Just one postcard, with regards from...

Places limited to just 12!! 

Date changed! But facts remain...

I had such a great opportunity to change a date of a tour this week.. 

What a very special occasion for me 

to be thoughtful, kind, and considerate

CONGRATULATIONS to KIM FAY

She's been nominated for an Edgar Nomination! 

Best First Novel

     

The Map of Lost Memories by Kim Fay (Random House Publishing- Ballantine)
Don't Ever Get Old by Daniel Friedman (Minotaur Books - Thomas Dunne Books)
Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal (Random House Publishing- Bantam Books)
The Expats by Chris Pavone (Crown Publishers)
The 500 by Matthew Quirk (Hachette Book Group - Little, Brown and Company - Reagan Arthur)
Black Fridays by Michael Sears (Penguin Group USA - G.P. Putnam's Sons)

The celebration and very prestigious event

 takes place right in the middle of our 

Food for the Senses Tour April/May 2013

so.. what to do?

Easy decision!!!

Postpone our trip!!!  Our new date has been set for

27 September - 10 October 

Its still the same Tour.. 

A Feast for the Senses - flavors of Vietnam & Cambodia

Connoisseurs’ food tour with Author Kim Fay

Communion: A Culinary Journey Through Vietnam (food memoir); To Vietnam With Love (insider guidebook)
The Map of Lost Memories (historical adventure novel)

And Cape Lux Travels /Luxury Travel 

provides an all-inclusive fully escorted Concierge Travel Service for the high-end traveler

27 September - 10 October

Our ultimate FOODIE adventure starts in Hanoi - ends in Siem Reap

Day 1 : Arrive in Hanoi (D) a guide is waiting to transfer guests to the hotel. Hanoi Sofitel Metropole

Day 2 : Hanoi (B, L, D)

Meet the French chef renowned Didier Corlou, at his restaurant La Verticale. In the evening, we’ll do a night market and taste some great street food which Kim thoroughly recommends. 

Day 3): Hanoi (B L D)

Free time to hit the shops -discover the Old Quarters on a Cyclo? Meet for lunch at KOTO – Know One Teach One. We’ll have dinner at the famous Cha Ca la Vong (as authentic as it comes).

Day 4 : Fly to Danang – Hoi An (B D)

Domestic flight to Danang, tonight's dinner will include a wine tasting Life Heritage Resort Hoi An.

Day 5: Hoi An (B L)

There will be time to meet the tailors in the morning, - a cooking school for an afternoon cookery class.

Day 6 : Hoi An (B L D)

Start our special time in Hoi An with a walking Foodie Tour.  We visit a family factory for their famous White Rose ‘banh bao vac’.  Nam Hai set menu. And that’s all I’m giving away at this stage.

Day 7: Fly to Dalat B D

Fly to DALAT.  Hotel Ana Mandara Dalat – Kim will introduce us to a few secrets chefs/restaurants here.

Day 8 : Dalat (B D)

Today, we've slotted in another cookery lesson and dinner at another favorite spot Nam Phan. 

Day 9 : Transfer to HCMC (B D)

Free until transfer to the airport for HCMC.  Park Hyatt Saigon. Have a stroll down Dong Khoi Street, Saigon. Dinner tonight at an old Refinery Factory. 

Day 10 : HCMC (B, L, and Cocktails)

You will meet your chef at Ben Thanh market to purchase ingredients.  Discover Saigon. Meet for cocktails.

Day 11 : Fly to Siem Reap (B D)

We fly to Cambodia. Siem Reap. We’ll meet Chef Johannes Riviere tonight for an outstanding treat. Heritage Suits Siem Reap – 3 Nights.

Day 12 : Siem Reap (B L D)

Half day to explore the temples – Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom Lunch at Sala Bai Hotel School. This afternoon - we have a very special Book Club event right on the hallowed Temple Grounds with our Author Kim Fay

Day 13 : Siem Reap (B L D)

Half day to explore the temples or shopping?  Abacus Restaurant Siem Reap. We’ll meet our last Head Chef Pascal Schmit. It’s also a themed dinner… You’ll get notification of this theme well in advance.

Day 14 : DEPARTURE (B)

Free until transfer to airport departure. End of Tour.

The food of Vietnam is one of the world’s most original, diverse and healthy cuisines, characterized by a complex blend of textures and flavours.

For further info - full itinerary, booking form, etc

www.thecapeclub.com     jeanw@thecapeclub.com

What an honor for me to have Kim Fay on board with our Food Tour

Well done Kim, on this amazing nomination! 

I am so thrilled for you!!

A feast for the Senses Tour '13 - Viet & Cam..

