You may be someone who burns water or a seasoned home cook, ready to take your knife skills to MasterChef. Either way, there are plenty of reasons to do a cooking class when you’re on holiday.
Here are some of the justifications you may not have thought of… other than it’s great for Instagram.
A couple of km outside of the relative hustle and bustle of Ubud’s centre is a side of the road shack or “warung” with a flaming grill front and centre.
This grill emanates smells so mouth-watering, it attracts locals, tourists, dogs and the occasional celebrity to sample the BBQ, charcoal coated meaty fare, every night until they are sold out.
People in Melbourne get pretty excited about food.
Situated along the conveniently located and picturesque Birrarung Marr, the Melbourne Night Noodle Markets is an event that evokes excitement in even the non-self proclaimed foodies of Melbourne. The 2-week long (free) event offers a chance for friends and family to meet, eat and be merry by the river.
How many sheets of Sushi Seaweed (nori) can you fit in your mouth?
That’s probably not a question you ask yourself on a regular basis, but to save scratching your head for weeks about it, my pal Lorrae and I decided to answer it for you.
This is a tale of making a scotch Emu egg… but not just ANY scotch Emu egg, the most Australian Scotch Egg you’ve ever seen.
After procuring an Emu egg, laid by Esmerelda from the Somerville Egg Farm, we asked the question. What would make this the most “Aussie” Scotch Egg ever cooked?
I’m sitting in a cafe in Milano, Italy wondering how on earth I’m going to process the fact that I just competed with the first Australian team ever, in the World Hide and Seek Championships “The Nascondinos”, set near the ghost town of Consonno, Northern Italy.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned while being a semi-professional gadabout, is to get out of the comfort zone and ask a local.
I don’t mean asking for directions, I’m referring to plucking up the courage to ask people who live in your destination to tell you where the “best place for (insert what you’re looking for here) is”.
Not that I don’t think it would be a great chance to share experiences and plenty of people do it. My mother and I have a fantastic relationship, but when people go on holiday 9 times out of 10 they don’t mention their Mum or Dad as their travelling partner.
So I put the question out there…
“Who do you think the best people to travel with are? And why?”
I received a mixed bag of responses fired back to me, so here’s a wee little list of pros and cons utilising the most popular responses…
Friends
We had a fantastic trip!
This one I’ve done a couple of times. The first time was for a few months around Europe with a long time friend. Everyone said we’d kill each other within 3 days as we had a very volatile relationship at home…
We had the time of our lives, I think we fought once over the fact that I flushed the toilet in her face while she was spewing (sorry mum) but that was about it! We couldn’t have been more congenial to each other on that trip…
PROS:
You have someone to share your experiences with
You don’t have to share a bed… or sexual activity (unless you want to!)
There is less risk of “breaking up” and not being able to look at photos again
You can share the cost of accommodation with them
Safety in numbers!
CONS:
Your friend might snore and you didn’t know it
They may not always want to do what you want to do
Their annoying little habits may be hard to ignore
You may have to listen to their “night noises” if they bring someone back to the room
Partners
The romantic places are best for partners…
Since I’ve only done this once, I’m no expert! Though I must admit its fun to share the experience with someone you’re romantically linked to!
In Thailand I kept proposing to my travel friend at romantic locations (see pic). She kept saying no… I wonder why? 🙂
PROS:
You can forgive the little things (hopefully!)
Romantic experiences can be shared and reflected upon
It may solidify your relationship
It gives you a chance to see how your partner handles themself in a tricky situation (also a con!)
They will look after you if you get sick
CONS:
It could highlight reasons why you shouldn’t be together
Relationship tension can happen if you don’t give each other any space
You could realise you don’t enjoy the same activities (not necessarily a con)
You could break up and have the memories turn sour afterwards
Alone
Please look after this bear…
This one is one of my favourites, though it can be difficult if you aren’t a confident traveller or an outgoing personality.
I’ll never forget the arrogant man who tried to tell me “A woman shouldn’t eat dinner alone” when I took myself to dinner on a solo holiday to Noosa… apparently I shouldn’t have come down from my hotel room and shown my face if I was unaccompanied!
PROS:
You can do whatever the hell you want, when you want
A fight can’t be started with someone who isn’t there…
New friends are super easy to make if you’re willing!
It’s easier to get onto packed transport when you only need 1 ticket
CONS:
You can get lonely and homesick
It can cost you more, especially if you aren’t sharing accommodation
You have to carry EVERYTHING yourself!
It may not be as safe
I have left family out for a few reasons… A: I have little experience in this area and B: Hi Mum!!! (I’m only kidding!) 🙂
There are about a billion other things you could add to each list and a bunch of other scenarios I haven’t mentioned so…