Hostel No 14

A Quick little post for a short hostel stay.

Ever been on an impromptu road trip - they are the best!. My friend Peter and I decided we would hit a small car, and head up to the Blue Mountains (in Sydney's far west) on a Thursday afternoon. Its about a 2 hour drive from Sydney to the Blue Mountains. If you have grown up in Sydney at all, at some point during your schooling, you would have taken a day trip or weekend excision to The Blue Mountains. They hold major historical events and stories. The nostalgia and romance of the times of Explorers and Bush rangers still echoes through the haze of the blue Mountains.

The 'Mountains' are a popular weekend get-away spot at any-time of the year. In summer you can enjoy the nature, wildlife, bush walking  waterfalls, caves and shopping. While in Winter - you can enjoy all of the above - with a drop in temperature and if you're lucky some snow.

There are many places to stay and there are a few different towns to visit. Budgets range from camping all the way through to five star (say something like Lilianfels - OH some beautiful and a hit to the hip pocket).

As we were on a random road trip and hence on a budget, we did a night at Hostel No 14. I loved this place! It was warm, clean and had a beautiful charm about it. It looked to be an old (big) miners cottage that has been transformed into a guest house. It is more of a guest house than a hostel. You will not find any drunken you backpacker here. It is more for the budget concerned traveller. It is warm, there is heating through out. Breakfast comes for free and you can dabble away on you iPad or laptop with WiFi.

A twin room with share bathroom set us back $65 (that's $32.50 each) which isn't too bad for a warm bed, a cosie place to sit and read or browse the web and a bit of breakie and a cuppa of tea or coffee.

The manager of the hostel is very friendly and very accommodating  suggesting  things to see and do in the area and around the Mountains.

To book you can go straight to their website www.no14.com.au or I use hostelworld.com when booking hostels (its good for reviews)

Australian Rules

Its the sport of the nation - Well that actually depends on who you ask. If you ask a Victorian (someone from Victoria) tell will tell you that this statement is true... Ask anyone one else form Australia and you may get mixed responses.

Aussie Rules, as it is locally known is a fast paced ball spot - football. Its similar to Gaelic football in some terms, but really, it's a unique sport.

Spawning from the VFL (Victorian Football League) AFL is played throughout Australia. There is a Major team in every state (apart from TAS and the NT) that play in the 'AFL League'.

If you are coming to Australia during the Season (Winter season game) I urge you to get along to a match - You'll have more luck with frequent matches in Melbourne  but you can catch a lot of games in teams home grounds like Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

I personally LOVE AFL - Born and raised in Victoria, saw me support this sport before I could walk myself.

Even if your a local in Australia, and you haven't been to a match - GO! You will have the best time.

For match info and all the Aussie Rules teams check out this site - afl.com.au/

The Hardware Societe

I love Melbourne, I don't know how to explain the love I feel for a city - but it's there...and its real. I feel so at home when I am here (which it should, as it is where I am from, originally).

Melbourne is full of arty eclectic boutique shops, bars and cafes. No space is wasted. Down alley ways and side streets are some of the best hidden delights that you will ever find.

During a recent short trip to Melbourne, a few friends and I went into one of these side streets to the famous 'The Hardware Societe'.

Its a mix of modern country French dining for breakfast or brunch. The best thing is - They do Gluten free and vegan options! Yep! One of the image below is a vegan rice pudding with coconut cream and sour cherry.... YUM!

This place gets packed fast - If you love breakfast (its my favourite meal of the day) and you're an early bird - get you bottom down here early! If you're not an early bird - set your alarm!

You can find this tasty gem on Hardware Street. Look here on - Google maps

Hot Bodhi

Combine to awesome things...

1. Yum Cha
2. Vegan food

...and you get Bodhi.  Tucked away in a pocket in front of St Mary's Cathedral and the aquatic Centre in Sydney is a charming a delicious venue that you may miss, if someone didn't tell you it existed. the indoor-outdoor restaurant is always a buzz as people sit and enjoy the small parcels of tastey food that grace by them on mini carts.

For those who are not familiar with Yum Cha, it is (and dont quote me 100%) a Cantonese traditional meal/serving. Coming from the southern end of China and Hong Kong (if my memormy serves me to be correct), trays of steamed Dim Sums and mini buns and dumplings are on offer. you just pick what you feel like eating and enjoy.

The joy of Yum Cha is that it is a social event, similar to Spanish Tapas, it is a meal best shared. The only down side it that most Yum Cha is full of meat and animal by-products. So this is why Bodhi is such a 'win' for me! Its 100%Vegetarian with a massive amount of vegan options.

As Yum Cha is traditionally servered during the day (think of it as a Chinese high tea) the restruant changes the menu at night still 100% veggie/vegan.

OH - did I mentioned how good the cocktails are too? Amazing!

This place is awesome in the late afternoon and summer nights, put it into your calendar!

