Best Places of Interest - Page 106 of 185 - Celebrating thought and travel

April 22, 2017Lifestyle

Six Reasons Why Having A Staycation In Australia Is A Must

Australia is a great country to have your vacation. Millions of tourists flock this beautiful country every single year. Australia is highly recommended by travelers not just because of its beautiful beaches, cities, delicious cuisine and attractive people but because of the service and comfortability that they are getting from staying in hotels. Still not convinced?

Well, here are the six reasons why having a staycation in Australia is a must:

Affordable Hotels

While most hotels in Australia are expensive, there are still affordable ones that look almost the same as the expensive ones. Doing a critical research is very important so you will know the affordable ones that will surely make you feel comfortable and contented. Australia is also known for small boutique hotels that has great ambiance and it is important that you do not only get to spend less but you also get to enjoy while having a vacation in the beautiful country of Australia.

Spacious Rooms

Frankly speaking, Australians are one of the tallest and biggest people in the world which is why everything whether in hotels or houses are very much spacious. Hotels in Sydney are big enough to fill a group of people so better invite your family and have a wonderful stay in different hotels in Australia.

Great Service

If quality service is what you are looking for then you don’t have to fret anymore. Australians are one of the nicest and hospitable nationalities in the world. They serve their customers well and you will surely feel at home when you visit Australia.

Beautiful Hotels

There’s no explaining needed here. Australian hotels are some of the most attractive hotels that you could ever visit. There are also beautiful hidden gems around the far away cities of Australia so make sure you check resources online and book right away.

Beachside Hotels

Did you know that there are so many beachside hotels in Australia? More specifically in Sydney? Yes, you read that right! If you are the type of person who just wants to have a peaceful and therapeutic type of tour and vacation in Australia then considering beachside hotels are good for you. In that way, you do not only get to enjoy the service of your hotel but you also get to have a view of the relaxing beach in front of your hotel. Good deal, right?

You Get What You Pay For

Of course. This is probably the most important factor in spending anything for something whether you are buying home products or booking your travels. It is always important to get the quality of the amount you paid for. Australia is very generous with their tourists, sometimes they even give more benefits to their guests. Most hotels do this because they want you to enjoy and have a wonderful stay.

Australia is a country that you must definitely visit. It’s about time that you step out of your country and stay somewhere far for a while to unwind and detox from the hustle and bustle of your city life.

Author bio:
Mark Aldrin Hipolito is a daytime writer for Holiday Inn Parramatta, one of Australia’s modern and luxurious hotels in the suburban district. Mark Aldrin gives hotel tips and hacks to help people make the most out of their vacation.

April 20, 2017Lifestyle

Caravan Manufacturers – Owing Your Dream Caravan

Caravans are mobile homes, which lets you be away from home for days, weeks, months or even years together. In fact, some people sell off all their belongings and buy a caravan to live their life. Caravan manufacturers cater to these different needs with each customer having their own specific demands and dreams.

Basic Types of Caravans:

Towed: These caravans have fixed walls, with all amenities, and are towed by another vehicle. You can detach vehicle from the caravan and use the vehicle to run errands.
Pop up vans: They are very compact and all amenities are arranged and packed into the van which is towed by another vehicle. You have to set up the camp before use. You can detach vehicle from the caravan and use the vehicle to run errands.
Campervans: This camper is built right on the body of the van. It has fixed walls but is not towed. You can begin camping as soon as you pull up. Big buses can also be converted into caravans.

Caravan Types Based On the Needs:

Off Road Caravans: These caravans are for those who use them for some bush camping or safaris where the road quality may be poor. It calls for robust suspensions and increased road clearance. Special focus will be given to the quality of the latches, hinges, joint welding, etc., which may be reinforced to suit the rough roads, ensuring nothing comes off. Many parts and areas are reinforced to make it more robust.
Family Caravan: These caravans will focus on more number of beds or wider beds, more area in the living room with longer sofas to accommodate more people, food storage, and power and bio-toilet backup, etc.
Luxury Touring: These caravans focus on the luxury. The quality of all amenities will be top notch. The focus will be more on loading latest technology appliances that are more compact and user-friendly like remote control kitchenware, finest leathers, wood work and painting finish.
Custom Caravan: Some customers want a specific design and customized amenities, which most caravans manufacturers would be willing to accommodate.

Basic Facilities A Caravan Manufacturer Provides:

Caravan Manufactures: will have a range of plans and designs for the basic facilities in their caravans. Since space comes at a premium all facilities will be provided in such a way that it takes minimum space.
Kitchen: Most of the kitchen cabinets will be on top avoiding bending down to pick things from cabinets below the counter. Cabinets will have foldable or telescopic drawer thus saving space to open and close.
Bedroom: The ceiling and the cot will most probably store spaces, like water tanks, bio toilets, batteries.
Toilet: Caravan toilets may not be cramped, but still have walls and corners maximally utilized to store toiletries, accommodate drainage and plumbing lines, mirror, showers.
Living Room: Most often will have longer sofas so that more people can sit at a time closeted together, a foldable or movable table.
Store Room: Depending on the number of people and the days you plan to clamp, the size and shape of the storage room will vary. A professional manufacturer will have very innovative designs that allow maximum storage space yet does not compromise on the amenities available to the campers.

Most caravan manufacturers would have their websites which give ample information on the design, floor plan, and other amenities. They would also provide their contact information. You can browse through the site of this manufacturer and have a first-hand look at models of different companies and narrow down a manufacture. You can call caravan manufacturers directly if you need any customization.

April 18, 2017Recipes

Bread Recipes

Continuing from my earlier post on Bread, following are a few bread recipes worth trying out

Simple White Loaf

Ingredients

250 gms strong white flour, plus extra for dusting,

1 tsp yeast,

1 tsp fine salt,

1 tsp castor sugar,

2 tbsp. olive oil, plus extra for greasing.

Method:

Mix the flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the oil and 130 ml of hot water. Mix together with a wooden spoon until combined, then bring together with your hands. Knead by hand on the work surface for 8-10 minutes, only dusting with a little flour if it’s sticky.

Once the dough is smooth and shiny, rotate it in your hands, whilst tucking under to make a smooth dome shape on the top.

Place the seam side down on a floured baking tray; gently pat down the top to flatten slightly. Gently cover with a lightly greased cling film and leave to rise for about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 200c, gas mark 6. Uncover the dough and using a sharp serrated knife make three 0.5cm deep slits across the top. Cover again and leave for 15 minutes.

Uncover and dust the top with a little flour and bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden. Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely before slicing and serving with butter.

Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia

Ingredients

300 gms flour,

1 tbsp. sea salt,

finely ground plus extra (flaky) to sprinkle 2 tsp. yeast,

1 garlic bulb,

15 ml extra virgin olive oil,

Plus, extra for kneading and greasing.

BIGA

BIGA is a type of pre-fermentation used in Italian baking. Many popular Italian types of bread, including Ciabatta, are made using Biga. Using Biga adds complexity to the bread’s flavor and is often used in bread that needs a light, open texture with holes. To make

Biga you need:

200 gms flour,

Pinch of yeast,

Rosemary oil,

20 gms rosemary leaves picked,

100 ml extra virgin olive oil

Method

Prepare the Biga the previous night. In a deep bowl, mix the flour and yeast with 150 ml of warm water. Scrape down the sides, cover and leave at room temperature for at least 8 hours, or ideally for 12- 16 hours. Mix the rosemary and olive oil, cover and set aside. The next day, using your fingers, gradually incorporate the flour, salt, and yeast into the Biga with 225 ml warm water and all the oil, (reserving about 2 tablespoons of the rosemary oil and leaves) until you have a smooth and sticky dough. Transfer to a well-oiled working surface and knead vigorously for 20 seconds, then rest for 10 minutes; repeat this twice, using more oil as needed. Put the dough in a large oiled bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave to prove at room temperature for 1-2 hours, until doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 200 c, gas mark 6. Put the garlic bulb on a sheet of foil and drizzle with oil; wrap and seal tightly. Roast for 25-30 minutes until tender. Once cool enough to handle, squeeze out the flesh and set aside, discard the skin.

Lightly grease a deep 20cm x 30cm baking tin or dish with oil. Scoop in the dough and stretch it out so it mostly fills the tin. Press the roasted garlic into the dough, then indent all over with oiled fingers. Cover with oiled cling film and prove for 45-55 minutes, until doubled in size.

Put a deep, metal baking dish on the bottom of the oven. When ready to bake, sprinkle the dough with flaky salt and set the tin on the middle shelf, fill the bottom dish with just boiled water. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden (if it is browning quickly, reduce the oven to 180c/ gas mark 4). Remove the bread from the tin and cool on wire rack; cover with a clean, damp tea towel and cool completely. Rub with the reserved 2 tablespoons of rosemary oil and leaves.

You can prepare as Gordon Ramsay does – Olive, Rosemary, and Tomato Focaccia – Gordon Ramsay

BON APPETIT!

April 17, 2017Food

Give us this day our daily bread!

There is nothing more enticing than the smell of freshly baked bread- and it is even more satisfying when you have baked it yourself. But most people are put off by the misconception that baking is challenging work. It is in fact, quite simple and extremely therapeutic. It is a terrific way to work through stress and aggression by mixing and kneading the dough!

Baking Bread

Baking their daily bread — Bakers baking bread

Bread is a staple food prepared from the dough of flour and water, usually by baking. Throughout recorded history, it has been of importance since the dawn of agriculture. Proportions of types of flour and other ingredients vary widely, as do modes of preparation. As a result, types, shapes, sizes, and textures of loaves of bread differ around the world.

Bread is served in various forms with any meal of the day. It is eaten for breakfast, as a snack and used as an ingredient in other culinary preparations such as sandwiches, and fried items coated in bread crumbs to prevent sticking.

It is the main component of bread pudding, as well as of stuffing’s designed to fill cavities or retain juices that otherwise might drip out.

Bread is the staple food of the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe and in European-derived cultures such as those in the Americas, Australia, and Southern Africa, in contrast to East Asia where rice is the staple. Bread is usually made from wheat flour dough that is cultured with yeast, allowed to rise and finally baked in an oven. The addition of yeast in the bread explains the air pockets commonly found in bread. Owing to this high level of gluten, common wheat is the most common grain used.

Gluten free home made bread — Gluten free homemade bread

Gluten-free slices of bread have been created for people affected by gluten-related disorders. Gluten-free bread is made with ground flours from a variety of materials such as almonds, rice, sorghum, corn or legumes such as bacon, but since these flours lack gluten they may not hold their shapes as they rise.

History of wheat

Wheat has been cultivated by man since before recorded history. It is conjectured by anthropologists that hungry hunters first stockpiled the grain as a storable food source. When it got wet, it sprouted, and people found that if the grain was planted it yielded more seeds.

Grown in Mesopotamia and Egypt, wheat was likely first merely chewed. Later, it was discovered that it could be pulverized and made into a paste. Set over a fire, the paste hardened into flat bread that kept for several days. It did not take much of a leap to discover leavened (raised) bread when yeast was accidentally introduced to the paste.

In Egypt, around 1000 BC, inquisitive minds isolated yeast and could introduce the culture directly into their bread. Also, a new strain of wheat was developed that allowed for refined white bread. This was the first truly modern bread.

The Greeks picked up the method for making bread from Egyptians; from Greece, the practice spread over the rest of Europe. Bread and wheat were especially important in Rome where it was thought to be more vital than meat. Bread continued to be important through history as bread riots during the French Revolution attest.

Today, even with the competition of a growing variety of foods, bread remains important to our diet. It has a prominent place in supermarkets, at local markets, in our homes, in restaurants and burger chains and patisseries, which offer a wide selection of sandwiches and frankly without a bread bun we would not have had a burger.