Ever wanted a romantic getaway for you and your loved one, some place not too far away from Malaysia and that would not put a hole in your pocket? Well here are the top ten romantic experiences in Western Australia for a Valentine’s Day getaway. All you need to do to celebrate the most romantic day of the year, is board a flight that is just under five hours to Perth, Australia’s nearest capital city. Re-live those magical sparks with these top ten romantic experiences in Western Australia .

The top ten romantic experiences in Western Australia for a Valentine’s Day getaway are..

1. Toast each other at an extraordinary sunset at one of Western Australia’s many stunning beaches. Perth’s Cottesloe Beach is iconic, Broome’s Cable Beach is unforgettable  for its camel rides and Esperance’s Lucky Bay has been scientifically proven as Australia’s whitest beach.

2.  Get to know each other better over a meal or a cocktail at new trendy outlets in  Perth’s inner city precincts such as Five Bar and Clarences in Mt Lawley; The Garden and Kitch in Leederville; Beluga and The Duchess in Claremont ;and the Venn Gallery, XO and The Sentinel in Perth city.

3. Lock yourselves away in award winning boutique retreats  such as   Cape Lodge or  Stonebarn   in the South West region and experience luxury like you’ve never experienced before.

4. Hit the new Indian Ocean Drive in a convertible to Cervantes where the Pinnacles are located,  with a collection of your favourite songs and soak up Western Australia’s unique landscape with the wind in your hair.

photo credit – Cervantes Pinnacles by Gouldy99

5.  Go cycling on a tandem bike for two on Rottnest Island(half an hour ferry ride from Perth) and spot a quokka,  a pint-sized kangaroo-like creature  unique to Western Australia

6. Show how much your significant other means to you by presenting him or her with a Western Australian treasure  – a Broome pearl, a Kimberley diamond or a piece of Kalgoorlie gold.

7. Stroll hand in hand through the vineyards with a glass of local wine in the Swan Valley, WA’s oldest wine region or the Margaret River wine region with over 200 vineyards.

8. Reach new heights together at the 600-metre long Walpole’s Tree Top Walk perched at 40 metres above the ground in the South West region, the first of its kind in the world.

9. Pack a picnic for two and admire Perth’s skyline and the Swan River from Kings Park, one of the world’s largest inner city parks or join a tour to learn about the indigenous culture .

10. Immerse yourselves in the port of Fremantle, just 30 minutes from the city, with its quaint Victorian charm – historic buildings, lively weekend markets, Fishing Boat Harbour  for great fish & chips and microbrews.

For more information, visit www.westernaustralia.com

Me and Malé weren’t always friends. I often misspelled Malé with Mali. I would mistake Malé for being the capital of Mauritius when rightfully it should have been the capital of Maldives. Blame it on my poor sense of geography or my ignorance of a small country of islands somewhere in the Indian Ocean. You see, I haven’t been good to Malé. It wasn’t that I didn’t know about Maldives. It just wasn’t on my radar.

Five years ago, I met Xian when he first visited Malaysia together with his team of air traffic controllers. They were in Malaysia and Singapore for courses related to their profession. For some of them it was their first time to Malaysia and probably first time out of Mauritius Maldives (Oops..). They were an eager bunch wanting to explore a tropical rainforest land which also happened to be one of Maldive’s largest trading partners. They wanted to go into a jungle, hike up a hill, raft down a river and go to a fast food joint – things which they had only seen on satellite television. Nevermind the costs involved, they just wanted to experience things they weren’t sure they’d get the chance to experience again, once they walked back into the departure hall. They wanted to do anything except eat fish (including sushi), curry, rice, coconut, ride a boat, or see the beach. They succeeded in pursuing their adventures in Malaysia and I had the opportunity to  join them on their exploration. Needless to say, they had fun here and so did I, with them.

Amongst them and in no particular order.. Xian, Hamid, Dhonu, Tata, Afshal, Shaheen

My first impression of Maldivians were that they were a very shy bunch. The shyness came -  I assumed – from their concern on how others looked at them. It wasn’t that they didn’t speak English. It’s their second language. It wasn’t that Malaysia didn’t welcome Muslims. Islam is the national religion. It wasn’t that Malaysia was a country of deep religious fanatics or a country of terrorist groups breeding. Hey, we’re pretty safe just like any country not plagued with civil unrest. You could point out that I had been a stranger to them and they rightfully should be weary of me. I found out later that besides being weary of me, they were concerned about creating the right impression. They were polite. They were well groomed. They smiled a lot. Xian was their senior in age and rank – he was their unofficial leader and planner. They were collective in their thoughts and decisions. They were a united lot.  Their unity could have stemmed from the close living proximity due to the limited livable land and space in their nation. Their happiness and desire to enjoy the best, could have been the result of knowing at the back of their minds about scientific projections, that predicted that their country might sink in the near future. Their moto was to live now to the fullest, because they would not know, what might happen tomorrow.

