Perfect Paella & Marvelous Margaritas!
Wanderlust with Us Issue VI - May 1, 2020
Feelin’ loco in quarantine? Let’s taco 'bout it! As the days fly by and we find ourselves already in May we know this is nacho average spring. But holy guacamole do we have a solution for you. Whip up a Spicy Cucumber Margarita with the below recipe from our friends at the Rosewood Mayakoba and fiesta like there’s no manaña! We’ve rounded up another week of our favorite shows, books, playlist and more - just for you. However you are celebrating Cinco de Mayo we cheers to you, our amazing clients!
What We're Watching....
This docuseries takes you around the globe with an exclusive look at some of our favorite partner hotels. From feeding giraffes out your bedroom window at the Giraffe Manor in Kenya to soaring on a gondola through the cloud forest of Ecuador at the Mashpi Lodge, these featured luxury hotels will quickly be added to your bucket list.
If you want to jet set in the South of France, this limited series is shot beautifully in the Cote d’Azur. Where it is weak in plot it makes up for in setting and gets credit for showcasing the destination. You may not be clamoring for a third season but you will be wanting to sip rosé on the Med from Hotel Metropole.
If you like the Planet Earth series you will love Moving Art. Rather than being narrated, the series could double for art hanging on your wall. Embark on a journey to every natural environment that exists on land, sea, and air, following the passage of the sun, the stars, and across intimate cityscapes, in speeds both faster and slower than the human eye can see. One of our favorites episodes is Deserts (great to fall asleep to). Or, you can watch one of his ten minute TEDTalks.
Be careful what you share with the night manager at your favorite hotel. They seem to know everything going on in a hotel and the secrets of all the guests. Starting in Egypt at the time of the uprising in 2011, with a stop in Zermatt and Mallorca, this thriller will keep you guessing, but also will entice you to Belmond La Residencia.
Off the Shelf
The Charm School by Nelson DeMille
Take a walk through Moscow, mid-eighties Cold War style with KGB officers lingering around every corner. Rather than the Intourist hotels available in the 80’s, you can enjoy the Four Seasons Moscow. If you liked The Americans you’ll love this kitschy spy thriller.
Tangerine by Christine Mangan
It’s the Talented Mr. Ripley meets Girl on a Train. Friends from school reunite as adults in Tangier (just at the northern tip of Morocco across from Gibraltar), one more enthusiastic about the reunion than the other. In the steamy streets of the markets, dark secrets lurk at the Kasbah. Consider this a guilty pleasure, and while Tangier does not often make it to our must see list in Morocco, we think nearby Riad Fes, a Relais & Chateaux, might do the trick instead.
A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali by Gil Courtemanche
A common layover en route to Gorilla trekking in Rwanda this novel recounts the turmoil and terror of the genocide. A must see while in Kigali is the Genocide Memorial. Told from the perspective of a jaded foreign journalist who gathers among the locals, UN Peacekeepers, and while difficult to read at times, offers some insight into the atrocities that occurred there.
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
Ever wanted a weekend retreat to unplug, unwind, maybe shed a few pounds, or just be more mindful? That’s what these nine guests were thinking when they checked into the exclusive fictional spa. From the same author as Big Little Lies, you can expect the same biting humor and multifaceted characters. If you like the idea of self-improvement, both spiritually and physically, we recommend SHA Wellness Clinic in Alicante, Spain (Camelback tested and highly approved).
The Perfect Paella
This week's recipe comes to you from One&Only The Palm Dubai. Now, this may not be a Middle Eastern dish, but Chef Benjamin from the 101 Dining Lounge & Bar feels sure you will enjoy his flavorful Seafood & Chicken Paella whether you're in Dubai, Spain, or the comfort of your own home. Send us a picture of your finished product!
Seafood & Chicken Paella from One&Only The Palm Dubai
Ingredients - Serves 4
320g Bomba rice
650ml shrimp stock (or seafood/fish/chicken stock)
30g chorizo
200g raw shrimps
60g calamari
50ml virgin olive oil
1 chicken fillet
75g white onions
50g red bell pepper
50g green bell pepper
50g frozen peas
4 padrón peppers
75g tomato sauce
4g curry powder
4g sweet pepper powder
1g turmeric powder
2g saffron pistil
20g lemon juice
4 lemon wedges
Preparation
Chop white onions and bell peppers.
Cut chorizo in small dices of 5mm and thin slice.
Peel the raw shrimps by keeping the head.
Cut the chicken and calamari in squares of 3cm.
Put the olive oil in a paella pan and fry onions, bell peppers as well as few dices of chorizo in it.
Once everything is cooked, add the rice until it gets glazed.
Add all the spices and powders and fill it up with shrimp stock; simmer by stirring until it is cooked.
After 10 mins of simmering add the frozen peas.
Finally add the tomato sauce and stir the paella occasionally.
Pan-fry the chicken, shrimps, calamari, chorizo slices and padrón peppers separately.
Garnish the paella with the pan-fired ingredients, lemon juice and lemon wedges on top.
Ready to serve – enjoy!
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!
Can you believe next week is already Cinco de Mayo? Now, we may not be celebrating the typical way with Mexican themed parties, crowded bars with friends, or dinner at your favorite taco joint but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying the holiday that celebrates the beautiful country of Mexico. This week, our Cinco de Mayo themed Spotify playlist will have the whole family singing Livin' la Vida Loca. You bring the tacos and margaritas, we bring la música!
Livin' la Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
Despacito (Remix) - Luis Fonsi
Oye Como Va - Santana
Thats Why God Made Mexico - Tim McGraw
Bidi Bidi Bom Bom - Selena
Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche) - 98°
Senorita - Justin Timberlake
Mambo No. 5 - Lou Bega
Hot Hot Hot - Buster Poindexter
Bailando - Enrique Iglesias
Let's Get Loud - Jennifer Lopez
Havana - Camila Cabello
Me Gusta - Shakira
Caramelo Duro - Miguel
Remember Me (Duo) - Miguel
Vivir Mi Vida - Marc Anthony
Mi Gente (feat. Beyonce) - J Balvin
I Like It Like That - Pete Rodriguez
El Noa Noa - Juan Gabriel
Conga - Miami Sound Machine
La Bamba - Richie Valens
Baila Conmigo - Jennifer Lopez
What's Cinco de Mayo Without a Margarita?
Now to accompany our above Cinco de Mayo Fiesta playlist, you will need a margarita! Lucky for you, we have the most refreshing recipe to share. This Spicy Cucumber Margarita from Rosewood Mayakoba is not only delicious but super easy to make! If you are a visual learner, meet Juan Pablo, margarita extraordinaire, to show you the bartending ropes - click here!
Ingredients
Chili seasoning (Tajin or Chilito recommended)
Freshly squeezed lime juice
4 cucumber slices
2 oz. of your favorite tequila
1 oz. of simple syrup or honey
1 oz. of orange liquor
Directions
Rim glass with chili seasoning. Add the rest of the ingredients to cocktail shaker. Shake well and serve over ice. Saludos y salud!
Behind The Scenes at Camelback Travel with Brittany Nielsen
One of Brittany’s favorite trips of all time was a recent trip to Indonesia. She started her trip at the beautiful Mandapa, a Ritz Carlton Reserve located in Ubud, Bali. The property is visually stunning, and service and food are second to none. Ubud has a lot of wonderful cultural activities. Brittany’s absolute favorite activity was a privately guided bike ride through the villages and rice fields surrounding Ubud, where she had the opportunity to meet artisans and farmers and glimpse the traditional side of life around Ubud.
Brittany hopped on a 1-hour commercial flight to the island of Sumba where her next destination, Nihi Sumba awaited. “Welcome to the Edge of Wildness” is the sign that greets guests as they round the last corner heading into the resort. Nihi is breathtaking. It’s beautifully remote, wild and quietly luxurious. Staff greet you by name on the first day as if you’re a long-lost friend and barefoot butlers escort you to your villa, all which feature private plunge pools and sweeping ocean views. Nihi is a place to unwind, explore and re-wild. It’s great for families, multi-generational groups or couples – as it can be both romantic and fun at the same time. It’s a place for those who enjoy active adventure and barefoot luxury with days spent walking the pristine and secluded beach, horseback riding, hiking, learning about Sumba’s unique culture, surfing or visiting the Sumba Foundation – which has a mission to reduce the consequences of poverty on the island. Brittany’s tip: The Spa Safari is a must! A morning hike through local villages and farms to a beautiful remote beach, followed by freshly cut coconuts and prepared breakfast, and then several hours of spa bliss in a private clifftop cabana listening to the waves crashing below.
