Hitchhikers Guide to Australia...

One of the age old ways to travel from point A to point B is to stand on the road with a sign and your thumb in the air. It has been a part of life for as long as any type of transportation had been around... Even with horses. So, what is my best option for traveling from west to east of Australia? You guessed it; I stuck my thumb out and started dancing in the road.

From Perth to Melbourne, I was able to hitch 2 rides. The first was a quick hour ride to Dunbury. I got picked up by this guy, let's call him Andy. As I put my bags in the bed of his ute, he comes around back with a case of beer. We end up driving an hour or so drinking along the way. This is something I would not have ever imagined doing. What a great experience. 

The next and most interesting ride was from Dunbury to Melbourne. I met this guy on gumtree, Craigslist for Australia, and we ended up driving the remainder of the trip to Melbourne. But this was no uneventful road trip. On the way, we got stuck in Esperance for 2.5 days, hit two kangaroos before crossing the border into south Australia, got pulled over for speeding and got hit by a car that almost flipped us. This all happens in a span of 1.5 days and we still manage to make it to Melbourne in the same car. Try saying that in one breath. 

All in all, I would have to say that hitchhiking across a country the same size as the US is quite a feat. It has really opened my eyes to a different world and level of trust. Five years ago, I most likely would not have even thought about hitchhiking or picking up hikers. Now, after experiencing the wait with your thumb out and trusting my personal effects with other people, I am able to read a person and their intentions a bit more effectively. Plus, i can say i played the longest game of kangaroo golf in all Australia. This is a win. 

Exploring Margaret River...

As it goes with new world wines, Australia is high up on the list with the best. Specifically speaking, Margaret River is right on top with smooth and dry whites, powerful and full bodied reds and the newly popularized orange wine. Not only do the vineyards scattering the south western coast of Australia follow the traditional European techniques, they are prideful of them. 

Meeting with my friend from Hawaii, we explored many different vineyards and breweries looking for 2 things; a few bottles of wine to drink at home and to get drunk for free all day off great wine. Driving around the trellaced fields of young grapes growing on old vines, I became reminiscent of time spent in the Italian wine country. 

By of course, one of the defining characteristics of Margaret River wines is the alight brininess, or the natural salt factor. This is due to the expansive ocean that is so close to all the vineyards. Swimming in this freezing, crystal clear water was a great way to wash away any subconscious doubts or worries about the world. This was such a peaceful place and it was comfortably quiet. A perfect place to find yourself. 

Barbie at Kings Park...

There is a well known phrase that the rest of the world affiliates with Australia: let's put some shrimp on the barbie. It turns out, there is a multitude of barbies all around Perth. If you go to the beaches, people will have coolers filled with beer and grillables. When you are tossing a ball around in the park, more likely than not, there will be a bunch of people with sausages or roo patties grilling away. It is truly a cultural experience and I am a strong advocate of it.

Lets not be fooled, these are not the common barbecue we know and love in the US, Instead of charcoal or propane burning beneath steel grates, there is a solid, concave metal plate that has a drainage hole in the center. To heat the plate, the only thing necessary to do is press and hold a green button until it beeps and begins to electronically heat itself. there are no heat settings, only on and off. The simplicity of the entire production is incredibly enticing. So please, I urge you, go out and barbecue with some friends or loved ones. Make it a communal "thing". What else in this world is more important than friends and family?

The Beaches of Perth...

Someone once told me that one of the most incredible things to do in Perth is to sit on the beach in the middle of the night and try to find the separation between land and sea. This was, by far, one of the most grounding experiences I have had. Sitting on the cusp of falling off the earth, listening to the waves beat the ground was indeed humbling. 

These beautiful white sand beaches with freezing crystal clear water are more than breathtaking. You can swim out until you can't touch the ground anymore and still see the sand below you. It proves that with a little bit of care towards the earth, we can have such beautiful sights to reward us. I sincerely hope and will work towards maintaining this scene for many years to come. 

House of the wombats...

