The Banyan Tree - Bintan Indonesia

High on a hill in a rainforest overlooking the Singapore Strait, 

we stayed in a magical treehouse.

The Banyan Tree resort is on the Indonesian Island of Bintan, 

an hour's ferry ride from Singapore.

The island is 80 per cent rainforest, with some of the remaining 

20 per cent host to beautiful golf courses.

I was lucky enough to spend a few days on this enchanting island a 

couple of months ago.

Under a full moon, we boated out to a traditional fishing hut, 

where we gorged on an Indonesian feast. 

The huts had there own balconies, spa pool and lounges.

Inside was a haven of air-conditioned tranquility 

 However, I enjoyed the steamy warmth and the natural breezes.

Breakfast at the restaurant, under the shade of rainforest trees.

A blue themed dinner on our balcony.  Unusually, there isn't one of 

the 800 a day freighters passing by on the horizon when I took this shot.

Dinner under a full moon. It was practically daylight.

 A touching birthday greeting surprised me on my return home that night. 

Amazing towel art, don't you think? I wonder if there is a course

you can do?

A rainforest view outside our villa window.

Can you imagine the nerves teeing off on this par 3? 

Beachside sand bunkers everywhere. 

You don't want to overshoot this green.

I actually hit the huge boulder on the left and my ball ricocheted onto the green. :)

I highly recommend the Banyan Tree.  

It was a gorgeous place and the people are beautiful.

I was very lucky.

the Banyan Tree, Bintan

The Currant Shed, McLaren Flat

On a beautiful autumn day in the wine region of McLaren Flat we had a great lunch at The Currant Shed.

As the name implies, The Currant Shed is a former currant drying shed. It is over a hundred years old.
The shed harks back to an era when the area was planted out to vegetables and almonds more than it was to vines for wine.

 The homestead was one of the first in the region.

 Very cute citrus trees are planted out the front of the shed.

Before the rush. Today was totally booked out.

 They grow their own vegetables and herbs for the kitchen.

 The quince that accompanied my duck came from this heavily ladened tree.

Amuse Bouche

Foamed brie with corn bark. Warm bread rolls with shiraz salted butter.

Spencer Gulf Prawns, coconut, soybeans and lime. Accompanied by a glass of Shottesbrooke Chardonnay.

Smoked Kingfish, apple, onion, mustard. Accompanied by a glass of Tim Adams Viognier.

Lamb Shoulder, heirloom tomatoes, fetta. Accompanied by a glass of Shottesbrooke Shiraz.

Duck, quince, pear and baby spinach.

Hindmarsh Valley Emme, cherries, honeyed walnuts and sesame lavosh.

Dark Chocolate, Fig, almond cream and soil.

We also stopped in at Parri Estate Winery to stock up on some Grenache, Shiraz and Savagin.  Great wines and owner John Phillips is an outstanding host.  They were also doing a huge trade in wood oven pizzas. Next time!

2KW - a new rooftop restaurant #2KW #restaurant #food #wine

One of the newer bar and restaurants to open in Adelaide is 2KW.  The rooftop establishment sits 8 floors up, on  the corner of King William Street and North Terrace.

The building, formerly the Bank of NSW and then Westpac, was designed in the modern art deco style by Philip Claridge, Colin Hassell and Jack Hobbs McConnell in 1939.  It was completed in 1942,  during the difficult period of the 2nd World War.

Adelaide Oval, River Torrens and the rooftops of the Festival Centre.

In today's post there are a few photos of the views from the rooftop bar. I'll post on the restaurant later.

The photos had to be taken through a 3 metre tall sheet of glass at night, so reflections are part of the deal.

St Peter's Cathedral

University Oval

Parliament House in the foreground and Intercontinental Hotel behind.

Government House

These lambswool throws certainly help on a chilly night.

Cosy Cabanas sit up to 10

The rooftop bar is distinctive from, but compliments the many new laneway and basement bars that have opened across Adelaide in the past couple of years.  The views are great over the low-rise historic buildings that line North Terrace. And during the day you can see across Adelaide to the sea.  Sunsets should be pretty special.  I predict we'll see a few more rooftop bars open up in the coming years.