Euro Travel & More

I haven’t been to Beijing for many years but the friend who just came back from a study trip showed and shared this pictures with me.  This was his first time there – and lets look at Beijing from another eye.

While there were many places that I’ve been to already – there were some new ones that I haven’t seen for myself in Beijing.  But like any Asian country that is flourishing both in natural resources and the tourist industry – Beijing continue to grow and continued to build more high rises.   They retained the old but never stuck in the old – amazing these Chinese are.

One of the few temples that I haven’t been to.

More of the same temple.

Wonder what this mean – hahah!  probably saying the Chinese people are as hardworking as their animals?

As for this pink statue – seriously i still don’t know what it meant and what is the purpose of it?  I will be going to Beijing again – that’s for sure – i’m just in awe with the many changes.

I’ve worked in the hotel industry for the longest time – from the back office to the front desk and have also traveled to the West and to Europe a lot because of work.  Once a General Manager in Asia asked me how different is the service in asia as compared to the west and I cannot begin to describe what I feel about the Western hospitality.

If you have met any of the Westerners in the hotels that I’ve worked in – they are amazed at how well and respected they are treated – so much so – that they get spoiled in Asia.  Many businessmen who comes into the hotels that I’ve worked in – tells me that they don’t want to leave Asia and once upon a time I didn’t understand at all.

But after living in the West for so long and traveled around the West for so long – I can now fully understand the difference.  How different?  very!  while the receptionist in Asia tries their very best to accommodate your needs – in the West – the General Manager in a hotel – would never return your call even though you try to contact them for a reservation because the reservation department don’t answer their phones.

When you check into the hotel – there are no bell hops to help you – and when you ask for a late check out they can’t give you a straight answers.  While Asian hotels will negotiate the room rates – or long staying rates – our Western counterparts – don’t seems to care if the rooms are filled or not?   People in the hospitality industry in the West are less attentive to the needs of their customers it seems. And yes – i missed the Asian hospitality – and one can never explain to the West how they can treat their house guests better – because they don’t really care – so it seems.  What are your experiences?  care to share with me?

Going home to Asia for a vacation with the entire family may not be a real good idea for now – because of the long flight – which is about 28 hrs on the plane – not counting the lay over time and transit time.  In fact, going to the States is cheaper than going to Vancouver for us – so our other alternative are  Branson vacations or a trip to New York city to visit a long time friend or Maine, Portland – which is only a ferry away from Digby.

We have been to Maine before – and New York seems like a very long drive – and we still have to cross over with the boat in Digby – plus a family vacation – you need to take the kids to a place where they have plenty to do.  Ours is no longer young kids – so Disneyland is out – so is SeaWorld.  We want to cater to  our teenagers or bigger kids more than 10 – then family fun like Branson would be the ideal.   Rates are pretty great too – as we can see – lets hope no hidden charges eh.  But soon – we’ll head back to Asia – I promised.

I kinda missed the Westin, Bali – well not only because of the rustic furniture in the outdoor restaurant – The Veranda but I love the indoor ones as well – don’t forget to check out the Teppanyaki while you are there.  Westin Bali is a great place to be with the family and those with kids – you should see the kids’ club they have to cater to family.

Love the outdoor cabanas in Bali and the ocean – the privacy is to die for – and of course the never ending flow of mai tais and whatever drinks you would like.   Don’t forget to get a massage while you are relaxing and have your kids watched over by their trained staff at the clubhouse.  The guys -  they can enjoy the golf club – if they are into golf.

Welcome to Saigon !  the spouse said to me when we visited Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh City aka Vietnam for a short trip some 6 months ago.  It had been more than 10 yrs since we last visited Saigon and the last time i was there was also for work.  Saigon the land of many opportunities and lot of history – the good, the bad and some ugly.  Where the ladies I’ve seen are the most hardworking people and the humblest and in my humble opinion in need of good wrinkle removers because the sun is so hard on them.  But they smile and tell me each wrinkle lines tells a story.

Saigon has changed a lot – just by looking at all the high rise building and everywhere our cabbie turned – there was another new building sprouting out.  I felt a little overwhelmed when i came back for this trip with the spouse who was on business.

Dong are what they are called – the currency used in Saigon – and 100,000 Dong is about $5.45 in Cdn.  Yes – lots of money to carry – the same for when you are in Thailand or China even a bit of Malaysia – where the currency seems so big and huge but the value is so little.

Many of their older buildings are now restored and used as restaurants.

Shophouses on the ground floor and on the top are living apartments – a lot of expatriates lives here because it is in the center of town and convenient – i hear that rent isn’t that expensive in this area as compared to the rent in Hong Kong.

Road side eateries are my favorite but i strongly advise against if you do not have a strong stomach.  Food is like $0.20 – $0.50 for a meal in this store.

Karaoke anyone?

Shop houses for eating like this one is everywhere in Saigon and they are relatively cleaner although more expensive than the roadside stores.  But if you want authentic Vietnamese food – here is the best bet.

We tried the more posh restaurant -  located at Nguyen Thiep Street, District 1 – and wasn’t disappointed – love the fusion decor and the fusion food too.

Love the fruit stores !  missed this terribly because they don’t have it here in Canada.

Some local fruit – i don’t remember what it is called – but it’s a cross between a mandarin orange and a lemon – taste sweet though.

More street store with sweets/desserts.

Yes! saigon is this modern – they have an Esprit building – just for shopping at  Dong Khoi street, also in District 1.  The entire ground floor is for shopping and the upper building are offices.  I have so many pictures to share but that will be for another day and another post.