Crowd outside a political party office in Malé

Xian and his motley crew opened my eyes to their world. It’s easier for them to imagine living in a large country than for me to picture living in a crowded populace within a living area less than 5 square kilometers surrounded by the sea. Malé people also reside in many surrounding islands in crowded homes. What is a public bus ride for us is their boat taxis. Xian shared that his family and parents, making up 7 persons, live in an apartment that’s less than 1000 square feet. So crowded is Malé that there is a constant hive of activities in the city even after working hours. Its inhabitants just can’t hangout at home to watch a movie or to have some peace. People go out to play football, have tea, play chess and window shop. There are no alcoholic bars because a Maldivians Islamic religion prohibits alcoholic consumption although some of them might drink when the opportunity comes. There aren’t any cinemas because there isn’t a large enough populace to meet the cinema’s bottom line. As an alternative, satellite television provide the dream-scape for those that can afford it.

Apparently there are drug fueled rave parties at uninhabited islands plaguing the authorities. You can’t snuff the rebellious teen spirit, even with religion.

Xian and the group once shared with me that there wasn’t anything else to do in Maldives except the sip cocktails, lookout into the great wide ocean, and do some water sports. They were absolutely right. Maldives is a rest and relax haven, and a deep sea fishing, and scuba diving majesty, as I had finally a first hand experience on a recent trip. I once told them I didn’t think I’d ever make it to Maldives because the mentioned activities were never of big interest to me. They replied that if I ever did visit, they would show me the other parts of Maldives which they were sure I would love. So when I was finally in their ‘waters’, Xian and a few of them put together a short itinerary for our group to visit the flight control tower and see a little bit of the rest of Malé before I departed from their country in the vast Indian Ocean.

Just like an episode of Hawaii-Five-O we were whisked away by the “Malé Five-O” upon returning from W Resort

Always give way to planes!

We were on the way to the airport control tower. This picture obviously taken much later.

Manual operations from the past requiring excellent mathematical skills to calculate the routes.

Modern operations and convenience with computers. No more manual calculations. I imagine you could even play Spider Solitaire and check out Facebook as well!

Up the elevator.

We make it up to the airport control tower with 360 view. Polo Ciki always well dressed for the occasion.

A lady in control.

In case of disaster, a first aid kit is available.

Xian showing us the flight path.

We continued our tour with a cruise into the new district of Hulumalé.

Construction of a new place to stay. Things are a moving here in busy Malé.

More living spaces are being made available with reclaimed land. The residents have a new government that is making big changes.

Bigger and better things to come in Hulumalé.

The streets are wider and plenty more space for all.

A beach for residents

Tata buses providing public transport for the new township.

We watch fishermen returning home after selling their day’s catch.

We headed to Malé on speedboat.

Headed for a snack cum dinner. Yes, its ‘nice food one’ coincidentally resembling Malaysian and Singaporean’s street-speak. How was it?

Residents enjoying an intellectually stimulating game of chess seated in Maldivian netted steel benches.

After our ‘short eats’, we jumped into Xian’s brother’s Suzuki compact, cruising the small streets of Malé in our final minutes for a city tour – against traffic too. There isn’t much space in Malé but residents still dream of owning a car.

With only 20 minutes to spare for flight check-in and we still needed to catch the boat taxi back to airport, Ciki who is always a stickler for punctuality, looks at me with great discomfort. We drive fast but there is heavy traffic. At the pier, we miss the express boat. Ciki looks even more worried but luckily, there was the slow boat/dhoni, that we managed to catch and she was a little more relieved, but still kept giving me the evil eye. The boat disembarks, we reach the airport jetty and rush to the check-in counter. Ciki finally heaves a sigh a relief. We made it.

Given more time, I would have liked to visit more islands inhabited only by locals.

The kindness of strangers is rare. Even more difficult is letting our defenses down to receive a stranger, or to help one. We are always weary of strangers and their motives. Desperation to attain success and wealth leads many to unscrupulous means. We have all fallen for some kind of confidence trick, at least once in our lives. It is much more convenient to build a wall to shield ourselves from being waylaid. Better to be safe than sorry, the saying goes. When you travel you sometimes meet the oddest strangers,  and under even stranger circumstances. Be it a good or bad outcome, it still provides a great story to tell. The experience of crossing paths with Xian and his gang years ago in Malaysia, was certainly a blessed one. They reinforced within me the faith that there are genuinely kind, thoughtful and wonderful souls in the unlikeliest of places, and it is for me and you to discover them and continue to extend the goodwill of mankind.

