Sleeping and Eating in Wonsan, North Korea

In 2014 Kim Jong-un embarked on a programme to massively increase international tourism into North Korea, it being one of the few ways in which foreigners could (and can) legally engage with the country, most other avenues being frustrated by US lead international sanctions. Separately the United States barred, and continues to bar, its citizens from travelling to North Korea, except under very limited circumstances.

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Hoeryong – Snacking, Wining, Dining and Sleeping

As usual we had an early start to the day, so as to fit in a final sightseeing stop in Chongjin prior to heading inland on our 2 – 3 hours drive to Hoeryong. En route we stopped at a small unmarked shop which sold bottled water (for a few cents) from the adjacent bottling plant which our guides assured us produced the best water in North Korea. A plaque by the shop detailed the makeup of the water for those seeking additional assurance in this regard.

Makis Yiros: “Best Lamb Yiros”

I am not a fan of yiros and as such I rarely partake. So why am I writing a review on a Yiros eatery I hear you ask. Let me explain.

There is one occasion on which I invariably break this abstinence and that is on my roughly annual visit to Glenelg. I can’t explain why but when I’m in Glenelg I am habitually drawn to Makis Yiros.

The Semaphore Palais

Notwithstanding a current and very welcome revival, Semaphore’s golden years as a seaside resort was undoubtedly the 1920s and so it was that in 1922 the Fricker Brothers constructed this building as a beach kiosk, bathing pavilion and dance hall – the Semaphore Palais & Cafe. While reports have it that two thirds of Adelaide’s population attended the opening of the Palais, this seems rather exaggerated though the crowd would have been big given the popularity of Semaphore at the time.

Ægir Brewery Restaurant: “A Viking Experience”

For background information and details on the Ægir Brewery and Pub see my separate review on the pub/brewery part of the business.

The restaurant forms the upper level of the old Norse/Viking styled building though the traditional décor is less obvious in the restaurant than it is in the bar/brewery making me think that the restaurant was a later loft conversion, if you like.

Can Tho: “Best Vietnamese In Canberra”

Vietnamese and Chinese restaurant in Belconnen

I have been a diner at this restaurant since in opened back in the early 2000s. It is still run by the same Vietnamese family. The restaurant is a bit out of the way and in the early days 1 or 2 tables was the norm. Nowadays it is regularly packed and for good reason.

Cafe Cassaro: “Cafe And Gift Shop”

For many years now, if I arrived into Balranald ( located about half way between Sydney and Adelaide – 600km from Adelaide and 800km from Sydney) around lunch time on my annual drive from Canberra to Adelaide, as I invariably did, I had lunch at the excellent Balranald Bakery (separate review). I have a particular soft spot for their apple slice.

A couple of years ago (in 2014) I noticed that another café had opened next door. In 2016 I decided to forgo my stop – and my apple slice – at the bakery and try Café Cassero which doubles as a gift shop offering lots of ‘stuff’ that didn’t appeal to me. But I was here to find something for lunch.

Corin Forest Mountain Retreat – Cafe: “Go for the Pizza”

My plan for the day had been to do a short walk in the Cotter/Tidbinbilla area and a slightly longer one (9kms) in the northern part of the Namadgi National Park stopping for an early lunch in the Café at the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Visitor Centre.

Two problems were encountered. Firstly, the weather closed in and a mist/drizzle descended in the northern Namadgi area which meant that, while we could have walked to Square Rock there was no point as we would have seen nothing. Easily fixed Square Rock was taken of the plan and a couple of short walk were added in Tidbinbilla. Secondly, we found the Cafe Tidbinbilla, the Visitor Centre, to be no more – and replaced by a coffee/drinks kiosk.

T.Chow Chinese Restaurant: “Yum Cha in Chinatown”

By the time we reached Adelaide’s Chinatown we had been walking around the city for about four hours and were famished. It was well and truly time for lunch.

As I indicated in my separate review on Chinatown, the area is comparatively small. That said it has a number of eateries of various Asian ethnicity, not just Chinese though we chose the T.Chow Chinese Restaurant for lunch.

Chong Co – Kingston Foreshore: “Chong Co Thai”

I greatly enjoy Thai food but hadn’t had any in a little while. The fact that I had a gift voucher for the Chong Co dictated my choice of restaurant on this occasion. They actually have four branches in Canberra so we choose the one at the, still relatively new and hip, Kingston Foreshores.