“Czegs Cafe” my new hangout in Richmond, Tasmania.

When you find somewhere just right I believe you just have to keep coming back, at least until the next new one arrives.

Some would say I am obsesive but when it comes to coffee and cake I would agree and Czegs Cafe in Richmond, Tasmania may well be my new addition to an obsessive journey into taste and sensory pleasure.Maurice one of the owners is to my mind a cake wizard as the Russian Honey cake was to die for (and no I did not have it with cream as it was rich enough). Many chefs are coming forward to show what they are capable of and when someone shines a little brighter than most we should all take note.The cafe is just a delight with many little features that make it special.Although I didnt get any images of the lovely waiting girls they must get a mention as so often serving table is looked upon as not quite a real profession. It is and many an establishment has come and gone because of unhappy and mistreated waiting professionals.I didnt get to try the real heart of the menu as I had just eaten at the most mediocre whinning bistro, but judging by the ranking and reviews on #1 Tripadvisor when I get back for my main course I know I will be more than happy to have found my new taste Nirvana.

Not sure if the cafe has a web page but I linked to their Facebook page here

 

 

Finally what we all knew “coffee is really good for us”

If you knew me you would know that I am an advocate for good coffee…not the instant stuff in a jar, or even a Starbucks brew, but organic (as much as it can be) single origin, filter pressed heaven!

So it is with much joy and delight that a new study has emerged from Stamford University School of Medicine confirming the benefits of a good cup of “Java Joe” in you health regime. It was stated that the anti inflammatory effects associated with coffee, dark tea and chocolate can help block the chronic inflammation that’s linked to over 90% of all noncommunicable diseases of aging, said lead study author David Furman, Ph.D., a consulting associate professor at the Stanford Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection. Study participants who consumed less caffeine were more likely to die younger, and research showed that people who consumed more caffeine showed lower activation of “inflammatory gene clusters” that are associated with high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors.

My take on of life is that I follow the “middle path” to food, health and all things, so I do not go out and get obsessed about the next new thing, especially when over the years you come to learn that when someone tells you something is good for you, the next year they found it increased the incidence of cancer.

Not all coffee/tea/chocolate is, a) natural or b) free of chemical intervention so before you go rushing to get that jar of non descript ingredients from the cupboard think about whats in it as it might just counteract any health giving benefits you just read about.

So before you go giving up your Golden Latte think about adding your caffeine-related theobromine compounds (that’s the good stuff in tea/coffee/chocolate to you and I)to your morning brew as you just might be surprised how good it tastes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things to take or not as a travel photographer.

Travel photography covers a multitude of sins from food, landscape, reportage and street and this list can apply to all subgenres within this heading. I should also say at this point that what you take is not always about the physical things in your bag.

1. Dont carry more than you need! If you are lucky enough to have more than one lens in your photography kit then you have hit the first dilema “what lense/s do I take with me”? As the title denotes travel means getting from A-B and that usually includes carrying or transporting your gear so how much you take with you is a major consideration. The first place to help me decide is Lightroom metadata as it shows me the most used lense/s in my catalouge, and in conjunction with where you are going and what you hope to capture you can include or dismiss acording to how much space you have available.
2. Do you need your laptop? Much of the time a laptop is a hinderance as it can slow down the creative process, dividing your creative juices between capture and post processing. My suggestion is if you have the time and space sure take your laptop or better yet take you tablet and do what you have to do, but remain focused upon the job in hand and that is to travel with your camera!
3. Clothes? I still occasionally do the strange thing of carrying far to much clothing with me as I am never sure what situations I will find myself in, so yes I sometimes overpack. But really when you think of it unless you are going to more than one continent in the same trip and warm and clothes are needed then most places have washing facilities and can ususally be done in the day.
4. Internet! Unless you are going to the back of beyond where they still havent heard of WiFi etc (my dream destination), then even with slow upload speeds as some destinations have, you can still access one of many cloud storage sites and save your data for access later. And of course your mobile can act as a hotspot combined with massive data allowance (in some countries).
5. Always keep your camera gear in carry on, not in the hold of the plane! All you have to do is look at some of the Youtube clips of baggage handlers around the world and you will know why!
6. I never carry more than $100.00 when I travel! Again unless you are going to the back of beyond then most countries have ATM’s that convert to the Universal english language.
7.  Planning is key! Google Earth, Google images, Trip Advisor, The Photographers Ephemeris etc are all ther places to start your journey seeing the images and destinations that others have gone to and then imagine how you can get the image that nobody else has got. Once you have arrived (if you have the time) go out and scout out the list of places you will photograph, but do it without the camera. Just use this time to really look at what is there and not be tempted to rush and get that capture!
8. Finally, Never be discouraged by another persons image! The world is full of iphones, and attrocious images that get posted where they should never find light of day…but this is peoples creative expression and we should be grateful for that. But it is always something I use to keep me in my game and striving to be better or finding the next great capture that will earn you thousands of dollars!

