Disneyland Paris at Easter

What's better than a long weekend? An EXTRA long weekend!

Easter brings the gift of a Friday AND a Monday bank holiday!

But where to spend these 4 days (well, 3 once you take off travelling time)?

We found some relatively (for a long weekend) cheap flights from London with EasyJet flying on the Friday and Monday.

We had arranged an AirBNB, so got in an Uber from CDG and made our way to the small village of St-Germain-Sur-Morin - a fantastic spot easily accessible to Disneyland.

After a small hiccup of knocking on the wrong door (there were 6 houses numbered 49 on the same street!) we made contact with our hosts and got unpacked.

It was about 6pm so after unpacking and a bit of a chat with our hosts we made our way into the village to the an Asian restaurant. Mann Fong was a lovely local restaurant full of locals. Unfortunately the menu was not available in English, but with a bit of Google translate and the lovely young waiter we were able to get a meal without any (bad) surprises. They were really good at catering for my coeliac too!

We had a late start on the Saturday as we knew the fireworks at the end of the day weren't going to start till around 10.

A bus from St-Germain-Sur-Morin goes straight to the park for €2.

We scored some 2 day, 2 park tickets from Attraction Tickets Direct for £106 each which also came with a 20% off food voucher for Planet Hollywood.

Walt Disney Studios is the first park that you come across after getting through security so that's where we headed. There were a few rides that we tried - I got on a rollercoaster or 2! - and went and watched the Stunt Show. I got to be the Star of the Show! I got this lovely photo frame and photo for my efforts.

After all that excitement we went to Disney Village and made use of our Planet Hollywood voucher.

The menu is quite extensive and we all ended up with a rack of ribs. So excited to see BBQ ribs on the gluten free menu!

Unfortunately it got a bit awkward when the table of three French lads behind us turned their chairs around AND WATCHED US EAT RIBS! One of them did make a good photobomb though.

the boys couldn't believe 3 girls could eat a plate of ribs. Each.

The rest of the day we spent getting photo opportunities with the various attractions around the park and had a look through Disneyland Park before settling in to watch the fireworks.

The fireworks happen every day after closing. It also includes illuminations over the Disney castle and IS AMAZING and is a must see.

The next day was spent mostly at Disneyland Park and it seemed everyone else had the same idea so it was a bit hard to get on some rides, but there is a line for 'single riders' which had a reduced waiting time so we made use of that plenty.

We went back to Planet Hollywood for lunch (burgers this time) and made our way back to Disneyland Park for the afternoon parade. The floats were amazing and the Disney 'princesses' were interactive with the crowd.

We did have a bit of an issue with some people trying to push in front but we stood our ground and managed to have a great view.  

We finished the day off with a ride on the carousel and having a go at bring King Arthur.

So we know that Disneyland is pegged as a place for children but god! some parents need to teach their children some manners.

We had all lined up for a photo opportunity - we've been in England too long - when all these little kids just jumped in front. Cara's face in the above photo sums up the feelings. After pushing the kids out the way waiting for the kids to move on, we made our way back to our Airbnb and got ourselves takeaway.

The weather was typical France in April, but we were lucky that the rains stayed away. I would recommend a thicker coat than my light rain jacket though.

The Details

Our Airbnb with Alexis & Liliana was £69 per night

A 2 day, 2 park Disneyland Paris ticket was £106 from Attraction Tickets Direct.

An Uber from CDG to St-Germain-Sur-Morin was around €65.

Flights with EasyJet cost £120 flying out from Luton and back into Southend.

The local bus from St-Germain-Sur-Morin was €2 each way.

Food Glorious Food - September Travel Link-Up

This month the travel link up topic is all about food! Anyone who knows me knows that I love food and wont back down from unusual foods. 

Being Coeliac I do miss out on some yummy foods (no Krispy Kremes here) but last year I travelled to Cambodia and was able to try so much of the local cuisine there. From the Spider wine to the tarantulas, Cambodia was delicious!

