Finally a permanent European style farmers market opens in Singapore and PasarBella incorporates Singapore’s love of eating out with lots of great dining options. Not only can you stop by to pick up hard to find food items like organic groceries, imported cheese, hearty breads, unique wine, specialty olive oils and fresh seafood, you can also relax and enjoy a great cup of coffee along with pastries, a plate of paella or an extravagant seafood platter.

My husband Tom and I spent the afternoon roaming the isles, sampling the food and shopping until our bank accounts couldn’t take it anymore. What we went home with were tummies full of food and bags full of unique goodies. Here is a roundup of our favourite PasarBella “traders”.

Oceans of Seafood

Step inside and prepare to be overwhelmed by piles of fresh seafood. South African lobsters flip back and fourth on ice while a crowd gathers around huge USA oysters. With a selection of seafood from around the world you can choose to dine in at one of the restaurants or take a selection home.

The crowd favourite is overwhelmingly the freshly shucked oysters. Served with a slice of lemon or tabasco sauce, the oysters are so big it’s hard to resist.

The Cheese Ark

Follow your nose to this shop as it’s hidden between The Patio and a bakery. Inside, the aromas slap you awake and the flavours will have you never wanting to settle for cheddar cheese again. Sample a variety of  ”endangered” cheeses that are not only hard to find, they use traditional methods that are at risk of disappearing.

Gouda, Texel, Spahn, Montebore, Pecorino. The cheese options vary from mild to strong flavours and include a few pasteurised cheeses so there is something for everyone. We left with a block of organic Pecorino Stagionato aged 12 months. This sheep milk cheese won us over with flavours of nut and spice.

The Patio

Two oversized paella pans are hard to miss as you walk by this place. Arrive at the right time and you can watch as they prepare the paella right in front of you. Cooking the rice, then adding the prawns, chicken, and mussels. A little chalkboard sign lets you know when the next batch will be ready.

At $11.90 per serving, it’s well worth a try paired with a couple Italian sodas or crepes for dessert. Served in paper takeaway containers, the use of wood forks and spoons instead of plastic is a nice touch.

Dutch Colony Coffee Co.

Sit back, relax and enjoy a cup of exceptional coffee. We decided on Café Mocha ($5) and savoured every sip. Unmistakably good coffee served in a rustic setting of wood crates and vintage glassware.

Bonheur Patisserie

Specialising in macarons, choose from a large selection of flavours ranging from Classic, Asian and Fusion. At only $3 for a big gooey macaron, these pair very nicely with a cuppa from Dutch Colony Coffee Co., located across the way.

The Organic Grocer

The name says it all, lots of organic groceries. Choose from fresh vegetables, meat, fruit, bread, and dry goods. The highlight for us was the organic meat as it can be harder to find in Singapore. Stocked in the freezer section is a range of beef flown in weekly from Australia including ground beef, ribeye, and a must try beef sausage.

Mekhala

A cute shop selling organic teas, rice, curry sauces, honey and spa products from Thailand. Organic brown rice being a staple in our household, we were happy to go home with a bag of Thai black rice from Chiang Mai.

PasarBella
The Grandstand Bukit Timah Singapore
200 Turf Club Road
Singapore 287994
T: +65 6887 0077
W: www.pasarbella.com 

Have you visited PasarBella yet? What are your favourites?

Sichuan cuisine to many translates to tongue-numbingly spicy dishes, or rather this is what we are told by another guest of The Petites Selection tasting session who exclaims “Sichuan cuisine is very spicy.” My husband Tom and I arrive at Si Chuan Dou Hua at the top of the UOB Plaza, Singapore with no expectations, just ready to try a variety of great food.

On offer tonight is an impressive selection of 30 tapas-sized Sichuan dishes designed by Si Chuan Dou Hua’s culinary team for their Petites Selection menu. The first dish we try is the Prawn in Spicy ‘ma la’ Sauce. One bite into a soft prawn almost the size of a golf ball and Tom and I look at each other while nodding in approval. Quickly followed by a “Oh wow, that’s spicy.” Followed a few seconds later by “Oh man, I just got another kick of spice!” Yes, this first dish reconfirms the warnings of our fellow dinner: knock your taste buds off kind of spice.

Proceeding with caution on to a few more dishes with mango juice in hand we are rewarded with a variety of flavours, not just spice. We try a Deep Fried Potato Fritter creatively shaped like a little pear, that is soft on the inside with crunchy bread crumbs on the outside. The mild flavours allow our taste buds to recover and gear up for more. We continue to try Deep-fried Pork Ribs with Salt and Pepper, Mushrooms in Onion Oil, Chilled Sliced Radish Wrapped with Sliced Carrot, Sliced Pork in Garlic and Chilli Sauce, and Scallops in Chilli and Sichuan Pepper Sauce.

All dishes have us enjoying Sichuan cuisine more and more with every bit. Flavours range from no spice, mild spice, sweet and some bitterness. By the end of the night my second favourite dish is the Scallops in Chilli and Sichuan Pepper Sauce. Tom’s second favourite is the Deep-fried Pork Ribs. Our joint favourite dish of the night… Prawn in Spicy ‘ma la’ Sauce! The spice might have originally caught us by surprise but man are the flavours good and the prawns juicy.

