Tinkerblue

Bushwacker at Paradise Point - St Thomas

 

Okay, okay so Paradise Point in St Thomas might be one of those tacky tourist traps, but we wanted to go anyway. I signed on to the ship July 18th and Paradise Point has been closed up until now.   So this was the first chance we had to see what it was like.  

 

 

First off, it's expensive. $21.00 per person.  Lucky for us there is crew discount which made it much much much more affordable.  I think I might have baulked if I'd had to pay the full $21.00.  Or maybe not. The whole point of working on a cruise ship was to travel, see the sights and enjoy myself.  

 

 

Anyway we waited maybe a whole 5 minutes for the cable car to arrive.  There was only two other people waiting to board so Victoria, Jorge and I and a car to ourselves. The ride up takes about 45 minutes and the views are spectacular.  

 

 

There is a a lot of construction happening at the top of the tramway, so the nature trails etc are all closed.  However the lookout is what you go up for and it was open.  We took all the requisite tourist photos and then some.  Three people, three cameras, three smart phones. That's a lot of photos.

 

 

At the top there isn't really much other than the view.  A few souvenir shops that carry the same stuff you can get anywhere and a restaurant that only accepts cash (no cards) but there is no ATM to get cash.  The menu is limited - very.  No more than 6 items. And they were expensive.  We didn't eat.  But they do have free wifi.  Very important to facebook starved ship crew.

 

 

We decided to drink instead.  That's a wise decision when it's 40c out! But Paradise Point is famous for it's Bushwacker.  

 

 

Depending on who you talk to or what you read the Bushwacker was first served in St Thomas or Florida.  I'm going with St Thomas purely because it suits me and I'm in St Thomas, not Florida! 

 

 

The bushwacker looks like a chocolate milkshake but holy cow is it way more potent! Basically it consists of rum, vodka, Bailey's, Kahlua, Amaretto, Creme de Cacao, crushed ice and nutmeg.  Very very tasty.  I'd go back for another.

 

 

Chocolates, Hot Pools, Beer and Pizza

I'm almost home. I'm spending a week in Melbourne first with Narelle and Justin and their boys, Dale, Liam, and Tait.

Today I was lucky enough to spend the day with some other friends, Nicole and Brendan.

We started the day with brunch at Blue Mini Cafe in Rosebud. It was delicious and well with the detour to get there - don't ask Brendan for directions, he took us an extra 20+ km down the highway!

After we filled our bellies we headed over to Flinders to Mornington Peninsula Chocolates. See the fish in the photos? They are all chocolate. Nicole and I indulged in the tasting session - almond praline, honey ganache, and orange ganache. Mmmm, the honey ganache literally melted in my mouth. So good. I bought three to take away as a treat for later - raspberry ganache, grapefruit ganache, and ganache noir. The ganache noir was my favourite, I could have inhaled an entire box of them. They are "Stonier vintage sparkling wine with Force Noir Chocolate ganache dipped in dark couverture." I'm not hundred percent sure what all that is, but it was so good.
http://www.mpchocolates.com.au/

We spent the better part of the day at the Peninsula Hot Springs. Here's the description from the website:
"The Bath House has over 20 bathing experiences on offer with areas suitable for visitors of all ages including a Hill Top pool with 360 deg views, reflexology walk, Turkish steam room, sauna, cave pool, family bathing area and many more".

We spent a good few hours here. The outside temperature was 32c, the hot pools were hot, bloody hot, 42c. The cool pools were 31c! It was so nice and relaxing. Rose, are you reading this? It was similar to Scandinave, but more pools and a more natural setting. You'd love it. I liked the view from the hilltop pool, but it was too hot to sit in. The plunge pool was cold, take your breath away cold, but it felt good. Nicole wasn't a fan, but I loved the reflexology walk.
http://www.peninsulahotsprings.com/

We finished the evening off with pizza and beer at the Mornington Peninsula Brewery. I had the Aussie Ale, a medium bodied beer, made only with Australian ingredients. It went down quiet well.