I did want to write about the time I ate cricket - but I am not savvy enough to get the video from my Facebook onto my blog, so instead I thought I would touch on my cooking experience in Siem Reap.

At The Corner on Pub Street, 3 of us from my Intrepid tour group, were set up with our own cooking stations for our 4 course meal.

We went with the chef to the local market for some fresh ingredients and our first course we attempted was a Banana Flower Salad with chicken.

At first, the taste was a bit peculiar, but I started to enjoy it and of course ate most of it except the leaf.. and the mint. 

Our next course Sam Lor Koh Koo which is similar to a vegetarian curry poured over steamed rice.

The main course was Steamed Fish Amok in Banana Leaf. I am not a fish eater so was able to substitute the fish with chicken. Unfortunately we didn't get to try our hand and forming the banana leaf bowl as they were pre made.

To finish off, we made Banana sago in coconut milk for dessert, which was superb. 

We booked the cooking class through our Intrepid tour for around US$20. It was held at The Corner Bar and Restaurant on Pub Street in Siem Reap. 

Recipes below. 

                         

 

How to link up your post:

Just pop your post up over the first week of the month (the 1st - 7th September), add it to the link up widget - found on either Angie's, Jessi's, Emma's or on our lovely co-host Tanja at Red Phone Box Travels - from the 1st of the month.

There are no rules – basically all we ask is that you check out some of the other cool bloggers that are involved in that months travel link up; make a few comments here and there and tweet a few of the posts out that you think they will love. It’s a great way to meet some new travel bloggers and share some blogging joy!

The Travel Link Up is open to all bloggers as long as the post is relevant.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Wendy Polisi's Italian Baked Quinoa Casserole - Adapted

Last week as I was perusing internet for quinoa recipes, I found one that included all of my favourite things - meat, cheese and tomatoes!

As the recipe is from American cook and author Wendy Polisi I did have to adapt it a wee bit to reflect Australian ingredients.

The original recipe can be found here.

Ingredients

beef mince

onion, cubed 

zucchini, cubed

red capsicum, cubed

mushrooms, sliced

tomatoes, cubed

cooked quinoa

mozarella

fresh garlic

cheddar cheese, grated

red wine vinegar, 

olive oil

oregano

salt

pepper

passata

topping

olive oil

red wine vinegar

dried basil

minced garlic

cherry tomatoes, halved

spinach

I don't really follow recommended amounts, I guestimate a lot with my ingredients, although I did use 500g of mince.


Method
* over a medium high heat, add olive oil, onions, zucchini, capsicum, mushrooms to a frypan (I used one with high sides) cook for around 5 minutes.
* add mince, and cook until brown. You may want to drain the mince before adding the next ingredients.
* add half - 2/3 bottle of passata, tomatoes, red wine vinegar, oregano, pepper and salt. I cooked all this together until the sauce was bubbling.

* in a separate bowl, combine quinoa with mozzarella and the rest of the passata.
* pour the mince mixture into a oven safe dish. Top with the quinoa mixture, and top it all with grated cheese.

I followed Wendy' directions with the Fresh Tomato Topping, although I replaced the fresh basil with dried and added spinach.




I'm hoping it will taste as good as it smells and looks, but of course, the real test is if my mum will eat it!
update: Mum didn't like the quinoa aspect, but I have had 3 separate servings of it! Yum!



> All vegetables and fruit (hello tomato!) were bought fresh this morning from my local Farm Direct Market

Turtle Bay

So anyone that has access to either my Facebook or Instagram accounts will know how much I love food. Cooking it, eating it, photographing it. Food in general.

Last month a couple of friends and I discovered Turtle Bay. The thing that attracting us in the first place had to be the 2 4 1 Cocktails Happy Hour (I swear we're not alcoholics!). But it wasn't just any Happy Hour. It was a SEVEN HOUR HAPPY HOUR!

