I’ve always wanted a library at our place. We do have an entire wall of bookshelves now but little did I know that to get the cosy library feel all I needed were some comfy couches, some bright cushions and some library look wallpaper! I’ve arrived at The Duck Inn, a name that is a pun in itself. Formerly the Duck and Swan Hotel in Chippendale, a sliver of which can be glanced from busy Cleveland Street, it has been revamped and redone so that there is a bright breezy beach house vibe to the main dining room.

The duck, who has seen more than most ducks having been kidnapped and all…

The menu is well priced; entrees  are$14-$16 with an enormous platter enough for two at $22. Mains run from sausages and mash and burgers at $17 to $18 to a fillet of beef and trimmings for $28 and salmon for $24. There is cider on tap and an outdoor area that holds trivia nights, Uno nights and the most creative high fiving competitions. They’ve just had a leap year dinner where everything on the menu only appeared on the menu on that one night and will not again until the next leap year!

We take a seat at the Beachhouse which looks out onto the back courtyard where dogs are welcome.

The Apple Thief Pink Lady Apple Cider

The Apple Thief Pink Lady cider is definitely the latest cider drink to create a buzz – the lovely Erin from the Food Mentalist who is a cider aficionado calls this her favourite cider in Australia and it’s easy to see why. Tasting fresh like pure apples it is very drinkable with not too much of a puckery tang to it.

Platter of Prosciutto, Marinated Artichokes, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Pickled Onions, Rocket, Parmesan & Toasted Sourdough $22

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What are the rules of packing for a trip? Start packing a few days ahead and leave your suitcase open to fling in the otherwise forgotten items when you think of them or come across them in usage. It seems to have worked for me most times and I usually learn to pack pretty well (considering the amount of camera and computer equipment that I bring). But unfortunately three triangles of material did not make it into my suitcase for this trip to Vietnam. Yes I forgot my bikini. But that doesn’t matter because I am at Fusion Maia resort and I have my own pool to myself.

Fusion Maia is Asia’s first all inclusive spa resort where all guests can use the spa, facial and massage facilities for free as these are included in the room tariff (around $330USD per room). Everyone is guaranteed of two treatments a day per person minimum and they can do up to 40 guests an hour. Could this be the most perfect resort on earth?

Welcome plate of fruit

It is also a hotel where you can have all day breakfast anywhere in the resort. Which means that three of my favourite things are at this resort-spa treatments, breakfast in my room and my own private pool. I swear I really am a sociable creature but it doesn’t sound like it does it?

But don’t worry about me, I’m just trying to figure out how to make myself a cup of tea. Fresh milk needs to be ordered from room service and with a cup of tea I settle in and try to work one of those minimalist iPod docks to no avail.

OK I’m back and I had a skinny dip in the pool.I’ve also had a chance to look around the room (#2702)a bit. Each pool villa is 50-60 square metres inside with 33 square metres outside. There are also 2 four bedroom spa villas and 2 three bedroom grand beach villas. There is free wireless internet and an iPod docking station that I still can’t work out for the life of me (there are also complimentary iPads for use in the lounge bar or they can be rented on a daily basis).

There is a king sized canopy bed with a television that swings around so that you can watch tv while in the bath or in bed. Mini bars can be customised to your preference and check out is a civilised 12 noon. The only thing that I find curious is that there aren’t as many amenity products on the sinks, just a standard set including the dreaded shampoo conditioner combo. I find a pouch of additional amenities although there is a tag on it saying that there is a charge if you take this with you although I’m not sure if they mean the pouch itself and the use of the items inside it.

I have quick chat to the journos that are travelling with me who are situated in the same section and we’re all similarly smitten. One loves her room so much that she hugs the staff member that has taken her there. Each of us bid each other farewell over the next few hours while we take up residence in or around our respective pools.

Apart from the 16 room spa there is also a spa library, yoga room, steam bath and sauna and swimming pool. Outside, facing the ocean there is also another swimming pool with deck chairs. At the spa there are 13 therapies available that cover the usual massages and foot reflexology and there are unusual body treatments like a yogurt splash where they cleanse and condition the skin using yogurt or a aroma flower bath. There are also facials, hair and manicure and pedicure services.

After some work and finally calling guest services to ask how to use the iPod dock (oh yes, that was embarrassing), I make my way to the spa. It’s enormous and takes up much of the size of the resort. It is a spectacular looking building in white with floating sheer fabric panels and staff member floating by in grey outfits. There are groups and couples awaiting their therapist. We fill in forms and they give us a glass of water while we are waiting. Guests can also take part in meditation, yoga, tai chi, aqua fit and zumba.

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I’m fortunate enough to often be given recommendations for restaurants. Sometimes I can get to them quickly but sometimes it takes me a while to get to them but I never forget them. Sometimes it takes a couple of years. I was recommended Jah Bar by tweeter @helencrozier. As a north side local she let me know about this tapas placed tucked within a side street alongside busy Manly beach. It was close enough to smell the salt air but hidden enough to feel a bit special.

There is the back courtyard which feels a bit like being in the midst of a restaurant within a resort. When you look up there are apartments that look like hotel rooms with towels hanging on railings and people relaxing on their balcony in board shorts and bikinis. There is set of gates where people go back and forth from the apartments, another restaurant and the beach. Inside is more romantic, all darkly lit red walls and candles. Service is very friendly and easy going in that relaxed Manly way and when we ask if it is ok to take photos they answer with a “Sure! You can do whatever you want!” Ha! We love how relaxed Manly people are

Jamon Serrano; cured spanish ham $11.50

We go with the waiter’s recommendations. The jamon serrano, a 9 month cured ham comes out with their complimentary bread and salt flecked olive oil. The jamon, lovely thin sliced of salty ham are good although I still love jamon iberico just that much more.

Chorizo sliced & grilled, hot or mild with sofrito $10.50

We were asked if we wanted mild or hot chorizo and we ordered the hot. Both of us are pretty tolerant to heat and so didn’t find this particularly spicy but it had a nice meat garlic hot and crisp edges. And we both liked the rich, fiery red sofrito tomato sauce that it came with (and should have kept some bread the mop it up with).

Paprika spiced cauliflower with pequillo pepper $11

You know those dishes that you see and just want to replicate at home? This was one of them. The cauliflower came out with a scarlet edged tinge to it and cut into small, flavour packed, spicy florets.

Slow roast pork belly with house made quince paste $22

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