We manage to get seconds inviting friends to try the prawns with us. We watch their faces. Just as expected. The first look, that of delight as they take a bite. Followed by a look of surprise. Then the look of defeat. “It’s got a kick right?” we laugh. The prawns are our entertainment of the night.

If you want to try the prawns for yourself and see if you can handle the heat or play it safe with the many other dishes available, head over to one of the three Si Chuan Dou Hua restaurants in Singapore. The Petites Selection is available from now to 31 July 2013 for lunch, dinner and high tea from 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm and 2.30pm to 6.00pm respectively.

Details

Si Chuan Dou Hua – leading ambassador of Sichuan cuisine in Singapore – offers two options friendly on both the wallet and palate for the enjoyment of Sichuan cuisine with The Petites Selection:

Wine-pairing
A great option for pre-lunch or pre-dinner nibbles, enjoy your choice of 5 Petites dishes and 2 glasses of wine at only $55.
UOB cardmembers exclusive: $48 for the above promotion; or enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine with every order of 10 Petites dishes, priced from $8.80 each.

Petites dishes can be paired with an Australian Shiraz Cabernet blend from the De Bortoli DB Family Selection or a French Chardonnay from Pierre Jean Columbard.

Mention Cuba, and most people will think of restored classic American cars. During a last-minute week long visit to Cuba, we quickly found out the cars aren’t the only things that are old in Cuba. A walk through Havana, and it’s as though time has stood still. Beautifully restored buildings line the main tourist area, while away from foreigner eyes lie simply run down old buildings. No concrete high-rises in sight.

Old or not, there is something magical about the city. A fusion of cultures and a contrast of traditional methods with the occasional injection of modern life. If only they could import new mattresses for the hotels, it’s one thing that is not charming when old.

For weekend getaways Louis Vuitton introduces 4 new stylish shades to the Pégase rage of suitcases- Piment, Carmin, Figue and Cyan, in addition to the previously introduced Indigo, Fuchsia, Electric Black and Black in Epi leather. To keep your high flying style coordinated, the line  now matches the range of Epi city bags and cosmetic pouches in ten different colors.

Visit LouisVuitton.com for more information

In the ever evolving and expanding Bali accommodation scene comes a new Starwood resort - Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran. Incorporating Balinese elements, water features surround the grounds and modern batik motifs are found in the rooms. Ground floor guest rooms open directly onto a uniquely designed 1,300 square meter organic form saltwater lagoon pool.

Other amenities include Serenity, a rejuvenation spa with six ‘Experience’ treatment rooms and a lounge; a well-equipped fitness center with a variety of health programs; and J Kids Club that keeps young guests engaged with an array of activities, discovery programs, and a dedicated outdoor children’s pool.

Set by Jimbaran Bay, the beach-side cafés serving fresh seafood are not far away and the Denpasar International Airport is only a short drive.

For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com/balijimbaran.

The walk up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse should definitely be up at the top of the to-do list for those travelling to Byron Bay. The Cape Byron Lighthouse is known for being the most easterly point of the Australian mainland. Byron Bay is located approximately 9 hours north of Sydney and the trip is definitely worth it. The scenic walk is simply breathtaking.

A small portion of walk is through a sector of the Coastal Rainforest, this path continues on to an opening which allows you to walk sea-side for the rest of the trek to the lighthouse. Be sure to take your time and stop to take some pictures and admire the view of the seemingly never-ending ocean. If you’re as lucky as me you’ll be able to witness a pod of dolphins swimming along the coast! A pod of nearly a dozen dolphins swam in sequence alongside us, jumping up and out of the water almost as if they were putting on a show! It was amazing to see this in such a naturally beautiful place, it beats any aquarium thats for sure.

The scenic walk is great for people of all ages and interests. It’s not super strenuous, I even managed to do it in flip flops! However, there were also many joggers along the path. What better way to exercise during your travels than to do it along this perfect route. The trail provides many resting places along the way to stop and admire the scenery. I recommend a nice sunny morning to do the walk, the views are gorgeous and you beat the afternoon heat! But of course, sunny mornings aren’t hard to come by in Byron. It takes about 45 minutes each way, so there’s plenty of time to head back to the beach and relax for the rest of the day.

The lighthouse can be reached through a few different routes. We decided to take the one connected to the beach. There are signs and people everywhere so it’s pretty hard to get lost. You can walk along the water’s edge of the main beach to the very end where you’ll reach the path to lead you on the slight climb up to the top. Enjoy the rainforest but remember that the view of a lifetime is ahead of you. Once you push through the last set of stairs to reach the lighthouse you’ll reach a large circular platform to recuperate and take it all in! You can see Byron and the beach you started from on the one side and the vast ocean on the other.

I must say, that through all my travels along the East Coast of Australia this walk has one of the best views I’ve seen and I would highly recommend it to anyone travelling anywhere near Byron Bay.

