business Centre. I miss the view especially at night with the lights. I also miss seeing the MRT passing by and I can even hear it from afar.

I am pretty sure that the Ortigas skyline has since changed (more skycrapers) but for me this is what I will always remember.

Photo Taken: 2000-2001

Bastille Market: Wines, Breads and Cheeses

2012-01-12T19:48:00.007+01:00

Finally, my last entry on Bastille Market aka Richard Lenoir Market.

Speaking about lunch, we got lucky, well it must have been our lucky day? We bought pate and dried sausages from a meat vendor and were offered two ‘Pain saucisses’ for FREE. She was so nice to us, she did small talk and even packed the sausage sandwiches separately with napkins. Now we have lunch food! =)

With our lunch ready, it’s time to search for wine to go with the pain saucisses. We found the wine stall and asked the charming male vendor for recommendations. He offered us a free wine tasting session instead and I had the chance to take a sip of his other wines as well, thank you very much! Eventually, we settled for a red, the Domaine de Cabrol from the south of France near Carcassone (a place that I want to visit as well).

Blondine on the other hand was in heaven with the variety of breads available on sale in the market. She loves bread so much while I will pass. Not a bread fanatic, sorry.

Here are the photos of the gastronomic delights in the market:

Parisian Metropolitain.

And oh, some foie gras as well.

Travel Period: October 2011

Utrecht skyline at dusk

2012-01-11T23:01:00.003+01:00

A little bit of the Utrecht skyline at dusk... a nuptial of old and new architecture in the city.

The modern Rabobank Headquarters on the left nicknamed as the ‘verrekijker’ (translation: binoculars) because it looks like one. In the middle is the medieval Utrecht Dom Tower circa 13th century, also known as ‘De Dom van Utrecht’. On the right is the ‘belastingdienst’ (translation: tax department) building where a big chunk of my money goes to.

Photo taken: December 2011

Bastille Market: Fish! Seafood!

2012-01-11T21:57:00.005+01:00

I will trade the most expensive steak for seafood. Anytime.

Shellfish—molluscs and crustaceans are an ad infinitum favourite of mine. When I used to live with my parents, which is approx. 21-22 years ago, I always remember my mom saying to me, ‘You are just like your father, a glutton for anything seafood.’

I consider myself lucky to love seafood, fruits and vegetables. They are light and healthy. When people see what I eat, they always think I am on a diet. NO!

The Richard Lenoir Market aka Bastille Market has enough gorgeous choices of fresh catches from the sea to make every fish lover thrilled during the visit. Well, I was! I could not get my hands off from my pocket camera, click, click, click away.

Get ready for the tour of the fish section. Here are the photos!

Travel Period: October 2011

Ecoduct Hoog-Burlo: Animals have the right of way

2012-01-11T18:35:00.006+01:00

“Dieren hebben ‘recht van overpad’ bij wegen en spoorlijnen die door hun leefgebied lopen.” means that animals have the ‘right of way’ on roads and traintracks that go through their habitat.

The newly opened ecoduct Hoog-Burlo was made precisely for this reason so that animals can cross over the forest that is separated by the A1 highway. I frequently visit Apeldoorn for work and always pass by this ecoduct. It’s nice to see grass growing after a few months from its opening in September 2011.

The ecoduct is located on A1 just before the exit to Hoenderloo and Apeldoorn.

The Netherlands is one of the very few animal-friendly countries in the world. We even have a political party dedicated to the protection of the animals—the ‘Partij voor de Dieren’ (PvdD) with a seat in the parliament.

Photo taken: January 2012

Bastille Market: Fruits & Vegetables

2012-01-09T20:14:00.006+01:00

I’m not a vegan but I LOVE fruits and vegetables, it’s part of my daily diet and I cannot live without it.

Almost every day I eat green salads with seafood for lunch. I prepare my little lunch box every morning before I go to work. Because I am not in the office every day I make sure it’s easy for me to eat the salad even in the car. In fact many times I eat my lunch in the car—not joking.

At any rate, I have taken a number of pictures of the fruits and vegetables sold on the Bastille Market AKA Richard Lenoir Market that is only open during Sundays.

Sundays in Europe are quiet. It is 2012 but capitalism and 24-hour shops have still a long way to go. Most stores are close during Sundays thus the Bastille Market is a great alternative to spend a slow day in Paris, as well as experience the local culture, mingle with the local people and eat local food.

See my photos below:

Flowers sold at the market as well:

Travel Period: October 2011

Bastille Market: Ready to eat foods

2012-01-07T18:10:00.006+01:00

In many French markets you will encounter stalls selling ready-to-eat food. Most of these are local foods or foods influenced by other European countries such as ‘Paella’ for Spain and ‘Bratwurst with sauerkraut’ for Germany (as seen in the photo above).

