Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Lucky Bao

Lucky Bao is a restaurant in Hout Bay set on the Main road. It seats 8 and is situated around a chefs station in a 'pod' like structure. It is quite simply the best culinary experience I've experienced this year - a fusion of Asian street food like nothing you've tasted before. If this is what Asian street food is, then I'm in for life.

Conceptualised by chef Cheyne Morrisby the recently launched diner serves up hot, fast Japanese and Chinese over-the-counter food at a bar set-up for both lunch and dinner. Cheyne calls this a ‘Pacific Rim’ style of cooking and the Lucky Bao is a melting pot of Oriental flavours. Do Try: the Bao, a traditional Chinese steamed bun with fillings like grilled pork belly or soft-shell crab; Yakitori, a Japanese skewered food dish that comes in a variety of flavourful coatings, and Slaw with mandoline-sliced roots and green chilli mayo.

Thursday evenings, on the other hand, are reserved for specialty Ramen and Burger Nights, during which guests can eat the noodle delicacy or bite into Asian-style patties in a relaxed atmosphere. Friday and Saturday nights make way for a more intimate and sophisticated culinary journey called the ‘Lucky Six’, which invites groups of eight to book out the venue for an evening to enjoy a secret six-course dinner.

Get there. now!











2015

2015 - what a year it has been. Music Festivals, Surfing,Visiting the UK, Escaping to Bali, dancing at Afrika Burn, Performing, birthdays,West Coast trips, camping with friends, moving  house and we got engaged. And now we're building a house, and planning a wedding. Can't quite believe, this year has been good. Endless gratitude.

Indonesia

Rolling Retro 
 UK
Reunions
 Afrika Burn shenanigans



 Going as the 'Bloody Colonialists' and our Gin and Tonic stop
 TaDa Red Paddle Sup Sessions
 West Coast trips
 Bali, the Gili Islands
 Diving with Mantas and Turtles and getting Engaged in Nusa Lembongan!!
Home




Monday, July 20, 2015

My Thailand Adventure - Phi Phi

After Koh Tao we made our way to our final destination, Phi Phi Island. You get collected in a water taxi to your resort. This is home to the movie The Beach. This is a place where you can just relax and unwind and do nothing after your travels. We did an amazing day trip to The Beach Island which was outstanding. Phi Phi Lee also houses the "Viking Cave", where there is a thriving industry harvesting edible bird's nest. Ko Phi Phi was devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, when nearly all of the island's infrastructure was destroyed. As of now most of this has been restored. We stayed at Phi Phi Outriggers Resort which was incredible, the best place to unwind after a long holiday. Thailand thank you, you were amazing. xoxo




My Thailand Adventure - Koh Tau

After Koh Pha Ngan, we caught a ferry to the best island of all - KOH TAO. Ko Tao is less developed than Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan, and has become increasingly popular especially with naturalists in search of relatively inexpensive scuba diving certification. Ko Tao offers some of the best scuba diving in Thailand. And with help by island conservation groups the island's environmental outlook is improving. We dived our hearts out, and stayed at the rustic and beautiful View Point. 

Words cannot describe this place - the snorkelling and diving is just out of this world...We stayed a week here and am definately heading back here...this is the place, and without a doubt the highlight of our trip. We dived with black tipped reef sharks, amazing!




My Thailand Adventure - Koh PhaNgan

After Phuket we set off for Koh PhaNgan - the further away you get from Thailand the better, these tiny islands of Koh Samui, Koh PhaNgan and Koh Tau are Paradise. Advice: Next time I will fly straight in as it took us 12 hours of traveling time on ferries and busses and was tiring. Once we got there it was paradise though. We hired a scooter for the week and traveled all around the islands at our own leisure. I checked the full moon party off my bucket list. - All though this was not my highlight, the music being too commercial, but the island itself is serene and beautiful.

We stayed at a private villa, Sandy Bay Bungalows located along the beautiful Haad Yao Beach on the tropical paradise island of Koh Phangan. It's famous for its pure white sand, crystal clear waters, coral reefs and breathtaking sunsets. Haad Yao (Long Beach) runs for over 1km and the resort covers the whole of the southern end of the beach. The highlight for me was having our own transport and having a week to do as we please. Also we found some amazing food and restaurants on the island, the restaurant below us at the end of the beach was special and authentic, we had some of the best Tom Yums imaginable.
 




My Thailand Adventure - Phuket

Phuket was my least favourite place in Thailand - with its backpacker party types and its commercial like atmosphere, perhaps it was a bit of a come down after the innocent natural beauty of where we had just been. We spent 2 nights there, which was enough for me, we saw Banlga Road, Patong which was not great for me - I detest ping pong shows, if you think about it - these young women and how they are being exploited, you wouldn't want it for your child or anyone, so I just couldn't relax and enjoy it. I didn't choose to put myself through one of those shows. Advice: be careful in Bangla Road and don't get into fights with bouncers (they can be aggressive). be streetwise, be mellow.

