Reminiscence! Mayan Quest, Mexico and Guatemala!

 The world of Tacos, Tequila and Temples! Our tour across this part of Central America started in Cancun and finished in Antigua, We chose the 10 day Intrepid  tour " Mayan Quest".  This tour was described as full of history and culture of the ancient Maya civilization. We visited the great wonder Chichen Itza as well as the  Uxmal and Palenque ruins but spent many long hours in the  mini bus. Thank god for Tequila and our great tour mates. Although we visited lovely towns such as San Cristobal de las Casa and Panajachel, we felt that this tour just was not functional as you had very little time at the sites .  We have since learnt that this tour is no longer running.

Recommendations;


-Read the trip notes of tour before choosing.
-Steer clear of tours that cover great distances in a bus.
-Purchase alcohol to share on long bus trip.
-Hike Pacaya at Antigua
-Visit the Isle of Mujeres (off Cancun) for a couple of days if you have the time. We stayed at Casa Roca Caribe (a lovely, self contained two bedroom unit over looking the Caribbean ocean) http://www.casarocacaribe.com/ MAGIC!

In the world kitchen! Uncle Sam!

PUMPKIN PIES

INGREDIENTS;

395g tin of condensed milk

3/4 cup mashed pumpkin

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 ginger

1/2 all spice

1/2 tsp salt

short crust pastry

2 eggs

METHOD:

Cut the pastry into rounds to fit muffin/patty cake tin. Spray tin with oil and line with rounds. Pre heat oven to 200c. Combine condensed milk, pumpkin, eggs,spices and salt. Whisk until mix is smooth and well combined. Pour mix into rounds and bake in oven for 15 mins reduce heat to 180c and bake a further 25 mins or until filling is firm. Dust with a little nutmeg and serve hot or cold with greek yoghurt. 

N.B. you can make one large pie if you prefer.


                                             

Grog blog! Drinking Around the World - America

There has always been a misconception that American Beer is weaker than beer in Australia.  Just have a quick squiz at that magic number that tells you the alcohol content and you will see it significantly lower than Australian Beers.  However, if you look closely you will see the letters ABW are printed after that number.  For you see American beer is sold by Alcohol by Weight not Alcohol by Volume as in most western countries.  So if you purchase a Coors, a Bud or Millers that has an ABW listed instead of an ABV, the alcohol content is going to be higher than you think.  Likewise, the term Light Beer in American doesn't relate to ABW or ABV but rather to calorie content (so the marketing gurus tell us.)

Ever since President Jimmy Carter legalised home production of beer in 1978, the craft beer craze has swept through hipster nation and now big brand names such as Budweiser have become un-cool, mainstream, and even embarrassing. Instead of big beer, people have turned to micro-brews and craft brands.

Reminiscence! Grand Canyon and Havasu falls!

What is a visit to the United States without checking out the magnificent Grand Canyon!  So, we hired a car and drove along the famous Route 66 on the wrong/right side of the road until we reached Flagstaff. The original plan was to do a mule assisted hike into the Canyon. Like a lot of popular world wonders, you need to apply for a permit. The ballot was not drawn in our favour but we believe it was a blessing in disguise. We took up the offer of a 4 day hike to Havasu Falls in the Canyon Village of Supai. Only a very small number of people actually do this hike. It was a stunning, more remote part of the Canyon belonging to Havasupai Indian reservation. The mules carried all the gear to the camp site, so we could just enjoy the spectacular scenery. Turquoise waterfalls spill into travertine pools, creating a stunning oasis in the desert. We hiked around the area for a couple of days visiting Mooney Falls, Beaver Falls, Fifty Foot Falls and Carbonite Canyon before making our way back.


Hints.

The Wilderness Trekking Company were outstanding.  Eddie our guide was amazing!

We took our own sleeping bags but the company does supply every thing.

We recommend the 4 day hike as 3 days would just not be long enough.  Day 1 consists of an 8 hour hike in and Day 4 an 8 hour hike out.   Day 2 & 3 Hiking the falls area.

Reminiscence! Good Old USA!

We only covered a tiny bit of all America has to offer, visiting New York City, Las Vegas and The Grand Canyon region.

TIPPING!

Tipping is the big bug bear for Aussies when travelling the world. Our Texan friends told us to just double the tax on the bill for your tip.

It is interesting to note that the the minimum wage for tipped employees has been frozen under Federal law at $2.13/hour for over two decades. Despite the fact that the minimum wage for non-tipped employees has since increased from $5.15/hour to $7.25/hour.  It certainly isn't helping servers and bartenders, the overwhelming majority of whom would much rather make a decent guaranteed wage like their counterparts in every other country. It's not doing anything for customers, either, many of whom feel extorted and uncomfortable buying into a coercive system that abuses the parties on both ends. So who stands to gain?

The sad truth is that it benefits the same group as virtually everything else in America: corporations and business owners. How it helps them is obvious: they get to off-load their labour costs to their customers, paying one third of the minimum wage to the majority of their front-of-house employees.

GETTING AROUND NYC!

The easiest and quickest way to travel Uptown or Downtown in NYC is by public subway train. Riding the subway is also a fantastic way to feel like a local during your stay in New York. Subway trains operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For $2.50 (the cost of a single ride when using a pay-per-ride MetroCard), you can use the system citywide and transfer to other subway lines as many times as you need, as long as you don't exit the system through a turnstile. We purchased one pre paid metro card and the beauty of this card was that we were allowed to use it for both of us.

NEW YORK PASS!

Think carefully before purchasing the New York Pass. We found it not really of great value. Most people overestimate the number of things they'd like to see and do on vacation in New York City, so if you're coming up close to the break even point, it might make more sense to pay a la carte for your sightseeing. If you're going to be in town for a week, the New York Pass may be seen as an option, especially because you can evaluate a few different attractions and even return to the ones you like the most.

