Home Archives - Page 20 of 22 - Gazing and Grazing

Pic of the Day – Seychelles

May 29th, 2015

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.

On Round Island, Seychelles, they serve really good tuna

Mugaritz – Fun but a Bit Strange

May 29th, 2015

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 /...

Pic of the Day – Beijing’s Temple of Heaven

May 28th, 2015

With the China stock markets falling over 6% today, I looked through my old pics to find this one of the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan). I think this is my favourite place to visit in Beijing, as it’s within easy reach and there is a nice enough park surrounding the various historical structures. I took this shot in 2002 when blue skies were not an anomaly.

Tiantan Beijing — Knocking on heaven’s door – Tiantan

Pic of the Day – Bali Sunset

May 27th, 2015

In my view, Bali is best visited during July and August because of the cooler and drier winds that make the evenings pleasantly cool. Also the lesser humidity, I think, helps make for more dramatic sunsets. This was taken in Canggu (south Bali) in early August, 2009. ISO100, f6.3, 1/160, at 80mm focal length.

Canggu, Bali — Sunset over the padi fields in Bali

David Toutain – Fun and Fresh French Dining

May 27th, 2015

Of the restaurants I went to my last trip to Paris, David Toutain is the one that I want to go back to and the one that I have no hesitation in recommending. While the restaurants of Paris’ well known chefs - Joel Robuchon, Alain Ducasse, etc. - remain highlights of any trip to Paris, I find I have an increasing preference for eating food by the younger set. I think it’s partly due to the more casual ambience and less costly menus, but in many ways, I think the food holds a little more...