We thought about lunch and decided that we will do something else for a change. We’ll buy food and wine in the market and take it with us to the nearby park, which is a fascinating urban park in Paris as it is above ground. I will show pictures of this cool elevated park in a separate entry, soon.

As we went around the market, we passed by the crepes stand and Blondine just could not let the opportunity pass by so she bought crepes. I was not in the mood for it. No crepes for me please.

For now let me walk you through the ready-to-eat-foods of Richard Lenoir Market AKA Bastille Market in Paris, but first, my only souvenir photo.

And now, the ready-to-eat foods!

The famous French crepes with Nutella (Nutella is Italian though):

A little fountain plaza in the market:

Travel Period: October 2011

Bastille Market: The MEATS

2012-01-07T00:27:00.003+01:00

Paris has many food markets, some big, some small, however I was looking for a market that is open on Sundays. I love markets and the French have the best ones.

So we went to the ‘Richard Lenoir Market’ AKA the ‘Bastille Market’. Richard Lenoir because the market is on Richard Lenoir Street and Bastille because Richard Lenoir Street intersects with Place de la Bastille.

The market is big and has so many gastronomic stuff to offer. It’s a foodie’s haven! I don’t officially consider myself a foodie but I love markets, and appreciate any gustatory delight. Because the market has so many wonderful stuff to offer and that I took so many pictures (more than 80 pictures for this market alone!) which I would love to share in this blog, I will blog them per food category.

Let’s start with MEAT. I will let the pictures do the talking.

Poulet and the rotisserie.

Pig's ears for sale.

Friendly meat vendor.

Poor skinned rabbits =(

Meat pate.

Another meat pate with cheese.

Busy market.

Market is also selling junk furniture.

Next entry: Ready-to-Eat food

Travel Period: October 2011

A typically French breakfast on Place de la Bastille: Tartine

2012-01-06T22:21:00.011+01:00

Everyone knows the French breakfast of all times: Croissant + Café au lait, but this is not what we are eating this morning...

This time, Blondine and I tried the other equally popular French breakfast of all times, which is in fact more popular by the locals than by the tourists/visitors of course: Tartine + Café au lait

We found this nice-looking bistro with an outdoor terrace on Place de la Bastille called Café des Pharos. Actually the real story is that this bistro ran out of croissants so we were forced to order the tartine. Blondine was not happy as she was craving for croissants. Well, the tartine turned out to be a success. I am glad they did ran out of croissants =)

Tartine is a baguette sliced lengthwise. It is served with jam and butter. A very simple breakfast is it not? Spread the butter and jam on the baguette and voila, you have a tartine!

I’ve read that during Sundays there is a debate in the cafe. The subject is usually of social or political nature which I would assume is chosen ahead of time. Anyone can join as long as you debate in French. I do know, and this is as well confirmed by experience, that French people love to talk. It is sometimes impossible to interrupt them as they just prattle on, haha.

Anywho, it was a lovely typically French breakfast, and the café was a lovely place as well to people watch.

Here is our typically French breakfast: Tartine and Cafe au lait at Cafe des Pharos on Place de la Bastille, Paris:

Place de la Bastille, our view:

Travel Period: October 2011

A ‘Kong’ evening in Paris

2012-01-05T19:10:00.014+01:00

I found ‘Kong Bar & Restaurant’ on top of Kenzo’s main office on Pont du Neuf through the best restaurants in Paris website. I fell in love right away with the glass dome and the quirky faces on the chairs. Kong Bar & Restaurant is an Asian Fusion restaurant with a touch of Parisian modernism.

The restaurant is designed by world-renowned designer, Philippe Starck and was featured on the Sex & the City movie. Here is an excerpt from Kong Bar & Restaurant website by Starck:

-‘Kong is the fight between the Moderns and the Classics.

It is the classic of a geisha against the modern kawaï from Omotesando, they meet at the elegant European’s at the summit of Kenzo’s headquarters facing the Pont Neuf.

These three women finally become one person, timeless and sublime.’-

Blondine and I did not reserve so when we arrived, we were ushered to the terrase gallery located at the back part of the restaurant which is a beautiful room with an open roof but a bit condensed. Anyone would feel the same thing after passing through the glass dome part of the restaurant. Unfortunately, that area is only for those who reserved in advance.

Nevertheless we took our seats at the terasse gallery and checked out the menu. We realized that we were not really that hungry, we have been eating our way through Paris during the day, so we decided to go for the ‘Kong Plate’. Well, the waiter was not amused at all and told us that if we sit in the restaurant we must order the full menu or at least the main course otherwise we will have to go down to the bar.

Now, that is actually a brilliant idea! So Blondine and I went down to the already busy bar and luckily we were able to get a space with 2 chairs. The crowd is quite hip, lots of young urban local and expat professionals. It is much lively here of course than at the restaurant.