Discover the flavours of Vietnam and Cambodia 

Join us on this small group connoisseur's food tour with Cape Lux travels and Kim Fay, author of Communion: A Culinary Journey Through Vietnam; To Vietnam with Love; and the newly released The Map of Lost Memories  

26 April - 9 May 2013

This ultimate foodie adventure begins in Hanoi and ends in Siem Reap; together we'll explore the culinary beauty of Vietnam and the ancient temples of Cambodia. 

The Tour includes guided excursions, as well as plenty of free moments to make discoveries on your own. 

Kim Fay and Cape Lux Tour director, Jean Wethmar will accompany this tour. 

The Food of Vietnam is one of the world's most original, diverse and healthy cuisines, characterised by a complex blend of textures and flavours.  With rice as its satisfying foundation,  fish sauce as its unifying accent, and fresh produce playing a role in nearly every dish, it is unique among Asian cuisine. 

Even more fascinating is how it varies as you travel through the country's northern, central and southern regions, revealing the diversity of the country's culinary and cultural influences. 

Accommodation in 5* Hotels, 

loads of cooking lessons.. meeting the producers.. the growers.. the French chefs.. 

Most meals have been included in this unique package.

Speak to Jean today for your copy of the Tour Itinerary and Brochure.

US $4250 twin share

$US$1648 single supplement 

Email - jeanw@thecapeclub.com for details - limited to 12 passengers, reserve your spot today! 

This tour will sell out! 

'The Map of Lost Memories' - revealed in Cambodia..

A Feast for the Senses - Discover the flavors of Vietnam & Cambodia
on a connoisseurs’ food tour with author Kim Fay 26 April - 9 May'13 

We start our Tour in Hanoi, and end our tour in Siem Reap

We'll host a Book Club Event. Right on the hallowed grounds of Angkor Wat, Kim will lead a book club discussion of her novel, The Map of Lost Memories.  A literary adventure novel set in 1925, this novel tells the story of a young American woman who comes to Cambodia in search of a secret temple and the lost history of the ancient Khmer empire. Kim will discuss both her novel and how its story fits into Cambodia’s history. 

Angkor Thom is in the Bayon style. This manifests itself in the large scale of the construction, in the widespread use of laterite, in the face-towers at each of the entrances to the city and in the naga-carrying giant figures which accompany each of the towers.

 

A visit to these temples, will surely leave a lasting impression! 

Click the link below for a peep at this dynamic itinerary and further info.. 

Itinerary and further info - Kim Fay '13 Food Tour

What is Cambodia all about?...

In a portrait I'm looking for the silence in someone... Henri Cartier Bresson

If you stop photographing things and start photographing light, you will amaze yourself - Steve Coleman

There are few places in this world that one is proud to be human, one is certainly Angkor - Tiziano Terzani

I purchased these above images  through a wonderful fund raiser that Gavin Gough Photographer (his link below) did.  They came in a series of 12 desktop wallpapers.. and each one gives me great delight every time I switch on my computer.
http://www.gavingough.com/blog/ 

Go Gavin.. you create so much joy with your photography, either side of the lens.. (what joy for those young aspiring photographers in Cambodia Angkor Weekend Photo Workshop and what joy for those Cambodian people to be given their instant photograph.)

aah.. Cambodia.. see you in April/May with author Kim Fay.. we'll be cooking up a storm here! Tasting through the pages Tour of Vietnam/Cambodia.. 26 April - 11 May'13
Her latest novel 'Map of Lost Memories' soon to be on the shelves at a book store near you..
 http://www.kimfay.net/

Tour Vietnam Girls only.. 5-14 Octrober 2012

Special time out with our own personal stylist, shopper.. spa treatments, cooking.. wonderful accommodation.. bring it on!

• 3 nights Park Hyatt - Saigon (HCMC)
• 3nights Life Resort - Hoi An
• 3nights Sofitel Metropole Hanoi

Experience the HIGHLIGHTS OF VIETNAM – short, sharp and totally full of splurge with Di Cant, your personal shopper/stylist

Day 1 (5^th Oct 2012): Arrive in HCMC

Upon arrival, a guide is waiting to transfer guests to the hotel. Park Hyatt Saigon – THREE NIGHTS.

Services included:

Ø  Private transfer

Ø  Accommodation: Park Hyatt Saigon

Day 2 & 3 (6^th & 7^th Oct 2012): FREE (B)

Day 4   (8^th Oct 2012): Fly to Danang (B, L)

Free until transfer to the airport for Danang, then transfer to Hoian and check in the hotel. Life Heritage Resort Hoi An - THREE NIGHTS.