With two red lights glowing outside a renovated shop house in the former red light district turned hot spot of Jiak Chuan Road Singapore, Mariko’s seems to be a fitting concept for a Japanese restaurant in the area. Looking like a dark and seductive Japanese den, the restaurant is named after a 1950’s manga character Mariko; a Japanese prostitute. With a cheeky concept such as this, it’s no surprise that besides a menu of ramen, yakitori and tempura, you can expect a well stocked bar of Japanese whisky, sake, beer and creative cocktails.

While the front of the restaurant looks to be an ideal spot to hangout at night, the back offers a cozy atmosphere for lunch or dinner with friends which is where I start my tasting experience.

The man behind Mariko’s dishes is Executive Chef Desmond Lim with 30 years of experience in Japanese cuisine. Joined by two friends, we try out his creations starting with the Yasai Moriawase Tempura (vegetable tempura S$15) and a few skewers of chicken and Japanese pepper Yakitori.

Having never had a Japanese pepper before, I can’t help but be suspicious as it looks alarmingly similar to a jalapeño. Waiting to see if anyone else is going to try a pepper first, I realize I’m just going to have to take a bite to find out for myself. With an uneasy feeling I take the smallest bite only to get a pepper taste closer to a slightly bitter capsicum rather than the burning heat I was dreading. Not bad. It seems as though I wasn’t the only one scared of the peppers as I get a worried look from the table “Was it hot?” Everyone was waiting for a guinea pig.

Being lunch time on a weekday, Mariko’s Ramen Set Lunch (starting at S$18) is a must. The set which is available only on weekdays includes a bowl of ramen, salad, rice and chawanmushi, followed by the dessert of the day.

We each try a different ramen flavour: Kim Chi Ramen, Shoyu Ramen and Miso Ramen. To taste the difference, I scoop a spoon full of each broth checking the colour, smelling it, swirling it around and swishing it in my mouth. Ok not really, but with each taste I can distinctly taste a difference and each were exceptionally good. As much as I love Kim Chi, I have to say the Miso Ramen made with fish broth is hands down my favourite. A truly flavourful soup that trumps any regular bowl of ramen out there.

We end our meal with a little Green Tea Mousse and I think to myself what a great lunch. I can’t wait to come back on a Friday night and sip cocktails while listening to the DJ spin Japanese and western house, soul, tech house and funk to take in the full Mariko’s experience.

Mariko’s
4 Jiak Chuan Road
Singapore

Open for lunch, dinner and drinks Mon – Sat: 12:00pm-1:00am

This was an invited food tasting

This overnight trip to Fraser Island is the best way to discover one of the most beautiful destinations in Eastern Australia. Only accessible by ferry, the island gives you an authentic taste of what Australia is truly about. This trip is a perfect getaway that allows you to see some of the clearest water, longest beaches, and some hidden gem locations.

There are many different types of tours you can take over to the island. We chose to do the camping excursion. It involved a three day, two night trip with a group of approximately 25 travellers and 1 tour guide. 4 x 4ing all around the island was surreal, an experience that is not offered in many locations. We covered a lot of land in those 2 days and the sites we got to see on the island are unbelievable.

To fully convey all of the sites and activities packed into this 3 day trip I’ll give you a brief overview of the itinerary we followed during the tour.

This excursion begins in Rainbow Beach, a coastal town in south-eastern Queensland. Once registered for the journey and present in Rainbow Beach, people are split up into groups and assigned to 4×4 trucks. With groups of 7 in each vehicle, the fleet of about 5 vehicles departs for Fraser Island. Those who are up for the task and have valid drivers licences can take turns driving the trucks throughout the 3 day trip. The exception being with the leading vehicle, where a very qualified and knowledgable tour guide takes the drivers seat and guides the rest of the cars to the planned out destinations on the island. The tour guides make the route and entire trip run very smoothly.

After the cars board the short ferry ride across the water to Fraser Island the trek to Lake McKenzie begins. Driving on the beach right along the waters edge is something you would only imagine to happen in a movie! But we got to experience almost 3 full days of this. Lake Mckenzie is located more inland on the island, so it’s quite the bumpy ride down the sand dune path to get there. The Lake is perched high in a sand dune, 100 metres above sea level. The crystal clear, warm lake water is something that cannot be found just anywhere! The majority of the afternoon is spent here, before heading back to the outskirts of the island to set up camp right on the beach.

All camping gear and food is provided for the trip. Setting up and cooking is quite the team-effort, but it all adds to the truly authentic camping trip experience. Watching the sun set over the ocean is absolutely priceless.

The 6am wake-up was well worth it, as the second day is packed with loads of great sites to see. The first stop is Lake Wabby, where we stop to cook breakfast right on the beach. What better way to start the morning than with breakfast on the beach and a little swim in the lake! Next we begin the drive to the Champagne pools. On route, we stop at the Maheno shipwreck which has become a landmark attraction. It was one of the first turbine-driven steamers on the route between Syndey and Auckland, until it was commissioned as a hospital ship in Europe during World War I. In 1935, it was sold to Japan for parts. As it was being towed to Japan it hit a cyclone and helplessly drifted ashore onto Fraser Island. Still somewhat intact but very aged, it’s a classic site to stop during any trip to Fraser Island.

