China, Qingdao
...so of course we had to take a shot at impersonating it ourselves.

The Awful, Rotten, No Good, Low Down Qingdao International Beer Festival

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Call me an optimist, but I like to think a beer festival is a pretty hard thing to screw up. Everybody likes festivals and everybody likes beer. Putting them together just makes sense.

And when my last visit to Qingdao proved to be a culinary delight accompanied by some of the Tsingtao Brewery’s fantastic dark beer, I went back to Qingdao with the false impression that the Qingdao International Beer Festival would be amazing. And if not amazing – it would still be a beer festival.

I was wrong.

The Posse Comes to Qingdao

Of late; myself, Byron (of Byron & His Backpacks fame), and my co-worker James have made a habit of taking a fortnightly holiday away from the sweaty, anti-social squalor of Nanjing. I’ve yet to share the tale of our visit to Hangzhou to take in West Lake’s majesty – but suffice to say, it’s a damn fun little posse to be a part of.

Byron (aka Beeker) is so not the serious one that this photo is perfect.
Byron (aka Beeker) is so not the serious one that this photo is perfect.
Despite my bookish appearance, I actually lead the thug life. Here I can be seen rolling two furries deep.
Despite my bookish appearance, I actually lead the thug life. Here I can be seen rolling two furries deep.

 

As you can see, James is the stylish member of the group.
As you can see, James is the stylish member of the group.

After wrapping up our working weeks and filling the five hour train ride to Qingdao with old Wrestlemania, Civilization Revolution on iPad, and a bit of Patrick Rothfuss’ infuriatingly unfinished Kingkiller Chronicles; it was time to check into our room at the Kaiyun Youth Hostel and hit the town.

Well… gently carress it.

You see, after a five hour train ride and a ‘long’ working week (I’m not sure my 8 hours or Byron’s 4 hours really count) we were more hungry and tired than ready to party. But at 11pm in Qingdao, apparently your options are rather limited.

We opted to be underwhelmed by China’s impersonation of KFC and a couple of sneaky Vodka Cruisers. We’re classy lads. Bellies full and visions of a boozy day’s festivities ahead of us, we turned in early.

The Festival

The first difference between what I’d read and the reality of the festival was its location. Where the Qingdao International Beer Festival had previously been held at the aptly named Beer Street; it was now held some twenty five minutes cab ride away in an industrial estate.

Far removed from the city of Qingdao, the famous Tsing Tao Brewery, and a street full of fresh seafood – the festival instead featured a bunch of tents set up in what is usually some kind of entertainment centre.

Streets choked with cars alerted us to our imminent arrival, and soon we were handing over 10RMB ($1.50) to get into the festival. Our hearts were racing and our faces wore the kind of grins usually reserved for children on Christmas morning. We were going to get drink, drank, drunk.

Tent #1 – Paulaner

Our first port of call happened to be the one closest to the entrance. Fancy that. The Paulaner brand is fairly well known to use due to its brew-restaurants in Nanjing and Shanghai (among other places) and seemed as good a place as any to start. It was only 11.30, so we weren’t particularly surprised by the small crowd. The smell of German sausage and sizzling seafood reached our nostrils. We were in heaven.

Paulaner's dark beer proved to be the high point of the day for us beer-wise.
Paulaner’s dark beer proved to be the high point of the day for us beer-wise.

A pretty young bar-maid skipped up to us and asked us what we’d like.

“We’ll take three dark beers”.

“Large or small?”

Was this girl for real?

“Large”.

Byron and James enjoy the first of many beers at the Qingdao International Beer Festival
Byron and James enjoy the first of many beers at the Qingdao International Beer Festival

Soon we were nursing comically large steins of pretty good dunkel style German beer. The cost? A princely 120RMB ($20) for a litre. A far cry from the usual price of beer in China.

But the beer was cold and hearty and pretty bloody good. We were in a happy place. Unfortunately, from a festival perspective, this would be as good as it got.

These three were some kind of mascot
These three were some kind of mascot…
...so of course we had to take a shot at impersonating it ourselves.
…so of course we had to take a shot at impersonating them ourselves.

