PRODUCT: A GIFT FOR HER ON THE ROAD?

“Its a light weight treasure when you’re far from home”

For those with family or friends on the road, you may be wondering what kind of gift to post. You need to consider something that’ll be light for them to carry around and a gift that has thought in it – preferably something useful, too! 

As my 25^th birthday presented itself I found a little package with all these buzz words. Here’s a little inspiration to make someone’s day (year!) when on the road.

The Body Shop: Luxury Travel Gifts For Her

Body Butter

Perfume

Perfume

 Shower Gel

 A Letter

Never underestimate that old fashioned way of getting in touch. It’s a light weight treasure when you’re far from home.

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TAKE ME THERE: RVN TRAVEL SHOWCASES NEW LOOK

RVN Travel announces their new look here! Showcasing a collection of vibrant photography,  toe curling documentaries and know-how tips for our treasured travelling world.

RVN Travel invites you to share your footage and memories with others around the globe.

 We couldn’t be more excited for this new team!

Get talking and sharing with RVN Travel

Also Take a Peek At… 

Photos win top travel award for ‘unique vision’ (nzherald.co.nz)

Travel Photography Portfolio (roselinde.wordpress.com)

MASCOT: You do know there’s a bear in your bag?

A good friend of mine stopped, quiet concerned,  to ask:

“you do know there’s a bear in your bag?”

Oh the silly Germans.

Paddington Bear gave her a little fright. Why would a grown woman be carrying a bear to the beach and then take photo’s of him?

Erm…

This serious question only became more confusing when Germany saw other people at the beach, with their bears, taking photos. Somewhere in the UK someone decided it was hilarious, and acceptable, to do this. I’ve never  questioned having Paddy with me on the road. In fact I think he rather enjoys it.

Here he is at Cronulla about to pop in the sea!

Related Articles You Can Read On… 

Where Paddington came from (papaminx.wordpress.com)

Maybe he thought it was Paddington: Brown bear caught on camera as it tries to break into Russian railway station (thisismoney.co.uk)

Marmalade and Rain (vexulious.wordpress.com)

 

EAT: ONE DOLLAR FOOD SHOP IN SYDNEY

This has been a hot topic over the last few months, aside from everything else that’s expensive in Sydney, food shopping is an important one. Why? By the end of it all you have to eat and no amount of thrifty budgeting will excuse this fact.

You can be a little more smart about it though, as long as you know where to go. Here are a few areas I have sussed out to make my weekly shop for lunch, dinner and snacks a little more friendly to my dear old friend: bank account.

The weekly shop starts on Sunday in preparation for whats to come.

Ever Safe… Coles: Bulky Bits

For bulk items: jars, milk, bread, meat. Go to Coles, find one near you whether its on your lunch break or going home from work – pop in and grab the bits you need. Only use a basket – remember you have to carry this stuff home. Take a backpack, too. Heavy loading sucks. I’ve found the other stores are samey but more pricey. Frankton is near me and their range isn’t as good or as nicely priced!

Slightly in love with… Paddy’s Market: Fruit & Veg

Utterly in love with this place. The market is stuffed with colour and that super fresh feel. Don’t get me wrong, there are some bruised, yucky sections but the place is so massive just keep walking round until you find the quality you want. It won’t take long.

They tend to do deals of: 3 bags of veg for $5. You can grab courgettes, mushrooms, carrots, peppers, corn on the cob, green beans….This is better earlier in the day as its fresher.

At the end of the day stop in -  the market is flogging everything, screaming: “ONEEEEEEE DOLLLAARRRRRR!” the crowds are massive, the old women ram you with their buggies and the experience is hectic and I LOVED IT!

There’s also this incredible herb and spice section, I sigh every time I see it. There’s something you shouldn’t admit! Colour -  colour – colour. Its just authentic and a bit more exciting than buying a jar. More practical? Probably not.

Any other recommendations very welcome!