Next stop: the Champagne Pools! A very popular swimming pool, with waves from the ocean crashing over the surrounding rocks. The view from the trail above is absolutely amazing.

The drive back to the campsite was a couple hours long, but nothing beats driving along the beach so no one was complaining! We even spotted some dingoes on the way back!

The next morning we packed up our little home on the beach and prepared to head back to the mainland. But not without one last ride through the sand dunes on the way back. We parked and climbed to the top of one…what a view! The island behind us on one side and a beautiful ocean view on the other. Nothing beats a view from the top.

Overall, the trip was amazing. Getting out of the big cities and doing a trip like this allows you to truly appreciate Australia and it’s natural beauty. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to do some type of excursion along the coast. It’s a great way to meet people from around the world and really be one with nature for a few days!

There are many companies you can book through, all with very similar itineraries. If you’re not a camper, there are also some options without it. We booked our tour through Peterpans Adventure Travel, a great travel company with locations all throughout Australia.  They have many options depending on what you hope to see and get out of the trip! Fraser Island is a must-see for travellers in Australia, you cannot miss out on this one of a kind trip.

As a mother-to-be and travel writer, I’m determined to continue travelling extensively through pregnancy and after. Whether it’s an unrealistic dream, or a skill that can be mastered, I’ll be finding out pretty quickly after our son is born.

What is giving me hope is finding out about hotels that go over and above to make you and your kids feel comfortable while travelling. Like Swissôtel that has just announced their “Kids Room” concept. Let them know ahead of time and they will set up the room to meet the age specific needs of children from babies to teenagers. Everything from age-appropriate board games, DVDs to video games.

An example of what the Babies & Toddlers (Age 0-5) amenities can include:

• Cot
• Changing table
• Nappy disposal bin
• Toilet seat
• Baby bath with shampoo and soap
• Bottle warmer and bottles
• Toys
• Age appropriate bed and bathroom linens
• Stroller
• Baby high chair
• Portable baby monitor

Just imagining being able to travel around the world and still have many of the comforts set up at home has me dreaming of the travel opportunities. A business trip to Bangkok without packing special bath, sleeping and eating supplies? Is that really possible? How about a 2 week long resort getaway to Phuket or Goa without blowing the luggage limit? Supposedly it’s all possible, with extra child friendly amenities in Phuket and Goa.

A trip to the newly opened Swissôtel Goa promises a kid’s club which has a variety of games and activities suitable for children aged between 4 to 14 years.

The Swissôtel Resort Phuket boasts 180 spacious one to three bedroom suites along with Kids World, an amusement and entertainment play zone that offers games, arts and crafts and movies for children.

Now I can’t wait to see how little luggage I can get away with and still have a happy child and momma.

Swissôtel Child Friendly Travel Packages

Guests travelling with children for a minimum of two nights to Swissôtel Goa can enjoy the resort’s Irresistible Package. This offer includes daily complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner for two, with discounted food and beverage rates for the children, as well as complimentary use of the kid’s club. The package is available until 30 September 2013.

Swissôtel Resort Phuket is offering a Family Getaway Package that includes a discount of 10% off the Best Available Rate, with a minimum stay of two nights. This package also includes a complimentary extra bed for children, breakfast and a pizza making class. The package is valid until 30 June 2013.

Here’s a unique theme for a boutique hotel. Miami-inspired. Complete with a sea blue Art-Deco looking exterior and a hot-pink Cadillac parked out front, this Pattaya hotel is sure to catch some attention. The Miami themed fun in Wave continues through the hotel with the American-style all-day dining restaurant Cadillac Café and unique touches in the rooms like Tiffany blue walls. Looks like we can now enjoy the retro Miami Beach vibe right here in Asia.

To celebrate the launch Wave is offering a special Opening Rate, From SGD 235 per night until April 30, 2013* (inclusive of complimentary breakfast at Cadillac Café, welcome snack, mini-bar beverages, internet access and local calls). *Not available during Songkran (Thai New Year) from 12-16 April 2013.

Ah, the flavours of Kolkata. The capital of West Bengal that conjures up images of seafood, fish curries and sweets – the food the area is known for. Indian food lovers get ready for a flavour explosion as Swissôtel Merchant Court borrows chefs from their sister hotel Swissôtel Kolkata to recreate authentic dishes just for their “Flavours of Kolkata” event.

With meat, seafood and vegetarian options available, the highlights are Masaledar Machli (fish cooked with Indian spices), Gosht Rogan Josh (lamb cooked in red chilli & yoghurt), and Adraki Aloo Gobi (potato & cauliflower cooked with ginger flavoured gravy). All a nice mix of spices without being spicy.

The Indian selection continues with salads Tandoori Murgh Chat (Indian spiced chicken salad), Soya Aloo Chat (chickpea and potato Indian spiced salad), and fried snacks like Jaipuri Bhindi (batter fried lady fingers), Vada (potato Fritters) and Vegetable Pakoras. A variety of flavours, with the pakoras and Jaipuri Bhindi being such crispy flavourful delights, seconds were needed.