Tent #2 – Tsingtao

An hour and a litre of fine dunkel later, we made our way next door to the Tsingtao tent. We were surprised to see it was almost identical to the first tent: a stage with a karaoke level performance, lots of trestle tables, a bar at the front, and tired looking servers carrying around plates of food they’d pester you to buy.

But this one happened to have girls in bikinis dancing around on stage too, so we thought it’d do.

Who needs a glass?
Who needs a glass?

It also had some bloody watery beer (even by Chinese standards) and luke warm crab that tasted like it had soaked in brine for a day.

James' reaction to the crab was probably right.. It was foul.
James’ reaction to the crab was probably right.. It was foul.

The crab was a real warning of things to come. Across the day we’d try food at several different locations and all to the same general outcome: stale fries, cold shao kao (BBQ), and bland churros. For the prices we were paying, we would have liked something remotely palatable.

I daresay this ice cream from the highlight of James' day.
I daresay this ice cream from the highlight of James’ day.

The Problem

You’d think two litres of beer into our day, we’d be in high spirits. But as we moved to our third and fourth tents, we began to realize something: they were all the same.

Heineken, Tsingtao, Carlsberg, Tiger, Paulaner… every tent was essentially the same. Trestle tables, a stage, over-priced beer, and awful food. In three separate tents the only entertainment was a rerun of China’s interpretation of The Voice. It was as we drank another nondescript, watery jug of beer that we began to realise that the ‘international’ part of the Qingdao International Beer Festival was a crock of shit.

I’ll be stunned if Carlsberg, Tiger, or Heineken had any input at all into their ‘participation’ in the festival. It felt more like the local Chamber of Commerce had just erected tents for every awful beer that could be purchased in bulk.

It's surprisingly easy to put on a brave face when you've had 4-5 litres of beer.
It’s surprisingly easy to put on a brave face when you’ve had 4-5 litres of beer.

Making Our Own Fun

I won’t say that we had a miserable time, because that would be a lie. We aren’t forcing smiles for these photos.

We had a hell of a good time winning cheap stuffed toys throwing darts on the Midway.

Byron and I subjected ourselves to the abject awfulness of starfish.

We rode a ride for $15 and posed for photos with all and sundry.

I had a bloody fantastic weekend away, but it had almost nothing to do with the Qingdao International Beer Festival. It was a combination of good mates and alcohol, and I could have had that in Nanjing for a fraction of the price and effort.

Despite only missing a single balloon, it seemed impossible to win a prize of any real size.
Despite only missing a single balloon, it seemed impossible to win a prize of any real size.
We are entirely too excited about this.
We are entirely too excited about this.

The alcohol, however awful in taste, certainly helped. But the entire day felt like a colossal missed opportunity and a waste of money.

Rather than drinking beers from around the world and enjoying a unique experience, we were basically moving from identical tent to identical tent being underwhelmed by the just how awful Chinese beer is.

If it had been the Qingdao Chinese Beer Festival, I’d have gone in expecting that. But the Qingdao International Beer Festival should have something a little more exotic from the Carlsberg, Heineken, or Tiger we could have picked up for 1/8th of the price in any corner store or bar worth a damn.

Don’t even get me started on the ridiculously expensive carnival rides, either. $15 for two minutes is criminal even by Australian standards. I doubt the poor bastards labouring in the 32C heat were getting any extra money for their work, so it was just another cash grab from the people behind the festival.

Don’t Bother

Should you go to the Qingdao International Beer Festival? Almost certainly not.

Even if you’re in Qingdao, it’s just not worth the time or money. You could celebrate beer from around the world far more easily at any respectable bar and actually sample something decent.

The festival is out of the way, poorly organised, overpriced, and is less international than my own meager dating history. A complete and utter disappointment.

Maybe in the past the festival was actually something worthwhile. In its current form, it’s infinitely missable.

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Byron and I try to eat a starfish. It doesn’t go well.

Europe, Norway
Photo by geoftheref

Guest Post: Skiing – Better for you than you might realise?

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Skiing: Better for you than you might realise?

