Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

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Kitchens Robina Town Centre

March 19, 2017 by David Herd

Fabulous Robina food court

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

 Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast is the largest and most expensive in QLD costing a whopping $160,000,000. Combining bars, cafes, restaurants along with 40 fresh food retailers. Spread over two levels it features eateries from local hospitality heavyweights such as the Honeyeater Kitchen from ex-Songbirds chef Trent Scarr, David Hayles’ Betty’s Burgers and James Brady’s Mr Pigs Bakehouse; alongside celebrity chef George Calombaris’ first Queensland restaurant, Jimmy Grants.

Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

The whole place is quite spectacular, I will certainly visit again next time I’m on the coast.

Pure Meats

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Butchers have come a long way since I grew up, I clearly remember them having sawdust on the floor. Here is an explanation from an old butcher explaining why; 

When my Dad and I butchered, we used it as a safety enhancement and for ease of cleanup as was mentioned. No, we wouldn’t have meat on the floor, but it seemed as the floor would get slippery over time, and without sawdust, it was only a matter of time before someone would slip and it didn’t matter much what you had for footwear.

Often we wore cowboy boots as you basically stand for 8 to 14 hours at a time and it seemed easier on you, but as you can imagine they aren’t known for tractive abilities. If you are packing a 135# or so hind, you really want your feet to stay under you. We never would have worked without sawdust on the floor in the back, the front we left sawdust free but eventually it would make its way up there.

It is a pain though tracking sawdust all over the place, in your vehicle, etc.

Naturally the beef must be hung. 🙂

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Why is meat hung you may well ask; 

Meat hanging is a culinary process, used in beef ageing, that improves the flavor of meats by allowing the natural enzymes in the meat to break down the tissue through dry ageing. The process also allows the water in the meat to evaporate, thus concentrating the flavor.

Fish Lab by William Wu

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Not only is this a good looking restaurant they also have a “drying room” next door. Follow THIS LINK for more about it.

The drying room

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

I have never seen anything like this before in a food court.

One of the many cafes

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

There is certainly lots of choices where to have a coffee here.

Too many coffee shops are never enough. 🙂

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Not too sure if they are all making a living, and I’m guessing the rents are astronomical. 

Such a feeling of space.

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

The high ceilings and open plan gives a feeling of space.

 Spectacular roof at Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

The architects have really done a great job here.

Lucky Luciano’s

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

I wonder if it’s a mafia hangout? 🙂

Woolworth’s for some serious shopping.

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

As you can see Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast caters for everything.

Farewell from Robina

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Thanks for visiting my Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast photo blog.

   Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets EuropeHungarian Parliament Building (2)The Walkie Talkie (5)   

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South VietnamMain Square (3)Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Check out these great food photo blogs.

  • Tokyo fabulous food
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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Cape Town City South Africa

April 2, 2014 by David Herd

Long St Cape town City

Cape Town City South Africa

Cape Town City South Africa

Cape Town City is an interesting mix of new & old, Long Street is one of the main streets located in the City Bowl section of Cape Town. It’s famous as a bohemian hang out, the street is lined with many book stores, pubs, & many ethnic restaurants and bars.

Many interesting buildings

Cape Town City South Africa

Unlike my other posts on Cape Town city which are all very positive, I was disappointed in Long Street. I chose a hotel in the city just to be near this Street because of the information I had received when researching my trip. As it turned out I found the restaurants rather ordinary, plus walking down the street alone at night was rather intimidating. I have been alone at night in some of the most dangerous cities in the world so I do know what I’m talking about, Cape Town city at night was certainly a bit edgy.

These guys are here for a reason

Cape Town City South Africa

Many of these public safety guys are all over the Cape Town city, there is obviously a very good reason for their presence.

Here is what how the websites describe Long Street, It’s probably fine if you are a backpacker or with a group of friends, however for anyone else my advice is go to the V & A Waterfront which is totally the opposite to Long Street;

MOTHER CITY PARTY CAPITAL

If you’re looking for fun vibes and an excuse to stay out all night, visit Long Street, party capital of the Mother City.

One of the many great old buildings

Cape Town City South Africa

The old buildings in Cape Town city certainly have character, plus if you are drinking on the first floor verandas you won’t be bothered by the many beggars. The locals call Cape Town city the Mother city.


 

 Grand Daddy Hotel

Cape Town City South Africa

Contrary to what I said before I did have an enjoyable meal at Grand Daddy Hotel.

Cape Town city Grand Daddy Hotel

Cape Town City South Africa

This was a nice meal at a very reasonable price.

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Time to leave Long Street

Cape Town City South Africa

I have no idea what this building is, if I ever go back to Cape Town I’ll find out and let you know.  😳

Metlife Centre

Cape Town City South Africa

The Metlife Centre, is a 28 floor, 120 meter tall modernist skyscraper situated close to the Cape Town International Convention Center in the City Bowl area of Cape Town city, South Africa. The spired antenna on the building’s roof is 22 m/72 feet tall and was lifted into place by helicopter just prior to its completion in 1993.

A 30 minute walk

Cape Town City South Africa

From V & A Waterfront to the city is about 30 minutes walking.

 Castle of Good Hope

Cape Town City South Africa

 The Castle of Good Hope is a star fort built in the 17th century in Cape Town city, South Africa. Originally located on the coastline of Table Bay, following land reclamation the fort is now located inland.

Hotel on St Georges

Cape Town City South Africa

A very good value hotel in the city center with very helpful staff. Ask for a double bed, NOT two singles jammed together. Book here for a good price. The real shining lights for me in Cape Town city were V & A Waterfront, the wonderful Table Mountain & the impressive coastline.

                         Here are some more posts to check out 

          Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

Pattaya live webcam
 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Many more photos below.

Click here to check out my mini safari 3 hours north of Cape Town.

 

Here is my post on the Italian Alps

 

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