Armchair Traveller, Entice All 5 Senses -Wanderlust Issue IV

April 17, 2020

We hope you enjoyed a nice holiday weekend and had a chance to discover a new read or movie. There is nothing we enjoy more than reading your comments and hearing your first hand stories or experiences of our recommendations. Wanderlust With Us this week on an exciting African Safari, to the white sand beaches of Los Cabos, or on a luxurious train ride through Europe... we have something for everyone!

What We're Watching....

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The first film adapted from Stieg Larsson’s literary blockbuster The Millennium Trilogy is a psychological thriller where a journalist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by a young computer hacker. Filmed at The Dolder Grand, perched

on top of the hill in Zurich, this hotel offers spectacular views of the Alps and Lake Zurich.

Oceans Eleven

This remake of a classic American heist film features an A-list cast including Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Matt Damon among others. Fast-paced, exciting and entertaining, it takes place at The Bellagio, one of our favorite hotels in Vegas.

Notting Hill

A classic romantic comedy about a London travel bookstore owner, Hugh Grant, who falls in love with an American movie star, Julia Roberts. We challenge you to re-watch this feel good favorite but keep your eyes out for The Ritz London and The Savoy London Hotels this time around.

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

This star-studded cast featuring Judi Dench, Willem Dafoe, and Johnny Depp to name a few, is a thrilling mystery based on the best-selling novel by Agatha Christie. The film begins in Istanbul and follows each character as they board the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient Express for a thrilling ride.

Singin' On Safari

All of this time spent at home has us itching to get out and into the wild. We invite you to enjoy a sundowner of your choosing and jam out to our safari inspired Spotify playlist. Unfortunately the Big 5 won't be there to join but we toast to our friends across the globe. Maisha Marefu! (Cheers!)

Africa - Toto

The Lion Sleeps Tonight - The Tokens

Sufi Woman - Jidenna

Crocodile Rock - Elton John

Eye of the Tiger - Survivor

Keys to the Kingdom - Tiwa Savage

Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran

Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N’ Roses

Wild Thing - The Troggs

Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) - Shakira

Circle of Life - Elton John

Off the Shelf

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

An amazing story full of love, beauty, betrayal, brutality and compassion set in the underworld of contemporary India. In this novel an escaped convict from Australia named Lin is hiding out, searching for love and running a clinic in one of the city’s poorest slums while working for the Bombay mafia. This gripping adventure tale has a passionate love for India at its heart and makes us want to escape to The Four Seasons Mumbai.

Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road by Kate Harris

Seeking out the unknown is behind many people’s urge to travel and see the world. Is there any place left to discover? Where do you go when it feels that every place on earth has been visited by millions before you? In this memoir by Kate Harris, she contemplates these questions as she spends a year cycling the Silk Road to remote places rarely written about with extensive history while perfectly capturing what it feels like to explore and be exposed to wildness and discomfort.

The Alchemist by Paul Coelho

The Alchemist tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of treasure and ends up finding himself on an adventurous quest. A powerful book that shows us the journey is what matters and inspires courage; chasing your dreams teaching important life lessons through stories.

Dark Star Safari: Overland From Cairo to Cape Town by Paul Theroux

African safaris are at the top of most travelers bucket lists. This book highlights a deeper, more vibrant side of the fascinating continent as Paul Theroux takes a road trip from Cairo to Cape Town showing us that even through the dilemmas he faced, the continent is misunderstood and going beyond safaris is where you can find the true Africa.

The Kitchen is Heating Up at Grand Velas Los Cabos

While we are missing our family and friends during this time, we also miss working alongside our super star Camelback team members. Last year we had the opportunity to enjoy a company retreat together at the only true 5 star all-inclusive property in Los Cabos, the

Grand Velas Los Cabos. This stunning resort boasts 7 gourmet restaurants meaning endless possibilities for you to experience. Today, we invite you to try their signature Avocado Chimichurri Fish. The fresh herb blend chimichurri alongside the creamy avocado sauce makes this recipe a perfect pairing with your favorite fish.

Avocado Chimichurri Fish from our partners at Grand Velas Los Cabos

Ingredients:

• 7oz Fish Fillet

• 3 Avocados, cut into small squares

• 1 Tsp Dill

• 1 Tsp Garlic, Minced

• 1.5 T Cilantro

• ½ lemon, juice only

• ½ C Whipping Cream

• ½ T Parsley, chopped fine

• ½ T Basil, chopped fine

• ½ C Avocado Oil

• ¼ C Rice Vinegar

• ½ Tsp Red Pepper Flakes, Crushed

• 1 Tsp Butter

• 2 Tsp Olive Oil

• ¼ C White Wine

• Salt to taste

• Black Pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. For the creamy avocado sauce: blend the avocado, dill, ½ garlic, ½ cilantro, lemon and whipping cream until you get a creamy consistency. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

2. For the avocado chimichurri: in a small bowl, combine remaining cilantro, parsley, basil, remaining garlic, avocado, avocado oil, rice vinegar, and crushed chili. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

3. In a hot pan, add olive oil and butter over medium heat. Brown the fish fillet inside the pan on both sides. To finish cooking, add white wine to the pan and place in the oven at 350° F for 5 minutes.

4. Assemble the dish by adding a dollop of creamy avocado to the plate. Top with fish and then the chimichurri.

Game On...

We are mixing things up this week and in lieu of sharing a featured cocktail recipe, we are sharing our favorite travel board game to play while quarantined. You don’t need to leave the house to travel across the USA, Europe, and even Africa. Ticket to Ride will have you collecting and matching train cards to claim railway routes on your board game for the win. The competition in this strategy game is high so come prepared to play endless rounds with your family and friends.

Behind The Scenes at Camelback Travel with Val

This week our advisor, Val Rooney, invites you to take a virtual trip with her to Singapore! In January, she boarded the new Airbus 350-900 on Singapore Airlines, offering only Premium Economy and Business Class (no Economy). This new equipment has all the bells and whistles, not to mention excellent and attentive service from beginning to end. After her comfortable 15 hour flight from LAX, Val arrived at the Singapore airport, a unique destination in itself. The entertainment center, Jewel, is fascinating and beautiful including the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Even the locals head to the airport for its vast entertainment, restaurants, and shopping!

While in the city, Val visited a few of Singapore’s top hotels: Capella, The Fullerton, and The Raffles. The stunning Raffles hotel is full of history and by far her favorite after recently re-opening from extensive renovations. She enjoyed a famous Singapore Sling at the bar after dinner as Raffles is where this popular cocktail originated. Another must see is the iconic Marina Bay Sands which you may have seen featured in the film, Crazy Rich Asians. Val’s tip: there is a small fee to go up to the observation deck at the top but it’s worth the price, and sometimes the wait, for spectacular views over the city!

Singapore has plenty to see and do but Val’s favorite excursion was the Vespa ride with a sidecar. You don’t have to worry about navigating the busy streets yourself - the driver takes care of it! She was fascinated by the blend of different cultures and the consistent theme of “peace and harmony.” There is almost no crime and you will not see police at all; only an occasional security guard. Fun fact: no chewing gum is sold on the island so be sure to bring this with you!