My highlight though, was a foot massage (by fish) and an amazing day trip to Hong Island, Krabi..where we kayaked into caves and saw monkeys and breathtaking sights, it has to be done.




My Thailand Adventure - Chiang Mai

I wanted to visit the jungles of Thailand and visit the temples and monks - Chiang Mai is the perfect place for this, with it's spectacular mountains, vibrant hill tribes and a relaxed vibe, it is Thailand's unofficial "second city" and is everything Bangkok isn't. We booked a flight from Bangkok and flew easily in to Chiang Mai. There are no words to describe the beauty of this place. We stayed at
Sukantara CascadeResort &Spa. It is situated in the middle of the jungle bordering close to Myanmar people, on a waterfall. We stayed here for 5 nights as there is so much to do in the area.

What we did:

We trekked to the hill side villages and visited the Myanmar people

We spent a day walking in Chiang Mai village.

 

Authentic Thai Massage in the market from the rehabilitated woman prisoners.

We walked the 300 steps up to Doi Suthep...presiding over the mountainous horizon to the northwest of the city, Doi Suthep mountain is the most recognizable landmark in Chiang Mai. Its glimmering mountaintop temple is a popular first stop for visitors. We trekked up the 300-plus steps of the Naga staircase to visit the working monastery and it was amazing. We got blessed by the monks - note that men and women have to go in separately. Advice: go in the early hours of the morning, when you can avoid the heat and crowds, and watch the flickering lights of the city fade as the sun rises.


We ate khao soi my favourite. Nothing says "I'm in Chiang Mai" more than eating a piquant bowl of khao soi, noodles bathed in an intense curry broth topped with crispy noodles.

The dish is traditionally served with chicken or beef with a side of chili paste, pickled cabbage, raw shallots and wedge of lime. delicious.

We visited the temples, and chatted to the monks (dream realised - amazing)

We hiked the National Parks.

 

We visited private monestaries in the hills close to where we stayed. The highlight for me was taking this in and listening to the bells on the temples blowing in the wind, completely spiritual high.

Chiang Mai is amazing and no trip to Thailand is complete without it, it was mesmerising. 

Here is what is sounds like to stand in front of a temple..very beautiful - https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=152&v=8WlQLbQ2TR4







Sunday, July 19, 2015

My Thailand Adventure - Bangkok

I wanted to tell you about Thailand. There are a few things I wanted to highlight so that when you're in Thailand you know what to expect.

So to begin....

I bought my flight ticket online, it was cheaper than going through a travel agent. I didn't have a desire to do a packaged deal where your travel agent puts everything together for you and you stay in a  resort, 10 nights in Phuket, I could'nt imagine anything worse. I wanted to be careful and choose my own guesthouses and have a real experience. I spent alot of time choosing my accommodation slowly online and viewing their websites on Trip Advisor. I emailed everybody and paid their deposits and I had the most wonderful trip doing it this way. Every accommodation was special and hand picked by me, and I chose the nature and flow of every activity. I flew directly to Bangkok, and asked my hotel to pick me up. I chose to stay in old China Town as I wanted the most unglamorous authentic experience possible. They were there to meet me, I was driven to my guesthouse immediately on arrival with no hithes. You can buy a sim card for your phone with data immediately at the airport on arrival, it's very easy, and I recommend it.

China Town is a riot - take a scene out of the Fifth Element - it's exactly that. I was dropped onto a sprawling pavement and was immediately assaulted by senses - there are hawkers everywhere and it is so completely foreign to anything I'd ever been before. I loved it.

I stayed at the Shanghai Mansion Bangkok - a beautiful small boutique hotel, in the middle of China Town. I hadn't slept on my fight and everything felt surreal but I couldn't wait to do some street photography so I checked in, left my bags and hit the sidewalk with my camera. The first moments in another city is always my best. I could not believe it. Losing myself in the beauty and the street venders and the  humid rain and humdrum - words cannot describe it. You have to go there yourself. These first moments were my best. I think something spiritual takes place when you're in a place on your own and you're getting to know it for the first time.

I walked for miles photographing the landscape, and returned late to my hotel wet and hot and happy, caught in many torrential rain storms. That evening, my partner flew in and met me in the lobby. Andrew had just been surfing in Nias for 3 weeks. I hardly recognized him as he had been living on rice and coconuts and was skinny and burnt brown by the  sun.

That night we took a train to the city and met an old friend from Cape Town, a Bangkok local, who showed us the sights and sounds - I wanted to experience some live local music, and  took us to various restaurants and bars and night clubs. What they say about Bangkok is true - you only need one night, and what happens in Bangkok, stays in Bangkok. Advice: be careful with your credit cards, make sure they are pin protected and be sure to pay cash only and not give your credit cards over..there are many scams. Make sure your cards are protected.

