European Spring 2019 Walkabout Gourmet Adventures Quarterly Newsletter
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EUROPEAN SPRING 2019 WALKABOUT GOURMET ADVENTURES QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Dear Walkabout Friends, Petersburg. Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main street with upscale shops, Apart from our Russian Christmas buzzing cafes and grand palaces was celebration and welcoming the New part of our daily routine. Year in St Petersburg, we completely We loved walking along the Neva missed out on Winter... and so did our River, with its many tributaries and Winter newsletter! canals, many of them frozen during this time of year. REMINISCING THE NEW YEAR IN RUSSIA Palace Square certainly makes a grand entrance to the famous Winter Our 6 days in St Petersburg were much Palace. As it is so spacious it regularly too short but gave us a wonderful functions as the grounds for national introduction to the Russian lifestyle… parades and concerts. It was also the We are already planning our next visit venue for the Christmas/New Year’s to explore more of this beautiful city. celebrations. Despite snow and cold, we walked In the past, Palace Square was for hours and got a good sense of the setting for some of Russia’s Winter Palace at the Hermitage St Petersburg the unique mix of old and new St most significant historical events. WALKABOUT GOURMET ADVENTURES | EUROPEAN SRING 2019 1 Swan Lake Ballet at the Hermitage Theatre St Petersburg, Russia Dreaming of visiting the famous Amongst many other sites, we were modern design atmosphere. In Hermitage museum for a long time overwhelmed by the beauty of the both restaurants we encountered it was certainly an overwhelming Church of the Saviour on Spilled an exquisite professionalism with a experience. It is the largest art and Blood. It is known for its elaborate passionate team of chefs and service cultural museum in the world with facade and brightly coloured onion staff. We were very impressed with more than 3 million items in its domes. Officially the Church of the the high quality of the food and collection - only a fraction of which Resurrection of Christ, the magnificent shared many dishes, all very creative are on display in its 360 rooms. church was built on the site where and flavoursome. Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in We were lucky and found tickets for 1881. the intimate Hermitage Theatre SERENDIPITY, READY where we saw one of the best Swan Chasing the famous Fabergé eggs in TO HOST Lake Performances we have ever seen the Hermitage, we finally found the We were happy to spend some time (our first one was in Moscow in the opulent Shuvalov Palace. The Fabergé at our home in Byron Bay with our famous Bolshoi Theatre) many years Museum is a tribute to legendary family and friends. ago! Russian jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé and highlights Russia’s treasured Once again, we took on the tour guide series of Fabergé eggs alongside a role for a few weeks showing some dazzling collection of Russian art, friends from Forcalquier the beautiful jewellery, and artefacts. National Parks near the family farm We found the Russian culinary scene exciting and very sophisticated. Eating mainly vegan or vegetarian, we had so many tasty experiences and whilst we found very good food everywhere, two restaurants stood out in particular - the Duo Gastrobar and Duo Asia. Both places were quite unassuming on the outside but as soon as we Backyard with pool and spa at Serendipity House Hermitage St Petersburg, Russia entered, we enjoyed the warm and 2 Tallow Beach near Broken Head NSW Australia in Victoria - Wilson’s Prom, Bulga indoor lounge (complete with a Located at the most easterly point National Park and of course everything 70” wall TV with free Netflix) and a of Australia’s mainland, the area in and around Byron. New ideas are 6-seater dining area. around Byron Bay is a combination taking shape and we will soon include of outstanding beaches, wonderful The large kitchen is ideal for cooking another exciting getaway in this very scenic outlooks and lush greenery. It up all those yummy things you can special corner. has an alternative vibe and a relaxed buy at the local markets and has atmosphere. All of us are back at work We have used our time in Serendipity direct access to one of the best and made some more improvements covered outdoor entertaining areas. to our house. We were happy to see It has a gorgeous 10-metre saltwater the old carpet disappear and with the pool as well as a spa to soothe your wooden floorboards the house felt mind, body and soul. The breezy “Zen” almost like new! We also extended