QUITO by GringoSam
The Real Tagline
“Full of Latino verve, Quito is a beautiful European city at the heart of a third-world country.”
Where to Fill Your Tummy
La Ronda is one of Quito's oldest streets, and Rincon La Ronda Restaurante echoes its historic charm with brick doorways, white stucco walls, heavy iron chandeliers and low wooden ceilings. The dishes served are authentic Ecuadorian. Try the seafood casserole soup, the roasted pork or the grilled shrimp in garlic sauce. One of the house specialties is the potato soup with cheese and avocadoes. There is live guitar music during dinner on Monday through Friday, and on Sundays there is a folk dance performance after dinner. A hearty meal here will set you back around $20, around ten times the price of a regular meal in the city, but achieving that elusive combination of great food and charming surroundings means it’s worth every cent.
La Ronda is one of Quito's oldest streets, and Rincon La Ronda Restaurante echoes its historic charm with brick doorways, white stucco walls, heavy iron chandeliers and low wooden ceilings. The dishes served are authentic Ecuadorian. Try the seafood casserole soup, the roasted pork or the grilled shrimp in garlic sauce. One of the house specialties is the potato soup with cheese and avocadoes. There is live guitar music during dinner on Monday through Friday, and on Sundays there is a folk dance performance after dinner. A hearty meal here will set you back around $20, around ten times the price of a regular meal in the city, but achieving that elusive combination of great food and charming surroundings means it’s worth every cent.
Where to Fill Your Bladder
The nocturnal heartbeat of the city emanates from the Plaza Foch, located in the ever-developing Sector La Mariscal. By night the area is also known as ‘Gringolandia’, with European drinks prices detracting the locals and drawing a predominantly tourist crowd. Bars such as Dragonfly, Azuca and Coffee Tree serve an exhaustive variety of cocktails and get the basics right too with a good selection of beer and wine. Tapas y Vino is a surprisingly classy all-you-can-drink establishment, serving high-end Chilean and Spanish wines, although the $25 bill is somewhat sobering. If a night of debauchery is what you seek from there on in, nightclubs such as Bungalow, No Bar and Blues should satisfy your every need. Be cautious though – thieves have been known to operate in the area so it’s wise to keep any ‘emergency’ money safely in your shoe.
Where to Lay Your Head
For those travellers with deeper pockets, Quito’s Café Cultura offers a beautiful and tranquil abode in which to escape the bustle of city life. Hand-painted murals and unique room design make Café Cultura a memorable stay, while all the desired amenities can be found either at the hotel itself or within walking distance. For those of us on a slightly tighter budget, Hostel Revolution provides an inviting owner-operated hostel from $8/night. This colonial-style building has wooden floors and decorative ceilings which, when you throw in the clean interior and friendly staff, make this one of Quito’s most highly-rated hostels.
Don't Miss This
Ecuador has often been called the world’s best-kept travel secret. The country is jam-packed with tourist attractions, no city more so than Quito itself. There is nothing quite like riding the TelefériQo cable car up to the heights of the Pichincha Volcano which overlooks the entire city. For the more daring among you, non-existent health & safety regulations in the country mean that a combination of wooden planks and cast-iron ladders will lead you up to the spires of the Basílica del Voto Nacional for some stunning panoramic views of the city. Tempting as it may be, take care not to confine yourself to the city boundaries – only a couple of hours outside you can haggle in the indigenous market town of Otavalo, bathe in the hot volcanic water of Papallacta or put a foot in either hemisphere at the nearby equator line, La Mitad del Mundo. Direct flights to the Galapagos Islands also operate from the international airport.
The Perfect Day
To really see Quito at its finest, a morning lie-in is a luxury which cannot be afforded any traveller. Local meteorology usually dictates that mornings are bright and clear, while afternoons can be overcast and damp. So have that alarm clock set for 8am, and be up and out to see the city at its sun-soaked best. A continental breakfast on the cobbled streets of Quito’s ‘Old Town’ is a pleasure, before strolling on to the vast array of impressive churches the area has to offer. A good lunch is not difficult to come by, and you might consider jumping in at the deep end with local delicacies such as barbequed cuy (guinea-pig) followed by warm pan de yuca (Cassava bread). In no city is a Sunday such a ‘day of rest’ as in Quito, and not only on religious grounds – a recent public health scheme sees that most of the city’s major roads are open exclusively to cyclists for the day, a fantastic way to get to know the Ecuador’s capital. As the dark sets in around 6.30pm, a feast of Mexican food at Rodriguez is guaranteed to hit the spot as well as being just around the corner from the inevitable continuation of your night at the Plaza Foch.
