The GypsyNesters

A Magical Retreat in the Hinterland

Retreat truly is a perfect description for Spicers Tamarind, hidden away in the high country we felt a million miles from anywhere… CONTINUE READING >>

Retreat truly is a perfect description for Spicers Tamarind, hidden away in the high country we felt a million miles from anywhere — except we had all the luxury we could need, and then some.

After checking in, a basket of goodies was delivered, a Thai street style Bar-B-Que, perfectly prepared for grilling on our own private grill.

That’s right, the one right next to our own private hot tub on the deck of our villa.

See our entire journey through the Hinterland!

The feast featured marinated prawns, chicken, and cuttlefish, with potatoes and salads on the side.

We knew that prawns were shrimp, so our biggest challenge was the cuttlefish (we had to Google what it even was!), but Chef Jarrett’s careful instructions guided us through successfully.

In addition to advising newbie grillmasters, part of his mission at Spicers Tamarind is to support sustainability in the Hinterland by incorporating locally raised ingredients whenever possible.

We felt so good about the end result that we decided to embark on some fancy presentation action:

A water dragon on our bush walk near at Spicers Tamarind Resort in the Hinterlands of Queensland Australia — Spoiled much?

It doesn’t get much better than chowing down on grilled prawns (we might say “shrimp” on the Barbie — but no Aussie would — they’re prawns Down Under) on a deck in the Hinterland.

Rather than sit around and make fat — as we were inclined to do after such an amazing meal — we headed out into our “backyard” for a bush walk.

See our entire journey through the Hinterland!

Our bush walk near at Spicers Tamarind Resort in the Hinterlands of Queensland Australia — It’s impossible to capture how TALL….

As the daylight left the sky, the forest came alive with sounds completely foreign to our ears, the crazy call of the kookaburra being the most otherworldly.

Finally, when all the light was gone, the Southern Cross headed up a cast of thousands, make that millions, of stars that seemed to hang so close we could almost touch them.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Visit the Spicers Tamarind Retreat Website

Delve Deeper:
See our entire journey through the Hinterland
Check out how gourmet snails are raised!
Watch us skydive above beautiful Queensland – yikes!
Bucket list check! We snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef!
Follow us into the Noosa Everglades!
Go for the Gold Coast of Queensland and watch us feed crocs!
Find out how we saw all of the bizarre Australian animals in one place!
Let Us Introdoos-ya to Noosa and Spread a Little Sunshine Coast

Huge thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland for providing this adventure! As always, all opinions are our own.

Click here to see all of our adventures in Queensland!

Touring a Gourmet Snail Farm in Australia’s Hinterland

We have enjoyed escargot now and again, but never really gave much thought to where it came from.

Now we were in totally unfamiliar territory… CONTINUE READING >>

The Queenslander home that is headquarters of Glasshouse Gourmet Snails in the Hinterlands of Australia

Mary and Cliff, owners of Glasshouse Gourmet Snails greeted us as we pulled up the gravel drive to their house, a wonderfully preserved Queenlander, which serves as the command center.

See our entire journey through the Hinterland!

Slow food sign at Glasshouse Gourmet Snails in the Hinterlands of Queensland, Australia

We were welcomed onto the porch for a cuppa and a conversation about raising snails.

We have enjoyed escargot now and again, but never really gave much thought to where it came from — we were in totally unfamiliar territory.

Cliff of Glasshouse Gourmet Snails speaks to The GypsyNesters on his Queenlander porch in the Hinterland of Australia

When Cliff explained how the canned snails we had experienced in the past were vastly inferior in taste, texture, and nutrition to the fresh version, it made sense.

Still, it didn’t really hit home until Mary brought some of the buggers out for us to sample.

Glasshouse Gourmet Snail Farm in the Hinterlands of Australia

A lightly cooked, nutritious snail in a mushroom at Glasshouse Gourmet Snails in the Hinterlands of Queensland, Australia

Rather than being buried in butter and garlic, these fresh fellas were lightly seasoned, set in a mushroom and cooked for only a few minutes.

We were a little hesitant, its nakedness was a stark reminder of what we were actually eating. Could it be that the butter and garlic (and dipping bread) is the part we actually love about escargot? Uh-oh.

The road to Glasshouse Gourmet Snails in the Hinterlands of Queensland, Australia

But after our first tentative bite, we discovered a clean flavor and texture unlike any snails we had previously encountered.

More, please. Mary was happy to oblige.

See our entire journey through the Hinterland!

Greenhouse type buildings for raising snails at Glasshouse Gourmet Snails in the Hinterlands of Queensland, Australia

Having tasted the difference, we were ready to see how they are raised.