THE THEATRE!

Seeing a Broadway show is a must when visiting  New York City, but tickets to see these world-class shows aren't very cheap. If you're looking to save money and still enjoy an amazing Broadway Show, here are some tips.  With Broadway ticket prices averaging over $100 each, substantial savings are available through various Broadway discount ticket resources. Broadway discount tickets purchased at a TKTS Booth are typically 25-50% off full-price, meaning you'll pay about $60-$85 per ticket. Standing Room Only and Rush Broadway discount tickets will cost approximately $35 and Broadway discount tickets purchased through Broadway discount ticket newsletters and websites are typically 25-50% off full-price, meaning you'll pay about $60-85 per ticket. There are so many theatre shows to choose from; however, shows do not perform every day of the week.

ACCOMMODATION!

In NYC we stayed in the Milford hotel. It was a great location, situated in the theatre district and was just around the corner from Times Square. (Why it is called a Square, is bewildering. It is more of a oblong shape). The front lobby/entrance of the Milford is chaotic and for some reason on the second floor.   Unfortunately no one told us at check in that you had to press the lift button number for the floor and wait to be told which elevator to enter. So as you can imagine, we pushed the button, jumped in and watched as our floor zoomed by.  It was a scene for Ground Hog Day, for 15 minutes we zoomed up and down, not once stopping at our floor. Crumpled and hugging our luggage in the corner we waited. We pictured the news headlines, "two Australians found in New York elevator dehydrated and emancipated, mumbling incoherently over and over again the number 7".  Our saviour came in the form of 2 young Australian girls who had suffered a similar fate and who shared the secret of the elevator with us.

LAS VEGAS!

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" or so the saying goes.... Great for the party animal; you want it , you got it 24/7. You can wander around and soak up the artificial atmosphere whilst sipping on a lethal cocktail from your very own sippy cup that is hanging around your neck. Classy! Gamble high rolling style or do what we did; find a 1 cent machine and take a pew. If you are gambling, you can order free drinks from the skimpy dressed waitress (it will of course cost you a tip). Outlay after a two hours was $5. Winnings: 4 coronas and $10. Laughin'

ROAD TRIP

What is America without a road trip on Route 66? We rented a car from Alamo car rentals for our drive from Vegas to Flagstaff. Competitive prices and friendly service. It is a good idea to rent the GPS with the car. Another option, if on a long road trip is to buy a cheap GPS when you arrive in USA. Do the math!

Filling up the tank. America has a prepaid system. You pay first then fill up with gas and then collect your change from attendant. Gas is very cheap compared to our Australian prices!

We stayed in the Drury Inn, Flagstaff whilst on our road trip. The Drury Hotel franchise is great value for money. Joining their loyalty system will give you even greater discounts. The staff are welcoming and the rooms comfortable, There is an indoor pool and spa, guest laundry, free popcorn and soft drink available 24/7. Every evening from 5.30pm they provide a free buffet of hot food in the dining room You are also entitled to 3 free alcoholic drinks from the bar per day. Full buffet breakfast is also included. Fabulous value for the buck!

Armistice Day! Lest we Forget!

   

Armistice day is commemorated on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month every year. It marks the armistice signed between the Allies of World War 1 and Germany at Compiegne, France in 1918.


Break of Day in the Trenches.

The darkness crumbles away-
It is the same old druid Time as ever.
Only a live thing leaps my hand-
A queer sardonic rat-
As I pull the parapet's poppy
To stick behind my ear.
Droll rat, they would shoot you if the knew
Your cosmopolitan sympathies. 
Now you have touched this English hand
You will do the same to a German-
Soon, no doubt, if it be your pleasure
To cross the sleeping green between.
It seems you inwardly grin as you pass
Strong eyes, fine limbs, haughty athletes
Less chanced than you for life,
Bonds to the whims of murder,
Sprawled in the bowels of the earth, 
The torn fields of France.
What do you see in our eyes
At the shrieking iron and flame
Hurled through the still heavens?
What quaver- what heart aghast?
Poppies whose roots are in man's veins
Drop, and are ever dropping, 
But mine in my ear is safe,
Just a little white with the dust.

Isaac Rosenberg.

                                                               

                                                              

                                                                

In the world kitchen! Russian revolution!

The weather can get bitterly cold in Russia and there is nothing like a good hearty meal to ward off that chill. Pies, dumplings, stews, crepes and soups tend to be the staple choices. Here is an easy recipe for a signature dish of Russia.


Бефстроганов Befstróganov or Beef Stroganov


INGREDIENTS

olive oil spray

1 pound of top sirloin or tenderloin, cut thin into 1-inch wide by 2 1/2-inch long strips

1/3 cup chopped shallots (can substitute onions)

1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh tarragon

1 cup of sour cream or natural yoghurt at room temperature

METHOD

- Spray a large skillet with olive oil. set on medium/high heat and add the strips of beef. You want to cook the beef quickly, browning on each side, so the temp needs to be high enough to brown the beef. You may need to work in batches. While cooking the beef, sprinkle with some salt and pepper. When both sides are browned, remove the beef to a bowl and set aside.

- In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add the shallots. Cook the shallots for a minute. Remove the shallots to the same bowl as the meat and set aside.

- Increase heat to medium/high and add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 4 minutes. While cooking, sprinkle the nutmeg and the tarragon on the mushrooms.

- Reduce the heat to low and add the sour cream/yoghurt to the mushrooms. Mix in thoroughly. Do not let it come to a simmer or boil or the sour cream will curdle. Stir in the beef and shallots. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve immediately over egg noodles, fettucine, potatoes, or rice.