#Soggy Dollar Island Spiced

[rumshopboy]

Spiced / Flavoured "Rum" and Additives

Spiced / Flavoured "Rum" and Additives: What is the fuss about spiced rum? Does the image of rum have a problem? Did someone say "undisclosed additives"? 23 spiced/flavoured rums are reviewed, too.

Country: VariousABV: Various%Cost at Time of Purchase: £VariousType of Rum: Uncategorisable – S * (See End) Spiced Rum is everywhere in the UK.What is the fuss about? Does the image of rum have a problem? Did someone say “undisclosed additives”? The following is an article that started out focusing on spiced rums, but has evolved in to a commentary on the rum category, undisclosed additives…

[kcrossvine-art]

Good morn/noon/evening/after-you-woke-up! Now, I want you to imagine we are in a beige and light oak dressed kitchen, theres a plastic bowl artfully place on the island you bump your toes and hips on, and in that plastic bowl is plastic fruit, and on that plastic fruit is a decades worth of dead skin dust built up. It smells like vanilla perfume from the dollar store. On the 32-inch TV screen PBS is playing episodes of the coming of age drama 'Arthur'. We're cooking 'Stones Inna Swamp' from the Redwall Cookbook- And now a word from us kids…

(You can find the original recipe at the bottom if you’d like to follow along)-

MY NAMES CROSS NOW LETS COOK LIKE ANIMALS

SO, “what goes in to a Stones Inna Swamp?” YOU MIGHT ASKWELL for ya soup base-

White beans

Kidney beans

Vegetable oil

Onion

Celery stalks

Garlic

Sliced mushrooms

Green bell peppers

Vegetable stock

Chopped tomatoes

Parsley

Paprika

Salt and pepper

Canned beans might work well if you dont want to soak overnight, just thoroughly rinse and dry them first. And for ya dumplin's-

Rolled oats

Breadcrumbs (preferably whole wheat)

Parsley

Margarine

Cheddar Cheese

Do be careful making these, the dish caked to the pan like ive never seen anything before.

AND, “what does Stones Inna Swamp taste like?” YOU MIGHT ASK

Its a, it feels like adult babyfood, almost?

The 'dumplings'- they taste like meatballs??

This recipe would probably taste better with Regular Meatballs but these are mice so its understandable

Theres less liquid at the end than the 'swamp' name would imply

Texture similar to a mash

Most flavor comes from the aromatic ingredients

Could deal with a bit more spice

The vegetables could also go for a nice sear or roast beforehand

Pairs well with a gelatin desert and sparkly water

The dish your white parent makes when they do something 'experimental'

. The dumplings dont have a measurement for the salt, I did what felt right and I'd say it came out to maybe ¼ cup salt? . Water measurement for dumplings is way way too little, do the tablespoons and then also half cup. . Where margarine called for, used butter

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It gives off the air of when your children complain about taco tuesdays, but they cant cook for themselves and your partner refuses to learn, so you pick something out from pinterest that says "Healthy Veggie Sunday Dinner Done in 10 Minutes!". Its not bad in the traditional sense, its bad in the sense that it brings not much good. This may partially be a neurodivergent thing but the amount of soft textures just fucks with my brain.

I feel like I'm eating joker mush. The cheese is a nice touch though!

From start time to serving time, it took about 2 hours, but that could be cut down with experience. I would highly recommend either cooking the parsley dumplings separately and then adding per serving, or serving and eating immediately, because they Will get soggy and they Will fall apart over time.

 The flavor itself is very nice and savory, the more salt  you add the more itd taste like meat I think! As usual, please do feel free to add more spices than listed. I could see smoked paprika, cumin, and sautéd spinach going enhancing this a fair bit. I think if I were to make this in the future i would fry the dumplings before adding them in with the soup, to give it more texture and 'body'.

I give this recipe a wham-bam-ghost-you-ma'am of 3/10 (with 1 being food that makes one physically sick and 10 being food that gives one a lust for life again.) And now back to our show...

🐁 ORIGINAL RESIPPY TEXT BELOW 🐁

Bean Soup Ingredients:

1/2 cup dried white beans

1/2 cup dried kidney beans

4 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups (1 large) sliced onion

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 1/2 cups (4 ounces) sliced mushrooms

2 green bell peppers, seeded and chopped

1 cup vegetable stock (or 1 cup water and 1/2 cube vegetable bouillon)

1 can (14 ounces) chopped tomatoes

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1 teaspoon paprika

Salt and pepper, to taste

Parsley Dumpling Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably whole wheat)

2 teaspoons chopped parsley

1/4 cup margarine

1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese

Soup Method:

To make the soup, soak the dried beans in water overnight.

