• Home
  • About Me
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Croatia
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Russia
      • Slovenia
      • Switzerland
      • UK
    • Asia
      • Borneo
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Malaysia
      • Japan
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • Sri Lanka
      • Thailand
      • The Maldives
      • Vietnam
    • The Middle East
      • Abu Dhabi
      • Qatar
    • North America
      • Caribbean
      • Cuba
      • USA
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
    • Africa
      • Morocco
      • Tanzania
      • Zanzibar
  • Love London
  • Foods & Feasts
    • Indonesia
    • Food Markets
    • Food Tours
    • Restaurants
    • Tea & Cake
    • Street Food
    • Hotel Cuisine
    • Cookery Classes
  • Travel Styles
    • Animals & Wildlife
    • Beach
    • City Break
    • Culture
    • Festivities
    • History
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Meaningful Travel
    • Markets
    • Parks
    • Scenic
    • Shopping
    • Spa Break
    • Sporting events
    • Tour Companies
  • Weird and Wonderful
  • Blogging
    • Blog awards
    • Blog link up
  • Contact Me

Why Waste Annual Leave?

~ Foreign Lands, Fine Food, London Landmarks & Married Life

Why Waste Annual Leave?

Tag Archives: nature

A Day Trip to Torres del Paine, Chile

06 Tuesday Feb 2018

Posted by Shikha (whywasteannualleave) in Chile, Parks, Scenic, South America

≈ 31 Comments

Tags

Chile, nature, parks, Patagonia, South America, Torres del Paine, travel

London, January 2014

Pumpkin: “Would you fancy doing a day trip to Torres del Paine from Argentina on our South America trip?”

Me: “You what? Of course I would but is that even an option?”

El Calafate, Argentina, March 2014

Pumpkin: “Straight to bed after dinner for me. I’m knackered. Weren’t we lucky the clouds lifted eventually? Are you going to blog about this?”

Me: “Yeh, it was amazing. Definitely going to share this on the blog. Might even pinch some of your photos, they’ve come out really well…”

most beautiful South America destinations

London, November 2015

Pumpkin: “Are you ever going to write about Torres del Paine? I’d love it if you did a blog post on it and I reckon people would be interested in hearing about the day trip option. I’d definitely have read a blog post like that when we were planning our South America trip.”

Me (hastily:) “I will, I will, I just haven’t got around to it yet.”

Pumpkin: “But surely if you don’t do it soon, you won’t remember any of it? You do write them in a strange order. That afternoon tea you’ve just blogged about was long after Chile…”

London, June 2016

Pumpkin: “Such a pity you never wrote about Chile.”

Me ( hanging my head in shame: )

No inverted commas, as no speech.

Out of excuses.

London, January 2018

Me: “Are the Torres del Paine photos on your laptop or mine?”

Pumpkin: “Dunno, why? Wait – are you actually writing about it finally?”

Me: “Yeh, I thought I might. This month’s travel link up theme is ‘once-in-a-lifetime experiences’ and this was what sprung to mind.

Pumpkin: “What’s a link up?”

best places to visit South America

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Google

Like this:

Like Loading...

Monkey Mayhem at Sacred Monkey Forest Ubud, Bali

27 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by Shikha (whywasteannualleave) in Animals & Wildlife, Asia, Culture, Indonesia

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

animals, Bali, Indonesia, monkeys, nature, travel, Ubud

Anyone who has ever researched what to do in Ubud, Bali, will surely be familiar with The Sacred Monkey Forest. It came up in all my online searches, I found several blogs about it floating around and when I finally went, I could have sworn that I even recognised some of the monkeys. Perhaps a sharp, observant eye on my part; perhaps a touch of monkey delusion.

Bali travel tips blogs

Hastily, I initially dismissed the prospect of visiting myself though, querying whether it fell definitively within the parameters of gimmicky tourist trap and wary of how quickly the monkeys would prey on anyone or anything with even a whiff of food-related odour.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary Ubud Bali

A pensive moment of reflection

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Google

Like this:

Like Loading...

The Inspiring Iguazu Falls – Which side is better, Brazil or Argentina?

