Euro Travel & More

Many people had asked me before if one can really use your air miles to fly and if it was worth collecting them.  Well, we own our own business and we’ve tried getting the Air Miles franchise opportunities for our store as well but they didn’t really need one for the kind of store we have. So yes, it really works and you not only can exchange your miles for air tickets and holidays, you can also exchange them for electronics and other stuff.

But for those who are planning to use their air miles, let me forewarn you about the length and time needed and taken to plan a trip – so if you are using your air miles, try to plan earlier and also to reconfirm a week in advance in form of paper.  Also go to the airport earlier – just in case there is any glitches.

Service apartments in Singapore are aplenty – I know so because i hailed from there and also worked in one before joining the hotel industry later.  I wouldn’t name which service apartment i worked for but it is one of the most prestigious in town – Orchard area.

Why do some guests choose to stay in service apartments instead of hotels..?? are they less expensive..?? more private ? or what is the catch here?  I really didn’t find the service apartments any less expensive and if you get a good hotel and is a long staying guest, you might as well stay in a hotel.  Why? because you get a lot more from a hotel in my opinion – but of course, if you are with the entire family – well the service apartment will offer more and a small kitchen for the family too.  They have all the furniture, aircon, air filter are cleaned regularly and have maid services once a week i think.   Some very high end service apartments have a business center too – so if you are a businessman you can take advantage of it as well.

The receptionist or service agents treat their guest as well as the ones in the hotel – but as we all know – you cannot be seen going being overly friendly with them – because they are told never to close to their guests or they may lose their jobs.  But many a times, i’ve seen and heard otherwise – so wives with husband going on long term business trip – just a heads up.

Shocking eh?  very to me anyways..  afterall – isn’t Japan Airlines a government owned carrier?  I could be wrong but it looks like Japan Air is seeking new investors and loan write-offs as it restructures after posting three losses in four years. More talks will be held after meeting with Japan Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.  I guess some management staff will be laid off work and more cutting on pays and other incentives are in order – no more  weight loss products for the wives of these engineers.

Sometime before Christmas last year – Bay Ferries announced that they were cancelling their services between Bar Harbor, Portland and Yarmouth due to weak economy and no funding from the Canadian government.  They did this without any prior warning it seems just as easy as using an acne scar removal .  There was a big boo ha about this issue – because a lot of jobs will be lost and tourism which is already daunted because of the weak dollar – will close its gateway for the people from United States to not only Nova Scotia but Canada.   So if you are planning to take the CAT to Nova Scotia – better make other plans.  I know of many Americans who have holiday houses here in Canada -and I wonder how this is affecting them.  I’m pretty sure some people ain’t too happy.

A friend who had just returned from Norway – sent these awesome and breath-taking pictures of his trip on a hike in Norway to tempt me into promising that the spouse and I would join him and his for his next trip.  i joked with the spouse who was reading on relacore reviews that the view was so spectacular even if i were to shiver and my knees goes jello – it would be worth it.

My friend dared me to stand on the edge when i reach Kjerag and look down 1000 meters at Lysefjord.  It is legal to skydive from these mountains if you didn’t know by now.  So if you are into all this heights and adventure – power to you.    Lysefjord, a fjord located in Forsand in south-western Norway and yes – i was there in 2005 to watch U2 concert.

As someone who loves food and an adventurous one at that – i’m sure you can understand why I love Turkey this much.  While i was on the way there one way – i had read something about  glucosamine for a co-worker of mine in Istanbul.  Anyhow, coming back to my adventure in Turkey – when i first arrived i asked myself – why didn’t i agree to go any earlier – when the company had offered me a project there.

Turkey is not only about Turkish delight – but wait – while i am at it – i want you to know that the Turkish delight one can find here is not the same as the real ones.  Anyhow, Turkey!  a delightful city for there is food just about everywhere.  You need to try just about everything – and i had the luxury to – well, almost because I was there for about a month – from fish to spices.

Some corn? this kinda cart is just about everywheres.

Don’t forget to try the grilled fish sandwiches – a must try.

Need I say more?  hehe!!  greeted at Taiwan airport with this – can only make one laugh – who needs anti wrinkle cream when you can see something like that right?  I’ve always loved Taiwan – not only is the food great – the shopping is even better.

The first thing we did was to go to the Shihlin market of course!  See these jellies ! yums! supposed to give you a cooling effect for your body.  Good for those who have had lots of fried food and curries.  When visiting the Shihlin market be prepared to eat standing up.   For some the Shihlin Market can be quite exhilarating – the amount of things on sale displayed and all sorts of food – and not only food we are talking about here  – it’s pretty darn good food.

The famous betel nut ladies selling betel nuts in skimpy outfits.

Mullet roe or Karasumi – quite expensive mind you..! but super yuummmyy..!!

Old district in Taipei

Some chicken feet found in Shihlin Market

A bean curd place

A place famous for its croissant in Taipei.

This is how the croissant looks like in Taiwan.

Another destination to travel to try and escape the cold is definitely at the Caribbean – so I thought I would share a few pictures of what a friend of mine shared with me, he just returned after spending a awesome week there he said.  And I would have really been upset if he didn’t bring back so many nice pictures of the place and great places where I could eat the next time – he only brought back some promotional pencils !! how crazy is that..!!

How beautiful is this.. to eat out in an open air … non chilly atmosphere..!  overlooking sunset .. and eating till late in the nite.

There were a lot of Canadians there – when he was there and the people there were very friendly. The weather was warm and the food was cheap.

The courtyard to their boutique hotel in Mexico.  The rooms were cleaned and it wasn’t expensive at all.

Traveling so much for work, you would think that a cross country moving wouldn’t defeat me but as i waited in the airport from Hong Kong back home a good 18 hours flight with transit in Alaska, i cannot but thank my lucky star taht I’m traveling first class and in one of the best airline – Singapore Airlines.  Known for its hospitality and beautiful gals in kebaya – their signature uniform.  But truth be told, the hostesses are always nice on first class even on Malaysian Airlines.   We flew in United Airlines first class too – but the matronly looking hostess weren’t as nice as the asian counterparts.  So what do you think ..??  are the Asian airlines a lot better ..?? when it comes to hospitality?  well, don’t make comparison if you are taking economy class though – because i remember taking Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong to Singapore and the hostess weren’t even there as soon as we boarded the plane till we landed.