This was my second visit to this amazing place. I landed from a superb flight with Singapore Airlines on one of their beautifully outfitted A380’s. After a quick trip through the airport, I met up with my transfer and made my way to Aman at Summer Palace. An incredible property that used to be the summer home to Emperors of China. It was a quick and comfortable 30-minute transfer before I arrived at the property.
Otahuna Lodge: A Food Lover’s Delight
Jimmy McIntyre, Otahuna Lodge’s star chef, learned early on not to play with his food.
A native New Zealander, Chef Jimmy grew up in the kitchen. “My step-father was a chef, so from an early age, I was in the kitchen. But my first job, I wasn’t allowed to cook. I washed dishes. But I observed, listened, gleaned knowledge. Charlie Trotter was my idol, a genius. Alice Waters and Jamie Oliver were also huge influences.” [Read more…] about Otahuna Lodge: A Food Lover’s Delight
Experience New Zealand at its Finest
A visit to New Zealand’s South Island is like stepping onto a movie set. It’s the reason why worldwide blockbusters like The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed here. While reaching New Zealand requires a long-haul flight, it is worth the journey to discover a sparkling clean and green land where beaches, mountains, outdoor adventure and vineyards converge. [Read more…] about Experience New Zealand at its Finest
Heaven at Whitehaven
So there I was, strapped into a seaplane gearing up my camera as the engines began puttering to a start. Only minutes before we were all in the dark about what “surprise” our parents had planned for us.
Now, It was just my family and I filling the charter as we all buckled up for the adventure. I was seated on the starboard side, right behind the co-pilots seat. [Read more…] about Heaven at Whitehaven
Sensory Sophistication at qualia
The defining moment of awareness for me at qualia, is sitting in the Long Room, as the perfectly temperate languid breezes of the Whitsundays, caress and calm with their soft silkiness. Add to that, a glass of ‘house pour’ Champagne, Charles Heidsick, and the changing light over the water and islands across the way. Hmmm. Mesmeric. Hard to beat. And so say the reader’s of Conde Nast USA, who voted qualia ‘Best Resort in the World’ in recent months, giving them an incredible perfect 100/100 score. [Read more…] about Sensory Sophistication at qualia
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef with Life Changing Experiences
A visit to Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef on Australia’s west coast last spring with my then seven year old daughter and husband left with me a potent reminder of the value of the guides hosting guests in remote places, and especially at luxe lodges or camps where many of the experiences and guiding is included in the rate (an important item to consider when researching experiential holidays). [Read more…] about Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef with Life Changing Experiences