Keeping one's blog updated has proved rather challenging with all the free flowing cava, pina coladas and banana mamas...not to mention the sunshine, pool, beach, room service and gourmet restaurants. And did I mention the pina coladas??! So there you have it, four days of absolute bliss in Las Terrenas.
Although we did have to endure 7h of sardine travel to get to this little paradise on earth - first 3h on a relatively spacious bus to Santo Domingo. Then a change to a local gua gua for another 4h to Las Terrenas. At first we thought the gua gua to be a relatively comfortable ride when the 12 seater had about 6 passengers. After 10minutes, we took another 6 passenger which was still ok if a bit cramped. I did see a pile of plastic stools inside the bus but thought nothing of this until another 20 passengers (yes 20) were crammed in. 33 people in a 12 seater. Oh dear...and of course with my luck I had Moses sitting next to me on the aisle between the seats crouched on one of those plastic stools. I now know how a sardine feels inside the tin - lucky, as it would have tons more room than me!
Getting to Las Terrenas was worth the pain as it's such a charming little seaside town with a distinctively Mediterranean flair with lots of French bistros and Italian owned pizzerias jotted around the palm fringed beach promenade. This was picture perfect Caribbean paradise (shame I can't actually attach the photos to this blog thanks to my ever failing Lumia).
Thursday, 8 January 2015
Sunday, 4 January 2015
Hello 2015! Thursday 1st January 2015
Yay, late wake up at last! The day started with a walk on the beach. What a glorious day, the beach was absolutely gorgeous - white sand, turquoise waters and lots of beach side restaurants. Lunch was prawn tacos and beers and dinner was a Cuban meal of rice and chicken. Simple and sweet - this is holiday after all. 2015, hope you will be as good as 2014! :)
Saturday, 3 January 2015
Happy New Year from the Dominican Republic! Wed 31st Dec 2014
We started our last day of 2014 mega early - and with slightly sore heads...taxi picked us up at around 4am to take us to the airport where we had a 6am flight to Atlanta, and then onto Punta Cana. The morning was a bit of a blur, I seem remember we stopped off for some breakfast during our layover in Atlanta. Well that is if you call hotdog breakfast :)
We arrived in sunny Punta Cana in the afternoon and then jumped into a taxi only to realise the address I had for our hotel was slightly obscure...this meant we spent an hour driving around some backstreets trying to find the hotel on Calle Alemania...Finally we spotted the well hidden sign! It was already 5pm when we finally headed out for some food and supplies for New Year's Eve. We settled a tiki bar by the beach for some Mai Tais, beer and crispy fish tacos. Despite the pouring rain, we had a great evening enjoying the food and drink - and the company wasn't half bad either :) This will go down as one of the best New Years' we've ever had!
We arrived in sunny Punta Cana in the afternoon and then jumped into a taxi only to realise the address I had for our hotel was slightly obscure...this meant we spent an hour driving around some backstreets trying to find the hotel on Calle Alemania...Finally we spotted the well hidden sign! It was already 5pm when we finally headed out for some food and supplies for New Year's Eve. We settled a tiki bar by the beach for some Mai Tais, beer and crispy fish tacos. Despite the pouring rain, we had a great evening enjoying the food and drink - and the company wasn't half bad either :) This will go down as one of the best New Years' we've ever had!
Thursday, 1 January 2015
Performing live on Beale Street - Tuesday 30th Dec 2014
Early wake up for us so we could maximise our only full day in Memphis. After a quick brekkie at the hotel (nothing memorable so not worth mentioning) we walked to Sun Studio - Mr A was very excited and kept explaining me the history of it all before we had even gone in. I must admit, I wasn't expecting much of the tour we signed up for but boy did I change my mind afterwards. The tour guide was a true music buff who enthusiastically explained how it all started at Sun Studio - all it takes is one genius with a passion for music to start the biggest musical revolution the world had seen. Sam Philips was the owner who famously said he'd record anything. And he sure did, starting with funerals,get togethers etc., before one fine day in walks a shy and nervous 18 year old Elvis Presley who asked if he could record a song on his lunch break. Unlucky for Elvis, Mr Philips was away that day but his secretary recorded the song. She really liked Elvis and tried to persuade Mr Philips to listen to the song but it would take another year before he does so. And the rest is pretty much history from there on.
