Welcome to my blog !
A place where I will share my personal anecdotes from my travel adventures and my vegetarian culinary experiences. A space where I will catalogue all things Splendid.
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January Book Review
- Heart the Lover – Lily King
- 5 Stars
…‘Love is crushing. Love is something you let yourself feel at your own peril, despite your better sense’…
I read this book on a Saturday, and I couldn’t put it down, it was that good. A deeply moving story with an intricate throuple.
The story follows a young woman nicknamed Daisy, later known as Jordan – a name given to her by Sam and Yash, her classmates in a literature course. The novel follows Jordan’s life from her senior year of college to adulthood, where she is married with children.
During her college years, Jordan spends most of her time with Sam and Yash, sharing long discussions about literature and bonding over card games. Friendships evolve into romance, introducing emotional complexity and difficult choices. These decisions, deeply influenced by questions of faith and life’s complexities, shape the course of their futures.
As the story shifts to a married Jordan, the impact of those formative years becomes clear. The choices made in college echo forward, altering their lives in ways that cannot be undone. When long-buried secrets resurface amid a terminal illness, Jordan, Yash and Sam are forced to confront the lasting consequences of their past.
Heart the Lover ripped my heart in half and left me shattered. This was my first Lily King book, and I loved her writing style; this story is told from a narrator’s perspective. The characters were memorable and the story telling gripped me from the first chapter. I fully understand the hype around this book and why it became a favourite for so many readers in 2025.
2. Before We Were Strangers – Renee Carlino
- 5 Stars
‘We were victims of bad timing. But here we are again.’
As I read Matthias and Graceland’s story, my heart ached for them in the best possible way, and I found myself cheering for them. Their bond felt like a once‑in‑a‑million kind of love, destined to endure every challenge and hardship that was thrown their way.
Matt and Grace meet in college on their first day at Senior College and become ‘Fast Friends’ – they become inseparable. Matt is an aspiring photographer, while Grace is a music major. Their bond is magnetic; they inspire and nurture each other’s creative gifts, and over time their friendship deepens into love, both believing it will last forever.
But when they’re each offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Matt accepts his without any hesitation, while Grace has her reservations. As they navigate the next phase of their lives, things fall apart – everything begins to unravel, there’s communication breakdown – time passes and life goes on.
3. Twice – Mitch Albom
- 4 Stars
‘You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.’
Twice is packed with so many meaningful moments, I could not put it down.
The book begins with Alfie (Alfred) Logan in Nassau, being interrogated by a detective for allegedly cheating and winning millions at a casino roulette wheel. During the interrogation, he reads from a notebook and relays the intriguing story of his life – spanning his time in Africa and America. We also discover that Alfie has a unique ability to go back and do things a second time, altering the outcome for better or worse. His love story pulls you in; it’s earnest, compelling, and filled with valuable lessons along the way.
When I was reading this book, I had a few moments of reflection and wondered; if I had the ability to go back, what moments would I choose to do twice? For me, there are two pivotal moments, and both involve using the time I had with people who were once dear to the fullest.
This is the third Mitch Albom book I’ve read. The first was Tuesdays with Morrie, which I discovered while navigating life with a terminally ill sibling. That book became the therapy I needed. Twice was just as profound for me, and it served as a powerful reminder to cherish the time we have with the people we love- real life has no do-overs.
4. The First Time I Saw Him – Laura Dave
- 3.5 Stars
The First Time I Saw Him is the sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me, it was selected as one of Reese’s Book Club picks for January and the novel generated significant interest, following the release of the Apple TV series trailer which will air on the 20th February 2026.
The book is a continuation of the story from Last Thing He Told Me. Although I haven’t read the original, I watched the TV series and found it gripping. Naturally, I was intrigued by The First Time I Saw Him and wanted to read it before the start of the TV series.
The story starts five years after Owen’s disappearance and focuses on Hannah and her stepdaughter Bailey, now living in Southern California. When Owen is spotted, Hannah quickly understands that their safety is at risk, and life begins to unravel for them. Hannah mission is to keep Bailey safe. The story delves into the past, I enjoyed getting to know all the other characters and the intricacies of their connections. The one theme that stood out for me in this book, is family and the lengths people go to protect their loved ones.
The book is fast paced and easy to get into. I’m still on the fence on whether reading the book before the TV series will have an impact. I guess I’ll have the answer once I’ve watched the TV series.
5. An Almost Perfect Summer – Jill Mansel
- 3.5 Stars
I’m a sucker for books set in small towns, I enjoy the escape and picturing the setting and getting lost in it. This book was fun to read from that perspective but felt the multiple characters that get introduced make it hard to stay engaged.
