Australia Journal 2005

Carol's Blog

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

The thrill of the journey starts with the flight. “What about the long flight; that must be a challenge,” so many have said to me. Yes, it is around 14 hours from LA to “G’day”, but this can really get you in the mind set of the adventures to come.

I arrived in Los Angeles in good time, had to exchange my boarding pass this time, took a little while, but standing in the international terminal, you get a sense of the world around you. There are travelers from Asia, Brazil, India---you name it, world culture is there! Makes me hungry for my favorite foods, thinking of the delicious meals I have shared with my friends from around the world. Food is the common tie that binds.

Once settled, I peer through the in-flight entertainment guide. There are several movies, TV shows, and video games to choose from (everyone has their own monitor in front of their seat with separate controls---so you are in the driver’s seat for entertainment! And after supper they provide you with a snack pack, complete with water and savory and sweet snacks to enjoy while you are watching your movies.

It is nice to be away from the phone, email, fax for a while! So the long flight is almost like a vacation in itself. Hospitality abounds on Qantas. The slogan “The Spirit of Australia” printed boldly on the side of the large aircraft rings true. The Qantas team does everything they can to make sure you are comfortable.

I enjoyed a delicious meal of Butter Chicken (a specialty from India), and the other choice was a familiar and delicious Penne Pasta with Bolognese sauce. An interesting bean side salad with a light vinaigrette was perfect. Australian wines, hot tea, and coffee complement the meal.

After a few movies, and a nice sleep (you are provided with your own blanket, pillow, socks, toothpaste, and toothbrush), you awake to a warm breakfast. Mine was a mushroom tart, with yogurt and a muffin on the side. As an alternative, you can enjoy a continental breakfast.

The view from the plane at daybreak is breathtaking. With puffy clouds and an occasional peak of aqua blue water underneath. We’ll be landing soon!

Friday, October 21, 2005

Touch down in Brisbane; it is a bit overcast, but still beautiful. The cheerful Aussie accent brightens the day! From Brisbane, it’s off to my ultimate destination:  Adelaide, South Australia.

The flight to Adelaide seemed in record time. The city is bursting with food professionals for an exciting run of Tasting Australia. More to come on the delicious details! In the meantime, visit www.tasting-australia.com.au to see all of the activities.

I arrived in Adelaide around 10:30 am on Friday morning. The view of the “city of churches” from the airplane was stunning. A bit overcast today with a hint of dribbly rain, but I once again felt right at home in this bustling city.

I checked into the Hyatt Regency Adelaide, a beautiful hotel on the banks of the Torrens River. The room is chic and minimalistic with crisp white sheets, a fluffy doona on the bed, light tan carpeting, luxurious marble bathroom, and a spacious table set by the window with a view of the city.

The Tasting Australia media center was a bit quiet, as many were touring the Barossa Valley, so I had an opportunity to fill a small plate with Haigh’s chocolates, grab a San Pellegrino complete with a straw, and check my e-mails. I soon caught up with my friend Chris Stephan from The Food Studio in Adelaide (www.thefoodstudio.com.au). She is helping to orchestrate some of the Tasting Australia events, so needless to say, is quite busy. It was nice to spend some time in her office, watching someone else work out the details for food and equipment for incoming celebrity chefs, while I sipped on a strong, delicious cup of coffee, and nibbled on scrumptious “bickies” (biscuits in Australia, known as cookies to us!).

I enjoyed an incredible dinner at one of my favorite Adelaide restaurants, Dhaba at the Spice Kitchen. I was joined by Chris and her husband Col, and my friend and colleague, Renie Steves from Ft. Worth, Texas. Chef and owner Ragini Dey orchestrated an authentic regional Indian meal, complete with her butter chicken, a spectacular beef filet with a green curry, prawns, and a colorful dessert of fresh fruit, ice cream and Indian specialties. The presentation of the food is amazing, and the flavors are memorable. I first met Ragini (and Chris, for that matter) during my first trip to Adelaide in 1997, and have kept in touch regularly since. It was nice to see Ragini and her family again.

Jet-lag was setting in, so after the quite comforting meal, it was hard to keep my eyes open! I have an early morning to travel to the Eyre Peninsula, so I better get my beauty rest! More to come...

© 2005