To even out the Indian dishes, Ellenborough Market Café staples are still available including sashimi, a large cold seafood section with crab, mussels and prawns and their signature Peranakan cuisine.  A little something for everyone.

When finally ready to end the meal with dessert, choose from Indian specialties like Moong Dal Burfi (sweet lentil cake) and the must try Badam Kulfi (Indian-styled ice cream with almond & saffron) or Western and Asian treats like Marble Cheese Cake and Nonya Kueh. The Indian-styled ice cream with its creamy texture and soft nutty flavours is so good it should be served in 1 litre tubs instead of shot glasses. This way I could take some home for a late night snack! Make sure to grab a couple glasses of Badam Kulfi if you see them at the dessert counter as they were all out when I passed by for seconds.

Flavours of Kolkata
5 to 14 April 2013
Lunch (Saturday & Sunday) Adult $52++ Child $26++
Dinner (Daily) Adult $58++ Child $29++

Ellenborough Market Cafe
Swissôtel Merchant Court
20 Merchant Road
Singapore 058281
T: +65 6239 1848

It’s time to don your hottest pool outfits and head to W Singapore-Sentosa Cove for their new Endless Summer WET Deck Party. Get ready for a game of foosball, beach volleyball or just lounging in a hammock made for two while listing to the hottest beats spun by a rotating mix of DJs. All of the action is set around the 1,300sqm WET pool overlook the marina and sea.

Tickets priced at $35++ per person, includes one drink and access to WET. Check out Endless Summer for more information.

Endless Summer WET Deck Party (Monthly Event)
W Singapore-Sentosa Cove
21 Ocean Way
Singapore, 098374
T: 6808-7258
E: woobar.singapore@whotels.com

The Perfect Getaway

Manly, a suburb of Sydney, is located a twenty-minute ferry ride away from the big city. Only accessible by water, it is the perfect getaway for a few nights or even a day trip. The cobblestone streets in The Corso really gives you a small town, beachy feel. Its beautiful beach located meters away from the centre of town, is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the view of the crashing waves.

For me, Manly is a must-see city if you’re going to be in Sydney. Escaping the busy city life is necessary to truly experience Australia. ‘The Corso’ is the main street which connects the Manly Wharf and the main beach, the majority of it is closed off to cars and only used for pedestrian traffic. Along The Corso there are many small boutiques and retail stores scattered around, you could easily spend all day just walking around and checking them out. There are also tons of great restaurants along The Corso. Towards the beach end there are some great places with ocean views that are perfect for a nice patio lunch.

Whether you prefer to walk around and take it all in or hit the surf yourself, this location is perfect. The scenic path along the beach is beautiful, but be sure to park yourself on a bench every once in a while and check out all the surfers! Manly’s waves are ideal for surfing, and it’s not overly crowded so it’s great for a first time surfer. Manly hosted the Australian Open of Surfing in February 2012.

Getting There

Hop on the ferry at the Circular Quay in Sydney and take the scenic route over to the Manly Wharf. The ride over is anything but a nuisance. The view is excellent the whole way over. You can get some great pictures of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Once you get to Manly absolutely everything is walking distance. The wharf is only a few minutes from The Corso and not even 10 minutes until you hit the beach.

Our Recommendations

Enjoy your day and head back to the city for the evening or stay in Manly and check out the hip local pubs, which happen to be loads of fun. I stayed for a week, but my cousin ended up living and working there for over a year! So, when you manage to pull yourself away from this addicting little city,  I recommend heading back over to Sydney around sunset because the view as your coming in towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge is stunning.

Travel will change you. It will open your eyes to new people, new cultures and new experiences. It will test your patience, your stomach strength and your ability to cope when you are out of your element. Travel will change you, thankfully for the best.

Climbing Mt Villarica in Pucon Chile is one of my greatest travel memories. Mostly for the fact that we managed to climb a Volcano. A real life, smoking from the top, ice tipped volcano! And it was no easy feat.

After scoping out a few different companies we ended up going with the one who gave us the best deal. Although they say in foreign countries it’s always best to go with the safest company, especially when doing anything that could endanger your life, I apparently enjoy living on the edge… Just like the time I did Death Road in Bolivia and went with one of the cheaper companies and then opted for a single suspension bike to save myself 5 WHOLE DOLLARS! Who does that??

The guides fitted us with climbing boots, waterproof gear, crampons and icepicks and we were lucky enough to have a beautiful clear day the next morning for the climb. The trek took about 6 hours to get to the summit, with me setting the pace because I was the slowest. I’d like to put that down to my short legs but I don’t know if everyone would let me get away with that. It was an extremely steep climb and once we hit the snow we needed breaks every 30 to 45 minutes, my arms and legs were shaking from fatigue and I didn’t think I would have had enough strength left in my body to save myself with an ice pick if I somehow manage to fall off the edge. I have to admit there were so many points on the climb that I seriously thought no way am I making it. Thankfully though our amazing tour guides sang to me, my mates pushed me and eventually against all odds I managed to make it to the top.