I paired it with the spiced lamb pizza. I miss lamb, don't eat much of it in Canada. I've had it everyday since I've been back. The pizza bases are made with the brewery's beer. They were very tasty. I'd recommend it if you happen to be on the Mornington Peninsula.
http://www.mpbrew.com.au

A great day. Thanks Nicole and Brendan. I needed today.

Salt Tasting Room

A friend of mine told me I need to set goals for myself. Small goals. Baby steps. One step at a time. My goal for this year is to spend more time with friends.

For years now Michelle has been trying to talk us into going to Salt in Gas Town. Dave and I never made it. Finally I did.

On Friday night I went with Michelle, Katie, Rose and Thierry. Michelle, Katie and I started with a beer (Innes and Gunn for me) at the Irish Heather.

We met up with Rose and Thierry at Salt. Cheese and wine. This place is my idea of heaven.

There are various options but I went with the 2 cheese and 1 meat platter. I like my cheeses strong. Like blue cheese, Stilton... Rather than me picking, I just told the waiter what I liked an he brought his best recommendation.

On my plate....

Corned beef with Guinness mustard. Bet you didn't know I like mustard? The grainier and stronger, the better. I ate the whole bowl of mustard and a second. Michelle was horrified and/or embarrassed when I licked the spoon and yes, the bowl.

St Paulin cheese and hazelnuts. This is a soft creamy cheese and mild. It was good, especially with the hazelnuts. I' have like something a little stronger but I'd have it again.

Shropshire cheese and honey. This was my favourite. The Shropshire was suitably sharp and tasty. Add the honey, and it was oh so good. I need to have this in my fridge at home.

I also ordered a wine flight, and again left it to our waiter to match the wine to my cheeses...

Las Perdiers Pinot Noir with the corned beef.
Tellus IGT Marche with the St Paulins.
Kettle Valley Viognier with the Shropshire.

I enjoyed them all. I'd buy a bottle of either one of them.

It wasn't a cheap night. $15 for the cheese/meat platter and $15 for the wine flight. But it was a fun night. I really enjoyed it. And I can't wait to do it again.

Thanks Michelle for the suggestion and for driving (in the snow).

Murietta's Bar and Grill

I was going through my phone and found a whole whack of photos from the train so....

In Canmore (where the crew spend the night after the guests detrain in Banff), I normally have dinner at the pub right across the road from our hotel.

I should have eaten at Murietta's more often. One of the Guest Service Managers recommended it, and he wasn't wrong.

I started with a California Lemonade - vodka, simple syrup, soda water and fresh lemon juice. So good.

The Courtyard Salad fed my craving for fresh veggies. I'll have to replicate this at home - mixed greens, peppers, carrots, tomatoes, mandarin orange, roasted cashews and an orange ginger dressing.

Main course was Lamb Meatball Spaghetti with Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce. Not a chance of leftovers. I ate every last bite. I love lamb.

I'd eat again. There's also a Murietta's in Calgary and another in Edmonton.

Places to Fly - Manzanita, Oregon

The nearest town to Nehalem Bay State Airport and Campground is Manzanita. A 20 minute walk or a 10 minute bike ride from runway to main street. We've done both. All 7 of us rode into town on day 1 to pick up some groceries etc.

 

Day 3 we took a leisurely walk into town along the beach. It took longer because we stopped to watch the surfers, kite fliers and baby seals taking a nap.

 

In town there's a grocery store to stock up on steak for the barbie, salads, bacon and eggs, beer and wine, and icecream.

And two, yep two, Mexican restaurants. We've eaten at both of them. At the top of the hill is Left Coast Siesta Mexican Food. Hubby and I ate here last year. 

 

 

 It's all about burritos and enchiladas mainly. It's cheap and cheerful and the portions are big.  There's a patio which makes for great people watching.

 

 

At the beach end of the main street is El Mariachi Loco. It's a bit more expensive that Left Coast Siesta. 

 

 

But it has a larger selection of menu items, including some of my favourite Mexican dishes. Like Tacos al Pastor, Sopitas and Flautas.

 

They also win my vote because they serve Negra Modelo. Nom nom nom.