Another great singer who walked through the doors was a favourite of mine - Johnny Cash. Apparently he spent week's playing his guitar outside the studio begging Mr Philips to give him a chance. I'm glad he did.
Standing on the spot where Elvis and Johnny recorded their songs and holding the very same mike they had gave me goosebumps. And an inspiration for later, but I will come to that in a moment.
Next it was off to Graceland to tour the Kings's mansion. I was really looking forward to this and getting a glimpse of how he lived, away from the cameras and paparazzi. The first thing you notice about Graceland is how small it looks from the outside. It's also has a very open access,no 10m high barbed fences, just a small tiled wall that's not even waist high.
The mansion was a lot bigger inside, with lots of floors and outdoor buildings, even a racket hall and massive stables.
We got to peek in his kitchen and downstairs bar/play room - Elvis sure liked to party and he was an excellent host. I would have loved to been part of the many parties he had at the mansion!
Finally, we also got to see his final resting place just outside mansion in the beautiful gardens - his grave was next to his parents and his still born twin. What a shame to lose someone at such a young age, 42 in today's world is still a spring chicken (well maybe with a bit of salt and pepper in the mix too).
We left Graceland feeling a bit sad and vowing to listen more to his music. He really was a super star.
Back in downtown Memphis we headed to the place where Martin Luther King was assassinated, the Lorraine Motel. Again, what a sad ending for such a powerful man who was destined for great things and who had already made a difference in the world. All the thoughts of death was making us feel quite sombre so we decided to get some BBQ as were in Memphis after all.
We settled upon Central BBQ and ordered some smoked wings with blue cheese dip which were simply stunning, followed by a plate of bbq brisket, coleslaw and chips. If heaven was a place on earth (sorry Belinda Carlisle for the cheesy quote) this would have to be it. The dishes were washed down with a few pints of local brewery called Freshwater. Very apt name indeed.
Fuelled by the pints and BBQ, we headed next to Beale Street for some live bands and more drinks. First we stopped in Blues City Cafe where we enjoyed some music from a couple of old Southern souls - it sounded like these guys had been playing for a good few years and their keyboard player was like Stevie Wonder himself! Being pigs as we are, we also ordered some BBQ sausages and smoked cheese platter - the bbq sauce was as good as the gravy we had with my friend Heidi a few years back in Hastings - the taste has imprinted on my mind forever now so good it was!!
Our next pi(n)t stop was at Taproom where got talking to the bartender. We told him about our trip and he pointed out we had chosen the three most violent cities in the US - NYC, NOLA and Memphis...well done Enzo on choosing such romantic city breaks! We sampled some utterly delicious maple pecan pie beer - it was almost too good to drink! And it was pretty potent too as I found myself on the stage in the next bar singing Fernando to a packed bar!!! No recollection of whose idea that was (well obviously mine!). So I can now say I have indeed performed on Beale Street where all the other masters used to play Johnny Cash, B.B King etc. The only difference was that they could sing. And that they were singing actual songs rather than cheesy Swedish pop. I did get a few high fives from the crowd afterwards - no doubt relieved the song was finally over. Epic night, we got back very late and regretted it the following morning (after all of 2h sleep!).
Another great singer who walked through the doors was a favourite of mine - Johnny Cash. Apparently he spent week's playing his guitar outside the studio begging Mr Philips to give him a chance. I'm glad he did.
Standing on the spot where Elvis and Johnny recorded their songs and holding the very same mike they had gave me goosebumps. And an inspiration for later, but I will come to that in a moment.
