Bringing Back Cocktail Hour - Marlborough, New Zealand

Bringing Back Cocktail Hour in Marlborough!Back in January we had a blast touring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.  Jenn's brother Brent planned the route and blazed the trail along with Matt, Jenn, and Jenn's stepdad, Bill.  When Brent sponsored Bring Back Cocktail Hour, we thought it would be fitting to apply it to another libation-related tour...This time on the other side of the world.

New Zealand is known for its quality wines and we were keen to sample a wide variety. We drove to Blenheim, New Zealand, rented two bikes, and spent a fun-filled day visiting a variety of tasting rooms.  When lunchtime arrived, we were fortunate to be close to The Brothers winery where we paired a 2011 Pinot Noir with their more-than-generous charcuterie plate which contained a selection of breads, meats, cheeses, seafood, pate, olives, and mixed greens.  We left energized and fortified, ready for a riverside path peddle before proceeding to another winery known for its sparkling wine.

We extend our deepest appreciation to Brent for his "Include an Appetizer" contribution.  It helped us create new memories while reminding us of the good times we shared this past winter.

The Finer Things - Staying in Indonesia

An Unbelievable View from Ayung Resort!TripAdvisor informed us of a special promotion at Ayung Resort Ubud; it was a sign of relaxing days ahead.  This 4.5 star resort had amazing reviews which described tranquility, luxury, and an amazing restaurant...All of which turned out to be true.

We treated our four days in Indonesia as a vacation and indulged in poolside reading, wonderful wines with dinner, and restful nights in our deluxe room.  We participated in morning yoga class, took in endless views containing terraced rice patties and distant mountains, hiked the extensive grounds, and watched playful monkeys traverse treetops and rooftops before several enjoyed cooling plunges in one of the resort's swimming pools.  We ventured outside of our accommodations to visit the town of Ubud, a cultural center for creativity and spirituality, and we rafted down the Ayung River, a relatively calm stretch of water when compared with the rapids in Colorado.

In general, the people at the resort and in Indonesia were warm, welcoming, and willing to accommodate all reasonable requests put forth with a proper smile.  Our last day at the resort preceded a red-eye, overnight flight.  The resort's facilities were made available to us after our midday checkout and extra steps were taken to ensure our comfort prior to our evening departure.

We left Indonesia with an honest desire to return, knowing that we have only scratched the surface of what this country has to offer.