South Africa launches ‘I Do Tourism’ at Indaba 2017
South African Tourism launches ‘I Do Tourism’—a new responsible tourism initiative—at Indaba 2017 in Durban. The strategy is geared to showing South Africans the relevance of tourism in the greater scheme of things. How ‘everybody’ benefits from tourism.
Dwor Sierakow: for the wine, Polish vodka, history and Slow Food
British-born Caroline Grabowska and her Pawła Gąsiorek (Paul) have turned Dwór Sieraków, near Krakow, into a listed four-star historic hotel. Chef Janusz Fic is in the restaurant, recognized by Slow Food Poland. Paul’s wine cellar is one of Poland’s finest. And their Dwór Sieraków vodka is a label of note.
Qadasi & Maqhinga at St. Clements: Two
David Qadasi Jenkins and Maqhinga Radebe perform their traditional Maskandi at St Clements in Durban.
Qadasi & Maqhinga – Maskandi at St. Clements
David Qadasi Jenkins and Maqhinga Radebe perform their traditional Maskandi at St Clements in Durban. Radebe is a Ladysmith Black Mambazo veteran. He traveled widely with them before linking up with Jenkins. One of his many gigs was performing at Carnegie Hall with Paul Simon.
Portugal’s queen of tarts: where to eat them
Portugal is known for its pastries. The most famous is the pastéis de nata. The original version of the famed pastéis de nata dessert was created more than 200 years ago. If you are in the Belem district of Lisbon and see a line of eager people as the author of this piece did, they’re likely waiting outside Café de Belém, better known as the Pastéis de Belém, home of the pastries and where 19,000 are sold on an average day.
Hare Krishna Festival of Chariots Durban
Singing and chanting Hare Krishna devotees of all ages—and the interested and curious—gather in Durban over Easter weekend to pull their three lofty chariots that sail along the beachfront festooned with thousands of flower garlands and billowing brilliantly colored fabric canopies. Travel blogger Wanda Hennig joins the devotees, who also prepare fresh vegetarian meals for the hungry. It’s a celebration.
Travel to Poland: visit Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow
Entering Wieliczka Salt Mine is like being transported into another world. A unreal, mystical, subterranean nether-world. Salt mining started here in the 13th century. Not surprisingly if a little eerily, the adventures, the stories, the lives of men and women who have lived and worked (and sometimes died) here, deep in the bowels of the earth, infuse the place. You feel it, sense it — or at least I did — as you descend after entering. As you climb down, down, down the narrow wooden stairwell into a nether world of caverns and tunnel-paths and overhangs. Small wonder this UNESCO Heritage Site is one of Poland’s top tourist attractions.
Plentiful: The Big Book of Buddha Food launch notes
Plentiful: The Big Book of Buddha Food (Jacana) is the Buddhist Retreat Center’s third cookbook. Plentiful was launched at Adams Bookstore in Durban by journalist and longtime Zen student Wanda Hennig. Plentiful’s chef is Paul Atkinson. Editor is Chrisi van Loon. Photographer is Angela Shaw.
Foodies and yogis head for South African Buddhist Retreat
Pudding and Prana had us do a lot of yoga with Amy Best and cooking demos (followed by eating) with Paul Atkinson. Vegetarian curries and a Moroccan stew. A beet and feta salad. A “bejeweled’ cous cous. Poached pears in a yummy rich chocolate baked pie topped with whipped cream blended with double-cream yogurt. All were recipes he had perfected while working in the Buddhist Retreat Center kitchen and were destined for Plentiful: The Big Book of Buddha Food (Jacana).
Travel to Poland: Na zdrowie from Krakow
On her “roots” and culinary travel trip to Poland, Wanda Hennig comes to appreciate her vodka-pouring hosts, learns about nalewka — a traditional vodka-like drink infused with herbs, fruit, and/or spices — first at Krakow’s legendary Cafe Jama Michalika and later at upscale seasonally-inspired Pod Baranem restaurant (among other places). Not surprisingly, she comes home with the T-shirt…