Perth... The most isolated city in all of Australia. Arriving here begins a new chapter after an incredible and unforgettable month in Thailand. As I am driving down the streets in the back of an uber, a chill of excitement Runs down my back. After more than a decade of hoping and dreaming, I am finally here. This is the place I have been yearning to explore and I will not hold back anything. Get ready Australia, it's time to play. 

Hostel Family Meal #3...

The world loves food. If there is any type of gathering, whether positive or negative, food is always present. The main reason why I cook is to bring people together for happy occasions to celebrate life and family. This is why hostel life has been so kind to me. 

We decided to invite our friends from the Laguna to dinner to return the favor of our last meal together. This time, it was going to be my menu and my treat to them. Our hostel mother brought me to the market and helped supply the food for the feast to be. This was an incredible place to be. 

All of the stalls had fresh and bright produce, some of which I have never seen before. There were three different types of cabbage, two types of ginger and 30 different leafy greens. To say the least, there were not enough options. 

We finally lug all of the produce back home and it's show time. As it turns out with most hostel cooking, utensils and equipment are scarce. So, it was time to improvise. I only had one wok and one pot for pasta. After the linguini was cooked, I mixed my Thai pomodoro into the same pot back with the paste. It was 3 pounds of saucy glory with chicken. 

In the wok, I stir fried carrots with mustard greens and kefir leaves, baby corn with Chinese broccoli and oyster sauce and Napa cabbage with mushrooms and mung bean curry. It turned out to be a success but definitely reminded me about how to be resourceful with minimal everything around me. It reminded me to always look for another angle. 

Sunrise to Sunset...

Two of the most beautiful things in the world are often missed due to our "busy lives". I'm not talking about anything man made, this is all natural: sunrise and sunset. They are early in the morning and  at the end of our day. Each one is like a snowflake in the sense that none are the same, ever. 

Jenny and I started our excursion at 4:30 in the morning to get to the top a mountain before the sun rose. It was dark and cold and part of the journey included riding through a farm in a tiny dirt road. Finally we arrive at the top of the mountain and we are standing in front of a Chinese pavilion with a few tables and chairs all around. The only sensible thing to do is get some pastries, a pot of tea and sit at a table to wait. 

As the sun peaks over the mountain ridges across the valley, the sky explodes with gold and light reds. The light enhanced the beautiful haze that sat at the bottom f the valley. It was a beautiful sight and well worth waking up so early. 

Throughout the day, we explored a few waterfalls and some farmlands. All of these led to the Pai Grand Canyon. We hiked up about 200 stairs to see these beautiful spines that had a about a hundred foot drop on either side. These overlooked an incredible expanse of jungle filled land. 

Once we hiked around and found a great spot to watch the sunset, we set up cameras and started throwing rocks into the valley. With all of the clouds shattered around the sky, the sun lit up the clouds a brilliant deep red and orange. It cast fingers of light all throughout the sky and created an amazing contrast with the valley below. This is one of the most memorable days I have had on this incredible journey. Sunrise to sunset: a full day indeed. 

Hostel Family Meal #2...

There is something great about being able to meet people traveling. You never know who is around the corner or at the other end of your table. We met a group of people who have become like a family to each other. One of those family members happens to be a chef from Scotland. What a coincidence. 

When I offered my help, it was very well received. This was a family meal of course, and the greatest thing about that is everyone lends a helpin hand. This was not my menu so I only offered what chef would accept. Slice an onion, purée carrots, grill the eggplant and help set the  table was mostly what was needed. The nice thing about it was that there was no rush. When the food was ready, it was ready. 

Chef decided to plate up the meal banquet style. We started with a swoosh of carrot purée. Where the dollop was, we put the grilled mix vegetables. At the tip of the purée, we placed 2 slices of beef, seasoned and grilled to perfection. Next to the veggies, we had grilled onions and sautéed oyster mushrooms. For a garnish, fresh picked pea shoots and a beef jus. 

The best thing was when we all sat down to eat, the whole table was quiet except for the tapping and scraping of forks and knives. And to top it all off, we had a delicious chocolate cake with strawberries and chocolate buttercream. What a great meal. We all had to get rolled back to our beds. 

Life in Pai...

There are places in this world that seem to be frozen in time. The farm life is thriving, transportation is limited to bycicles and scooters and the native inhabitants are always smiling. Pai, a region in the northern part of Thailand, is exactly as described. 