As soon as I saw the smoke from the crater and then turned back to see the spectacular views over the lake district that went all the way to Argentina, the memories of the struggle to get there all seemed to vanish. After taking a million photos and a video dancing to Pitt Bulls “Good Feeling” we downed a beer which was so lovingly carried up by our English mate, who probably packed his bag when he was still drunk that morning, and made our descent.

With hard plastic shields strapped to our butts and our icepick in hand we were let loose like bobsledders flying through ice shoots! I knew I had accomplished something big as i whizzed down feeling like I was on top of the world. Two hours later we finally made it to the bottom, exhausted but with amazing memories in tow.

The most amazing view, blue water and sandy beaches!

If you’re craving a once in a lifetime adrenaline rush, this skydive is a must-do during a trip to the East Coast of Australia. It’s Australia’s highest tandem skydive, with the highest jump from 14 000 ft with a 30 second free fall! I’m not big on heights, but i figured if i was ever going to be adventurous and jump out of a plane I would definitely prefer to do it looking over the Great Barrier Reef and landing on the beach!

We were staying in Cairns at the time, and decided to book the day-long excursion to Mission Beach. It’s about a two hour early morning bus ride, the bus included in the purchase of the skydive. You arrive back in Cairns by about 3pm, so there’s still time for an afternoon swim in the lagoon!

A lot of people snorkel or scuba dive the Great Barrier reef (which is another extraordinary experience) but the view from the top is equally as memorable. Getting to soar over tropical islands and aqua-blue seawater is a really unique experience. When we got closer to landing the instructor even pointed out some sea-turtles he saw swimming on the reef! Overall, thinking back on all the great activities we did throughout our trip I’d have to say that this was definitely one of the best. Not to mention, how cool it sounds to tell your friends back home that you went skydiving in Australia!

Skydive Australia is a great company to book with. They have jumping spots all along the east coast, so it’s still a possibility even if you don’t make it all the way up to Cairns. They have super friendly instructors that make the experience that much more exciting. Each instructor does about 4 jumps a day, but act just as excited each time to make the experience enjoyable for the often first-time jumpers. The instructors run you through a brief training session for ultimate safety. But in all, you really don’t have to do much, the instructors that jump with you do all the work which allows you to really take it all in and enjoy!

It is slightly expensive (about $250-300), especially for a budget traveller like myself, but the experience is 100% worth it. The optional video and pictures of the skydive (about $80) is a great souvenir that I’d highly recommend. If you want to cross skydiving off your bucket list, the east coast is the best place to do it!

To book visit www.skydivemissionbeach.com

Vana Belle has opened its doors in beautiful Koh Samui, Thailand. The Starwood Luxury Collection Resort is located on the island’s Chaweng Noi Beach with its white sand, turquoise blue waters, and tranquility while still being in close proximity to the optional bustle on the main Chaweng beach. The resort offers the opportunity to enjoy your own pool with a choice of Pool Suites or Pool Villas all with outdoor spaces, breathtaking views and the utmost privacy. Complete the resort experience with a visit to the onsite Vana Spa and choose from Panali the poolside restaurant and Kiree the resort’s signature Thai restaurant for your dining options.

For more information on Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui, visit www.luxurycollection.com/vanabelle.

Seafood lovers get ready for a feast of unbelievable variety and proportions. Imagine crab, baked whole salmon, scallops, mussels, clams, prawns, sea bass, and stingray cooked in a variety of sauces and styles all ready for your indulgence in unlimited quantities. Sounds too good to be true doesn’t? Well we found out it is all possible and those dishes are only scratching the surface.

During a visit to to Plaza Brasserie at PARKROYAL on Beach Road to try out their new Seafood Fiesta, my husband Tom and I were in for a night of decadence. We started with a superbly soft, baked sea bass that is cooked when you order it. Available in either Hong Kong or Thai style, it was so soft and fresh, I highly recommend it.

Ready for more we tried White Clams in Thai Chilli Sauce and Southern Bay Clams in Black Bean Sauce. I could eat a whole meal of just the clams in black bean sauce, it was that good. Besides a variety of clams, fresh prawns and green mussels are also available and are cooked in your choice of black bean, ‘XO’, black pepper and thai chili sauce from Monday to Thursday.

Then it was time to get our fingers dirty and dig into Stir-fried Crab with Egg Yolk. A bit of work to get the crab out, but for any crab lover, it’s always worth it. I was surprised to walk around and see that there wasn’t the average 1 pot of prepared crab ready to eat but 3 different types of crab available on this Friday night. Thai Style Green Curry Crab, Salted Egg Crab and Black Pepper Crab were part of the buffet for the night. With the selection always changing, some nights might also include Chilli Crab (one of my favourites).

On Fridays to Sundays the Chef’s “live” cooking station serves up a Teppanyaki selection of prawns, stingray, sotong and salmon cooked on demand. We tried the stingray served wrapped in a banana leaf and it was another hit. A surprise dish for us was a Fried Kway Teo served with cockles and prawns that we found out is made by their Penang chef that just joined the team. Do give it a try for yourself if you have a chance.

