Coldstream Brewery, nestled in the heart of the Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia, is more than half decent. It’s the kind of establishment where you can to cozy up to that special someone, next to the fire, over at least 10 different types beers and ciders. Yep, you’ll be spoilt for choice on a night out at the Coldstream brewery, and not-so-spoilt with a cozy hangover the next day, thanks to a drinks menu that sports ciders, seasonal lagers, ales and pilsners.

On my visit to Coldstream Brewery I took with me two of the most discerning beer drinkers around (my father and the boyf). Add that to a third not-so-discerning participant (I will drink just about anything with a tolerable alcohol percentage) and we were always going to give the full brewery menu a good nudge.

We were given a tip from a local while staying near the small town of Coldstream, in the Yarra Valley and headed off for dinner at the brewery. It was a chilly May night (below 10C) and the building looked as old (and cold) as the hills, but we got seated right next to the open fire. Score!

Like all good boutique breweries, Coldstream comes with a nice start-up story attached. Legend says a man woke up from a huge night out a the local tavern, hung-over and naked in the local stream after dreaming of starting his own local brewery. And so the Coldstream Brewery was founded. For reals.

Ok, not really.

The brewery is actually (to quote the owners themselves) “the brainchild of five friends, who dreamed of owning their own brewery. Three years was spent undertaking extensive renovations on the building, constructing a custom built microbrewery on this former wool shed’. You can read more on their website.

What I loved about the Coldstream Brewery can be summed up in a few short points:

1. Cider

2. Cider

3. Cider

And in case you didn’t pick up on my subtle hint, I’m a huge cider fan. They have fantastic cider choices, producing both a crushed apple and original cider.

Another great thing about the brewery is that they are fully prepared to sit you down for a meal, and then let you browse and drink from the extensive bar menu for as long as you like before ordering food. We tried out the taster first (below), then a pilsner, then a naked ale, then a spring lager…you get the picture.

When we finally got to the food menu, we weren’t disappointed. It’s littered with hearty, pub nosh perfect for a cold winter’s night. I opted for the porterhouse with horseradish scallop potato, prosciutto wrapped asparagus & gravy. Boyf had the ribs (nothing new, he has them everywhere we go) and dear old dad went for the brewery pie. The pie flavour changes all the time, along with the rest of their long specials list, and that night it was satay chicken.

We topped the night off perfectly with some takeaways. You can’t go wrong at a place that asks if you’d like to see the dessert, tea and coffee, or takeaway beers menu.

What makes your brewery experience top shelf? Where’s your favourite brewery?

France has frogs legs, Guatemala has lizards on a plate, Scotland has haggis and New Zealand had sheep placenta face cream.

Mmmm….placenta

New Zealand, as much as I love you, I will not put sheep placenta on my face. No matter how good it makes my skin look and feel. Never.

And if you think this is something reserved for silly tourists, allow me to introduce you to this little celebrity news tidbit that I spotted today in street press, Mx….

Posh placenta

All I can say is, it’s clearly bat-shit crazy to put sheep placenta on your face, especially if Posh is doing it.

I found this placenta creme in Queenstown, New Zealand.What’s craziest thing you’ve come across while travelling and where?

Yes, that’s a HUGE call to make. But Helados Jauja Argentinian ice cream really is the best I’ve EVER tasted.

The ice cream shop sits on Lygon Street amongst countless Italian trattorias and gelato stands.  Instead of heading to the usual chain store gelato clone, so common in tourist areas, I crossed the street to check out the flavours of a smaller shop.

I was greeted by a friendly Argentinian guy, singing along with a Spanish pop song playing in the background, who chirped a friendly hello and obliged with taste testing of several flavours. He insisted the ice cream was made on premises, and free of any preservatives, colouring or gelatin. It tasted as good as all that too.

I went with the delicious salted caramel ice cream in a cup. The first mouthful was an explosion of salty goodness, and I didn’t stop shoveling until it was all gone.

If you’re ever in Melbourne, do yourself a favour and visit Helados Jauja, after all…

Ever experienced The Big I? What’s the best ice cream you ever tasted?

The before shot

As I sit here writing this post, I must admit I’ve got some outside assistance. A sugar buzz. (shortly followed by, but not to be confused with the sugar coma).

In between sentences I’m tucking into the best thing since sliced bread. A Mug Cake.

It also helped me get through another one-night stand post too.

I realise I’m probably behind the culinary times (apparently the craze has been around for a year) but this is one of the best damn things I’ve ever shoved in my mouth, partly because it took me less than five minutes to make.

