There’s a running joke in travel forums about spotting Australians overseas—just look for the person with a permanently disappointed expression queuing up for yet another disappointing coffee. It’s not really a joke, though. It’s more of a national tragedy that we’ve collectively agreed to laugh about rather than seriously confront.

I stumbled across a discussion recently about how Australians seemingly can’t function without decent coffee when traveling, and honestly, it hit closer to home than I’d like to admit. The original poster mentioned getting headaches and losing focus when unable to find fresh ground coffee abroad, and the comment thread spiraled into this fascinating rabbit hole about caffeine dependency, ADHD, withdrawal symptoms, and the curious fact that Indonesia—literally where much of the world’s best coffee comes from—treats exceptional coffee as casually as we treat tap water.

For anyone who’s experienced international arrivals at Melbourne Airport recently, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Last week’s return flight from Singapore reminded me yet again why our airport consistently ranks among the most frustrating entry points in the developed world.

The two-step immigration process seems deliberately designed to create chaos. Picture this: tired travelers shuffling through dimly lit corridors, searching for mysteriously hidden kiosks scattered about like some bizarre scavenger hunt. Then comes the real fun - joining a queue that snakes through a bottleneck so narrow it would make a sardine uncomfortable.

Interesting discussion caught my eye today about maintaining Australian mobile numbers while overseas, particularly for those essential OTP messages we can’t seem to escape. The quest for the most economical solution definitely resonates with my bargain-hunting spirit.

Back in 2019, I faced a similar dilemma when spending three months in Japan for a work project. The whole two-factor authentication landscape has become increasingly complex since then, with everything from banking to MyGov requiring that precious mobile number. It’s fascinating how our phone numbers have evolved from simple contact points to crucial digital identity anchors.

The recent online discussions about Melbourne day trips brought a smile to my face. There’s something endearingly typical about how we locals tend to get caught up in the technicalities of what constitutes “Melbourne” versus “Victoria.” I’ve seen this debate play out countless times over coffee at Hardware Lane or during weekend brunches in Brunswick.

The truth is, one of the best things about living in this corner of Australia is how accessible these magnificent natural wonders are. Sure, they might not be within the technical boundaries of Greater Melbourne, but they’re all part of what makes living here so special. The Great Ocean Road, Buchan Caves, and various coastal formations are all within a day’s reach - even if that day might involve a fair bit of driving.