Gourmet by Travelogger

Sep|18|2006

New Zealand’s Friars Guide

Posted by Zahir as Australia NZ, Getaways, Gourmet, Historical, Hotels, Luxurious, Nature, Romantic

If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, the Friars Guide is indispensable. In fact I’ve yet to see another guide of its kind anywhere else in the world. For a country as stunningly gorgeous as New Zealand, this guide does it justice in showing you a fantastic selection of places to stay.

So what is it? The Friar’s Guide is a guide to luxurious accommodation in New Zealand for the discerning traveller. This means NO large impersonal hotel chains (although NZ has a few which are good value and pretty darn decent), but a variety of the most wonderful inns, cottages, b&b’s, lodges, homestays and boutique hotels – all of of them uniquely charming and in the most idyllic places. The book’s authors have strict standards, so the properties have to be very high in quality, …

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Sep|04|2006

Epic Train Journeys: The Palace On Wheels

Posted by Zahir as Adventure, Asia, Gourmet, Historical, Luxurious, Romantic

No place in the world can really match India in terms of pure, unadulterated exoticism. The colours, culture and smells of the country often said to be overwhelming in every sense, making it a fascinating place to visit.

The Palace on Wheels, is the journey fit for a maharaja. One of the most luxurious trains in the world, it takes you through a seven-day journey through Rajasthan, where you’ll be taken through some of the most stunning landscapes of Asia in royal style.

The journey starts at the Delhi Cantonment Railway Station where you’ll be greeted with a ceremonial welcome by brightly dressed staff, complete with garlands to adorn your neck.

For the next seven days, prepare to be taken back to the time of old royal splendor as you travel from the Pink City of Jaipur to Agra, home of the imposing Taj Mahal. You’ll pass through …

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Sep|01|2006

Epic Train Journeys: The Blue Train

Posted by Zahir as Adventure, Africa, Gourmet, Historical, Luxurious, Romantic

Africa is one continent I have yet to explore – imposing mountains, vast plains and of course the big 4 in their natural habitat – it all just seems so wild and mysterious.

Maybe its my penchant for colonial elegance ( think White Mischief), but I do believe that one of the best ways to see this magnificent continent is through the famous and ultra-luxe Blue Train of South Africa.

The transport of choice of kings and heads of state, the Blue Train is really akin to being a 5-star hotel on wheels. Instead of a rickety hard carriage seat, picture yourself in a gorgeous suite furnished with a spacious bed complete with fine cotton linens and a goose down duvet. The sweltering African heat outside is a non-issue with individually-controlled air conditioning, as well as under-floor heating in both the bathroom and bedroom for when things do get …

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Aug|27|2006

Cooking Class In Vietnam

Posted by Zahir as Adventure, Asia, Cities, Gourmet, Hotels, Shopping

Keen to try my hand at Vietnamese cuisine, I readily joined the cooking class offered at our hotel in Hue, the Pilgrimage Village, which included a trip to the local market.

Early the next day I was met at the lobby by Long (guest relations officer and our private concierge) and Trang, the very sweet young chef who was also to be my instructor.

We made our way to the Hue central market, a cornucopia of colours, smells and a sea of conical hats. Trang quickly ushered me through to the fish, meat and vegetable sections, expertly purchasing the rudiments of my lunch. On our way out we even met Long’s pretty wife, who was a seamstress in the market’s upper floor.

Back at the hotel, I freshened up with some bracing local coffee while the hotel staff gutted, peeled, …

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Aug|11|2006

Singapore Slang!

Posted by Zahir as Cities, Gourmet, Historical, Luxurious

The Singapore Sling is one of those famous cocktails that shows up in bar menus practically everywhere in the world. So we all recognize the name, but many of us have no clue as to what it actually tastes like, or the cloudy history behind it.

Well, first off, the most notable thing about the pink Singapore Sling ( the “slang” in the title is a private joke my sister and I have – something to do with Aussies, but can also be attributed to the way the drink has been “slang-ed” -in that there have been many versions since its original recipe) is that it is Singapore’s most famous import, and originated at its equally famous hotel, the Raffles.

This is where the somewhat cloudy facts come in. While everyone (in the cocktail/bartending world I presume) agrees that the Singapore Sling was indeed created by one by Mr. …

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Aug|01|2006