Euro Travel & More

I had been meaning to write about White Point Beach Resort for a few weeks now – and yes – for those who have been to White Point Beach Resort – you will be kinda sad like I was.  I know that White Point had planned to renovate in 2012 from a  government  loan and now to have it destroy by fire – will cost more money to renovate? or will the insurance take care of it.  What was the caused of the fire – I don’t think we know anything about it till now.  The resort had been operating for many, many years now and is a very popular destination for weddings and holiday makers.  Below are some pictures of the resort taken during our various visits throughout my years in Canada.

I love going to Ipoh in Malaysia – of course  there is more than just Roti Prata in Ipoh – in fact lately Ipoh had been quite the vibrant town with lots of resorts everywhere.   But I do like the roti prata in Ipoh – the fluffy piece of flour – and a good bowl of curry to dip them in – and if  you are lucky – you may even get a piece of chicken or lamb.   From the Strawberry park to the Banjaran Hot Spring Resort – depending on your budget – I say Ipoh, Malaysia is a fabulous place to visit if you are in Asia.  But the Banjaran Hot Spring Resort is my destination when I visit Asia next – or should I say when I go home next.

Thought I should share with you how you can get the cheapest hotel rates ever – because I’ve tried it recently and loved using it and will continue to use it from now on.  I’ve heard about Priceline from a lot of my friends and customers at the store – but because I didn’t think that I would get the hotel I want to stay in during my vacation – I didn’t try it out till recently.

Lo and behold – we got to stay at the Westin Hotel for $85 + applicable taxes and the lowest we’ve ever paid for a hotel in my entire stay in Canada.  So yes ! even though we had some room trouble – I would still continue using Priceline and it’s easy to use and quite straight forward.  It was a immediate reply for us – when we bid for our hotel rate – and I was pleasantly surprised or was I lucky – but whatever it may be – you should try Priceline if you want the cheapest hotel deals.

I was looking for a hotel to stay in the city for next week – for a few days – when all the hotels that I wanted to stay in downtown Halifax was completely booked.   I usually booked thru’ Hotel.ca – but this time – they didn’t have the right offer for me – so I went searching for another alternative and came across this unique set up – called the Airbnb – and you can get rooms or the entire apartment at the price range you like – and the location that you are searching for because – they connect the people who have a room or house or apartment to spare – to people who like myself are looking for a specific kinda place, locality and price to stay in.

What’s unique about this arrangement is – you get to connect with the people who really owns the place and it’s pretty casual – or private if you choose to – and most of the places I’ve viewed are awfully unique – the decor of the place – and the hospitality shown online – is pretty incredible.  I loved the setup and am going to try airbnb out soon and let you know how everything worked out – so stay tuned.

Couchsurfing is exactly what it says – couch surfing – you sleep on the couch of someone’s else house when you go on a vacation – and I don’t think you need to pay your host – well – you could at least buy him/her a bottle of wine for the trouble or a meal.  But it could be the other way round if you hit it off fine. I only got to learn about couch surfing this year and it’s an awesome site.

But wait a minute before you go jumping on the next plane for couch surfing – do make sure you do all your research – check out your host – and make sure his credentials are being checked and vouched for.  You certainly don’t want your vacation to end with a horror stories.  But thus far, I’ve heard many good things about couch surfing and only one horror.  So if you are dying to see the world and is adventurous – couch surfing is the way to go.

The Disney resort in Hawaii opens this week – and I had been following its progress.  So for those who are heading to Hawaii – you can try out the resort and spa – and your children will be thrilled with the resort I am sure – while you enjoy a bit of peace – and relaxation.  Your children can have breakfast with Mickey and Minnie Mouse – and lots of entertainment even though – you won’t see a theme park in the resort itself.  I hope there will be more reviews soon – because I would like to know what else they have to offer.

I haven’t been here – and I had picked this picture up from MSN travel – saying that this is one of the weirdest theme hotel – but i sincerely wouldn’t call that – because this is a piece of art by itself – and staying in this B & B would definitely be an experience that I would love for my kid to experience.  I  bet my 7 yrs old would be so thrilled – wouldn’t yours?

Located in Idaho – the land of potatoes – from what I know. Dog Bark Park is located in north central Idaho on US Hwy 95 at Cottonwood, Idaho. The bread and breakfast offers yummy breakfast – and reasonably priced rooms – with the usual amenities you can expect for a B & B.  But what’s most unique is going to be the chainsaw art giftstore -  the life-like work – by the owners and artists are incredible.  I would love to bring a Beagle home too – if I visit.   Very interesting indeed.

My grandmother used to say that traveling can bring much knowledge more than books and I did fully understand her even when I was then a teenager.  I strive to travel as much as possible – so that I can experience other people’s culture, food and the wonderful sights one can come across while traveling.  I rarely refused a overseas posting and am always prepared for it – but little did I know the first time I was in Jamaica – beautiful beaches, hotel/resort and lots of food – but also an open outlook and sale of drugs inside and outside of the hotel.

I love Jamaica very much – but because of the drug problem I see there – I try not to choose the hotels that are not safe for my kids and family.  I don’t know about their  drug treatment for addicts there – but I know that in United States and Canada, there are places one can get help from professionals for your loved ones which I doubt Jamaica has.

Yes it was an eye opener for me – each time I step foot into different countries because each bring a long a different set of cultural practice – some I don’t mind at all – but others – like the drug selling to tourist and house guests of the hotel – that I don’t really appreciate.

Although I love taking short breaks in Cuba and Mexico – I doubt I want to stay there on a permanent basis especially with a kid.  I’m just glad that drug treatments are available here in the West readily.

I’ve been to Greece many time because my CEO was from Greece and usually when we do go to Barcelona – the factory where the company used to be – we would head to Greece for a short break.  So I was very fortunate to be able to see a lot of Greece and you know what the people there like most?  American souvenirs it seems – so I brought some American silver eagles for my CEO’s wife and his daughters – Sofia and Anna-Maria.  They in turn brought me to the hotel they worked in.

The Royal Myconian Hotel is one of the most beautiful hotel I’ve seen and its view was simply awesome.   This is the terrace bar at the hotel -  pretty hot now – but later in the evening – it’s a great place to get a drink and read a book or even catch up with friends.

Love the pool and the scenic – so calm and so serene.   The hotel was spotless and the amenities was like any 5-star hotel and I was quite impressed at how quiet the staff were.  Spring time isn’t peak season in Greece – therefore, you can get a very good rate for a hotel like this.   The funny thing about Greece is everyone can speak in Spanish – no wonder my CEO married a Spaniard.  The beaches surrounding the hotel was clean and absolutely beautiful and I was told by the gals that you can choose to suntan in the nuke – if you so choose to.  Be careful when you take a cab to town – because cabby tend to overcharge tourist – so i heard but most people are very nice in Greece.

The River View Hotel in Singapore is located in Havelock Road – about 15 minutes away from the business district and – that was the only reason why i put my boss there to stay in – when he came to Singapore for the first time.  I don’t know if they already renovated – but the pictures I saw on the net – are not what I had seen about 15 years ago.  But I wasn’t really disappointed with the hotel – just that the rooms were very small and it’s a very old hotel.  So if you are in Singapore – you may want to check out the newer hotels instead.