Tahiti Here We Come

We are just home from Tahiti…9 days in Paradise.
Our first dinner at home it had to be vegetables. We ate a lot of protein and bread in Tahiti…lovely as it was I felt we needed a little vege dish.
This is so simple but tasty.

Cauliflower and Mushroom Bake
1 cauliflower stripped of leaves kept whole but core out.
2 tablespoons butter
4 large mushrooms chopped
1 shallot chopped
Slosh white wine
Sea salt and freshly ground black freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons flour
2-3 sprigs of thyme
Cauliflower liquor
Milk
Frozen peas
1 red chilli finely chopped (optional)
Grated cheese


Steam cauliflower
Place into casserole dish
Reserve liquor

Meanwhile
Melt butter add mushrooms
Saute till tender add shallots
Cook 3-4 minutes
Add white wine.
Boil and reduce till it is absorbed
Season
Add flour and cook for another 2-3 minutes
Add liquor and enough milk to make a sauce
The consistency of pouring cream

Add peas and chilli

Pour over cauliflower

Cover with grated cheese and bake 180C about 25 minutes
Just what we needed
Comfort food.

“So now are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.”

We decided on the spur of the moment to join our friends Sheryl and Michael in Moorea.
We managed to get a good fare and we spent the next few days organizing our trip.

About 3pm on the day before we left I decided to grab all the documents to put in my travel wallet.

Opened up my passport
Quelle domage…it expired yesterday.I urgently rang my trusty Travel Agent and good friend Tony Rogers click here for information about his travel agency Travel Managers

“Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus” the famous quote from the editorial from Francis P Church of the New York Sun 1897…
change that to "Yes Gilli there is someone up there who likes you"...
They do urgent passport renewal. But at a cost...$650.
All our savings on the airfare had disappeared. C’est la vie!

So I made arrangements to go into the city at 7pm complete with photo and credit card.
It was annoying but it was a solution. Imagine if I turned up at the airport. I can’t think about that I’m afraid.

Meanwhile Dale came home with a huge smile on his face and opened his wallet there was a wad of cash.
“I have just won Lotto $708”…he was so excited.
Well isn’t that Divine Intervention
I explained my dilemma.
His face fell he couldn’t believe it.

It was likened to the All Blacks major loss in the Rugby World Cup 2007.

He was devastated.
But our daughter Katie (Pollyanna!) worked it out.

$650 for the passport - $12 for the photo - $14 for the ticket
He was still up $32.
Dale you’re still a winner

So we arrived in Papeete Aeroport Faaa
Grabbed a cab and off to our Hotel Kon Tiki Pacific.
I found it on the internet.
The position was excellent right opposite the Moorea Ferry.
A little shabby but hey it was relatively cheap.
Up to our room.

It was fine, the bathroom left a bit to be desired…a good clean would have helped.
We set off to have a drink in the bars of Papeete.

The Kon Tiki is right in the middle of the bar scene and it was lively.
We had a Gin and Tonic…but it is quite expensive, so we decided that we should really be drinking our duty free.
We wandered back to the hotel. We decided that perhaps the hotel might have more uses than Les Touristes....possibly renting the rooms by the hour to the ladies of the night!
That said, the staff were pleasant, got us a bucket des glaces and we retired to our balcony and listened to music on the ipod...with several vodka and butterscotch schnapps.

Sleeping device you know!

6.30 am from the balcony at Kon Tiki awaiting our Ferry

If you have only a few hours to spend while waiting to get to the outer islands.
This is perfectly acceptable accommodation.
The bed was comfortable, we got our wake-up call the staff were pleasant.
I’ve been in worse.
But back to the les vacances.
Quick le petit dejeuner at Les 3 Brasseurs, very good croissants and café.
They were setting up for a Music Festival, which was on for the next week, unfortunately we were going to miss it, but I love the way Tahitians decorate everything.
Those wonderful palm leaves cover all sins.

On the Aremiti 5.
The rapid ferry 30 minutes to Moorea…
Last time I was in Moorea in the 80’s, we flew as the ferry was very slow. and it can be a rough patch of water. but on these fast ferries not a problem
We arrived and there was Michael our chauffeur to meet us
Into the jeep, and he delivered us to join Sheryl at our accommodation at
Tamara’s Beautiful Bungalow "La Baie du Nuarei"
Isn’t this just wonderful?
My next post will be about this superb destination.

Swinging Sydney - Winter Vacation

Sydney July 2013 
All dressed and ready early...

I felt like my mothers Old Neightbour Mrs Haseman...when she was going out at midday. She started getting ready at about 7am . 

Sitting ready dressed up just like Jackie waiting 

Not quite like that of course, in our case...but those memories stick and I really don't want to be one of those old ladies! 

Helen picked us and of course there were road works and lots of stoppages. Joys of city living I guess 

Anyway into Koru check in...Brand new passports all flash and electronic BUT
Mine was declined. 

Silly me when I booked I pushed the wrong button for title, 

so Mr Gillian was booked on the flight, 

Mrs Gillian did not compute.
So back to old fashioned ways.

The person had to do it 

Got through the customs ok... though so all sweet  

Off to Koru lounge, nice little tasty treats and of course champagne 

Small one for dale and 2 large ones for me 

Plane delayed but hey when you are in the lounge, 

who cares...Unremarkable flight. 

Nice staff, the steward obviously recognized us for people, who would like more than 1 wine and slipped a couple of extra bottles into the pocket.
Vey civilized of course  

I have a complaint though

Whosoever picks the movies and TV programmes, should be shot. 

Really struggled to find something to watch and there was a large choice but of nothing much!.
Ended up with Jonathan Creek and then some Aussie programme, bit like the Grumpy Old Men Series. 

Amusing but (shrug the shoulders, comma, keep the voice raised!)

I'm not really that fussy, so for the discerning viewer I imagine could be quite boring. 

My new passport didn't work well at customs. 

Had to go and be stamped in the old way 

(Note to self... Be aware on return journey)  

The Rubin Hilton sent an excellent chauffeur and the welcoming committee, had perfect drinks and dinner ready for us. 

What an excellent start to our vacation

Sunny day dawned. Shiny Sydney 

Had lunch at new Cafe up the road. 

Blooms. All very Tasty, Trendy  and Ultra Healthy, probably will do well in Mosman

On Friday, we met up with Erin and Milton for dinner at Il Perugeno

One of Yvonne and and Stuart's  Favourite haunts

Of course we had to take the obligatory shots before we depart

and lets not forget the delicious food

Pork Chop for me

 Fresh Crisp Salad for the Table

 Stuart always loves the whole steamed fish

 Erin and Yvonne both went for the Osso Bucho

Fantastic Food

Great restaurant in Mosman Village

Worth a trip.

Then the obligatory Photo at the end of the night

It's so so good to spend time with Old Friends

We found a Tame Tourist, who took the shot for us.

For those that are interested, there was of course major Rugby in the weekend. 

The results did excite the boys. Final to be played in New Zealand Big Night next Saturday

 Dale forced to relax in the sun

After a satisfactory visit to the Movie theatre on Sunday afternoon
Michael Douglas was fabulous, in every sense of the word... in Behind the Candelabra
His portrayal of Liberace. Excellent. Matt Damon as well
Home to a superb Salad, with Meatloaf, inspired by Ottolenghi and prepared by Ms Yvonne, with her extra touches
Great way to end the weekend

 And who can forget our constant companion Paz. Cute as a button

Roll on the rest of the week.