Malé and me weren’t always friends but today we are more than friends.  Thanks for the memories. I will return one day to a more modern Malé but I will always remember the one I first walked on.

If you find this post fascinating and would like to know more about Malé and the Maldives, here are some of our other posts:

1. Maldives, Hello!

2. Chef in the Spotlight, Chef Sven Cepon of the Sheraton Maldives, Part 1

3. Malé and Hulhumalé, Maldives

4. Chef in the Spotlight – Chef Sven Cepon and the Beef Tartare, Part 2 & 3

5. 13 Reasons the stay at the W Resort and Spa, Maldives 

6. Meeting Rock Star Executive Chef Mauro Gomez of W

Early the next Saturday morning, after a hearty organic breakfast, courtesy of Burnside Organic Farm we set out for the local market, where we could get our hands on some fresh produce. By the time we got to the Margaret River Farmers’ Market at around 10am, the place was a hive of activity.

Every fortnight, on a Saturday, the local producers gather together to showcase their organic goods. Visitors and locals walk around and get to sample these fabulous goods and then perhaps buy them. The markets feature food and wine stalls manned by the producers themselves and is the perfect place to buy the South West’s freshest produce and wine, form several local boutique wineries.

Walking around, we noticed that the market had a great variety of foods. The goods on display were organic foods such as olive oil, lamb, beef, advocados, vegetables and citrus fruit in season, Yallingup Woodfired bread, goat sausages and honey. We also noticed, free range eggs, chicken chorizo and organic pizza’s on offer. Several smaller vineyards conducted tastings at this farmer’s market. We walked around and had a great time sampling, the honey mead, solar dried fruits and freshly made tempeh. For dog owners, there was also a business where a guy was selling his homemade dog biscuits.

The Margaret River Farmers’ Market is on between 8am to 12pm at the historic old hospital site, which is on the corner of Tunbridge and Farrelly Streets.

Margaret River Farmers’ Market

 fresh produce

tempeh

bread

Ciki says hi to David – Form our previous post, we mentioned that, he and his wife own and run their own business known as Lady Marmalade Margaret River. Lady Marmalade Margaret River produces an exciting range of home made freshly baked cakes (available whole or by the slice) and delectable sweet treats and are sold at the local Farmer’s market. They also produce Craythorne Country House range of traditional fruit cakes and jams, relishes, pickles and chutneys which showcase the diversity and quality of locally grown produce.

 kids at the BBQ

music and entertainment.. a wee toddler dances to the sweet sounds of the guitar

I LIKE this ice-cream! Two fat cows rock!

massive organically grown garlic

organic pizza and roasted nuts

going organic has never been this fun!

After the farmer’s market and just a short stroll into town, we stopped by the Margaret River Visitor Centre Wine Tourism Showroom to collect some brochures and information, before we headed on to The Larder (the place form which we had one of our terrific lunch baskets, from the day before). The Wine Tourism Showroom at the Margaret River Visitor Centre is the ideal place to familiarise one’s self with the local wineries. There are interactive points around the showroom that provides interesting information on the wine heritage of the region. The Margaret River Visitor Centre has more than 270,000 visitors annually and is a good place to pick up souvenirs and other Margaret River memorabilia.

Margaret River Visitor Centre Wine Tourism Showroom

interactive points around the showroom that provides interesting information on the wine heritage of the region

Just directly opposite the Margaret River Visitor Centre Wine Tourism Showroom is “The Larder”. The Larder is Margaret River’s premier speciality gourmet retailer and a great place to buy some delectable items of a picnic basket – a real paradise for fine food lovers. The owner, Andrea, offers a combination of services to her customers that incorporates a cooking school, boutique caterers and also a gourmet deli. With a huge focus on quality as well as diversity, the Larder provides an overwhelming choice of fine foods from around the region.

Upon entering the store there was an amazing smell of delicious spices and cooking. Andreas actually had a curry on the boil – no wonder it smelt so familiar, could have been a curry from home. We soon found out that Andreas is a huge fan of Asian food and cooking. The kitchen out the back was filled with pots of curried beef being prepared for a private order. The fridges and freezers had a wide range of prepared meals, soups and cheeses. Fantastic home cooked meals at very reasonable prices as well as an extensive range of local and sourced gourmet items. We chatted with her as she prepared this big pot of curry and found her entrepreneurial spirit a real inspiration.

the larder

Margaret River’s premier speciality gourmet retailer

the lovely Andrea Illot

 curry on the boil!