The story opens with Nella and Nick bickering over the last bunch of roses at a farm shop. Nick is a charming and attractive man who manages luxury holiday homes in a Cotswolds village, while Nella is a highly organized local whose life is abruptly disrupted when she loses her job due to circumstances beyond her control. From there, the novel unfolds through a series of events that gradually draw the two characters together.
Following her redundancy, Nick offers Nella a position at the retreat. Although there is an undeniable spark between them, Nella is determined to resist her growing feelings. As she begins working at the retreat, the reader is introduced to a range of intriguing characters, each with their own storyline. These narratives are thoughtfully interwoven, adding depth and variety to Nick and Nella’s developing relationship.
My only criticism is that I would have liked to see more development in Nick and Nella’s romance. That said, the novel remains thoroughly enjoyable, light-hearted, and entertaining.
6. The Beginning of Everything – Jackie Frase
- 3 Stars
Even though I found the premise of the story in the beginning slightly unrealistic, I enjoyed the unfolding story of Jess and Gethin’s relationship. Jess has escaped a bad relationship and is homeless. She finds shelter and becomes a squatter. Gethin, the owner of the house, a kindhearted man, finds Jess in his home and lets her stay. Jess and Gethin get to know each other, and they become friends who develop feelings for each other.
I was proud of Jess for her bravery for leaving her abusive relationship. Gethin’s patience and kindness towards Jess was commendable.
This is a character-driven story, easy to read and get into. The pacing was good. If the premise wasn’t so unrealistic, I would have given the book 4 stars.
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Exploring Joburg’s Culinary Delights at Mila Restaurant
Food tells a story that imprints memories.
One thing about Joburgers — myself included — is that we truly appreciate the good life, and this was clear the day we headed out for a late lunch at Mila Restaurant at LXX in Sandton. From the moment we arrived, we stepped into an unhurried yet vibrant atmosphere, with patrons enjoying business lunches and others catching up with friends. My friend and I had recently revived our Ladies Who Lunch catch-up, and this outing felt like the perfect way to settle back into it.
The restaurant’s aesthetic exudes understated luxury—warm, elegant, refined, and welcoming.
Image Cred @Mila Restaurant 
Image Cred @Mila Restaurant As a non‑drinking vegetarian foodie, I’ve learnt to manage my expectations when it comes to mocktails. All too often, they’re served in plain glass tumblers that feel more like an afterthought than a crafted drink. So when my mocktail arrived beautifully presented and photo ready, I was pleasantly surprised. In that moment, I knew we were off to a very good start.
The food…shew…where does one even begin? It was that good. I ordered a selection of vegetarian dishes, and honestly, I savoured every single one. The Zucchini Keftedes was without a doubt my favourite meal.
The dessert was just as delicious and beautifully presented.
Left Image – Dakos Burrata; Top Image – Halloumi Ricotta Ravioli; Right Image – Zucchini Keftedes 
Dessert
Top Image – Hazelnut Tart; Bottom Image – Kafethaki Vanilla BruleOut of 10, I would rate our overall experience 9.
- Food gets a 9.
- Restaurant aesthetics and ambience gets a 9.
- Price gets a 7, the food is on the pricey side but on all fairness, eating out has become a tad pricey.
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2025 Reading!
“Something magical can happen when we read a good book.”
Books have a unique power to take us to places we may never physically go – they offer an escape. The stories allow our imagination to travel freely, introducing us to new ideas, perspectives and igniting our imagination.
Two years ago, I started being intentional with limiting my screen time. I then set a target to read at least 1 book a month. Fast forward to 2025 and I have managed to read 60 books. Fiction being the books I read most.
2025 books I read! What makes a book great in my view is when the story and the characters stay embedded in my heart and mind long after I have read the book. I will share brief review of the books that gave me that feeling. These books I couldn’t put down. In some instances, I found myself reading through the night.
I have picked 12 books for the number of months, this was a real daunting task but I managed.
The book review will focus on 3 things;
o Is the story enjoyable?
o Are the characters memorable?
o Is it a book that I can re-read?
Each book will be graded out of 5.
2025 Top 12 Reads! - The Wish – Nicholas Spark
• 5 stars- The story opens in 2019, where we meet Maggie, a renowned New York–based photographer who owns a gallery. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Mark, who soon begins working at the gallery. As Maggie and Mark grow closer, Maggie reflects on her past, taking us on an emotional journey of her past. The story shifts to 1996, when a young Maggie is sent away to live with her aunt. There, she meets Bryce, a warm-hearted boy wise beyond his years. A deep friendship forms between them, and it’s Bryce who introduces Maggie to photography. He becomes a vital source of support during a formative time in her life.
