Euro Travel & More

I’ve always been biased when it comes  to places for scuba diving but a friend who had just come back from Club Med Dominican Republic told us that we had to book Club Med – so we are trusting his opinion and going to Club Med instead of DisneyLand.  So now we are going to have to hunt down some camera goggles so that we can film our underwater adventures plus we may be visiting some dolphins as well.  My kid is very excited about seeing a pink dolphin – she wants to swim with it.  The camera goggles will work well for us because it will keep our hands free while it films everything we do – from snorkelling to spearfishing.    I think we are going to get 2 of them – and we can get them at our local store in the mall – or wait I think it’s an online only thing – so yes, we can still buy it online.   Club Med should be a fun place for any kids too – and I’m sure we could use some sun right about  now.

My ex-boss being a resident in Madrid, of course brought us to places where the locals go and The Plaza De Santa Ana was recommended by him and it’s a real Spaniard experience here especially in the evenings.  You don’t find a lot of tourist around and drinks and food were a lot cheaper than the places where the tourists are brought to by their tour guides.  There were outdoor cafes and bar everywhere at the Plaza De Santa Ana and folks play guitar there every night with singing and dancing – it was a very lively scene.  There are a few vendors there – who would try and sell you their touristy souvenirs and you can politely refused if you didn’t want any.   We usually stay till late in the evening – as people watching as well as the singing was really good.  If you want to experience a true spanish atmosphere – try this plaza.

The Plaza is always crowded and with lots of people.

We loved the Bellagio Fountain when we are in Vegas and our timing always seems to be pretty great when the show begins. and this time of the year – I bet they are playing Christmas songs to go with the show.  The show is pretty magnificent – I’ve seen people cry when watching the water fountain go – it’s quite funny to be honest.  But for those watching for the first time – I can fully understand why they can get so overwhelmed because it has gotta be the most beautiful show to enjoy with a loved one or yourself.

If you asked me I prefer the night shows a lot more.   The shows are from 3pm – 7pm on weekdays for 30 mins and watch them in the evening from 7pm – 12am – shows lasting for only 15mins.  I prefer the short shows.   On weekends the show starts earlier but end at the same time.   Free to watch – so when you are in Las Vegas, make sure you spend some time watching the Bellagio Fountains and if you are lucky – you can see some street performers as well.

A friend who was heading up to Paris asked me where he should go eat – a must eat – in Paris and I recommended an outdoor cafe in Paris called the Au Petit Sud Quest – located at the  Avenue de la Bourdonnais.  If you can’t find your way there – check with your hotel concierge.   The prices range from $50 – $90 per person but it will be one of the best meal you’ve eaten anywhere.

What so special about this little outdoor cafe?  first you can sit indoors if you wished but I always choose to eat outside because of the beautiful scenery and all walks of people come by here.  The service is awesome and they have a very well stocked cellar in the cafe.  I loved the way they are so personable – while everyone says that in Paris – the french just don’t want to speak in other languages – but the owner of the cafe is very nice.  I speak very little french – but they were very kind to us. The best part was that they took time to explain to us about the dish and how it was cooked.  This place is about wine, duck and foie gras  and because I loved mushroom so much – they made a nice crepe with mushroom for me.  For dessert we had the creme brulee – what else!  so if you are headed out to Paris – check out this little cafe/restaurant.

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.

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.

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.

I was in Peru – traveling for work when we met some people on the same trip – they were from United States – and we shared a few glasses of wine together and chatted and became friends – but that was like 20 years ago.  We kept in contact after the trip and updated each other yearly of our adventures, our lives and work and though we never did travel again to the same places again – they have visited Asia and I had gone to the States to visit them.  Traveling don’t only bring you more insight on the culture of different places but for me – it allows me to meet more interesting people – who became friends.   And when a long time traveling friend – has a new born baby – what do you do?  send a delicious baby gift of course!!   We are so lucky – because some 20 years ago – we can just go on the internet to get gifts for your oversea friends – you have to mail them thru’ snail mail – now with emails and online gift store and flower stores – there is no excuse not to celebrate life !

Every now and then friends asked me what I pack for my vacations – and I highly recommend that they bring at least a few womens hoodies with them – even if it is to the south they are going to.   Why?  because it can get windy and a woman’s hoodies is great for anywhere – from a bar to outdoors in the sun.  Plus a women’s hoodies never go out of fashion – and can be shared with your kids – that I soon found out when she didn’t bring hers.   Of course, if you are going to Whistler or Switzerland for skiing than you have to bring some other warmer clothing – but pack the basics like some hoodies and then layer them up wherever and whenever necessary- one can never go wrong bring them along.  Anything with a hoodie is great because when it rains – a hoodie can be used to protect your head, hair and face from the rain and I highly recommend a yoga pants too – because it’s so easy to wash and dry and lightweight. I never bring anything I won’t wear – because that would mean I won’t have space in my luggage for my shopping.  So don’t forget to pack wisely.