After another wonderful stay in Cairns, the city that feels like my second home, it was time to head back to Sydney. For this flight I chose Qantas Airways for three key reasons: first, the chance to fly on a widebody Airbus A330-200; second, I grabbed a seat with points (or miles) that was quite…
Category: Destinations
The Wonderful Food at the Historic Mount Kembla Village Hotel, Wollongong.
The Mount Kembla Village Hotel welcomes everyone with genuine warmth and country charm. With 16 beers on tap, a thoughtfully curated wine list, a wide range of spirits, and a menu crafted by a talented chef, there’s something for every taste. The wood fired pizzas are a local favourite, and the morning buzz of our…
The Malaya, Sydney, Malaysian food at its Best.
The Malaya in Sydney is an institution, renowned for its vibrant Malaysian and Singaporean flavours. Established in the 1960s, it continues to impress with signature dishes like chicken and pork satay’s, char kway teow, and beef rendang, and all served with warm, attentive service that keeps diners returning. This post may contain affiliate links, to…
Virgin Australian Lounge – Gold Coast.
I’m back at another Virgin Australia Lounge, and this one in the Gold Coast is excellent, like most of them really. While the food is plentiful, the lounge offers sweeping views of the tarmac, making it a relaxing and great aviation viewing spot before my flight. This post may contain affiliate links, to read more…
Tha Food at Tha Fish, Cairns.
Tha Fish in Cairns is a standout waterfront seafood restaurant at the Marina. Known for its fresh, locally sourced seafood prepared with creative flavours, it’s perfect for tropical dining. Oh and believe me, things do get creative here! This post may contain affiliate links, to read more click here. Tha Fish offer a $25 Lunch…
Visiting the Qantas Club in Cairns.
Another lounge visit, this time at the Qantas Club in Cairns. Normally, I’d fly Virgin Australia since I hold Gold Status, but with no lounge there, I used points to fly Qantas. Conveniently, my Qantas credit card included a lounge pass, perfect timing! I genuinely share my loyalty between both airlines. This post may contain…
Classic Vietnamese at Phở Pasteur, Sydney.
Phở Pasteur is a beloved Vietnamese eatery famous for its cuisine, generous portions, and fast service, a go to spot for authentic, comforting Vietnamese dishes in the heart of the Sydney. It thoroughly takes me back to the times I have spent in Vietnam. This post may contain affiliate links, to read more click here….
A Visit to Spice Temple Melbourne – Ten Years Later… (With a Sneaky Cocktail at Marmont!)
While in Melbourne with my cousin Cath, visiting from Calgary, I suddenly exclaimed, “We have to go to Spice Temple!”. It has been almost ten years since my last visit, and I was genuinely excited to return to this unforgettable dining experience. A quick search reveals that on Fridays they offer a Yum Cha menu,…
Virgin Australia Melbourne to Sydney Business Class
After visiting the Virgin Australia Lounge, I took a relatively short flight of just 58 minutes (versus the usual slotted 1 hour and 30 minutes) back to Sydney. Virgin Australia pulls out all the stops on this quick high traffic route. The corridor between Melbourne and Sydney is one of the busiest air routes in…
The Teriyaki McBurger at McDonalds – Japan!
Welcome back for another Macca’s post from around the world! This time I am in Japan! The usual rules apply: I’ll try a burger that is not available in Australia and I’ll have fries for comparison; if there is something else quite different on the menu, like gazpacho in Spain, or the Kaprao Crispy Chicken and Rice…
Afternoon Delights at the Calypso Club, Cairns.
Calypso Club in Cairns is a lively rum bar and seafood kitchen nestled on the ground floor of Crystalbrook Riley overlooking the Esplanade. Inspired by coastal nostalgia, it features tropical cocktails, and a wonderful sustainable seafood menu. Expect bright interiors, beachfront vibes and relaxed seaside charm. Full disclosure, this post contains affiliate links which help…
Simo’s Kitchen – Balmain, Sydney.
Simo’s Kitchen in Balmain, Sydney, is a cosy, welcoming spot known for its delicious Mediterranean inspired dishes, fresh flavours, and relaxed neighbourhood vibe. It is perfect for a casual meal with friends or family. For full disclosure, this post contains affiliate links which help sustain this blog, support my travels, and offer valuable content. If…
Eating Fugu: The Dangerous and Daring Delicacy of Japan
Do you ever have that feeling where you suddenly think, should I really be doing this? Kind of like the first time you went skydiving, bungee jumping or zip lining (I’ve only done one of these things and probably won’t do the others…Can you guess which one I have done?). I am, however, a little…
VIP Lounge #39 – Shanghai Pudong Airport.
I had a seven hour layover at Shanghai’s Pudong Airport, and like many seasoned travellers, I opted to spend it in an airport lounge, specifically, the VIP Lounge 39. Operated by Plaza Premium, it also serves as the designated lounge for Air France, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air. Full disclosure, this post contains affiliate links…
LATAM Airlines Premium Business – LA800 – Sydney to Auckland.
I was heading across the ditch—as we like to say in Australia and New Zealand when hopping between the two countries. The flight from Sydney to Auckland is a short one, blocked at just over three hours, but when I spotted a business class fare for only $200 more than economy, I was instantly sold!…
Casa Di Mio Pizzeria, Halle, Belgium.
Experiencing the sinking realisation as we prepared to settle our dinner tab in Halle, Belgium, the waiter’s words hit us: “We only take cash.” Brett and I exchanged a glance, both armed only with cards, a moment of panic ensued… Full disclosure, this post contains affiliate links which help sustain this blog, support my travels,…
The McKroket, Vegetarian Nuggets and Fries at McDonalds in The Netherlands!
Welcome back for another Macca’s post from around the world! This time I am in The Netherlands! The usual rules apply: I’ll try a burger that is not available in Australia and I’ll have fries for comparison; if there is something else quite different on the menu, like gazpacho in Spain, or the Kaprao Crispy Chicken…
Suhumi Georgian Restaurant, Den Haag, Netherlands.
Suhumi Georgian Restaurant, located in Den Haag (The Hague), Netherlands, offers authentic Georgian cuisine. With its diverse menu featuring traditional dishes like khachapuri and khinkali, it provides a taste of Georgia in the heart of the Netherlands. Full disclosure, this post contains affiliate links which help sustain this blog, support my travels, and offer valuable…
Skylounge – Vienna International Airport
The Skylounge Vienna Airport is a luxurious lounge located in Vienna International Airport. It provides travellers with a cozy and exclusive space to relax and rejuvenate before their flights. Some airlines like Emirates, Qatar, and Korean Air offer access to their First and Business class passengers. Additionally, certain European credit cards or Amex cards may…
Oh Vienna! Schönbrunn Palace and Lunch at Figlmüller – The Home of Schnitzel since 1905!
Vienna’s grandeur is indeed unforgettable, evoking the majesty of its imperial past. From its wide boulevards to its magnificent buildings, the city resonates with the legacy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It’s a place where history and beauty converge, leaving an indelible impression on all who visit. The whole time I am here, I have the…
Dining at the Harmony Specialty Restaurant on the Majestic Princess.
While on the beautiful Majestic Princess, I, with my group of friends, decided to dine at one of the specialty restaurant called Harmony. We actually also dined at the Crown Grill, but I have reviewed that before, you can read that here. With an additional cover charge of AU$63 to dine at Harmony, I believe…
Matty Somewhere 