Lebanese Hospitality

Cafe CentreVille (downstairs from Al-Sultan Brahim) with the Al Majidieh Mosque lit up in the background

Lebanon. The history! The culture! The food!  Oh, the food.  But nothing brings this all together to be so delightful, so delectable, so enjoyable than the hospitality. … Read the rest

Khachapuri, Khinkhali and Calories

Fruit & cognac, anytime

Georgia is not a good place to be counting calories.  Luckily as I begin my long weekend getaway in Tbilisi, I have no such illusions of a diet.  As I walk down the streets of the old town on my first night here, the restaurants and cafes are full and it’s clear that it’s not only Georgians that love the food. … Read the rest

Uplistsikhe & Gori

The 9th Century chapel at Uplistsikhe

Uplistsikhe, literally the ‘lord’s fortress’ is a cave town – an ancient city built into the rocks, just outside of Gori around 90 minutes drive from Tbilisi.  The drive is quiet and I admire the mountain scenery, picking Sergo’s tour guide brain about all the best places to visit and things to see. … Read the rest

Global Village

Along the canal at Global Village

Forget around the world in 80 days, you can now explore the world in an evening at Global Village.  This is an ambitious journey though – Global Village is expansive – so like all good trips it might be best to take a moment to plan your itinerary, unless you’re happy to see where the world leads you…

It’s not my first time here, nor is it mum’s, but I have always had the boys in tow and tonight it’s just the two of us. … Read the rest

International Day

International Day (photo by Dr Rahila)

International Day – I remember the excitement of the Multicultural Festival in Canberra when I was growing up – the sights, the music, the colors and tastes but most of all the smells – pungent Indian aromas, popcorn and kebabs and the mouthwatering smell of the kranskys (German sausages) cooking were always a favorite of mine. … Read the rest

Fairmont, The Palm

Flow Kitchen at Fairmont, The Palm presents a buffet that is worthy of a few extra courses.  The setting is spacious and nicely appointed and the staff are polite and attentive, as you’d expect from a hotel of this calibre.

It’s date night and we order a couple of drinks.  … Read the rest