                                    

    


The decor was warm and inviting, a 'beach hut' served as the bar and the kitchen was placed in a shipping container at the back of the restaurant. The bathrooms continued with the same hip scene.


                                                     

Turtle Bay have a really good allergen menu. It was colour coded between meat, vegetarian and vegan and all the allergens in each dish were marked. Super easy to find what was gluten free. 

After a morning of shopping on a bit of a hangover I wasn't feeling all that hungry so opted for the Goats Chesse, Aubergine and Butternut Salad. 



I did think it was a bit weird that it came with a side of watermelon, but it added a refreshing burst of flavour after the spicy chickpeas. 

We had wonderful food, amazing cocktails and great service from our waitress. 

Turtle Bay can be found at 16 High Street, Ealing, London. It's open from 1130 till midnight with Ealing Common being the closest tube station and Ealing Broadway Train Station. 

Dinner at Work - Cauliflower Pizza

Looking for a healthy, gluten-free alternative to Pizza Hut or Dominos?

Look no further than your own kitchen! 

I've cooked this cauliflower pizza recipe a few times for my clients, and every single one of them love it!

Ingredients

Base

1 whole cauliflower

mozzarella ball

1- 2 eggs

Toppings

(This one is entirely up to you!)

tomato paste

onion

mushrooms

tomato

capsicum (aka red pepper)

cheese

Method

Preheat the oven to 200 Celsius

Grate the cauliflower into a bowl

Put the cauliflower into the microwave for about 7 minutes until the

cauliflower is soft

(alternatively, you can spread the cauliflower over an over tray and roast for 15 minutes at 180 Celsius - try and drain as much moisture out as you can once it is cool enough to touch)

In a mixing bowl, combine the mozzarella, cauliflower and egg together (if you think one egg isn't enough, crack the other one in as well)

*You can add salt and pepper to taste if wanted*

Spread the base out over an oven tray, trying to get it as even as possible

Pop it in the oven for around 20 minutes or until you get a nice golden colour

Now it's time for the toppings!

Once they're all on top and looking fantastic, put it back in the oven for another 15 - 20 minutes

Plate up and scoff it down!

* I first got this recipe from my mate Mrs BFH at breakingfreehomestead.wordpress.com

Dinner at Work - Turkey and Quinoa Burgers

Plain old burger patty just doesn't hit the spot?

Try this amazing Turkey and Quinoa mix. 

Ingredients:

turkey mince

quinoa

1 egg

half onion, diced

1 clove garlic, diced

salt

pepper

cumin

paprika

chilli powder

Method:

Cook the quinoa in boiling water (or stock) for about 15 minutes, or until most water is absorbed.

Drain and fluff with a fork. 

In a mixing bowl and turkey mince, egg, spices and quinoa and mix together. Once mixed you can either use straight away or store in the fridge for later. 

(*I also added some goji berry, sunflower and pumpkin mix to give it that extra kick.)

Once ready to eat, shape the mixture into patties. 

Add oil to the fry pan and place over a medium heat. 

Cook on both sides until brown and cooked through. 

                                                        

I had mine on gluten free seeded bread, buttered, with piccalilli, a slice of cheese, fried onion, mushrooms, tomato slices and a drizzle of ketchup. 

Dinner at Work - Zimbo-Italiano Veg Dish

Last night we had another culinary delight that tickled the tastebuds!

The amazing thing about food is that you can start your dish with one thing in mind (in this case the spicy tastes of Zimbabwe) and with just the additions of a few spices it can go in a completely different direction! Straight to Italy!