I Remember When...
Whilst sitting enjoying a lunch a 10-year-old indigenous boy waltzed into the restaurant, downed an entire shaker of table salt and then casually left again. Unorthodox indeed, but be prepared to see some strange sights around Quito.
Forget-Me-Not
With Quito’s 2800m altitude and infamous 0°-0’-0” latitude, the sun pops out and you’re just about the closest person to it on the entire planet. And in most cases a further foot closer than those immediately around you! So sun-cream is advisable. Also don’t forget you’re plug adapter if you’re coming from Europe – they’re pretty hard to locate here, trust me!
In Season
Quito has a pleasant year-round average temperature of 19°C, with Dry Season running June-September. Don’t pack your beach wardrobe quite yet though, the high-altitude does mean chilly evenings. Local men will tell you that ‘Quito’s climate mirrors women’, with the unpredictable highs and lows being part of daily life!
MELBOURNE by GringoKev
Th
e Real Tagline
“The deranged lovechild of a tea and cricket British father, a bohemian Asian mother and their Italian hairdresser”
Where to Fill your Tummy
As far as food goes, you can find any cuisine you like in Melbourne, and it’s actually good.
Hit up Little Bourke St for a smattering of East Asian restaurants. Hu Tong Dumpling Bar and Szechuan House are two of many excellent and cheap options. If you’re cashed up, hit Cumulus Inc. on Flinders Lane and if you’re really cashed up, Cutler&Co on Gertrude St. Fantastic breakfasts and coffees are abounding all over Melbourne: Errol St. in North Melbourne, Rathdowne and Nicholson Streets in North Carlton and Brunswick/Gertrude/Smith Streets in Fitzroy are all great places for a morning stroll and a feed. Avoid Italian joints on Lygon St apart from Carlton Espresso and it’s sister pizza bar D.O.C. Speaking of pizza, the thrifty backpacker must know Bimbos on Brunswick St, Lucky Coq on Chapel and Bar Fred on Nicholson which do $4 pizzas and good beers.
Where to Fill your Bladder
The obligatory young and hip Melbournian rite of passage begins with BYO drinks at Shanghai Dumplings on Tattersalls Lane followed by an assortment of city venues. These could include Pony, Eurotrash, Lounge or Carlton Club. More discerning drinking patrons might look to Canary Club off Russell Street, The Toff at Curtin House or The Carlton Yacht Club on Lygon St. A night on Brunswick St should always include a shimmy down at the Night Cat where huge live bands and no cover charge draw an interesting array of punters. Avoid Chapel St on Saturday night like the Plague. Unless of course you’re into fake tan, modified cars and well, being a dickhead.
Don't Miss This
If you’ve got a car, drive out of Melbourne to the Victorian Surf Coast for a few days. There’s nothing quite like cruising along the cliffs of the Great Ocean Road and, if you’re up for it, catching waves at any of the multitude of great surf beaches that dot the coastline. Bring a wetsuit.
The Perfect Day
Begin with a late breakfast at Birdman Eating on Gertrude St. Don’t forget to pop into Northside Records next door for a groove with the afro-haired, should’ve-lived-in-the-70’s owner Chris. Once you’ve had a healthy serving of funk, take a lazy stroll down Gertrude and Brunswick St. A Lemon Pie and coffee at Babka is a must. With your sweet tooth satisfied, take a tram back into the city and follow the crowds to the MCG for an afternoon footy game. Once your adrenaline has settled, cross the Yarra River and walk through the botanical gardens, ending up at the Shrine of Remembrance - a great place to view Melbourne as the sun begins to set. Tram back into the city and head up to the aptly named Rooftop of Curtin House. Get comfortable in your deck chair, curl your toes in the synthetic grass and sip a cold Victorian beer as the last rays of the sun disappear.
