The Great Wall of China

The Terracotta Army, Sidney Harbour, Australia's Breakfast with the Birds, Hot Air Balloon, Outback, Koala Bear

The terracotta figures, dating back from 210 BC, were discovered in the year 1974 by some local farmers near Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. These are our pictures of them.

1doz Glasses I purchased in Venice from a waiter

Picture of the glasses at the Venice restaurant where I first spotted them. I asked the waiter to sell me 1 doz. Don't know if he had the right to sell them, but that is not for me to say.




We gingerly transported these glasses from Venice and through Europe and they made it home safely. Here is a closer look at some of the glasses which I securely have on the top two shelves of my kitchen cabinet.

Australia, Ayers Rock

Uluru, also referred to as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia.
The world's largest monolith and an Aboriginal sacred site is Australia's most famous natural landmark.
Check this site for more information: http://www.crystalinks.com/ayersrock.html

Ayers Rock in the late afternoon

Walk inside Ayers Rock

Bora Bora

Bora Bora lies 240 km (150 miles) Northwest of Tahiti in the Leeward Society Islands and can be reached after a 50 minute flight from Tahiti thanks to Tahihi who offers more than 7 flights a day.

Open Air Reception Desk

50 Over Water Bungalows, 10 Beach Bungalow Suites and 12 Garden Pool Suites.

Fresh Flowers Daily

Outside Shower

Sacher Torte Recipe

Sacher Torte
Origin: Vienna
First Created: in 1832 by Franz Sacher
Enjoy the famous Sachertorte in one of our Vienna Dinner Concerts
Sacher Torte Recipe
As close as possible to the secret recipe of the Sachertorte

Makes one 9-inch, 2-layer cake; Serves 12

Sacher Torte Cake
•7 tablespoons (3.5 ounces or 100 grams) unsalted butter, softened
•Scant 1/2 cup (4 ounces or 175 ml) confectioners' sugar, sifted
•3.5 ounces (100 grams) bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
•Pinch of salt
•7 tablespoons (3.5 ounces or 100 grams) superfine sugar
•3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon (3.5 ounces or 100 grams) cake flour
Sacher Torte Filling
•1/4 cup (2 ounces or 100ml) granulated sugar
•3 tablespoons apricot schnapps or orange juice
•1 cup+ (12-ounce or 350ml jar) apricot preserves
Sacher Torte Glaze
•1 cup (8 ounces or 226 grams) granulated sugar
•1 cup (8 ounces or 226 grams) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

How to make the Sacher Torte Cake

1.Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 2.5-inch spring form pan and line the bottom with a parchment or greased waxed paper circle.
2.With an electric mixer on low speed (or with a stationary mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), beat the butter for 1 minute, or until light. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat for 2 minutes longer.
3.Add the egg yolks two at a time, beating for 10 seconds between additions, or until absorbed by the butter. Scrape down the beaters and sides of the bowl and beat for 1 minute longer, or until smooth. Add the melted chocolate and mix until combined.
4.Whip the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they form soft peaks. With the machine running, add the superfine sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, and beat until the egg whites are stiff and glossy. With a rubber spatula, fold 1/2 the egg whites into the batter. Transfer the flour to a strainer and sift it over the batter as you fold it in along with the remaining beaten egg whites.
5.Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan, smooth the top, and set the pan on a larger baking sheet (to catch the drips). Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out dry.
6.Cool the cake to room temperature in the pan on a wire rack. Run a knife around the cake to loosen it from the sides, then unlock the spring form and lift the cake out of the ring.

How to make the Sacher Torte Filling

1.Bring the sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan and cook until a candy thermometer registers 220 degrees F. Add the chocolate, stir, and cook until a candy thermometer registers 230 degrees F (the "thread" stage). Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir constantly until smooth.
2.Pour the hot glaze slowly back and forth over the top and sides of the cake. Be generous as you pour so that the sides get covered, because the glaze can't be moved once it is on the cake. If there are any unglazed patches on the sides of the cake, use a small offset spatula to patch the nude spots with more glaze. Let the cake stand for 1 hour before transferring it to a plate or platter.

Sacher Torte Storage
Keep at room temperature, under a cake dome or an inverted large mixing bowl. Refrigerate only after 2 days. The Sachertorte should be served at room temperature. Serve with chilled, unsweetened, heavy cream, beaten stiff and a strong cup of coffee.