Good Food and Views are Worth the Journey
One thing great about Melbourne is that there are a variety of nicely laid out walks. This makes it easier for visitors like me who may have a few hours to spare and don't want to spend the whole time shopping. I checked out one of the suggested routes recently that took me through the city's historical lanes and arcades.
The Melbourne Visitor (tourism) Centre in Federation Square is the best place to start. I picked up a map that outlined the route - "Arcades and Lanes" - I wanted to do...
One of the largest private museums in Paris - Pinacotheque - has opened a branch in Singapore. Known to be like a mini-Louvre given the breadth of its collection, the Paris museum's Singapore arm is housing both a permanent collection as well as a rotating exhibit. The current feature is based on Cleopatra and her myth, which I think is the more interesting exhibit at the moment. The permanent collection is small and, alas, feels disjointed.
Firstly, if you're going to visit and are...
Had a cheerful and reasonably priced Amarone, the Nicolis Ambrosan 2007, with my dinner (minced lamb with eggs, pistachios and pine nuts from the Jerusalem cookbook by the Ottolenghi pair) tonight. Goes well with meat.
Round Island in Seychelles is just off the coast of the main island Mahe. We took a boat over to have lunch and a look – they serve good tuna steaks there. I took this photo using my father’s old Rolleiflex mid-format camera (the box type) that is probably the same age as me. It’s got its quirks – the light metre no longer works, the case is broken and so I have to use a tripod, but otherwise is still taking good photos. I like taking b&w shots but the problem is that it’s best printed yourself, which is what I did back in 1998 but am lazy these days. These old cameras take really nice b&w pics with soft contrasts.
San Sebastian's Michelin two-starred Mugaritz gets polarising reviews and I wanted to find out why so I went recently to try out the restaurant. The best way I would describe the food is that it's exploratory and really tests diners' boundaries in some cases. So, while I didn't enjoy all the courses, I really had a good time because on the whole it was fun. The wine probably helped in this case as did going with open-minded and adventurous friends.
The restaurant is degustation /...