Euro Travel & More

One of the best things I make plans for when traveling anywhere is to find and savor the authentic local cuisine.  The simplest food to a local can very well be a gem of a find to travelers like us.  We love good food and believe that good food need not be expensive.

Eating and traveling goes hand in hand in my opinion and if you want authentic and unique cuisine, my ex-boss had told me once that I needed to travel for it.  Well, I beg to differ because you now can get fresh crab meat flown to you from Louisiana seafood.  You will be really pleased to know that they deliver it fresh to your doorstep, what more can one ask for, right?

Of course they do have more than just crab meat; they have oysters, shrimp and Louisiana’s famous craw fish. Ordering online is so easy, even my mother knows how to do it.  As for pricing, one can expect really competitive pricing and good value for their money, plus excellent customer service.  Their assurance to you, the consumer, is nothing less than top quality, if you are not happy about the quality when it is delivered, be sure to call and let them know and they will take care of it for you (although I know they rarely get these kinds of calls).   Want fresh seafood?  You don’t have to travel around the world for it, order it online like I do (especially now that I don’t get to travel so much).

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Bali is definitely a mystical place.  When i was much younger, the first thing i did when i arrived in Bali and after a long car ride to the hotel, I would head out to the city .. and look for a drinking hole or even some kind of entertainment or better yet shopping.  But these days, when i head out to Bali, i head out to the mountains.. or the lesser known.. where there isn’t too much tourist around.

This was taken in the lake of Ulu Danu, located at the west side of Lake Bratan, it is actually a small island near a village of the Candi Kuning. At Ulu Danu, there is a Balinese Hindu Temple - it is definitely .. a very lovely place .. with very lovely sceneries.  Very serene, very mystical.. i could spend a few days here.. taking in the fresh air and feel rejuvenated.

A temple that people pray in ..  and very lovely architectural inside and outside of the temple.

Many statues and pagodas.. plus you see lots of monuments around.  The stunning mountain and the magnificent sight is really the most relaxing place I’ve been. Good for people who wants to just relax and for some worship and even to find inspiration.  Of course, the resort has got more than just temples and monuments.. they do have nice golf courses as well and on the other side of this village, you can do your water skiing and snorkelling and other water sports.  I will show you more in another post.

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Yes.. we drove across the Golden Bridge in San Francisco in a convertible just because.  We rented a red convertible from Thrifty Rental but thought later that it need a new air conditioning compressor. But that’s another story for another day.  Having worked in United States, in different cities, we thought it would be a good idea to do it .. just this once.

But one should know that renting a car in San Frans is a lot more expensive than in other cities.. which we didn’t really think of at first.  But we had a few people with us.. so we just chipped in .. and it was alright.. plus don’t you forget to get that insurance paper and all.

The inside of our convertible that sat 4 of us comfortably .. but if you have a familywith kids, please don’t get a convertible, it can get really messy especially if you go visit San Franscico in September like we did.

A view of the Golden Bridge from our sports car.

On the golden bridge now.  As you can see a lot of ppl do walk on the side of the bridge.  Unlike our Mackay Bridge and Macdonald Bridge in Halifax, Nova Scotia.. i definitely haven’t seen  anyone walking on it.

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The Brown’s Hotel in London was one of the very first that I had stayed in many years ago. But at that time it was under another management . .another owner. It is a very charming and intimate hotel and as one can expect . .it is very English like in decor and everything else. The Brown’s Hotel shouts respect .. and distinguished.

Located in Mayfiar on Albermarle Street, The Brown’s Hotel is actually one of the most historic hotels as it was the first hotel to be opened in London in 1837. Within a short walk from Bond Street where you can get all your exclusive handbags and shoes and clothings.

They had 29 luxurious suites and more standard rooms in Brown’s and I was privileged to have stayed in one. Each suite i learned later .. that they were individually designed with a sophistication that has become the trademark of The Rocco Forte Collection. Of course, the service staff goes about their work quietly and never disturbing your peace. The people in the hotel were friendly.. but not over hospitable I have to say. They do keep a distance.. and talk when spoken to.