We first ordered a glass of red wine to go with the Kong Plate which is actually like an Asian tapas plate. Afterwards we had another round of cocktails—margarita this time. We loved our time here, listening to the music, enjoying the food (4 stars out of 5), watching people and watching the bartenders do their show thing as well.

Kong Bar & Restaurant is so Paris, so chic. I would love to come back here during daytime and have lunch at the glass dome part of the restaurant.

The glass dome part of the restaurant. Just imagine what the view is like during the day.

The terasse gallery which is actually open on the ceiling. We sat here initially before moving down to the bar.

At the bar. Dried and pressed orchids glass laminated.

Reds first to warm us up and to go with the food.

This is the Kong Plate.

More booze, some margaritas this time.

Kong: a fusion of Asian (Japanese) + French.

Travel Period: October 2011

Arabic at Nomads

2012-01-04T22:29:00.015+01:00

Over the holidays I discovered a cool restaurant in Amsterdam—NOMADS located at 133 Rozengracht in Jordaan.

I found the restaurant while searching online. I wanted to treat the Dutchman for dinner and was looking for something different. When I saw the pictures on their website, I was sold out. This is it.

All fotos taken by my iPhone (my camera ran out of space because I forgot to bring the SD card), bummer.

We were there on a Thursday night, just slightly after 7PM. We didn’t reserve but we were able to get a nice seating in the main lounge hall. For those who plan on dining here, I strongly advise that you reserve because this restaurant is becoming ever so popular.

Nevertheless, while waiting to be seated, Dutchman and I could not contain but look around in awe, we were so thrilled! We were then ushered to our corner lounge. We both love the atmosphere, the lounge chill-out setting, the dimmed lights, the soft music, the wide sofa beds and the pillows. We took off our shoes and lay down on the sofa bed while sipping our drinks and waiting for our food. Quite relaxing.

Before the food arrived, a woman came with a bronze water jug and basin designed in traditional Arabic. She was to pour water on our hands so we can wash them before eating. How nice, we didn’t remotely expect this kind of personal treatment.

Then the food came! Nomads serve authentic Arabic cuisine, however, their menu concept is based on tapas—small servings. Our favourite? We loved the Arabic bread set, this is 5 stars on its own. The hostess explained to us that they were 3 sets of bread from 3 countries: Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey. Never ever miss to ask for the bread set when here. For dip, we ordered the aubergine with tomatoes. Then we also had a small serving of Kebab—another 5 stars! Lastly, we had the Moroccan vegetarian couscous for our main. No more space in the tummy for desserts, only coffee.

In between our meals we were entertained by a belly dancer. What a delightful surprise, and another treat that we surely didn’t expect. We would have stayed longer, trust me this restaurant is conducive to long hours of chilling out, but our parking ticket is running out, we have to get moving.

My review, the verdict? 4.5 stars out of 5. Vegetarians will for sure be at home here. This is a perfect romantic venue to CHILL OUT while having dinner.

Very cool ambiance:

The food arrived on a tray. We ate it on the tray with our legs crossed on the sofa bed. The fotos does not really do justice to these delicious fares.

The belly dancer entertaining us:

On the other side of the lounge hall:

Blurry picture of moi:

Visit Period: December 2011

Shopping in Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet

2012-01-03T21:38:00.011+01:00

During the Christmas holidays Dutchman and I went to the Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet located in Lelystad, in Flevoland in the north, the youngest province in the Netherlands.

Trivia: Did you know that the whole of Flevoland, except the municipality of Urk that was once an island, is all reclaimed man-made land?

It’s our first time to be here and because it’s an outlet we were expecting massive discounts on offer. Sadly it was not the case. Most of the shops were selling a mix of normal items without discount and discounted items up to 50% off.

The selection of shops was not that big and impressive at all as well. I think the Roermond Designer Outlet in the south is way better, which by the way I still need to visit.

At any rate, I managed to find a few nice items.

I was looking forward to do some people watching but the weather was not cooperating. Rain and wind the whole day. The outdoor terraces were wet and empty.

After shopping we went to La Place and I ordered some oysters. They were humongous oysters! rating: 4.5 stars out of 5. The Netherlands (Zeeland province in the south) is one of the main oyster suppliers in Europe. The yummiest oysters I had was in Paris last October though.

Visit Period: December 2011

New Year's Day Breakfast (and Christmas Day as well)

2012-01-01T16:23:00.005+01:00

I love a good omelette sometimes, especially during weekends.

New Years Day breakfast - Omelette (filling: tomatoes, onions, green peas and crabmeat) and some vegan caviar on top.

For Christmas Day I was craving for something else.

Christmas Day breakfast - A smorgasbord of shrimps naturel and provencal, Danish blue cheese, French soft cheese, cucumber and apple.

I do not have rules when it comes to food. I like eating whatever I crave for and whenever. Life is too short to have rules except for one thing -- Eat whatever you want but in moderation.