Land Down Under Part 3: The Great Ocean Road and it's 12 apostles, Erskine Falls, and yes, Caffeinated Goodness :)

Not only has Christmas past, but Easter too, before I've posted another plug for more amazing caffeinated beverages abroad. Life always seems to get in the way, yet, I still manage to find the time to stop in to a local coffee shop for some relief and satisfaction with every percolated drop.

3 posts ago, I'd mentioned I had experienced a plethora of caffeinated beverages in Victoria Australia, and particularly in Melbourne. While I was in Australia the second time in August 2011, I did go on a road trip to the Great Ocean Road, southern coast of Victoria, to see some of the most amazing natural scenery in the world. Between photo stops, a helicopter ride, hiking to the bottom of beautiful waterfalls, and the need to get that stereotypical Kangaroo crossing sign in my photo library, a few lattes and other beverages were consumed and greatly enjoyed. Australia definitely dominates in impressing this self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur :)



Latte, Lorne, Victoria, Australia

 This first featured latte I experienced in Lorne in the restaurant of the resort I stayed in. It was frothy and light, leaving a lighter less bitter taste on the palette. A definite A-1 beverage that satisfied my craving whilst admiring the scenic land around me full of wild Cockatoos and ducks.

While travelling the Great Ocean Road, I could not leave before trying a latte with the 12 Apostles in my view. This latte, with the primitive cup and valiant foam art effort, was not the most exciting of drinks, but the scenery and location of where I drank it, both made the less-than-perfect tasting beverage seem less offensive to my coffee palette. This latte, made in a small shop just overlooking the apostles, whose speciality was either pizza slices or deli sandwiches, definitely was not the barista quality
I was used to, but experiencing this latte, as unimpressive as it was, is better than not experiencing one at all at this beautiful part of the world.
 


And lastly of my Great Ocean Road coffee beverages was a frothy and delicious one made in a teensy cafe steps away from Erskine falls, a beautiful lush natural array of vegetation and wildlife surrounding a gorgeous waterfall. After hiking to the bottom of these picturesque falls, then hiking back up the hundreds of steps, I definitely enjoyed the step back and relaxation of this caffeinated beverage boost. The cafe that boasted gourmet pastries and other complementing savories, did not disappoint. It was a time-out i'll never forget as the tumbling falls majestic waters'echoed in the backdrop of my patio seat.

 

 

So in conclusion, Australia definitely has a strong coffee presence and many places to experiences both amazing and mediocre brews. For me, experiencing over a dozen different beverages made by a dozen different shops and baristas, was definitely a world traveller's and coffee connoisseur's dream. They are definitely in my fondest memories of my time Down Under.



The 12 Apostles - Great Ocean Road ~ Victoria, Australia



Scandinavian Shenanigans Part 2: Getting Caffeinated at the most Northernly point of Europe!

My Scandinavian adventure continued through Norway after my wonderful 2-day stop in Denmark.



The Arctic Circle Globe ~ Nordkapp Norway



Full of scenery and beauty, Norway certainly captivated my sightseeing desires and kept me in awe the every minute of my week spent there. I not only marvelled at the gorgeous beauty and depth of the fjords via cruise ship and felt the adrenaline the Olympians did in Lillehammer bobsledding on the official track and ascending the famous ski jump, but I also had the most exclusive opportunity to venture North to Nordkapp, the Arctic Circle and most northerly point of Europe. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I'd experience or discover this part of the world.

The land of the midnight sun as they nickname Nordkapp, it was surreal that at 1:00 am, it was still bright enough that I needed to sleep with a sleep mask in order to see darkness.

Norway, just like Denmark, wasn't short of coffee stops for me to sample various beverages when I fancied a caffeine boost. Several attempts to find Norway's best latte, left me selections for which I reward a 3-way tie.

Of course I could not leave Nordkapp without trying a latte made right then and there in the Arctic Circle. This latte was frothy and flavorful, but what made it unique, was indeed the novelty of its location. The taste and body of this latte was nothing to rate higher than an average Starbucks drink, but the surroundings and environment definitely rated higher on the unique scale. I mean, seriously, how many can really share this accolade of having a latte at the top of Europe? Myself and my coffee connoisseur pal Glade Biddle could, but really, I cannot think of anyone else, well at least in my circle anyway.



NordKapp Norway Coffee House



The second of the 3-way tie I enjoyed immensely just before departing for the Arctic circle at the Oslo airport. The latte was frothy, bold in flavour, had a great balance of steamed milk and espresso, and the barista included the very stylish foam art that makes every coffee lover smile. A definite must for any traveller waiting for his/her flight - this cafe just inside security is definitely worth a stop for a short coffee break and perhaps an attempt to read some Norwegian current events and do some leisurely people watching before boarding your flight.