Even if you didn’t get a chance to stay at the Brown’s Hotel, one must try going to the famous English Tea Room. Relax to the sounds from the Baby Grand Piano and indulge in Brown’s award-winning Traditional Afternoon Tea which consists of a choice of 17 teas, including Brown’s own blend, along with succulent finger sandwiches, an assortment of delicate pastries, fruit and plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, as well as a choice of freshly baked cakes from the trolley.

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Some people collect promotional pens as souvenirs when they travel either for vacation or for work but I collect Hard Rock Cafe Bears wherever i am.  No matter how busy I am, I will definitely find a Hard Rock Cafe to bear a bear for myself and a cap for the spouse.  He has 2 bagfuls of them in the basement.. because he can’t appreciate it .. while my bears are in their own glass cabinets.  What about you ..?? what do you collect as souvenirs for your trips.

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If there is anything i like most about Japan is shopping.  The city is filled with stores, from malls to individual little speciality stores.  There are just food stores everywhere as well.  It is awesome..!!  Like any other places, the Japanese can get abit rowdy when it is during peak hours.. but as a tourist .. it can be a little overwhelming.   There are digital signage just about everywhere.. and really Tokyo does shine at night.  Buy just about anything.. and view the latest technology.

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I flew a lot to Barcelona and Madrid because my ex-company was located in Spain and the factory was in Barcelona. For Spanair Gold member like myself, I used the lounge a lot.  I think some of the hostess there kinda know me, they even greet me by my family at times.  Drinks were free and there were no shower.. but a smoking area there is .. as you all know the Spaniards love to smoke a lot.  The lounge is nothing to shout about and small compared to the one in Madrid but it is at a great location, so instead of heading over to Singapore Airline lounge.. because i fly a lot on SIA too, i used this one instead.

Ya.. ! the olives were huge.. and the drinks were so-so.

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When you do travel as much as I do, you can’t help but feel so good about certain places; whether you are there for a vacation, visiting a girlfriend, attending a wedding or even when you are on a  business trip.  Wilmington, NC is a charming little port although the population isn’t huge like back home in Asia. I feel that it’s a great place to bring up my kids.   I like the mild climate as well, it wasn’t too cold nor too hot but it was quite humid when I was there, but according to the girlfriend, its just that time of the year.

Property/Real Estates prices are very affordable but like any smart home owners, we know that having the right real estate agent is a very important asset when buying the right home. Coastal Caroline Properties Wilmington NC real estate company has a great reputation from the testimonials I’ve seen, plus Paul Coffman is said to be a people person who also happens to be an animal lover with a mission to help homeless pets find good homes. He also contributes generously to charities.  I don’t know about you, but a man who is willing to give back to society is the kind of person I want handling the biggest purchase in my life.  So if you are looking for a home in North Carolina, check out Paul Coffman first.

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Some friends and readers asked when I stayed in the hotel for the first time..and I’ll have to let you know that I was like 20 something years old.  It was when i was going for a school trip to UK for the first time ever.  Guess what i brought along to make my hotel stay comfy..??  yes  !! scented candles and votive candle holders, it’s true..!! i kid you not..!!  hahahhaha!! silly ..?? not really, coz’ i was gonna stay there like a week.. so i might as well make myself comfy right..?? what about you ..??  what did you bring along on your first stay in a hotel..??

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Yes.. they were showing Shrek @ Movie World.. !! woohoo..!!! We really didn’t want to miss it.. and the children just love Shrek.. so we went in and watched it at Movie World.  The theater was awesome..!! and the sound effect.. and the big screen made the big kid.. and the small one wants to turn the basement into a home theatre with home theater furniture and the works for it.  It was definitely a fun experience.. and we hope to go to Gold Coast again.

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