We did however not stay one night, we stayed two, because I wanted to see the floating markets. The photography aspect of the floating markets is amazing, and you get your own private boat and driver and speed through the canals, it's wonderful. We hired a driver for the day he drove us out, it's very far, about 2 hours, and pricey - be warned, but im glad we did it. My dream was to see a tiger and so we did that - Andrew was very patient with me but it's not something I would promote as it's cruel and unsustainable and something I wasn't comfortable with. 

Andrew said I had to experience a show and so we went to see a production that evening. It was brilliant and beautiful and we got to meet the dancers afterwards who are so good. So here ends by 2 nights in Bangkok - it was definately enough time for me and I'm so glad I stayed in Old China Town, that was the biggest highlight. The next adventure begins in Chiang Mai, the spiritual capital of Thailand...






Wednesday, June 24, 2015

What-Sup-Fitness



 On Saturday I did SUP Yoga. It was at the What - Sup - Fitness Studio in Hout Bay.

I loved it! It was so much fun. I didn't get bored once. You are so focused on staying on the board, each yoga pose works your core strength each and every second. The studio is owned by Kim Krapf, and the lesson was given by Carey-Anne, who is a wonderful yoga teacher. It's almost like hot yoga, because the pool is heated, and the room is warm. The music Carey plays is wonderful, creating an atmospheric environment.

Do it if you want to: get a better workout

Since the platform is unstable, you have to engage your core more for better balance.. "Your whole midsection will have to work to keep you balanced and afloat. You have to work harder and focus more on the water."

It will refine your technique. You'll be more in tune with your poses, according to Namaste Yoga. 'For example, during downward dog, if you have more weight on one side, your board will let you know.' 

It's more calming.The sensation of floating helps to alleviate the heaviness that life sometimes throws on our shoulders.

It's fun. It's well-known that novelty is important in exercise regimens in order to stay motivated and happy. According to the National Institute of Health, 'Mixing it up' also helps to reduce boredom and cut your risk of injury.' There are many types of yoga but it's still easy to fall into a rut. Trying paddleboard yoga will keep you on your toes.




Winter Solstice


This weekend it was our winter solstice in Cape Town. Rain has come to visit, we are receiving lashings of it! I spent the weekend doing Yoga, unplanned, it just landed up that way.  

Friday was a sound journey with Maya Haripal and Chris Tokalon. It was beautiful. It was done at the studio Yoga Within in Noordhoek. I sat next to a woman who sang such good harmonies I nearly cried.

It's amazing how you can be transported into spirit, feeling with music. This is the direction I would like to take my music, to sound journey'ing, and healing with sound. Let's see what the next advenure holds..

The Wild Women Festival



I wanted to tell you about the Wild Women Festival I attended last week. It was held on the stormy shores of Soetwater, Kommetjie. It was a whole weekend of heart-soul festivities. I was invited to attend by Quicket, and blog for them, and it was just what my soul needed. There's so much to immerse yourself in, you are welcome to do as you please - whatever takes your interest. There are no pressures.

Here is a list of some of the things I did:  
Art, Movement Medicine, Shakti Yoga, Clay Throwing, Medicine Walk, Drumming, Meditation, Red Tent, and Massage. I have written about these topics before. It is such a personal experience and really about doing whatever is right for you.

What I enjoyed most was connecting with other woman and teachers I had not yet met before. It is a safe and comfortable space with no judgement. You will learn about things relevant to you, and you will remember things that you had forgotten long ago.

I recommend it to woman of all ages.

'As I lay in the grass listening to my soul I was reminded of all the things I needed to hear, and gently let go of the things I did not need anymore.' I listened and learned - many things about myself.

You can get information from their web page here - http://www.womenoftheearthgathering.co.za/
And more about the facilitators here - http://www.womenoftheearthgathering.co.za/#!gallery/c24vq

A journey with self.






Saturday, March 14, 2015

Big Ben

Hi ho! I'm jumping on a plane tomorrow and going to London for two weeks. I can't wait to see my friends and family. I LOVE TRAVELING. I'm marketing my company a bit, when I'm over there - I love Africa See you when I'm back xxx


Cafe Roux

Cafe Roux is a beautiful restaurant set in the Noordhoek Farm Village where we live. They are hosting a line up of incredible artists. Today we are going to watch Ard Matthews. You can can get their line up here and book your tickets online to your favourite shows - presented by The Wolftrap - http://caferouxsessions.co.za/events/ 



Cape Town on Fire

Last week massive fires raged our countryside. It was fierce and humbling.. At one point I thought our house was going to burn down. Many horses and animals and people had to be evacuated in Noordhoek, including my cousin's horse farm Sleep Hollow. But some houses burned down. I'm so glad it is over. *Relief. The community really joined together to build fire breaks and help displaced and animals and fire fighters with supplies over that time, it was amazing to witness and be a part of.