We then headed out to lunch at the Colonial Brewery. The Margaret River region is synonymous with wine. But here comes an alternative to the great wine lake of the south west. I am talking about beer, of course. Locally brewed, no less. Colonial beer is the winner of numerous national and international awards and their brewery is founded on the belief that beer making is one of the cornerstones of a great civilisation. Each brew is created according to the company’s motto, festina lente – hasten slowly.. and boy, do the beers taste fab! If I blindfolded you, you’d probably mistake them for one of the big labels in the industry. They were that good.

Location wise, the Brewery is less than 10 minutes from the Margaret River Town on Osmington Road. Behind a faux colonial-style corrugated iron exterior is an ultra-modern establishment with a distinctly industrial and yet relaxed vibe. Once you enter the place, you will see a laid back yet modern dining area that opens out into a fabulous playground for the kids to entertain themselves on whilst parents sit back and relax.  Out the back is a huge beer garden, which can seat up to 350 people, and inside you can watch the fine ales brewing while you tuck into beer-friendly fare like beer battered fish. We had some terrific sticky buffalo wings, pizzas and lamb chops – perfect beer food. There are also hearty seared porterhouse steak sandwich with grilled mushrooms and caramelised onions to choose from and for the kids, there are hot dogs, nuggets and burgers, together with an array of sweet sensations, including freshly baked cakes and ice cream. From its origins in Margaret River, Colonial has expanded to selected venues where its all-natural ingredients and distinct taste have earned it the tag of Australia’s freshest beer.

Colonial Brewery

a massive bar and modern dining area

beer is served in order of intensity -they recommend you drink it from light to dark!

sticky buffalo wings and spare ribs

pizza

Richard Moroney, General Manager

playground for the kids to play softball and other high energy games

Out the back is a huge beer garden, which can seat up to 350 people

After lunch we headed out for a Sunset Kangaroo Safari with Neil McLeod. We didn’t know what to expect at first, but in the end, we had a fantastic time with Neil. He collected us from town and chatted with us about where we were from, as he gave us a brief history on WA. He drove us out to his land, a few miles from Margaret River town. We were then transferred to Neil’s trusty 1962 Four Wheel Drive Bedford Truck, which brought us into a Kangaroo safari world, which was essentially over sprawling land that was owned by Neil himself.

Neil gave us some amazing insights and history of the Margaret River area and the kangaroo’s themselves were the highlight of the trip, as we saw many. Neil also organized a lovely tea for us, by a creek, and gave us a demonstration of how tea should be made with a billy! Here we sat and chatted and enjoyed a cake that his wife baked. We had great time on this kangaroo safari tour and we definitely recommend this to anyone visiting the Margaret River area.

1962 Four Wheel Drive Bedford Truck

Neil’s sprawling land

gorgeous horsey!

Neil makes a fire

Cakes courtesy of Neil’s wife

This is how you make tea, in a billy!

Sunset Kangaroo Safari with Neil McLeod

Kangaroo’s in the wild!

That night, we had dinner at MUST. To say that Must Margaret River is wine centric, is almost an understatement. Bottles of wine snake around the walls and large suspended wine racks create divisions in a warm and moody space. On one side, a bar laden with every type of high quality wine and spirit imaginable and the other, a bistro true to its roots – timeless, classic and comfortable. Chef Russell Blaikie oversees the menu development and Chef Rick Houston leads the kitchen team. A selection of Must’s signature dishes are present with local produce driving the menu and daily specials. Many dishes are designed for sharing with a long communal table the centre piece of the Bistro.

The kitchen can be seen through a refrigerated meat aging cellar, where cuts are hung before they are drawn down and portioned for service. Dry aged beef, single farm sourced from Paul Omeehan’s Butterfield property at the foot of the Stirling Ranges is a key feature. This aging process allows the meat to become more flavoursome, tender and moist and takes us back to a very traditional way of aging beef. Must is wonderful for meat lovers and I thoroughly enjoyed the steaks they served us here. We highly recommend this place for dinner if you are in Margaret River. Must is open from 12 noon til late – lunch and dinner, seven nights a week.

Must Margaret River

you must go, to must!

 tasty liver pate

Our waiter has interests in extraterrestrials!

terrine

Fab wines from Margaret River to complement the meal

Steak done medium rare.. All the beef at MUST is aged – this aging process allows the meat to become more flavoursome, tender and moist and is a rather traditional way of aging beef.

spinach salad

Aged beef cuts proudly displayed in front of the kitchen

bar action!

creme brulee

Early the next morning, we checked out of Burnside Organic Farm and head on out to look for a lighthouse. We arrive at Cape Leeuwin and after a terrific breakfast at Leeuwin Lighthouse Cafe we head out the the lighthouse to see just how high it actually goes. We were met by Peter, the Lighthouse supervisor and our guide for the morning, and as we climbed the rickety stairs to the top, he began telling us the lighthouse’s story.