13 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by Shikha (whywasteannualleave) in Animals & Wildlife, Argentina, Brazil, Destinations, Scenic, South America, Travel Styles

≈ 44 Comments

Tags

animals, Argentina, Argentina tourism, Brazil, Brazil tourism, Iguassu, Iguazu Falls, nature, parks, scenery, South America, travel, waterfalls, wildlife

When we made a decision to venture to South America for the first time this year, debate number one was whether to go to Brazil and Argentina or alternatively, whether to head to Peru and Bolivia. With only two weeks at our disposal, choices had to be made. And after plenty of friendly-bantered marital “discussion”, we ultimately opted for the former.double waterfalls Argentina

Debate number two was about how to divide up our time. Do we head to the Brazilian Amazon, Sao Paolo and Rio? Do we explore Patagonia and its phenomenal glacier. In Pumpkin’s mind though, the one question that needed no asking was “do we visit the Iguazu falls?” Of course we do. It’s a no brainer – who in their right mind travels to Argentina /Brazil without seeing the falls?

So imagine his shock when I came out with the embarrassingly ridiculous statement, “do we really need to see Iguazu – isn’t it just a bunch of waterfalls and we’ve recently seen so many in Iceland?”Iguazu Falls view Brazil side panorama

The Immense Iguazu Falls

Oh, what an ignoramus I was. And how special this “bunch of waterfalls” truly was. I had no words to describe the breathtakingly beautiful and ferocious falls we witnessed on those two days. “Wow” is really more a noise expressed by those of us too stumped to be able to wire up the connections in our brain responsible for formulating words but it was all I could muster up, so overwhelmed was I by the views.Iguassu Falls Brazilian sideThis is an immersion in a world of waterfalls. Their vigour pounds the ground beneath you, an assault to your senses with sounds both soothing and alarming all in one, the vapour in the air moist on your skin, heavy on your chest.

The falls hijack your vision from above, from below, from left to right. Everywhere, waterfalls. And what’s left is a you feeling so small, so astounded and so vulnerable.gushing waterfalls wildlife Iguassu

The differences between visiting the Iguazu Falls from Brazil vs Argentina?

As you’ve probably gathered, decision-making is not our strong point – so we did both, spending one day on the Argentinian side and one day on the Brazilian side. There were a few key differences I noticed and I’ll get the more boring ones out the way first. On the Brazilian side, the facilities seemed a little more polished. Signs were more clearly displayed in different languages, bathrooms cleaner and there is a little bus at the entrance that you can board which will take you into the thick of the jungle.

close up waterfall Iguazu Falls Argentina

Regarding the waterfalls though, the distinction was all in the vistas and panoramas. The walkways on the Argentinian side afford you the close ups, the chance to stand face on, one on one with solitary waterfalls, to view their magnificently forceful blankets of grey water, particularly at the wild and infinite Devil’s Throat, a spectacular 150m wide emptying where half the river flow ends up with an emetogenic core, spewing out muddy debris in its gallons.

waterfall scenery rocks Iguazu ArgentinaIn Brazil, we saw beautiful panoramas –this is the stuff of wide angle lenses and postcard-perfect paintings. It is in Brazil, where you can stand at one given point and see hundreds of waterfalls gushing down like stalactites in an invisible cave , resurrecting with gusto.DSC_0900

Viewing the falls independently or with a guide?

We had a guide on both days but it is straightforward enough to see the falls yourselves with the walking trails clearly marked and maps a-plenty in the parks. Our guide, however, proved invaluable with her beady eyes, which could see ahead for miles, spotting racoons, turtles, wild butterflies, tropical birds and even a toucan.

tucan in tree Iguazu Argentina
racoon Iguazu
turtle Iguassu
racoon Iguassu falls Brazil

We never intended to seek or find wildlife and animals on this trip but with the help of a guide, it ended up feeling almost like a safari (and we have a soft spot for safari holidays.)

yellow green butterflies Iguazu falls
wild yellow bird Iguazu park
reptile Iguazu falls Argentina

Mostly though, it was that sense of perspective that I left with, of realising how much beauty exists in the world.If like me, you have ever wondered whether these falls really live up to expectations, all I can say is that the hype exists for a reason and you will not be left disappointed.

Practical TIPs for Visiting the Iguazu Falls

  • Either embrace getting wet or bring waterproofs with you.
  • Bring cash if you want the professional photos taken – we didn’t bother but they were selling like hotcakes on the Brazilian side.
  • Cafes and restaurants are available so you don’t need to carry a packed lunch with you but do always ensure you have a bottle of water in hand.
  • On both sides of the falls, there are opportunities to do boat safaris (usually with additional charge), which takes you up close to the foot of some of the waterfalls. We didn’t partake in this but it looked thrilling and you will get utterly splashed!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Google

Like this:

Like Loading...