I don’t know what the mug cake’s country of origin is, but I wouldn’t min betting it’s the USA. Americans know how to indulgent and gluttonous food well. (link to post)

Below is a recipe I’ve modified to be a serving for 1-2 people. And make sure you use a big mug, otherwise you’ll have a nuclear mushroom of chocolate cake exploding in your microwave…

Nutella Mug Cake

2 tablespoons self rising flour
2 tablespoons white granulated sugar
½ egg
1.5 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons Nutella
1.5 tablespoons milk
1.5 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil

1. Combine all ingredients in a large coffee mug. Whisk with a fork until smooth. When measuring the egg it’s easier to whisk it first and then half the mixture.

2. Microwave on high for roughly 90 seconds (can also take up to 3 minutes depending on your microwave)

2. Top with whatever naughty, calorie-filled topping takes your fancy. I like mine plain, but you could add whipped cream and/or chocolate fudge. Enjoy!

The after shot...

Re:Start - big business getting small business back on its feet

Almost one year ago to the day, the city of Christchurch, New Zealand was rocked to its core, if you can pardon the pun. The city was devastated by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, killing 185 and injuring scores more. The city remembered those it lost earlier this week in a memorial service.

But juxtaposed with this sadness and devastation are the signs of a city getting back on its feet. Christchurch is recovering and repairing, and local business are reviving their livlihoods in the most innovative way: pop-up shops made from shipping containers. The humble shipping container has been pimped, and the result is Re:Start -  a mean metal example of Kiwi innovation and resilience.

Shipping container chic - Christchurch style

Walking around the city centre (the part that isn’t blocked off) is a bit of a sad experience. There are so many fenced off buildings, huge vacant blocks where buildings used to be and condemned shops with stock still strewn on the floor. But as soon as I got to the mall where Re:Start is located, that sadness was replaced with a sense of pride. I was proud of human nature and the ability of these brave Christchurch residents to bounce back. These business owners have done an amazing job of restarting their livelihoods. Not only that, they’ve provided a new attraction for tourists. I’m not sure how many locals were there shopping – they are mostly boutique and high-end stores, but there were certainly plenty of international tourists, judging by the range of accents I heard.

Chasel Mall - home to Re:Start

So what about the issue of visiting Christchurch while it’s still experiencing regular aftershocks from that major quake a year ago? I was there for one night, two days and I didn’t feel anything. Likewise when I flew into New Zealand via Christchurch two weeks earlier. But they do happen. The locals say that it’s only the big ones that you feel. And when the little shakes happen if you’re moving at the time (like driving a car or something similar) you won’t feel them.

Let’s be honest, there is an element of danger in Christchurch with all those aftershocks, but is there any more than any other tourist destination? Is it any different to political instability within any number of countries popular with tourists (Fiji, Thailand) or any other region famous for earthquakes, like Japan or California? I don’t know. But what I do know it that there’s nothing like travelling to a place, like Christchurch, where you know your tourism/shopping dollars really are helping get things back on track.

Coffee: container-style

Have you been to Christchurch since the February 2011 earthquake? Or would you go? Why/why not?

1. noun – an abnormal condition of the mind and body, characterised by undue rise in temperature, compulsion to journey from one place to another by car, train, plane, or ship; take a trip; journey: to travel for pleasure.
2. verb – intense nervous excitement causing one to travel compulsively for pleasure.

I’d be willing to bet good money that anyone who loves travel can remember the exact moment they caught the disease that would see them spending the rest of their life struggling to pay the mortgage/bills/rent while blowing all their spare cash on that next trip.

I was a young’en when I caught Travel Fever. The year was 1997 and I was almost 15 years old. The place was Pakistan. Yes. Pakistan.

Until recently, I hadn’t thought about when the year I caught the fever, but when my Pop passed away I found myself searching through piles of of birthday cards, Christmas cards and postcards my grandparents had hoarded during their lives.

While sorting through the hundreds (seriously, there were hundreds) of cards they’d been given, up popped a little beauty I’d sent my grandparents back in ’97.

Exhibit A – how patient was infected with the deadly Travel Fever (TF). TF is known to cause patient to behave irrationally, often taking off from their safe and warm home with only a small backpack, and no where near enough money to survive on.

I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that I didn’t just hot-foot it off to Pakistan on my own at the tender age of 14. My uncle, who was in the air force, was living there for work at the time and was generous enough to ask me to come and visit him, my aunty and two cousins for four weeks. I dyed my fair hair dark so I would blend in, happily covered my arms and legs in public wearing a pink shalwa kameez, frolicked through fields of wild growing hemp on the sides of the roads (I swear, no smoking took place).  I ate exotic foods I’d never tried before like chapati, dhal, lady’s fingers and tikka masala. It was culture-shock overload and I was in heaven.