Also Read Up On…

What I do in Sydney? (meganchiew.wordpress.com)

Courgette, Sundried Tomato and Feta Cheese Muffins (storminakteacup.wordpress.com)

Recipe: Chorizo Cauliflower Rice (citytosticks.com)

EAT: Did you go to Doyle’s? The famous chippy on Watsons Bay!

It has come highly recommended and seems some how illegal to visit Watsons Bay without grabbing a box of fish and chips from Doyle’s restaurant. 

 

Sydneysiders rave about this eatery, but why?

Because, darling, its all about location. Situated on the edge of Watsons Bay, offering you something rather magical before you depart back to Sydney’s busy city. You see, when the sun sets in the distance – beyond the great ocean -  dipping behind the arching harbour bridge you can snuggle into some messy dinner and a beer with the sea salt still in your hair and a cosy cardigan wrapped around you. Choosing to sit in the restaurant or the beach beside the dock. 

It’s one of those things you do that makes the evening finish on a corny but very beautiful note, as you nuzzle down your fishy and chippy. It doesn’t come cheap, as nothing does in Watson Bay, setting you back $13. Do ask for salt and vinegar on your chips. Lemon and (oddly) a sachet of hot plum sauce is provided, otherwise this meal is rather bland and no view can make up for poopie food.

If there isn’t enough reason to visit this stunning coastal gem, its Doyle’s. A restaurant that has been open since 1885… when Australia itself just opened for business!

For More Info. See:
http://www.doyles.com.au/
 

*All images are from Google. I forgot to snap this one!

EAT: Dunbar House – Pomp and Circumstance. Its very British.

As you may have read from the recent review, “Take me there: Watsons Bay” , there’s a cluster of over -priced eateries in this beautiful bay just 20 minutes from Sydney’s city.

One of these delightful jaunts is called:  “The Dunbar House.” 

Think wicker chairs, freshly mopped chequered flooring, pillars upon entry and classic old china tea pots. It screams British pomp and circumstance but its Australian and the view to boot is a far cry from England.

Personally I would get the ferry over from Circular Quay and brunch here. Make a reservation though, it gets pretty jam packed.

For more information please see:

http://www.dunbarhouse.com.au/#home

Brunch = $10 – $20 Lunch = $20- $30

It reeks of grandeur and if you like that ‘lardy dar’ feel (as we all do on occasion!) then this is the place to go. You won’t be disappointed with the vibe or the service.  Alternatively if you’d like the same grub and a matching view at a more low key establishment, try The Tea Gardens Cafe.

Also Read On…

• Watson’s Bay Wedding at Dunbar House from Rosalie Sweeney Photography (stylemepretty.com)
• Take Me There: Watsons Bay, Sydney (nataliereviews.wordpress.com)
• Graduation Gift Ideas: Let the Pomp & Circumstance Begin! (jewelrygalblog.com)

GAME: What’s your airplane seat strategy?

Recently Cricket’s Aunty posted “The most preferred airplane seat is…” showing just how picky we are when it comes to placing our bums on an airplane.

I hate to admit it, but for the last year my airplane seat strategy has been pretty specific:

Aisle seat  - easy access to the loo.  Never on the wing of a plane – too jumpy. Usually not near the front, but somewhere middle to back.

After a fluffy debate with a friend they convinced me to shake up my weird strategic seating. I opted for the window seat instead, notice how nobody chooses the middle seat? The added bonus to this seat, other than the view, is the lean. You know what I’m talking about. It makes sleeping on the plane a fraction more comfortable, you can just about scrump up into the fetal position, lean to your side of the plane and tuck into that thin blanket.

So fess up guys, whats your seating strategy? Would you break it on your next flight?

Also Read On 

 PADDINGTONS TOP 3 FLYING TIPS 

 How to Find the Best Airplane Seat (valuewalk.com)

20 Signs You’re an Airplane Nerd (theflyingfugu.com)

EAT: Flying Fajita Sistas, Sydney

Situated in Sydney’s bohemian suburb, Glebe, this hot Mexican joint came recommended:

Flying Fajita Sistas.

Grubs up!

The food was scrumptious.