A Countryside Weekend Break in La Limousin, France

06 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by Shikha (whywasteannualleave) in Country Breaks, Destinations, Europe, Foods & Feasts, France, Restaurants, Scenic, Tea & Cake, Travel Styles

≈ 32 Comments

Tags

countryside, dessert, Europe, France, Gueret, holiday, La Creuse, La Limousin, nature, patisserie, Pilgrim route, travel, travel blog, weekend break

It’s funny the places you make friends isn’t it? Many moons ago, I spent a few summers typing letters to earn some cash for my global adventures. If you told me back then that one of the secretaries I met there would end up being such a dear friend, I’d never have believed you. She already knew my Mum well and not only did she rescue me from clerical oblivion but she also kept in touch long after I left.La Creuse sign abbey Benevent L'AbbayeWhen she retired to the sleepy, tranquil village of Benevent L’Abbaye, La Creuse in the Limousin region of France, she suggested we come and visit and after several years of dithering, Mum and I eagerly departed London on a rainy Saturday in June this year to arrive in this unfamiliar province in central France.France nature hills scenery landscape La Limousin

Bennevent L’Abbaye, La Creuse, France

The drive from the airport saw us enveloped in undulating, rolling, lime green landscapes, whilst the prolific pollen count made itself all too apparent to my fragile nasal lining. About five cars fell into the periphery of our vision on the journey, deeming it a “busy” day by local standards. If this is busy, then London life is nothing short of disorganised, chaotic pandemonium.Limousin Creuse tourism waterside scenery

We reached their beautiful home with magenta flowers gracing the front patio, a balcony adorned with floral displays and the friendliest dog I’ve ever met. The sun was all consuming at a temperature of approximately 30 degrees, absorbing the vapour from my soggy London umbrella.

pink flowers La Creuse
Jardin sign La Creuse

Benevent L’Abbaye is the picture of what I always imagined France to be like, where locals greet you as you walk down the street and with charming village post offices, doctor’s clinics and quintessentially French boulangeries, charcuteries and patisseries.

Aux Saveurs de Canelle patisserie boulangerie France
rural tree bark La Creuse
red door building architecture La Limousin
Pradeau boucherie Charcuterie La Limousin

The village name translates literally to the “Good Wind” and it is an important location along the Pilgrim route in Europe by virtue of its abbey. Unlike so many other Catholic churches and abbeys I had seen before, this one is simple, understated and earthy, the cool ashen stone giving us some light relief from the midday heat.

insisde interior St Barthelemy Abbey Benevent L'Abbaye
St Barthelemy Abbey Benevent L'Abbaye

Even in a tiny village, the French can make just about anything seem elegant. Forget corporate fizzy drinks, here we sipped on al fresco violet cordial at Le Colimacon Bleu Salon du The, a tea room with one of the most eclectic collections of loose leaf teas that I’ve seen anywhere in the world, including Lassi, Rose and Masala and a cocoa nibs flavour (which I first tried at a gourmet chocolate afternoon tea).

wpid-img_20140921_111110.jpg
interior tea shop salon Benevent L'Abbaye
Salon du The tea salon Benevent L'Abbaye

La Creuse is a predominantly agricultural area; there is little to see in terms of industry, export or job markets. It is an easy-going, rural life, where the simplest of things still yield the greatest of pleasures – the family Sunday lunches, the fruit trees in the orchards, a coffee and a cake in the village. Far from the glamorous but sharp tones I recall in Paris, the vibe here is as casual as the dress sense. No-one here cares if you don’t have a designer handbag , which suited me just fine (my designer handbag money stays firmly in my travel pot).

central France agriculture
ham cheese baguette traditional French lunch

Exploring Gueret

Gueret Fountain

We spent Sunday afternoon in the nearby town of Gueret, a larger town than Benevent L’Abbaye but retaining the narrow cobbled roads, a municipal hall and a large central fountain.

important building Gueret
cobbled narrow streets Gueret France

A selection of boutique clothes and shoe shops line the streets as does a charming little chocolate cafe, which was sadly closed when we were there. We enjoyed a lazy and sun-soaked stroll but it would be worth visiting on a Saturday or weekday to see the town come into its own.Gueret France church

And of course, what is France without its food? With only two days, I tried to sample a few French delicacies including a goats cheese fougasse, éclairs and macarons and Mum tried a slice of Tropezienne cake. It’s the abundance of light but delicious fresh cream in cakes that I think truly distinguishes British cakes from French pastries. Later that evening, we were treated to homemade cherry Clafoutis, which I learned is a delicacy from the Limousin district itself.

