Grog blog! 7 myths

Beer myths busted!


1. Beer is a man's drink!

Whoa, sexist! Women were the first brewers, and back in Jane Austen's day it was part of a woman's delegated chores. Women account for half of the consumer market.


2. Beer is fattening!

The average glass of beer has no fat and is naturally low in carbs and calories. Over indulgence must therefore must produce the beer belly?


3. Beer makes you bloat!

It is the bubbles from the carbonation that bloat your stomach. So pour your beer into a glass and the air bubbles will escape while you drink.


4. It is full of preservatives!

Most quality beers have no preservatives. Check the ingredients on the label.


5. Colder the better!

A hard earned thirst needs a big cold beer and the best cold beer is Victoria Bitter! Myth busted.
Ice cold temperatures can ruin the flavour of the beer. Best to drink lager at 6-9c and ales at 7-11c. Stouts are best when served at 13c


6. Dark beer is stronger!

Malt determines the color only.


7. If you have tried one you have tried them all!

There are over 100 styles of beer. All are unique in flavour.

Weird international laws!

Practices and activities that are perfectly normal in one country might be verboten in another. Next time you head off overseas be careful not to break these archaic laws.

Don’t go commando!

In Thailand, it’s illegal to leave one’s domicile if not wearing underwear. Commando is a no-go! A Western mind immediately wonders, “How would the police know?” Visible panty lines are preferable to Thai jail.

Save space for the aliens!

Brazil has had its share of bizarre laws. There is a municipal law on the books in the state of Mato Grosso that sets aside land in the town of Barra do Garças for an alien airport.

Leave your medication at home!

Visitors to Japan may not bring Actifed, Sudafed, Vicks, or asthma inhalers into the country. Check your toiletries bag! Nothing with pseudoephedrine or codeine shall pass.

Get your pet a passport!

In the EU, circus animals need passports to travel between member states. Circus mice can travel under a collective passport. It’s up to the veterinarian in the member state of departure to verify that all animals’ passports are up-to-date.

Put a nappy on your donkey!

In Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, a peculiar piece of legislation requires that horses and burros wear nappies.

Don’t chew gum in Singapore!

Pretty much everyone knows about the chewing gum ban in Singapore. It’s illegal to import it, sell it, or bring it into the country for personal use. 

Leave your suit of armour at home!

It is illegal to wear a suit of armour into the Houses of Parliament in England. 

Don’t eat mince pies at Christmas!

In England, it is also illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas. This went on the books in the Oliver Cromwell era, is apparently broken en masse by British citizenry every holiday season.

While back in Australia, we still have to be careful ...

Leave the pink hot pants at home

Women may not wear pink hot pants any time after noon on a Sunday in Victoria. 

Reminiscence ! Mt Kilimanjaro - Tour Review and Tips.

It has been a year since we set off on our amazing adventure around the world. We conquered our challenges, witnessed the beauty of nature, learnt more about ancient history and met some wonderful people along the way. It is now time to reminisce and sum up the experience.

An excellent tour!  Acacia provided a sense of well-being and a high level of security.  A walled compound hotel for guests, accompanied by armed security.  Guides and porters are exceptional.  Knowledgeable guides set the pace, ‘Pole, Pole’, to get you to the top and provide you an insight into the secrets of the mountain.  No words do justice to this tour, only those who have joined the exclusive Kili club and conquered the ‘Rooftop of Africa’ can understand the true meaning of this experience.  A challenging tour that will test you mentally and physically!

See tips below:

1) Pay extra to fly from Nairobi to  Moshi , Mt Kilimanjaro.  Forty minute flight compared to 8-10 hour local bus trip.

2)  If wishing to explore Moshi, a guide is provided giving you a sense of security and a snapshot of the culture of the region.  No independent sightseeing to be tempted.  A tip of around $5 US and a can of coke is recommended.  You can walk from the compound to the city which is around 4 kms or catch the shuttle bus for $1 US each way.  Of course your guide will take you to a couple of mate’s shops on the way.

3) Need to bring plenty of $US with a date post 2006 and not torn/ripped for local payment.  As of Sept 2013 $US 750 per person required.

4)  The hike is both mentally and physically exhausting. Porters are exceptional.  If you need a Porta Loo porter, then this tour is NOT for you.

5)  You can hire everything for the hike from the compound, this includes sleeping bags, waterproof duffel bags, walking sticks.

6) Take altitude tablets.  ½ a tablet per day is recommended. Start the tablets two days before you start trekking.  

7) Ensure that you go ‘Pole, Pole’ (slowly, slowly)

8) Listen to your guide and drink 3-5 litres of water per day.  Water is the elixir that will get you to the top.

9) Recommend Marangu hut route aka Coke a cola route as the huts provide you protection from the cold and a space to hang your wet clothes.  The only downside is that you may have to share with other tired and wet hikers.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

10) Learn`to squat properly – you will need to get down and dirty.

11)  Buy a ‘She Wiz’, or ‘Go Girl’ (females) to provide the option of standing for a quick wee.