- The Wish is a complex story that addresses important societal issues and life challenges.
- Maggie as a character stayed with me for days, weeks and months after reading. I loved the setting and the story. This book, I couldn’t put down.
- Cant Get Enough – Kennedy Ryan
• 5 stars- After reading This Could Be Us and Before I Let Go, this book was one of my most anticipated reads for the year and it didn’t disappoint.
- Hendrix is a successful businesswoman and has phenomenal friends. She’s facing a few life challenges, her toughest being caring for her aging mother. She meets Maverick Bell, a tech billionaire whose chasing the next big thing in his life. Sparks fly. There’s instant attraction but Maverick is in an entanglement, which complicates their instant connection.
- As destiny would have it, his relationship comes to an amicable ending. This gives Maverick an opportunity to pursue Hendrix. The romance between them is shown beautifully – its smart, its uplifting, its loving wholeheartedly and supportive.
- What brings them together is a shared experience of having a family member who had or has Alzheimer’s.
- I love how Kennedy Ryan always builds awareness for a variety of topics in her books. I also enjoyed reading about black love shown in a positive light.
- Atmosphere – Taylor Jenkins Reid
• 5 stars- The story follows Joan Goodwood who gets selected for the NASA’s space shuttle programme in the 80ties. In the book, you get to relive Joan’s past and present while in the programme. You also meet the other canditates/ characters who are part of the programme and have an impact in her life in some shape or form.
- This is a voyage of discovery for Joan, not just in space but also her self-discovery. The story is fast-paced, gripping and heartbreaking.
- A beautiful tribute to the women who broke boundaries in the 80ties when women were only just being accepted into space programs.
- The story and the characters stayed with me for a long time after reading this book.
- We all want impossible things – Catherine Newman
• 5 stars- A book about two imperfect best friends since childhood, Ashley and Edith, who have been through everything together. As adults they are navigating a difficult time in their lives – Edith has terminal cancer.
- While the book is heavy and sad in places, it also celebrates friendship, relationships and love.
- We All Want Impossible Things reminded me of a quote that says ‘The only certainty in life is death.’ As much as the story is about the inevitable, the story is just as much about living. It is a story of full of life and laughter.
- Seven days in June – Tia Williams
• 4.5 stars- This story is not a simple love story; its romantic, it’s compelling and layered in past traumas and survival.
- It follows two writes, Eva, a single mom and Shane, a successful bad boy of the literary world. They have a romantic past. When they reconnect after fifteen years, they have chemistry; it’s steamy, its messy, its complicated as they have to confront their past.
- I loved this book. I’m a sucker for second-chance romance and Tia Williams delivered with the portrayal of the characters and their flaws in this book.
- Love Marry Kill – Zukiswa Wanner
• 4 stars- Two couples, one steamy love affair and a hitman. ‘Till death do us part’ means different things to people. This book is an emotionally layered love story with twist and turns. This book is a page-turner, which dives into the messiness of infidelity and the length people will go to keep what’s theirs.
- A great read.
- Fabrics of love – Lebo Mazibuko
• 4 stars- Fabrics of Love needs to made into a Limited Series – goodness this was such a pleasant read. Growing up in Soweto, the character, the setting was so relatable.
- The story follows the lives of the Ntoi family, with a particular focus on its women. At the heart of it is Buang, the formidable matriarch who works tirelessly to keep the family together – she’s a fierce protector, she is resilient and sadly has been hardened by her past. Then there’s Prettygirl, the vibrant life of a party – a familiar township character full of charm and energy. Her sister Rosemary is book-smart, focused, and disciplined; she is driven by ambition and purpose. Then there’s their cousin Moipone, a quiet and timid young woman who carries unseen scars from her childhood.
- Through the eyes of these women, the story explores their journeys as they chase their dreams while confronting culture, family secrets, love, relationships and the weight of past trauma.
- A multi layered captivating book. I loved how Lebo Mazibuko brought to light the vibrancy of Meadowlands (Soweto).
- One Golden Summer – Carley Fortune
• 4 stars- I stumbled upon this on Instagram, there was a lot of hype around it, and my curiosity was immediately sparked. I then had to read the 1st book, Every Summer After.
- Carley Fortune has a gift for painting the picture of a magical summer. As much as I loved Percy and Sam’s story in Every Summer After, I connected even more deeply with Charlie and Alice’s journey. This is a story steeped in nostalgia – One picture. Three teens. A yellow boat. Its where past summers collide with present-day choices, and a beautiful friendship slowly unfolds into a deeply emotional summer romance.
- Charlie is charming and self-assured. Alice gives more than she receives, she puts everyone before herself. Charlie helps Alice step out of her shell and Alice helps Charlie deal with his deep regret. They complement each other in so many ways and have the most hilarious banter. Their chemistry felt natural and warm.