Keeping the little critters confined is a bit more problematic than say, fencing cattle, but they certainly take up a lot less space.

The snails roam their range in greenhouse-type buildings where the climate is controlled to be exactly to their liking.

Glasshouse Gourmet Snails in the Hinterlands of Queensland, Australia
At first you don’t see them, then you realize they’re everywhere!

Other than feeding and watching said climate, things pretty much take care of themselves.

Eggs get laid, babies hatch, young snails grow without fear of predators and, when they reach the proper size, they are boxed up live and sent off to market.

A snail takes a drink of water at Glasshouse Gourmet Snails in the Hinterlands of Queensland, Australia

It’s a downright peaceful routine that Cliff and Mary have been perfecting here in the Hinterland since 2008.

And more than worthy of its designation, the Snails Pace Retreat.

See our entire journey through the Hinterland!

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Visit the Glasshouse Gourmet Snails Website

Delve Deeper:
See our entire journey through the Hinterland
See where we stayed! Spicers Tamarind Retreat
Watch us skydive above beautiful Queensland – yikes!
Follow us into thethe Noosa Everglades!
Go for the Gold Coast of Queensland and watch us feed crocs!
Bucket list check! We snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef!
Find out how we saw all of the bizarre Australian animals in one place!
Let Us Introdoos-ya to Noosa and Spread a Little Sunshine Coast

Huge thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland for providing this adventure! As always, all opinions are our own.

Click here to see all of our adventures in Queensland!

Channeling our Inner Celebrity in Boston!

Once again we found ourselves at the fantastic Life@50+ Expo – this time in Boston!

And this time we landed on the cover of AARP Magazine! Well, sort of.

Becoming cover models is just one of the myriads of fun activities we participated in while visiting Beantown.

While pretending to be celebrities, we found ourselves mingling with several real celebrities… CONTINUE READING >>

We were guests of AARP Members Advantage at the AARP Life@50+ Expo. As always, all opinions are our own.

Once again we found ourselves at the fantastic Life@50+ Expo – this time in Boston!

And this time we landed on the cover of AARP Magazine! Well, sort of.

Becoming cover models is just one of the myriads of fun activities we participated in while visiting Beantown. And though it’s just a fantasy cover, it’s certainly a fantasy well worth having!

While pretending to be celebrities, we found ourselves mingling with several real celebrities – it’s nuts how many made the Life@50+ scene this year!

“Talking about singing is like singing about baseball” Linda Ronstadt w/@soledadobrien #AARPBos14 #LifeAt50 @AARP pic.twitter.com/vg9huvMKQq

— The GypsyNesters (@gypsynester) May 9, 2014

At the Life Reimagined stage, we listened to the incredible Linda Ronstadt speak with Soledad O’Brien about her life after Parkinson’s disease has taken away her ability to sing. Now adding author to her list of accomplishments, she is forging ahead into new territory – what a woman! Later, we chatted a bit more personally backstage – a dream come true for our California-rock-obsessed selves!

Yes! @WhoopiGoldberg & @jayleno dishing for us at @AARP‘s #LifeAt50 #AARPBos14 pic.twitter.com/6PyPenMGpe

— The GypsyNesters (@gypsynester) May 10, 2014

On the main stage, we watched Whoopi Goldberg and Jay Leno hysterically dish about life. Afterward we had a chance to meet them.

Here’s a photo of our buddies Elin and Allen backstage…

…because ours turned out like this (note to self: set your camera settings properly before handing your camera over to folks equally as excited to meet Jay and Whoopi):

Oops! The GypsyNesters pose with Jay Leno and Whoopi Goldberg

Maybe the blurriness comes from the fact that we were shocked that Whoopi remembered meeting David at Jazz Fest when he was performing in New Orleans. FIFTEEN years ago. True story. The woman has a mind like a steel trap!

.@lifereimagined asks “What’s Next?” – #travel is #1 dream for Boomers! #AARPBos14 #LifeAt50 @AARP pic.twitter.com/tVU9ig4J9G

— The GypsyNesters (@gypsynester) May 9, 2014

Another way we AARP-ers are treated like superstars is the many ways we can flash our AARP cards for travel discounts. We headed to our favorite pavilion, AARPDiscounts.com, to get the scoop:

Brand new! @AARP members get $40 membership & $40 voucher for @zipcar w/ @AARPMemberAdv! #AARPBos14 #LifeAt50 pic.twitter.com/3zc1LQzGRQ

— The GypsyNesters (@gypsynester) May 8, 2014

In addition to the great new deal from zipcar, members receive up to 30% off Avis, up to $400 off British Airways flights, as well as discounts from Vacations by Rail, hotel and cruise savings, and, our personal go-to site, AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia!

