October 18th, 2006

Coffee in Australia- a land of extremes.

Ahhh the endless search to find a great cup off coffee and a great place to enjoy it. Funny- enough- that is my theory on travel-(and in fact the migration of people around the globe)- the search for new food… or in this case- beverage.

Australia is a land of extremes- lush tropical regions juxtaposed with desert- and the coffee is the same. The average workplace juice of life or the kind you would have at home, is total $#%$%^%. You might think I am being harsh…. But wait till you have tried it. Freeze dried coffee…how do you say…. Ick? No wonder they have to drink it with milk and two sugars! ACK! I think it is actually capable of stripping the enamel off your teeth. Seriously- you are likely to encounter the instant freeze dried coffee on the road, in work places, and at people’s homes. The Driver Reviver locations generally have this too. Known as a “cuppa”- you generally drink it with at least milk. Read the rest of this entry »

October 18th, 2006

Hostels, Motels, and Hotels- General Info on Country NSW

Back in the states- I was a research junkie. I would have all possible hostels, hotels, and motels located and know their pricing structure and avialabilty. Australia does NOT lend itself to this kind of research. Most of the small towns and even in some of the big ones- many of the motels are not online. You won’t know about them until you reach your destination.

At first this completely stressed me out. However, I have learned to accept it. I travel a great deal for business and stay in hostels and motels all over NSW. I never have a reservation and generally only have a vague idea of how the towns are set up. Strangely enough, to my North American mind, this is perfectly fine.

Most of the little towns have one or two main streets and there is usually a tourist information center located right in the middle of town. If driving in- there are always signs pointing their way to the City and Information Centers. Generally only open 9-5, they are incredibly helpful. Kangaroos and other wildlife are major road hazards starting at dusk so I don’t really recommend driving late at night anyway. Read the rest of this entry »

October 16th, 2006

Art & About in Sydney!

October also hosts the Art & About Exhibit in Sydney. During this month several exhibits of sculpture and installations, floral displays, The Face of Sydney, and several other types of exhibits grace Sydney with their statements, colour, and vitality.

One of the boldest statements the Face of Sydney was created by three Sydney Photographers who took over 1400 portraits of Sydney residents in the many different suburbs. From the Portraits, They have created composites of what the Average Sydneysider looks like to create a collective face of the city. To make the exhibit even more ethereal as the makers say, the exhibit is being projected in a massive scale on the side of the AMP building at Circular Quay. This exhibit is only part of a national photographic portrait project that aims to create composite photographs of all regional areas of the nation. Projected to finish in 2008, the full exhibit will be called Facing Australia. Read the rest of this entry »

October 16th, 2006

Learn to Cook! Classes for the Masses!

As part of Good Food Month- many of the premier restaurants offer cooking classes to the public. They keep the classes small –around 10 people and give an in depth look and… most coveted- the recipies for favourite dishes. I took the Class at Benzin Thai located on Crown street in Surry Hills. The class on offer was to learn how to make their extremely popular Green Papaya Spicy Salad. The class was an absolute ball.

We were provided the tools and the opportunity to use a professional kitchen- with one on one tutorage from the owner and Chef. Not just a watch and learn experience- the Chef actually had us work hands on- critiquing and helping our crushing and grinding skills along with analyzing the flavor of the dish we each put out. After the class was complete, we were provided a fabulous meal which featured our salads, chicken and two types of rice so that we could compare the interaction of the flavours in the salad with other dishes. For only $35- these classes are a great value for money and something completely different to add to your travel experience. Read the rest of this entry »

October 16th, 2006

Eat Drink and Cure AIDS!

Sydney Food and Wine fair come dine and cure AIDS! - October 28th from 12-5:00.
Over 100 of Sydney’s best restaurants and the countries best winemakers converge in rows and rows of white tents to set up shop for the day. For about $2.50 per item- chefs sell their signature dishes to help raise money for AIDS research. The funds raised go to help support the AIDS Trust of Australia which provides funding for research, education, care and support for people affected with HIV/AIDS.