It’s well-known that for anyone looking to get into shape, there are few things better than taking up sport. It could involve being part of a team or just you doing whatever you fancy at your own accord, but as long as it’s physically challenging, it’s the right thing to do. In summer, there are plenty of options if you’re struggling to pick one, but what about winter?

While it might be harder to take up something like football or cross-country running when the ground is covered in snow and black ice, there are some sports which use the wintry climate to their advantage. Arguably the best of all winter sports is skiing, which is popular throughout the mountainous regions of Europe and North America, but can it keep you fit?

Slaloming towards slimness?

Skiing is ideal in a resort located somewhere like the Alps, Pyrenees or even somewhere in northern Scandinavia where the weather is reliably snowy from November to March. The slopes make it easier for you to ski, while some resorts offer further opportunities to get fit, detoxify and relax – Inghams have a range of resorts which have on-site or nearby spas where you can get all that done.

Skiing isn't just a lot of fun, it's also remarkably good for you.
Skiing isn’t just a lot of fun, it’s also remarkably good for you. Photo by fiction300

If you decide to take up skiing, you might be surprised to learn of how it can benefit your health, especially if you’re intent on losing weight after piling on the pounds at Christmas. When skiing, your entire body is working, but most of the movement is around the abdominal area, which dictates the movement of your limbs. This extra work could lead to a flatter stomach as a result of weight loss.

Setting the tone

Another positive effect of skiing a few hours or so every day is that it can also help to make your physique look a little bit more toned. This is because many of the muscles in the body are being used regularly, which means that as they become accustomed to skiing on a regular basis, they become leaner and stronger, which will make you look much better than you did prior to hitting the slopes.

A toned, slim body will also help to boost flexibility. As your body becomes used to working around the contours of the mountainside, it will help to make movement less of a problem, especially as your skiing skills become that little bit more advanced. Cross-country skiing is perfect for you if it’s something more challenging you’re after.

Cross country skiing is some damned intensive cardio
Cross country skiing is some damned intensive cardio. Photo by propagandalf

On top of that, going on a skiing break, even if it’s just for a week, may help you to feel that little bit more relaxed. Being able to head back to the hotel, a spa, Jacuzzi or cabin and put your feet up will help the body to recover, preparing you for your next skiing session and helping you to make the most of your break.

Your Say

Have you done much skiing in your life? What effects have you noticed on your own physique?

Asia, Cambodia

Guest Post: 5 Tips for Exploring the Magic of Angkor Wat

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While I’ve now been to Angkor Wat and been overawed by its majesty, I’m still about a year behind in my writing. So, while I wrap up last year’s trip to the United States, here’s a piece featuring a few choice tips on how to do Angkor Wat right.

5 Tips for Exploring the Magic of Angkor Wat

My first thought when I saw Angkor Wat was that I didn’t feel small when I looked at it, in the same way that one feels while looking out at the ocean. Instead, I only felt the greatness of humankind, and the magnificent capacity of man to build a temple complex such as Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat is the largest Hindu temple complex and religious monument in the world. It lies just outside the Cambodian city of Siem Reap. Angkor Wat extends over 400 square kilometres and consists of temples, structures, and communications routes. For those thinking of visiting Cambodia, Angkor Wat is a must see.

Angkor Wat is one of the most stunning places on earth.
Angkor Wat is one of the most stunning places on earth.

Here are my top 5 tips for visiting this temple complex:

1) Travel with a small group

I think it is best to travel to Siem Reap with a group of 4 or less. This way, your group will always be able to fit into a tuk tuk, and there is a greater chance that your group will be able to walk around Angkor Wat at the same pace.

2) Stay at a youth hostel in Siem Reap

Youth hostels in the Siem Reap are reasonably priced, more centrally located than the majority of hotels, and the level of cleanliness is generally pretty good. Hotels are isolated and farther away from the city center. I recommend choosing a youth hostel that doesn’t get too loud, which is ideal for your trip to Siem Reap because you might be waking up early for a sunrise tour of Angkor Wat. Also, the youth hostels are located close to the city’s nightlife, and you won’t need to do more then walk out the door to begin a night of food, drinks, and meeting other travelers.