Next it was off to Graceland to tour the Kings's mansion. I was really looking forward to this and getting a glimpse of how he lived, away from the cameras and paparazzi. The first thing you notice about Graceland is how small it looks from the outside. It's also has a very open access,no 10m high barbed fences, just a small tiled wall that's not even waist high.
The mansion was a lot bigger inside, with lots of floors and outdoor buildings, even a racket hall and massive stables.
We got to peek in his kitchen and downstairs bar/play room - Elvis sure liked to party and he was an excellent host. I would have loved to been part of the many parties he had at the mansion!
Finally, we also got to see his final resting place just outside mansion in the beautiful gardens - his grave was next to his parents and his still born twin. What a shame to lose someone at such a young age, 42 in today's world is still a spring chicken (well maybe with a bit of salt and pepper in the mix too).
We left Graceland feeling a bit sad and vowing to listen more to his music. He really was a super star.
Back in downtown Memphis we headed to the place where Martin Luther King was assassinated, the Lorraine Motel. Again, what a sad ending for such a powerful man who was destined for great things and who had already made a difference in the world. All the thoughts of death was making us feel quite sombre so we decided to get some BBQ as were in Memphis after all.
We settled upon Central BBQ and ordered some smoked wings with blue cheese dip which were simply stunning, followed by a plate of bbq brisket, coleslaw and chips. If heaven was a place on earth (sorry Belinda Carlisle for the cheesy quote) this would have to be it. The dishes were washed down with a few pints of local brewery called Freshwater. Very apt name indeed.
Fuelled by the pints and BBQ, we headed next to Beale Street for some live bands and more drinks. First we stopped in Blues City Cafe where we enjoyed some music from a couple of old Southern souls - it sounded like these guys had been playing for a good few years and their keyboard player was like Stevie Wonder himself! Being pigs as we are, we also ordered some BBQ sausages and smoked cheese platter - the bbq sauce was as good as the gravy we had with my friend Heidi a few years back in Hastings - the taste has imprinted on my mind forever now so good it was!!
Our next pi(n)t stop was at Taproom where got talking to the bartender. We told him about our trip and he pointed out we had chosen the three most violent cities in the US - NYC, NOLA and Memphis...well done Enzo on choosing such romantic city breaks! We sampled some utterly delicious maple pecan pie beer - it was almost too good to drink! And it was pretty potent too as I found myself on the stage in the next bar singing Fernando to a packed bar!!! No recollection of whose idea that was (well obviously mine!). So I can now say I have indeed performed on Beale Street where all the other masters used to play Johnny Cash, B.B King etc. The only difference was that they could sing. And that they were singing actual songs rather than cheesy Swedish pop. I did get a few high fives from the crowd afterwards - no doubt relieved the song was finally over. Epic night, we got back very late and regretted it the following morning (after all of 2h sleep!).
Sweet Lord have mercy - for the other passengers!!! Monday 29th Dec 2014
Refreshed from the copious amount of sleep the previous day, we headed out to Surrey's Juice bar on Magazine Street for some breakfast/brunch (also recommended by Guy Fieri in Diners', Dives and Drive Ins for those of you who also watch Food Network none stop. Well, that might just be me...).
Magazine street is one of the best streets in NOLA - full of quirky little bars and restaurants,houses & mansions old French colonial style.
Surrey's was heaving when got there, with people queuing outside so we put our names on the waiting list and hoped for the best...our Amtrak train was departing at 13:45, so we had about an hour. Peeping other people's dishes through the window I was not going to give up on the Shrimps and Grits dish that had been highly recommended. After what seemed like a forever (everything does when you are starving, even boiling a bit of pasta!!) we sat down and ordered the before mentioned shrimps and Costa Rican breakfast platter for Mr A - brown rice, eggs, queso, avocado and salsa. As an extra, Mr A also ordered some NOLA sausage patties. Sooooo good!! This delight was washed down with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and ice coffee.