 Last but not least, the Oslo harbour. Plentiful of beautiful little cafes serving a vast selection of delicacies including whale fillets, this picturesque part of Norway also had a gem in the latte department. Frothy and sweeter than my usual lattes, this beverage served as a lovely conclusion to the gourmet dinner I'd just enjoyed. With a beautiful view of the ships docked and the bustle of the Oslo public, enjoying a latte in this scenic area of Norway will not disappoint your caffeine craving or your sightseeing bug in such a beautiful foreign land.

Scandinavia Shenanigans Part 1: The Caffeinated wonders of Denmark

I have neglected you, my coffee critics and am sincerely apologetic. Unfortunately life got between my caffeine addiction and you. I was finding myself taking short cuts from delicious barista-made creations and settling with a freshly brewed cup of hot water with a pinch of coffee for flavor. Trust me, I suffered greatly for not posting for almost 4 months, promising myself to avoid such a transgression in the future.

My coffee journey in discovering more delightful beverages took me back to Europe in the Scandinavian countries. A most delightful area of the world, Scandinavia was not short of coffee houses to sample an array of beverages suiting all tastes. My trip to this European region began in beautiful Copenhagen Denmark, which definitely did not disappoint in the coffee selections or the cultural experience.

When in Denmark I had the privilege of going to various coffee houses for time outs between sightseeing stints. One particular coffee chain definitely commanded my attention and caffeine needs.

Copenhagen is the home of a very popular and trendy espresso house named Baresso Coffee. The atmosphere reminded me very much of a Starbucks or Second Cup of North American popularity.

Walking inside, the smell of the coffee beans definitely welcomed me to the bar to order a freshly mixed beverage. An array of bakery delicacies were on showcase and resembled a family kitchen more so than a commercial restaurant.

I ordered various drinks from this chain throughout my visit, all of which satisfied my cravings. In particular I sampled a latte, a cappuccino and most importantly, the hot chocolate which had claim on it in being the best in all of Denmark- definitely a front-runner for this prestigious title.

Cafes are prominent in Denmark. The locals enjoy an afternoon espresso by the harbour as they watch the canal cruises go by. The quaint and tranquil city is truly a coffee lover's dream for savouring a time-out drink made uniquely to suit all individual tastes. A high recommendation to visit this country is included in my blog post; as well as hopefully some yen to visit and experience one or all of the featured drinks. Try the hot chocolate and evaluate it for yourself. Best in Denmark you think?

 

The Land Down Under Part 2: The many flavourful Coffee moments in Melbourne, Victoria...

So Australia certainly has brought me many memories over the last year. Many of which were enriched with great conversations, laughs and relaxing breaks between adventures over a flavourful and much-needed caffeinated beverage.

My last post described my experience in Northern Queensland where I had a deliciously frothy latte at the Coffee Club chain that has cafes popping up almost on every corner just like Starbucks and Tim Hortons here in Canada. My Australian adventure didn't stop there. After my vacation in Port Douglas, I did return to the Land Down Under yet for another 3-week vacation, but this time in Melbourne, Victoria and other surrounding cities of this beautiful state.

Melbourne is a coffee beverage capital. When I arrived a Latte guidebook was presented to me for my perusal. Hmmm where to experience first!? Well, I didn't disappoint myself in the many a beverage I consumed and enjoyed. I will showcase 3 beverages I had here in this posting and in part 3 of my Australian segment, will describe 3 more.



Latte ~ Melba's Restaurant, Melbourne, Australia



The first featured beverage was a delicious frothy full-on frothy latte. This latte which adorned a heart design in the foam, was served to me in a swanky high-end hotel named Melba's, found in the heart of Melbourne's busy city. This hotel eatery was a beautiful and elegant buffet with such food stations as make-your-own tempura and seafood bar. The latte was light, very bold in flavour and had just enough steamed milk to make this combination espresso beverage delightful after a full buffet meal. It was a perfect ending to a delicious celebratory supper. The people I was dining with also ordered lattes and did comment that for those needing sugar to sweeten their drinks, this latte proved delicious even with the sugar enhancement.



Latte~ Mt. Dandenong, Melbourne, Australia



The second beverage I'm featuring in this segment I experienced atop Mount Dandenong with Devonshire tea. I was brought to this beautiful little tea room where my latte was coupled with homemade scones, clotted cream and jams, just like I remembered having in England, except with the espresso twist instead of a brewed spot of tea. The latte complemented the sweets and savories perfectly and added the right amount of bold taste. The experience could not have been better when you include white linens, sterling silver utensils and a view from atop a mountain. This is one place and one experience I hope to hold close for a long time.



Latte, Flat white, ~ St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia



The third beverage I'm featuring was on a street in the little town of St Kilda  that featured a beautiful and famous beach in the state of Victoria. Leroy cafe featured a deliciously rich latte, done flat white, no foam, just a white top, and rich with steamed full milk. The espresso was boldly within the milk's flavor, but made me feel fuller with the rich aroma of the whole coffee beans and full milk. I enjoyed this latte without the usual amount of froth for a change and this one did not disappoint. The art also looked interesting when I received it to drink with my muesli.