Feeling a little nostalgia and also mostly because I’m missing home a lot lately – the cousin sent me some recent pictures of Chinatown from home.  And home is not in China – where most people here in Canada thinks i am.  I guess – when they see a Chinese – they just assume we are all from China – hahaa!  but just like the Westerners thinks we all look alike, the Westerners look very much the same to me too – unless they are people I know very well.  So when i was reading about  herbal phentermine one day and a customer walked in asking about something – i had mistaken her for the spouse’s cousin – hahah!

Truth be told – i rarely go to Chinatown when i was home – i never really appreciate the beautiful and restored buildings but as you can see – they are very beautiful building and the government of Singapore tried to make every inch of Singapore look as beautiful as possible for both the tourist as well as the residents in Singapore.

Some people only goes there once a year for Chinese New Year but many older folks i know goes there every morning for a brief walk – a – bout and then coffee in the clans near the temple.

It is very interesting to see the many temples in Singapore – but i never go – because my mum wasn’t a believer and she never really allowed us to go into temples.  How i wished i could turn the clock around and won’t take these beautiful statues for granted.

The inside of the temple as you can see – is very beautiful as well.  In Chinatown, they not only have temples for the Chinese but mosques as well for the Muslims.

I’ve walked this passageway before – i hope soon – i can bring my kids home with me.

Ahh! Pulau Ubin ! kinda nostalgia for me – you see when we were going to school as a kid – so carefree and no need for prevera times – our school would bring us to Pulau Ubin for class trips all the time.  In fact, I think we go for a class trip every now and then to Pulau Ubin but I’m guessing that it’s only because it’s darn cheap to go there.

Pulau Ubin is an island near Singapore – and you can make a short trip with a bum boat for less than $2.50 or hire the whole bumboat for $30 with friends.  Is there much to do at Pulau Ubin ?  not really that much if i remember correctly but it was fun for it’s like bringing you back to another era.

Very quaint right?  Sure brings you back to the 60s in Singapore – the mainland i mean.  But what else can one do in Pulau Ubin I hear you asking? cheap bike rides – cheap seafood – but make sure you get out before 4pm because the last bum boat goes off then.

Life in Pulau Ubin is pretty simple as you can see.

But getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city is kinda cool once in a while – although the kids may not like it that much.  But where would you get to rent a bike for the entire day for $2 eh.

Don’t forget to get to CheK Jawa – where you can go for nature walks and do all sorts of sight seeing too – check out the 21 meter Jejawi Tower.

the broadwalk

Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen and most importantly – BUG SPRAY!!

Yes! you guess right – Walt Disney World is where everyone wants to bring their kids to – and we are no difference of course – and when you see a good deal – you take it just like when you see  diet pills that really work you buy it immediately – haha!   I have been to Walt Disney World several times but not with the family  – but when i was working and traveling.

But be prepared – the queues are long for just about every ride and try to choose a day where it is not so sunny but also windy.  The heat really almost killed all of us – hahaah! when we were last there a few years ago.  Plus if you are going with kids – make sure you have some kind of stroller or a push wagon – because the kids are not going to be walking for hours and hours with you.

We had a really good deal with the theme park this year and besides special passes for the entire family for a few days – we also got a great deal to stay in the resort.

We didn’t even cover half the area in the time we were there – the first day that is – so it was great that we were staying in the resort and was able to go back the next day.  More in the next few post.

The Peak in Hong Kong definitely has the most magnificent view of all of Hong Kong.  I used to go to Hong Kong a few times a year and I see there had been changes of late in Hong Kong and The Peak has also changed a lot too.   While looking for ipad warranty in Hong Kong, a friend also told me about the many restaurants up at The Peak these days.   We all know that while traveling, eating good food is one of the most important part of a travel, so I’m pleased to let you know that have all sorts to cater to just about everyone – from Burger King (they never had that when i visited them last) to Kyo Hachi Japanese Restaurant – dining with a view.

So how did I get to The Peak ?  we drove up there since we had friends and co – workers in Hong Kong but we never fail toi take the famous Tram down the Peak.  It was really fun but awfully crowded if you asked me.  But make sure you go at a time where it isn’t the summer holiday for the kids because the Peak is not only for the tourists – local residents go to the Peak all the time.

Don’t forget to go to Madame Tussauds – at about HK$160 for entrance fees.  You can also do some shopping although I don’t remember buying much there.  Oh ! i did get a Giordano t-shirts and stuff – Oh ! i so miss Giordano!!   They also have a Swarovski store too now! Mann!! i need to go back to Hong Kong for a visit.  Anyhow, Hong Kong is a wonderful place, I could spend days there – and I really missed it – if you haven’t been to Hong Kong – you have to go there for sure – if you are traveling around Asia.

Been to L.A (Los Angeles) lately?  I haven’t – it had been a long time – so when i came across some old pictures that we had taken on one of our many trips to LA – i can’t help but wanna go again this year.  So instead of looking for  prenatal multivitamin for the sister – I decided to look for cheap airfares to visit LA – this summer.   But in the meantime – i thought I would share some pictures we took many moons again.  I don’t know how much LA has changed but no matter how it has changed – I’m sure you would love LA.

The very famous Six Flags Magic Mountain, we never miss going especially when you have some kids with you.

Earl Carroll/Nickelodeon Theater, 6230 Sunset Blvd.  Lavish supper club that opened in 1938.

No explanation needed here right?

The very famous cupcakes

UCLA

Another very famous fast food joint – we always go to – best ever burgers!

Burger!!  see i need to go for a visit really soon – even if it was just for the burgers.