 If you do visit may I recommend ordering the Chingachunga (spelling?) or fajitas. The fajitas though aren’t big man size portions, so all those with BIG appetites be warned. 

Prices are around $22 – $30

BYO or have a jug of Sangria for $15+ (they make white wine Sangria as well!)

Service? 

The staff were attentive, polite, excellent. The girls were also wearing these frumpy dresses…  is this because its hot in there? Who knows why all their female staff should wear these hideous uniforms, but that’s irrelevant. I suppose. Majorly disappointing note – the food took an hour to arrive after ordering.

Lets talk about decor, ambiance…

Basic and comfortable – there were crosses hanging at every available space, but then again Mexico is a religious country so that kind of makes sense and kind-of creeped me out. There’s a bookcase of spicy sauces, better known as the Wall of Pain that you must try at your peril, I suppose its one way to shake up an evening. If you care to accept the challenge.

Full Rating?

5 / 10

Its a little expensive for the portion sizes and the food took a decade to arrive. The place was full, so they must be doing something right. Also note: you can’t split the bill, so make sure someone can pay the full blow and pay them back.

Also read on…

• The History of the Mouth-Watering Fajita (hotpechugas.wordpress.com)
• Low Cost Dinner Ideas (everydayfamily.com)
• Mexico Lindo-translation – Pretty Mexico, Beautiful Mexico, the choice is yours. (smallchickbigdeals.com)

GAME: For all those Europeans – Prepare yourself for some utterly stupid Aussie lingo

OK so I’ve just moved to this BEAUTIFUL suburb called Summer Hill and in this little pocket of Sydney you can expect to count just one pub. This pub is called The Summer Hill Hotel.

I got rather giddy the evening I signed up to take a home in this lovely place and decided to explore every potential aspect of my new space and so I stumbled into the Hotel in full celebratory mode to down a glass of wine and say “yeah, well done Natty!” Naturally one of the first questions I asked the hotel was whether they had a swimming pool in the facilities.

 

DO NOT ASK THIS QUESTION!

 

But Why?

Let it be known to all Europeans that beckon upon Sydney with suitcase in tow that when Australia says something is a Hotel, its not, it’s a “hotel”.  Sorry, lets put it in plain English: It’s a pub.

Why they insist on titling almost every other pub in the city a hotel is beyond me and frankly way too confusing for the idle wanderer.

It turns out I was the TENTH person from Europe THAT WEEK to ask them whether they were actually a hotel – a question that would never have crossed my mind if a dear friend hadn’t bluntly pointed out “erm…you do know this isn’t actually a hotel. You know, like, you find an ‘Inn’ in the UK”

Also…hello? If something was called an “Inn” I would also anticipate the building to accommodate those sleepy travellers. Those poor Europeans running around Sydney, knocking on every Hotel door only to discover it’s a total lie.

Now all I can see are pubs, sorry, ‘hotels’. They are literally everywhere in the city.

Don’t be a knob – be prepared for this (stupid) Australian quirk and save yourself the journey of disappointment when there is no swimming pool in the pub.

Related articles

• Infinity swimming pool of the week is at the Dinarobin Hotel Golf and Spa resort in Mauritius (poolconsultants.info)
• Swanky Radisson Blu Hotel Opens At MOA (minnesota.cbslocal.com)
• A Guide to Luxury Hotels in Sydney (hotelssaustralia.wordpress.com)

 

EAT: This Week We’re Talking About…Thai-Riffic, Newtown Australia

If you’ve decided to venture out into Newtown for a bite to eat and find yourself overwhelmed by the King Street marathon of cafe’s, bars and restaurants may I recommend Thai-Riffic – standing by its name.

Menu

  DELICIOUS! @ $15 – 20, try the Green Thai Curry.

Beverages

$5 beer – VERY NICE! Try the Buddha Beer. Wine from $20 a bottle.

Service

I think he was new…

Personality?

Comfortable, funky, modern, relaxed

Also Read…

• Buddha (peacelovehealing.wordpress.com)