Our ride north to Pai was a cramped, 3 hour journey on a road with more curves than a snake. We felt like a can of sardines that was put in the washing machine. But we eventually got to Pai and what a relief that was. With only 4 main roads, it is a small but homey town. Renting out motor scooters was quick and then we were off to Buzzas, the best hostel in Pai. 

One of the main reasons why Buzzas is so good mainly ties to the beautiful rice paddy across the street that rolls into a postcard horizon of mountains. The second reason is simply because of the hammoc setup out front of the hostel. At that moment, I knew this was going to be an incredible stay in the Northern Territory of Thailand. 

Chiang Mai cook life...

One of the most exciting parts about being a cook is that you are always learning new flavors and techniques. And there is no better way to celebrate this except to cook with native cooks. It turns out that there are many options in Chiang Mai. 

I signed up for an all day Thai cooking class at a farm just north of the city square. We began the day walking through the market, identifying all of the produce and different types of rice and noodles. Strolling through the aisles of fresh vegetables and aromatics brought me to a world of tradition and love. Every single vendor was smiling from ear to ear with squinted eyes and a pep in their step. We were walking through the agricultural spread of Chiang Mai. 

Once we arrived to the farm, our chef interactive brought us around Ye lay of the land. There was a pavilion that housed the kitchen next to a small pond with scattered hammocks. In the field behind the pavilion, rice stretched skyward in the small paddy. Passion fruit was growing around chili peppers and spicy basil. It was such an intimate farm yet everything seemed to grow with ease and beauty. 

As the class moved into the kitchen, we had the choice to of 7 different dishes: sprain rolls, curry, soups, salads and noodles. Everything that was on our menu had its own identity and procedure. The flavors may be similar but each dish had a distinct difference. Tom Yum is sour and spicy while the clear pork was salty and fresh. Even the noodles were all different with its added garnishes. It was really something else to learn such a delicate and unique style of cooking. 

Mauro's last meal...

After driving through the rain on scooters,  the black moon party, two crazy long bus rides and some wild Bangkok nights, it was time for Mauro to say farewell. We had spent an incredible 10 days together in Japan and Thailand, it would only be right to have a great, memorable last meal for him. 

Walking down Silom Soi 9, we found a cart in the aid of the road that sold hot pot. For those who may be a bit confused, hot pot consists of a boiling pot of broth where you cook your own protein and vegetables. When done right, it is one of the best family dishes. 

After sitting down and ordering, we receive a large, oval plate with beef, pork and chicken. Another plate comes right behind it with vegetables, rice noodles and an egg. Then... The pot comes; filling the air with a sweet licorice aroma and the slow burning of red hot charcoal. At first Mauro was skeptical. 

After taking one bite, we devoured both plates and all of the broth. Once our plates were locked clean, we sat there for another hour talking with other diners and contemplating the great trip we had together. A great meal with a great travel companion. What could be worse?

Hostel family meal #1...

Hostels: a place where travelers stay to meet other travelers and party. These affordable and minimalistic dorms serve an incredibly important role in a backpackers life. They provide a sense of familiarity in an unknown world. Without them, solo travelers would have a hard time meeting others that are on the same path in life at the moment. 

Luckily, we have them and with time spent in these wonderful places, small families are formed. Bonds that have an unspeakable strength bring our true selves out so we can truly be open with each other. So what is family without food? Some would say hungry. 

At places like Vagabond, anyone is welcome to pickup some food and cook family style for the entire hostel. I decided to give it a go being it has been a bit too long since I have cooked. Mauro, Monica and I went to the market to pick up some goodies. We ended up with a cart full of food and three brains full of ideas that were going to burst out. 

We decided on tender porkbelly with a seasoned pork broth, vermicelli rice noodles with some of that rich broth, baby corn and green onions and a few types of stir fried veggies with chili sauce that was hot and sour. Everyone was thankfully blown away and there was a minimal amount of leftover food. 

