Sure, Sri Lanka has endless beaches, a rich ancient culture, a cuisine that borders on the addictive and some of the loveliest people you’re ever likely to meet, but it also has elephants. Lots of them. So, when my British-based BFF agrees to meet me in Sri Lanka for a week of gin-infused cultural adventure, a […] Read more…
“What do you mean there’s no social media?” are amongst the first panicked words out of my mouth on arrival at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport. I’m trying to sort out a SIM card to stay in touch with my kids, my husband and the world at large, but am informed that while I was airborne, […] Read more…
One of the best things about travelling with Raffles and Sugarpuff is how what started as an organic introduction to art has become something of an obsession. But it is something that I hadn’t realised had captured them quite so wholly until I saw their reaction to the Dunedin Street Art Trail. I mean they’ve […] Read more…
Though Raffles hasn’t had the pleasure of visiting Hawaii, he did get to enjoy a taste of what it has to offer with Chef Ryan Urig, Executive Chef, Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, who joined the Hilton Hawai’i team to showcase Hawaiian ingredients and the produce of the islands at the Hilton Sydney. So, […] Read more…
My first ever degustation experience was at a restaurant called Mugaritz in San Sebastian in Spain. Allegedly it is amazing. I wouldn’t know though because I was like five months old at the time and slept in my pram as mum and dad shoveled food in their faces. And ever since they’ve been showing me […] Read more…
Move over Howarts Express. Dunedin Railway’s scenic Taieri Gorge route to Middlemarch has stolen the kids’ hearts as our favourite rail journey to date. And while we may not be en route to wizard school, it’s certainly a magical journey. The amazing Taieri Gorge Railway journey begins in Dunedin at the city’s historic railway station, a renaissance […] Read more…
Not only does Dunedin, the South Island’s Scottish heritage city, offer world class museums, epic castles, and some of New Zealand’s prettiest scenery, it’s also packed to bursting point with gastronomic delights. In fact, Dunedin turned out to be quite the culinary revelation for this food fixated fam. Their sublime fine diners and cool cafes […] Read more…
Located on the southern edge of New Zealand, Dunedin is a small but pretty city that packs a remarkably educated, creative and innovative punch. It is home to the world-renowned University of Otago, New Zealand’s oldest, and has a rather clever population that boasts more PHDs per capita than an episode of the Big Bang […] Read more…
New Zealand and I share more than a bit of history! You see, not only was my beautiful mama born and raised there, but it was the very first overseas destination I ever visited. The country wormed its wily wonderful way into my heart on that very first visit, and has drawn me back again […] Read more…
Ever wondered what it’s like to fly ultra long haul in United’s Economy Plus? I settle in on the airline’s new 15 hour and 40-minute, 13,850km service from Sydney to Houston to find out. Some might suggest it’s slightly demented for a chronic flight phobic to choose a profession that saw her boarding almost 50 flights in the last 12 […] Read more…
Houston, we have a problem. Well, at least Raffles does. You see the boy is so obsessed with space that’s he’s saving up all his pocket money for a $250,000 a hit ticket on a yet-to-launch Virgin Galactic space flight (yes, he’ll be saving until he’s about 157 by my calculations), and has grand plans […] Read more…
With United Airlines launching flights direct from Sydney to Houston, an already popular hub that connects travellers to America’s Southeast, Midwest, East Coast and Latin America, Australians are wondering what the city, America’s fourth-most populous and most diverse city, might have to offer visiting families. I discover, after a few days of the city’s extreme congeniality, […] Read more…