Icebergs Bistro Bondi

01/02/202601/02/2026

Iconic Bondi offers many dining options, but two stand firmly in family favourite territory for us; Icebergs Dining Room and Bar upstairs, and its more casual downstairs sibling, Icebergs Bistro. Both deliver excellent food and service, just with a different mood depending on what kind of day (or appetite) you have.

Today we settled into the Bistro and were looked after by Julio, an attentive maitre d who greeted us with, “If you need anything, just ask me.” True old school hospitality with genuine intent. The kind that makes you instantly relax because you know you are in good hands.

You can order via the QR code at the table or head up to the bar, which keeps things easy and flexible. The menu is extensive without being overwhelming and enough choice to feel exciting, not so much that you need a committee meeting to decide.

The special was octopus with a dairy free romanesco sauce. Of course that was my first pick. Tender, perfectly cooked and beautifully balanced with the nutty depth of the romanesco. Light, flavourful and just the right size to start.

I was there with my daughter and she chose the gluten free lamb ragout. Absolutely done to perfection. The pasta was beautifully cooked, the sauce rich and comforting, and — importantly — there was plenty of lamb. So many places skimp on the protein, but not here. This was generous, hearty and deeply satisfying.

For my main I went with the half chicken, and halfway through I realised I may have slightly over ordered… but no regrets. Juicy, well seasoned and cooked with that simple confidence that lets good ingredients shine.

We shared a side of baby cos lettuce with fennel, pear and parmesan, which was the perfect fresh counterbalance to the richer meat dishes. Crisp, slightly sweet and beautifully dressed.

Add in reasonably priced wines and an espresso martini for my daughter (which she declared “pretty good” high praise), and the whole experience just worked.

Great food. Excellent service. And then there is that view, the ocean breeze drifting through, and the unmistakable energy of Bondi. Some things you simply cannot put a price on.

Devastation after the earthquake in Nepal

19/01/201624/01/2016

My first trip to Nepal was in 2013 and it is the first time coming back since the earthquake.

A fallen home in Nepal after the earthquake

Visible, painful devastation everywhere.

And then to get a deeper understanding, an earthquake of 4.5 occurred while camping on the ground in Fulkharka. I woke to the earth grumbling and moaning and SHAKING! at 1.08am. I knew after the first (very long) second, what was going on. An earthquake.

I was gripped with awe, fear, excitement, confusion.

Was it real? Did I imagine it.

Then in the distance I heard some birds fly off and other animals break out in their tongues. I knew it was a quake.

earthquake damange — My friends home in Fulkharka – now unliveable

Fortunately I was in a tent. No real harm could come to me, unless there was a land slide. And I rationally thought if that was to occur then my number was up and that was that.

Back off to sleep I finally went with a new appreciation of what really must have happened last April when the big earthquake of 8.5 hit.

People say the earthquake shook the ground up and down by a foot and side to side, so much so that they were brought to their knees. It lasted 55 seconds.

Buildings would have been tumbling around them and surely they must have thought the end of the planet was nigh?

earthquake nepal — The randomness of the earthquake

This visit I am here to help people after the devastating earthquake that hit here on 25th April 2015. While 8800 people were documented to have died (many wouldn’t have been documented in the villages), three times as many were injured. And with the hospitals pushed to limits anyway, many died in the fields.

For months people lived on the streets of Kathmandu, too scared to go back into their homes. No electricity, no warmth and still today they are suffering.

Nepal Earthquake — Earthquake damage on the streets of Nepal.

In 2013, I came along with a charity organisation called Journey Nepal. A not-for-profit headed up by now close friend Anne and her Nepalese off-sider Shree.

When I describe both of these people I simply say, “they are the closest I have meet to living angels.” Both people are remarkable souls and very dedicated to helping the women of this magnificent land.

The first time I came I visited orphanages and hospitals and have made a post on this here:

India has put an embargo on the boarder so no fuel for cars can come out of India. The black market is thriving and fuel is now three times more than it used to be. This is crippling the country.

Nepal has to import most of it’s goods – and need trucks to distribute water – despite having the rivers of the himalayas. Electricity is limited and power black outs are a daily occurrence.

Cooking is limited as there is no gas coming into the country and people are relying on butan bottles.

It is cruel, bizarre and heart breaking to know we share the same planet but with different avenues to resources.

I wish to reshuffle just a few of those resources and help a few people.

If you wish to make a donation you can do so here.

Come to Nepal, meet the people and change your life! Something magic happens in this land of smiles and acceptance. My friend Shree has the best tour and guide company in Nepal and you can find out more here.

If you had $75,000,000 what would you do?

12/01/201615/01/2016

Would it involve charity and volunteering?

What a great question my friend and client asked me three days ago.

What’s your passion?

With out pausing, I recited my dream as a ten year old to give every orphan in the world a hug and someone to love them. To offer them hope and opportunity and to make sure they have somewhere to sleep at night. How I would split my time?

It would be split between charity work, raising my children and traveling doing art, writing blogs, making documentaries and doing interviews. To educate, empower and inspire women. That is my passion.

Next thing I know he has arranged for us both to go to Nepal. It feels like a miracle!

Playing with the kids at the Budda orphanage in Kathmandu

The not-for-profit organisation that I am involved with, Journey Nepal, is doing some work there at the moment and I had wanted to be there with them.

Unfortunately with my toes broken in Bali, parting with a significant amount of money to fix them (as my insurance didn’t cover hospital costs), I had doubted my ability to get to Nepal. I was there in 2013 and have been wanting to go back to help more.

And now we are off.

We will be arranging supplies to a school village via a helicopter where we will stay for a few days and help build the school and village. Then back into town to check out the women’s refuge centre that Anne has set up. I am taking a suitcase full of children’s clothes to the kids in the orphanages, some beanies for village children and health bars and more!

Handing out pencils and paper in Nepal hill tribes 2013

Why I like charity and volunteering.

I really love the energy positive charity creates. I can’t exactly put it into words but if you have ever given someone something spontaneously, just because you had something they didn’t… you will know what I mean. It is an energy like no other.

So for me, this is something I have recognised from a young age… or maybe it’s a calling. I don’t exactly know but if it’s been a while since you have done something for some one WITHOUT expecting any return give it a go. See if you experience what I experience … a flood of love and gratitude.

In my rapid preparation for Nepal, people are happily helping out, donating money, goods and good will. I even have friends looking after my daughter for few nights while I am away.

I feel extremely fortunate to have this opportunity and know that so many will benefit once I am in Nepal.

If you did wish to donate, you can do so via my gofundme page.

Young girl in the Hospital and Rehabilitation of Disabled Children 2013

Have you thought about what you would do if you had $75,000,000 sitting in the bank and never needed to work again?

Honestly what would you do with your time and energy?

It’s worth pondering this and knowing what you would do.

Discover your passion, follow your dreams, live your truth.

It’s amazing how easily things come together when you know what you want and what your life would look like.

My life might sound far fetched unless you are nearly doing this… and fortunately for me I nearly am. Life is amazing.

A family I sponsor in Nepal 2013, charity work nepal — A family I sponsor in Nepal 2013

Last week I was camping at Byron with my children, surrounded by amazing people, then Friday I was talking at a fund and awareness raiser for domestic violence in women. Then this Saturday I am off to Nepal doing a few weeks volunteering. I feel truly blessed and fortunate to do what I do.

This is a big part of what makes me tick. I discovered early in my life that this is my calling/my passion.

I will be posting my travels and adventures on this blog and I welcome you to be a part of this adventure. Feel free to add comment and marvel at the beautiful people I am about to meet and introduce you to.

Namaste