Cool Travel / Tokyo’s Coca-Cola Vending Robot

February 8, 2010 | Cool Travel | by Zolton |

This amazing looking thing can be found wandering the streets of Shibuya Station in Tokyo, Japan, dishing up ample servings of Coca-Cola and gripping the city’s teenagers with a sudden fear of the future.

Cool Travel / Neal’s Yard Dairy

February 4, 2010 | Cool Travel | by The Urban Grocer |

Think of cheese and it’s typically the French or Swiss that come to mind. Not the Brits. Or is it? Thanks to a growing group of talented, enthusiastic, and young artisanal cheesemakers in the UK, it seems Britain is claiming the throne. Of cheese, that is. One place showcasing England’s new energy of cheesemaking is Neal’s Yard Dairy, based in London. Here, the fine work of over 70 organic artisanal cheesemakers is carefully selected from farms through Britain and Ireland. At their Old England style boutique shops, wheels and chunks sit perched, piled upon one other and sorted in the shelves forming a sort of mouldy rind wallpaper. Read more

Cool Travel / 24 hours in Punta Del Diablo

February 1, 2010 | Cool Travel | by Allan Soutaris |

We drank into the early hours of the morning. The air was still pleasant and warm. Drum beats and guitars floated towards us over easy hills and dusty streets. It carried us to a tiny intersection lit by a small open fire. Around it swayed groups of travelling musicians. An erected telescope stood a little further on a grassy patch. A man was speaking to a small group while pointing to the sky with a green laser pointer. We sat close by the fire watching musicians play out of tune guitars and various bongos. Read more

Cool Travel / Olive: Delicatessen del Mediterraneo

January 27, 2010 | Cool Travel | by The Urban Grocer |

Situated between the hip El Born and Barceloneta neighborhoods in always stylish Barcelona, Spain is an unassuming narrow boutique where shelves are lined with all things olive. Here at aptly named OLIVE, Delicatessen del Mediterraneo, an awe-inspiring collection of olive oils sit beside a plethora of olive-oil based cosmetics, soaps, creams, gels, and any other olive-related product one can dream up. Sourced mainly from Spain, in addition to France and Italy, this olive smorgasbord is headed up by a charming Frenchman who also pushes organic cosmetics and chic kitchen design goods. So next time you’re keen on taking up a Mediterranean diet, make a b-line to Barcelona to stock up at OLIVE’s.

Cool Travel / Rincon, Puerto Rico

January 22, 2010 | Cool Travel | by Gerry Mak |

I recently took a trip to Puerto Rico where I spent most of my time in and around Rincon on the Northwestern end of the island. There were fantastic waves coming in from the Atlantic to the north that had surfers swarming like anxious bees around where we were staying, but the Caribbean side of the coast just a few miles down Route 413 was unbelievably calm and quiet, just a few Medalla-sipping souls dotting the beach with their frolicking dogs. Read more

Cool Travel / Melbourne’s Dead Man Espresso

January 18, 2010 | Cool Travel | by The Urban Grocer |

With a chic interior, solid coffee, and enthusiastic team running the joint, Dead Man Espresso in South Melbourne is unsurprisingly boasting a loyal following of addictive fans. The minimalist interior, with long communal tables and perches lining the front windows, creates the perfect laid back vibe for enjoying their house blend espressos and weekly changing single-origin coffees. Read more

Cool Travel / Sake and Grill at Maedaya

January 15, 2010 | Cool Travel | by Michelle Wilding |

Head into MAEDAYA restaurant in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond and you will seriously think you’re walking into a genuine sake bar or yakitori charcoal grill in Japan. The dramatic décor features dark walls adorned with hessian ropes, coupled with a bar framed in the midst of a dining length open kitchen. The ambiance is ultra exotic, especially with modern Japanese music playing in the background. If you like tsukune (skewered chicken balls), wagyu brisket, tofu steak, teriyaki chicken, miso soup or Japanese beer and authentic tapas in general, then this is the place for you.

Cool Travel / San Telmo markets, Buenos Aires

January 14, 2010 | Cool Travel | by Jessica Parra Nowajewski |

San Telmo is shining. It’s Sunday morning and Plaza Dorrego and Defensa Street are dressed up with old pictures, paintings, music bands, antiques, and more. Claps identify the arrival of tango dancers and bandstands. All kinds of foods are offered by local and international street sellers, adding taste and smells to the market.

Cool Travel / Route 40, Patagonia

January 12, 2010 | Cool Travel | by Allan Soutaris |

We pulled into a small settlement; a place with twenty or so small houses concentrated together with a tiny store. I walked to the outskirts and looked at the land falling in front of me. I passed caged pigs and cow skulls lying in the dirt. On numerous occasions I’d read that Patagonia houses a ferocious wind like no other land. To quote Bruce Chatwin: ‘it is a wind so fierce it strips men to the core’. Trees stood ripped and battered at some angle; one side bare, the other clutching at what branches remained preventing them from being ripped from the truck. The tops of the trees bent and cracked as if in an invisible arm wrestle. They had struggled with the wind since saplings. Read more

Cool Travel / Paraty, Brazil

January 11, 2010 | Cool Travel | by Jessica Parra Nowajewski |

Paraty is a small town in the Costa Verde, midway between Rio and Sao Paulo. The city has a beautiful historic center, very well preserved colonial buildings, and stoned streets — testimony to the golden Portuguese time, when the gold from Minas Gerais was transported to the port of Paraty. In “exchange”, stones arrived via the Portuguese ships. At the east side of the historic center are two beaches and the fort, which are the main attractions. Jabaquara beach is calm and has a lot of kiosks where you can drink Cachaza, the liquor produced in the zone. Just 45 minutes from Paraty is Trindade, a place to chill out, with endless sunshine and great beaches. [Photos by Jessica Parra Nowajewski] Read more

Cool Travel / Niteroi, Brazil

January 6, 2010 | Cool Travel | by Jessica Parra Nowajewski |

A quiet life, good prices and an amazing view of Rio. The sunset is wonderful, and in the afternoon, people meet at the bars on the sidewalk to the rhythm of local samba bands. Icarai beach is beautiful but polluted (though splendid beaches can be found on the Atlantic side of Niteroi). Yet, every Sunday morning, Icarai is full of people walking, running, dancing and drinking Agua de Coco (or coconut milk). [photos by Jessica Parra Nowajewski] Read more

Cool Travel / A La Antigua, Mendoza, Argentina

January 6, 2010 | Cool Travel | by Allan Soutaris |

Osv Aldo Furrer Vigneaux welcomed me into his small kitchen with enthusiastic hand gestures and a warm smile. He was stocky, balding and bounced when he walked. It was unassuming and homely. There were several medium sized pots on the stove and a young woman at the sink. It opened to a larger guest area that was filled with natural light. We spoke about his many dips and liquors. He had particular favourites and passionately informed me of the flavours and the inspirations of each. I was particularly interested in the pink coloured liquor containing a rose petal. He assured me I could taste it but first wanted to show me his ‘baby olive trees’. Read more

Cool Travel / Sydney’s Satellite Espresso

December 24, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Laura McWhinnie |

Take a detour off Newtown’s main drag and you’ll find more than just unaffordable terraces and a place to park your car. The corner of Wilson and Brown is home to Satellite Espresso and one of the most impressive breakfast menus we’ve seen in a while. Step out of your egg and bacon comfort zone because there are more delicious options, like the fried herbed mash with kassler (double-smoked pork loins), homemade relish and rocket. Read more

Cool Travel / Valparaiso, Chile

December 21, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Allan Soutaris |

I’m writing this sitting in the driveway of one of the most magnificent hostels and neighbourhoods I’ve had the privilege to visit. Seagulls fly overhead, and in front of me, to the end of the driveway, lies a view of the Pacific Ocean. The sun reflects against the peeling white paint of the hostel and neighbouring garage. It radiates heat but not enough for me to feel uncomfortable. Read more

Cool Travel / Chile’s Santiago a Mil Festival

December 16, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Jessica Parra Nowajewski |

If you’re going to Santiago, Chile, in January, and you’re a theatre, dance and performing arts lover, you should check out Santiago a Mil, one of the most important festivals in Latin America. It gathers artists from all over the world. 2010 is an especially emotive year because it’s the Bicentenary of the nation. Local companies are going to present the most emblematic national plays from the last two hundred years of Chilean theatre and emergent artists are invited, too, giving a renewed substance to the scene. Santiago is a lovely place in summer: now culture, wine and parties are awaiting you. [photo by Jessica Parra Nowajewski]