3) Take a tuk tuk

It is best to do a tour of Siem Reap by tuk tuk. You can book this tour at your hostel; each hostel will have their own tuk tuk drivers that work only for them. Most hostels will generally arrange for a tuk tuk driver to take you to Angkor Wat, drive your group around the temples, and then drive you back to your hostel. Don’t be afraid to shop around, though. There is no shortage of tuk tuk drivers in Siem Reap.

Taking a tuk tuk is a great way to see Angkor Wat in relative comfort. Especially in summer!
Taking a tuk tuk is a great way to see Angkor Wat in relative comfort. Especially in summer!

4) Do a sunrise tour

It is a must-see to be at Angkor Wat at sunrise. Your tuk tuk driver will take you out to Siem Reap just before sunrise, and then you will be able to see the sun rise over the temples, and see the reflection in the moat around the main temple. Similarly, you can also do a sunset tour. In both cases, it’s best to get there as early as possible to avoid jostling for prime positions.

5) Eat local food

As far as food goes, try to eat at restaurants that serve traditional Cambodian food, rather then westernized food. The food will be better priced, tastier, and more authentic. I ate two meals at western restaurants, a Mexican restaurant, and an Irish pub- but the food was overpriced at both places, and I preferred the food at the Cambodian restaurants. You’re also more likely to meet and strike up conversations with locals at Cambodian restaurants, which is never a bad thing.

angkor wat 2

About the Author

Peggy Olson is a keen traveler and adventurer, and considers Asia to be her favourite destination. She writes for InsureandGo.com.au – Australia’s travel insurance specialists. Read more about Peggy’s travel adventures here at www.insureandgo.com.au

Your Say

Do you have any tips for making a visit to Angkor Wat extra special? I’ll chime in with my own real soon!

 

Reviews

No More Money Belts – Bring on Adventure Underwear

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I’ll be up front and say that Nigel and Franklin from Adventure Underwear approached me about trying out a pair of their new Adventure Underwear and doing a little promotion, but I’ve not been paid any money and the opinions below are entirely my own. Check out the Adventure Underwear Kickstarter here.

My Money Belt Story

November 24th, 2007

Sydney airport is crowded but I’m on my own little island of nerves and sadness. My mother, father, and youngest brother are huddled around me as the sea of people going about their lives washes around us. We’re a rock in the encroaching tide and every bit as unaware of the goings on around us.

With the security check-point just behind me, I’m becoming keenly aware that I am the same kid (albeit older, fatter, and hairier) than the one who used to call home from a sleepover at midnight to have my Mum come and get me. And here I am about to relocate to South Korea for a year of ESL Teaching.

Mum is crying. Izaak is crying. I am crying. Dad is… looking decidedly awkward at all the tears on such public display.

Izaak and I on my last morning in Australia. I remember it hadn't really set in that I was about to leave for a year.
Izaak and I on my last morning in Australia. I remember it hadn’t really set in that I was about to leave for a year.

Wrapped firmly around my waist is the ugly as hell, virginity protecting money belt that my mother insisted I take with me. Like so many people – her idea of South Korea (and Asia in general) is perhaps a little naive. It’s not the den of thieves, pick-pockets, and criminals that Australia started as.

My passport, wallet, and a wad of South Korean won are all crammed in there and it’s decidedly uncomfortable. Despite being determined to tear it off as soon as I am beyond my mother’s site, I wear it not only for the entire 17 hours of the flight – but also for the three hour bus ride from Seoul to Gwangju and for the commute to my apartment.

In fact, it doesn’t come off until my shirt and pants do in time for a much needed post-arrival shower.

I never wore the ugly thing again.

The Value of a Money Belt

Don’t get me wrong, I understand full well the value of a money belt. While I’ve been lucky enough to have so far avoided being pick-pocketed or otherwise liberated of my goods, I know it’s a very real threat when you travel. And not even my awesome and intimidating ginger beard will scare away those who are desperate enough to resort to picking pockets.

But as important to me as my wallet and its contents are; my diginity is more important. A money belt is part chastity belt and part Hey! Look at me! I’ve never traveled before! and for a hip cat such as myself, I just can’t afford to be embarrassed while on the road.

Dignity is something I take very seriously, obviously.
Dignity is something I take very seriously, obviously.

