Travel

When I Was In The Northern Territory…

This is more of a travel post than a food post (as I didn’t eat anything particularly exciting apart from camel and kangaroo while I was here). Visiting the incredible landscapes, learning about the rich ancient cultures and camping (sans tent) under the stars for the first time made this an amazing and truly unforgettable experience.

Uluru

Ormiston Gorge

Alice Springs at sunset

redbank-gorge

Redbank Gorge

Animals we encountered

Anzac Hill

Bush tomatoes

John Flynn’s Grave Historical Reserve

Stuart Town Gaol

wildflowers

Wildflowers

Kings Canyon

Mount Conner

Mutitjulu Waterhole

Ochre Pits

Kata Tjuta

Royal Flying Doctor Service museum

Simpsons Gap

Standley Chasm

Glen Helen Gorge

ellery-creek

Ellery Creek Big Hole

When I was in Western Australia…

Covering one third of the Australian continent, Western Australia is a vast state filled with astonishingly diverse landscapes and incredible natural diversity. Its capital city Perth is considered to be the world’s most isolated continental capital city and I spent a sizeable amount of time driving from place to place. But it was worth it.

Food reviews to come!

The Pinnacles

Fremantle Market 2

Fremantle Markets

Nilgen Lookout

Town Hall – York

Penny Farthing

Penny Farthing Sweets – York

Mount Brown Lookout

Canola Fields

Wave Rock

Little Salmon Bay – Rottnest Island

West End

Cape Vlamingh – Rottnest Island

Quokkas

Quokkas – Rotttnest Island

Bathurst Lighthouse – Rottnest Island

John Forrest

John Forrest National Park

National Park Falls – John Forrest National Park

Swan View Tunnel – John Forrest National Park

Hovea Falls – John Forrest National Park

Kings Park

Kings Park – Perth

DNA Tower – Perth

The Perth Mint

Busselton Jetty

Cape Leuwin

Cape Leeuwin

Hamelin Bay

Lake Cave

The Margaret River Chocolate Company

When I Was In Spain…

Although I was constantly on alert for pickpockets, I love-love-loved travelling through Spain! I loved the language, the history, the castles, the palaces, the churches, the monuments, the artwork and of course the food! It is a beautiful country that I must definitely return to.

Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar

Plaza de España

Jamón Ibérico

Sagrada Família

La Rambla

Paella

Port de Barcelona

Olympic Stadium

Barcelona Olympic Stadium

Spanish Chorizo

Casa Milà

(or more popularly known as La Pedrera)

Patatas Bravas

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas

El Oso y El Madrono

(the Bear and the Strawberry Tree)

Aqueduct of Segovia

Segovia Cathedral

The Market of San Miguel

Churros

I sampled churros from various places and found that the churros in Spain are less sweet and more crispier and lighter than the churros in Australia. The chocolate dipping sauces in Spain were also different in that they were less rich (but still delicious).

Flamenco Dancing

Roman Bridge of Córdoba

Cathedral of Cordoba

Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba

This place has such a rich history! Over time it has been a temple, a mosque and a cathedral.

Royal Palace of Madrid

(on a very FOGGY day)

Tortilla Española

(Spanish Omelette)

Toledo

Seville Cathedral

Toledo Cathedral

Plaza Mayor in Madrid

Montserrat

Orange trees lining the picturesque streets of Seville

When I was in Portugal…

This was a very short visit and my sole regret was that I didn’t get to sample any authentic Portuguese barbecued chicken. Talk about first world problems.

Jerónimos Monastery

Portuguese Custard Tart

From Pastéis de Belém. Known to have the secret recipe of the ORIGINAL custard tart, this store was established in 1837 and sells around 18,000 tarts per day! The pastry was light, flaky and crispy, while the custard was creamy and mildly sweet. These delicious morsels are sold fresh from the oven and are a MUST HAVE if you are ever in Lisbon.

Belém Tower

The lighthouse at Cape St. Vincent

Portuguese Black Eyed Bean and Tuna Salad

Monument to the Discoveries

Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge

Resembling San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, the name of this bridge commemorates the Portuguese Carnation Revolution that occurred on 25 April 1974.

Dom Rodrigo

A conventual dessert from the south of Portugal that comprises of sweet egg threads and cinnamon. This delicacy is typically wrapped in colourful metallic paper and presented in a pyramidal shape.

Sagres Fortress

Portuguese Orange Roll

When I was in Siem Reap, Cambodia…

This post is more travel related and less food related as I was only in Cambodia for 3 days and spent most of my time exploring the magnificent sites rather than the local food. I suppose that will have to wait until my next visit!

Angkor Wat

Face Temple

Bayon Temple

Fish Amok

(Cambodian fish curry)

The Victory Gate

Ta Prohm Temple

Siem Reap Art Center Night Market

Chicken Kuy Teav

(Cambodian rice noodle soup)

Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm Temple

Wat Thmey Killing Fields Skull Monument

When I was in Queensland…

It was so nice being able to escape Melbourne’s FREEZING COLD winter weather! With world class beaches, national parks, rainforests and tropical reefs, I spent a lot of time exploring the outdoors and of course enjoying the beautiful warm weather.

Food reviews to come!

