Cupcakes: Not your average travel companion.

I have always loved cupcakes but my passion for cupcakes came in the most unusual of places.  The land of "shrimp on the barbee" and Crocodile Dundee doesn't conjure up images of rich velvety cupcakes. While on a dream vacation in Australia the cupcake earned its place at the top of the dessert pedestal. On a half day trip abseiling, an extreme sport similar to rappelling, in the Blue Mountains of Katoomba.  My instructor was cool and calm as he set up for our scariest and most difficult descent, 30 meters. 5 meters was child's play like going off a big rock, 30 meters was like going off a skyscraper.  The wind was strong, so strong that our instructor had to attach rocks to the ropes to stop the violent swaying of the ropes.  I tried to look over the edge to see what the hell I was getting myself into but was quickly reminded that without a harness attached to the rope the winds would easily blow me off the side of the mountain.  As our instructor singlehandedly staged our ropes and prepared us for abseiling, it was clear he could see how nervous we were.  To calm our nerves his light hearted topic:  Cupcakes! 

He told us about a wonderful shop just accross Katoomba St. from his office of High-N-Wild Mountain Adventures.  He described his favorite flavors, I would love to tell you his recommendation but the howling wind was drowning out his voice as his conversation turned to shouting. Though the fear of this crazy descent was still in the pit of my stomach, I now had a goal.  After this extreme adventure I would reward myself with one of the decadent cupcakes described by our instructor. The thought of a decadent cupcake brought me to my happy place allowing me to relax and enjoy the amazing views of the Blue Mountains. 

The ride was awesome and once at the bottom I released the rope from the intricate weaves and knots to climb back up and do it one more time before heading back into town. While in the van along the winding mountain road (my adrenaline still pumping from basically jumping off a skyscraper) I received the worst news of the day. Our instructor recalled the bakery was closed on Tuesdays.  Just my luck it was Tuesday and therefore Blue Mountain cupcakes was not going to happen.

My descent into the Blue Mountains

Our train was leaving for Sydney shortly and I knew chances were slim I would ever return to Katoomba, let alone this amazing feeling of adventure, accomplishment and mouth watering desire for a cupcake.  It was this right place at the wrong time misstep that started my new tasty travel tradition. Some people seek great bbq or pizza joints but I would now try the lands greatest cupcakes during my travels.  I seek out the sweetest of treats and will now share my experiences with you.  I may never return to Katoomba, but because of my experience in Australia, I've now sampled cupcakes in Boston, Washington DC, San Diego and several places in between.