Euro Travel & More

A yoga retreat once a year is the best gift anyone can gift to their spouse/partner or even girlfriend and boyfriend.  The Horizon Ocean View Hotel and Yoga Center is heavenly.  The owners are very friendly and they really took care of us when we were there.  Food was great and it really revitalized us completely – I remembered telling myself that we will be back – the day we checked out.

This was our cabin during our vacation – we noticed a lot of couples and some honeymooners.

This is the tea cafe – we’ve enjoyed many daylights here.

Yoga room at the Horizon.

And our own personal pool that we dipped in a couple of times a day. The resort was huge and we were fed well – in different places every evening after our surfing classes, massages and yoga classes.  We also had horse riding sessions if we chose to and surfing was another sport we tried while we were there.  The meals were provided by the resort – you just use the meal vouchers.  This place is absolutely beautiful and definitely cheap – so cheap that I want to book my next trip even before I left.  Check out their website for more info.

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.

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.

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.

We were on a R & R mood when we stayed a few days in  Lagunas de Montebello.  Beautiful ! but darn cold to swim in it – so we didn’t – what a waste right?   I’ve always loved Mexico – and Lagunas de Montebello is one place that I want to visit again soon since the weather is going crazy here in Canada – and snow is expected soon and it’s only October.

While in Asia – I would definitely advised travelers or those going on family vacations to be careful of pickpocketing because there are many professional pickpockets there.  They are so good and quick – I tell you – you don’t know who or what happened – because it only takes them seconds.  I know so – because it happened to me when I was in Hong Kong on vacation with some girlfriends – I was happy, they were happy – we were laughing and entering a department store – and the next thing I knew my purse was lifted and I turned around and there was no one.  So if you are traveling anywhere in Asia – be careful – don’t say it would never happen to you. But if you are in the West – or in Europe – then you have to be careful of electronic pickpocketing , after watching the below video – I was quite stunned – with what technology can do these days.   Identity theft is huge in the West and Europe – so if you are on vacation around here – be careful and check out the video below.

What a spectacular view to spend a few romantic days at this Bed and Breakfast right?  but i strongly recommend the summer to be here – for it gets real cold during other seasons.  Sleeping on the edge of the world – was written by someone else – I wouldn’t use that phrase to describe this B & B but I would love to stand at the edge of the cliff – that would be quite amazing right?

I haven’t been there myself – but from what I’ve read – I would be thrilled to go spend a weekend there during the summer.  They only have 4 rooms in total and you get really pampered when you are there – so what’s not to like right.  Rates are pretty reasonable for the kind of room and service you can – the address is RR # 1 Box 3674 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, B5A 4A5, Phone :  902-645-2601.  I know where to put my daughter’s godmother from Singapore when she comes for a visit.

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.

During the summer – a few girlfriends and myself with our kids were up in Shelburne, Nova Scotia for a visit – we’ve heard a lot about the pre-historical war re-enactment in the area and know that it is a loyalist settlement in Shelburne – so together with our kids – we headed up for a great afternoon of history lesson.

Shelburne, is but a little town in Nova Scotia – but it’s a charming little town with lots of scenery and historical charm and many historical building as well.  The people are very friendly – we soon found out and welcome us with open arms.

Everyone were dressed up like they were in the 1700s and they were even cooking like it was back those times – you can see children all dressed up and playing or snoozing.

We were invited for supper – which we politely declined – while watched how they prepare their food in the olden days.

And yes – they do sleep in those tents in the night – and camp out during the re-enaction period.

The children had fun playing with hay.

And this tent is their common area where they hang out after supper or for just resting.

All their clothes were sewn by themselves and the shoes were specially ordered.

They had real guns as well.

Roasting of meat here.

Showing how the gun works and cleaning it.

A very friendly lady all dressed up and doing kitchen duty for the day.

And a game of  tomahawk  – throwing a small axe.

Another little boy giving the axe a throw – we had a lot of  fun and would have stayed longer if not for the rain – that started pouring.