But that wasn't it, we had dessert as well. This was fun. I caramelized coconut milk fat and mixed it into Nutella. This was then smeared over a dumpling of banana and coconut. With such a great team and a great vibe, it all came out successful and delicious. And to think this wouldn't happen is quite unthinkable. This is exactly why hostels exist. So we can have fun and make each other happy. I know I was extremely happy. Everyone ate. 

Scooter mania...

When hanging out in the islands of Thailand, having a motor bike or a scooter  is almost essential. Yes, being an island, everything is mostly within walking distance. The markets are all 5-10 minutes away and the beaches are the same. But with a motor bike, you can see more of the islands in less amounts of time. 

Having adventures with a scooter gang adds a whole new dimension of island traveling. The sound of everyone around you, mostly new friends, revving their tiny little scooter engines is the cutest/manliest thing you have ever heard. Plus the rush of riding down the road with an entourage is incredible. The wind rushing over your face while you all search the treetops for monkeys is quite amusing. We all get the airport look. But, I would be careful because you never know when that car will come around the bend and be driving in your lane. 

The Thai massage...

The whole world knows that Thailand has incredible massages. They twist and turn your body into positions you normally couldn't attain yourself. So what would a trip to Thailand be without a massage? Challenge accepted. 

Mauro and I go to a super fancy place that gives you little slippers to wear throughout the intricate and maze like mansion. We get to our rooms and split, one per room. Inside, there is a table, a shower, a chair and counter with a bunch of items for he masseuse. This is where she warms up the oils. 

After showering and putting on a mesh banana hammock, she comes back into the room and starts to give me a head massage. This was the most bizarre head massage I have ever gotten. My noggin was literally being slapped like djembe. She moved all throughout my head and neck in a slapping and squeezing frenzy. 

Then it was to the table. I started on my stomach and was truly underwhelmed by what was to come. There was no stretching and there was no power or order to her massage. It was a random act of putting slight pressure on different back and leg muscles. When I turned over, it was more or less the same. Because of this I had noted to get a second opinion. It was s true disappointment to what my expectations were. 

Meat on a stick...

Bangkok, sin city of the world where anything goes. From ping pong shows to prostitutes a price can be bargained. But why is the spotlight mainly focused on the red light district of this historical and kind city? Filling the streets on carts and folding tables is the iconic food of Thailand. 

Green papaya being muddled with peanuts and coconut palm sugar stands next to grandmothers frying spring rolls and vegetable fritters. The sweet and spicy air currents play at your nostrils while pork, chicken and squid are grilled over red hot coals. It is truly amazing what these cooks can do with the bare minimum space and equipment. 

Of all the carts and stands that line the streets in Silom, my favorite by far are the women with one wok and a few sauces and spices. With the speed of the flash and the muscle memory of a master, she fries some garlic pepper and onion together until the aroma smacks your nose. Then comes the morning glory, beans and chicken with the sauces, spices ad basil to come quickly after. She composes a perfect symphony in under 3 minutes and does it with one pot, one utensil and about 4 square feet. 

Side note...

Travelling the world solo, you see historical artifacts, cultural dynasties and national pride. It is the unfortunate truth that as you see these incredible sights throughout different countries, they all seem to have the same meaning in a different language. This is not to say that one is any less important or beautiful than the other; if anything it makes you appreciate each detail in a different manner. Once this begins to happen, you as a traveler begin to realize that it is the people you travel with that makes the memory what it is. The connections made between like minded internationals will form life long bonds because of that one night you had in that province of the incredible country. Each day, we meet people who are on the search for a new experience and new interactions. With that, we get new companions to share meals and drinks with. That, for me, is the the most important part. sharing unknown food with new friends.

In the words of Afroman, Goodmorning...

Of all the adventures, mishaps, stories and connections made in Japan, there is only one that I was looking forward to the most. Tsukiji Market, the largest fish market in the world, takes place every day except for Sundays, hamdling a total amount of approximately 6 billion US dollars a year. That is correct, a 6 with 000,000,000 at the end. There is so much history that runs through the warehouses and streets around the market. Many people don't realize that this market was not originally in Tsukiji, and it wasn't always named Tsukiji.