Drain the soaked beans and transfer them to a large pot. Add water to cover and bring to a boil. Boil the beans for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat and simmer until the beans are completely cooked, 40 to 50 minutes more. Drain.

In a large, preferably nonstick frying pan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onion, celery and garlic and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 more minutes.

Add the beans, stock, tomatoes, parsley and paprika. Season with salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil, cover partially, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Dumplings Method:

To make the dumplings, stir together the oats, breadcrumbs, parsley and salt in a bowl. Add the margarine and rub it into the dry ingredients with your fingers until evenly distributed. Stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons of cold water, until the mixture just forms a dough.

Form the dough into twelve 1 '/2-inch round dumplings. Add the dumplings to the bean mixture and reduce the heat to low. Simmer, covered, turning the dumplings after 10 minutes, until they are cooked through, another 20 to 25 minutes.

Sprinkle with the grated cheese and serve.

[tripstations]

Sailing adventures on a luxury yacht charter in the Caribbean

Sailing charters have seen a resurgence as more holidaymakers than ever want to reduce the environmental impact they have on the places they visit, and the Caribbean is one of the prime places to roam the seas in style. Leave the fast lane for an in-depth look at the amazing animals in environments that range from dense rainforest to coral-covered shipwrecks and be sure to pause on the powdery-soft white beaches for some well-earned rest in the sunshine.

When it comes to selecting a sailing yacht there is everything from the ambiance of a large traditional vessel to the modern luxuries and intimacy of a contemporary catamaran to suit your family group.

Wake up at your destination and be the first to explore landmarks before the crowds arrive – or be the last to leave when you have your accommodation and meals ready and waiting for your return. Best of all, your expert chef will create a variety of mouth-watering meals and the rest of the professional crew will keep adults and children alike entertained with hours of water sports.

In the vast Caribbean cruising grounds here are five destinations to consider for their attractions and favourable winds.

The British Virgin Islands

A favourite holiday destination in the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands is easy cruising from one glorious beach to the next. You will be surrounded by gorgeous crescent beaches the moment you fly in but a short cruise over to Virgin Gorda will take you to The Baths, famed for its circular boulders and fantastic snorkelling in the shallows. The Dog Islands are a great place to dive for beginners and experienced guests alike, after which the group can stretch out on the sands and dine outdoors as the sun sinks over the horizon.

Dance the night away at the famous Foxy’s Bar and the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke then wake up to the tranquil shores of Peter Island before diving the wreck of the R.M.S. RHONE, one of the most visited wrecks in the Caribbean. Sail back to Tortola for shopping, art and historic sites such as Smuggler’s Cove and the family-owned Callwood Rum Distillery, where they still use the same 400 year-old equipment.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines to Grenada

Travel through St. Vincent and the Grenadines and witness the incredible wildlife that migrates through this region as you kayak, snorkel or Scuba dive: The Tobago Cays marine reserve is filled with colourful fish and thriving corals, and dolphins, whales and turtles regularly pass through the region.

Only nine of the 32 islands in the Grenadines are inhabited, leaving the rest for you to discover for yourselves. Fort Charlotte was a filming location for The Pirates of the Caribbean and the volcanic beauty of the black sand beaches, La Soufrie Volcano and the Dark View Falls will make for breath-taking backdrops to your family photos. Bequia has great Scuba diving and snorkelling sites and Grenada, the Island of Spice offers the finest fresh ingredients for an unforgettable mouth-watering meal. End a perfect day on your sundeck over drinks and conversation with close friends and family in the fresh open air.

Guadeloupe

Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, La Désirade, Les Saintes and Marie-Galante make up the five picturesque islands of Guadeloupe where soft sand beaches lead to waterfalls hidden within verdant rainforests. Marie-Galante produces some of the Caribbean’s best rum and you can stock up before sailing off to the uninhabited islands to have your own beach party under the stars.

The Jacques Cousteau Underwater Park is unmissable for its beautiful corals and spectacular wildlife where you can spot humpback whales and turtles. Use the trade winds to travel between your destinations and power on board water toys such as sailing dinghies, windsurfers and kite surfers, or simply lie back and savour the warm breeze.

St. Barthelemy

For sailing groups who want the perfect balance between nature and the luxuries of civilisation, St. Barthelemy is a classic destination filled with world-class restaurants, stylish boutiques and art galleries. The shallow beaches around Gustavia Port are ideal for families with young children and there are plenty of snorkelling and Scuba diving sites. Sailing yacht enthusiasts can witness some of the world’s highest performing sailing yachts compete in the yearly St. Barth’s Bucket before disappearing into the surrounding Saint Barthelemy Natural Reserves for complete peace and quiet away from the crowds.