- Overall, this was a fun, emotionally rich read, one that truly captures the magic of the lake. As the story reminds us, ‘Good things happen at the lake.’
- Things we left behind – Lucy Score
• 4 stars- This is the third and final book in the Knockemout series. Sloan and Lucian were my most anticipated couple in the series and Lucy Score didn’t disappoint.
- I absolutely loved Sloan and Lucian’s relationship, especially their sharp, entertaining banter. As adults, they may claim to loathe each other, but neither can deny the sparks between them. Their history adds so much depth to the story – from childhood friends, to sworn enemies after an incident that shattered their bond, and finally to lovers.
- Sloan is feisty, witty, and warm-hearted, with dreams of a traditional happy ending – a loving husband and children. Lucian, on the other hand, has become powerful and wealthy, capable of making anything happen, except committing to the idea of family, which he firmly resists.
- I love how Lucian would do anything for Sloane even when he insistent that he didn’t like her. It warmed my heart that they got their happy ending.
- While I didn’t particularly enjoy the crime subplot, it was expected, as it featured heavily in Things We Never Got Over and Things We Hide from the Light. Still, it was a joy to return to Knockemout. I have a soft spot for small-town settings – even fictional ones, as they stretch the imagination and transport you to places you may never otherwise experience.
- Tell me everything – Elizabeth Strout
• 4 stars- It follows a friendship between 90 year old Olive Kitteridge, Bob Burgess whose the central character, a lawyer and acclaimed writer Lucy Barton.
- Through quiet, intimate conversations, Lucy and Bob reflect on their lives and what might have been, while Olive and Lucy share stories about people they have known.
- The true allure of this book lies in its richly drawn characters and their complex inner lives—because human beings themselves are deeply complex. Woven through the narrative is a mystery that gradually unfolds, drawing in characters who carry their own layers of history and emotional depth.
- This book is beautifully written. Although I haven’t read the previous novels in the series, I found it easy to follow and completely captivating from start to finish.
- What a way to go – Bella Mackie
• 3.5 stars- A murder mystery with a humour all in one.
Anthony Wistern is a wealthy, charming, philander with a dysfunctional family set to inherit his fortune. Upon his untimely death, each of them becomes potential suspects. - The characters are self absorbed and not really likeable but they make a good story.
- A murder mystery with a humour all in one.
- The love we found – Jill Santos
• 3.5 stars- A sequel to The Light We Lost, which I would highly recommend reading before starting this book. Ten years have passed, and a great deal of life has unfolded since the end of the first story.
- This sequel is rich with blended family dynamics, hidden truths, and the challenge of confronting the past while learning how to move forward. It explores the reality that people are imperfect and that life is often complicated and messy. The story continues with Lucy a single mother juggling the needs of her children, her life after Gabe and finding love again.
- The story is emotional, it’s moving and it’s well written.
I’m chuffed with what I have been able to accomplish with my reading.
I’m chuffed with what I was able to achieve this year. The goal has been set and I plan to continue in 2026.
- The Wish – Nicholas Spark
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Picnic and Wine – Warwirck Wine Estate #FlashBackFriday
#FlashBackFriday is about an amazing picnic experience I had at Warwick Wine Estate that was booked by a friend on our Girls Weekend Away in Cape Town. The concept of the Wine and Picnic is so well thought out, I particular like the relaxed environment, open space and lovely dam.
We were booked in one of the Pods with a beautiful setting besides the dam.
The gourmet picnic baskets are well presented, I particular like the presentation, the food is delicious.
It was an afternoon well spent, in beautiful surroundings with amazing food and great company. Forgot to mention the most important thing about visiting a wine estate is the WINE…apparently it was really good…and feels light on your palette.
The service we received was questionable, it started off well but ended with an unfortunate incident with one of the waiters. I will not get into the details of what happened but it reminded me of the race dynamics in Cape Town. The sad part was that our own African sister disrespected us as paying customers.
I still recommend a visit, it’s a great day out with friends and I like the fact that its child friendly. It’s one of the places that I will make a return.
Another Splendid Experience.
Warwick Estate is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year!
Hours are 09h00 to 17h00.
Tel No: +27 21 884 4410
Email: visit@warwickwine.com
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The Test Kitchen by Luke Dale-Roberts – #ThrowBackThursday
Like most people who EVENTUALLY get a table at The Test Kitchen, one automatically has VERY high expectations.
An intimate restaurant, with lovely interior, an open plan kitchen where one gets to see the Chefs in action.
