The Ottawa Tulip Festival

By on May 12, 2013


So what is a foodie to do after celebrating Mother’s day with the family…go and seek out what Ottawa has to offer in terms of yummy treats during the beautiful Tulip festival. Now I must confess, I was completely full from the brunch that I had just consumed. But knowing how I am – all it takes is one good whiff of some delectable treat and miraculously the fullness disappears…or at least temporarily anyways.

City Hall ground’s are full of international food fares that one can try, be it from such countries like the Philippines, Columbia, Lebanon, Indonesia and Germany. Being that I was full I was looking for something lite but yet something that I had never tried or been exposed too…and with that I was seduced with the sweet looking tropical drink that Columbia had to offer. The Raspado, a myriad of tropical fruits consisting of passion fruit, bananas, strawberries, cherries, and oranges all cut up and placed in a cup that has a nice layer of shaved ice and generous portion of sugar cane syrup to sweeten the flavors (I was told that in Columbia there are three additional fruits added to the cocktail but unfortunately in Canada we don’t have access to them). Just when you think the drink is ready to be served, freshly squeezed lemon juice is poured over the fruits to bring out their natural flavors. At this point I was giddy just to try this tropical cocktail. I was told in Columbia the Raspado is served with rum and is very popular and I can see how this would be a very dangerous drink as it would go down rather smoothly…for me it would be a ‘kill me quick’ in the sun.

Right before serving, a drizzling of sweetened condensed milk covers the fruits. Yes, I said condensed milk. The sweetness of the sticky goodness marries well with the citrus acid from the fruits. The  Raspado, is served with either a fork or spoon (in my case both since i didn’t want to make a mess) and more importantly with a straw – a light refreshing snack of sorts. I couldn’t get enough of this drink, it truly is a fruit cocktail – both beautiful to look at and delicious to taste.

As I took in this treat watching people enjoy the vintage airplanes flying over us I had to go and thank the men at the Colombian stand for the great concoction that they created, and with that I was asked if I wanted more sticky goodness for my remaining drink…how could I refuse such a request?!

Raspado’s will definitely be part of my ‘summer diet’…but with some rum!

A multitude of fruits are embedded in the Raspado
Condensed milk being added to the fruits…yum yum!!
And voila…bounty of yumminess!!