What’s more amazing than the fact that my Nan and Pop saved this postcard for 14 years, is that I was able to catch such a bad case of Travel Fever at a young age, and in such an incredible place. Only as an adult do I realise how lucky I am to have experienced that adventure.

Thanks Freddy (Pop), wherever you are, for reminding me.

What was your first trip? How did you contract Travel Fever?

I can be a jealous lover when it comes to my books…

Penelope Green's Girl By Sea

Sure, I lend them to my friends. I share the book nerd love but I collect them like that fictional serial killer Dexter collects his little blood samples. I secretly despise borrowing copies from libraries because I don’t get to keep the book on one of my three large bookshelves.

I can also get very jealous of the authors – particularly the ones who pen my favourite travel books. Most of the time I’m reading these when my life is mundane and routine i.e. when I’m not travelling and actually have to earn money, not spend it.

Penelope Green is one of my favourite non-fiction/travel authors. I like to think we have a bit in common; she’s an Aussie girl, a former journalist who found herself working in public relations, but always loved travelling.

A while back Penelope chucked in the corporate world and took off to live in Italy. She didn’t speak the language and didn’t really know anyone. Great idea for a book right? Well, she did write one: When in Rome, Chasing La Dolce Vita. It’s a great book and I definitely recommend it. Then Penelope moved to the infamous city of Naples and voila another fantastic read: See Naples and Die. But it’s Penelope’s third book in this series that I loved the most. Girl By Sea chronicles her new romance with an Italian Stallion and their move to the idyllic island of Procida (pronounced pro-chi-da).

The reason this book is my favourite is that the edition I have is cleverly peppered with Penelope’s favourite Italian recipes (she learned the art of Italian cooking in this book) and QR codes directing you to the You Tube demonstrations.

This one is my favourite. It’s chocolate-based of course…

Green’s insight into the dysfunctional political and social quirks of Italy’s regional cities is fascinating, and her experiences with Italy’s friendly people make you want to hope on a plane tomorrow.

The writing is straightforward and fun; you can tell Green doesn’t take herself too seriously, which is endearing. Her thoughts, opinions and personality jump off the page but best thing about her writing is the ease with which she describes the scenery, situations and people of Italy. Her books are a cultural experience. Her books do what every good travel book should; make you feel like you’re travelling even when you’re stuck at home, paying your bills and not exactly sticking it to The Man.

The verdict?

9 tramps out of 10

But you can’t have my copy, so buy your own or get thee to a library.

Brisbane Travel Massive crew

Travel Massive started as travel networking drinks at a backpackers in Sydney, Australia and has now spread around the world. It’s grown from being just a few travel-lovers sharing beers to a global travel meet-up. Travel Massive is now connecting the travel industry with start-ups, bloggers and socially engaged travellers in cities like New York, London, Toronto, San Francisco, Melbourne and Singapore.

It’s not just about work anymore either, it’s now about meeting new people and making friends. Corny? Yes, but totally true.

In June this year we launched Brisbane’s Travel Massive event. With some of Australia’s biggest travel companies headquartered in the Aussie city, it’s a wonder it didn’t happen sooner.

I was a Travel Massive virgin back in May this year when I travelled to Melbourne for a conference. I met a few travel industry contacts and was invited to networking drinks on the following Thursday night at funky Melbourne bar. It’s been a long time since I’ve been brave enough to walk into a bar not knowing a soul, but that night I did. I’m sure I looked like a bit of a loser/stalker/weirdo but only for a few minutes. I walked to the bar to get a beer and saw a small sign on a nearby table labeled ‘Travel Massive’ out of the corner of my eye. I’d barely had time to order a beer before someone looked at me and said “are you here for Travel Massive?” The rest is history, and a few weeks later we kicked off the very first Brisbane Travel Massive.

More Brisbane Travel Massive crew

So if you’re a Brisbane local, or you’re in town for one night only, come and say hi at our end of year Brisbane Travel Massive event this week. You might have a sore head the next day, but once it wears off you’ll be asking when the next event is on.

Want to know more about Travel Massive or find your local event? Visit www.travelmassive.com for more details and find out about upcoming Travel Massive events and info on the Facebook or Twitter.

Have you been to a Travel Massive event? Where’s your local?