Time was up so we rushed back to the hotel and jumped into a cab to the Amtrak train station. Our train was heading all the way to Chigago, but our stop was going to be Memphis, the birthplace of blues and rock n roll, as well as The King himself, Mr Elvis Presley.
The train ride was pretty long, 8h and it was complimented by a snoring chunky Moses on the seat next us, who kept raving on about how in New Orleans she had tried all the best chicken places on the phone to her mother. Then falling asleep again, snoring and speaking in her sleep -all she kept saying was "Lord have mercy" in a proper southern twang.
This definitely improved our train experience!
We arrived in Memphis around 22:30 and were ready to hit the hay. Beale Street would have to wait until Tuesday.
Magazine street is one of the best streets in NOLA - full of quirky little bars and restaurants,houses & mansions old French colonial style.
Surrey's was heaving when got there, with people queuing outside so we put our names on the waiting list and hoped for the best...our Amtrak train was departing at 13:45, so we had about an hour. Peeping other people's dishes through the window I was not going to give up on the Shrimps and Grits dish that had been highly recommended. After what seemed like a forever (everything does when you are starving, even boiling a bit of pasta!!) we sat down and ordered the before mentioned shrimps and Costa Rican breakfast platter for Mr A - brown rice, eggs, queso, avocado and salsa. As an extra, Mr A also ordered some NOLA sausage patties. Sooooo good!! This delight was washed down with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and ice coffee.
Time was up so we rushed back to the hotel and jumped into a cab to the Amtrak train station. Our train was heading all the way to Chigago, but our stop was going to be Memphis, the birthplace of blues and rock n roll, as well as The King himself, Mr Elvis Presley.
The train ride was pretty long, 8h and it was complimented by a snoring chunky Moses on the seat next us, who kept raving on about how in New Orleans she had tried all the best chicken places on the phone to her mother. Then falling asleep again, snoring and speaking in her sleep -all she kept saying was "Lord have mercy" in a proper southern twang.
This definitely improved our train experience!
We arrived in Memphis around 22:30 and were ready to hit the hay. Beale Street would have to wait until Tuesday.
Monday, 29 December 2014
Take cover - hand grenades! Sunday 28th Dec 2014
Sunday in New Orleans started foggy so that put a damper on our plans to cruise the Mississippi. Instead we decided it was time to check out Café du Monde and the world famous beignets and chicory cafe au lait. The queue was pretty long so we knew we were in for a treat. The beignets were like little pockets of heaven - light, fluffy, donut like hot delights, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served in a paper bag. Happy from the sugar rush we strolled through the French Market seeking out for bargains. My right eye had decided to turn bright red over night and people were looking at me like I had had a very rough night...it didn't help that I was wearing my sunglasses that had snapped it the bag and were barely together. It was thus time for some new shades.
With new shades on, we headed back to Frenchtown and toured the backstreets. We were amazed how they had streetcars running on each streets in the olden times - it would be pretty difficult to do that now with all the drunken crowds at Bourbon Street.
It was starting to get cold so we sought shelter in Tropical Isle bar and were greeted by the sight of a local drink called 'Hand grenade', served in a Day-Glo green hand grenade. Should have known they were trouble as the bartender would not divulge what was in it...it also came with a side order of a alligator, but I will not go in more details about that...
Anyhow, the drink went down nicely and instant merriness ensued. It was time to continue so we found ourselves next in the Old Absinthe house sipping wine and beer by the open fire - very cozy.
At this point the hand grenade was having a very sedative effect, so after a dozen oysters it was time to head back to the hotel.
An unexplained bout of tiredness rushed through me so I found myself waking up after a 5h nap!? And much to my delight I found a pizza box from Magazine Pizza in the fridge - Mr A had picked up some nourishment while I was snoozing. He does know me very well and the pizza was aptly called Hot Mama; a spicy chicken, pineapple, jalapeño pizza. Mmmn heaven...
