Cooking Classes in the Arafura Sea

After my buddy Mike and I went SCUBA diving yesterday he had a chance to snorkel with a small underwater camera. Here are some of the shots he got. We also learned today that there is a cyclone, what we would call a hurricane, following us up the east coast of Australia. A Carnival Cruise ship sailing between Tasmania and Australia was so buffeted that 27 passengers were injured. The storm was so severe in Cairns, where we were yesterday, that all swimming, snorkeling, and diving in the Great Barrier Reef has been discontinued for at least 5 days. On a day at sea Chef Mathur led us in a cooking class. He showed us how he made his Valentines Day dessert, Raspberry Coeur d’Amour on Chocolate Plougastel. It’s a sea day as we are sailing in perfect weather and calm seas from Thursday Island to Darwin. Pastry Chef Mathur heard that I always have chocolate cream filled doughnuts instead of a birthday cake. He said, “I know it’s not your birthday, but I’m experimenting with a new doughnut recipe. I will send some to your room.” Room service just brought these little beauties. Good thing I spent an hour early this morning at the gym.Read more