Green Island

Cairns Tropical Zoo

Palm Cove Beach

Palm Cove Passion

(salted caramel, apple crumble and passionfruit ice cream with caramel sauce and crushed nuts)

Cairns Botanical Gardens

Four Mile Beach

Kulki Boardwalk

Dubuji Boardwalk

Jindalba Boardwalk

The Reef Marina

Daintree Ice Cream Company

(wattleseed, passionfruit, coconut and yellow sapote)

Mossman

Mossman Gorge

Great Barrier Reef

(unfortunately my camera died before I reached all the nicer coral reefs)

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Paronella Park

Millaa Millaa, Ellinjaa and Zillie Falls

When I was in North Vietnam…

Pho bò (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)

A trip to Vietnam is incomplete without pho.

Pho Gà (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup)

I had pho almost every morning and found the broth to be simple and light. Although less ingredients are used compared to South Vietnamese pho, I found North Vietnamese pho to be delicious!

Ha Long Bay

Hạ Long Bay

Cá kho to (Vietnamese caramelised & braised catfish)

Nem cá (deep fried fish spring rolls)

Thien Cung Grotto

Buddha’s hand fruit

I saw these being offered at quite a few Buddhist temples and found their appearance to be completely bizarre. Although I didn’t get to sample any of this fruit, I discovered that aside from representing Buddha’s hands in prayer, they also represented good luck, happiness and longevity.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls

Sen Xanh Jelly Fish Salad

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The Presidential Palace of Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House

Chùa Mot Cot (One Pillar Pagoda)

Văn Mieu (Temple of Literature)

The Huc bridge and Hoan Kiem lake

Thang Long Water Puppet Show

Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Pork Roll)

When I was in Turkey…

The Republic of Turkey (as it is officially known as) is a country with a vast history with cities uncovered dating back to the Neolithic Period (or New Stone Age). It is a country bordered by eight countries and three seas, and sits in two different continents (Europe and Asia). It is a place that I found to be truly fascinating and unique.

Kaymakli Underground City

Pigeon Valley

Turkish rug in the making

Turkish rugs

Börek

(Filo pastry with spinach and feta cheese)

Göreme

Turkish ceramics

Whirling Dervishes

Sultan Han

Mevlana Museum

Pamukkale

(The weather was extremely foggy and I could hardly see a thing which was hugely disappointing as the pools here are meant to be stunning)

House of the Virgin Mary

Ephesus

Asklepion

Troy

Hagia Sophia Museum

Obelisk of Theodosius

Spice Bazaar

(Where I sampled and purchased many varieties of Turkish delight!)

Bosphorus Bridge

Simit (Turkish bread ring)

Dolmabahçe Palace

(The largest palace in Turkey and a must visit if you are travelling through Istanbul. The interior is BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL however photos are not permitted once you are inside)

The Republic Monument (located in Taksim Square)

Chicken doner kebab sandwich

Topkapi Palace

Sultan Ahmed Mosque (better known as the Blue Mosque)

Künefe

(A sweet cheese pastry that is baked until golden and crispy, steeped in a sweet syrup, and topped with ground pistachios)

When I was in Tasmania…

I’ll be honest, Tasmania had never been on my list of places to visit. However cheap Jetstar flights inspired me to explore Australia’s island state, and I am grateful for the awesome experience I had while I was there.

Food reviews to come!

Salamanca Market

View from Mount Wellington

Pipe Line Track

Hobart Waterfront

Farm Gate Market

Eagle Hang Gliding

Huon River

Picton Valley

Tahune Airwalk

The Apple Shed

Russell Falls

Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)

Richmond Bridge (Australia’s oldest bridge)

Cascade Brewery (Australia’s oldest operating brewery)

Wineglass Bay

Cradle Mountain

Bicheno Blowhole

Ashgrove Cheese Farm

Launceston City Park

Cataract Gorge

When I was in Sydney…

So I had my first ever interstate travel experience recently! (I’m not going to count the time that I was in Echuca with some friends and we drove across the Murray River just for the heck of it and did a U-turn a few metres up the road and came back again) So I was pretty darn excited to visit Australia’s most populated city and I couldn’t wait to see the sights and of course sample the food!

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Spotted this little guy near the Grand Archway at the Jenolan Caves

The 9 metre tall ‘Angel’s Wing’ shawl in the Temple of Baal cave

The name of this cave (Temple of Baal) was inspired by limestone formations which reminded early cave explorers of the Biblical story of ‘Elijah and the Prophets of Baal’

Interesting fact: this cave is often used as a wedding venue! To each their own I guess.

The Three Sisters

(an unusual rock formation representing three sisters who according to Aboriginal legend were turned to stone)

Pyrmont Bridge

One of many Australian white ibis that I encountered. I think I prefer these birds as opposed to the pigeons we have in Melbourne

Darling Harbour

Bondi Beach

Chinatown Night Market

Dragon Beard Candy was the real reason why I wanted to go to the Night Market

A little bit of history about Dragon Beard Candy:

Dragon Beard Candy is a traditional sweet originating from the ancient Chinese palace. In the past, only the emperor had the opportunity to taste it. It was only after 1911 when the Chinese Dynasty collapsed that ordinary people were able to taste Dragon Beard Candy.

The main ingredient of Dragon Beard Candy is corn syrup. This sugar is stretched by hand into an abundance of thin silky threads. These threads are then used to wrap the special filling which is made up of shredded coconut, roasted peanuts and sesame seeds.

I liked how it was all made fresh on the spot. (Although this also meant that there was a bit of a wait before I could get my hands on any Dragon Beard Candy) It must be a tedious process for the staff who make these but the results are absolutely delicious. The texture is similar to that of fairy floss except you are able to feel the texture of the threads before it all melts wonderfully in your mouth. I forgot to take a photo of the Dragon Beard Candy that I ordered as I pretty much ate it straightaway, but they essentially look like soft white cocoons.

More Sydney food reviews to come!