GLOBETROTTER

Free State


Dullstroom

It has been a long time that I wasn't in touch with my blog. I have been asking myself, if I can not publish (almost) regularly what is the meaning of having a blog in the first place...
But I have a very good excuse! We have been travelling since March nearly non-stop... Actually it started in Feb. with India and ever since I could not spend one whole week sleeping on my own bed. My home, my helper (she is kind enough to say so) and my doggies missed me madly.. And I miss them a LOT.
When I moved to South Africa, after accepting my sweetheart's offer to live together under one roof instead of both of us commuting between continents to keep the relationship together, I thought that my packing-unpacking days are (almost) over... And the truth is I didn't know if I want to celebrate or mourn... Soon after moving in with my boyfriend, I discovered that it was very early to cheer up or cry down... In fact 4 and half years later I still have no idea why I was so sure about ending my heavy travelling life style. Being with F and living in Joburg means now I have to pack-unpack for two, and nearly as often as my professional days... Anyway if I start complaining about suitcase files I will get a severe backache and you will end up in a funny headache...So to cut the stupid stories off, here is a short! list of my travels:
-Celebrating our 5th anniversary at Makalali lodge, Hoedspruit
We were planning a little romantic escape, it was beyond our expectations...
-Trout fishing long weekend in Dullstroom
When we discover that we can not keep the trouts, have to return them in to the water, fishing was over for me. Why catching something alive if you can not eat it??? But the weekend was fantastic! Great fun with friends, nice comfy accomodation, beautiful surroundings, amazing pictures...
-Farm hopping in Freestate
That was an interesting holiday... I am still trying to figure out...
-Furniture delivering- opportunity weekend in Bela Bela
When ever we can, we'll blend a horrible business journey with some fun and relaxing stopover.
-Camping in Drakensberg
Camping is only fun in good weather.. I really don't want to talk about the misery we had to survive.
-Deep sea fishing in Canda Island Mozambique
That is our annual trip to freedom. Will talk about this trip a lot. Soon............
Will post you the pictures soon!

BACK TO NORMAL

Chauru helps me shopping in Delhi >

Beyoglu Fish Market

New Delhi, Red Fort >

Winter blues in Istanbul

After days of travelling between Johannesburg, Istanbul and Delhi, I am back to my normal life, normal self... Missed my kids so much! I heard that Pashmina didn't eat for days because she was missing us so badly. Of course it wasn't the case for Dirty Harry who is interested in FOOD and nothing else so he didn't missed us because Naomi's portions are bigger than ours.

We travel to India twice a year once in February to Delhi and once in August to Moradabad and we always try to combine these business trips with leisure. This time we had 3 nights stopover in Istanbul, my home town.
Istanbul was on it's prime season for seafood. We ate freshest fish and shellfish almost everyday. I even could find fresh octopus and sea snail. All you have to do is poach them in salted water (separately) with few drops of vinegar and serve on a bed of finely chopped parsley, drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil. oh don't forget the crushed garlic. Yummy!!!

When it comes to Delhi, unfortunately the Indian cuisine is my least favorite in all culinary world. I survive thanks to our friend Neera's beautiful home cooking but any time I eat out in a restaurant I end up with a very tender stomach. But one thing I love about food in India is shopping. I can buy all sorts of fresh vegetables and spices for few pennies and I use them to cook very few Indian dishes that I like.
Later on I will give you more details about my trip and the flavours I experienced during the last 2 weeks. For the moment enjoy the pictures...

Magaliesburg Weekends

Tomorrow morning we are going to Amarula. A little farm that we frequent quite often for the weekends. A beautiful, very rustic farm house that we spend great times with a couple of dear friends. It is a self catering place so we load the cooler box with lots of delicacies that we gorge ourselves when we are not hiking the mountains, throwing our selves into sparkling rock pools or playing cards. Friday night we will have some paella. And I thought before the main course a little cooler for the warm summer night sounds like a good idea to me. This gazpacho recipe is very easy to make.