The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is located on the most extreme Southern Westerly point of Australia on a small knoll in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park , Western Australia.  The lighthouse was built between 1895-1896 by the construction firm of John Wishart and M.C.Davies after they successfully won the tender. It was to become Western Australia’s eleventh lighthouse. The long overdue lighthouse took nearly 15 years to eventuate from its initial conception. This was due mainly to the lack of government funding for the project and the arguments relating to the building location. Various locations, such as St. Alouarn Island, were nominated but it was the government that eventually decided on the Cape Leeuwin site which overlooks both the Indian and Southern Oceans. The reason for this location was mainly because it was close to the Quarry Bay mine which would supply the Tamala limestone for both the lighthouse and cottages.

The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse tower is 36m high, has seven floors and 186 steps. The original light, was built 56m above sea level with a range of 25 nautical miles. The light was a kerosene wick lamp, which revolved in a mercury bath. It was later upgraded to a vapourised kerosene light in 1925. The lighthouse lights were manually operated until 1982, when it was converted to electricity. The light flashes every 7.5 seconds.

Also playing a major role during the early years of the lighthouse was the waterwheel and wooden channel were built in 1895 to bring fresh spring water to the lighthouse keepers’ cottages. The water also came in handy for the stonemasons during construction. Today, the waterwheel, which had been exposed to the minerals and salts of the area, is encrusted with layers of limestome and is virtually frozen in rock. In 1978 both the lighthouse and cottages were connected to the Augusta town water supply. The lighthouse is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and also operates as one of the main meteorological stations in Australia.

Leeuwin Lighthouse

Leeuwin Lighthouse Cafe

Best sandwiches ever!

we head out the the lighthouse to see just how high it actually goes

We were met by Peter, the Lighthouse supervisor and our guide for the morning

Nice view but look at how thick the stone walls are!  The lighthouse is made of stacked up solid stone cuts.

Why does it look like a tratoria at the top?

Air ducts

A tiny motor is all it takes to turn the lights on the tower

The spectacular view from the top of the lighthouse

The wind is so strong, I can hardly keep my eyes open and @tykeonabike has to hold on for life! @alilfatmonkey is safe behind his shades!

The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse tower is 36m high, has seven floors and 186 steps. It gleams in the sunlight! Breathtakingly beautiful

Northern man looks at Southern woman

Fresh water drains out to ocean

After we had scaled great heights, it was time to go down into the heart of the earth. Along the spine of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge and beneath soaring Karri forest lie more than 150 caves. These caves belong to a series of complex and fragile Karst systems which are landscapes formed by the rapid drainage of water underground. Karst systems are characterised most often by caves, dolines (large holes), blind valleys, sinking streams and springs. The main road that travels along the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge is aptly named Caves Road. Jewel Cave is one of the show caves we had the pleasure of visiting. It was pretty, but a little to sterile for me. I prefer to get down and dirty with hardcore caving actually. Little did we know, that we would get a chance to get our hands dirty (in a very different sort of cave, from the Jewel show cave) and do some real adventure caving, the very next day.

Anyway, during the tour we found out that Jewel Cave was recently awarded the gold medal for ‘Tourist Attractions’ and silver medal for ‘Ecotourism’ at the 2011 WA Tourism Awards. Jewel Cave is also the largest show cave in the State. Sinking to a depth of 42 metres the dazzling formations and intricate work of mother nature was a pretty awesome sight. We took some photos but due to the lack of light, they just turned out OK. Here are some photos for you to enjoy.

welcome to jewel cave

a short briefing session before the descent into madness, I mean, into the cave

stalactites and stalagmites

The remains of a tasmanian tiger – just in case you thought it was fictitious.. NO!

Of course, you know the difference between a stalactite and a stalagmite.. They occur in limestone caves. The stalactite is above, and hangs downward like an icicle; the stalagmite is below and sticks up. They grow in pairs, the slightly acidic water dissolves some of the limestone, carrying it downward. When the water evaporates, the limestone appears to have flowed downward. Some of the water does not evaporate until it has fallen through the air, and landed on the floor, the remaining limestone building the stalagmite. Sometimes the stalactite is missing, as they sometimes break off and fall; you will often see their pieces on the floor. Or human visitors may break them off, and take them away (tsk tsk!). Often, the stalactite and stalagmite will connect, and become a column.

