Euro Travel & More

Landing at Madrid International Airport (Barajas) for the first time with my ex-boss – Mr Hernandez, was definitely a thrill for me.  It was a humid summer that year and visiting the Madrid office and then the Barcelona factory was part of our business plans.  But the Spaniards are the most friendly people that I’ve met, they are not only polite but the older Spaniards and co-workers are so eager to show you their culture and their neighbourhood.

Madrid has a very special place in my heart and what better way to show me the real Madrid than to bring me to a Bullfight, right?  If you are thinking of getting in to see a bullfight make sure you book  your tickets early! The Spaniards love their bullfights even though they say they don’t care too much about it.  Plaza del Toro is where the bullfights in Madrid are held.

Madrid is full of statues everywhere so it was not surprising to see some outside of Plaza Del Toro.

See how packed it was.

The bullfight that I saw in Madrid wasn’t as intense as the ones I saw in Mexico.  The bull had won that time.  But seeing a bullfight was just one of the many highlights of my trip to Madrid, there was more that I did.  There is plenty to see, plenty to eat and the  Hotels Madrid Norte were the ones we chose every time we visited our head office in Madrid but if we also use the Hotels in Lisbon. Worldwide hotel bookings were easy for making reservations and the rates given were competitive as well.  You can always check your booking online and you can search for hotels according to your budget/price range or if you have a special need, they can help too.

I love the Starwood group of hotels..!  they have awesome discounts for frequent traveler like myself.. and when W Seoul was opened for business, we were invited to stay in it for free as fellow hoteliers.  Impressive is not the word i was looking for .. to be honest.. it was W for WOW..!!  looking very serene and awfully calm and unexciting from the outside.. let me show you a few photos.. of the inside of W Seoul WalkerHill Hotel.

First ..  i have to tell you how impressed i was .. even with the toilet rolls.  Ok.. i know the Ritz. .and some other hotels do have this too.. for their washrooms.. but even in the public toilet..???  Yup..!! you heard me right..!!! To be continued..

What makes a business thrive?  The more attractive business signs can give one a better edge because visibility is everything.  Wherever I go, whether it is for vacation or for business, what attracts both the tourists and the local residents of an area are the signs.

Getting high quality, custom made signage starting at just $27 (now that’s a bargain), plus it can be designed with unlimited colors!  Woohoo! I know so because besides having traveled the world twice with the company i worked for, I am now an owner by association to my spouse’s business.  If you want quality custom made signs that you can personalized yourself online, check out buildasign.com.

Landing in Singapore Changi Airport..  be it going home or just a stopover.. one cannot helped but feel awfully proud to be a Singaporean.  Although, I have traveled thru’ many airports in the last 15 yrs of my life.. i’ll have to say.. that Singapore Changi Airport is one of the best that I’ve come across and feel safe and awfully efficient.  They have just about everything.. from hotel, to cafe .. restaurants to rest rooms.. and bookstores .. duty free shops.. by the mass.  Everything is just so beautiful.  Oh.. did i tell you they even have banks in the basement and a supermarket..??

Free internet ..  with coffee.. and just about every cuisine you would like to try is right here in Changi Airport that is its own mini city itself.  How many airport in the world can boast of non chaotic check ins.. and absolutely efficient services.  Taxi services just right outside each terminal.. and you can take the sky train from one terminal to another.  It’s really an awesome experience . .being in Changi Airport.  Even if you are not taking a flight.. the viewing deck is open to public. .and kids and adults just love this area.

The Merchant Court Hotel, located of course in Singapore this one has a special place in my heart. Really owned by the Raffles group. and then they changed their brand name, Merchant Court Hotel is what we called the no frills budget hotel .. with class. Don’t be fooled about the no frill budget hotel thingie .. because Merchant Court has all the amenities that most hotels have, albeit the room being a tad small in my opinion.

The owners are mostly chinese .. as far as I am concerned. Headed the hotel was Jennie Chua .. the then General Manager of the Raffles Hotel and Westin Hotel in Singapore. With 400 over rooms to boast about, Merchant Court Hotel has the club floors as well for their long staying guests.