A time warp in Ubud, Bali.

Where do you imagine that all of the junk and bric a brac from the recent history in Bali ends up, well it could be melted down or thrown into a tip, but the Balinese are much cleverer than that! Re purposing can be an art form and it is especially so here in an unassuming shop that many tourists pass by without a second glance as they head for the rice paddy views and restaurants that make up the attractions in Ubud.

Everything you can imagine is here from the middle of the last century until living memory as the driver who took me here told me about the ice machines he can remember in his youth, he being age 22.

Part of the vision here is creating something useful from the mass of twisted metal and machinery that is everywhere.

Everything is very neat and tidy as collections of irons and 2nd world war American army helmets are placed on a rack as an artistic display waiting for an unwary collector or visionary.

 

Not many things have a price on them, as the people who find their way here perhaps are on a mission to furnish their new villa or restaurant either way you cannot leave here without it making a profound impact on you.

 

If you find you way to Ubud then take time out of your busy holiday schedule and see what Bali was like not that long ago. And for some still is!

 

And of course Bali is not Bali without the obligatory Ganesha removing all obstacles.

The West Coast Wilderness Railway Strahan

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Transported from England in 1896 in pieces and no plan!

If you are a train buff (which I am not, but could easily become one) a must visit destination for you would be The West Coast Wilderness Railway that runs between Queens town & Strahan on the West coast of Tasmania. Melanie and I were lucky enough to spend a few days before the mad rush of Christmas having a bit of us time.

Many people do a FIFO when they travel around Tassie without spending quality time in one place really getting to know the history and hardship that Tasmania is built on. 

The afternoon we spent on the train journey is something I shall always remember along with the brilliant narration and high tea in the Pullman coach. It takes about 4 hours just to do the section between Strahan and Dubbil Barril the halfway mark mainly following the King River as it meanders through gorge after gorge and stunning rain forest.

The railway was constructed to transport copper from the Mt Lyell mine along with the workers and families living in the rain forest.The railway is run by volunteers and enthusiasts and the upgrade to the Pullman carriage brings with it afternoon high tea, sparkling wine and canapes on arrival, endless tea and coffee and the best commentary form a real history buff.

Tasmania has so much to offer with history and stories around every winding road, so if you are thinking of visiting then give yourselves plenty of time and really soak up the atmosphere.

My first blog post

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As this is my first blog under the guise of taste traveller I thought I should outline my plan for the forthcoming explorations into food and travel, and just a bit about where I come from and why I feel passionate enough to write about it.

Artichokes from my garden in Mountain River

I live in Tasmania one of the best parts of the world (that’s what everyone says, I know), well it certainly is one of the best. And as far as food and produce goes it has become a must visit destination over the 10 years that I have lived here. We have no GMO and supposedly the cleanest air combined with as much enthusiasm as has come from the chefs and entrepreneurs that are flocking here (not just from the mainland) but from Japan, the UK and USA something amazing had to happen!

Sheffield the town of murals.

I am a travel photographer and latterly a writer with my eye firmly fixed upon the food horizon just in case I miss something, and that is how it has been for as long as I can remember. I love to cook, eat and visit the places others haven’t found yet, and yes they do exist often really close to home.

Although Tasmania is where I live and work mostly, I travel extensively on the mainland and elsewhere, again searching for a good image or flavor experience worthy of retelling. I participate in various groups searching for the next best destination, flavor, hotel, restaurant etc as we try to find the best that is available and what is up and coming.

Snug Falls, Tasmania

Everyone has a passion and I am lucky enough to have three food, photography and travel and then being able to combine them becomes a dream job. So come and join me as I venture out discovering the next best?

Dean Creedy