Recipes from the Road

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Pan Fried Kabeljou

Pan Fried Kabeljou

I have so many divine recipes from recent visits, I have to post some of the best ones! This one is from Wynand Van Der Watt at the incredible Molori Safari Lodge on Madikwe Game Preserve, South Africa.
Wynand, from Port Elizabeth South Africa, is the Head chef at Molori Safari Lodge. Previous duties were Head Chef at Sabi Selati Lodge, Sabi Sabi Private Game reserve, Sabi Bush Lodge to name a few. He sent me two recipes and here they are!

Cooking School at Palacio Nazarenas – complete with Uniforms and Pink Champagne!

We had a ball!!

Main Square – Cusco, Peru

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Street scene Cusco

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The Iconic Hotel Monasterio Cusco, Peru

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Breakfast Set Up at Our Table – Palacio Nazarenas, Cusco

Fresh squeezed orange juice, coca tea, selection of local fruits and cheeses- wow!

Pool – Palacio Nazarenas, Cusco

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Welcome Flowers at Palacio Nazarenas, Cusco

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Palacio Nazarenas, Cusco Beautifully managed by Floris Boyen

We had the pleasure of experiencing Palacio Nazarenas during our stay in Cusco and it was unforgettable.
Beautifully and lovingly managed by Floris Boyen. I have not experienced that caliber of attention to detail and service in a long time. Each member of the staff was warm welcoming, and full of smiles. I felt the warmth from the heart, it was not from instruction or training- although terrific training was evident. Floris’s passion for making us feel comfortable was palpable. The staff was happy and it showed.
The hotel’s historic decoration was impeccable. Every corner was filled with history. The rooms were large and light. The bathrooms were huge and BRIGHT! Happy colors of flowers everywhere. Palacio Nazarenas is the only hotel in Cusco that boasts a swimming pool- heated no less.

Bathroom: Bright and large with heated floors- Palacio Nazarenas, Cusco

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Palacio Nazarenas

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Interior Courtyard of the 300 Year Old Palacio Nazarenas

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Reception Desk at the Fab, Fab Palacio Nazarenas, Cusco Peru

With our Butler, Barnaby and the darling Ximena behind the desk.

Flowers of Peru

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Flowers of Peru

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Nice photo of Shane Arrold at Machu Picchu

Orient- Express Regional Director of Sales, Asia Pacific
Our resident photographer
Notice the steepness of the terraces at MP

Find our group exploring Machu Picchu

I slipped off to shoot some pics from the top. Huffing and puffing!!

Entry to Machu Picchu

So excited to be there!!

Machu Picchu built on a mountain top

This side plunges straight down.

Spectacular Machu Picchu

Pictures cannot do it justice!

View from our table- Orient Express Hiram Bingham Train

Astounding vistas

Our host- Orient Express’s Andrea Filippi

In the observation car – Hiram Bingham

Orient Express’s Hiram Bingham Luxury Train to Machu Picchu

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Awesome way to get to Machu Picchu

Loads of fun!

Flight from Lima to Cusco Peru

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Spectacular Educational by Africa Inscribed

Armed with maps, manuals, and mirth.

I feel like I have a PHD in Safari planning!

 
As you have been reading, I recently completed a phenomenal 16 day Educational with Africa Inscribed, hosted by their Directors Dylan Harriss and Gavin Ford
 
Properties we either saw or *stayed in were:
 
*1. Saxon Hotel – Johannesburg  10+
*2. Jack’s Camp-  Salt Pans on the edge of the Kalahari Desert Botswana  9
3. Camp Kalahari- Kalahari Desert Botswana 5
*4. Wilderness – Vumbura Plains – Okavango Delta Botswana 10+
5. Wilderness – Little Vumbura_ Okavango Delta Botswana 8+
6. Duma Tau- Linyanti Reserve Botswana  9
*7. Savuti- Linyanti Reserve Botswana  9
8. Victoria Falls Hotel- Vic Falls Zimbabwe 10
*9. Singita – Pamushana- Pamushana Reserve Zimbabwe 10+
*10. Royal Malewane- Thornybush Preserve South Africa 10++
*11. & Beyond – Exeter Leadwood- Sabi Sands South Africa  9+
12. Dulini- Sabi Sands South Africa 8(under renovation)
13. & Beyond – Exeter River Lodge – Sabi Sands South Africa  9
14. Singita Ebony- Sabi San Reserve South Africa  10+
15. Singita Boulders- Sabi Sand Reserve South Africa  10+
16. Lion Sands – 1933- Sabi Sands   9+
17. Lion Sands – Ivory- Sabi Sands       10
18. Lion Sands – River Lodge- Sabi Sands 8+
*19. Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge – Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve  10+
20.  Selati Camp – Sabi Sabi – Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve  9
21.  Little Bush Lodge- Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve  8
*22.  Singita Sweni – Kruger National Park   10+
23. Singita Lebombo _ Kruger National Park    10+
*24. Molori- Madikwe Game Reserve ( Malaria Free) South Africa    10 but expensive
25. Lion Sands – Madikwe Lodge – Madikwe  9
26. Mateya – Madikwe   10
27. Jaci’s Safari Lodge 5 and Jaci’s Tree Lodge- Madikwe    7
*28. JNB Intercontinental – Johannesburg Airport South Africa   9
 
