Month: October 2016

Another Day, Another Dollar! July and August were spent working a lot. With the casino nearby we made our first of a couple stops there. The Sky City Casino was a small one compared to Chumash back home. Tally at the night; Audrey: -$30, Ben: -$5, Junior: +$185. Roulette, it’s the way to go and give love to the 0’s. Although Ben didn’t cash in at the casino, he scored working Greek Carnival employed by the same carnival family from a month before. He Georged his way, to getting us closer to goal of a Food Truck.

On what was my last day working at the restaraunt, all three,(Audrey, Ben and myself) agreed to go out in town. Ben and I stayed working until Midnight and wanted to visit the Casino instead. Along the way we picked up a drunken Audrey, who proclaimed she can still ride her bicycle. And some how she was able to, For a while. A hard fall off the bike convinced her she was too happy off of life to do so. A nice couple gave us a lift with our bicycles and dropped us off at home. Ben became the doctor and I became a journalist.

When there was time to eat together, we still made bomb food. At last, we had a dinner party in the Tipi. Barbecued some vegies, beans, rice and fresh made tortillas a Mexican  Feast. Great times, and our friend Alex played some amazing Folk Tunes with her Violin “Gloria“, I recall the name. It was simply amazing, the sound and feel she gives off.

All three of us asked for days to pay visit to Kakadu National Park. Spent 3 days there, that we’re simply spectacular. The Gunlom Falls was the top moment of the park. A quick hike there with a delicious watermelon in hand, we chose a little hideaway and exploring we went. The rocks were simply directing up the falls on the rock and though the water, found some beautiful swim holes and a wall of small new frogs. Another full moon on our trips, that lit up the park at night. Lately, as we go on trips its during the Full Moon Cycle. We’ve had quite a few while in the Outback, it has been keeping us from witnessing the Amazing Light Show Australia’s sky puts on.

Over the weeks and trips to  BCF, we gathered equipment for our food truck. We also learned same as a year to the date, we have to find a new flat. Audrey was able to score us our next home. A former Australian Tour Guide Adam, along with his friend Damo who did Jumping Croc Tours. Now that I(Junior) wasn’t working at Char, I did as before, collected the food from the cafe I worked and gave it out to the Hungry People. Not homeless  because that I am. People simply have a look on their face and vibes they give off, that mean there’s hunger in the tummy. Also I knew where the backpackers were, Mindil Beach. At times, it was a full crate of sandwiches, bagels, muffins, cookies that simply get thrown away. That is the Sad Truth in the food business, but I want to change that. So I take whatever food is edible, that will be thrown away, and find it a home. People are dying of hunger, Don’t order more than you can eat.

Best Watermelon Ever! Most Natural!

The day we moved was a great FRESH start, new people, new vibes and a boat cruise from the Boss Lady of work. Ben and I, after moving all our stuff, 3 trips, went on “The Hangover Cruise II”. Fancy Dressed People but with some of my workmates, we made the best of it. Danced on the dance floor and tangoed with the waves as it made the boat rock. The party didn’t stop until Ben dropped to the grass floor.

Bare Sand Island, gave me one of the most beautiful moments in my life. This Island is home to Leatherback Turtles, who come and lay their eggs there. I along with Robbie, went on a cruise there to witness the mother turtles come up shore all the way to the Sand Dunes and lay their eggs. It’s Nature at its best! Seeing a few Moms lay the eggs and bury them  I completely forgot of the ideal, those eggs Hatch. On the walk back a nest of turtles just hatched and were running to the Ocean. It was a race to Survive, and they were fast and cute. Aboard the boat, facing the horizon, witnessed the moon rise yet again. People talk about sunrises, I suggest watching a Moon Rise, its out of this world. Around this time, Ben finally got fed up with Char and learned the grass is definitely greener on the other side, especially in this situation.

The next month, we finally got the opportunity to all go on a cruise with Damo and Adam. Still drunk from the night before, woke up early to buy snacks and aboard the tour bus with the housemates. Along the way, there was a hitch hiker going East, we picked him up and took him on the tour. Off to see crocodiles at the Adelaide River, it was going back in time. Nothing around, merky brown water, hawks screeching and the scent of chicken brought the crocodiles to us. At one point, there was a 5 metre Croc, nearly as long as the boat. We followed it to the bank and there we got to see the size difference of this Massive Beast. Some Red Rock face paint took place and away we went to swim at Berry Springs without crocodile infested water. With the others and the few things we bought, we cooked up some Magical Tasting Mushrooms, very colourful and tasty. If you Barbecue, you can never go wrong with marinated mushrooms. Chop up what ever vegetables, herbs you have, a little oil and spices, mix them in a bowl with the mushrooms. The longer they sit the better the taste. Now just pot them on the Barbie and let the heat do the rest of the job.

