Like a lot of people, Raffles love animals. But unlike a lot of people he thinks twice about attractions that involve them, because we’ve seen some pretty hideous stuff calling itself animal tourism on our travels. Especially when it comes to his beloved elephants. He was just seven when he announced that even if he […] Read more…
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…
They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re all together ooky … not unlike their quasi-Goth mama! I’m talking, of course, about my very own gruesome twosome! Raffles and Sugarpuff are more excited than usual at the prospect of a weekend at one of our favourite Sydney “haunts”, the Novotel Sydney Central. It’s not […] Read more…
Everyone enjoys a little highland fling once in a while, right? Turns out my kids are especially keen when said flinging is flung above the treetops. We’re in the NSW Southern Highlands at the award winning Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures, home to Australia’s premier Treetop Walk – a stunning, suspended, cantilevered one way ticket to […] Read more…