Services included:

Ø  Private transfer

Ø  Domestic flight HCMC - Danang

Ø  Accommodation: Life Heritage Resort Hoi An

Ø  One x half day cookery lesson at Red Bridge Cookery School

Day 5 & 6 (9^th & 10^th Oct 2012): FREE (B)

Day 7 (11^th Oct 2012): Fly to HANOI

Free until transfer to the airport for HANOI.  Upon arrival, meet transfer to hotel for check in. Hanoi Sofitel Metropole – THREE NIGHTS.

 Services included:

Ø  Private transfer

Ø  Domestic flight Danang - Hanoi

Ø  Accommodation: Hanoi Sofitel Metropole

Ø  One x spa voucher $75 for your choice of Spa treatment

Day 8   & 9 (12^th & 13^th Oct 2012): FREE (B)

Day 10 (14^th Oct 2012): Departure Hanoi (B)

Free until private transfer to airport for departure. End of services.

City	Hotel confirmed	Room type	Nights
Ho Chi Minh City	Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel www.saigon.park.hyatt.com	Park room	Three nights
Hoian	Life Heritage Resort Hoi An http://www.life-resorts.com/index.php?nav1=resort&nav2=hoian	Superior Garden view	Three nights
Hanoi	Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi www.sofitel.com	Premium room	Three nights

Group size	Price per person in USD in party of
10-14	Sql Sup
US$ 3099	1,334

Is food the greatest love of your life?

Are recipe books your favorite books you purchase?.. Do you ooze over Life Style Food TV channels.. and comb the supermarkets for great food ingredients?..
Do you love to entertain friend/family often?..

Well, my latest book has consumed me!

but first a quote...

“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. 

In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.” – Julia Child.

 Ok.. now onto my new favorite recipe book...
Authors Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid - ISBN # 978-1-57965-114-5

Pages are filled with amazing photography..  actually they won IACP/Julia Child Award for best photography

Mouth watering recipes.. giving replacement ingredients for those not able to get the 'real' thing..

Hot Sour, Salty, Sweet - a Culinary Journey through southeast Asia 

 

 ' a breakthrough book... a major contribution - The New York Times

 I ordered my copy through Amazon.. and it was delivered to my doorstep 10 days later! Thanks Amazon.. you're amazing!

 
 a bit about the Authors..
JEFFREY ALFORD:Jeffrey is the co-author, with Naomi Duguid, of six cookbooks: Flatbreads and Flavors:  A Baker's Atlas (William Morrow, 1995); Seductions of Rice (Artisan, 1998); Hot Sour Salty Sweet: A Culinary Journey through Southeast Asia (Artisan, 2000); HomeBaking: The Artful Mix of Flour and Tradition Around the World (Artisan 2003); Mangoes & Curry Leaves: Culinary Travels Through the Great Subcontinent; and Beyond the Great Wall: Recipes and Travels in the Other China.  Both Flatbreads and Hot Sour Salty Sweet won the James Beard Award for best Cookbook of the Year.

 

Then still on food....I've just finished the Rick Stein Far East Odyssey  on the Life Style TV Series as well..

Rick Stein's Research in the Far East

Stein accompanies each recipe with a brief explanation as to how he discovered it while on his travels. He researches every dish - talking to writers, restauranteurs, TV chefs and street vendors and watching them cook. The vivid photography that accompanies recipes throughout the book helps to bring about the atmosphere of the Far Eastern way of cooking. As you turn the pages, reading anecdotes of river voyages, street markets and factories, reading the recipes and looking at the photographs you can almost smell the smoky smell of the cooking and hear the clattering of heavy woks. In the section on Vietnam, there is a recipe for Spring Rolls using extra thin rice papers and you can see the contents tantalisingly tucked inside. This all helps to capture the essence of the book. By the end of it the reader feels as if they have gone on the journey with him!

One of his MUST try out of this series recipes is Rick Stein's duck recipe..

Saute duck pieces (with skin on)  to render out the fat. Pour out, but keep that fat.. (its delicious for roasting those potatoes/vegetables in)

Add plenty of sliced garlic, and lots of sliced fresh ginger. - (he used a lot)

Add fresh orange juice, just to 'float' the duck pieces in.. (not cover them)

Add a good dose of fish sauce (Vietnamese) a bruised/bashed piece of lemon grass, 3 or 4 whole chili's.. a tab palm sugar - and a good grinding of black pepper.

Simmer with lid on until duck is tender.

Add chopped spring onions/shallots last 5 minutes. Thicken the sauce with a slaked cornflower. 

 

Enjoy with green payapa salad.. fresh and very tasty! 

I see another order coming up for Amazon...

Ok.. time for lunch prep! enjoy a good Friday..