As I continued to explore the buffet selection, I found a variety of seafood salads; prawns, mussels and oysters on ice; and a row of hot chaffing dishes filled with more seafood delights as well as meat dishes including Braised Duck, Lemon Chicken and Beef and Ginger with Onions. For fans of the Plaza Brasserie staples Braised Sea Cucumber with Roast Pork and Mushrooms, and Crispy Soft Shell Crab with Tobiko Mayo, those were also available. 

With my stomach almost filled to the brim and telling Dennis from Superadrianme.com how great I thought the food was, he insisted I had to try the laksa, even if it was just a taste of the broth since I was so full. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try even more good food, and let him guide me through the ordering process since it’s cooked fresh. I chose prawns, fish cakes, and egg in my laksa and topped it off with green onions and a dollop of chilli sauce on Dennis’ recommendation. A taste of the broth and a spoonful of noodles and I was not disappointed. The chilli added just the right amount of kick, I might have to start adding chilli paste to my laksas from now on.

No matter how full I am, there is always room for dessert. I’m sure this applies to everyone. When it comes to dessert at Plaza Brasserie, Tom heads straight for the ice cream and I head straight for their cheesecake as Plaza Brasserie serves real cheesecake, not the spongy imitation kind. With a slice of cheesecake and a scoop of ice cream, it was a perfect end to an indulgent meal that is my idea of heaven. Try it out for yourselves and let us know what you think.

Seafood Fiesta at Plaza Brasserie
Available 8 March to 26 May 2013
Dinner (Mondays to Thursdays): Adult $53++  Child $32++  (excluding Easter and Mother’s Day weekend)
Dinner (Fridays to Sundays): Adult $58++  Child $35++  (excluding Easter and Mother’s Day weekend)

PARKROYAL on Beach Road
Plaza Brasserie
7500 Beach Road
199591, Singapore
T: 6505 5710

This was an invited food tasting. All opinions are our own.

Golconda Fort

Chowmahalla Palace

A former palace of the Nizams, the compound consists of 4 separate palaces with Khilwat, the grand Durbar Hall being the highlight. The hall covered in marble and ornate chandeliers, has hosted many royal functions and is now available for select private parties. The corners of the main palace house a mini museum with history of Hyderabad, the Nizams and the four palaces.

Laad Bazaar

If you are savvy enough, make your way from Chowmahalla Palace to Charminar by foot which will bring you through Laad Bazaar. The shops lining the streets are filled with bangles in metal and lacquer bejewelled in every colour imaginable. Besides bangles expect to see  semi-precious stones, pearls, jewellery, silverware, paintings, saris and perfumes. For the less savvy, once at Charminar, Laad Bazaar is just around the corner.

Charminar

This landmark has become a global icon of Hyderabad, listed among the most recognized structures of India. Built in 1591 it is a monument and mosque, which for a small entrance fee you can climb to the first floor for a view over the city. The higher floors have been closed off due an accident involving someone falling from a higher level, as we were told by our driver.

While at Charminar besides visiting the Laad Bazaar in the northeast, in the west end is Mecca Masjid, one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad and one of the largest in India.

Western Australia is known for it’s abundance of sunshine, nature and great wine, with Margaret River being the wine lovers ultimate destination. But for the wine enthusiast that finds themselves in Perth with not enough time for the 3-hour drive to Margaret River, we found a closer alternative that will still quench your thirst. Swan Valley is home to over 40 wineries including the well known Sandalford Winery and best of all is only 25 minutes from Perth’s CBD and 10 minutes from the airport.

A half day or full day wine tour will allow you to sit back and leave the driving to someone else, while renting a car will allow you more freedom, but also the task of finding a designated driver. We opted for a lesser known alternative, a self-guided bicycle tour of Swan Valley.

Wanting to set our own itinerary and maybe burn some calories while consuming them, we thought renting bicycles would be ideal. Little did we know, the one day we head out to Swan Valley on two wheels, the temperature is set to reach over 40 degrees celcius. Picking up bicycles in downtown Perth, my husband Tom and I headed to the main Perth train station cycling through the city’s streets while getting a glimpse of the slowly warming air. We hopped on the red line to Swan Valley’s closest train station Gildford East. A short 1o minute ride through a residential area brings us to the quaint town of Guildford that can be a destination in itself for a history walk or antique shopping. This is also the start of Swan Valley trail.

Refilling our water bottles at the information centre, we can start to tell it’s going to be a scorcher. The wind that normally cools you off as you ride feels more like a heater blasting hot air. With no escape from the heat, just the occasional shade from a tree, we decide our tactic will be to cycle fast in full sun, then slow it down when passing under trees. A novel idea that barely made a difference.

Luckily there are lots of stops along the Swan Valley trail. For our first stop we decided to skip the wine and have a look at Margaret River Chocolate Factory. A smart idea since this chocolate shop is kept nice and cool and also serves ice cream. A few scoops of ice-cream, cold water and chocolates in hand, we were ready to try our first winery. Only a short ride up the street from the chocolate factory is the well known Sandalford Winery. Famous for it’s fine wines, it’s an ideal lunch spot with a beautiful restaurant and grounds. A tasting here is $3 and will have you sampling a variety of grapes. We fell in love with their 2009 Sandalford Estate Reserve Shiraz.

