Euro Travel & More

I’ve stayed at the Trump Int’l Hotel, Las Vegas with my boss and engineers when I was working for a Spanish company in Madrid – because we needed to be there to look into a project for parking meters – I think it was a tender followed by some negotiation with the clients.  Anyhow, we were at the Trump International many times and each time I arrived in Las Vegas and enter the hotel I’ll have to say – I loved the grandeur of the hotel – unfortunately, there is this damn train that I can’t seem to get away from – and it definitely disrupt my sleep – so much – that I had to buy ear plugs. Other than that – the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas – treated us well – and we love the rates there.

And since there is no casino here – we could have our business meetings in the hotel itself and for those who loved to gamble or try their luck – the Ceasar casino and Wynn are not far from the Trump.  The strip and fashion mall  are just opposite of the hotel  – so if you need to shop or eat or do anything – they are just within walking distance.  Another thing to note is the resort fees that they charged – my hotel bills were paid by the company – but every time I see someone check in or out – there were always a big argument about it.   Different people were charged differently too – so irregardless whether you use the pool, gym or the shuttle you still have to pay this resort fees.

I do love the room, they were big and spacious and the penthouse that my boss stayed in on the 65th floor – was awesome – they even have their own butler there for the boss – I was so jealous!  but my boss had offered me his penthouse – but of course I didn’t change room with him.

I think every room has it own jacuzzi tub – and I do enjoy it a lot.

We eat our breakfast by the pool every morning before heading out to our business meetings – it’s nice to see people swimming first thing in the morning – but we were all dressed up in business suits.  Lots of sunbed here – no worry about not getting your tan.  For a little over a $100 a nite at the Trump – we cannot ask for more.

So you are thinking of bringing your kids for a vacation this Christmas – but of course – you need a hotel that is kid friendly and have certain amenities for kids as well.  But you also don’t want to pay top dollars for just accommodation alone for you want to leave some spending money so that you and your kids can buy some souvenirs home right?   I can understand it completely – but do you want to just choose a hotel with a pool and pool safety fence or do you want also restaurants for them to eat in – as well as an amusement park nearby for convenience reason?  What about the rooms?  do you want a hotel to provide those free roll-in bed or a sofa bed?  yes you have to take all these into consideration.

The Westin Chosun is one of my favorite hotel when I am in Asia – not only is it reasonable in prices – it is kid’s friendly as well as very near a shopping market.

The Myeong dong market is like a cluster of shopping center together – they have loads of high end shops here – and you can shop till you drop.  I loved the street food on the Myeong Dong Market – and everything is just so cheap there.

The interior of the Westin Chosun is pretty luxurious as you can view from this picture – very much like a Japanese hotel but much bigger rooms.  The pool is an olympic size pool and you can see children playing at the children’s pool and although they do not have safety fences like the B & B’s in the West – you also will be in awe of the Olympic size pool that most western hotels do not have but definitely kid’s friendly.

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.

My in-laws will travel to as far as USA for the bluegrass festival in their motorhome – and now that they are both retired – it’s a great opportunity for them to travel as much as they want.  With a good motorhome insurance they can go just about anywhere in the world – without worrying about anything.   I told the spouse that when our kid is grown up – we should be like his parents and travel around in a motorhome – it’s a great way to travel – but i don’t want a huge motorhome   – a medium size one is great for us and with all the comfort of home and not having to stay in crappy hotels – i loved it.  I think my in-laws like their motorhome when they travel is because they can travel the way they like and freely.

Some of the best food in Hong Kong are found on the street – someone told me before I first visited Hong Kong – that you can forgo any kind of food in Hong Kong – but you have to taste all the street food in Hong Kong.  Not only are they cheap they are darn good.  Don’t be mislead that street food in Hong Kong isn’t clean – in fact – they are just as clean – or more than the high class restaurants that you go to in Hong Kong.   I loved the curry fishballs on skewer  and the octopus on skewer – and not forgetting the siew mai on skewer and sweet chilli sauce as well.

Made of flour and eggs – this is a local delicacy – for all Hong Kongers – it’s like an afternoon snack for them.

Fried Hor Fun may not be exactly street food – but you can find them in small chinese cafe in Hong Kong – they are definitely a must try – loved their dry hor fun.  Try the ones with sambal -  it’s in a pretty high class restaurant in Hong Kong – taste different but only if you like it hot.

Polo bun is a must when you are in Hong Kong – yummy to the max.

And my favorite red bean ice dessert – also another must eat and drink.

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.

If you are visiting France – Paris – you  have to go see Nice as well – love the weather in Nice – and everything and everybody is so beautiful in Nice.  One of the things I loved to do in Nice is the Farmer’s Market – early in the morning.

Dried fruits as you can see here – they have so much food to offer – in Nice – I never missed it.

Grains and herbs.

Fresh seafood – and they don’t smell fishy at all.

Squids for grilling.

Candied fruits – so cute and delightful to look at.

More dried goods.

All kinds of beans.

South Of France – Nice has this special restaurant the Nisa Socca Rue de Sainte-Reparate in Vieux Nice, just a few metres from the Cours Saleya marketplace – that you have to visit – and when you are there – you have to try their Pissaladiere.  So if you want a true French dining experience – I strongly recommend you this place.   They compare the pissaladiere  with pizza – Italian pizza is what I think it is – or the closest – I would describe it.   The Nisa Socca is a busy little place – and pretty crowded – so do go early and get a seat.

Luna Park Sydney brings out the child in me every time I visit.  I remember watching out for new rides or new features and then planning to go there during my off days.   Luna Park is located at 1 Olympic Dr. Milsons Point, how do one get there?   It’s actually pretty easy to get there – we went from by ferry – but if you have the unlimited bus pass – that would be easy too.  It’s very near Sydney Harbor.   Like most amusement parks – you have to pay for the entrance fee and the rides – we always go for the all rides – for about $39 Aud  – I think – it may have changed now – I haven’t been back for ages.  But even an old fogie like myself loved the rides – so I don’t think the kids would have any trouble enjoying them too.

We always spend the entire day in Luna Park – and my favorite is the spin ride – not suitable for the faint hearted.  And like all amusement parks – food in the restaurants – are pretty expensive – so are the drinks.  But I didn’t mind spending the money – after all, we are there for the fun right?  But for a family of 4 – it can get really costly.

It’s absolutely beautiful at night – and any child would love to be at Luna Park.

Another all time favorite of mine is the bumper car rides – you should hear us squeal – the kids are frightened by us – hahah!  We didn’t go on the ferris wheel as we’ve been there up teem times but you get a great view of Sydney Harbor when you are up there – so check it out yourself and don’t forget the cotton candy at Luna Park Australia.

If you are in Halifax with children – you have to go for a cruise in good ole Theodore – for it must be fun for the kids.  We didn’t go – because the weather wasn’t so nice.  But the next time we are in Halifax in the summer – we have to remember to give Theodore the tugboat a try.

It was quite a windy day – even in June – it was quite cold and the water was choppy.

Theodore looking really good here.

There is also a gift store just on all of Theodore the tugboat – but they were expensive – but nevertheless a novelty everyone must bring home from Halifax.