Where's my rubber ducky πŸ€πŸ˜‰?! 
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A year ago this week, I was enjoying some bath time while in @discoverdominica πŸ–πŸπŸ˜
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Dominica's lush scenery is extraordinary, and I'm grateful to have been invited to visit their beautiful island😊😊
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Visiting Wotten Waven Sulphur Springs was perfect to relax and rid of some unwanted stress. And the outdoor bath surrounded by all that green landscape was simply the BEST! An unforgettable experience! 🀩
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Dominica's adventure activities - diving, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, swimming - are just some of the many ways to enjoy this tropical island.πŸ€ΏπŸ™‚
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Put Dominica on your travel list. You'll love it!!❀️❀️
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#foodblogger #travelgram #travelblogger #passportready #presstrip #discoverdominica #dominica #sulphursprings #lush #bubblebath #outdoorbath #newdestination #newexperiences #tmactravel #ifwtwa1 #thefoodteasetravel #tmac #tropical #zen #wottenwavenhotsprings
What goes better together than Champagne and lobster?! Nothing, except MORE Champagne...hence the magnum of Veuve!🍾πŸ₯‚πŸ¦ž
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This is the definition of indulgence. πŸ˜‰
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Why wait for special occasions?! Enjoy what makes you happy whenever the mood strikes! 
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Carpe diem!!🍾πŸ₯‚πŸ˜
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#foodblogger #foodlovers #travelbloggers #travelgram #champagne #champagnelover #lobsters #lobsterlover #carpediem #indulgence #anyoccasion #seizetheday #lobsterdinner #splurge #thefoodteasedrinks #thefoodteaseeats #bubbles #more #moreplease #specialoccasions #anyday
Tapas, tapas, and more delicious tapas!!πŸ˜πŸ˜‹
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When in Kingston, Ontario food lovers should make it a MUST to have some delicious and over-the-top tapas at Tango Neuvo. 
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Everything from the tuna poke nachos, scallops, ceviche, potatoes, poke belly to their insanely tasty lamb tacos - EVERYTHING WAS A HIT!!
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This is what summer indulgence is all about!! Check it out!!πŸ˜‹πŸ˜
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#foodblogger #travelblogger #visitkingston #kingstonontario  #tapas #tapasbar #kingstonrestaurants #ontarioyourstodiscover #summereats #newdiscoveries #diningout #wantmore #thefoodteaseeats #thefoodteasetravel
@discoverdominica was incredible, and I am happy to share with you some of my adventures in the latest issue of @ottawawedding.
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Experience limitless adventures  unforgettable beauty, thanks to lush rainforests, breathtaking waterfalls, and volcanic peaks. 🏝 🏞 
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In addition to other exciting activities, I had loads of fun snorkeling with @wanderlustcaribbean and with @mrweskayak from @soufriereoutdoorcentre 🀿🐠πŸͺΌπŸͺΈπŸš 
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And the pampering services in Dominica are beyond NEXT level!! πŸ’†πŸΌβ€β™€οΈπŸ˜
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Special thanks to @junglebaydominica
@wanderlustcaribbean and
@coulibri_ridge for their exceptional hospitality!!πŸ₯‡πŸ₯‡
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Dominica, the Nature Island that leaves you wanting more, couldn't be more true.
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#travelblogger #travelwriter #dominica #discoverdominica #presstrip #published #honeymoondestination #pampering #pamperingtime #thenatureisland #junglebaydominica #wanderlustcaribbean #coulibriridge #5star #luxelife #luxurytravel #weddingdestination #lovemyjob #tmactravel #tmac #ifwtwa1
Who doesn't love fireworks?! πŸŽ† πŸŽ‡ 
With a view like this, im completely on board😍😍
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Year after year, @grandsfeuxducasino puts on an incredible show, where various countries compete in the juried pyromusical show.
On this particular evening, I happen to be at the right place to watch Italy perform their magic!βœ¨οΈπŸŽ†
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What more could you ask for when you have breathtaking fireworks displayed in the backdrop of the stunning @natgallerycan as it illuminates the night sky? And let's not forget to mention Ottawa's famous spider sculpture, which adds that extra something to any photo. πŸ•·πŸ•Έ
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Here's to enjoying more summer evenings! 
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#foodblogger #travelblogger #travelgrams #ifwtwa1 #tmactravel #tmac #fireworks #lesgrandsfeuxducasinodulacleamy #fireworkcompetition #italy #rightplacerighttime #summerevening #ottawaphoto
After several years (and many obstacles), I am happy to share that my East Asia adventure to Hong Kong and Taiwan was recently published in the @fwtmagazine
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Special thanks to Discover Hong Kong Tour Taiwan - TTB America and Hong Kong Airlines 香港θˆͺη©Ί for this incredible experience, filled with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and lasting memories.😊
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I relished every moment: βœ…οΈ Hong Kong's endless and impressive skyscrapers 
βœ…οΈ The majestical Tian Tian bronze Buddha in the mountains (walking up the endless stairs to see the Buddha upclose was worth it)
βœ…οΈ The famous Shilin Night Market, the largest and most famous night market in Taiwan πŸ˜‹πŸ˜‹
βœ…οΈ Learning survival skills from their renowned Cidal Hunter School in the mountains
βœ…οΈ And so much more!!
= This adventure can only be described as EPIC‼️
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I'm looking forward to the next chapter!!🌏✈️
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#foodblogger
#travelblogger
#published
#travelwriter #fwt #ifwtwa1 #taiwan #taiwanfood #nightmarket #hongkong #hongkongfood #hongkongairlines #epic #passportready #lovemyjob #foodwriter #thefoodteasetravel #tmac #asia #discoverasia #gratefulfortheopportunity

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