For more information look at their website here -  www.bodhi.id.au

A culinary excursion

Never judge a book by its cover... That's what my Mom always told me, similarly never judge a restaurant by its surrounds/location. It you did this, then you would miss probably one of the most amazing dinning experiences of you'll ever have (well - That's my thoughts, anyway.)

My beautiful friend, Michelle. Had booked a special surprise for me for my 30th Birthday celebration. For months and months we had been talking about a kooky little restaurant we had both be dying to try. I was elated when she told me we were going.

In the car we hoped and drove up to Nelson Bay.

Nelson Bay is a good 2.5 hour drive north of Sydney, If your looking for a great weekend road trip - I suggest you leave on a Friday and stop off along the way at Avoca (Central Coast) then Newcastle, or just head straight up north and enjoy the magnificent surrounds of Port Stephens.

Ritual is a concept restaurant that mixes technology, culinary art, science and passion into a find dining, intimate experience like no other.

When I say intimate, I mean it - only 10 guests dine per night. This enhances the experience, the socialising and the atmosphere.

First thing first, you MUST book in advance - this is not a restaurant where you can just show up and get a table. You can sign up via the website - www.ritualcuisine.com.au There is a questionnaire form to fill out the allows the Chef to gain insight into your taste preference.

When you get there, don't expect a waterfront OTT venue. it is modest and cosy and exceptionally perfect for the concept.

I'm not going to give too much away - but pre-pair to have everything you thought about food, turned on its side. Things are not quite as they seem! And it will be one of the most tasty experience you will ever have! You will water liquid transform into solid in front of your eyes, you will spray heavenly scented mist that tastes like strawberry, you will confuse your brain with fairy-floss that tastes of rosemary and garlic!

Thank you Michelle for this amazing experience!

Life Organic - Food heaven on earth!

Before arriving in Hong Kong I did a small amount of research - searching for Vegan cafes and restaurants. I was told that Hong Kong has some of the best food in the world, so I didn't want to pass up on any opportunity.

As it turns out, I became so incredibly addicted to this one cafe that I didn't have much time to try much else.

So I have dedicated an entire post just to this cafe. I had two breakfasts here, one lunch and two dinners.

Life Organic Cafe

They are Vegetarian and organic but cater for Vegan, Raw and Gluten Free diets.

The food is AMAZING! I was like a little kid in a candy shop - My eyes constantly darting between the other customers dishes as they came out - I wanted to try it all.

Looking over the menu - I was excited to see so many 'V's' next to the food. So many Vegan options. Its refreshing to know that in this menu I can pick from anything and it is Vegetarian, but to know that I have more than 3 Vegan options - blew my mind!

Breakfast - go the Organic Quinoa porridge (Rayns had this and loved it). I'm pretty sure Jarreth had the Croque Madame (just because it had a french name) and devoured it! I went with the Vegan version of the Life Breakfast with Scrambled Tofu! YUM. Cost? $240HKD (which is about $30 AUD for the three of us).

Lunch - I went back by myself and indulged in the Raw Power Zucchini grated carrot, organic pumpkin seed pesto, chinese chives, sun dried & fresh tomato, almond cheese and garlic oil (All ingredients in this dish are raw). Then I followed it up with a sugar free, vegan and gluten free Organic Chocolate Tofu Mousse Cake... I know what you're thinking - What is left to put in it if all the sugar and dairy is taken out... IT IS AMAZING! I would go back to Hong Kong just for this dessert! OH And the steamed lavender soy milk! YUM! (Lunch was about $235HKD - $28AUD)

Dinner - Try the Tea Smoked Eggplant Dip, Sweet Potato Fries with chili & herb salt and roasted garlic tofunaise dip and the Organic Hummus Dip for starters. Then move into a delicious temptation of choices... The vegan Life Organic Burger, salads and stir-fries will all satisfy any rumbling tummies!

Life Organic is located in Soho (I love this part of Hong Kong) but if has recently moved to 50 C Johnston Road Wanchai.

It also has a small 'Deli' take-away section, so - you can eat good food while on the run too!

Roaming around town

One of my favorite days spent in Hong Kong was with a new travel friend. We ran into Charlotte in Xi'an and visited the Terracotta Warriors with her. It was a brilliant surprise when one night she rocked up to our hostel in Hong Kong.

Charlotte and I spent the next day exploring the city. We started with a ferry ride through the Harbour. It was a nice trip. We went on the Star Ferry - which is somewhat infamous in this part of the world. A round trip ferry ride set us back about $80HKD each (about $10AUD). you can find details for the ferry ride here.

We then ventured out to Stanly - a side-side town just east of Repulse Bay. If you are into shopping there are some terrific markets here, just be sure to barter and look around! there are many shops that sell the same items at very different prices. To get to Stanley we caught a cab - it was around 100HKD (about $12AUD) which is a little pricey - but when split between two people it makes for a great half day adventure!