As you can see from the above picture (and the countless photos of me in drag, photos of me humping things, and photos of me generally being a bell-end): I’m a man who can’t afford to be embarrassed while I’m on the road.

Enter Adventure Underwear

When Nigel from Adventure Underwear contacted me to offer me the opportunity to take the product for a spin, I was on board right away. One extra pair of underwear I can wear before laundry day? You bet!

But when they arrived, I realized just how neat these undergarments really are. Made from superfine Aussie Marino wool, they feel comfortable regardless of the temperature. No more swamp crotch in summer or shrinkage in the winter!

On top of that, they dry quite quickly, which is super handy if you’re going for an impromptu swim or end up being upended out of your canoe by an over-exciting Thai tour guide. Oh wait, I haven’t shared that story yet.

But the real selling point to these bad boys are the pockets on the inside.

Pocket #1 is for easy access, and is a great place to keep your wallet or some loose cash. The added layer of protection that is your pants means that only the most committed (or perverted) thief is likely to find your valuables while you’re out and about.

And really, if you’re getting robbed from a pocket in your underwear, at least you’re getting a happy ending to your misadventure.

Pocket #2 is waterproof; something I tested when I stripped off and showered with one of my student’s homework crammed into my underpants. You know, the kind of real life travel situation we find ourselves in on a near daily basis.

(I’m pleased to say my student’s homework survived unscathed, which is probably a blow to the English language).

No more worrying about your passport or your iPhone when you’re stuck in torrential South-East Asian rain! Heck, no more worrying about having to leave the iPhone hidden underneath the towel on a beach, either.

In fact, the pocket has been certified waterproof up to 200ft – so my passport and phone will survive my inevitable drunken drowning on some windswept beach. Or, you know, scuba diving. It’s probably good for scuba diving too.  The dedicated chaps behind Adventure Underwear have even had them verified as food safe by the FDA. Now, that’s commitment to a project!

That isn't actually me above. It's actually a very good bit of PhotoShop editing. Shh!
That isn’t actually me above. It’s actually a very good bit of PhotoShop editing. Shh!

I tried to get somebody to take a photo of me wearing them, but it’s surprisingly difficult to convince a heterosexual male to come around to my apartment and take photos of me in my underwear. Maybe I need to buy them more wine?

In case I haven’t made it clear from my commentary so far, I really love the Adventure Underwear. In fact; Mum, if you’re reading, I would like more pairs for Christmas.

Enough Talk, Chris! How Can I Get Some?

I’m glad you asked, anonymous reader who totally just asked me that.

Adventure Underwear are currently on Kickstarter with a view towards raising $30,000 to fund production of these bad boys. The beauty is, you’re not being asked to chip in money for nothing. You buy some underwear and help these two industrious lads get their business up and running at the same time.

Go check out the Adventure Underwear Kickstarter if you don’t believe me.

It’s a great product and it’s two guys working their asses off to put something out there specifically for we travel minded folk. Get out and support them, and get yourself a stylish piece of adventure attire at the same time. You know you want to.

 

Taste Drive

Test Drive: An American Tries Vegemite for the First Time

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It’s true what you hear about we Australians and Vegemite. We have it on our sandwiches, we lather it thickly upon cakes at birthdays, we make soups from it, and have even been known to use it in foreplay when the mood takes us.

I jest, of course.

In truth, while Vegemite is a feature in many Australian diets, it’s far from a national dish. It’s a pleasant addition to a bit of toast, goes great with strips of cheese (tiger toast), and is fun to squeeze little black worms of from between crackers.

But it’s certainly an acquired taste, and I’ve yet to met a non native who hasn’t grimaced through their first sampling of the delectable delight. Hell, I’ve not met somebody who was game to even try it a second time.

The Test

I’d sent some Vegemite to Nomadic American way back when I lived in Australia, and was surprised/horrified to find that not only did she still have some left after four or five months- she hadn’t tried any at all!

This would not stand!

I sat the pretty young lady down, popped some bread into the toaster, and prepared to sit back and watch as she was hit by wave after wave of Vegemite induced mouthgasm.

You can check out the results below.