Historic Bangrak, food tasting and culture

South East Asia is the hub of the world for street food - in my opinion anyway. There is always something colourful, creative, strange and yummy being cooked on a corner somewhere. Sold for next to nothing and guaranteed to satisfied (but do be careful - be smart when buying and consuming street food - If others are eating from there, and its busy, its probably good - have a look around and check out how things are being handled/prepped - common sense will keep you tummy full and happy).

I love food - just because I choose to be vegan, doesn't mean I hate food - I LOVE IT! i love the smells, the colours, flavours and tastes (maybe its the French in me?)

So, after taking several strolls through the food markets, i decided to do a walking tour... why not. I love walking and meeting people and i love food - put the two together, right?

I booked through - Bangkok Food Tours. work up your appetite before hand. It's 1150 Baht ($45 AUD) which sounds a little steep, but you get soooooooo much food! if you're on a budget it may be tight, and walking around the markets would suffice.

The tour guide is great. You get a good mix of the weird and yummy. They also cater to Veggie heads like me!

I did the Bangrak tour - its the older section of the city and really interesting! i had a great time and the group I was with were really fun!

http://bangkokfoodtours.com/bang-rak-food-and-cultural-walking-tour/

Cooking up a vegetarian storm with May Kaidee

Cooking up a vegetarian storm with May Kaidee

I've always wanted to do a cooking class. I mean, I consider myself an OK cook, in that... I'll give something a go... Sometimes it works, most times it doesn't. I have h
Kind of been a vegetarian for most of my life, opting out of the meat free diet, before i even knew what the word diet meant, or even how to say meat.  So, Being the only vegetarian in my family, there wasn't too many 'hand-me-down' family recipes to inspire me to learn to cook or know what taste was. Put it this way, my mother is French, and they pretty much eat anything. And my dad is Aussie with English parents and they live of the old 'meat, mash and veg covered in gravy'.

I walked past May Kaidee's resturant/cooking school in Bangkok. I was so excited to see 'vegetarian' that at first I didn't notice that it was also a school...somehow I went from going to have dinner there to having a private 11course cooking class.

Out the back of the restaurant is a 'classroom'. I waited about 5min and the sou chef had cut and prepared all the ingredients I would need.

I couldnt beleive how fast it was to cook EVERYTHING - and I say everything becasue within a matter of moments I had cook myself 4 dishes... that I now had to eat.

CRAP - how do I fit all of this food into my tummy - and there was still another 4 dishes to go 9some of the 'dishes were sauces, so that was a relief!). I was encouraged to sit down, take my time and slowly eat.

IT WAS AMAZING - and, I'm not just say this because I cooked it. The taste, the balance - they know what they are doing!

What an amazing experience. I really do recommend everyone try this - it set me back about 1000baht (about $30AUD) not bad for a full evening of learning, entertainment and food!

nom nom nom...

www.maykaidee.com

Get on your bike and follow me...

Get on your bike and follow me

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I'm not a big fan of the 'tour group'. After my last day tour encounter in China... See (insert page link here), I was determined to minimize any tours to as few as possible. That said, I started to get a little anxious, when you are hearing impaired and traveling solo sometimes, and I hate that I am admitting this, you just want a big group hug!

So I did some research and found something that I thought would be perfect for me.

Follow me bike tours is a small tour company run out of Bangkok. They run bicycle tours around Bangkok, and the best thing about these guys is - they take you where no 'tourist' day tours take you. If you want to see the real Bangkok then this tour is perfect...not to mention your riding on a mountain bike all day which for me is perfect! I hate sitting in a bus looking out the window!

You start off at the

The Rocks Markets

Markets... most of them are free to visit, they are always in cool places/venues/ Always have good food and you're out and about walking getting exercise. Markets = Winning.

Set in Sydney's historic 'The Rocks' location, the equally named 'The Rocks Markets' takes place every weekend.

With a wide variety of homewares, trinkets, Australian souvenirs and food, you'll be sure to find something that you like... or just walk around and have a stickybeak.

Its a great FREE way to see a small bit of Sydney's history and shop at the same time.

If you're driving - Leave the car at home and catch the train. Get off at the Circular Quay stop and walk towards the bridge - you'll soon find the markets. Parking will cost you... A LOT! best go with the public transport for this one!

www.therocks.com

The Victoria Room

Mix high tea with the British Raj era, add a dash of opulence and a touch of class and you will find yourself at the Victoria Rooms in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Take yourself back in time and allow yourself to be waited on in style as you dine on mini morsels of cake goodness, tea that takes you to a place of yester-year.

Their high tea is served from 12-5 and there are three different levels.

Classic - $45 per head
Emerald - $55 per head
Sapphire - $60 per head
Diamond  - $65 per head

Each different High tea has a different alcohol served with it, pick which one you fancy!

All the waiters/ress' are very professional, attentive and dressed to impress.

Its such a lovely atmosphere, you will never want to leave!

Art Gallery of NSW

After a bit of culture? A bit of inspiration through art? WE either love art galleries or hate them. I am a lover of art galleries, I've been to some of the most famous ones in Europe, the UK, Singapore and China. Dont be too quick to dismiss how awesome our art galleries are in Australia. I think going to art galleries in AUstralia in an experience in its entirety. That is, the grounds of our art galleries are always stunning, and most them are situation with a far bit of land around them, allowing for a lovely stroll to take in the surrounds.

The Art Gallery of NSW is just beautiful. Set amongst the outskirts of the city centre, it gently falls onto the botanical gardens.

Most Sydney siders don't visit as frequently as they should, or, haven't visited at all.

You don't need a full day to visit, but I would save a good half day - Walk to the gallery from Hyde Park in Sydney - Its a lovely walk.

What's even better - if you're on a budget - It's free to enter!However, if there is a specific exhibition on, there is normally a charge to view.

My favourite thing is the Auslan guided tours. Check the galleries website for dates and times.

www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Love Miss Tilly Devine

Amongst the back back alleys and sides streets of Eastern Sydney awaits a wino's dream bar. Hidden from the hustle and bustle of the city life is Love Tilly Devine. Bringing a bit of Melbourne to Sydney (in my opinion) and gracing our lips with some of the most decadent wines, Love TIlly Devine is a hot spot for a night out in Sydney.

The wine selection will blow your mind. Boasting an impressive selection from all around the globe, there will be a wine to match you!

Not a wine fan or don't know a lot about wine? Never fear - the hosts and hostess' will listen to what you may or may not like in a wine and perfectly match one for you. I mean it! They will. Each time I have been they have hit the nail on the head.

They have a small bar menu, but it is of the highest quality, just enough to line your tummy and accompany the wine list.

It is not cheap, but I mean come on - your paying for good good good wine here. Make it a cheaper night though by going with a group of friends and opting for a bottle rather than per  glass.

www.lovetillydevine.com