If you ever forget which is which, just sing this rhyme to yourself – “Stalactites – hang on TIGHT, and stalagmites MIGHT reach stalactites one day!” (and that’s why I always got an “A” for Science.. seriously:P)

After Jewel cave, we drive to our next accommodation called Vintages. The award‐winning Vintages Accommodation is located right in the heart of the Margaret River township. Glenys and the team ensure that the service, cleanliness and room standards are amazing. This place was absolutely brilliant as it had zippy wifi and even a great little video shop where you could rent tapes (for free) to watch in the evenings. Vintages is the perfect base from which to explore the many retail outlets and diverse restaurants in the Margaret River shopping strip.

I want this car!

Later that night, a short 20 minute stroll brought us to our dinner venue. Nathalie’s Cuisine, the restaurant, was so charming! Talk about rustic dining, with a French‐Vietnamese Fusion twist, and old‐fashioned country ambiance. Nathalie’s Cuisine is BYO alcohol. Too bad that in our haste, we forgot to pick up a bottle from town. Anyway, the lovely lady herself, Chef Nathalie, creates all her inspired meals using as much local and organic produce as possible and also caters for vegetarian and gluten free customers. Nathalie we learned, was born in Phom Pen Cambodia to French parents. Her mother a Parisian, along with her Vietnamese nanny would soon be pivotal in influencing her culinary senses towards a world of Vietnamese and French Cuisine. Later, living in Paris, her grandmother would deepen her knowledge of classic French cuisine including food courses, fine produce and the marriage of fine wines with good food. After enjoying a classic western buffet roast dinner featuring delectable oven roasted meats and vegetables, we were taken on a grand tour of the quaint and rustic home/restaurant, with Nathalie.

The original guest house offering five of Bridgefield’s eight accommodations. In her pioneering Australia coach house tradition, Bridgefield’s original Guest House provides lodgings of a charming country house, with log fires, ceiling fans and big brass beds, yet with the modern conveniences of individual reverse-cycle air-conditioning, electric blankets, and en-suites. Her five guest bedrooms each accommodating a couple, as well as relaxing lounge and sitting rooms, make the original Guest House the perfect house for a restful escape from the rigours of modernity, or for a small wedding party seeking to capture a piece of a gentler age.

Three of the four queen rooms in her original Guest House have their own covered courtyard in which to enjoy some private time in fresh air, perhaps before joining travelling companions or embarking on a wine tour. Each also has ensuite, private tea- and coffee-making facilities, and is equipped with bar refrigerator. The Boudoir with Slipper Bath is in the style of a French boudoir. It is an intimate room, with a French antique double bed and rich fabrics – tres tres romantic! I would stay here anytime I tell you!

Ah.. but there were more surprises in store for us. Entering into a second house, via the back, we are ushered into the car garage. Well, not just any garage. This one housed the breathtakingly sleek , black, vintage Jag. The Bridgefield Chauffeur-Driven Jaguar to be precise.

Apparently, these vintage beauties are all for hire, especially for weddings and grand events. The Boadicea, a 1950 Mark V Drophead Saloon is gleaming silver and black, with white-walled tyres, and rich cream leather and polished wood interior. This luxury car comfortably seats three adult passengers. In identical colours and finish is Bess, a 1969 420G Saloon comfortably seating up to four adult passengers. This Bridgefield Chauffeur-Driven Jaguar operates from Bridgefield, on the corner of Higgins Street and Bussell Highway, Margaret River. Nathalie tells us we can hire it anytime. We nod.. in silence.. and promise to do so on our next trip, or when @alilfatmonkey decides to tie the knot. Which ever one comes first;)

Nathalie’s Cuisine – quaint and oh so pretty!

our classic western buffet roast dinner

Bridgefield’s original Guest House feels like a charming country house, with log fires, ceiling fans and big brass beds, yet with the modern conveniences

I wanted to jump on this bed and fall right asleep !

Cumi is reflected in Jag glory

the breathtakingly sleek , black, vintage Jag..

 The Bridgefield Chauffeur-Driven Jaguar to be precise!

We have come to the end of Day 3 and 4. Our next instalment sees Cumi going off on his bike tour with Dirty Tours. And I get to enjoy a spa, Margaret River style. Stay tuned!

The Story Thus Far:

Wining, Dining.. Margaret River

G’day Mate! Margaret River Adventures.. Day 1 & 2

When I first bumped into Chef Mauro Gomez at the W, I thought that he was a bit of a lunatic.

No doubt he was good looking and everything, but he also had this huge, shiny cleaver that he took along with him everywhere. I mean, he wore it like an accessory. A large, menacing accessory. If you see me using my hands a lot in the photos, when I am talking, it’s because I’m nervous. I don’t want to piss this guy off.

Nah. Just kidding. Chef Mauro would not hurt a fly. He just likes his tools big, and sharp;)

An Argentinean by birth, Chef Mauro has been in kitchens since he was 12 years old. His family owned a traditional Argentinean/Italian restaurant in Argentina. Chef Mauro’s passion for food, cooking and kitchens has been with him ever since.

With a desire to travel and live abroad, Mauro moved to Miami Beach, Florida USA in 1999. He later joined The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in 2004 where he was responsible for the daily operation of the banquet kitchens servicing 245,000 square feet of meeting space. In 2007, Mauro’s travels took him to The Westin Copley Square in Boston where his Clam Chowder was voted the best in Boston. In 2007, Mauro worked with the opening team of the W Atlanta Midtown – the world’s largest W Hotel – featuring a Jean-George restaurant, Spice Market. In his spare time, and when he is off on his travels, Chef Mauro enjoys snowboarding.

Find out what else this “rock star” Chef thinks of his job, at the W, by watching this short video!

More about Chef Mauro and Dining at the W..

Executive Chef Mauro Gomez, is boss of the entire island resort’s F&B outlets, including KITCHEN – the all day dining restaurant that serves up simple yet soul-satisfying food. A rustic dining experience with a twist, if you like. Kitchen’s interior design exudes casual elegance, clean lines and a modern interpretation of bistro dining.

Then there is FIRE – dining at this restaurant is like communing with nature – tables nestled among palm trees under the stars, inviting barefoot free spirits to enjoy their casual outdoor BBQ feasting. Here, the food is perpared on a charcoal grill, tandoor oven and don’t miss the Mongolian BBQ which is pretty awesome.

Next is the fine dining, signature restuarant of W, called FISH. Fish is situated just overlooking fabulous ocean views. Chef Mauro’s creativity is unleashed as he works with fresh fish (still jumping on the fisherman’s boat, minutes before) and a wide selection of seafood, that will be transformed into delicacies that flirt with your Asian sensibilities. The restaurant’s wine cellar boasts a selection of premium wines from around the world. Wine and champagne by the glass is available as well as creative elixirs, alcoholic and non alcoholic cocktails.

WET is part swim-up pool bar with specialty cocktails, part poolside lounge gone gourmet. Wet has light main courses, wood-fired pizzas, delicious burgers and Asian dishes. Even while in the Living Room, the Library or in games room you can enjoy a drink or bite from Wet anytime of the day. I like to lounge here and sunbath and enjoy my poolside martinies!

SIP is just nearby to FISH, and it is here that you can watching the beautiful sunset with a breeze off Indian Ocean, while getting into the mood with chill out music. This is a great place to have a glass of champagne, shuck some fresh oysters and enjoy your favourite caviar amuse bouche before moving on to dinner at FISH.

Finally, there is FIFTEEN BELOW. This is the place to party on the island, with guest DJ spinning cool tunes all night long. You can dance the night away to the funky rhythms or choose to lie on plush divans. The bar stocks more than 70 varieties of vodka, a mind-bending range of spirits and whips up creative cocktails for those who like mixes.

Back at Fish.. Chef Mauro starts to cook for us..

Gaspacho

At his open kitchen, and the resort’s signature restaurant – FISH, Chef Mauro shows us how he puts his own refreshing twists on signature dishes like the Gaspacho (influenced by his South American heritage), Pizza (from his Mother’s family and his all-time favourite comfort food) and Paella (inspired by his travels). Also the Ceviche, a traditional South American dish made from fresh raw fish marinated in citrus juice and seasoned with onion, salt, cilantro and pepper, is another one of Chef Mauro’s signature dishes. Instead of using lemon or lime to “cook” the fish, he uses juice from the Japanese Yuzu fruit to do the trick. The flavours are sharp and refreshing – perfect for the Maldivian heat.

The coolest pizza man ever!

absolutely fab thin crusted, gourmet pizza

 Seafood Paella

Well, what can I tell you. After dining here for 3 days, I can safely say that Chef Mauro has totally revitalised the menus and dining at W Maldives Retreat & Spa. He looks like a rock star and cooks like a champion. If I ever get the chance to visit again, I will make him cook everything on the menu for me, all over again!

Previous posts on our trip to Maldives:

1. Maldives, Hello!

2. Chef in the Spotlight, Chef Sven Cepon of the Sheraton Maldives, Part 1

3. Malé and Hulhumalé, Maldives

4. Chef in the Spotlight – Chef Sven Cepon and the Beef Tartare, Part 2 & 3

5. 13 Reasons the stay at the W Resort and Spa, Maldives 

Malaysia has a rich colonial past and there are many intriguing stories relating to its trade wars, colonial occupation, communist insurgence and its independence. One of the intriguing stories is the mysterious disappearance of the Thai Silk King,  Jim Thompson on 26 March 1967 when he went for a walk in the jungle. His disappearance attracted world wide attention on a highland station then only known to Malaysians and expatriates. While staying at the Cameron Highlands Resort, I wanted to take the opportunity to visit a trail that Jim Thompson walked, since it was relatively near the resort. The trail of course was named after him, after his disappearance. An initial scheduled program at 10am was canceled due to rainfall. It was replaced by a visit to the world famous Boh Tea Plantations. Just after returning from the tea plantations and following an invigorating spa session, there was an announcement to hike the Jim Thompson trail at 4pm. Needless to say, I had to skip the afternoon tea of delicious cakes, sandwiches and hot scones, not only for a much needed exercise but also to satisfy my curiosity of the mystery and intrigue surrounding Jim Thompson’s disappearance. That and my interest in nature meant that tea would have to wait. I quickly went to collect a raincoat, camera and put on my trusty pair of adidas kampungs – cheap rubber moulded black color studded shoes (with several bands etched on the side hence the reference to Adidas) infamously used first by plantation workers and now by seasoned Malaysian trekkers. It’s water proof and provides excellent grip on muddy trails but does not provide ankle support. Because it is rubber moulded, it’s easy to rinse off and dry. It’s a collectors item and rather cool souvenir if you ever visit Malaysia. Its very affordable. I have 2 pairs in the ‘limited edition’ white – with rubber studs and without, and am now searching for the rare brown version. Yes, a jungle fashionista!

As I rushed from the room and into the waiting transport, I was greeted by Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai and Datin Seri Florence Wong seated behind me. I hope I didn’t keep them waiting too long! They were in their sports attire and eager to get some exercise. I used to read Datuk Seri’s political and social observations column, On the Beat, in The Star newspaper, the most popular and widely distributed English written daily. You can find an archive of this work here. Never thought I’d be sitting in the same vehicle with him this close.

Our nature guide was Madi, a gentleman of Indian ethnicity born and bred in Cameron Highlands. After a 10 minute drive up a hilly road, we reached the trail head. Madi was a former employee of Tenaga Nasional, a government linked company providing electricity services to the country, he was also a farmer here, and a watchdog for environmental and social perpetrators in Camerons. He is semi-retired but decided to become a nature guide to share his vast knowledge culminated from having been born and raised here. During our 2 hour trail walk, besides sharing with us his knowledge on montane flora and fauna, Madi shared with us the tale of Jim Thompson’s disappearance which was probably what most trekkers wanted to know as well.

There was the Thai Silk King’s former military intelligence past in World War II period and after, which tied him with the CIA (then Office of Strategic Services), the Japanese occupation, communists, and even the antique trade due to his connections with people of various ranks and influences. Thompson with his rich, colorful life could have been an Indiana Jones type of person, and his disappearance could have been the result of his connections to certain shady dealings. Madi even had accounts from key eye witnesses of Thompson being ushered into a waiting car near the trail and a helicopter waiting to take him away. Intriguing? Well you just have to come visit the Jim Thompson trail and meet Madi to get an account of his story yourself.

Madi talks about how ants contribute to the plant-flower regeneration in the jungle, keeping the eco-system healthy.

A family of black panthers lives in the area, Madi says as he points out several footprints at different sections along the trail.

Getting back on the nature trail, Madi shared with us the ecological issues faced by the highlands which deeply affects the natives survival in the jungle. He highlighted the plight of the natives which he felt had long been a marginalized sector of society. Apparently the high usage of chemical fertilizer and unregulated diversion of natural water for farming use have affected the water supply for natives. Not only is there a low supply, but the contaminated water has led to health issues amongst the natives. You can tell how much Madi loves Cameron Highlands. He is a friend of the natives and often the middle person highlighting the issues faced by the natives and the highlands, that he is so deeply affectionate with.

We ended our tour with a 30 minute stroll into the beautifully landscaped compound of the Lutheran Mission Bungalow then on to a windy downhill road back to the resort. A drizzle kept us company while Madi continued his conversation with us.

The stroll back to Cameron Highlands Resort.

There are numerous jungle trails in here and around Camerons. While it is easy enough to walk along, it shouldn’t be attempted alone. Even guides can get lost with the numerous trails that intersect each other, plus the confusing jungle foliage. I recommend having a guide familiar with the area not only for nature interpretation, but also to keep you company should your group end up taking a wrong turn.

A Chinese altar by the road to ward off evil spirits and appease the gods and demi-gods.