 

 

If you don't want to camp at Nehalem Bay State Park, you can always stay in Manzanita. There's quite the selection of cottages, motels and resorts. I could spent several days just enjoying the sunshine.

 

Frick and Frack in Kamloops

I'm in Kamloops twice a week. Sometimes we get in late and I just grab a toasted cheese sandwich from the hotel restaurant and go back to my room.

Other times I eat out with my colleagues. Tonight was one of those nights. We went to Frick and Frack. Love the name.

Even better they have 99 bottles of beer on the wall. And a tasting flight. 6 glasses of 6oz beer. Tonight I tried Dead Frog Nut Brown Ale, Granville Island Honey Lager, Granville Island Maple Cream Ale, Russell's Blood Alley Extra Special Bitter, Rickards White, and a Tree Raspberry Porter.

All good. Especially the display stand. It didn't help narrow down the beers I like, it just added more to my list. Oh wait, I was not a fan of the extra special bitter. Must remember that for next time.

Oh and I ate the Sopes for dinner. Very good. I'd recommend them. "Three corn shells with black beans, green salsa, lettuce, sour cream, each having a different topping; pork, chicken and beef in a jalapeño sauce. Diced tomatoes and feta cheese are sprinkled on top, and complemented by guacamole and chopped onions. Mmmmmmmm.

www.frickandfrack.ca

Salt Spring Island - Ganges Market

Hubby and I spent part of Easter on the Island. We flew over Friday morning and back last night. We would have stayed longer but the forecast for Sunday/Monday was not good for flying.

Saturday we spent the day at Ganges Market on Salt Spring Island. We seem to make it there once or twice a year. Our itinerary never changes.

We spend a an hour or so sampling and shopping the market, an hour or so browsing the stores and an hour or so drinking Bellinis at the Oystercatcher. Yesterday was no different.

I bought chocolates, pot stickers and baked goodies, sampled all the different cheeses, sauces, jams and breads, and didn't buy any soaps or jewelry. I did drink a Bellini, wouldn't miss that.

Happy Easter.

Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop

5 years. 5 years we've been waiting for a coffee shop to open in our local village. There's been rumours of one coming for years. Last summer there was a business license issued and interior fit out began. But never finished.

For years we used to frequent Bad Ass Coffee shop which became Cafe O Lait. We liked the owners George and Cheryl. We were friendly with the staff. They knew our orders. Friday night music nights, Sunday morning breakfasts. Then they sold and it all went down hill from there. Quickly. Seriously, it shut down completely within the year. It's now a sports equipment shop. We miss it.

Now we have a new hang out. Stomping Grounds had their soft opening on Monday. Their official opening is April 9th. Joanna and I went for hot chocolate and chai tea lattes on Monday. Hubby and I went for sandwiches this afternoon.

The drinks are good, the food is tasty and the staff are friendly. So far, so good. I'm looking forward to summer when they can roll up the doors and have some tables outside.

Highway 99 Blues Club

This weekend we are in Puyallup, WA for the Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show. Last night we went to the Highway 99 Blues Club in Seattle for dinner, drinks and music.

The night was okay.

GPS led us to Western Ave (the office address, not Alaskan Way (the club entrance). Not to worry there is an staircase from Western Ave to Alaskan Way.

$10.00 parking - not bad considering we were in Seattle. There is free parking down on Alaskan Way, although it was pretty full.

$14.00 cover charge

The regular chef had the night off, so there was a limited BBQ menu.
Food was okay. I had pulled pork sandwich. The pulled pork was really good. The hamburger bun it came in was dry. No worries.

Hubby ordered Jambalaya. They were sold out. He switched to Gumbo instead. He didn't get his meal until after we had all eaten, our plates had been cleared, and we asked the waitress 3 times for his food. Seriously his meal was a good 40 minutes, after everyone elses. He said it was amazing once it finally arrived. It was very spicy and half way thru he needed another beer. 45 mins. 45 mins to get a beer. We ordered 3 beers at the same time, 2 Fat Tires and a pale ale. 15 mins later we got 1 of the Fat Tires and the Pale Ale. It was another 30 mins and me asking for the manager to get Hubby his beer. By which time his gumbo was cold and congealed.