hut fits perfectly into the manicured our garden and despite the lack of gardens and is the ideal spot for water this summer everything is relaxation, yoga and meditation. growing well. “Serendipity” - A Place in Byron Bay is We have a spacious 3-bedroom in a lovely quiet part of Suffolk Park Open kitchen and dining area house with 2 bathrooms, and it - only a 12-minute walk to Tallow accommodates three couples Beach. We think it’s the nicest beach now and Serendipity is available for comfortably. There are three outdoor at Byron with sweeping views to the rental. Please refer to our website for areas to choose from, plus a spacious Lighthouse and Broken Head. prices and availability or just call Trish for further information. “A beautiful, luxurious and welcoming house, the pool is fantastic as is the location, a taste of real Byron away from the crowds of the bay. The local beach is perfect for a beach day and close enough for a morning run and there are some great local shops and even a cute Italian pizza place. The Clarkes are Fantastic hosts, very helpful and made our stay perfect. We highly recommend the house.” Main bedroom JENNIFER FROM PLYMOUTH, UK 3 Crusing on the Kerala Backwaters, India IN SHORT... HIGHLIGHTS OF the practise of yoga. Miraculously he FLAVOURS OF INDIA always seemed to know exactly what 2019 RECORD ATTENDANCE we needed in our session. Gabriela started the 2019 season You may have missed out on our Our group was so taken away by his with the Flavours of South India five interstate Film and Information essence that many took part in the tour. Once again there were so many Evenings back in February. These evening meditation classes. We are highlights but as always, above all it evenings are always a great place already looking forward to meeting was meeting the Indian people who for reunions and getting to know Sreejith again next year for more of shine with a light like no other! This new guests and with more than his empowering holistic yoga classes. time Gabriela made some new Indian 500 attendees we had a record connections and as a result next This year we met Junis in Munnar attendance at all venues. A big thank year’s tour will include some exciting you for coming along! If you missed new faces. attending our evening this year we shall be holding them again next Gabriela met Shine on a boat and year in February - keep an eye on our was impressed by his communication website later this year for more details. skills and wealth of knowledge. Shine You can watch on the website the film will be co-guiding in 2020 during presented on the night prepared by our three days in Cochin. He studied Serjosha. Ancient Indian History and Culture and is a bundle of information. 2020 DATES AVAILABLE The most amazing encounter was We are happy to announce that all meeting Sreejith, who must be our 2020 dates are on the website. We considered to be a leader in his field shall return to some of our favourite of yoga. As well as teaching the places like Iceland, Spain, Greece and various yoga asanas, he also inspired Turkey and explore new ones such as us to move forward in our life with the highlands of Scotland. Hindu Festival Kerala, India 4 St Ives, Cornwall, England Walking through the tea plantations near Munnar Kerala India who took us not only from our Hotel new Indian recipes. Another highlight rejuvenated! We are excited to share through hidden villages but also on our tour in India were our last two these fantastic 12 days with you in through the spectacular Munnar tea days on the houseboat. While we Kerala on our upcoming tour in 2020 plantations. His is an outstanding gently cruised the Kerala Backwaters, and look forward to your email or call guide and his knowledge of birds and we could observe the whole rural if you are interested in further details. plants is amazing! We look forward scene from ferrymen carrying locals “My cousin and I had an absolutely to meeting up with him again on on tiny canoes to women in vivid saris wonderful time touring South India. We our next tour. Our cooking classes washing their clothes on stone steps loved the adventure walks and really with Nimi in Munnar and Nazeema near the river. This time we ended enjoyed the cooking classes - they were in her kitchen near Cochin added a our last evening with the Holi Hindu a highlight. Accommodation was first spice of life into their delicious and Festival. It is always celebrated the class and the Aleppy houseboat trip flavoursome home cooking. We all day after the full moon, which luckily was fantastic. Such a brilliant way to went back enthusiastically trying out was this year on the 21st March. see life in Kerala up close and personal.