The Merchant Court has bell services, concierge and a front desk with a salon opposite the front desk. Many ballrooms are available .. for private functions.. and they do have a bar, a coffee shop.. and 24hrs room service. I hear that you can even get rooms as low as $100/nite at the Merchant Court Hotel. Although they are not located strategically in town.. they are right in front of a MRT station. which brings you to town.. within a few mins. A hotel like Merchant Court, I am sure wouldn’t need any used cisco equipments .. but one never know eh. More on Merchant rooms later.

Whenever I am on a long haul meaning a long flight, I have problems with my skin.  After traveling so much for years, I learn a tip or two .. with taking care of your skin.. when you are on the airplane.  I touch no wine or liquor.. and i definitely wouldn’t even contemplate on taking sleeping pills when i am on the plane.  The secret of keeping one skin fresh and without landing with the need for acne treatment is to drink plenty of water.. and walk around the plane or stretch .. every hour on the hour.. if you are not napping.  Eat plenty of fruits.. and always, always .. make sure.. that the fruit juice are not mixed with sugar.

That’s my Hong Kong for you.  The Pearl of the Orient.  Yes, most streets looked like that.. even in Tsimtsatsui and it’s awesome, colorful and definitely vibrant.  One can find so many bargains here.. and what i loved most.. GIORDANO..!! woohoo..!!  But nothing beats watching the TVB series.. that only the Hong Kong TVB station makes.  Not even Hollywood movies entices me as much as Hong Kong Chinese series… i go crazy about them.. when i was home.. and now that I am in the West.. well.. you can understand why i would missed it so much right.

There are just too many people like me migrated to the West .. but our hearts are still very much in the East.. therefore .. i try my best to find chinese shows.. on the net.. and guess what..??  i found a blog that has all the chinese shows.. that i wanna watch.  You can watch When Easterly Showers Fall On Sunny West Episode 1 here.

Statue of Liberty it is not.. this is in Taipei, Taiwan.  Taipei is definitely a hidden oyster.. when it comes to shopping and eating good food.  You wouldn’t think that these shabby looking building would house any quality restaurants or retail franchises of those branded stores.. but i was so wrong..!  If you look beyond the facade .. you will find some treasures.  Unlike Shanghai, Taipei feels old.. mixed with the new. What i loved best..??  the food streets in Taiwan.. but i had to share the above picture with you .. so you can see for yourself.. how much they loved to imitate the west.

Everyone asked me .. why it is called Courchevel 1850 and this is the reason .. i hear.. because 1850 is the center point of the resort.  With world class hotels and restaurants and shopping places.  But at the Courchevel it is not all about spending a lot of money, there are very nice places and where you can rent at the Courchevel in France… like those chalet that we were in. The Courchevel 1850 is an easy access to everyone who there on vacation .. and wanting to get into the other 3 valleys.

Beautiful, beautiful  Couchevel at La Saulire, it was definitely a panaroma view for me, right on top of Couchevel. Having some hot chocolate at the Le Panoramic was one of the best drink we had for that day.. i still remember .. the apple pie that was served .. it was yummy.. after our morning ski.

A cheese farm on the slopes.  I cannot remember the name of it.  We didn’t visit.. this time.. but i’ll remember to go do it .. the next time.. hopefully with my kid.

Shanghai, China is one of the most dynamic and vibrant places that I’ve been to in China. Shanghai is so modern.. you wouldn’t believe that this is actually China. Besides being the largest city in China.. Shanghai is a economic powerhouse. Hundreds of foreign firms built and relocate their factories in the heart of Shanghai. All because Shanghai is center of China’s banking and commercial center.

The city is very modern yet rich in Chinese culture. Many people from all over the world visit Shanghai just for shopping. And Nangjing Road is Shanghai’s world famous and well known for being a shopping paradise. By a foreigner’s standard, most consumer’s good sold are very reasonably priced.

A building in Nanjing Road (the well-known shopping district). Traveling around Shanghai is very convenient.. for there are taxis just about everywheres and they are inexpensive. You can also take a bus or the metro system that goes throughout the city. Hop over to Beijing and Hong Kong by the frequent trains available.