French patisserie dessert macarons, eclairs, TropezienneNormally a neurotic restaurant planner, it felt strangely liberating to be taken to a restaurant chosen by someone else! At the small family run La Pailotte restaurant, the waterside views at dusk were seductive but the vibe inside the bar bustling, the perfect combination for us.Gueret sunsetI tried duck gizzard for the first time in a salad that was one of the best I’ve ever tried. The dishes rarely change but the loyal customer-base they have earned love them just the way they are.

La Pailotte restaurant La Creuse menu
duck gizzard salad France
La Pailotte La Creuse restaurant interior
baked potato La Creuse

Practical Points

– Benevent L’Abbaye is approximately an hour away from the nearest big city of Limoges

– Direct flights from London Stansted on Ryanair take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes

–  This is an ideal location for anyone with an interest in countryside walks, sampling French village life and visiting the undiscovered regions of France

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Google

Like this:

Like Loading...

The Mayfield Lavender Fields, Surrey – A Purple Paradise near London

10 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by Shikha (whywasteannualleave) in Country Breaks, Destinations, Love London, Parks, Scenic, Tea & Cake, UK, Weird and Wonderful

≈ 45 Comments

Tags

days out, England, flowers, lavender, lavender fields, London, nature, purple, romance, summer, Surrey, travel, travel blog

Despite its suburban, lilac setting and natural beauty, this floral fable commences with a cupcake. The late 90s saw a resurgence in popularity of these sweet treats, which had once been associated with housewives and grandmas. And my palate became rapturously involved. When a friend baked me a batch of lavender flavoured cupcakes, my interpretation of this flower went from indifferent to truly in favour. Pumpkin went as far as to judge me as being lavender-obsessed.Mayfield Lavender Fields SurreyI’ve never been to Provence, the idyllic countryside region in France famed for its stretches of lavender fields but as soon as I found out that Mayfield was just an hour’s drive from home, I knew I had to spare a Saturday in the summer to soak up these lustrous purple planes.smelling flowers

The Mayfield Lavender Fields

In the leafy village of Banstead, just a stone’s throw away from Croydon in South London, the fields are open to visitors daily between June and September whilst the flower is in bloom. I had barely put my foot out of the car door when the distinctive, all-pervasive fragrance made itself known to us.

jump

It was difficult resisting the urge to dive straight into the swathes of purple. The stinging nettles tried to curtail my careless enthusiasm but I could not be dissuaded.

close up
The promo code is "spital" and should get you a 15% discount if you enter it when booking! Hope you enjoy the tour and your trip to London! Best wishes. Shikha
lavender fields Surrey
lavender field photo close up
purple lavender fields South London
lavender farm London

And so we meandered between the potently scented, linear boulevards, vying for space with the fuzzy but un-intrusive bees. It’s difficult not to regress into a childhood version of yourself here – we leaped above the colour and lay in the aromatic gap between bushes; we sniffed the powdery flowers and snapped away clumsily, trying to outdo each other’s pictures.Mayfield Lavender Farm Lavender Scone, Lavender Ice Cream, Lavender Lemonade

 

And when we were hungry (alright, we weren’t actually even that hungry,) we rewarded our silliness with a lavender cream tea, complete with lavender scones, cake and even lavender tea and bought some take away bags of the irresistibly, pocket sized bites of flapjack, shortbread and coconut ice. If you aren’t as much of a glutton then I am, then you might be investing your pennies in lower calorie souvenirs, such as essential oils, soaps and hand creams.

lavender farm oil soap cream souvenir
Mayfield Lavender Farm sign
lavender shortbread
lavender shortbread

Contrary to popular belief, exciting London days out don’t always break the bank and after spending nearly half my life in this city, I’m always delighted to find ones that don’t. For just a few pounds each and a short drive from London, this is a perfect spot to beat the summer holiday dilemmas with the kids, to enjoy a stroll with the dog, to impress that new special someone with a quirky and romantic first date or just for those of us Londoners, who are constantly on the lookout for something new and unique.

It’s open till the end of this month and then you’ll have to wait a whole year – get your cameras charged and go go go!panoramic shed

Practical Points

  • Entrance is free and the fields are open between 9.30am – 4pm (longer opening hours earlier in the summer)
  • Parking is £2,which is redeemable against purchases in the shop or café of more than £5
  • Toilet and café facilities are present
  • The fields are most easily reached by car and there is ample parking but the fields can be reached by train to West Croydon and then a bus ride –  more details here.

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Google

Like this:

Like Loading...

