In just a few hours we are off on a bit of an adventure… well that’s if you call 11 weeks, ‘a bit’. You see, RJ and I have itchy feet. For two people who didn’t really start traveling until their early twenties – unless you count summers at the Jersey Shore or school holidays up at The Entrance as ‘traveling’ – we don’t tend to stay still very well.
It started almost as soon as we met. Three months in we booked around-the-world tickets – there were two weddings and a visa renewal to attend to after all. It without a doubt set the tone. There were various overseas jaunts to America-land [and perhaps another visa renewal via long weekend on a tropical island, ahem] for the first few years we were together and then – with little warning – we up and moved to NYC. From our base on 84th & 3rd we ventured west to ski and drink in bars with saddles as stools; south to lay on the beach, explore ruins and drink margarita’s on cliff-tops; and across an ocean to road-trip through miles of tapas, rally-car-esque deviations and pretzels with mustard. Before moving back to Sydney we tackled 1500 miles, with few worries and even less planning, down the West Coast of America-land.
Then last year I decided I wanted to go to Blog Her and we agreed that it had been ages since we had a proper beach holiday. Well, when you are starting on the West Coast of America-land and want to finish at a beach, it of course only makes sense to go around the world. And as NY to Asia is pretty far, you may as well stop over in Europe, right? So off we went to San Diego, DC, New York, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, London, Bangkok, and Koh Samui before returning home. I managed trip recap posts as far as DC… One day I’ll get around to the rest of it!
Anyway. This time the trip was driven by the IFBC Conference in Portland in the end of August and a wedding in Cabo at the end of October. One guess on how long it took for us to decided that we would not only attend both but that it was decidedly less expensive – or at least no more so – to simply stay in the general continental vicinity than it was to fly back and forth.
So off we go. Straight to Portland then across Montana and to Mount Rushmore. Taking a sharp right in South Dakoda we head down to Colorado. A sharp left in Denver will land us in Kansas City before tracking down some part of Route 66 and eventually ending up in Chicago. Two glorious weeks spent at the farm in NY possibly being put to work picking grapes – dependent on harvest and sugar conditions – but doing little else before we beeline it for Philly to see Ms G. Not being able to stay on one continent for too long we are off to Buenos Aires before Lima and Cusco to hike the Inca Trail. Back to good old NYC [note to self, buy dress for wedding on a beach when in NY, other note to self, you have to wear a bathing suit, stop eating ice cream] for a week, prior to ending with a lovely lazy celebration in Mexico for the nuptials of some friends. Phew.
There are some bits and pieces scheduled to keep you fed while we are gone [haha] including some delicious treats and a guest post or two. No doubt I’ll share some of our adventures along the way – definitely on Twitter and Instagram, most likely on Facebook and probably here as well.
If you have hot tips for any of the places we are heading please leave a note in the comments, we’d love to hear them!
But for now, off we go to start yet another adventure. Years ago a close friend called us gypsies. I can’t imagine why.
Sounds fabulous! I’m from Lima (live in Sydney) and would love to recommend a couple of restaurants and Bars in Lima, and Cusco if you want a couple to add to your list. As with Buenos Aires, have spent a fair bit of time there, if anything, allow me to give you the name of a great bottle of wine!
Saludos & congrats, there’s nothing better than traveling.
Thanks Janice, that would be fantastic!
I’m going to compile a list and email you some recommendations. In the meantime, here’s an article fresh out of gourmet traveler
http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/perus-moment-in-the-sun.htm
also, if you only have the chance to do one fine dining experience for Lima, make sure to go to Central. Astrid & Gaston is great, but Central is special. It also just got voted #1 restaurant in Peru.
Virgilio (owner/executive chef) is a wizard. They distill and flavour their own water, he has a massive herb garden on the top of the restaurant, a chocolate cava with cacao products from around the world, you can even visit his study and look at the way he comes up with dishes and new ideas.
http://centralrestaurante.com.pe/en/index.php
Wow, thanks! We have a booking at Astrid & Gaston bit I’ll def check out your recco too. Can’t wait to see your other tips we are only there for two nights so will try to fit in as much as we can!
When you go to Astrid&Gaston, ask for Diego Munoz, he’s head chef, he was the head of Bilson’s in SYdney when they got that amazing 18/20 review. Diego is a friend of mine, and he worked closely with Virgilio from Central – if you have the chance go to both, if not, while you’re in Cusco you should check out Virgilio’s restaurant there: Senzo
http://www.palacionazarenas.com/web/onaz/cuzco_restaurant.jsp
In Lima, have a pisco sours at Ayahuasca and Picas in Barranco, as well as Huaringas in Miraflores; try to have luncha t Pescados Capitales, they have a few locations and it beats La Mar in terms of scope, ceviche, service. For casual ceviche go to Sonia or Canta Rana. Time permitting, for tapas and a drink by the bar, check out Malabar for food that’s fused with amazonian flavours, and when going to a supermarket, choose Wong. It rocks: tamales, humitas, dim sum, fruit, fresh fish, samples, all of it.
Hope you’re having a blast.
Here’s a facebook link from recent AStrid y Gaston dining photos. You’re going to have a delightful time:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151166439439906.470981.192362374905&type=1
Interested in Street food recommendations?
ANticuchos (beef skewers)
Picarones (peruvian doughnuts with molasses syrup, fried fresh on the street)
Churros filled with dulce de leche
Raspadilla (shaved ice with sweet syrup toppings)
Choclo con queso (in Cusco) – steemed big corn with fresh cheese
HAVE A BALL!
Wow what a fantastic trip!
I have a few hot tips for South America for you.
When you go to Machu Pichu, book tickets to climb up the mountain on the other side. It has the most amazing view, it’s like being on top of the world. Only 400 people are allowed up each day so book in advance. Don’t carry much on the day cause you need 2 hands for the climb (well I did).
Palermo in Buenos Aires had really good restaurants. Don’t forget to try grilled provoletta, it’s delicious.
Have an amazing time!!!
Oh thanks Claire! We are staying in part of Palermo – very excited!
Have a great trip…the only place I’ve been on your itinerary is NYC and you know that place like the back of your hand.
Haha I’ll be checking out your eating list though!
Have a fantastic time (and a well deserved break!) Can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!
Have a great trip – sounds like it’s going to be an amazing time!
I’m headed back to the good old USofA and New York next week too! (weddings as well!) It’s the perfect time of year for it.
Can’t wait to see your pics on Instagram!
Oh my, I am so very jealous of your adventure – have an amazing time. And it goes without saying, when in Chicago, go the deep dish @ Giordano’s. 🙂
Fab, thanks!
Sounds absolutely fantastic JJ! I’m crazy about travel too. I start planning my next trip as soon as I set my feet back onto Aussie soil 🙂
Look forward to hearing about food and travel adventures!
How fun! When you head to Mount Rushmore, make sure you have lunch or dinner at the Firehouse Brewing Company in Rapid City, SD. I lived in Rapid for a while (long story…) and it was by far the most fun place to eat and drink in all of South Dakota.