Our trip was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure; I have written many words and taken many photos to remind me of the glorious times. The trip was about travelling from place to place and using planes, trains and automobiles. Staying at comfortable accommodation or just shacking up with rellies. Although, the most important experiences are the foods. Jen has a thing for taking photos of the meals we had. But the meals don’t mean much without a story. So, I have captured the establishments, the plates and, of course, the reviews. This is the first post of three. From Darwin to France. I will provide a rating, one being the worst and ten being the best of the trip. It’s in Chronological order.
Darwin Austalia
The plane from Canberra to Darwin. I had the Lamb curry with couscous. Believe or not, it was kind of nice.Saturday morning Nightcliff parkrun.Afterwards, our guides took us to the Parap Markets for a Yati’s Laksa. You can even bring with your own Laksa container.Our running damp clothes were not only from the Darwin temperatures. It produced a interesting bite. Chicken Laksa 8/10After our Crocodile adventure, we stop off at the Humpty Doo Tavern. It was a normal Tuesday lunch time and the shop was full. What else to do in this flip flop country. I had the Sliders. Chicken, Buffalo and Crocodile. Yes! The Crocodile tasted like Chicken. 2/10
The Island of Singapore
Flying from Darwin to Singapore. Excited!Jumping across the Timor sea, we landed in Singapore. Venturing near the Sultan Mosque for breakfast. The Zam Zam Restaurant provided us with a Lamb Murtabak and a turkish coffee. A simple dish of eggs, potatoes and cheese, A little bit of currie on the side. 9/10Walking through the Muslim district and being spruikered by lots, we finally sat at the Sultan. With every Turkish meal comes a greek salad and loads of Feta. 6/10The classic Lamb Pide 5/10An eggplant bake 6/10Late in the afternoon, we were both tired and still on the hop on and hop off bus. We spotted this coffee shop in the Chinese district. Quite funky. The shop produced a Croissant and a waffle, they call it a Croiffle. ie A Croiffle hollandaise. 7/10
Istandbol
A quick stop at Istanbol, turn out to be overnight.Esenyurt, a little suburb of Istanbol providing us a sanctuary for our missed Turkish Airline flight, we were provided a complimentary breakfast and lunch in the Days Inn.Quite different to the Aussie Breakfast, 6 varieties of olives with bread and cheese. 4/10Such a simple lunch, cucumber soup, drumstick with vegies and a bowl of buttered pasta? 5/10
Brussels
Landing at the Brussel airport, the Turkish airlines provides a visual of our approach.Finding a Brussels cafe was easy, it was deciding whether to stop for a burger or Belgium chocolate.Ok! Typical plate of burger and fries. 7/10We did both. 6/10With only a day and half in Brussels, we could just see Jons cafe from our accommodation window. Guess where we ended up? 5/10
Paris France
Heading to Paris from Brussels on the train. Plenty of stops and train swaps. Mmm! I’m hungry.My wife reaches into her bag and produced the goods. 2/10Arriving in Paris meeting my sister’s family of seven, we decided to walk down the Rue De La Harpe cafe district from the hotel. We got stuck into this “Which restaurant should we stop at?” I said “This one!”Yea! This is what I wanted. 10/10The next morning, we were off up the road to the nearest cafe. Do I need to show the coffee and croissant. 6/10Too many family members to coordinate for the day. The family ate at this cafe. I guess not inspired.Well, I ate at the Goiko burger place next door to the hotel. I love burgers. 9/10Another night in Paris heading down the Rue De La Harpe cafe district, this time for CrepesChez Suzette Crepes 3/10Any place that has a lineup like this, you got go there. (Le Relais de l’ Entrecote’)Interesting Walnut and Lettuce salad, not inspired 1/10One item on the menu, steak and chips with the green sauce. I suspect that the sauce had coriander in it. The variation is either rare, medium rare, medium or cooked. 4/10The wine was good. 6/10Brownie, Vanilla Glace, raspberries and an espresso. 7/10Perhaps the lineup was for the desert, strawberries on a lemon biscuit. 8/10I guess the rellies do come in handy, relaxing by the pool at my brother in-law’s brother’s (Paul) house in Jouy-en-Josas, France.Yes! A true French meal, and the baguettes were lurking on the dinner table. 8/10The exotic way of cutting cheese for the baguettes. 9/10
Provence France
Train journey from Paris to Avignon (Provence)Relaxing at the Provence FarmhouseEach couple had to prepare a dinner (12 family members, 6 meals).Aix en Provence Markets, the pressure was on to cook the best meal.And the winner is the Seafood Paella. Simply, the best meal of the trip. 15/10Travelling around the region (Gorde), you would come across theses one bite wonders. The delicacies of the Macaroons are presented like Belgian chocolate. Specialised in the packaging.Lunch is always better when someone else cooks it.Jen went for the tomatoes and bocconcini saladPancetta and bocconcini sounded better. 7/10Les Valseuses in Apt provided a rest for lunch. Scott (Middle) appears to be focus on a thought. Perhaps, he’s departing tomorrow and doesn’t want to leave.Chicken and roast vegies. This was quite nice. 9/10Travelling for the day at the town of Chateauneuf Du Pape for a bit of wine tasting. Evatt scenting the aromas of the different wine fragrances.Celebrating our 32nd, wedding anniversary at the Benedetti CafeAs we cross the Julien bridge in the Provence region, we say goodbye and hope to visit again.
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