Aruba

Named ‘one of the world’s top countries for travel in 2020’ by Lonely Planet, Aruba is a year-round destination where there is a steady six knots of wind perfect for sailing yachts and wind-based water sports. Cruise from one white-sand beach to the next and delight in the incredible artificial reefs created from wrecks that both snorkelers and beginner Scuba divers can reach in the shallows. Kayakers and paddleboarders can observe sea turtles pass by through the crystal clear waters surrounding Mangel Halto while the sheltered lagoon at Arashi Beach is home to myriad colourful fish.

Concerts, festivals and exhibitions take place throughout the year across the island with a choice selection of events in Oranjestad: The Soul Beach Music Festival is a multi-day extravaganza and the Aruba Art Fair showcases the talents of local and international artists.

Across the other side of the island tracks lead away from the coast into the Arikok National Park, where your group might spot the endemic Aruban Burrowing Owl or the swift hummingbirds flitting between flowering cacti. The bountiful waters are excellent for sport fishing and mahi mahi, wahoo and tuna are among the many desirable species that could be delivered from your fishing line to your plate.

Sailing in the Caribbean offers that chance for adventure and leisure in equal measure with the unbeatable benefits to having your accommodation, entertainment and skilled crew at your service wherever you travel.

Trina Howes is a Director of CharterWorld America. CharterWorld is a luxury private yacht charter company that creates outstanding vacations with excellent yachts at amazing prices – worldwide.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

The post Sailing adventures on a luxury yacht charter in the Caribbean appeared first on Tripstations.

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[marilynngmesalo]

Creamy cocktails and dry drinks to spice up the holidays

Creamy cocktails and dry drinks to spice up the holidays Creamy cocktails and dry drinks to spice up the holidays https://ift.tt/2EBNDGx

The holidays are a time for frothy and indulgent drinks with family and friends.

While eggnog is traditionally the ultimate cozy Christmas drink, some people just don’t like the eggy rum punch.

For those looking for alternatives, here are three drinks that pack a punch when it comes to bringing the holiday spirit.

The Painkiller

(Ling Hui/Postmedia Network)

For those forgoing eggnog, but still craving a creamy rum-forward cocktail, the Painkiller is calling. Originally served at the Soggy Dollar, a popular beachfront dive bar at White Bay beach in the British Virgin Islands, the Painkiller is synonymous with the islands and is found at every bar in the BVI. The story behind the drink is that it’s named after the noni trees — nicknamed “the painkiller tree” for its medicinal qualities — that once grew along the beach. While the exact Soggy Dollar recipe is a secret, versions of the drink shared online contain between two to four ounces of rum, but two ounces is more than enough.

2 oz. dark rum

4 oz. pineapple juice

1 oz. coconut cream

1 oz. fresh-squeezed orange juice

freshly grated nutmeg

Add all ingredients, except the nutmeg, in a cocktail shaker. Top with ice. Shake well and pour into a tumbler filled 3/4 full of ice. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

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Grapefruit Pink Peppercorn Gin and Tonic

(Supplied photo)

Looking for something less heavy and a bit drier on the palate? The classic G&T gets a festive update with this pink version featured at the Oxley Public House in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood. The cocktail gets its delightful rose colour from a combination of two pink hued ingredients: the Niagara Falls-crafted Levenswater Spring 34 gin and pink grapefruit juice.

4-5 tonic water ice cubes (made by freezing tonic water in an ice cube tray), optional

2 oz. Levenswater Spring 34 gin

1/2 oz. pink peppercorn simple syrup (see recipe below)

1 oz. fresh squeezed pink grapefruit juice

good quality tonic water

grapefruit slices dipped in crushed pink peppercorns, for garnish

Pink peppercorn simple syrup:

1/2 cups of white sugar

1/2 cup distilled water

3 tablespoon pink peppercorns

Fill a low ball glass with four to five tonic water ice cubes, or plain ice cubes. Add gin, pink peppercorn simple syrup, and grapefruit juice to glass. Top with tonic water and stir gently to mix. Garnish with a grapefruit slice dipped in crushed pink peppercorns and serve.

To make the pink peppercorn simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water and pink peppercorns. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, allowing peppercorns to steep in liquid as it cools. Strain out pink peppercorns and reserve liquid. Store liquid in an airtight container, in fridge, until ready to use. Keeps up to four weeks.