We had the 9 course menu without the wine pairing. Our table had very COMPLICATED dietary requirements. Our waitress was amazing, she explained the food well and ensured our dietary requirements were met.
Top Image: Bread for the Table & Bottom Image: The Test Kitchen ‘Appertisers’ 
Dinner is Served Unfortunately for me, it did not live up to its hype, the overall culinary experience was great but I did find the dinner went on for too long. By the time we were served our final dessert, the entire table was ready to pay and call it a night. I guess that’s the negative thing about having a big table to serve with so many dietary requirements.
The service was exceptional and all our requests were met with a smile. I recommend it for the experience and if you open to trying new things, but do bear in mind that it will set you back a couple of RANDS.
TS!!
CONTACT
Tel: +27 (0) 21 447 2337
Email: reservations@thetestkitchen.co.za
Address: The Test Kitchen, The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, SAfrica
Opening hours:
Tuesday- Saturday:
Lunch seating: 12:30- 13:30
Dinner seating: 19:00- 20:30
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Vegan lunching in Cape Town – Plant Cafe
There one thing that I like about Cape Town (CT) is its abundance of eateries, restaurants and cafe. While driving to a meeting I stumbled upon Plant Cafe.
“Plant offers delicious vegan food, helping you make more compassionate choices without sacrificing taste…” This sums up why I like this place, they have taken the time to make “deliciously conscious” vegan food and not compromising on healthy.
The menu offering is quite substantial – from burgers, to wraps, to sandwhiches, to raw food, to salad…there’s plenty to choose from. I had their Vish Burger (Nori encrusted potato steak with rocket, tomato and tartar sauce) Who would have even thought of using Nori to create a burger.
I highly recommend a visit to Plant Cafe, for the meat eaters, its a great place to have your Meatless Monday.
PLANT CBD
Address: 8 Buiten St, cnr. Loop Street, Cape Town
Opening Hours: Mon 10:00 – 17:00, Tue – Fri: 10:00 – 22:00, Sat: 09:00 – 15:00
Contact Details: Website: www.plantcafe.co.za Phone: 021 422 2737
A Splendid Eatery…
TS!
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“The Warmest Place To Be” – DURBAN
For a person who visits Durban quite frequently, you would think that I would have blogged about this coastal city by now. I guess for me, I have always seen Durban as “My home away from home” – I spent 5 years of my adolescence years in the Natal Midlands and we would visit Durban frequently.
Dubbed “THE WARMEST PLACE TO BE”- a phrase I will use with caution. Durban is a cosmopolitan city, with gorgeous coastline and a popular holiday destination for most VAALIES.
In 2014, Durban city was officially voted as the New 7 Wonder City of the World. On the 15th September 2015, Durban was officially named as host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday, making it the first African city to stage the sporting spectacular.
What to do
Surprisingly enough, Durban has a lot to offer for fun seeking families, couples and friends on holiday.
- The Golden Mile
- A popular stretch of beachfront that runs roughly from South Beach (where the uShaka Marine World is located) to Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World in the north. A stretch of some of the safest swimming beaches in South Africa and a popular tourist destination, here you will find the Zulu Rikshas, walkers, cyclists and joggers.
- When I told my sister that my husband and I go to uShaka Marine Wet and Wild park for the water slides, her response was “are you guys serious? aren’t you a little too old for that” What she does not understand is that some of the water slides are awesome and offer pure adrenaline. We particular love The Drop Zone (the highest slide in Africa), the Tornado and the Plunge. Wet and Wild also offer other relaxed slides ideal for adults traveling with kids.
- Other highlights of uShaka Marine are:-
- Sea World – The largest aquarium in the Southern Hemisphere, with dolphin shows, seal shows, penguin presentations, shark dives, and so much more!
- Kids World – A perfect place for the kids can have complete freedom to play.
- Chimp & Zee – A new rope adventure park
- Address: uShaka Marine World 1, King Shaka Ave., Point, Durban;
- Tel: +27 31 328 8000
- The soccer stadium that was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup now offers a variety of activities.
- Sky Car – You can discover Durban from a 106m-high vantage point and enjoy panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and Durban.
- Big Rush Big Swing – For the adrenaline junkies, the big rush swing in a must. You will plunge off the 106 meter arch on the Big Swing.
- People’s Park – Green lawns, trees, fountains and huge space, the people park make this an ideal play area for kids all ages. There’s a kid’s play area for under 12’s and the Café is an ideal location to grab a light meal.
- Segway Gliding Tours
- Stadium Tours
- Adventure Walks
- Address: Moses Mabhida Stadium, 44 Isaiahntshangase Moses Mabhida Stadium,
- Tel: +27 31 582 8222
- A surfing spot, water park and entertainment complex that located at Gateway Shopping Centre. Another fun place for families and a hangout spot for teenagers in Durban.