Sunday, 28 December 2014
I'm on a diet...the "Shell Beach Diet"! :) 27th Dec 2014
Saturday's forecast was going to be rain and then some..so we decided to head down to the garden district to see where the rich and famous abode and to visit the Lafayette cemetery.
The sun did come out for a bit and as if by magic we stumbled upon a Mexican joint with an happy hour - La Casita in the Warehouse district. Mr A was clearly blinded by the $4 margaritas, $2 dollar tacos, and some mouthwatering guacamole. We ended up ordering 6 tacos - 2 carnitas, 2 veggie and 2 bisteca...and a mountain of nachos, melted queso fondue style and salsa. We literally drank the queso dry, it was soooooo good. It even had some grated parmesan on top,extra cheesiness :)
The margaritas were not bad either! Inspired by the cocktail, we had two more at home (well the hotel suite) by our resident bartender Mr A before heading to the NOLA outskirts and on the banks of Mississippi for the eagerly awaited meal at Brigsten's.
Brigsten's was a delight - if you didn't know the address you would have walked past as it was located in an old New Orleans style house on a residential street in the suburbs.
We were greeted by a proper Southern hospitality style greeting - felt like we had been invited to dinner and mom & pop's house. Mint julep for me and Sazerac for Mr A got us in the mood for some southern comfort food.
We settled upon some gumbo and the house salad for starters. The gumbo was a hearty stew of chicken and andouille sausage and the salad was excellent - probably the first healthy dish of the trip...
The main highlight was the Seafood Platter aka the "Shell Beach Diet" - definitely my kind of diet!
Grilled drum fish with shrimp and jalapeño lime sauce; shrimp cornbread with jalapeno smoked corn butter; baked oyster LeRuth with shrimp and crab meat; baked oyster Rockefeller and Shrimp and Napa cabbage coleslaw with roasted jalapeño dressing. And finally the piece the resistance - sea scallops with asiago cheese grits with fire roasted vegetable salsa. OMG - I hate this word - but it was so darn good it was out of this world!!!
A meal would be complete without some dessert and so pecan pie it was to be. I love New Orleans!
The sun did come out for a bit and as if by magic we stumbled upon a Mexican joint with an happy hour - La Casita in the Warehouse district. Mr A was clearly blinded by the $4 margaritas, $2 dollar tacos, and some mouthwatering guacamole. We ended up ordering 6 tacos - 2 carnitas, 2 veggie and 2 bisteca...and a mountain of nachos, melted queso fondue style and salsa. We literally drank the queso dry, it was soooooo good. It even had some grated parmesan on top,extra cheesiness :)
The margaritas were not bad either! Inspired by the cocktail, we had two more at home (well the hotel suite) by our resident bartender Mr A before heading to the NOLA outskirts and on the banks of Mississippi for the eagerly awaited meal at Brigsten's.
Brigsten's was a delight - if you didn't know the address you would have walked past as it was located in an old New Orleans style house on a residential street in the suburbs.
We were greeted by a proper Southern hospitality style greeting - felt like we had been invited to dinner and mom & pop's house. Mint julep for me and Sazerac for Mr A got us in the mood for some southern comfort food.
We settled upon some gumbo and the house salad for starters. The gumbo was a hearty stew of chicken and andouille sausage and the salad was excellent - probably the first healthy dish of the trip...
The main highlight was the Seafood Platter aka the "Shell Beach Diet" - definitely my kind of diet!
Grilled drum fish with shrimp and jalapeño lime sauce; shrimp cornbread with jalapeno smoked corn butter; baked oyster LeRuth with shrimp and crab meat; baked oyster Rockefeller and Shrimp and Napa cabbage coleslaw with roasted jalapeño dressing. And finally the piece the resistance - sea scallops with asiago cheese grits with fire roasted vegetable salsa. OMG - I hate this word - but it was so darn good it was out of this world!!!
A meal would be complete without some dessert and so pecan pie it was to be. I love New Orleans!
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