Ingredients

onion, sliced

tinned diced tomato

cabbage (darker the better), thinly sliced

garlic gloves, chopped

cinnamon

chilli powder

curry powder

fennel seeds

rosemary

oregano

olive oil

polenta

veg stock

Method

brown the onion with cinnamon

add garlic and stir

add the cabbage slices 

pour in the tinned tomatoes

add in the chilli powder, curry powder, fennel seeds, rosemary and oregano

stir, taste and adjust to your liking

add a touch of olive oil to bring it all together

In another pot add 2 cups of stock

pour in polenta WHILE stirring

constantly stir until thick

if it starts spitting at you, take of heat and continue stirring

once both are ready, serve and enjoy

** to have a more Zimbabwean tasting dish, leave out the fennel seeds, rosemary and oregano and replace with hemp seeds, garam masala and a touch more chilli powder

On the Slopes of Bansko

A couple months ago my housemate suggested that we get our first taste of snow by joining a skiing/music festival in the resort town of Bansko, Bulgaria. 

Good thing we chose to go because England has been severely lacking in bringing forth a proper Northern Hemisphere winter.

The festival we did was called Horizon Festival. The festival is in it's second year. For around £200each we got a self-catered, one bedroom apartment. The price also included our ski pass and festival wristband.

The first night, after registration, the four of us Aussies found a great little taverna called Salt and Pepper. Between the four us we ordered a plate of cheese, a 'bansko banquet' - 3 skewers of meat and veg, and a plate of wedges, with a glass of wine/beer each for the low price of 100Lev - works out to be around £13 each - or $24 AUD.

As a first time skier I was a wee bit apprehensive about hitting the slopes, but we booked a lesson to learn the basics.

Getting our moves on.

Our ski instructor taught us how to walk, move up hills sideways - think crab walk - snow plow and how to turn left and right.

The snow plow - or 'pizza' as I called it - was very hard to get a handle on and I definitely needed about a twenty metre radius so I don't crash into anyone.

The days were full of skiing, and every night the festival put on acts at one of their many venues. The venues ranged from standard clubs to outside stages on the slopes of the mountain. There were also a few discounts and specials on for the guests of the festival. 50% off drinks at one bar, another had free drinks for females before 12 and unlimited spirits with mixers for 10Lev (£5, $7AUD) another night.

The second and third day of our 7 day trip we had some fresh snow fall. It made skiing a bit more heavy but it turned the town of Bansko and the mountain into a beautiful snow covered oasis. 

Unfortunately, the trip wasn't all smiles. 

On the third day the four of us decided to ski down the mountain to the bottom - after much reassurance from other skiers and instructors that beginners who can conquer the bunny slope can conquer the ski road. 

I was minding my own business, skiing down the road - okay, I was going at speed screaming 'snow plow' to myself, right before I crashed into Nico, who was waiting on a bridge for me. One leg went one way, and the other leg went the other. 

I had to be rescued from the side of the mountain by the Bulgarian Red Cross mountain ski-doo. Luckily, rescue insurance is included in your lift pass. 

We drove on down to the medical centre at the base of the gondola and I had xrays taken of my knee.

Turns out I have a fractured tibia. The doc supplied me with a knee brace and some crutches so I could still get around. 

 On the plus side, my insurance company set me up with a British Airways flight home, 3 seats to myself. 

Moral of the story guys: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PROPER INSURANCE GUYS!

Vegemite V Marmite

Current history shows us that Australia will beat England by a mile (The Ashes) and it's no different in the food aisle.

This morning, I decided to finally compare my beloved Australian Vegemite with its British version.

There is a distinct difference between the two spreads in texture - the Marmite is more runny and is a bit more easy to spread. As you can see from my awesome photography skills above, the colour pales in comparison to Vegemite.

As I took my first bite of the Marmite slathered bit of toast, I was a wee bit apprehensive - a lot of my friends had described the taste as 'equivalent to tar'.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was not the case - it didn't really taste like tar-like at all! If anything it is just a very milder version of Vegemite - but that could be because of the amount of real butter that is underneath.

For anyone who has tried Vegemite, you know that it is a very strong flavour - one only Australians can love it seems. As my British friend Lily (on a working holiday in Australia) describes 'Vegemite is the poor man's Marmite.'

I, however, disagree. With it's weaker, poorer taste, Marmite is clearly, the poor man's Vegemite.