Sorry for the slow updates, we have been been busy in Coomera! Our days have been jam packed with the most interesting adventures. The journal has turned to 'chuck' scratch (chicken). In Coomera my host family was Pam Roberts, a solicitor (lawyer). In Pam's home live her daughters Natasha and Phoebe, and Natasha's daughter Isabelle. Pam's home is beautifully decorated in a Moroccan/ India style complete with murals. Her Son is a landscape designer and maintains her many gardens, plants and water features- It was like stepping into another world at her home- I love it! Pam reminded me of Christiane Amanpour and Kathleen Schaffer
As Nick described the Carlton United Brewery tour very interesting! They recycle everything from the, wash water and kegs to the yeast. After the yeast has been used six times it is then sold to a company that makes Vegemite. It was the most informative tour I've ever had, and I made that decision before the sample pints of brew.
Thursday was a vocational day, and the club arranged for me to go work at the Waterlife Restaurant in the Marina City. On duty were Chef Jason and Owner/ Manager David. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch on and off-site, and they are been catering for a year. They purchased a floating island that they use as a chapel. The kitchen was very organized and clean. The menu was similar to the country club or local Missouri diner. Chef Jason asked if I knew Bobby Flay, I said no and continue on to list the reasons why I thought he was a tool of the food network. Then the thought struck me that maybe Bobby was his icon or something or an investor of sorts. So I quickly apologized and told him to look up Tom Colicchio.
Some of the differences in food I've noticed are: Frito Misto (fried soft shell crab, calamari, fish) is menu standard, Thai curry is standard, Beets come on burgers, seared/ grilled onions are always paired with steaks, Fish and chips is a must have, coffee is usual espresso machine or instant - no air pots sitting around, Caesar salads come with hard boiled eggs, bacon is the round and 'skinny' parts and no as salty, Vegemite is best on toast with butter (just another vehicle for butter), tea is more common than coffee, margarine is used as a sandwich spread, fresh Passion fruit is common as well as Macadamia nuts and oil. And they eat kangaroo. I do miss the free refills on coffee :(
For dinner Thursday we were all staying with our hosts. Pam and I decided to cook dinner instead of going out. I wanted Mexican food (not common here), Pam wanted potato gratin, so we hit the grocery store on the way home to pick up tortillas, cheese, etc.. but most of our menu was grown in her garden. Cumin spiced Angus beef tips, guac w/ their avacados. very creamy potatoes gratin. And she has an herb garden, passion fruit vine and lime tree. We sucked down Passion fruit from their garden. The rest of the menu included fresh salsa, tortillas, garden limes and Phoebe's bf came over with Thai take away, so we also ate his rice. It was a crazy menu. We ate and drank well.
Everyday is a new adventure, we are having such a fun time and learning a lot along the way. Lots of love to everyone at home- We miss you dearly!
xxoo- Beth
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