Nepal!

Never ending peace and love: Nepal!

As you must all be aware, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake devastated Nepal on April 26. This quake has killed over 5000 people and affected over 8 million. As Nepal is not a first world country, they do not possess the infrastructure to get up and start again without foreign aid. It is heart warming to see many countries coming to their rescue with both physical and financial assistance. We are gladden to hear that all our intrepid guides from our recent trip are safe but heart broken to think of the many locals and villagers whom we met, may have lost their lives, loved ones and livelihood.


 Every little cent is of benefit.


Here is a small list of charities, if you would like to help!

Friends of Himalayan Children:  www.f-hc.org
Intrepid foundation : www.theintrepidfoundation.org/projects/emergency-earthquake-appeal/

Disaster Emergency Committte : www.dec.org.uk

Planeterra : www.planeterra.org

Nameste.

Lest we forget!

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.

Colonel Mustafa Kemal

 

Please take a moment this weekend to show respect for our brave men and women, who made the huge sacrifice for us. Lest we forget!

In the world kitchen! Good morning Vietnam!

We adore the freshness and explosion of flavours of Vietnamese cuisine.

This is a very quick version of the rice paper rolls. You can also add cooked chicken, beef, pork, lamb, tuna or salmon for a complete meal.

VEGETABLE RICE PAPER ROLLS

INGREDIENTS

  150g of pre made coleslaw mix 

• 75 g bean shoots- washed
• ¼ bunch fresh coriander – washed and roughly chopped
• 1 chopped spring onion
• 40g toasted peanuts- chopped
• Packet of rice paper sheets
• 
  

  Dipping Sauce

 1 tbs fish sauce

 1 tbs lemon juice

 1 tbs water

 1 tsp sugar

 1 small red chilli – sliced

METHOD

Combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

Combine roll ingredients in a large bowl.

Place a rice paper sheet on a plate and brush with a brush dipped in boiling water on both sides. Don’t make too wet.

Add a third of a cup of vegetable mix to the edge of the sheet and roll tightly tucking the ends in after the first roll.

Put on a plate and cover.

Serve with dipping sauce.

Grog Blog! Popular Beers!

Found this very interesting map. Don't take it as gospel as I am sure Victoria Bitter is not Australia's most popular beer!

Easter blessings!

1. Easter Sunday is the Sunday following the paschal full moon date. The paschal full moon date is the ecclesiastical full moon date following 20 March. The Gregorian method derives paschal full moon dates by determining the epact for each year.
2. Wishing all our family and friends a very happy and safe Easter break! ( and may the bunny bring you chocolate eggs)

In the world kitchen! Cuban cuisine!

As Cuba is controlled by a communist government, there is not a lot of choice in the menu stakes. Food tends to be very basic but fresh and healthy with not much processed muck on offer. Here is a simple breakfast/brunch recipe.


Huevos habaneros (Havana style eggs).


Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Spanish olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 cup canned tomato, drained and chopped
• 1 tablespoon capsicum, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 large eggs
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped for garnish

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F Heat oil in medium skillet over low heat until oil is fragrant. Cook onion, bell pepper and garlic in hot oil until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add tomatoes, capsicum and sherry, then cook until thickened, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Lightly oil 4 ramekins or au gratin dishes, and divide the sauce among them. For each ramekin, break two eggs into a sauce, and slide them on top of the tomato mixture. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon melted butter.

Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until the whites are set and the yolks are still soft. Season with salt, pepper and chopped parsley, and serve immediately (still in the baking dish).

Serves 4

Buen Apetito!

Reminiscence! Cuba!

Our 8 day, "Classic Cuba" tour with intrepid was unique indeed! It was like a time warp minus Dr Who when we landed in Havana and were driven in to our hotel in a 1950s style car. The hotel itself was in bad need of an update; featuring furnishings from Granny's heyday. After a short tour of the city we headed to the countryside of Vinales. The only accommodation in the valley was home stay, so we were all farmed out with different families. It was a lovely area to explore the surrounding valley. Next stop was the seaside resort of Maria La Gorda where we relaxed in seaside huts, snorkled and drank rum.

Cuba has a government system based on 1st world values but trapped in the 1950s. The rule is the closest thing to modern day communism in our world today. Everyone receives $20 salary a month, staple food, housing, education and health care. They depend of tips to supplement their income and allow for black market purchases. Things are changing now though, recently, the people have been allowed to own their own businesses, cars and houses. We found the locals to be very healthy, content and happy, so there has to be something to this way of life.



TIPS

- Have cash (very hard to withdraw money from atms). Be wary of exchanging US dollars as you will be penalised. Credit cards using US system will not be accepted. Not many places accept credit anyway. Always try to have correct money as vendors don't have change.
-Choose a longer tour. 8 days was not long enough to see what Cuba is all about.
- Don't eat the cheese!
- Tour guide should be able to get most things for you on the black market.
- Havana Club 12 year rum is the drink of choice.