New to the line up is Liberty Travel – a full service travel agency with 24/7 support and emergency services for those of us who enjoy the full travel package experience with knowledgeable agents. Follow AARP Member Advantages on Facebook to keep up with the latest.

Packing food bags for @Gr8BosFoodBank at @AARP Community Day of Service! #AARPBos14 #Lifeat50 pic.twitter.com/dcifmATMmb

— The GypsyNesters (@gypsynester) May 9, 2014

Our newfound fame would go to waste if we didn’t give back, right? All kidding aside, our favorite part of the expo is the Celebration of Service. Prior to every national event, thousands of AARP-ers are unleashed into the host city in order to do good in droves.

This year we were proud to participate by packing food bags for the hungry of Boston.

At the AARP Bookstore, there were authors galore – signing books, reading passages, and mingling with attendees. We tried to pick up pointers so we’re ready when our book comes out in February!

The Supreme Mary Wilson invites ecstatic @AARP -ers up for Stop in the Name of Love! #AARPBos14 #LifeAt50 pic.twitter.com/xdpP5mOTvK

— The GypsyNesters (@gypsynester) May 10, 2014

Our final brush with greatness came when Mary Wilson and The Spinners hit the stage for a concert we will never forget!

Mary Wilson and the Spinners took the stage at AARP's Life@50+ Expo

What a way to end our stay, we can hardly wait until the next Life@50+ in Miami!

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

We were guests of AARP Members Advantage at the AARP Life@50+ Expo. As always, all opinions are our own.

Also at Life@50+ – the Movies for Grownups Film Festival
See the big time we had last year in Atlanta!

Picture This: Union Station in Washington, DC

Union Station in Washington, DC is the most impressive depot we have ever traveled through.

From the bright shopping area around the gates, to the amazing, massive main hall almost one hundred feet high, the station left our left our jaws dropping.

The thirty-six… CONTINUE READING >>

Thanks to Amtrak for providing the train travel portion of this adventure through Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, DC! As always, all opinions are our own.

Washington DC's Union Station

Exterior close up of Union Station, DC — The statues along the top of the exterior each weigh 25 tons and represent fire, electricity, agriculture and mechanics.

Washington DC's Union Station

Union Station in Washington, DC is the most impressive depot we have ever traveled through.

From the bright shopping area around the gates, to the amazing, massive main hall almost one hundred feet high, the station left our jaws dropping.

The statues in Union Station are nudes, but shields have been put up hide this fact. Washington, DC

The thirty-six statues in the main hall are Roman legionnaires and are depicted nude.

In order to protect the eyes of the innocent, it was decided to add shields to cover the naughty bits.

The ceiling of Union Station, Washington DC — “Egg and dart” molding, enhanced with gold leafing, decorate the coffers that connect the ceiling to the roof structure.

Union Station, Washington, DC — Netting has been erected so the station can remain open and viewed during restoration and repairs.

See our full America’s Founding Cities Tour by Train here!

Washington DC's fabulous Union Station

Opened in 1907, this grand old terminal was the largest in the world at that time and has seen many kings, queens, and, of course, presidents pass through.

Back in the pre-Air Force One days, seventeen presidents from Taft to Eisenhower used a private suite added in 1909. But perhaps even more surprising were the mortuary, bowling alley, YMCA, and Turkish baths that were also on the premises.

The East Hall, Union Station, Washington, DC — The East Hall

The Center Cafe in Union Station, Washington, DC — The Center Cafe is one of over thirty-five restaurants in the station…

See our full America’s Founding Cities Tour by Train here!

Union Station, Washington, DC

Equally impressive is the exterior of the building.

The neoclassical design set the tone for many of the memorials and buildings throughout Washington, DC.

Exterior of Union Station, Washington, DC

The Columbus fountain outside of Union Station, Washington DC — The Columbus Fountain stands in front of the station.

The Capitol Building is visible as soon as you step out of Union Station in Washington DC

The Capitol Dome highlighted the view as we walked out the front doors, and instantly we knew we were in a city like no other in America.

Or anywhere else for that matter.

Just outside the station, there were bikes for rent — so we hopped on a couple of trusty steeds and headed out toward the National Mall… Follow us to the memorials and monuments!

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Thanks to Amtrak for providing the train travel portion of this adventure through Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, DC! As always, all opinions are our own.

See our full America’s Founding Cities Tour by Train here!

Got Melk? A Look at the Benedictine Abbey

The small Wachau Valley village of Melk, Austria has one claim to fame, but it is a doozey!

The Benedictine Abbey has dominated the town for nearly one thousand years… CONTINUE READING >>

The Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria in the Wachau Valley

The small Wachau Valley village of Melk, Austria has one claim to fame, but it is a doozey!

