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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


  1. Chop white onions and bell peppers.

  2. Cut chorizo in small dices of 5mm and thin slice.

  3. Peel the raw shrimps by keeping the head.

  4. Cut the chicken and calamari in squares of 3cm.

  5. Put the olive oil in a paella pan and fry onions, bell peppers as well as few dices of chorizo in it.

  6. Once everything is cooked, add the rice until it gets glazed.

  7. Add all the spices and powders and fill it up with shrimp stock; simmer by stirring until it is cooked.

  8. After 10 mins of simmering add the frozen peas.

  9. Finally add the tomato sauce and stir the paella occasionally.

  10. Pan-fry the chicken, shrimps, calamari, chorizo slices and padrón peppers separately.

  11. Garnish the paella with the pan-fired ingredients, lemon juice and lemon wedges on top.

  12. 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!

Spicy Cucumber Margarita from Rosewood Mayakoba


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