12)  If you make it to ‘Gilman’s Point’ you can make it to the very top.

13) When ascending make sure you blow back into your water pack to stop the water hose/tube freezing up. 

14) Don’t drink alcohol two days before the climb.  Drink the big-five on your return to celebrate.

15) Note ONLY 40% of those who attempt the climb make it to the top and unfortunately 10 people die per year attempting the climb.

16) A big word up to our guide, Joseph Edward, father of Edward Edward for getting us to the top.

17) Tipping Guide:  If there are two people in the group, like us, $450 US should see you through.  Tipping break down for our guides: Head Guide $150, Assistant Guide $75, Cook $60, Waiter $40, Porters $35 each.

18) Tipping ceremony compulsory – Need to buy beer for the guides and porters.

Remember, if you can’t climb it, drink it.

Scottish Independence!

"This is the truth I tell you: of all things freedom's most fine. Never submit to live, my son, in the bonds of slavery entwined." William Wallace – His Uncle's proverb, from Bower's Scotichroniconc.1440s

 Over the centuries there have been many battles for Scottish freedom.  

1st Century AD - First written records of Scottish history when Romans invade and seize much of the island of Britain, with Emperor Hadrian building Hadrian's Wall from coast to coast. North of the wall is Caledonia and partly occupied by the Picti.

3rd Century - After many battles, the Romans all but depart the land that came to be known later as Scotland.

5th Century - Gaels or Scoti originating from Northern Ireland raid and settle north of the River Clyde.

8th Century - All Scotland's kingdoms overthrown to some extent by Vikings, forcing the Picti, Scoti and other tribes to unite in the 9th Century to form the Kingdom of Scotland.

12th Century - Anglo-Norman barons including the Bruce family lay claim to much of mainland Scotland.

1296-1328 - First War of Independence. Scots led by William Wallace try to throw off English influence after King Edward I of England invades Scotland in 1296. The next year Robert the Bruce leads a revolt and after years of war Scotland defeats the English at Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

1328 - Scotland's independence is recognised.

1332-1357 - Second War of Independence.

1603 - Union of the Crowns. Accession of James VI, King of Scots, to the thrones of England and Ireland and unification for some purposes of the three realms under a single monarch.

1715 - The first Jacobite uprising. British forces crush an attempt by Scottish supporters of the exiled House of Stuart to regain the throne.

1745-46 - The second Jacobite uprising aimed at putting "Bonnie Prince Charlie" Stuart on the British throne ends in defeat at the battle of Culloden.

1934 - Scottish National Party (SNP) is founded.

1945 - SNP gains first seat in parliament at Westminster.

1979 - A referendum on Scottish devolution is held but does not achieve the necessary 40 percent of the electorate.

1997 - Referendum shows overwhelming support for a separate Scottish Parliament with tax-raising powers.

2004 - Royal opening of new Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.

Oct 2012 - Edinburgh Agreement is signed paving the way for a referendum on Scottish independence in 2014.

Nov 2013 - Scottish government publishes "Scotland's Future", making the case for independence.

Finally another bid for Scottish independence will take place on Sept 18, 2014.

Go n-eiri an bothar leat!

Our back yard! Canopy tree tops.

Our favourite place to stay in the Atherton Tablelands is Canopy Treetops. Set in 100 acres of ancient rain forest; this private slice of paradise offers an unique experience for all who partake. Located at Tarzali in the Cairns highlands; these luxury tree houses allow you to absorb the tranquil surrounds of nature and even comes with its own resident cassowary!   If  you find soaking in the spa with a nice bottle of bubbles is too taxing then you can slip on the hiking gear, slop on the leech repellent and explore the virgin  rain forest. You can also grab take away beverages and some nibbles then wander down to the creek at platypus rock to enjoy the serenity as you feed the turtles. If you are very quiet, you may be lucky enough to glimpse a platypus glide by. The rain forest is alive with the sound of the riflebird mating dance, the deep rumbling of the cassowary, and the scavenging of the many pademelons. One of the best pastimes is chilling out on the balcony in the hammock, as you sway in rhythm with nature you can observe as the tree kangaroo sloths in the branches above you. Be ready at dusk for a visit from the cheeky possums, who demand their daily feed of bananas.

Each tree house (2 bedrooms) has a fully equipped kitchen plus a BBQ on the large balcony, The living room boasts a large wood heater that sets the ambiance rating to romantic and a corner spa in the bathroom overlooking the rain forest tops everything off nicely.  

Travel tip 21!

Some handy ideas to make traveling a bit easier

1. To prevent shoes from soiling the contents of your suitcase, wrap them in a shower cap or plastic bag.

2. Make sure you inform your bank of your intent to travel. This will prevent the bank from blocking your account due to suspicious activity.

3. Store charges/cables in a glasses case.

4. Pack an empty water bottle in carry on luggage. Refill once you as past airport security to save buying H20 at exorbitant prices.

5. To use google maps offline, type "ok maps" and the current area on your phone will save for later.