The service was bad. Really horrible. Which was a shame because music was great. Karen Lovely, followed by the Ty Curtis Band. I'd listen to both again.

Highway 99 is a well known blues club in Seattle both for it's food and the live music. Maybe we just caught the staff on a bad night. I'm not in a hurry to go back.

http://www.highwayninetynine.com
http://www.karenlovely.com
Http://www.tycurtisband.com

Taste of Tasmania

The Taste of Tasmania (known by locals as "The Taste")  is an annual event that runs for a week from late December to early January. It's all about local food and drink. Vendors come from all around the State. Some have businesses that operate year round, others only operate at The Taste.

 

This is the third year that Hubby and I have been home at this time of year (1998, 2006 and 2010). We went almost every day, either for lunch or dinner.  73 food and beverage stalls in total.  I think we ate at most of them. Well not quite, but we gave it a good try.

 

 

We went with friends and family. One particular day we sat and ate and drank for 6 hours with good friends Sharyn and Dave, my parents, Shaun and Kelly and my Nan. One evening we went again with my parents, Shaun and Kelly and their friend Matty.  The last night we spent with my friends Narelle and Justin and their boys, Dale and Liam - and we stayed to watch the movie UP on the lawns at Parliament House. 

 

• #2 Kornet Pizza - Meal in a Cone - Spring Bay Scallop Margarita, Sassafras BBQ Chicken
• #8 Rosti Chalet - Bacon and Guyere Cheese, Smoked Salmon
• #10 Cape Grim Burger Products - Cape Grim Beef Burger
• #12 Taste Of Persia - Limed Lamb Kebab Wrap
• #13 Scoopz of Valhalla Icecream - hubby had a couple of different scoops over the week
• #15 Festival Mushrooms - tempura mushrooms with wasabi mayo and chilli plum sauce
• #16 Island Berries Tasmania - chocolate pannacotta with fresh raspberries (and the dessert platter that Kelly shared with us all!)

 

• #17 Besmudi - the longest, skinniest chicken strips ever.
• #20 Waji's Tasmanian Experience - Cajun calamari (everyone else told me it was the best)
• #24 Hill Street Gourmet Meats - platter of wagyu beef, chicken burger, and saucy sausage
• #27 The Turkish Kitchen - mixed platter with chicken, lamb, rice, salad
• #29 Smallest Pancakes in Town/Something Sweet - tiny pancakes with fresh raspberries and cream, and a second plate with chocolate sauce and ice-cream

 

• #30 Fish Frenzy - scallops and chips
• #33 Cafe Chocolatte - Anvers Confectionery - chocolate fondue with marshmallows, mini meringues, strawberries and cherries
• #35 Frogmore Creek, 42 South Wines and Tasmanian Highland Cheeses, with special guests Get Shucked Oysters - mixed cheese plate
• #51 Gillespie's Ginger Beer - alcoholic ginger beer
• #53 Doctor coffee - chocolate infused meringue with fresh raspberries and cream
• #54 Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm - by far our favourite stall. Hubby ate them out of raspberry ice-cream. We also tried the baked cheesecake and chocolate pudding both with fresh raspberries.

• #56 Tasmanian Fine Ice Cream - hubby had to have ice-cream here after Christmas Hills sold out.
• #59 Ninth Island Bubbles Bar - glass of sparkling wine
• #60 Tasmanian Chilli Beer Company - multiple bottles of chilli beer. My favourite was green tea and lemon

• #B1 Moo Brew - multiples glasses of beer (not suitable for bogans)
• #B3 Marypin Chilean/South American Food - Beef empanada
• #B5 Two Metre Tall Real Ale & Cider with the Wursthaus Kitchen - more beer, antipasto plate
• #B7 Ironhouse Brewery - more beer

 

I'm not sure what we're going to eat for the rest of our stay, but it wont be as good!  

There's more photos of the food we ate on my facebook page.