Feeling cultured with a bottle of wine in the front basket of my bike (all I needed was a baguette to complete the look), we continued along the trail past fields of horses, a variety of boutique wineries, cheese shops and art galleries. For our next stop we put the kickstands up at Elmers in the Valley. A restaurant and micro glass brewery that was the perfect place for us to recover as the temperature finally started to cool in the afternoon. With a band playing in the background, and brews in hand, the quiet restaurant quickly turned from relaxing atmosphere to party central as a bus load of stagette goers pilled into the bar. That’s something we’ve noticed in many wine regions in Australia. You can be in a packed tasting room overflowing with people, then turn around the next minute and you are the only one there because the tour bus left. The key is to try to time it so you get the place to yourself in between tour buses and stagette parties.

Across the street from Elmers we found a truly precious winery called Little River. The French owner Bruno brings a distinctive flare to his estate with a small French café serving country style food of duck confit, pâté, and baguettes flown in from France. The baguettes aren’t the only things from France, years ago he brought over Viognier vines to create his own unique wine mixtures.

As we tasted the selection of wines, we were impressed by every glass. Our wine educator told us about how the wines are created similar to those in France. No fining, no additives, minimal preservatives and vines that are non irrigated. Just writing this makes me wish I could pick up a few more bottles of their 2005 Shiraz, but that would require another trip to Swan Valley as their wines are only sold at their tasting room.

Tom now feeling the effects of the wine tastings (I was giving him my glasses to finish), and no we can’t bring ourselves to spit, we were off to the next tasting room at Ugly Duckling. A family run winery serving wine by the glass as well as cheese platters and pie, it’s a nice spot to stop for a snack.

As we headed back towards Guildford we managed to fit in a few more detours before everything closed including fresh fruit from the side of the road and stopping by a honey tasting room. Who knew honey could have so many different flavours? Everything from strong floral notes, to more subtle flavours. We left with a greater appreciation for the sweet substance and bottles to top off our morning muesli.

Riding past the Swan River with the breeze finally cooling us down in the afternoon, we survived the heat wave. Forty degree weather aside, riding bikes was definitely the best way to take in the Swan Valley sights. We were able to stop to pet the horses, take in the end of a cricket match, watch boys doing back flips from the bridge into the river below and the best part was receiving warm greetings and smiles from the residents as we cycled past on our bikes. We were able to really connect with the community and surroundings and fall hopelessly in love with the region.

Tips

• Bicycle rentals are available in downtown Perth from Cycle Centre
• Bicycles are allowed on the trains with some peak hour exceptions so be sure to check the timings ahead
• Look out for the family pass on the train that allows you unlimited rides until midnight
• Don’t miss Little River Winery, definitely a highlight of Swan Valley
• Download the “Cycling in the Swan Valley” brochure for more information on cycling in the valley

High-tea usually conjures up thoughts of classical music, ornate furniture, scones and english accents. That has all changed now that W Singapore-Sentosa Cove has launched Drop the T², a high-tea with attitude. You’ll still find scones at this high-tea, but they’re served with a passionfruit curd and clotted cream in a swinging bird cage.

The quirkiness continues with a wood platter of what looks like muffins, brownies, and swiss rolls but are actually savouries in disguise. A bite of the “brownie” and yes there is a bit of chocolate flavour, but instead of a brownie, it’s a Foie Gras Ganache Tart. The muffins are Smoked Chicken Brioche with Tomato and Peach Relish while the swiss rolls are Sliced Gravlax Salmon Soft Goat’s Curd rolls. Very sneaky and delicious!

More familiar flavours are found in the bird cage – superbly soft macaroons in strawberry and blueberry, bite-size lemon meringue pies, and egg salad sandwiches. Then to mix things up again, marshmallows are formed to look like “Pau” and crispy katafi rolls are filled with mango and pastry cream. Every bite brings a new surprise.

Paired with the morsels of fun are equally exquisite Dilmah teas. These teas are picked, perfected and packed in Sri Lanka making them single origin Ceylon Teas (Ceylon once being the name of Sri Lanka). For tea connoisseurs that means quality, for the rest of us that means great tasting tea.

A treat for guests of W Singapore’s high-tea is the chance to taste the rare Dilmah Seasonal Flush: Dickwella Estate Pekoe 1. This tea is so rare that it is only harvested once a year and only if conditions are just right. The amount of tea they collect varies on the growing conditions and this year they were able to produce 1000 tins, of which W Singapore got 100. I enjoyed a cup of Dickwella Estate Pekoe 1 with my high-tea and even brought a tin home with me – meaning I single handily made this tea even more rare. My suggestion is to make your way to W Singapore-Sentosa Cove to try the unique snacks and this award winning tea before it’s all gone.

Drop the T² is available from 3-5 pm daily at W Singapore-Sentosa Cove’s WOOBAR for S$58++ for 2 and S$98++ for 2 with half a bottle of champagne.

WOOBAR
W Singapore-Sentosa Cove
21 Ocean Way
Singapore, 098374
T: 6808-7258
E: woobar.singapore@whotels.com

This was an invited food tasting