Read ALL about it.. SYDNEY MORNING HERALD media...

 
Girls-only Vietnam Spa & Shopping Tour
Posted in Media by Emma McDermott on 29 Apr 2012
Check out the Sydney Morning Herald Traveller section (above) for info on my upcoming shopping and spa tour with Cape Lux Travels. Jean Wethmar of Cape Lux Travels is a seasoned Vietnam expert. She has put together a fabulous itinerary for us and will be showing us the best Vietnam has to offer in the way of shopping, luxurious day spas, great food, and gorgeous accommodation. For more info, email: jeanw@thecapeclub.com or visit the Style Safari page.

Recipe Friday...Chili Mojito's - mmm

The mojito was born in Havana, Cuba. There are many variations of the drink. This recipe calls for the five customary ingredients of mint, rum, powdered sugar, lime, and club soda. If you are throwing a Havana or Cuban theme party, plan on serving these fashionable yet traditional mojitos.

Chilli mojito

A chilli-sugar rim adds a touch of spice to the traditional lime and mint flavours of this classic Cuban rum cocktail.

Ingredients (serves 8)

A chilli-sugar rim adds a touch of spice to the traditional lime and mint flavours of this classic Cuban rum cocktail.

Preparation Time

• 170g (3/4 cup) white sugar
• 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
• 2 egg whites
• 16 fresh mint sprigs
• 160ml (2/3 cup) lime cordial
• 2 limes, coarsely chopped
• 24 ice cubes
• 320ml white rum
• Soda water, to serve
• 2 long fresh red chillies (optional), halved, deseeded, thinly sliced

Method

1. Place the sugar and chilli flakes in a mortar and pound with a pestle until finely crushed. (Alternatively, use a coffee or spice grinder.) Transfer to a small plate.
2. Use a fork to whisk the egg whites in a bowl until frothy. Dip the rim of 1 serving glass into the egg white, then into the chilli mixture to coat. Repeat with the remaining serving glasses. Set aside until set.
3. Divide the mint, cordial and lime among the glasses. Use the end of a rolling pin to gently pound until coarsely crushed. Divide the ice cubes and rum among the glasses. Top with soda water. Add a slice of chilli to each glass, if desired, to serve.

What you smoking your socks Jean?.. grow rice in a bowl?

Wowoie.. impressed by this look.. I brought home some rice to plant as well.. and I sourced a pot exactly like this one as well..

I love this look.. adds the splash of color without much effort (I though)...

Yes.. my pots would be wonderful .. I couldn't wait to get home and grow some rice in my bowl as well..

 

My rice seeds.. before planting..

My specially selected seed raising soil mix I found at our local nursery..

My TWO stunning planters which I brought back safely from Hoi An..

See.. same same.. I found this amazing little pottery shop..

Wowie.. mine turned out more like a forest of rice.. not a delicate pot with lovely soft green tips..

Just goes to show.. you can't and shouldn't try to imitate/ or copy anyone in life! !!!  We are individuals.. and our gifts and how we brings these gifts about are unique to us.. let us strive to remain individuals.. and never try and copy one another..  Lesson well learnt from me trying to plant rice like the Vietnamese! ha ha!!! I still love that look anyway!

Moon River.. Remember this tune?

Who knows this tune?... Moon River.. waiting round the bend.. My huckleberry friend..

Moon river, wider than a mile
I’m crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you’re goin’, i’m goin’ your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There’s such a lot of world to see
We’re after the same rainbow’s end, waitin’ ’round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me...

Ooh,, moon river and me..

"Moon River" is a song composed by Johnny Mercer (lyrics) and Henry Mancini (music) in 1961, for whom it won that year's Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was originally sung in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's by Audrey Hepburn, although it has been covered by many other artists. The song also won the 1962 Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

Moon River U tube -  See/hear Audrey Hepburn at her BEST.. click the link.. have a great Wednesday.. all you 'mooners' out there..