The food booths are open for tasting from 12-2:00. Entertainment runs until 5:00. Locaated in the middle of Hyde park. While you are there- check out the hanging exhibit- 2006 Sydney Life Photography- which is part of Art & About.

October 13th, 2006

Australia Forum Thread for the week of October 9, 2006

Check out this topic currently being discussed on the Australasia forum at BootsnAll:

Hudweiser will be in Australia next year, and fesses up to his fear of big spiders. Honestly, I’m glad I didn’t have this thread in front of me before I went to Australia, or I’d have been squirming, too… Ahem… So - does he have anything to fear? What’s your opinion? If you’re not already a member, sign-up here - it’s free!

October 12th, 2006

Cheap Stuff- Pub Meals

One other way to save a bit of dosh on your nosh- is to eat at a pub. You will have to scout your pubs carefully, some are tragically expensive. Then there are the few local beauties that offer $5 steak day, Free steak with the purchase of a beverage (oh darn), Trivia night with half price mains, etc.

If you are wiley and have the time between parties to scout it out- I reckon (Aussie for: I would imagine you would find it so..) you could find a local pub or Thai restaurant with a special every night of the week. Hotel Mosman and The Slip Inn are two notorious locations for $6 meals every night with the purchase of a drink (again- oh darn). Many pubs and eating establishments in the CBD of Sydney have a set menu and drink specials during the week as well. Jacksons on George is well known for it’s drink specials.

Make sure you read the banners on the outside of the pubs to find out when the good deals are.

October 12th, 2006

Daily Dose- Cocktails, Concerts, and Cheap Shoes!

Keeping with my C theme today…

http://www.oceanspray.com.au/
Cocktails- Even Ocean Spray in OZ- likes an adult bevvie or two.

http://www.groovinthemoo.com.au/
JJJ outdoor concert!- Awesome line up! I went to this one in Darwin.

http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/
JJJ homepage – Home of the infamous Gig guide. A gig is a concert. A concert is classical music or a Rolling Stones size show. You WILL be scoffed at if you call a “gig” a “concert”

http://www.olympussports.com.au
OH my gosh! a source of cheap high quality running shoes in OZ (knows here as runners or joggers)! THIS NEVER HAPPENS!

October 12th, 2006

Chips, Crisps, Chilli and Chicken?

One thing I have always enjoyed when travelling to far and distant lands is checking out the local junk food. Even with different states in the US- there is regional variation. I do have to say- awards go to Texas for some of the most inventive corn chip flavours. ANYWAY… back to Oz.

Upon arrival here- at a pub…as one does… I took my turn to buy bar snacks- ie. Potato Chips. I came back with two bags of plain salt flavoured because I was uncertain about the popularity of the other flavours. I was immediately met with massive disapproval and scolded for my humanitarian efforts to sober us up a bit. I was very coldly informed- “Aussies like any flavour of chip EXCEPT boring old plain salt chips!” My tail between my legs… I tucked that piece of information away and watched them proceed to eat the boring old salt chips anyway. While some of you may be saying that sounds a bit harsh… you’d be right.

In an effort to spare any of the rest of you the same social embarrassment- May I suggest: The Aussies love their sweet chilli and chicken flavoured chips the best. (I know I know… it sounds gross). Chips at a pub tend to be around $3.80 and they give them to you in a bowl for sharing. Read the rest of this entry »

October 11th, 2006

Daily Dose- Useful Surf Stuff, Zoos, and Community Radio!

Surf Forecasting- check out those waves before you get out of bed.
http://www.surforecasts.com/australasiaeast/index.htm

Brilliant site- full of good site specific info, history, and gear links!
http://www.surfinfo.com.au/pages/surfzones.htm1.

Three Great Zoos - Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo
http://www.zoo.org.au/

Three D Radio - 93.7fm - Adelaide Community Radio
http://www.threedradio.com/