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Travelling with Lyn

Monthly Archives: July 2017

Our Trip to Australian Tea Estate – Madura in Murwillumbah NSW.

26 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Australian Tea Plantation

≈ 27 Comments

Tags

australia, Byron Bay, Clothiers Creek, Hinterland, Mandura, Murwillumbah, NSW, Photography, Tea Plantation, travel, Tweed River

We left Brisbane early for our trip down south to Northern NSW. After about 90 minutes we stopped at Chinderah for a morning tea break by the Tweed River.  Then we continued another 30 mins west towards Clothiers Creek/Murwillumbah.

 

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Nestled in the rainforests in the hinterland north of Byron Bay is the Madura Tea Plantation which is set on 30 acres of rich pasture land that was once a cattle farm. This unique Australian family business is the only tea plantation in the world that grows, harvests, packages and distributes its 100% Australian grown tea.

 

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Upon arrival at the plantation we were warmly greeted by a lady named Rose who was in fact our guide and was born for the job she does. Our first stop was to visit the actual estate where the tea is grown. Rose explained to us that these tea bushes/shrubs are part of the camellia family which is so apparent when you see the shape of the leaves. The bushes are harvested every 9 – 14 days just taking off the tips of each plant. This well kept tea estate is planted over rolling hills with superb outlook and is surrounded by Australian native trees and wildlife.

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Tea Plantation
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Rose had all the facts and figures. She was more than happy to take photos for people and answer everybody’s questions. She explained the process of growing tea, processing it and the differences between black, green and white tea which was fascinating. We also learned how to make each tea, the temperature of the water and how long to infuse the leaves to deliver the best flavour.

 

Machinery for the tea production
Machinery for the tea production
Machinery for the tea production
Machinery for the tea production
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Machinery for the tea production
Machinery for the tea production
For drying the tea for green tea.
For drying the tea for green tea.

 

 

 

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For the modest $7 entrance fee this was so well worth it. Although I am a tea drinker I had no idea how tea grew or what was involved between planting it and buying it in the supermarket but I now have a new appreciation of the work it takes and the process. We also received a lovely hessian bag with tea samples and were able to purchase items in the shop, including some special flavours not available in supermarkets.

 

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It was a very well run tour and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very good value for money as well as educational and a great morning out in heavenly Australian countryside.

Real Ruins of South East Asia – Mỹ Sơn

16 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Mỹ Sơn, Vietnam

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

Hoi An, Mỹ Sơn, Photography, Ruins, South east Asia, travel, Vietnam

Hidden in the Hills not far from Hoi An is this small but impressive collection of brick Hindu Temples, Mỹ Sơn, which was constructed between the 4th and the 14th century AD by the kings of Champa.  Like many historic sites around the world, Mỹ Sơn was destroyed by time and wars and after lying neglected for a long time it was rediscovered and renovated by the French in 1898. Sadly the most recent war did great damage to the complex as the Americans bombed this area knowing that the Viet Cong used it as a hiding place, mistakenly thinking that the enemy would not touch a holy site.

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We were picked up by coach with our guide  from our hotel around 8 am reaching Mỹ Sơn about 9.15. Upon arrival, we took the shuttle bus from the entrance gate to the start of the path leading to the ruins.  We then walked along this path about another 2 km in a very pleasant valley up to the temples.  The walk to and from the site itself is lovely,  through a tropical forest by a bubbling, sacred stream.

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Overwhelmingly quiet, the site has a distinct feeling of history.  Also a visual memory of how close during the war they could have lost this wonderful site.

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As an attraction this is definitely something different and well worth taking the time to see. We were there for about 2 hours in the morning and it was hot. You will do a reasonable amount of walking and this is not a place I would recommend visiting during the heat of the day. The best time to visit is early in the morning before it gets too hot and when it is not too busy with loads of  buses and tourists.  It is a small site which is much more pleasant with few folks around. Sun hat, water, sun block, and sunglasses were necessary for us .

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Mỹ Sơn is a fascinating, short and easy  attraction. We were extremely impressed and highly recommend it. 

Morning Market Delight in Pistoia

03 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Market Day in Pistoia

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

Bagni di Lucca, florence, italy, Lucca, markets, Photography, Pistoia, travel, Tuscany

It was Wednesday and it was market day in Pistoia. We drove down from Bagni di Lucca and parked the car at Lucca train station and took the morning train to Pistoia.

It is just a 40 minute train ride from Lucca to Pistoia through lovely Tuscan country side and passing by dozens of local nurseries. The area of Pistoia is very well known for the cultivation of plants and flowers exported all over the world, with a long tradition of local nurseries being passed down generation after generation.

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The city of Pistoia, a distinctive medieval city, is located in northern Tuscany, halfway between Florence(Firenze)  and Lucca and about 40 km away from each. What a gorgeous town. It is so easy to fall in love with Pistoia.

 

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Miky from https://passion4food4fashion.com/ was waiting for us as our train arrived at the Pistoia train station. I first was introduced to Pistoia through Miky’s blog which I started following a few years ago. Miky is absolutely passionate about her home town and must be their greatest ambassador.

Miky walked with us through the town pointing out every building, statue and landmark with descriptions and information about them all. We stopped at Miky’s favourite bar/cafe for coffee and the best Italian dolce (pastry) I can remember ever enjoying.

 

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We chatted and she filled us in on her involvements in Pistoia including telling us about her family restaurant Pollo d’Oro. Miky I will definitely come to the restaurant next time I am in Pistoia.

 

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After coffee we continued our walk to the Piazza Della Sala where we found the colourful weekly markets. The Piazza Della Sala is a piazza with charm and character, a very traditional market  that sells top quality Italian fruit and vegetables

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The piazza was crowded, and the eating places around the square were pretty busy. I always love the atmosphere and vibe of Italian markets and this one was no exception. Extending out towards the street was another market, selling all kinds of household items, clothing, shoes, jewellery, Bric-à-brac plus so much more.

 

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After the markets are finished each week, and everything is packed away, the piazza transforms into a busy hive of activities with its pizzerias, restaurants and bars.  This continues on in to the evenings. We did not stay long enough for the evening activities however it is a definite must for me next time I am in Italy.

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From here I took the train on to Ferrara and Debra caught the train back to Lucca.

Thank you Miky for sharing your beautiful town with us.

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