- Visit the Durban Markets
- Durban has day, night and weekends markets. It all depends on what one is in the mood for.
- I heart Market – Moses Mabhida Stadium, Imbizo Lawns
- Wonder Market – Chris Saunders Park situated in Umhlanga
- Litchi Orchard – Seaforth Avenue, Salt Rock
- Shongweni Farmers Market – Cnr Alvestone and Kassier roads, Shongweni
- Victoria Street Market – Corner of Queen and Victoria Streets, Durban –
- If you feel like a drive, I highly recommend Valley of 1000 Hills it is a bit of a drive from Durban lovely experience, you will find restaurants and craft markets along the way.
Where to Stay
Whether it be 5 Star Accommodation or a Back Packer’s Lodge, Durban has a wide selection of B&Bs, Guest Houses, Hotels and Self Catering Accommodation. Below is a list of some of the places I have stayed and the overall experience was splendid. Umhlanga and Ballito have a wide selection of places to stay, during PEAK season ensure you book early to avoid not finding a place.
- The hotel forms part of a Casino and shopping complex and is situated in the heart of the Golden Mile with amazing sea views and a mere 400m away from the beach.
- Their standard rooms are small but livable.
- The hotel is situated in Palm Boulevard in Umhlanga opposite Gateway Mall, great location for shoppers. I love this hotel for its apartment style feel, the rooms are spacious and with a decent size balcony. Umhlanga beach is about 5m drive.
- Stayed at this hotel for a conference, its perfect location for a both business and leisure traveler.
- Spacious Rooms, view with modern facilities. Staff are great.
- If your budget allows, a stay at the Beverly Hills is a must, all rooms at the hotel boasts uninterrupted views of the ocean and are extremely comfortable.
- The service is 1st Class and hotel has some options on where one can eat. A great place for afternoon sundowners.
- Beachfront location with direct beach access, the hotel offers many bars and restaurants. Top quality service and impeccable accommodation.
- The food is a bit on the DUUR (expensive) side but High tea, Dinner and Sundowner at the hotel are as must.
- Whether you are staying at the Lodge, Resort or a Rental home, this coastal estate offers complete tranquility. Guests staying at the estate have access to a variety of facilities and recreational activities.
- During the PEAK season, it gets VERY busy and the hotel staff sometimes seem a bit overwhelmed. The service is great but they do tend to drop the ball with their bookings.
Where to Eat
Whether it’s the popular Florida Road in Morningside, or Chartwell Drive in Umhlanga or dining at one of the hotels, there’s plenty places to grab a bite to eat. It all depends on your location and what type of food you are in the mood for.
Below is some of the places I like to eat when in Durban.
- A family run Italian restaurant in Umdloti, the best place to sit during the day is outside, they have great views of the ocean.
- As much as I love the food here, I have mixed reviews about this place. I have had possibly the best and worst service. We had booked a table and they were very busy that evening, we were made to sit at the bar/lounge area and were ignored until such time that we decided to leave. Let’s just say the rest of the evening did not go well and things just kept going wrong.
- Will still recommend it thou.
- Located in the popular Florida Road in Morningside, this Italian restaurant has the best pasta in Durban and never disappoints. From their bruschetta’s to their pizza and desserts, there’s something on the menu for everyone.
- Overall great service, great vibe and good value for money.
- House Of Curries (HOC)
- Eating Curry one of the things that one must do when visiting Durban and HOC has some great curries. It’s also situated on Florida Road in Umhlanga, HOC is pretty much a modern sheebeen and very laid back.
- In the heart of Umhlanga, on Chartwell Drive you will find Olive and Oil. Diverse menu with lots to choose from.
- A shipping container that’s been converted into a café, so creative and my type of vibe. The Freedom Café is located in Greyville, Morningside on St Mary’s Avenue.
- Good place for a breakfast meeting or just laid back meal with friends, good menu.
- In the heart on Umhlanga Ridge situated in an office complex, great place to grab a cup of coffee, they have one of the best Flat Whites.
I’m really looking forward to my next visit to Durban as I have discovered some really cool places that I would like to try.
The other thing that I would STILL love to do is learn to surf, I still don’t know why I did not do that back then. I guess it’s never too late to learn and try something new.
TS!
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USA Adventure: Miami – Los Angeles (LA) – New York (NY)
It’s #TravelTuesday!! I get to reminisce about a trip we took to the US early in the year. Brace yourself for some reading, so much to share, I will try and not make this blog post a Thesis:-)
The trip sure had its own share of drama – misplaced passports with our US VISA’s, lost luggage when we landed in NY on our way to Miami. Finally arriving in Miami after 18hrs30min of flying to discover that another bag had gone missing. At this stage we had lost our sense of humour.
