Euro Travel & More

I think when I lived in UK – it was there where I put on the most weight.  Why?  the chinese food and restaurant in UK were plenty around.  I figured there would be more by now – so many years since I’ve been back to UK.  So for those migrating to UK – you won’t have any trouble getting Chinese or even Japanese food in UK.  I know I needed the best thermogenic fat burner when I was living in UK – hahah!  else I would really have had been in huge trouble – no pun intended.

I even resorted to eating vegan at one time – and it was so yummy !! i ate too much of it each time I was in Liverpool.  So yes, everywhere you go in UK – you will find dim sum or some Asian food.  Those ppl there are so lucky!!  maybe I should have migrated to UK instead of Canada eh .. hahaha!!

I’ve lived in UK for closed to 5 yrs finishing school in Scotland – not exactly in the heart of London or near England but every chance I get – I would go on short trips with my friends and co – workers.  You see I had to work part – time to pay for my school even though I was on bursary.  So when i friend posted this picture showing me that they were at the Western Hotel in St Ives UK – I was like – Ohhhh!! i stayed there before many years ago! haha!   some things you just remember forever eh.  The hotel is right in the center of town very near to the beaches and galleries.

St Ives Habor is actually a fishing village – as you can see here – there are lots of boats all around.  The fishing industry has declined just like here in the town I am in currently.

September is the best time to be in St Ives – they have lots to offer – festivals every other weekend.

Lots of tourist from around UK come here for short vacation.

I think this road leads to Bedford Road if I am not wrong.

Beautiful and quaint – this little town is.

I always make sure I only have 1 luggage when I go on vacation – but I also bring along another luggage – an empty one.  Why?  I have a really  bad habit of buying all sorts of things when I am on vacation and I’m not talking about souvenirs and clothes or even handbags – I love buying home – furnishing – and I kid you not.   The spouse is very worried whenever we go on vacation – because one time I tried to bring a side-table for the bedroom home – but was stopped by custom – because they are made of teak and they won’t allow it due to some quarantine for wooden stuff.  Another time – I saw some  Casablanca ceiling fans that was perfect for our lounge – and I wanted to bring some home to save on shipping but alas,  they only had one of the models that I wanted.  Fans are easy to carry thru’ custom – since they are all packed in a box – so that wasn’t so bad.  But yes !  i have a very bad habit of trying to buy furniture – especially hand made or hand crafted ones.   What about you?  do you have any tips for someone like myself – who cannot help it but bring home furnishing back?

We took a short trip before school started to see the Canadian National Exhibition and managed to catch the snowbirds in action. The Canadian National Exhibition is an annual event – I had been to one – many years ago – and some of the things they had were still there.  The Ex – as they called it – is nothing like the Ex we have in this town.  If you compare the CNE with our Ex – ours is put to shame.

This is the B – 25 Mitchell.

Mike Wiskus flew his stunt plane past Canadian coast guard boat during the air show.

The F16 Viper – flew right in front of us.

Canadian International Air show, at the water front – what a sight and what a show!

An exhilarating air show – the weather was good – we went to the other part of the exhibition as well – but that will be for another day.  Watch out for the Euroslide!

Yes! one can get married in Cuba for just $800 – that was what i found out today – from a friend.  And I just had to share it with all of you because it is definitely interesting to know – and for some of you out there  – i hope it helps too.  First of all – the wedding is legit and recognized by the Canadian government.  The cost of the wedding itself is $800 – which includes the ceremony – the witness (if you don’t have one) because according to the cuban law – your witness cannot be a family member.  But it’s a one year notice – and you have to get all your papers sent over 2 months ahead of time.  And once that is done – everything will be planned for you by a wedding planner.  You get to stay a week in Cuba for your wedding ceremony and honeymoon – plus you can invite any amount of friends you wish to – at your own or their expense.   Bring lots of sunblock,  the best multivitamins because you would need it – and enjoy yourselves!

The friend had said it was a beautiful wedding – and I had seen their wedding pictures – it’s pretty easy and smooth sailing.  Oh by the way – the trip to Cuba – all inclusive was about $1200 – booked a year in advance.

My buddy just came home from Amsterdam and before he left, he had asked me what to expect going to Amsterdam in Spring.  Well, it’s the end of Spring and the beginning of summer in Amsterdam but in Spring – Amsterdam is just as lively as in the summer.  But one thing for sure – going to Amsterdam in Spring is definitely a lot lower than in the summer.

Lots and lots of beautiful flowers, from Dutch tulips to lupins, watch the hyacinth and narcissus bloom and of course the days gets longer and sunset is like 8pm.

There are less than 100 working windmills in Amsterdam now – see if you can spot them when you are there.  This was enroute to Brussel.

Who doesn’t like a vacation in the sun and by the sea -  but we all know – too much sun is just not good for anyone’s skin and going on vacation doesn’t mean that we can forget about our skin and let our skin go on vacation too.   Besides protecting our skin with sun block and moisturizing it totally – I bring along my acne rosacea treatment because of all the junk food I would be eating on my vacation.  From BBQ chips to BBQ hotdogs – and the sinful chicken wings.  I tend to stuff myself with all sorts of food – just because I am on vacation – so you can imagine – how bad my skin is going to be.   But I’m always prepared – even after my vacation – my skin still needs to look gorgeous because I go back to work immediately -  so pack all your skin care product with you while on vacation and the men out there – don’t go rolling your eyes now – it’s important to look good!

Need I say more?  hhaha!! i know! i know! i was just teasing you but Mak Noodles were awarded the Michelin Restaurant in 2009 and 2010 – now that must say something to all of you even if you are not a foodie.  Well, I love food and so does all my friends and Mak Noodles is a place you must not miss for authentic noodles. I think they have several locations but the one I am used to going is the one in Central area.  But they have one at the Peak now – so if you are at The Peak – you can try the restaurant there.

Love the wanton alone – highly recommended because the meat is fresh and they have crunchy chestnuts in them.  Love the clear soup as well and I can go on and on about the food but I shall stop here because you will never hear the end of my food experiences.

Traveling for the first time with babies can be quite frightening – as the girlfriend told me on her recent vacation – traveling first time with her child on a plane.  Like myself – I could never travel without my child – so the first time we brought her on an airplane while I was still breastfeeding was quite traumatic to my body as well.  With not enough preparation – I couldn’t produce enough milk for her while we were vacationing.  So how to increase breast milk while you are vacationing or under a lot of stress? was what my girlfriends had asked me – before they traveled.

Besides making sure that we have all the necessary items needed for our vacation, I made sure that the airline knew that I was traveling with express milk and needed storage place for my express milk. Also make sure if you are breatfeeding, to bring a bottle of water for yourself to keep yourself hydrated during your trip on the air.Always have a blanket with you so your baby has a cozy, soft place to lie his or her head down and take a nap or even crawl around or roll on.  But most importantly rope in the spouse to help with rocking the baby and letting the baby sleep with him. Airport staff and attendants are very helpful – when it comes to baby – and don’t forget to bring that pacifier to soothe baby while you are expressing your milk.  Oh one more thing before I forget – to check on the policy of breastfeeding on different airlines and your rights to breastfeeding.  I know that in Canada and USA – you will have no problems – but if you are traveling internationally – make sure you check with the airline and the airport.

Found some pictures we took when we were up in Australia for a wedding of a cousin – so I thought I would share it with my friends here.  A different perspective of Sydney.

Told you – a different perspective – we took a ride on my cousin’s new husband plane – if you can call it that – hahah!

I’m sure you all know where this is?  GREAT OCEAN ROAD!!

Lots of sail boats.