The Benedictine Abbey has dominated the town for nearly one thousand years, although the amazing Baroque version that stands today was built between 1702 and 1736.

The entrance to The Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria on the Danube River

It is still an active monastery, and also houses a school for about nine hundred students.

The entrance to The Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria on the Danube River

Mural on the entrance to The Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria on the Danube River

The Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria in the Wachau Valley

Blown away is the only way to describe our reaction – and that was before we got to go inside.

Part of the interior serves as a museum, with some really cool artifacts.

See more about the beautiful Wachau Valley of Austria

A reusable coffin with a trap door used in the 1700s at The Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria in the Wachau Valley — In the 1700s, these reusable coffins with a trap door underneath were used.

Antique heaters in The Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria on the Danube River — Antique heaters

Paintings in The Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria on the Danube River — Striking paintings by Jörg Breu (1502)

The ceiling of the Marble Hall of The Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria in the Wachau Valley — The ceiling of the Marble Hall, Paul Troger (1731)

The library of The Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria in the Wachau Valley The sections that are still in day-to-day use, the library and the church, were even more fascinating to us.

The incredibly impressive library holds one hundred thousand volumes that are still in use by the monks, some over ten centuries old.

The monks have rebound most of the manuscripts, not only to preserve the precious volumes, but to give the shelves a uniform look. Being in the room with all of these great works of science and literature gave us quite a charge.

The library of The Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria in the Wachau Valley

Before we could get too excited though, we were off to the focal point of the abbey, the Stiftskirche.

The staircase between the library and church of The Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria in the Wachau Valley — The amazingly beautiful spiral staircase between the library and the church .

The Stiftskirche of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria on the Danube

The Benedictine Church at Melk Abbey, Austria

The church is dedicated to Saint Coloman of Stockerau, who is interred there, and is considered one of Austria’s finest.

While the outside is beautiful –if somewhat conventional –inside we were in for a real eye opener.

The monks really went for baroque, they didn’t skimp on the gold leaf, marble, or the frescoes on the ceilings… and the pipe organ, wow!

See more about the beautiful Wachau Valley of Austria

The pipe organ at The Benedictine Church at Melk Abbey, Austria — The pipe organ

The cupola at The Benedictine Church at Melk Abbey, Austria — The cupola

A catacomb saint in the Melk Abbey, Austria

In spite of all that, the highlight for us was the two “catacomb saints” on display.

During the 16th and 17th centuries the desire to display relics in churches became so great that the Vatican ordered numerous unknown skeletons be brought up from the catacombs under Rome and declared them to be the remains of saints. Then they sent them off to eager churches in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The thinking seemed to be that since they came from Rome, they must have been a martyr or great Christian of some sort. On arrival to their new homes, the “saints” were adorned in jewels and gaudy finery and proudly given places of honor.

A catacomb saint in the Melk Abbey, Austria

It was a little unclear to us why this would happen at this church, considering they have had the remains of their patron saint on the premises for a thousand years.

The Abbey in Melk, Austria

We ended the day on a high note, as a reward for our walk back to our ship we got our best view of the abbey just as we were getting back to the river.

See more about the beautiful Wachau Valley of Austria

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Thanks to Viking River Cruises for inviting us along and providing this adventure! As always, all opinions are our own. See our entire Christmas cruise along The Danube with stops in Budapest, Bratislavia, Vienna, Durnstein & Melk, Salzburg, and Passau.

Must-see Movie: Cyber-Seniors

Walking into the theater at the Movies for Grownups Film Festival, I expected Cyber-Seniors to be a dry, informative info-nugget on how the Internet could enhance the lives of the older set. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Honestly, I’ve never been to a theater where the crowd was howling with this level of laughter…. CONTINUE READING >>

We were guests of AARP Members Advantage at the AARP Life@50+ Expo‘s Movies for Grownups Film Festival. As always, all opinions are our own.

Cyber-Seniors

As a huge movie buff, one of my favorite reasons to attend AARP‘s Life@50+ is the Movies for Grownups Film Festival.

This year we attended the screening of Cyber-Seniors, a heartwarming — and surprisingly funny — documentary about the extraordinary journey of a group of senior citizens as they discover the world of the Internet through the guidance of teenage mentors.

Walking into the theater, I expected Cyber-Seniors to be a dry, informative info-nugget on how the Internet could enhance the lives of the older set. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Honestly, I’ve never been to a theater where the crowd was howling with this level of laughter.

Maybe because it was so unexpected (I hope I’m not spoiling the surprise here), but the interaction between the old folks and the young whippersnappers is just priceless: