Calamari, it's not just what's for dinner

After living adjacent to the port/ocean for 5 months, it became time to tryout some fishing.  I got very excited when I found out that the main thing to fish for in the port is squid!  The issue is that it is a good idea to get far away from the city to do any fishing ... pollution.  So we road bicycles down the coast, leaving at 6am.  I will have to get back to this story, as the bicycle is an interesting side story.  I received a free bicycle from my office-mate.  I had not had a chance to try it out.  As it turns out, the handlebars were on backwards.  I hit my knees with almost every pedal motion.  The seat was horrible.  I had a sore tailbone for days after the ride.  Eventually I had to pedal with my knees directly out to the sides, like a circus clown on a tricycle.  One of the pedals almost unscrewed completely on the way back from fishing.  It was hanging on by 1 stripped thread.

Now back to the fishing story.  So, after trying to pedal, we decided that my bicycle just couldn't get us where we needed to go (the honey hole pier).  We fished for squid with a reel (no rod), a jig, and mashed bread.  The mashed bread is apparently key for catching squid... don't ask me why.  We saw so many old Italian mean also fishing for squid... fellow calamari connoisseurs.  We caught no squid on the trip.  However, there was some nice scenery on the bike ride.  There was also some good coffee along the way.  I'll have to try this squid fishing thing again.  Except, I have a feeling that I'll spend too much time playing with them and getting inked, if I actually caught one. 

The Paddywagon

The police vehicles of Melbourne consists of vans, stationwagons, and the standard car.  As opposed to the New Zealand police, the Victoria, Australia police do carry firearms.  However, I've been told that if they actually do pull their gun, it is very serious business and someone will be shot, as opposed to the threatening tactic that the U.S. officers use.  However, I have trouble taking the officers seriously when they drive around in a stationwagon.  They have a little door on the back of the wagons where the criminals go.  It just makes me think back to my childhood, when my cousins and I would enjoy facing out the back of the stationwagon while riding.  There's just something about facing the wrong way in a car.  Another amusing factor, at least as an American, is that the police have to deliver tickets in person.  If one moves around a lot, it's very hard for them to track one down. 

Turning to the Dark Side... Skis

Well, it's been awhile since I've been to the slopes.  With my canceled Arrowsmith climbing trip (avalanche danger), I decided to head to the slopes with some acquaintances from Christchurch.  I've never actually downhill skied before and have only been a snowboard.  I decided that since my snowboard was still hanging out in the U.S. in the middle of a hot summer, that I'd try out this whole "ski" thing.  First, I'd like to say that ski poles are a beautiful thing.  It is so nice to make movements on flat surfaces... which is very different from a snowboard.     

Also, one can face forward on skis..  which is great.  On a snowboard, one has to consistently torque their neck to one direction.  Lastly, I felt like James Bond.  I just needed a little Union Jack parachute in my backpack.  I spent a fair amount of time eating snow and burying myself in snow during my first two days skiing.  However, I did progress to blue runs within 2 trips down the mountain.  I was doing blue-blacks without much trouble on the last day.... except for some icy patches.  All self-promoting aside, I had a really fun time with some beautiful views of the Southern Alps and Christchurch.  I may be converting myself from a snowboard to skis.  There is just something right about facing forward and being able to move on flat ground.

Classic Pub Food, Chicken Parmesan?

All cultures have their peculiarities.  Australians are no different.  They consider chicken parmesan to be pub food.  It's a nice alternative to the typical bar cuisine, but, regardless, I find it odd.  Since finding this out, I have commenced a mission, which is to try the chicken parmesan throughout Australia.  This may also have to involve beer tasting throughout Australia as well, considering I'd be at the pub anyhow.  Thus far, I have tasted the culinary delights of 3 different restaurants/pubs:  The Ivy, The Quarter, and the Flying Horse Bar and Brewery.  The first is a restaurant, the second is a cafe, and the third speaks for itself.    

Out of these 3 establishments, The Ivy has the best chicken parmesan.  It was the correct balance of cheese, chicken, breading, and tomato paste/sauce.  This was the first of my Australian chicken parmesans.  I thought I saw a sign stating that they were on sale for $13.  However, I failed to read the small print outside that specified that this was only the case 1 day during the week. That day was not that day.... so to speak.  The next best chicken parmesan was at The Quarter, a cafe in downtown Melbourne.  This chicken had the surprise delight of a piece of bacon along the top.  Bacon, down under, is actually more or less a slice of ham, and can be seen spread across the chicken in the picture.  My least favorite chicken parmesan was at the Brewery.  They burned the chicken and the whole thing was dry.  Luckily the Heifeweizen made up for the poor taste of the food.

Me want cookie!

After doing my climb around Mt Cook, I headed make down for a nice hot bowl of soup and some beer.  I found a place to stay in a Backpacker, which is a Australian/New Zealand version of a hostel.  Then I headed to visit some friends that live in Mt Cook village.  My one friend brews his own beer, so I gained tips while we did a New Zealand beer taste test.  I came back to their place for breakfast.  The one friend is a pastry chef!  mmm very good breakfast. 

Well, then it was time to head out of Mt Cook, as the area started to look like a winter wonderland... and they do close Mt Cook Village road on a regular basis.  So, I headed back to Christchurch and had some beers with another friend.  What can I say, I like NZ beer.  I headed outside, after waking up at 2:30 am to catch my cab to the airport.  I had the opportunity to sight-see at the airport until 10:30 am. 

It was time for another night in Christchurch.  I spent a good portion of the day trying to catch up on sleep.  Then, I headed out to go get more beer.  One that I really enjoyed is 8 Wired Batch 18.  Imperial Stouts are delicious.  This particular was 12.5% alcohol.  I was drunk before I finished the bottle.  However, 8 Wired does a great job of brewing and this was the best 12.5% beer that I have ever had.  Anyhow, I consumed a few more and had a little party.  Luckily I managed to get out of Christchurch on the following day.  No more mountains :(  However, I did find a bottle shop in Melbourne that has Batch 18!!!  I am the winner.