We decided that we would NOT let these unfortunate turn of events ruin our holiday so we made our way to the hotel.
Acqualina Resort and Spa is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the South Beach scene, its located in Sunny Isle Beach, Florida.
We were booked in a 2 bedroom apartments which has king size beds in the bedrooms with plasma TV’s, two full bathrooms, a separate living room, fully equipped kitchen, a private terrace and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Hotel Amenities, Activities & Services:- Beach front access, 4 pools – from family friendly to ADULTS only pool, In-Room Dining, Wi-Fi, Business Centre and Meeting Rooms
- State of the art fitness centre
- This hotel has a proper ‘state of the art fitness centre it’s spacious and has proper equipment, it made training extremely enjoyable.
- Spa
- Described as the ‘a sanctuary of relaxation’ – The Acqualina Spa by ESPA is fully equipped with sauna, steam room, his and her relaxation lounges, his and hers lockers, an outdoor spa veranda with outdoor spa pools.
- Signature treatments and wellness programmes are available on offer.
- Kids Clubs
- I love hotels that cater to families with kids, it just makes planning for family holidays less stressful for parents.
Nearby Activities:
- Access to golf and tennis at nearby private clubs, site-seeing tours & visits to points of interest, shopping at Aventura Mall, the Design District and Bal Harbour Shops and Access to Williams Island Marina.
Morning Tea with a View – Taking it all in!! Our overall dining experience was pleasant, for me breakfast was by far the best meal of the day. Their waffles and pancakes were amazing, I also loved their Watermelon Smoothie. (Don’t normally like posting food, but I just had to share this pic.)
Waffles, Pancakes & Watermelon Smoothie The hotel has three restaurants on the property,
- The Costa Grill – This is the beachfront restaurant that serves lunch, light snacks or afternoon cocktails.
- Il Mulino New York – Is their award winning Italian restaurant, renowned for its market fresh daily specials, extensive selection of fine Italian wines and exceptional staff and service. Overall great food and great dining experience.
- AQ by Acqualina – This restaurant is a perfect combination of chic and relaxed vibe and serves modern American cuisine and sushi.
- Located adjacent to AQ by Acqualina you will find the Piazzetta Marketplace – this place has a variety of gelato, desserts, pastries, teas and specialty coffees.
Even though we spent most of our time lounging at the hotel beach, Miami is one of those holiday destinations that has something to offer for everyone. We did venture out and explored a bit of Miami. South beach definitely has a vibe to it and I see why people love going there. It reminds me of Camps Bay (Cape Town) during the December season.
Next stop Los Angeles (LA) – ‘The City of Angels’
I have such mixed feelings about this place, television has done an amazing job at marketing LA as a place full of life. To me, there’s a bit of coldness and in some areas, there’s too many people trying to fit into LA lifestyle, saw a lot of poser especially in Beverly Hills.
We had a jam packed itinerary with some awesome activities planned, LA was a true adventure for us.What we did
1.A visit to LEGOLAND
It took us an 1hr45m to get to LEGOLAND from LA but the drive was so worth it.
LEGOLAND is a theme park in San Diego, with over 60 rides, shows and attractions, a Water Park and the LEGO® World of Chima.
There’s a hotel on the property which has more than two million LEGO bricks which make up over 2,000 LEGO models throughout the Hotel. If your patience for kids is minimal, I would suggest you stay clear from this hotel.
LEGOLAND was AMAZING, when you see what they have done using LEGO pieces, you cannot help but just be in complete disbelief.
There’s a lot to do and so many exciting games. Our highlight was the Robotic Arm Ride, this ride is insane, it has 5 intensity levels – level 5 is definitely not for the faint hearted. We loved this ride, a great way to end the day.
Robotic Arm Ride The weather was not great, it rained but we scored theses really cute rain Ponchos, unfortunately we missed out on the Water Park.
2. A visit to DISNEYLAND Park & DISNEYLAND Adventure Park
“I think most of all what I want DISNEYLAND to be is a HAPPY PLACE…where parents and children can have fun TOGETHER” – Walt Disney
The above, pretty much sums up Disneyland!!
So much to do and so many amazing rides, some offer a pure adrenaline rush and others just laid back. Our favourite rides were:-- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, California Screaming, Radiator Springs Racer and Tower of Terror.
The lines can get a bit LONG. My advise, if you can, get a FAST PASS. It comes in handy.
3. A visit to Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood – “The Entertainment Capital of L.A.” This place has a movie-based theme park, Studio Tour and Universal CityWalk® – an entertainment, shopping and dining complex, which includes the AMC Universal CityWalk Cinemas and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue.