An Alpine Fairytale in Lake Bled, Slovenia: A Cream Cake with A View

02 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by Shikha (whywasteannualleave) in Blog link up, Blogging, City Break, Destinations, Europe, Scenic, Slovenia, Tea & Cake, Travel Styles

≈ 52 Comments

Tags

Alpine, beautiful views, cake, city break, Europe, hidden gem, Lake Bled, lakes, nature, Slovenia, Slovenian cuisine, travel

Those of us who were children in the pre-digital era will remember fondly the magic invoked by reading fairytales, illustrated with pristine lakes, grassy meadows, and Sleeping Beauty castles – the kind of havens which seemed so enchanting that we believed they only came to life in fairytales. When I caught a cursory glimpse of Lake Bled, its emerald sheen creeping into view on our short journey from Ljiubljana, it became clearer than the first winter dew that those picture perfect scenes occur in real life as well.Lake Bled view turquoise

Lake Bled and Bled Castle

The medieval Bled castle provides an ideal clifftop vantage point from where to absorb the picturesque view of the lake, which is named after the island it surrounds and despite my apprehensions about the weather, no amount of grey cloud dampened the experience. There is a small cafe and a museum on the castle grounds but we were too enamoured by this Slovenian jewel to avert our eyes from the lake. I was falling for Bled. I couldn’t help myself.Lake Bled lamppost boat view

The Churches of Bled

bled island church of assumption

The Church of the Assumption, Bled Island

The beautiful church of the Assumption casts a proud silhouette on the island of Bled and for a fee, you can ring the bell and make a wish. With its tapering spire and Gothic design, it is this monument that hallmarks the island of Bled.

What I found charming was that aside from being a dreamy but secret European gem for tourists, this lake very much belongs to Slovenia’s community. Rather like its sister Lake Bohinj, the tranquil waters of Lake Bled are full of frolicking locals in the summer, relieving themselves of the midday sun with a rejuvenating swim. The government has taken active steps to preserve and respect this area of natural beauty that has come to mean so much to Slovenia’s tourism industry by prohibiting hotel construction at the waterside.

Church St.Martin Bled

The Church of St.Martin

The Bled Cream Cake

And of course, how could anyone leave Bled without pausing for cake at the Bled Park Hotel, famed for its Kremsnita cake, known commonly as the Bled cream cake – with layers of creamy custard enveloped between filo pastry sheets.

Bled Park Hotel View
http://www.sava-hotels-resorts.com/en/accomodations/sava-hoteli-bled/hotel-park/
Kremsnita cake Slovenia

I had read about this time and again when planning my Slovenia trip and for those of you who know me well and are wondering – no, I did not choose Slovenia purely to try out the Kremsnita. It’s a classic recipe, timeless and in no need of redesign. It is a less is more cake. And how I wish I could sample some more. I have eaten cake at many places in my life but never with a backdrop as idyllic as this. Bled is serenity. Bled is perfection and Bled is the stuff of dreams and imagination.cake view

Numerous tour operators offer both half and full day guided trips to Lake Bled including Roundabout Travel with whom we travelled. If you are freestyling your visit, then you may want to allocate a little bit more time to walk around the circumference of the lake or to wait until twilight to see how the waters evolve under the dusky glow.

boats lake bled
bled church steps
lake bled panoramic view

 

Part of a monthly travel blog link up. This month’s fantastic theme was “Room with a View” so check out some other inspiring views from my fabulous fellow travel bloggers.

 

Disclaimer : I was a guest of Roundabout Travel Slovenia on their Alpine Fairytale Tour, which was a full day excursion including a visit to Bled but I am opinionated, little lady and all views, good or bad, are entirely my own.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Google

Like this:

Like Loading...

El Calafate, Patagonia – Berries, Birds and The Best Restaurants

01 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by Shikha (whywasteannualleave) in Argentina, Argentina, Destinations, Foods & Feasts, Restaurants, Scenic, South America, Travel Styles

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

Argentina, birds, crepes, dessert, El Calafate, glacier, great outdoors, nature, nature walks, Patagonia, restaurants, scenery, travel, travel blog, wanderlust, wildlife

El Calafate

If I were to tell you about a city named Strawberry, you’d be forgiven for your mockery and sniggers. And yet, when a name has a Spanish flair, rolling emphatically off the tongues of proud Patagonians, it sounds altogether more intriguing. The adorable little town of El Calafate serves as a base for most tourists heading towards the impossibly splendid Perito Moreno Glacier. Its name is derived from the Calafate berry, a local traditional berry, blue in colour and slightly tart. Myth suggests that those who eat the Calafate berry will one day return to Patagonia and this was all the evidence I needed to start sampling.