Yes, I’m going to say it. Sometimes too much TV leads to finding good TV. I’m pretty sure Ms West’s quote is not the mantra of the Travel Channel’s show Man vs Food, but it could be. The basic premise of this show is exactly what the simple title implies. It’s the host, Adam Richman, in his quest to defeat food.

Photo credit: Travel Channel

I can’t emphasize how much this bloke is the real deal so you’ll just have to see to believe…

Apart from this superhuman feat, Man has also devoured: a pizza the size of a dinner table, a five-pound hot dog with all the extras and a cheese burger with 12 patties and 12 slices of cheese. I feel sick just thinking about it. But Adam Richman? He feels hungry.

Aside from eating vicariously through Richman and learning about some fantastical foodie creations, the entertainment factor of this show alone will keep you glued to the screen. Will he finish that two-pound beef burger complete with 12 slices of cheese? Is he really going to vomit into that bucket? Watching Man writhe and sweat as he eats a week’s worth of food in one sitting is pure theatre.

Photo credit: Travel Channel

It’s not a sophisticated cooking show, or classy gastronomic adventure around the world, but it’s my favourite food show (sorry Nigella!)

What’s your favourite food show?

noun – 1. A situation characterized by unnecessarily informal or lackluster clothing.

2. An informal chat where one takes advantage of one’s well-read, well-fed, well-travelled friends, using them for one’s own selfish purposes.

My friend Amy spent several months travelling Central America. She kindly offered to be the first sacrificial lamb for a dressing down…

TT: Why did you choose Central America?

AP: We chose Central America as we heard rave reviews from fellow travellers of how great it was. Prior to our trip we had been living in Canada for a year, so it was a chance to experience something culturally completely different and it was incredibly affordable! There was also a diving course on an island off Honduras that we were keen to do. We actually started our trip in Mexico and spent three nights of indulgence at a resort in Playa del Carmen. We backpacked for another night or two in Mexico but pretty much headed straight down to Belize. If we had more time we would have liked to continue travelling down into South America – will just have to go back another day!

Copan, Honduras

TT: What was the weirdest thing you ate?

AP: Well, I didn’t actually eat it but the weirdest thing I saw for sale was a plate of lizards at some markets in Granda!

TT: What was your drink of choice?

AP: Drink of choice was definitely Flor de Cana – unfortunately the Nicaraguan rum was a little too easy to consume, the side effects being unable to move after a night out in San Juan del Sur!

TT: Did you see anything that just blew your mind?

AP: Swimming with 7m whale sharks in the Caribbean while doing a diving course in Utlia (Island off Honduras). We struck gold when on the last day of our course we got to get so up close to these amazing animals. In true Central American style where no rules apply, we all lined up on the back of the boat with our snorkels on and when the captain spotted a whale he yelled “go go go!!” and one after the other we simply jumped in the water with the whale sharks seriously only metres below us. Apparently it was rare to have the opportunity to swim with them and we got to do it five times in a matter of an hour or so. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

TT: What three things are always in your bag when travelling?

AP: Camera, sunglasses, lip gloss.

TT: Do you roll or fold?

AP: Actually, I’ve been know to do a bit of both! I’m probably more of a folder though.

TT: In the spirit of the ‘walk of shame’ what was the dumbest thing you did while there?

AP: Probably trying to learn to surf in El Tunco (El Salvador), after a massive cyclone, which saw the polluted local river run into the ocean. Needless to say after not being able to even think about standing up because it was so choppy, I got a bad ear infection from the gross water!

TT: And so you can redeem yourself – the smartest?

AP: Deciding to take a friend’s advice to go and visit Semuc Champey in Guatemala. It tuned out to be an incredibly long and bumpy ride – started in a bus that broke down, and continued in an old mini-van packed with locals and pigs stacked on top! It was definitely worth it to see the famous limestone pools.

Halloween in Chichicastenango, Guatemala

TT: A lot of people are concerned about travelling that part of the world because of crime rates and not speaking the local language – was that an issue for you?

AP: No, but I was travelling with my boyfriend and we did stick mostly to the tourist trail. We heard of a lot of horrible situations other travellers had got into including theft, corrupt police, being held up at knife point etc, but I have to say we always felt pretty safe and were lucky to have such an awesome experience. I wish we had learnt the language a little more before going as it would have been nice to converse more with locals but it really wasn’t an issue to get by. Everyone was so friendly, and it was great to learn words and phrases as we went.

TT: Would you recommend Central America? Why?

AP: Absolutely! It revealed such a different way of life. The culture, food and people were amazing. Most people were incredibly poor, yet generally so happy with life. Makes you realise how indulgent and hectic out lives are back home. It was refreshing to get a different perspective.