And another one bites the dust! It is now May, the Mindil Beach car park was our home. Taking showers at the public facilities that turned off every couple of minutes, water from the outdoor hose and most of all warm humid weather was the routine. With all the free time not spent hanging out the other locals, we started to look for jobs and flats. Our first day of looking for work, We found jobs together at a restaurant. It was the first place we left our CV’s, they invited of us for a trial for that night. Did two hours, easy stuff, at the end of the trial we were offered jobs. We took the job, little did we know we were in for a surprise. A week passed until we started work and every day we would see at least one flat, if not more. The last day of looking we had a choice to be in the town center or a flat with a Fuckin Tipi. Not an everyday thing and it’s huge three and a half metres in diameter, you could fit a dinning room table and more. Actually, present day August 8, we just set it up at our new home. (Story for another month)

Everything  at this flat was cool just as the Tipi. Our room was downstairs of Granny Flat style house. The kitchen and other rooms were upstairs, passing the pool and a outdoor living area. The flatmates were Amelia from Austalia a journalist, Maggie Aussie also and a lawyer, Pier from Italy and worked with projection and video. Everyone worked different hours so it was normally a lonely house. The day we moved was actually a celebration we’ve been looking forward too, Cinco de Mayo! The year before was a Pachanga. Español for big party. This one was more chilled out as we unpacked and headed back to Mindil to celebrate with the others and teaching them the meaning of Cinco de Mayo. There was a market that day so the backpackers moved to the grass area. Under a beautiful Mangrove Tree we celebrated and waited until the market ended so we can score some free food. 

The following week, explored Darwin, the flat, our minds as we waited to start work. The wait was over we STARTED working at Char Restaurant. The work was simple, seemed to be a good start. For Junior the third day I had off, so I went to town to find a morning job and something different. On the last stop by I was told they not hiring but Charlotte from the kitchen saw me and asked if I can cook, I laughed and said yes. The kitchen jobs just come easier, and later got a phone call to come in for a trial the following day. The trial was great, the VIBES there were exactly what I was looking for. Took the job and before headed to BALI, Ben found us a job at this random Carnival. 

 It was for 2 days and easy money Junior worked at the most exciting ride and Ben worked at the little Tea Cups. Watched a great documentary and dropped Benito off at the airport, this left me with my own room for 3 weeks for the First time in my life. Was strange, first days were nice but then it got lonely as no one was ever home. 

After training at both jobs for about a week or so, the life of No Life started. I never calculated my hours of both jobs together because it would have made me nuts, at least 70 and at times over 80 hours a week. Ben later did the same. Its a sacrifice we did to earn money to accomplish our goal of starting a FOOD TRUCK PHTOSYNTHESIZE. Working in Darwin, we started using a bicycle more often and was glad to not drive. 

WATCH RACING EXTICTION! Great film about everything and how we should start looking for ways to preserve this BEAUTIFUL Planet we call HOME. EARTH, you don’t have to be a tree hugger just considerate, being more positive and thoughtful, know of the damage you are doing. Turn the lights off if you are not using, unplug electronics when not using especially phone chargers, less plastics, aim to eat meat once in a while, recycle as much as possible, don’t litter and ask to others, What are you doing to help save the Earth?.

Peace, Love and Happiness

Many people will be surprised to know that you can still make very delicious and tasteful baked goods without the use of butter, eggs and dairy. It’s a change from what I was taught in Culinary School. Thanks to the local Blenheim Library, I read a book on Vegan Baking with recipes and information. Chia or Flax Seeds ground up can be used as your egg with some water. It taught me a lot and how to replace animal products with plant based ingredients. I have a love for Banana Bread and also articles on Yahoo! and one day there was a link with 20 or so recipes of different recipes. With the knowledge I read I converted the recipes to plant friendly and tried each one out. Everyone in the hostel enjoyed the Banana Fiesta I made. Occasionally I Google vegan recipes but most of the time I just take it as a challenge to make the recipe Vegan.

Here I share a recipe of Banana Muffins that taste even more amazing than they look. And a Garbanzo Bean Salad they are also know as Chic Peas. The salad is so easy cook the beans with some salt and boil until soft after chop some Cilantro, Capsicum, Jalapeños, Lemon Zest, Radish and Purple Cabbage mix in a bowl. Grab a seat and go to Munchy Town.