Portugal’s most famous dessert, the pastéis de nata or egg custard tarts are famous all around the world. But, there’s a secret recipe everyone wants... Written for Fine Dining Lovers. Pastéis de Nata I remember the first time I visited the district of Belém, a mere 10 kilometres outside Lisbon. We joined [...]
Featured in the SAA Sawubona inflight magazine Across an enchanting landscape of mountains, plains, rivers and ancient ruins, Ishay Govender-Ypma feasted on the flavours of the Alentejo, the breadbasket and wine barrel of Portugal. Written for SAA Sawubona inflight magazine, 21 July 2015 Acorns and Pastries “At one time we only fed acorns [...]
Walking into the Record Books - Graham Hughes Adventurer and videographer Graham Hughes is the only person to have travelled to every known country without taking a single flight. Ishay Govender –Ypma caught up with him via Skype from his home in Panama What does it take to travel to every country in the world, [...]
Bharatanatyam in Chennai, Rhythm City The ancient art of classical Bharatanatyam dance has undergone a revival. Ishay Govender-Ypma returns to her ancestral roots in Chennai, India to explore further. For Singapore Airlines Priority Club magazine. Her dark eyes are lined thickly in kohl, intimating the drama of a doe trapped in tragic light. She is [...]
A new Way for Blacks to Travel in Africa - Group Tours are In Parties with locals on a luxe rooftop in Accra, a fashion show in Nairobi and a rap concert in Marrakesh, learning a traditional recipe from your friend’s grandmother in Dakar. Ishay Govender-Ypma looks at a new breed of group tours, a [...]
Head in the clouds - Panorama Route In need of a break and a change of scenery, Ishay Govender-Ypma and her husband packed the car and headed for the Panorama Route on a simple quest: explore, unwind and recharge. For Getaway Magazine, May 2015. It’s the gateway to Kruger, but the tumbling geography that plunges through [...]
Guide to Jardins Paulista, São Paulo - Men in Grey São Paulo’s Emiliano Hotel in the opulent Jardins Paulista neighbourhood offers some clues to the lifestyles of the well-heeled. It’s also the prime position for the business traveller. A man in a fitted pale grey suit speaks into his earpiece, smiles and asks me if [...]
Gozo - Malta's Little Sister. Sister Act Through storms, sunshine and architectural remnants of a glorious past, Ishay Govender-Ypma discovers what the Pitt-Jolies recently found in Gozo, sister island to Malta in the Maltese Archipelago– a sliver of paradise. For SAA Sawubona magazine, May 2015 Suddenly, a table flips a few centimeters into the air [...]
Vila Madalena - Street Art and More Vila Madalena in São Paulo has been drawing visitors like bees to an abundant hive. It’s an old charming neighbourhood that’s embraced the transition into white-hot cool. Ishay Govender-Ypma reports on the buzz. For SAA Sawubona magazine. I’m staring squarely at Batman. He’s skinny with angular features, [...]
A taste of the Bo-Kaap - Colouring the streets Beyond the colourful homes and winding streets, the rich history of the descendants of the Bo-Kaap, South Africa unfolds. Ishay Govender-Ypma spends time with a resident guide. A taste of the Bo-Kaap For The Times, 4 March 2015. Houses in the Bo-Kaap, Cape Town [...]
Peruvian Gastronomy: Potatoes, Pisco and Promise The staggeringly vast microclimates across the country, coupled with the tenacity of Chef Gastón Acurio has pinned Peru as the world’s culinary darling. For Mail & Guardian 28 Jan 2015 The Potato Quest There are roughly 4000 edible varieties of potatoes, or papa, most of them originating in the [...]
Durban - My Kind of City Durban seaside Durban by the sea - a short guide for The National UAE. Why Durban? Durban, with its palm trees and banana plantations within the Kingdom of the Zulu along the east coast of South Africa, is often overlooked in favour of glamourous cousin Cape Town. [...]
Chennai Food Guide Formerly Madras, the capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is known for its conservatism, fiery Chettinad curries, vegetarian thalis and milky Madras coffee. For Fine Dining Lovers It’s in Chennai that I start to appreciate the Asian preference for not just the savoury breakfast, but also the spicy one of idlis (fermented rice [...]
Mumbai Street Food Guide – Snacks & the City A diverse ethnic and cultural spread gives Mumbai its unique flavour. While the culinary trend is a growing high-end offering, Ishay Govender-Ypma got to grips with the city’s popular street food fare. For Etihad inflight mag Jan 2015 On the Road Gingerly, I step forward and [...]
Stellenbosch beyond the vineyards - Western Cape Traditionally, Stellenbosch has been the town of wineries and wealthy students. There is much more to experience though, as Ishay Govender-Ypma discovered: Stellenbosch beyond the vineyards. For Business Day 5 Dec 2014. Mandela art work Cultural Immersion Through the tight alleyways, single file we follow Thembi [...]
The Swartland Winelands - Sizzling! While areas like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are synonymous with good South African wines, the Swartland has gained a reputation for its sublime, soulful wines. A tough area to tame, new-age winemakers have taken to the sun and soil here, drawing on a sense of community. Non-commercial, with a striking background [...]
Food Travel Trends 2015 - the tastiest destinations this year We’ve got our eye on the following 8 regions for delicious plates of local fare. Some of it can be found at fine dining and award winning restaurants, innovative and crafty markets, and at bustling curb-sides with queues that stretch for blocks. From spiced pigeon [...]
Peru Travel Guide - Highlights and Delights Highlights from the glorious Sacred Valley of the Incas to often overlooked high-paced Lima and tranquil Arequipa and surrounds. An introductory guide by Ishay Govender-Ypma, for Travel Ideas Magazine, Dec 2014 Kingdom of the Mighty Incas Machu Picchu It’s here that you start to believe that [...]
I gave up Law to Travel the World The Road Less Travelled. For www.changeexchange.co.za 20 Dec 2015 Strange things happen when you give up Law to travel and write a blog (www.foodandthefabulous.com), I discovered five years ago. Even stranger, when the blog wins a national award. A world not accessible to civilians, which is what you were before, cracks a [...]
Goa - A Basic Guide Why Goa? The behemoth Indian subcontinent can take years, if not longer to get to grips with, to traverse and savour. In contrast, Goa, India’s smallest state allows you to cover its length in a day. That’s if you’re in a hurry. This article appeared in The National By the time [...]