Perito Moreno Glacier Patagonia Argentina

Hotel Esplendor El Calafate view
bird sanctuary Patagonia coast
daisies Patagonia

The novelty that this quirky anecdote has for tourists has not gone unnoticed by local traders with shops on every corner selling everything from Calafate jam and ice cream to Calafate chocolates; after an initial taster, my suitcase quickly went from overweight to obese, stuffed with these souvenirs. It is becoming a bit of a ritual of mine to buy specialty teas from my trips – this is entirely unintentional as I drink tea occasionally rather than habitually but I think it was the tea factory hotel in Sri Lanka that was the turning point. I honestly didn’t think it would be an issue on this trip as I’d never known of the Argentinians or Brazilians being famed for tea. But in Patagonia, tee manzana (apple tea) is almost more prevalent than water and the rest is….well the rest is sitting in my larder. You had me at apple.

Patagonia mountain scenery
Buenos Aires to Patagonia internal flight

The Best Restaurants in El Calafate

The town itself is quite small with a disproportionate number of restaurants all aimed at the tourist market. With little, wooden, rustic buildings, it had a similar feel to Zermatt, Switzerland, if a little more man-made. I cannot stress highly enough how helpful it is to book ahead if there is a specific restaurant you have in mind. The popular ones are easy to spot (as are the bad ones) and considering most people are returning from the same excursions at roughly the same times, you can see the potential for waits.

Pumpkin knows better than to risk the wrath of his wife when she is cold and hungry so all our bookings were done in advance with the exception of the fabulous Viva La Pepa Crepes, where the sugarcraft artwork really hallmarks the crepes. We kept things local by opting for a Patagonian lamb crepe with cream cheese, honey, rosemary and mint to share for mains and a delicious apple crepe with Calafate ice cream to finish.

Patagonia crepes calafate
viva la pepa crepe El Calafate
crepe restaurant El Calafate Patagonia
cocina disco restaurant El Calafate
cocina discos restaurant El Calafate bread with knife

La Tablita and Isabel – Cocina al Disco are great options for those looking for delicious food with an informal atmosphere minus the price tag. The “discos”, which are the specialty of the house, are essentially huge casseroles – the honey mustard chicken was our choice and we couldn’t even finish one between the two of us. It comes with a generous half loaf of bread with a knife wedged in the middle. No seriously.

La Tablita is an excellent-value parilla (Argentine grill-style restaurants,) serving authentic cuisine. My Patagonian trout was nice enough with perhaps one too many bones to fish out (sorry for the awful pun) but I enjoyed my Pumpkin mash (the nickname’s now so engrained that I forget it was an actual vegetable long before my husband got tagged with the label.) Pumpkin himself highly recommended his grilled lamb and fries with white wine, parsley and garlic.

El Calafate signs

The Laguna Nimez Bird Sanctuary

A stroll along the main street in El Calafate on our first day took little more than a meagre 20 minutes, allowing us ample time to browse the Laguna Nimez bird sanctuary. One of my good friends, a biology teacher, will tell me off for feeling almost embarrassed that we were bird watching. But for 45 Pesos per person and an afternoon to pass, it seemed worth a punt.

bird sanctuary El Calafate Laguna NimezAs it turned out, we could count on one hand the number of bird species we saw – perhaps they just weren’t there that day or perhaps our binoculars need upgrading, as we spotted some fabulous close-up bird photos on the laptops of fellow travellers the following evening. The lakeside scenery, though, was in itself worth a visit, the ambience so serene that we had actually forgotten it was about the birds. The lucent blue waters glistened under the low sun, pristine and with tones of jade that took me back to the Maldives.el calafate bird sanctuary scenery

The terrain beneath our feet varied rapidly in texture from small, gravely and superficial to a thickened, dense, yellow sand by the edge of the lake, where my calves met with resistance. The grass, where there was any, was barren with scanty tufts of long straggly wheat-like crops, as if shaving brushes had been embedded in the soil, doted around the sanctuary. Some interesting foliage and fauna can be seen here with numerous daisy bushes resembling lollipops, where the delicate “loves-me, loves-me-not” petals had been swept away by the blustery winds that were commonplace in Patagonia.el calafate photograph

Thinking I could get away without a pair of trainers at the sanctuary was an ill-thought out move, as the varying textures of soil commanded a more sensible shoe. Patagonia in Autumn was not much different to a cold October day in England but you need at the very least, a scarf, sunglasses, ,a sensible pair of shoes and a waterproof. In the distance, we spotted flamingoes, ducks and a large vulture. If you own a super zoom lens, this would be the place to bring it.

The bird sanctuary is just a brief walk away from the main town area and quite reasonably priced so once you have tired of your share of jam and wool shops, venture down here to be at one with nature.

Have you come across any cities or towns with unusual names?

 

Part of the #SundayTraveler Link Up

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Google

Like this:

Like Loading...

The Madu River Cruise, Sri Lanka

30 Monday Sep 2013

Posted by Shikha (whywasteannualleave) in Animals & Wildlife, Asia, Culture, Destinations, Scenic, Sri Lanka, Travel Styles

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Asia, Buddhism, cinamon, Madu river, nature, river cruise, scenery, sri lanka, temple, travel

As a final, unexpected addition to our week in Sri Lanka, we embarked upon a Madu River Cruise, suggested by our driver and thankfully so, as it has not featured a mention in our guide books. Just over an hour’s drive away from Galle before you pull up and see row upon row of boat tour operators, competing for your custom. We were taken straight to one selected by our driver. Madu River

At 40 USD per head (which includes a 1.5-2 hour trip and a guide,) I wonder if we were in fact ripped off, as this seemed heavily overpriced even taking into account the cost of tourist attractions. I am cross with myself, in hindsight, for not negotiating or raising the issue.

The Madu River

The river named after its largest island used to contain hundreds of small islands, now only approximately 60 exist, some inhabited by handfuls of local families. On a sunny day, which we were fortunate enough to have, it really is idyllic.Madu River CruiseWe glided through cocoons of mangrove trees, on serenely still waters, occasionally stared at by monitor lizards (try and spot it in the final photo) and bright blue kingfishers. Groups of water lilies decorate the Madu river, looking rather like large thumb prints dotted along the water. I was given a handmade lotus flower necklace by the guide, who plucked a long-stemmed lotus from the river to make this for me. (Not the famed Sri Lankan pink diamonds that I’d been egging Pumpkin on for throughout the holiday but more novel, more thoughtful and really – did I ever stand a chance?!)kingfisher bird Sri Lanka

There are various stops along the cruise. Opportunity to hold the dressed up baby monkey? No thank you. I do not consider this kind. Opportunity to do the fish pedicure – quite popular it seems but another no thank you from us. This bio-active form of pedicure hit London with a frenzy a couple of years ago but I never took to it. The idea of shoals of live animals nibbling at my feet gives me the eebie-jeebies and the neurotic doctor within me can’t help but wonder about infection risk.

So we steered clear and instead stopped off at the island of Madu, now home to a Buddhist temple. We were greeted by a monk, who kindly lent me a sarong  (ladies, in summary – while in Sri Lanka, keep a sarong in your handbag at all times and you can’t go too wrong).Buddhist temple Madu River Sri Lanka

This was actually the first temple trip during our visit where we were given a good explanation of the history of Buddhism, the symbolism of the colours of the Buddhist flag and the components of a Buddhist flag. We also saw authentic ancient Buddhist scriptures and had a quiet moment to pray at the neighbouring Hindi Vishnu temple – apparently several of the ancient Buddhist kings married Hindu queens, accounting for the ample examples across Sri Lanka of the 2 places of worship, co-existing adjacently. Hindu temple Sri Lanka

Where we felt cornered though was at the end. We were always going to tip but after the monk’s account of how the temple needs renovations and the expenses incurred by distance from land, we were subsequently shown a book of donations and our proposed tip was suddenly made to feel rather small. We had very limited change so ended up donating generously. Nothing overt was said to pressure us and you shouldn’t feel guilty or obliged with these things (but we did here) and for that reason, carry a variety of denominations so you can give at your own discretion.ancient scriptures Buddhist Sri Lanka

Next stop : Cinnamon Island – and I just loved this 15 minute burst of Cinnamon goodness! The place, full of cinnamon trees, smells like one big dessert. We are shown how to make cinnamon sticks, powder and oil, which the Sri Lankan people use for medicinal purposes rather than cooking. The roof above our head has been made from cinnamon leaves and at the end of the demo, a plate of these three products is brought to us for sale. Once again, very hard to say no especially when there were only two of us. Fortunately, I didn’t have to face this awkward predicament, as I happily nabbed 3 bags of sticks, as requested by sister (the unknowingly talented chef amongst the clan).If you’re thirsty midway through the tour, stop off for a fresh coconut drink in the middle of the river – you’ll find a small coconut stall on stilts manned by a single elderly gentleman – definitely the strangest place in the world to have spotted a supermarket…monitor lizard Sri LankaPart of the #SundayTraveler Link Up

 

 

 

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Google

Like this:

Like Loading...

Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Kandy, Sri Lanka

28 Saturday Sep 2013

Posted by Shikha (whywasteannualleave) in Asia, Destinations, Scenic, Sri Lanka, Travel Styles

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

botanical garden, flowers, Kandy, nature, plants, romantic, sri lanka

DSC_0766DSC_0783

It’s never ideal visiting a botanical garden when it’s grey and rainy so I suppose our experience was hampered before it even started but putting that aside, this is a beautiful botanical garden. I’m not green-fingered nor do I claim to know anything about different plants so I don’t know quite how to describe it other than to say it was full of colourful flowers and interesting plants. Won’t be winning any Booker prizes for that description but in some situations (like when you know no better), simplicity is the key and the pictures give you a better glimpse than any of my primitive descriptions would.

DSC_0785

Besides plants, which one expects to see in a botanical garden, I was more intrigued by 2 other captivating findings: 1) The abundance of bats – I’ve never seen as many in one place as I did here; they hung eerily from the trees, adjacent to each other, appearing almost motionless, except for gentle movements with the wind, rather like paper chains on a classroom wall at Christmas time.

DSC_0776

DSC_07822) The even more abundant presence of canoodling couples, skulking behind trees, staring into each others’ eyes longingly, drifting into an endless romantic lull. I don’t know whether the gardens have just evolved as the location of choice for amorous teenagers escaping their parents or whether one of the unnamed plants exhibits aphrodisiac properties but love was definitely in the air. In fact, it made me feel so old and married that I started moaning and grabbed Pumpkin’s hand, insistent on a hand-in-hand walk. I’m not sure it’s the same if you’re coercing your spouse into doing it!

DSC_0774

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Google

Like this:

Like Loading...

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Why Waste Annual Leave? on WordPress.com

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Liebster Award

Why Waste Annual Leave

Why Waste Annual Leave

Top Posts & Pages

  • Where to find the Best Chocolate Shops in Bruges
  • ​Which is the Best Cinque Terre Village to stay in?
  • An Essential Survival Guide to Shopping in The Souks of Marrakech
  • Visiting the Pakleni Islands from Hvar
  • A Ponta Delgada Travel Guide, Sao Miguel, The Azores
  • A Day Trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji Shibazakura Festival
  • A Dreamy Luxury Honeymoon at Breezes Beach Club & Spa, Zanzibar

Blogs I Follow

  • Best Travel Blog | Defining New Wayz
  • Travel With Nano B.
  • The Foodie Diaries
  • Paper Planes & Caramel Waffles
  • Luxury Columnist
  • abitofculture
  • On the Luce
  • The Mayfairy
  • Pearlsbounce
  • wise monkeys abroad
  • Going Awesome Places
  • Whaddup JP
  • foodandphotosrtw.com/
  • Safari254
  • Traveller Soul

Africa Animals & Wildlife Asia Beach Blogging Blog link up City Break Culture Destinations Europe Food Markets Foods & Feasts History Hotel Cuisine Hotel Reviews Indonesia Love London Markets North America Parks Restaurants Scenic South America Sri Lanka Tea & Cake Tour Companies Travel Styles UK Uncategorized Weird and Wonderful
  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Blog at WordPress.com.

Best Travel Blog | Defining New Wayz

British/Swedish Travel & Lifestyle Blogger. Defining New Wayz is the ultimate travel guide for fellow adventurers written by Rebecca Knutsson. She write’s travel guides and shares inspirational stories into what to see, do and eat while on your adventures around the world.

Travel With Nano B.

Travel | Food | Lifestyle

The Foodie Diaries

Paper Planes & Caramel Waffles

A travel & UK lifestyle blog by a Yorkshire girl finding the adventure in every day...

Luxury Columnist

Food, Style,Travel | Luxury Lifestyle Blog

abitofculture

Travel writing and top tips

On the Luce

Part-time travel, full-time travel obsession

The Mayfairy

I did it for the whimsy

Pearlsbounce

Oscillating between Dining In and Dining Out and all things pretty for the table!

wise monkeys abroad

the world is our playground

Going Awesome Places

Off the beaten path and experiential travel - Detailed itineraries, destination guides, and tips and tricks

Whaddup JP

A Travel and Motorsport Blog

foodandphotosrtw.com/

Safari254

Travel . See . Be Inspired

Traveller Soul

Travel, Food, Lifestyle

Cancel
%d bloggers like this: