Svyturys Ekstra – Lithuania’s tastiest beer?

I was introduced to this little Baltic gem of a beer by my darling Indre in August 2007 on my first visit to Lithuania. We spent the endless summer days sipping this on the beaches of the Curonian Spit.

Svyturys Ekstra, Brewed in Lithuania

It’s a complex taste that mixes a fruity citrus zest with a more austere malty flavour. It’s strong, at a heady 5.2% which is probably responsible for the full flavour. Reading the ingredients on the side of the bottle, this beer also contains rice! As I find is the case with many beers, it’s often as much about the memories as it is the taste – and the good times associated with Svyturys are plentiful in my case.

If you’re not planning to visit Lithaunia anytime soon, you can pick up a 500ml bottle from Tesco’s for about £1.84.

Sveikas!

Return 2 Oz – Great Ocean Road, Sydney Foreshore & Noosa National Park

Like many Londoners, I’m no native – 6 years in this city and it was time to make another pilgrimage back to the great southern land and get back to my roots. This trip saw us cover the east coast by plane, from Melbourne to Sydney and on to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast before heading back to Melbourne.

Two weeks of sheer relaxation, topped off by some real highlights:

• Melbourne – Great Ocean Road – I love Melbourne, and always have, but the real highlight this time came in taking a hire car for a spin down the Great Ocean Road. 100′s of kilometres of winding (& slightly dangerous) roads along a crystal clear coastline. Stopping off at little surf/tourist towns with names such as Apollo Bay. We never made it to the Twelve Apostles which are halfway to South Australia – by that time we were already well  ”off the map” and forced to chase the falling sun back to Melbourne.Interesting fact: Between 1932 and 1936 drivers had to pay a  toll of 2 shillings and 6 pence! When you get a chance to drive it yourself, you’ll understand why!

Great Ocean Road... Bells Beach i think

• Sydney – The Foreshore - the thing that hit me about Sydney was the contrast between city skyline and calm surrounding waters. The abundance of calm blue water and extensive foreshore means plenty of “waterfront living” – bars, restaurants, cafes & parks – all with generous views of that amazing water.

Passing a Manly Ferry (while on a Manly Ferry)

• Sunshine Coast – Noosa National Park - this is the place where I spent 15 years of my life and the majority of of my youth. So, I know it well. Going back this time, I was struck by the beauty of Noosa National Park. After many sweat beads and several bottles of water we walked past “Hell’s Gates” and arrived at A-Bay – a beautiful secluded beach that can only be reached on foot after an hour-long hike. Unfortunately, the jelly-fish beat us to it that morning so we had to carry on perspiring and save the dip for later.

A-Bay - Secluded (& popular with nudists!)

Resident Jellyfish