Forget-Me-Not
Clothes for all types of weather. No matter when you’re visiting. See below.
In Season
Ah, weather. The word is enough to induce groans from all Melbournians. Crowded House did not write a song called ‘Four Seasons in One Day’ for no reason. Melbourne can change between cold, humid, dry, windy, rainy and sunny in any given hour. When it’s hot (from Nov-Feb), it’s likely to be the hottest temperature you’ve ever felt. When it’s cold, the mercury never goes below 0 but the wind makes you feel like it does. Best time to visit is Feb-April or August-October.
SAN DIEGO by GringoLuke
The Real Tagline
"Los Angeles Without the Douchebags"
Where to Fill Your Tummy
Like any major city, San Diego has its fair share of McDonalds and KFC's, but you won't have to go far to find some real local treats. Though not unique to San Diego, In-N-Out Burger can only be found on the West Coast, and the SoCal burger joint vibe you'll find in any of the establishments in and around San Diego County just feels right. Don't forget to check out local Mexican and Tex-Mex eateries. Whatever your political affiliations, everyone can agree that there isn't much that can beat food from across the border. If you're cruising down the 101, check out Raul's Shack, a small hole-in-the-wall with a big reputation for excellent burritos.
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| Unfinished bodies at the Taylor Guitar Factory |
Where to Fill Your Bladder
Pacific Beach (or PB if you want to fit in) is a haven for the dehydrated traveler. Of the seemingly endless number of bars to choose from, it's hard to go wrong with Cass Street Bar and Grill. Just try to stay out of the water after your twelfth pint.
Don't Miss This
While the San Diego Zoo, Seaworld and Balboa Park are all obvious choices, I'd be just as willing to point local visitors to the Taylor Guitar Factory just outside of the city. Anyone familiar with guitars will know that Taylor is one of the world's premium brands, and even those who don't know their ukeleles from their hammered dulcimers will be fascinated by the free guided tours operating daily at the factory.
The Perfect Day
In true Southern California fashion, make sure the sun is pretty high in the sky before you get up out of bed, then head over to Swami's beach in Encinitas for some surfing. After you're done catching swells and dodging sharks, climb up the cliffs to Encinitas town and walk down the 101 to grab a bite at Raul's. Hop in your car (preferably a low-emissions Prius) and head South to the big city. Park the car and take a stroll through Balboa Park, visiting the many museums and early 20th century architecture. As the sun begins to set, head out to catch a double-feature at the Santee Drive-In before heading West to any of San Diego's strictly public-only beaches, and watching the sun disappear into the sea. There's nothing quite like starting and ending the day by the ocean.
I Remember When...
...my brother and I got lost outside San Diego. We approached an elderly man who was sitting with his wife in a pick-up truck, and they did their very best to offer us directions home. After a few moments pause, while his wife went to get the map out of the glove compartment, the man casually asked, "So...you guys wakeboard?" We nodded awkwardly, looking around us for the watersports gear that had spurred this seemingly inexplicable question, before he added with a cheeky grin, "Yeah...loads of hot chicks!" As we thanked him for his help, and beat a hasty retreat, we quickly realised that neither of us had understood his instructions at all. Suddenly, from behind us we heard the roar of an engine, and, turning, we saw our guide leaning half out of his window with a massive smile on his face, bellowing, "FOLLOW ME!". As we drove behind him on the freeway a meaty forearm would periodically emerge from the cab of his truck, gesturing us enthusiastically forward as though we were riding on a cavalry charge. When we reached our turn he leaned heavily on his horn and yelled, "SEE YA, GUYS!"
This story pretty much explains the Southern Californians: very friendly, but perhaps a little bit fried by the sun.
Forget-Me-Not
You probably won't need anything more than a pair of shorts and a rental car. And sunscreen.
In Season
Though San Diego has been described as having the best climate on Earth, this is not always the case. Drive a few miles inland and suddenly the heat can become unbearable, but head back towards the ocean and you might suddenly find yourself in cloud and fog. The sunniest time of the year is late summer between July and September, but you can pretty much expect rays year round.