The studio tour is INCREDIBLE, we went on the set of State of Affairs and toured some of the sets where some of the BIG movie scenes were shot.
From Top Left: Jaws, Psycho, Desperate House and War of the Worlds Set The theme park has the coolest rides and attractions. We went on the Transformers, Jurassic Park®, Revenge of the Mummy and the Simpsons Ride. Unfortunately for us, the Fast and Furious Game was still being built so we missed out on that one.
4. Touring Tinseltown aka LA
Our driver was amazing, and he knew the INS and OUT of LA-LA-Land. We did all the typical sights: the Hollywood Sign, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, we took a drive around Beverly Hills, visited other studios – Paramount Pictures,CBS, Sunset Bronson Studios…etc.
Snapshot of LA 
Where we ate
LA has plenty of places to eat, from your healthy foods to fast foods and not forgetting the fine dining restaurants, one is really spoilt for choice.- California Pizza Kitchen (CPK)
- Fantastic vibe coupled with a great menu selection and service.
- Loved their Pizza.
- Kreation Organic Juice
- My kind of place, a healthy organic juice bar. Came at a good time, so glad we stumbled upon this one.
- I love the fact that they have an ATM where you can buy their freshly squeezed juice should the store be closed. Very clever ideas.
- Burger Lounge
- A burger joint with a health conscious. We stumbled upon this after a long day of exploring, all we wanted was a quick meal. Our quick meal became one of the BEST burgers we had eaten, their organic quinoa veggie burger is a must.
- Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop
- I popped in here for a salad, they have a build your own salad bar, which I really like. Great service and food.
- In-N-Out
- Their philosophy ‘Quality is everything’ sums up their food preparation. Their menu selection is limited, no veggie burgers so I settled for french fries, which i believe are prepared in 100% vegetable oil and hand-cut.
When we arrived in LA and discovered Sprinkles Cupcakes,Ice Cream and Cookies, this place became my dessert heaven. I tend to get a bit obsessive when I find food that I like. They also have the ATM which came in handy on the evenings where I felt like a late night dessert snack.
Finding My SOUL!!
Anyone who’s ever traveled with me knows that I never leave home without my running shoes and gym clothes. I love running in new places, it’s my way of discovering the place I’m visiting.
While running in Beverly Hills, I stumbled across a place called Soul Cycle.Soul Cycle is a SPINNING class on steroids!! Same concept as SPINNING but they have added upper body training which involves using light weights. Soul Cycle takes you on a journey – you jog, climb, sprint and dance. I was hooked and managed to fit in 3 classes. I must say, the workout came in handy after indulging on Sprinkle Cup Cakes almost every night.
Where we stayed
We stayed at the Four Seasons – Beverly Wilshire, the hotel is in the heart of Beverley Hill a mere walking distance to the famous Rodeo Drive.
Spacious, elegant rooms come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, as well as 24-hour room service.in-room amenities (iPod dock, flatscreen TV, in-room safe, minibar, coffee / tea making facilities, complimentary newspaper daily)
Hotel Amenities, Activities & Services- A spa, a fitness centre and an outdoor pool with a poolside bar, plus a business centre.
Dining - From an eating perspective, you will find the CUT a steakhouse by chef Wolfgang Puck’s ,THE Blvd restaurant for all-day dining and the Pool side café and bar.
- We unfortunately did not eat at the CUT but had a great dining experience at THE Blvd and Pool side café.
If you are a fan of Pretty Women, you can pop in at the hotel, they have created a display to celebrate the 25th year anniversary of the movie. The hotel has also arranged a few Pretty Women Experiences, they are a bit on the DUUR (expensive) side.
LA was a true adventure, so glad that I can tick it off my bucket list.
FINAL STOP – New York (NY) – The BIG Apple!
I have such a LOVE and HATE relationship with NY, it truly is the city that never sleeps.
NY was our stopover before we headed back home on a 16hr flight. Having done the touristy stuff on our previous visit, we used this opportunity for relaxation.
I did manage to squeeze in a run at Central Park, still one of my favourite running spots.
We also managed to stop by the Converse store in SOHO. I felt like a child in a candy store, so much to choose from. Love the clever use of the shoes to create the wall mural.
Another Splendid Experience, Another EPIC trip…!
TS!!
About Me
“Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.
My love for travelling was ignited by my parents, they opened our eyes to the world of travel and encouraged us to explore the world.
A lover of all things Splendid. I love travelling, I love discovering new places and experiencing how other cultures live. Amazing memories are created through experiences, no matter how small or big.
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SPLENDID EXPERIENCES 