Euro Travel & More

We have been up in Halifax so many times but yet we haven’t seen everything and ate everywhere and each trip we seems to find something more amazing and more fascinating and we buy more new stuff every trip.   This trip was pretty fruitful because I found a place where I can buy shea butter and Japanese bento and Japanese incense stick – pretty awesome.  We also headed out to several Farmer’s market near the hotel and we found some interesting things to bring home.

An ice cream stand that is still opened in the fall is nice because some days it can still be quite hot.  We didn’t get any ice cream – but we definitely would love to the next time.

A music shop that we found.

A gift store that sells rubber duckies.

An ikebana store that sells lots of Japanese things – and we bought some very good incense here – and wished I had bought more – but most importantly, I bought all my beauty products that I cannot find where I lived.  I had a good trip despite the fact that the kid got sick at the end of the trip – what a bummer right?  but the next time – I’m going to buy more shea butter conditioner and lip balm.  I loved the shea butter range of products.

We stayed at the Westin Hotel in Halifax during our last trip up to the city and since Westin was rated as a 4 star hotel we were actually looking forward to checking out the hotel.  Located at the South end of Halifax – near the waterfront – it’s not as convenient as the Barrington Delta or the Sheraton Four Points but it was still a pretty decent place to stay at.

The Westin had a huge lobby and it’s especially great for businessmen since they need to receive their guests here – over here is where you can find the bell hop/concierge desk – but as you can see here – no bell hop or concierge is in sight.  But that doesn’t mean that they are not around.  The bell hops are friendly but since the hotel was running on full house – they were in and out of the hotel.  I would have thought that there would be a permanent concierge for such a big hotel but we didn’t see any during our 2 days stay there.

The front desk area is large and usually there are a few front desk clerk available – either on the phone or checking in their guests.  Our check in was prompt and we were treated with respect but unfortunately, they did not hear that we need a room with a cot in it since we had a 7 yrs old with us.

The lobby is inviting as you can see here. There were several restaurants in the basement and a lounge area with free wifi – unfortunately, the hotel was so packed we didn’t get a chance to check it out.

Our first room was too small for a cot – so we asked for a change of room – the second day – which they did.  Unfortunately, they gave us a handicap room – with no tub – so my poor kid did not bathe the night before we went home.   Everything was just weird for us in the handicap room.  The bathroom was small and had no counter top space and the heater didn’t really work right at all.

They brought the cot up after we spoke to the housekeeping maid on the floor – unfortunately, they didn’t have the right sheets for the cot – and we had to ask again for them.

We didn’t even get to go to the pool because the kid got sick from sleeping on the floor the first night and the second night the heater wouldn’t come on.  But service was good – they did try to help but if given a choice we won’t stay at the Westin because it is a old hotel – grand but dusty to max.

I haven’t been into a train station for a long time – so when we were in Halifax and staying at the Westin Hotel which is just next to the VIA Rail – I thought we should at least stop in and check it out.  You can’t missed the train station as it is at the end of Barrington Street – to be exact it is in Hollis Street.

It would be nice to take a train ride up to Montreal or even to Niagara Falls.

The inside of the train station.

It’s places like the Clay Cafe that make me wished we lived in Halifax instead of a small town – places like Clay Cafe located at Quinpool Road is a place that anyone of any ages can go to.  Be it bonding with mother/father with their kids – or girlfriends and boyfriends wanting to show their artwork in a special way.

With more than 300 pottery shapes to choose from and some friendly staff to help you out – you will like this casual setting – where you can paint away for just $5 – $60 depending on the design.  It’s not entirely cheap – but it’s a great way to spend an afternoon doing something nice for yourself or someone.  I really do like this Clay Cafe and wished I could bring this franchise to our small town.

While the rest of the world are planning for a winter vacation during Christmas – can you guess where I will be heading for this Christmas?  I’m definitely not having a white Christmas – because I’m going somewhere sunny and with sand and the beach.   You really can’t blame me for wanting to be somewhere warm this winter – for I’ve been here for 12 years to-date – and had been spending Christmas in the freezing cold.   My christmas stockings may not be near a fire place – but it will be filled with goodies like always – so if you are planning a Christmas vacation away from home – now is the time to start looking.

There are many great destination during Christmas time – and Cancun plus Havana are always crowded with Canadian and American tourists this time of the year.  We are booking earlier this year – because we are bringing our extended family with us for a week long vacation – just sipping mojitos and margaritas  with massages and sun.  I had thought about going back to Asia during Christmas time – but i figured Asia is best when it is the coldest here in Canada – in February.   We are not going to be opening our christmas stockings or bringing any presents with us during Christmas – but when we get home – we can all open our presents.  Time to go look for a travel agent.

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.

We all go on holiday and with holidays – we go on tour buses – but don’t you hate it when you tour bus is a dingy old van ?  well ! so do I and you are not alone – especially if you are touring on the tour bus for a good part of the day.  So what can you do to avoid sitting on a dingy old van – uncomfy seats – and even smell of sweat or puke?  Actually a lot !  I know we all don’t expect our tour buses to come with maserati mats but the least we can expect is air-con and comfortable seats and a deceent driver.  So the next time you book a tour or go on holiday – make sure you ask your tour operator – what kind of tour buses you will be on – because you are afterall the customer – and you are entitled to as much comfort as you can get.   Don’t feel bad about asking – because you have to know what you are paying for.

If you are in Malaysia during the month of August – you are in for a feast – because it’s Ramadan month and with Ramadan month – it can only mean one thing – food !  and more food.  During the ramadan – the muslim will go for a fasting period for a month from dawn to dusk and when they break their fast in the evening – you can see lots of food stall all over malaysia – selling all kinds of food – in their food bazaar and they choices are endless.  If I go to Malaysia during Ramadan month – I have to have lots of appetitie suppressing ideas because you can bet on it that I would eat any kind of food I come across.  The food are not only delicious they are so color and so fragrant – no one can resist it.

From curry to popiah – and sweets and even drinks – they are absolutely delicious – so if you are on a diet – do not think of going to Malaysia during the Ramadan month – for I can assure you that after 5pm – food and its stalls are all over the place in Malaysia.

Some people confirmed that they put on more weight during their fasting month than they do during the entire year – because they eat a lot more of the good food offered after fasting for the entire day.

The variety of food offered are endless and they are really reasonably priced because they are targeted for the average family – who are out working and have no time to break their fast properly by cooking for the entire family.

Yummy coconut dessert are to die for!  i can eat 10 of these at one go.

So if you don’t have anywhere to go yet – for the Labor day holidays – try taking advantage of VIA Rail network as all Canadian destinations are on sale!  50% off the regular adult fair for both the Economy and Business classes.  But you have to book before August 31st 2011.   From Toronto to Montreal is only $69!  great prices!  hurry ! hurry!

Everyone wants to go away for the Labor Day weekend – because it’s the last week before the kids goes back to school.  Some people go camping which is by far the easiest – but for people like me – I want to be up in the city and doing some last minute shopping for the kid – and her going back to school gear.  But a check around – you will know that most hotel are either fully booked or they are going for very expensive rate on the Labor day weekend.

So what do one do?  well – the other alternative is to have a huge bbq – with friends and family and enjoy a lazy weekend.  That is not a bad idea either.  Some other suggestions will be to check out Expedia.com – for they have some sale on for Labor Day to Paris – up to 50% and of course – Las Vegas if you are in United States would be a wonderful place to be – rooms starting from $44.00.  I checked locally for Halifax but nothing less than $125.  So I guess we are going to be staying for a BBQ.