by Anthony Bianco
In his first guest spot for Nick Bowditch Travel, author Anthony Bianco lists his favourite indulgences in some of his favourite places in the world.
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
Thing to indulge in: Meat
Apart from Evita, the Tango, Diego Maradona and gorgeous women, Argentina is world-famous for the quality and quantity of steak they consume. The Argentine diet seems to resemble an evolutionary throwback to that of caveman times.
They eat on average 60 kilograms of beef a year per capita (compared to about 30 kilograms for Australians), which works out at 165 grams of beef every single day.
Remember, this staggering meat measurement does not include chicken or lamb.
Salads are an optional extra, which are always served first before the main meal, and eaten on their own, so they do not spoil the immaculate presentation of char-grilled protein on a plate that can barely contain it.
Once you wash down the best steak in the world every time with a premium bottle of local red wine (the Malbec), you will never want to leave this carnivore paradise.
THE ROAD FROM LA PAZ TO COROICO ROAD, BOLIVIA
Thing to indulge in: Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is a great way to experience the ‘World’s Most Dangerous Road‘, in Bolivia. When this road was in use up until 2005 or so, 25 buses, trucks and cars went over the edge for a terminal 600m drop each year. That’s not including mountain bikers either.
These days, the road is used by silly foreigners as an all day thrill seeking adventure. The ride is about 70 kilometres long, and starts off at 4000 metres above sea level (sometimes in the snow) and finishes at 1500 metres above sea level – in the rainforest. The road is fine as a mountain bike track, but not as a national highway. This road was so bad that the locals insisted on using a newer, safer route while it was still being constructed.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Thing to indulge in: Partying
Are you looking for a great place to lose your liver? Then Cape Town is the city for you.
Cape Town, or Kaapstaad, is a stunningly beautiful city with the 1,000 metre-high Table Mountain serving as a spectacular backdrop, along with vineyards and white sandy beaches.
Cape Town has a bad habit of trapping unwary travellers by offering good weather, good food and a good night life at a good price.
It has a wonderful, cosmopolitan and relaxed feel, and it would take an entire lifetime to experience the multitude of pubs and clubs. The locals are also friendly and welcoming – and hence, many travellers find Cape Town a hard city to leave.
DUBLIN, IRELAND
Thing to indulge in: Beer
The theory is true – the further away from Dublin one travels, there is a marked decrease in the quality of Guinness. In many places, it usually tastes like it has been filtered through a bed of charcoal before it reaches the pint glass. So why not go to the source and find out for yourself?
If you can pick a night in Dublin where you can experience local life, such as the aftermath of the annual Cork versus Kerry Gaelic Football game, one of the world’s most insane local derbies, then one can appreciate the best of Irish culture and beer all at once.
Usually, the night includes every person in every pub reciting the motions of singing victory songs, losing songs, and songs about getting drunk enough to last until next year’s Cork versus Kerry Classic.
KAZAKHSTAN
Thing to indulge in: Vodka and Shashlyk
Kazakhstan is nothing like the description that Sascha Baron Cohen’s alter ego, Borat, says it is. There is no wine that is fermented from horse urine.
However, Kazakhs make some of the best vodka in the world. Vodka is usually stored in the fridge, and is served cold, and straight – with no ice. However, it is very smooth and the best bottle of vodka I have ever drunk only cost two Australian dollars. Vodka aisles are present in supermarkets, alongside the other staples of the Kazakhstan diet.
Shashlyk is the local version of a shish kebab, which involves either chicken or lamb cooked over hot wooden coals. It’s very tasty, especially after a couple of vodka hits.
One of the best things about Kazakhstan is that it has not been invaded by hordes of package holiday tourists, so you get to feel the real country and real people. The people there are wonderful – welcoming and friendly, and more than happy to include you in one of their brain-smashing social events that usually involve copious amounts of shashlyk and vodka.
Do you agree with Anthony’s assessment of these 5 indulgences? Do you have any of your own? Let me know in the comments below.
Anthony has travelled independently to many countries around the world for both business and pleasure. He is a self-proclaimed ‘travel tart’ whose only reason to remain in the rather dull mainstream workforce is to somehow vainly support his voracious travel addiction. He will go almost anywhere to experience something a bit different. He says “the more you learn about other countries, the more you learn about your own.” Anthony has recently completed a book titled, “I Hope That My God Makes Your Bus Crash and You’re The Only One Who Dies!”, which is a satirical interpretation of world travel today. His website is HERE.