 
The numbers after the resort names are the ratings I personally gave them -10 being the highest.
It really depends on the client but these were my personal impressions.  
I totally defer to Dylan on resort choices.  He is really picky.
 
When I say educational I really mean educational. At the beginning of the EDU we were given a manual which included all predeparture information for every country in Africa. We also received a map covering the destinations AI favor. We actually had a map session one afternoon, locating preferred camps in Botswana, SA and Zimbabwe on the map. We went over zones that were malaria free and those that were not. We went over destinations near beaches, marshes, plains, mountains, best game viewing, and best locations for particular game. Best locations for families, honeymooners, groups, couples, photographers or special interest groups.
 Each day we learned about birds, mammals(predators and grazers), birds, insects, trees, birds, grasses, seeds and the environmental impact on the climate on each area, did I mention birds? We also learned about animal conservation,  land conservation, water and the impact on the reserve we happened to be traveling in. We learned about resort management, land management, and safari planning down to details as to why one wants a private game vehicle- and the enviromental impact too many cars can have on the resort. I feel like we have a PHD in Safari planning.
We traveled in style, Dylan chartered a Pilatus PC12NG ( the largest Pilatus). And we learned what a luxury having a less pressured schedule can be.  
The biggest take away for me was the tremendous knowledge, creativeness, and passion  Dylan and Gavin have as a DMC.  Their excitement was contagious. We were on a high from the moment we landed to the moment we left. And it was so much fun!
We had the best group- we laughed all the time, and never stayed still for long. So we were the best exhausted group.
If there was a glitch, we never knew it. Dylan and Gavin travel to camps and resorts 200 days a year, so they REALLY know what they are talking about. We looked at high end, medium and low end camps. All came with value for the right client. They are very selective. 
It was a privilege to participate in this EDU with Africa Inscribed. I can’t wait to book Africa with them

A Pleasant Surprise- the Intercontinental at OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg South Africa

Steps from Baggage Claim. You can just push the trolley with all your bags right to it. Rooms are large, bright and very nicely done!
What a convenient choice if you have a layover in Johannesburg.
Service is outstanding, the welcome is warm after a long flight, and the restaurant is wonderful! Delighted to discover such a classy airport hotel.

Molori – Madikwe Reserve, South Africa

Fabulous, glamorous Molori in Malaria Free Madikwe Reserve, South Africa
Image courtesy of Molori

Ending with a bang! MOLORI, Madikwe (Malaria free) Reserve, South Africa

Stunning Lodge!!

Protea – National Flower of South Africa

Seen in an arrangement at Molori, Madikwe South Africa

Gorgeous Cheetah- Madikwe Reserve, South Africa

Yes the clay is really that color!

Singita Lebombo, Kruger National Park

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Pool – Singita Lebombo, Kruger National Park

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Bar- Singita Lebombo, Kruger National Park

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Ahhhhh- visiting Singita Sweni and Lebombo, Kruger National Park

 

Located in the most famous game rich preserve in the world, Singita Sweni and Lebombo live up to all their hype. Considered as one of the top resorts in Africa, they work hard to make sure their guests are comfortable and happy.  Trackers, Rangers, Chefs and hotel staff are all top of the heap. The Wine Cellar is enormous!!  And the gift shop is one of the most comprehensive and beautiful I have seen. 
Sweni is situated on the river and more intime. Lebombo is on a ridge with vistas over the thickets with gorgeous public spaces. One can experience both properties when staying at either Sweni or Lebombo.  Rooms are similar- just a different view. 
I think Sweni is one of my personal favorites and I hope to return very soon. Anyone want to go? I’m ready!

Most photographed Bird in Africa – Kruger National Park

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Lilac Breasted Roller – oh my gosh I’m becoming a Birder!! Kruger National Park

Help me Martha!!!

One of my favorites: Singita Sweni, Kruger National Park

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A member of the Selati Pride – not sure if this is in Sabi Sands or Kruger National Park

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Find the Owl in this picture- Singita Sweni, Kruger National Park

Image courtesy of Gavin Ford