The First fish market, located by the Nihomboshi bridge in the Edo canal was destroyed by an earthquake in September, 1923. The market was then relocated to the Tsukiji district and is where the world goes to buy their top line tuna everyday.

The excitement in the air was overwhelmed by the aroma of grilled fish, dried seafood and boiling bones. Every corner turned into a whirling frenzy of pushing crowds and pushcarts. There was not enough room to stand up straight if you were over 5'7" and you were forced to turn sideways to walk. The best part was watching all of the tourists look at some products with total disgust or confusion. There is such a diverse inventory of dried fish, seaweed, squids, seafoods and even sweets. Shops were exploding out of their store fronts with cooking utensils and chinaware. To say it is an amazing market is the largest understatement ever said. If you find yourself in japan at all in your lifetime, this is a MUST SEE.

Yakitori alley...

Have you ever heard of the stupid American charge? Most countries will have a small fee to eat and/or drink for foreigners; especially the American tourist. Whilst on Mauros first night in japan, we went to a yakitori restaurant in Shinjuku. Little did we know there was a charge, otoshi, where it is a state wide charge to drink in a restaurant. So, we decide not to pay that "small charge" of 800 yen and pay only for our food. Not 30 seconds after walking out of the restaurant and onto the street, the entire restaurant staff surrounds us with smiles, politely asking us to please pay the mandatory fee. We decided it was for the best to comply with the staff as to not get arrested. At least we learned our lesson about that!

To follow, we stumbled upon the actual yakitori alley. Our hearing was taken over by the sound of meats sizzling over red hot coals and our nose was swarming with caramelizing sugars and charred chicken hearts. Inside these hallway like restaurants, there are people from all corners of the world chowing down on this age old delicacy of Japan. We finally come to a decision of where to eat and right in front of us is a sign that says, "otoshi, mandatory charge to drink". Mauro and I both looked at each other and laughed. Our very recent escapade turned out to be a stupid American idea. From then on, we had no issue of paying the drinking charge.

Once we made our decisions to eat chicken hearts, pig tongue, liver, gizzard and kidney, we gorged our gullets with the ancient delicacies. Each one of the skewers were just as flavorful as the last and all cooked to perfection. We could not have made a better decision of where to get yakitori. It was well worth the adventures and it proved to be a pretty great story. "How we almost got arrested in Tokyo".

Ramenya...

Ramen. The chewy noodle that makes a perfect nest for a soft yolked egg and succulent roast pork to lay next to crunchy bamboo and delicate, crispy nori. All of this is gently swimming in a clean golden broth that is packed with so much flavor but not overpowering. Every single bite that you take will send shivers down your spine to your toes. 

As you close your eyes, you can taste the distinct levels of flavor running circles around your palate. You even have the option to add some spice or tang if you are up for the challenge. This is the perfect bowl of ramen in my eyes. Outstanding down to the last drop. 

Knives...

One of the main reasons why I came to Japan was to buy a knife. This knife had to be special and call my name from miles away. The world knows that Japan is the leading power of sword and knife smithing. They have been for a thousand years and more. It only makes sense to honor that tradition and bring a knife home from one of these masters. 

I did some research and found a knife smith in Kyoto. This shop has been open since 1190, pre onin war. For generations upon generations, the Shigeharu name has been forging Strong and proper Japanese steel. It is a privelage and an honor to have a knife from this ancient establishment. 

Knife master hand hammering my name and his into my Deba, fish knife. 

Deer friends in Nara...

Do you recall ever seeing a sign that says do not feed the wildlife? In the Nara prefecture, they encourage you to feed the white tailed deer roamin freely around the park. You are sole a pack of biscuits for 150 yen and it's at that point you become extremely popular amongst the deer. 

These deer are for the most part friendly unless you give them a hard time getting the biscuit. They show their love for you with a nudging head and an adorable nose run on your shorts. If they are really "starved" for attention, you may get a little nip on the but or your shirt. 

"Come on man... Feed me!"

These fellows and ladies live the life of royalty. They are fed daily by hand of a thousand servants, roam the fields to their hearts desire, and are surrounded by absolutely stunning gardens and temples. It is as if they were worshiped here at some point in history... Oh wait, they were.