Best on Hamilton Island - CoCa Chu

CoCa Chu - Hamilton Island

CoCa Chu - best on Hamo!

I can not even describe to you how amazing the food at CoCa Chu is.
My mouth is watering just thinking about it. If you're on Hamilton Island you MUST visit.

Coca Chu is an Asian infused restaurant, fine dining in a casual area, right on the waterfront.

While it can be a little difficult to find the place (maybe it was the two mojito's I had earlier and my obvious lack of geographical knowledge) but is worth a little wander in some beautiful tropical gardens to find.

Lobster mmmm

We were lucky enough to be friends with a great guy who had been invited by the Chef to check CoCa Chu out, he in turn invited us and next thing I know there is a table of 16 of us making our delectable way through an 8 course tasting.

I had no idea about this restaurant, what food it served, what style or what to expect and due to dinner the night before being less than average I suppose I didn't have high hopes. If I had had high hopes, even these would have been exceeded. The food is superb and the service outstanding.

As we had a tasting menu, I have no idea what half the things we ate were, however I will try to explain. All dishes were served in the middle to share.

Dish 1: lobster with herbs & spices. You took the lobster and spooned some into a leaf which you wrapped up and ate. I'm a huge seafood lover and they were off to a fab start!

Dish 2: Soft boiled Duck? eggs, crumbed and with a barbeque like sauce. As you can tell I have no idea really what this was. I wouldn't have even tried it I it weren't for the Swashbuckling Pirate egging (get it?) me on. She thought it was great. So I put the half serving in my mouth, and was pleasantly surprised. Not only did I like it, I wanted more. I ave now learnt that these are called Son in Law Eggs.

Dish 3: Next up, steamed pork gyoza. I'm a huge gyoza fan and have become a little picky. These were amazing. I had Swashbuckling pirates share too.

Whole deep fried snapper in Chinese herbs & spices

Dish 4: Corn fritters with a. Sweet chili sauce. Not sure I'm doing these justice by calling them corn fritters.

Dish 5: Rabbit curry with rice and pickled cucumber & mushrooms. Must admit this was my least favorite dish but only because I'm not a huge rabbit fan. I wasn't concerned though as there was more than enough of the other plates to go around!

Dish 6: This was up there with one of my favorites. I'd never tried it before and I loved it so much that I am going to attempt to make it! Pumpkin curry with vegetables. Oh my wow. I'm in awe of this dish.

Gorgeous Gyoza

Dish 7: Whole deep fried snapper in Chinese herbs and spices with a tropical salad. Chef's specialty - and I know why. Yumm!!!!

Dish 8: Fresh lychees, raspberry & mango sorbet and green tea ice cream. Perfect finish to a scrumptious meal

Complements to the Chef!!

Near demolished desert

Most amazing Pumpkin Curry, pic doesn't do it justice.

Yachting around

Just relaxxxx

Saturday morning we awoke early (hangovers in check) and headed to the bakery before cruising out to Whitehaven Beach for the day. Much to my disgust, the bakery didn't sell bacon and egg pies - just what I was craving.

I dozed on the top deck for most of the trip but jumped up when Capt. Mikey caught a Blue Fin Tuna off the back of the boat! Fricken Sweet! After that excitement I chilled at the front of the boat, watching the crystal clear water and gorgeous island drift by.

We moored out around Whitehaven and taxied over to the island in groups. While being attacked by giant biting flies we waited for the rest to get over and then began the climb up the hill. At least I can say I exercise sometimes! Must admit I did get super tired though and had a little whinge... all worth it though!
What an incredible view.

We had a mini photo shoot, 'everyone together, okay couples, smile!' admired the view a bit longer then made our way down. Back on the yacht, lunch had already been prepared - a yummy tuna salad.

We moved around to in front of Whitehaven, where we saw 2 giant turtles! Awesome.
I then took about 20 photos of Lisa jumping off the boat... I just couldn't get it right! Of course she got it first shot...

Back on Hamo we headed to the pool bar for cocktails. But it was closed! Seriously, who closes the only open pool bar, with the sun shining and the pool packed at 5pm?! Didn't matter though, we had the best time anyway! With the discovery of an underwater camera, we were amused for hours, I can not wait to see those pictures!! Between mermaid posing, retarded faces and dirty dancing poses, I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time. Props to Sean who actually managed to lift me in the air like the Dirty Dancing pose and props to the Swashbuckling Pirate, who managed to catch it on camera!

Brohito's (Mojitos made by the bro Mike) were served back on the yacht - the most refreshingly, delicious drink you will ever have. I want one now just thinking about it. Then there was a rush to get dinner at CoCa Chu.

We were invited to CoCa Chu by a friend to be a guest of the Chef. Roll out an 8 course tasting menu and I swear I would dine there constantly if it was in Brisbane. Amazing, delicious, inventive, mouth watering, insert additional adjectives here - I can't rave enough about this place. MUST VISIT on Hamo!!!

Blue Fin Tuna & Capt Mikey

Sean & Kat cruising

Whitehaven Beach Whitsundays

Yacht life is hard

Whitsunday Yacht jumping

Whitehaven beach lookout point

Reality Bites/ Post-Holiday Blues

Post-Holiday Blues is a real condition. I swear.

As this article reports “The post-holiday blues might not (yet) be a recognised syndrome but it is something that darkens the first few days after a break for many of us.” The article also provides tips for getting through this difficult time. You can read them HERE. I have been reading them over and over and over…haha

But in all seriousness, it’s not that bad. There are some things I am thankful to be home for. My own bed is one, followed closely by normal food with normal portion sizes and no ‘bags to coach at 7.45am’.

The things I miss from my holiday far outweigh the niceties of being home in Brisvegas though. I miss my new friends the most. And Gemma of course, who is back in Perth slaving away at the mines. We met some awesome people on our trip and after spending all day with them on Contiki for 8-11 days it is sad not to be able to pop down the hall to their hotel room for a chat.. or a beverage… or ten beverages. Thank-god for Facey!! Yewww!

After my new friends, I miss not having my bed made daily, all my food prepared for me, having to organise my own transportation… I'm making myself sound rather lazy here, I better stop there.

Luckily I didn't have to go back to work the day after I returned from the USA as originally planned. Since I resigned while I was away it was decided it would be best that I didn’t return to my old position at the Brisbane Lions and made a clean break. It’s been lovely being a ‘lady of leisure’ this week! I have pretty much done nothing, but still managed to hardly be at home? Not sure how that works…

To recover from my post-holiday blues it is advised to think of things you have to look forward to… ironically all I can think of are my next holidays…

• NZ for a week in exactly one month for a wedding when I am bridesmaid and will see my family
• NZ for a week at Christmas a month after that
• Thailand for New Years 2013
• Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays for the weekend of 18 January.
• My next trip to America… hopefully soon! Anyone wanna come?

Anyway starting my new job tomorrow, must go organise an outfit!