Getting my visa is proving painful… or rather perhaps I should just learn to read instructions properly. It’s not that it is hard… Just frustrating. So today, I ran around getting a ‘digital’ photograph of myself to the required specifications for my Visa. Nobody did actual digital ones so I headed to Aus Post & just got passport pics done then scanned them. I thought that was the last part I had to complete for my Visa and I was well under way to getting it back in good time before I left for Hawaii. Was pretty amped to be honest and relieved to have it gone. You see for a NZ police check you just have to sign a release form. What I didn’t realise however was that as I had lived in Australia over 6 months I had to get an Australian one also. And theirs takes up to 15 working days. 3 weeks! That’s three weeks too long. (Insert smart quip about Aussie’s not being as efficient as Kiwi’s here.) Now I will potentially be in Hawaii, about to leave for Vancouver, before I even get my Visa… cutting it fine alright! That’s if the police check takes the 3 weeks and the visa takes 8 weeks… any longer on either side and there is the possibility I could be stuck in Hawaii… Could be worse!!
Headed to Burleigh on the weekend to catch some rays and a late lunch.Ended up at Wahoo’s and was surprised at how cheap and delicious it was! $12 landed me a huge burger with guacamole, a huge serving of chips and a bottle of water. The place lacks aircon and took quite a while but was reasonably busy. Nommmm
I managed to get well and truly written off the night before Soundwave. It wasn’t my intention nor did I foresee it happening. I was at a leaving party and was drinking delicious cocktails. Next thing you know I’m leaving Bacchus, heading to Friday’s and partying on until 2am.
Cue terrible headache and vomiting twice. Once at night and again in the morning. If ever I spew in the morning you know it’s bad.
Ru was picking me up at 11. I just wanted to sleep and cuddle myself but I had to get up and ready.
I made it to Ru’s and went on a recovery mission to the Deli, read about it HERE.
After that I got home, ate, had a nap and started to feel better. In which case Ru began to encourage me to start drinking. Much to her disgust I couldn’t handle it.
We got to Soundwave just in time for Billy Talent, Carl really wanted to see them and we had a ‘festival timetable’ for the first time in the history or our festival going.
Although it had rained all week, the sun came out to play and I began feeling better and happy to wander around. Ru was still unhappy that I wasn’t drinking yet.
The bands I thought I would really enjoy I didn’t find as good. Too high expectations? Perhaps.
Stone Sour didn’t play any of their old music and I found I didn’t know their new stuff. A Perfect Circle were pretty good, but again played a lot of material I didn’t know. A pleasure just to see and hear Maynard though.
I did really enjoy Cypress Hill, Blink182, Linkin Park & Offspring though. Linkin park were awesome actually, really had the crowd rocking. Found I knew more of their music than anyone else’s.
We caught the end of Metallica – old rock Gods still admired by the thousands.
I managed to put away 3 vodkas, I just couldn’t handle it. So I guess the moral of the story is: Don’t drink the night before a festival!’
I love soft shell crab sushi, I just grabbed a plate off the train. Was yummy and fresh. I ordered the tempura prawn udon noodle soup, it was delicious. Nice broth and lots of tempura veggies, even though there was only one prawn. Can’t complain too much for around only $8.90 though.
Cash only – I hate cash only. I never carry cash. I even bought the sushi to take me up over the usual $10 mark without realising it was cash only. Had to give them my licence while I went and got money out – while annoying it wouldn’t stop me from going back.
Sake Sake SAKEEE!!!! Summimasennnnnn!!! Sometimes I can’t tell if they actually have something to say or whether they’re just yelling for Vacuum bags are amazing!!!! fun of it. I expect the latter.I LOVE the atmosphere at Harajuku Gyoza, it’s just so fun and exciting! Between staff yelling, dancing, the music and the design you’re never quite sure where to look in case you miss something.A huge open kitchen allows you to watch with a watering mouth as your Gyoza is cooked. You can choose to sit at a private table or at the bar surrounding the kitchen. Both are good.Dumplings are made to share so grab a buddy and choose a whole bunch. I usually go for prawn, duck and pork. Pan fried mmmm.I usually get the cucumber miso salad to accompany it with some edamame and a Kirin, delicious beer to complement the Gyoza. Mouth is watering just writing this.I made an amazing discovery here the other day. Basically it’s tempura eggplant. Holy wow. Melts in your mouth. Try it.The other awesome thing is the dessert dumpling. Yup you heard right! You can choose from Nutella an banana, deep fried with ice cream – my personal fave or the peanut butter an white choc with ice cream. Also yummy.Guess where I’m going to have to head for dinner now I’ve written this?!Do yourself a favor when you visit, order Sake. Even if you don’t want it or like it – it’s just fun 🙂 Â
I can not even describe to you how amazing the food at CoCa Chu is.
My mouth is watering just thinking about it. If you’re on Hamilton Island you MUST visit.
Coca Chu is an Asian infused restaurant, fine dining in a casual area, right on the waterfront.
While it can be a little difficult to find the place (maybe it was the two mojito’s I had earlier and my obvious lack of geographical knowledge) but is worth a little wander in some beautiful tropical gardens to find.
Lobster dish
We were lucky enough to be friends with a great guy who had been invited by the Chef to check CoCa Chu out, he in turn invited us and next thing I know there is a table of 16 of us making our delectable way through an 8 course tasting.I had no idea about this restaurant, what food it served, what style or what to expect and due to dinner the night before being less than average I suppose I didn’t have high hopes. If I had had high hopes, even these would have been exceeded. The food is superb and the service outstanding.As we had a tasting menu, I have no idea what half the things we ate were, however I will try to explain. All dishes were served in the middle to share.
Dish 1: lobster with herbs & spices. You took the lobster and spooned some into a leaf which you wrapped up and ate. I’m a huge seafood lover and they were off to a fab start!
Dish 2: Soft boiled Duck? eggs, crumbed and with a barbeque like sauce. As you can tell I have no idea really what this was. I wouldn’t have even tried it I it weren’t for the Swashbuckling Pirate egging (get it?) me on. She thought it was great. So I put the half serving in my mouth, and was pleasantly surprised. Not only did I like it, I wanted more. I ave now learnt that these are called Son in Law Eggs.
Whole deep fried snapper
Dish 3: Next up, steamed pork gyoza. I’m a huge gyoza fan and have become a little picky. These were amazing. I had Swashbuckling pirates share too.
Dish 4: Corn fritters with a. Sweet chili sauce. Not sure I’m doing these justice by calling them corn fritters.
Dish 5: Rabbit curry with rice and pickled cucumber & mushrooms. Must admit this was my least favorite dish but only because I’m not a huge rabbit fan. I wasn’t concerned though as there was more than enough of the other plates to go around!
Gyoza
Dish 6: This was up there with one of my favorites. I’d never tried it before and I loved it so much that I am going to attempt to make it! Pumpkin curry with vegetables. Oh my wow. I’m in awe of this dish. Dish 7: Whole deep fried snapper in Chinese herbs and spices with a tropical salad. Chef’s specialty – and I know why. Yumm!!!!Dish 8: Fresh lychees, raspberry & mango sorbet and green tea ice cream. Perfect finish to a scrumptious mealComplements to the Chef!!
Pumpkin curry – this pic doesn’t do it ANY justiceNear demolished dessert
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