Stay tuned for more Melbourne and surrounding city lattes and caffeinated goodness to come soon!

The Land Down Under Part 1: Northern Queensland and it's exotic flavours

It's been a few weeks since I posted about the deliciously flavoured coffee drinks I enjoyed in the heart of Italy. Needless to say that experience would be quite difficult to top, however it definitely has been matched with sheer satisfaction in the land down under on numerous an occasion.

Travelling to and in Australia was definitely a major highlight of my life in 2011. I was blessed and very fortunate to be able to go there twice in one year and enjoy different parts of the country in each trip. The first trip in late January through mid February was definitely active with continuous travel and little sitting time. But between skydiving, sightseeing around the Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef, and getting interactive with the gorgeous marsupials of this nation (holding a koala is definitely incomparable to any experience I've had with wildlife), I was able to sit and savour a latte in Port Douglas - a beautiful little town close to the northernmost tip of Queensland.

The Coffee Club is a chain similar to Starbucks down in Australia. It serves pastries and meals alike to our familiar and frequent coffee chains, but also has the atmosphere of high-class relaxation since you're sitting with sand on your feet as opposed to concrete.

This is my first of a few posts about my consumed caffeinated liquid loves down under. Queensland certainly delivered a top-notch energy boosting drink when I needed it most as I was on my way up to the rainforests to zipline and come up close and personal with an exotic cassowary bird - second largest bird in the world between the ostrich and the emu. Thrilling to say the least, though returning to modern day conveniences of electricity and phone reception were definitely welcomed after spending 2 days on solely solar power :). The richness of the froth and the strength of the Daintree coffee beans defnitely tasted flavourful, bold and very satisfying to my craving for a caffeine rush.



Latte ~ Coffee House, Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia



 



Beautiful rare and exotic Cassowary bird.



If you get the chance to head to Cape Tribulation - the Northern rainforests of Queensland and the home of the cassowary and rare black palm tree, it's definitely worth the trip just to be able to say you've been there and seen the beautiful one in a lifetime wildlife and trees that only thrive there. Heck, the experiences of  ziplining and trying Wattleseed flavoured ice cream (yeah WATTLESEED) in Daintree would make me return any day!

A good old cuppa espresso and milk Italian style :)

So I thought to myself while travelling, "there's no way I cannot experience some sort of caffeinated goodness during my visit to Italy." So of course, I waited until I was sitting inside one of Italy's most historic buildings to fulfil that task - Castel St. Angelo.

This beautiful historic building where the Pope was hidden during much unrest, set the scene for my Italian espresso-tasting experience. Myself and my travel companions opted for a much-needed break after walking through this beauty and enjoyed a relaxing drink overlooking the Italian city.

The combination of the strong beans and frothy milk, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon, truly hit the spot and definitely gave me the kick I needed to continue on my merry sightseeing way in the beautiful city of Rome.

Italian coffee really left a mark in my memory. It was deliciously aromatic, strong in taste and satisfying in every way. Should your travels lead you to the beautiful historic country of Italy, do not forget to stop and smell the coffee beans along the way. You will want that extra caffeinated kick while exploring the Castel St. Angelo, the Colosseum, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, just to name a few breathtaking landmarks :). Italy I love you! <3

Latte ~ cafe in Castel St. Angelo, Rome, Italy



 

The Pantheon

 

Colosseum :)

A Caffeinated buzz within the Rhine Valley!

Continuing along on my trip through Europe, the Rhine Valley in Germany, definitely prompted me to sample a beverage or two. The beautiful scenic views of castles on the hills and the water so calmly sitting beneath the charm of the architecture, set the scene to enjoy a coffee.

The group I travelled with ventured on a cruise along the river within St Goar, a quaint little German town within the Rhine Valley. Upon the cruise was a great crew and vast selection of snacks and enjoyable drinks to make the experience even more breathtaking than it already was.

The locals were charming and the coffee - splendid. I indulged in a Bailey's coffee supreme ~ a mixture of freshly ground Medium Roast coffee mixed with a shot of Bailey's Irish Cream liquor and topped with a dollop of whipped cream ~ divine! Definitely a highlight of my short, yet pleasant visit to this miniature version of larger German city such as Munich or Frankfurt.

Should you be fortunate to travel to Germany and get to walk along the streets and trails of this little beauty along the Rhine, don't hesitate to dabble in the coffeehouses and sample their speciality drinks. Not only will it satisfy that caffeine craving you'll desperately need from lack of sleep thanks to the excitement in exploring such a beautiful little scenic town, but it will also allow you to indulge in the beauty of such a great and flavorful cup of caffeinated goodness :).

Bailey's Coffee - Medium Roast Blend, Shot of Bailey's, Dollop of Whipped Cream ~ St. Goar, Germany



St. Goar, Germany - Rhine Valley, May 29, 2009