Why do I love traveling?...

Indeed, traveling leaves you speechless, then turns you into a story teller..

Madikwe Game Lodge in Botswana.. remember this was that stunning Christmas we had there in the bush.. when we got stuck ....

Remember this hammock on Brampton Island - Whitsunday Islands?... how lovely it was to dabs this after lunch and have a snooze in the shade of the trees.. aah Brampton Island.. now flattened by Hurricane Yasi last year.. recover quick.. we need another visit soon..

Postboxes in Barrington Tops National Park.. yes.. Au Post does deliver here..

A stunning lunch at La Motte Wine Estate I enjoyed here with my sister.. must be 10 years ago nearly.. gosh!

My lunch.. prawn salad.. mmm, could do with that now.. I'm hungry.. its lunchtime!

The monks in Laos.. how friendly and how they just wanted to practice their english on us..

The vegetable bearer.. how she smiled at us..

The bench on the Sabie River.. at that wonderful Lodge (Kruger National Park) call Tinga.. get there on day if you can.. its amazing!!!

 

High tea lounge at Mount Nelson in Cape Town with my mom.. what a treat tea time spoil this was mom.. fond memory..

Hot air ballooning over Gauteng in South Africa.. aah just magic!

Remember when....oh. I do love traveling.!!!

Hoi An.. oh I could go on and on.. more for another time..

What are you doing in August?

Meet Emma McDermott.. she's our Personal Stylist/Shopper who will escort our small group of girls only 10-22 August from Saigon to Hanoi.. she'll show us exactly what style suits us best.. which colors do the most for us.. oh Emma.. thanks

We'll discover all the French Colonial charms of Vietnam.. our accommodation is 5* superior.. we've included THREE spa treatments plus TWO cookery lessons.. bring it on !!!

We'll know exactly what to choose to look our stunning best..

We'll get to do some amazing shopping..

So travel lightly.. make sure there's room in your suitcase for your shopping..

We'll discover Vietnam's amazing cuisine..

We have included a cruise on Halong Bay as well..

Spa and Shopping Tour Vietnam.. 10-22 August..

Be sure to contact me today for your Tour Brochure, Booking Form, Itinerary,.. limited places available..jeanw@thecapeclub.com

Recipe Friday...Coconut prawns - dừa tôm

This moreish snack works well with an ice-cold beer. If fresh coconut is not available, shredded coconut can be found in the freezer section of most Asian supermarkets.
Coconut Prawns - Tom Chien Dica
1.5kg raw prawns (shelled, deveined, tails left intact)
1/2 tea salt, plus extra for seasoning
200g plain flour
100g tapioca flour
1/2 tea annatto oil
2 eggs lightly beaten
deep vegetable oil for frying
500g shredded coconut
classic dipping sauce to serve


Season the prawns with salt set aside
To make the batter - combine flours, with 1/2 tea salt in a bowl. Make a well in the centre, add the annatto oil, and eggs, and 270ml water. Wisk to form a smooth batter.
Heat the oil in a wok or deep pan to 180C
Put shredded coconut on a plate. Dip prawns into batter, shake off, then roll in shredded coconut. Immediately fly in hot oil for 3-5 mins until golden brown. Drain on paper towel. Continue with remaining prawns - then serve with good dipping sauce.

Do you ever mail postcards/letters when you're away?

Beautiful ol' hand writing.. what an art!

Letters to be kept and treasured..

There's something very beautiful about getting 'snail mail' .. from a distant shore!

Getting an old Postcard from Paris must be #one!!!

 

Romance of travel, captured onto postcards.. thankfully!

Postcards from Vietnam..

Old Saigon..

Aah.. when time stood still for a while! .. BUT.. life moves forward.. and this is an exciting time period we're fortunate to be alive and well and living in.. we must try and blend the old with the new.. and remember when! ..... so please send those postcards when you're on holiday..  One day, this generation will be so thankful somebody did!