10 tips for luxury camping

 

• Posted by Serene Toh on August 26, 2013 at 2:08am in Acommodation, Student Lodge and Hostel
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How To Glamp Like The Celebs Do Camping used to be synonymous with tacky green canvas tents, puffy sleeping bags and canned beans over the campfire. Now? Well, let’s say it’s evolved a bit. You can rent tents equipped with bathrooms, crystal chandeliers, hammocks and 600 thread-count sheets. Glamping is here to stay, and we couldn’t be happier. So how do you glamp? And where can you find the best places to do it? Not all campsites offer luxury camping, so you need to do a little research. Before you hit the road for a week of glamping, check out our tips and suggestions for a relaxing and luxurious outdoor vacation. 1 Plan early As with any vacation, you want to give yourself ample months to plan. This will ensure the campsite or resort you want is available. Because glamping is so popular, many places book out months in advance.   2 Scout the perfect spot You won't find the A-listers glamping out in the middle of nowhere. Many hot glamping resorts and campsites are adjacent to beaches or in pristine mountain areas. If you're in California, check out Costanoa for beach and mountain access. For a more rustic experience, stay in one of Oregon State Parks' luxury yurts, which are also pet-friendly! 3 Villa, tent, yurt or tree house? Before you glamp, you need to get acquainted with the terms. A villa or hut is a large freestanding cottage with at least one bedroom. Many come with kitchenettes, private pools and decks! A tent is a portable canvas home that can have up to four bedrooms, a kitchen and private bath. A yurt is a collapsible circular tent that either has a door and windows or a flap. A tree house is a luxury home perched in the forest and often has one bedroom and a small kitchenette. 4 Decide how much to spend Unlike regular camping, glamping can be as expensive as a five-star getaway if you aren't careful. Set a budget as you would with any trip, setting aside a certain amount for lodging (some villas can cost up to $5,000 a night!), food (many glamping sites are all-inclusive), transportation, accessories and activities (many sites offer complimentary water activities). If you're not sure how much it costs, ask! 5 Ask about electricity Many yurts, tree houses and tents aren't equipped for electricity or Wi-Fi, so if you're wedded to that laptop and hair dryer, you'll want to bring extension cords and a portable Wi-Fi device. Also, think smart. In lieu of a traditional coffee pot, you can bring a French press, which doesn't require electricity. You can also bring a portable gas grill for grilling and dry ice to keep your beverages and food cold (if you don't have a fridge). 6 Resort, camp or secluded getaway Do you want to be all alone in the woods? Prefer to stay in a five-star villa on the property of a fancy resort? Want seclusion but also the amenities of a hotel? Decide what kind of vacation you'd like and then research the best places to go. If you'd love a luxury tent experience that has the restaurants and activities of a hotel, we love the 4 Rivers Floating Lodge in Cambodia. 7 Remember the environment You're going to be one with nature, so try to keep nature as beautiful as you can, okay? Instead of your regular toiletry bottles, opt for biodegradable bottles. Bring environmentally friendly toilet paper and bring water or a washtub to clean plastic or glass dishes (to reduce paper and plastic waste). 8 Glamp with friends and family What's glamping without friends and family? Many villas and yurts can sleep up to eight people! Not only will group travel save you money on the room, it'll also save you money on transportation, group activities and even food. 9 Set the perfect stage (lighting and decor) Hey, that tent and yurt is going to be your home away from home for a week or two, so why not decorate it like so? Bring some tree lights, lanterns or tiki torches to add some outdoor glam to your tent. We also love this tissue paper garland (for over the bed), this gorgeous Mason jar chandelier (to hang over your table!) and this perfect vintage rustic bar cart for your wines and beers! 10 Don't forget the essentials! Nothing like getting to your amazing tent in the middle of nowhere to realize you forgot your toothbrush, shampoo, deodorant, cell phone charger and a clean pair of underwear for your husband. Don't ruin your vacation or spend far too much at the gift shops by packing the essentials before you go! The easiest way to remember is to write a list. More camping tips Source

APAM NASI @ APAM BERAS..

 

• Posted by Sally Anis on August 15, 2013 at 4:31am in Cooking Club
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Salam semua....panas cuaca kat kampung cm, suara pun macam dah mula jadi mono, dan batuk2 manja gatal pun ada gak ni, grrrr.. Sebab rasa macam tak de kerja lah sangat siang tadi dan ditambah dengan keadaan kusut masai tahap cipan huru hara, jadi cm rajin2kan diri buat apam, kalau tu hari buat apam kampung, kali ni buat apam nasi atau apam beras. Resipi mat ambik dari blog Kak Yatie Memories yang terkenal dengan kepakaran beliau membuat pelbagai jenis kuih talam. Serius kagum dengan kreativiti beliau. Anda pernah cuba buat apam nasi ni?...Kalau anda google, rasa cm merata blog masakan dan mencubanya (errr...tah2 aku pun pernah buat dulu.....erkkk...lupa, dan malas nak ingat..hehe)..

Apam nasi memang menggunakan nasi sejuk, yeast, tepung gandum, tepung beras, air dan gula. Bahan2 yang mudah dan ringkas. Makan dengan kelapa parut putih yang digaul dengan sedikit garam. Kalau nak makan macam tu pun boleh, tapi dah gaya orang kita makan apam dengan kelapa parut. Kalau ikut resipi asal, agak banyak dan cm buat 1/2 bahagian seperti yang cm akan tulis nanti. Lagi pun penduduk rumah tak ramai. Satu lagi, kalau anda buat jangan guna paper cup macam cm guna tu, elok anda guna acuan apam yang disapu dengan sedikit minyak. Sebab cm agak kesuntukan masa dan malas nak menyelongkar cari acuan apam, maka ku guna muffin cup aluminium dan alas dengan paper cup. Jadi tu memang jadi, cuma papercup tu melekat kat apam, rugi! Satu lagi anda boleh letak apa2 kaler yang anda suka, macam cm leta kaler hijau dan merah....Resipi seperti berikut...

BAHAN-BAHANNYA :-) 1 cawan nasi sejuk 3/4 cawan gula pasir (cm kurangkan 1 camca besar) 1 1/4 cawan air 1 cawan tepung beras 1 cawan tepung gandum 1 camca teh instant yeast (mauripan) Pewarna makanan pilihan anda Kelapa parut putih + secubit garam = gaul rata

CARA MEMBUATNYA :-)

1. Satukan tepung gandum, tepung beras dan instant yeast. Kacau rata dan ketepikan. Kisar nasi sejuk bersama air dan gula pasir hingga halus. Kemudian tuang dalam bekas berisi tepung tadi. Kacau rata dengan whisk hingga rata dan licin. Perap 3 jam.
2. Panaskan kukusan, sapu acuan apam dengan sedikit minyak. Kacau bancuhan apam, letak pewarna makanan pilihan anda dan kacau rata (macam cm, guna 2 kaler). Sudukan dalam acuan hingga hampir penuh, buat hingga siap.
3. Kukus dengan api kuat selama 15 minit, balut tutup kukus anda dengan kitchen towel yang bersih (tuala 'good morning'). Bila masak, keluarkan apam dari acuan dan boleh hidangkan bersama kelapa parut (anda boleh kukus sekejap kelapa parut tadi untuk tahan lebih lama)..

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