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Shake

(Halo Top photo)

The white beans in this recipe from Halo Top turns a creamy dessert into a nutrition treat. With the recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warning that urged people to not eat unbaked cookie dough, this recipe’s “cookie dough” omits the risk of E. coli or salmonella contamination because it doesn’t contain raw flour and eggs. Swap the ice cream for a non-dairy ice cream and the chocolate chips with non-dairy chocolate to make it vegan-friendly.

1 can (15 oz.) no salt added white beans, drained and rinsed

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup stevia (or sugar of choice)

1/2 cup rolled old fashioned oats

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1 pint of Halo Top Vanilla Bean ice cream

To make the “cookie dough”: In a food processor fitted with metal blade, process white beans for one to two minutes. Scrape down sides with spatula to ensure all beans are processed evenly. Add in the vanilla, salt, brown sugar and stevia. Process another minute. Pour in the oats and process until smooth, one minute or so. Be sure to scrape down sides with a spatula. Add in the chocolate chips. Pulse 10 to 30 seconds until combined but not processed. Remove and place on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Spread into a thin layer. Refrigerate for up to 30 minutes or as long as 24 hours to harden.

Remove ice cream from freezer five minutes prior to serving. Crumble cookie dough and place in the bottom of a large bowl. Add one pint of ice cream to the bowl. Mix the cookie dough into the ice cream until evenly combined. Serve immediately and top with chocolate chips and extra cookie dough.

Store remaining cookie dough in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Holiday cocktails: Food and drink experts share their favourites

Recipes to sip on this season

Click for update news Bangla news https://ift.tt/2CotBO6 world news

[gtfovacations-blog]

World's best sailing destinations

(CNN) — Anchoring in idyllic bays. Slipping into azure waters for a refreshing dip. Warm breeze filling the sails en route to the next enchanted spot. Drinks and dinner on board under the stars. Gentle lapping to loll you to sleep. And repeat. Day after blissful day. A sailing holiday is a passport to another -- watery -- world where land-based worries are blown away on the breeze. Those with the right qualifications can charter their own boat. Some prefer the help of a skipper and crew, others like to take charge while sailing into a flotilla for shared experiences. However one chooses do it, the life aquatic is not to be missed. First, however, comes the decision on which tip of the planet to drift towards. Here are some of the finest destinations on the planet for sailing holidays: Greece A land lapped by sparkling seas and seemingly more islands than stars in the sky. With sun-baked beaches, turquoise waters, olive groves, deserted bays, rustic harbors with white-washed houses and spilling bougainvillea, Greece provides the perfect canvas for a sailing odyssey. The Ionian, with Captain Corelli's Kefalonia in the south and Gerald Durrell's Corfu in the north, offers gentle breezes and easy line-of-sight sailing on Greece's west coast. Charming villages such as Kioni on Ithaca or Fiskardo on Kefalonia are some of the highlights. The stronger summer meltemi winds of the Cyclades chain to the east of the mainland, with islands such as Mykonos, Ios and the flooded crater of Santorini, offer a challenge to more experienced sailors. Further east, the Dodecanese islands off the Turkish coast offer a compromise -- not quite as windy but still untamed and authentic. From Rhodes north via Kos, Kalimnos, Lipsi and Patmos, the islands provide a snapshot of traditional Greece and as much life or solitude as you can handle. Another popular area is the Sporades north of Athens, with islands such as Skiathos and the picturesque, tumbling town of Skopelos, the film set for "Mamma Mia." Or there is the Saronic Gulf south of Athens, an area of easy sailing and short hops, with highlights such as historic Aegina, romantic Hydra and cosmopolitan Poros. Getting there: Flights to Preveza for the Ionian; Athens for the Saronic Gulf; Volos for the Sporades; Kos and Rhodes for the Dodecanese; Santorini, Mykonos and a host of local airports for the Cyclades. Turkey From isolated, pine-fringed coves to glitzy marinas and jet-set nightlife, the coast of Turkey offers something for every type of sailor. For those who want to truly relax, a traditional wooden gullet crewed by professionals could be the answer. The epicenter of Turkish sailing is Bodrum, an international resort on the north coast of the Gulf of Gokova. From there easy hops take you to quaint harbors such as Gumusluk, small bays with wooden jetties fronting local restaurants such as Cokertme, or remote inlets such as Amazon Creek with an idyllic, away-from-it-all feel. The Hisaronu Gulf has charming waterfront towns such as Datca, Selimiye and Bozburun as well as plentiful quiet anchorages. Sailing east past lively Marmaris takes you to the calm waters and gentle sailing in Fethiye Bay, with its scattering of secluded coves, some with a lone, rustic taverna. At the head of the bay are the bustling towns of Gocek and Fethiye for more restaurants and markets in which to haggle for rugs and local produce. Getting there: International flights to Bodrum or Dalaman. Croatia This Adriatic gem features historic towns, picturesque harbors and smart marinas, isolated anchorages and deserted islands in one neat package in the northern Mediterranean. Stretching from Pula down to medieval Dubrovnik, Croatia's coastline offers a wealth of sailing opportunities with reliable afternoon winds and more than 1,100 islands to explore. The remote Kornati National Park is an unspoiled oasis -- so stunning, in fact, it moved author George Bernard Shaw to write that God created the islands "out of tears, stars and breath." The Dalmatian coast south of Split contains the islands of Brac, Hvar, Vis and Korcula, the birthplace of explorer Marco Polo. There's everything from quiet coves and gentle towns to buzzy cosmopolitan Hvar and Dubrovnik-light Korcula. Beyond the forested island of Mljet lies the jewel in Croatia's crown: Romantic Dubrovnik, a UNESCO heritage site, with its charming Old Town. It's also must visit for sailing fans of "Game of Thrones," much of which was filmed here. Getting there: International flights to Dubrovnik, Split, Pula, Zadar. Sicily, Italy Lying off Sicily's northeast coast like a bejeweled pendant are the awe-inspiring Aeolian IsIands. This rugged volcanic chain, named after Greek wind god Aeolus, features seven spectacular islands. Jutting out of emerald seas, each has its own personality, from the active cone and black sands of Stromboli and the hot springs of Vulcano, to vibrant Lipari and chic Panarea, to verdant Salina and car-free Alicudi and Stromboli. Lastly, Filicudi was nicknamed "Bone Island" because of the pirates who died there after long sieges. From historic Tropea on the Italian mainland, sailors can access the beautiful beaches and swimming spots, quiet anchorages and sleepy waterfront towns in which to savor authentic Sicilian cooking. For those with more time, or flying into the capital Palermo, the enchanting Egadi Islands off Sicily's northwest tip offer an equally isolated escape. Pretty Favignana is known as the tuna capital of the Mediterranean, while remote Marettimo provides solitude in a stunning setting. How to get there: Flights to Lamezia Terme Airport or Palermo. The British Virgin Islands (BVIs), Caribbean A sailor's paradise of warm winds, deep blue seas, blissful beaches and waterside shacks for eating, drinking and soaking up the island vibe. Hurricane Irma caused widespread damage in the region, but yachting and tourism is already bouncing back and the sailing is as good as ever. Tortola is the main island and the starting point for exploring the host of outlying islands and cays, with spectacular scenery, sheltered anchorages and superb snorkeling. There's Virgin Gorda, with its dramatic rock formations at The Baths; Jost van Dyke, the smallest of the four main islands, with famous joints such as Foxy's and the Soggy Dollar Bar; the coral atoll of Anegada with sunken shipwrecks and spectacular sea life; and Norman Island, said to be the inspiration for the novel "Treasure Island." Soggy Dollar Bar, White Bay, Jost van Dyke, British Virgin Islands; +1 284 495 9888 Foxy's, Great Harbour, Jost van Dyke, BVI; +1 284 442 3074 How to get there: Flights to Beef Island Airport, Tortola or to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands and take a ferry to Road Town. Antigua, Caribbean Antigua is reputed to have 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, so what better way to explore them all than by boat? The warm, gentle trade winds, turquoise waters and oh-so picturesque anchorages make it a sailor's idyll at the heart of the Leeward Islands. Ashore, historic Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour is the throbbing heart, but further afield you'll find waterside dining for all budgets and lively rum bars, perfect for a famous "jump up" -- a dance session to the rhythm of steel drums. Sister island Barbuda -- 40 miles to the north -- has more birds than people and offers a gentler pace with pink sands and coral reefs perfect for snorkeling. The famous Antigua Sailing Week regatta is a melting pot for sailors looking for competitive racing and punishing partying. How to get there: Flights to VC Bird International Airport, Antigua. Windward Islands, Caribbean Take a deep breath and inhale the exotic scent of spices drifting on the breeze. With reliable winds and blue-water passages, white-sand beaches and dazzling reefs, colorful towns and verdant hillsides, the Windward Islands will reward sailors looking for a true Caribbean adventure. From pretty St George's on lush Grenada, known as the "Spice Isle," at the southern end of chain, you can easily hop to Carriacou, Petite Martinique and Petit St. Vincent. The prevailing winds during the sailing season blow from the north east so many opt for a one-way passage south from St Lucia, starting at lively Rodney Bay before sampling the beaches and pointy Pitons of the verdant island. Cruising further south, there's Saint Vincent, the popular Admiralty Bay on the S-shaped Bequia (pronounced bekway), upmarket Canouan, tiny Mayreau lapped by aquamarine waters, and the spectacular reefs of the Tobago Cays Marine Park. How to get there: Flights to St Lucia or Grenada. Bahamas More than 700 coral cays stretch like a necklace into azure seas from the southeast coast of Florida. Gentle trade winds, sheltered waters and myriad marine life make the Bahamas an ideal destination for families and the less experienced. The Abacos are the epicenter of Bahamian sailing with the lively Marsh Harbour as the base from which to explore the 120-mile chain of islands. One day you can anchor off a pristine beach with crystal clear water such as Treasure Cay, the next moor up in one of the small colonial-era towns such Hope Town on Elbow Cay and New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay. Further afield the pink sand beaches on Eleuthera or the 365 cays of the Exuma group offer endless opportunities for exploring and relaxation. The big-game fishing, and diving at sites such as Dean's Blue Hole, the Abacos Train Wreck and the USS Adirondack is also spectacular. How to get there: Flights to Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay or Nassau. Thailand White-sand beaches backed by swaying palms and jungle, sheer limestone towers jutting out of jade-colored seas and exotic flora and fauna are just some of the treats on offer on a sailing trip to Thailand. From thumping Phuket, yachts push east into Phang Nga Bay and the Andaman Sea to explore this mostly undeveloped region dotted by technicolor coral reefs, remote fishing villages and world-famous beaches and honey pots such as Maya Bay, the location for the film "The Beach," James Bond Island and the world-renowned Phi Phi islands. Add in friendly locals -- Thailand is the "Land of Smiles" after all -- and fragrant cuisine and you have the ingredients for zesty Asian adventure. How to get there: International flights to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport or Phuket. Seychelles The ultimate Instagram boast, Seychelles is a sailor's paradise in the Indian Ocean. Lying 1,000 miles off the East African coast, the archipelago offers the full castaway experience among 115 isolated islands dotted across aquamarine seas. The main yacht charter area is focused on the inner islands around the forested Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. Decent winds, warm water, snow-white beaches, kaleidoscopic coral and exotic wildlife, such as giant tortoises, coconut crabs and whale sharks, make the Seychelles a Shangri-la for sailors. From the main island of Mahe, yachties can island hop from one idyllic bay to another, mooring off brochure-worthy beaches such as Anse Source d'Argent, Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette before a peaceful night at anchor under the stars. How to get there: Flights to Seychelles International Airport on Mahe. Tahiti, French Polynesia Just the words French Polynesia are enough to conjure images of swaying palms, crystal-clear lagoons, blissful beaches and fringing reefs teeming with marine life. The islands of Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine, Tahaa and swooned-over Bora Bora and are just the highlights of this exotic 118-island chain in the South Pacific. With balmy trade winds, a consistent climate and a combination of sheltered waters behind the reefs and more exciting open-water passages between islands, French Polynesia is a watery world like no other. Everyone from the artist Paul Gauguin to sailors, divers, snorkelers, sun-bathers and canoodlers are enchanted by the contrasts of turquoise seas, emerald mountains and cobalt skies of the Tahiti region. How to get there: International flights to Papeete-Tahiti, hop to Raiatea. Tonga, South Pacific This Polynesian kingdom of more than 170 palm-covered islands is a sailing gem in the South Pacific. Fewer than half of the islands are inhabited, meaning a voyage into the blue offers a true get-away-from-it-all experience. Picturesque Vava'u, with myriad islets, lagoons and coral reefs, is the starting point, either for quick hops or longer open-water passages to deserted tropical beaches and idyllic anchorages. Itineraries might take in beautiful Hunga Lagoon, a sunken volcanic crater, or unspoiled Port Maurelle Bay on Kapa, or friendly Lape where the locals are inclined to lavish you with a traditional Tongan feast. It's the stuff of quintessential South Pacific dreams, with world-class diving and snorkeling, sport fishing and humpback whale watching thrown in as standard. How to get there: International flights to Fua'amotu Airport on Tongatapu followed by domestic shuttle 150 miles north to Lupepau'u Airport on Vava'u. Or via Nadi on Fiji. Whitsundays, Australia: Between the coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef snuggles Australia's very own chain of 74 tropical islands. There's the famous Whitehaven Beach, a jaw-dropping curve of powder-white sand, world-class resorts on Hamilton and Hayman Islands and reefs teeming with life. From Shute Harbour near bouncing Airlie Beach, you can disappear into a blissful bubble of exhilarating sailing, remote beaches, sublime snorkeling and snug anchorages in jungle-backed bays perfect for evening sundowners on deck. For those just after a quick taste of paradise, plenty of ex-America's Cup and former racing yachts take tourists and backpackers on short overnight cruises to sample the silica sands of Whitehaven, the sublime views from Hill Inlet and possibly spot some whales migrating along the east coast of Australia. How to get there: International flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, domestic flights to Proserpine or Hamilton Island. Read the full article

[dadsontour]

Dads on tour: I’m on a boat

My dad loves to write a holiday letter. And they’re usually too funny not to share. Names have been changed to protect fellow passengers (you’ll understand why)... 

This letter was received from Argentina after a boat cruise around Cape Horn.

“Long flights are the means to an end but always throw up their challenges. 

After QANTAS decided that my safety was important to them they pulled the plane out of service at the last minute and brought in one that I am sure will be first to go in Alan Joyce’s fire sale when the new ones come on board this year – but it made it!  

I cannot say I have experienced a paper cup delay before – who forgot to put the coffee cups on board?  What’s another 15 minutes!

At least I wasn’t confronted by one of the space Nazis who has to recline their seat in your face as soon as the seat belt lights go off.  

School holidays , what to expect other than a couple of disgruntled teachers sitting behind upset about how the assistant principals conspired to stack the principal selection panel to get one of them up for the principal job, but the plot was overheard by staff.  

Flying south along the Andes from Santiago to Punta Arenas is just another reminder of how elongated Chile is, running some 4500 km north to south and this was over a 3 hour flight to the deeper south. Lots of volcanoes to be seen until the even longer continuous white cloud took over. 

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is an interesting place, very much wanting to be part of the tourist scene given its location as a potential jumping off point to Patagonia and colder parts further south.  At the same time it is very much part of the petrochemical scene for Chile.   

Summer temps can get into the mid to higher teens with a day or two of mid twenties in February when the kids take the plunge into the fairly icy waters.   

Beach towels on sale after Christmas – really what was that retailer thinking!

Global warming impacts heavily in Sth America and here the big issue was that the ice skating rink didn’t freeze over last winter for the first year in a long time.

There is no chance of the Donald visiting Patagonia one feels!  I met a lot of Americans hiking in Torres del Paine and did not find one who claimed to have voted for him!

With some trepidation I headed off on a tour of Punta Arenas where the main attraction was the cemetery!  Hmmm!    

Much of this area is steppe used for farming of sheep and more recently cattle in a harsh environment with the original pastoralists coming essentially in hope wanting to make a fresh start in the mid 1800s.  

In came Mr Menendez with his manager Mr Braun. Mr Menendez (Jose to his friends) was given lots and lots of land by the government.  So all the way from Lithuana comes Mr Braun’s sister Sara who manages to marry very quickly more new found wealth.  Her husband dies young and she inherits the biscuits! 

So we now have the wealthiest of the wealthy as the Brauns and the Menendez’s.  Needless to say Mr Braun’s son then marries Jose Menendez’s daughter and the deal is done.  

The Brauns control all the wealth.  Sara has a palace built adjoining the main square with a special little sun chamber constructed at the front to enable her to watch the goings on of the locals.  

Mr Braun builds his palace next door with a special glassed in tower on top that enables him to look out over the city to the waters below carrying out a busy trade of his sheep on the Magellan Straits pre Panama Canal.  

Sara died in the 1950s and her name is all over town, including the Sara Brown Secondary School (as well as the cemetery where her tomb is one of the biggest – her husband is a small one beside hers – she would not be buried with him as he was the wrong religion in death but not in marriage!).

The trip from Punta Arenas into the stunning landscapes of Patagonia is almost a 5 hour bus ride through to Eco Camp where I stayed.  

The M&Ms

Just four passengers on the bus.  Enter an Australian couple, he retired, she still working as a GP.  

If it’s travel, they have done it all and happy to tell everyone about it.  If they haven’t been there they have been somewhere better!  

“Some people call us M&M” comes the admission related to their Christian names, others might have seen a physical resemblance to one – lets call him M2 as there was no doubt who was M1.  

After a very fleeting (2 day) visit to Patagonia, M&M were headed for an Antarctica cruise on a very expensive boat as M2 had an akubra that he had worn on all other continents and he needed to go to Antarctica to complete the set.  

They struggled physically with the demands of the sightseeing “you know he is full of medical bits” but did manage in a couple of days to see a few animals and ensure that everyone knew of their world travels and that for them travel complications only happened when they let their friends do part of the organisation of the trip.

EcoCamp

The EcoCamp where I stayed at Torres del Paine was really good.  Living in a dome for four nights was different.  A little case of the haves and have nots – I had the “standard” number – no heating or ensuite, neither of which bothered me but the half sized doors were a bit of an embuggerance for someone with no protection from skinning the skull on the top of the door way!  

For a few more dollars they came with heaters and ensuites (and bigger doors!)  My three days there were spent taking on the three arms of the “W route” which essentially take in the three most commonly visited locations in the park - the Torres del Paine base (a 22km walk/climb), the Frenchmans Valley (an 18km walk) and the Grey Glacier (a more relaxing boatride).  

I’ll let the pictures do the talking for these three experiences – they were all amazing, although the Frenchmans Valley was a little soggy which stopped us doing the last 3 kms of the walk.  We tended to be with the same group each day and that enhanced the whole experience as well.

I then travelled back to Punta Arenas to board the Stella Australis, a four day boat trip headed ultimately to the Beagle Channel and a landing at Cape Horn, before docking in Ushuaia (Argentina).  

On the boat

All aboard, OMG, around 190 passengers had me shaking at the knees anyway given my allergy to cruise boats, but this was a means to an end and I had to keep revisiting that!  

A cruise with a group of 37 from Deutschland and as if it were an Olympics medal count, even more from the U.S of A.  These were not the type of American tourists I had met at the Ecolodge.  

At my first meal I made the mistake of walking too far into the dining room where a lady met me and said “I’m sorry but these tables are for a special group of us from Harvard”.  The Donald was alive and well here!  One of the Americans on my dinner table has already told me how .... you guessed it, I have found someone who voted for Donald!  

But then this couple did stay on the same floor as Venus and Sarina when they came out to the Australian Open.  Looking after Hedge Funds in the U.S. set him up and she is big in events management (running the campaign to convert the under 35s that All Spice is not for “old people” and organising corporates with Bill Clinton and Colin Powell.  

I even came across the person who co-ordinated the bid for the London Olympics.  On the last night they have an auction to sell off the navigation map to Cape Horn – that will be a story and I certainly would not consider a bid!

The boat trip was fine.  Loved the barrage of glaciers, many coming right down to sea level.  There was a small celebration as we passed the avenue of the glaciers - the Italian, French, English, German and Dutch glaciers in quick succession, with the crew handing out corresponding alcohol and food, ensuring a lively night on board. 

Loved the wildlife we have seen with animals right into breeding season (well childcare really) – they don’t have long before winter is back.  I’m not making any parallels with some of the passengers there!   

I find the U.S of A provides a rich source of amusement!   The (U.S.) woman seen carrying a torch on the boat saying you know it still does get dark at night here.  The (U.S.) grumpy old man at the reception after the first meal complaining the he was “starving” as he didn’t eat octopus and there was no other option – the octopus was an opener only in a 4 course meal.  The (U.S.) woman who on hearing they are building another of these expedition boats to increase the number of trips heard to say “Oh, could it be with an elevator”  Then coming back to that recurrent theme of the Donald as it comes up in conversation all the time, the man (from the U.S. and sounding like let’s say North Dakota) perhaps coming to terms with reality reading an article “Managing Donald”  Then there was the group from Harvard who had their own sessions running – “welcome to come along but you are not permitted to ask any questions”.

Cape Horn

After being softened up for the prospect of not being able to land at Cape Horn, the weather gods smiled initially at least with sunshine and calm.  

This is as far south as it gets short of Antarctica and one family gets to look after the place for a 12 month stint (no breaks and no leaving the island unless an emergency).  

So just in case you were contemplating a career change (there is just the Naval officer, his wife who becomes the Park Ranger, and three kids 14,8 and 1) it takes 12 months training to ensure you are emotionally stable and then appendix removal for everyone with the Naval Officer opting for the vasectomy as well.  

No TV of course and a weather station to be read every 3 hours.  In summer you get to talk to a few visitors such as our boatload, in winter no one comes near the place.  Just to remind everyone of the hostility of the environment, we arrived in sunshine and left in heavy snow (all in one hour).  But then as was said, it is an address that almost everyone on the world knows of.

Argentina

This morning saw an Argentinean stamp in the passport with the boat trip ending in Ushuaia.  It has become a trendy little place catering to tourists jumping off to Antarctica these days.  

It wasn’t always that way though having been set up as a penitentiary where the inmates outnumbered the residents back at the turn of the 20th century.  A little train runs today  (at a price doing the Argentinean economy no harm), along the line constructed by the inmates over 100 years ago – a fascinating story, but not for the inmates I am sure.

The journey continues!

Dad