RSSJul|19|2007
Camping: No Longer Dirty Work
Posted by Jen as Nature, United States
Camping, for so long, has meant bug bites, frustrating tent set-ups, stray animals, a little less clean environment, cold nights… We have grown up getting used to the idea that camping is equal to isolating ourselves from modernization. We are far away from electrical sockets, fast food, clean toilets and comfortable beddings… However, these days, camping seems to present more opportunities for people who just aren’t the type to “rough it.”
Over the years, camping resorts have started popping out. These resorts aren’t necessarily expensive. In fact, most of them are actually quite budget-friendly. They come in all sorts of concepts in designs but generally share the following features:
* swimming pools and playgrounds
* activities such as canoe-ing and horse-riding
* various kids summer programs
* canvass tents equipped with cots /etc.
* tents or bungalows with amenities including cooking facilities
One of the most recommended camping resorts on the web is the Yogi Bear Jellystone Park. This camping …
Jul|16|2007
Tips On Eating Out
Posted by Camica as Family, Food and Drink, Health, Tips
Going on a trip doesn’t come cheap. Unless you’re filthy rich and you don’t have to worry about a budget, going on a trip, whether it’s a simple road trip by car, or a luxurious week-long vacation, usually means setting aside some hard-earned money. If you have kids, going on a vacation might turn-out to be more expensive than you originally planned, since safety and convenience will have to take precedence over cheap and available. So how do you stay within budget, without feeling like a Scrooge? Here’s some tips on eating out:
Eat a substantial breakfast – eating a hearty breakfast doesn’t mean you have to frequent breakfast buffets at diners or restaurants. One way of saving is to buy food at the local supermarket or delicatessen, …
Jul|13|2007
Playing “Tree” House
Posted by Jen as Asia, Getaways, Hotels, Nature, Resorts, Spa
Me, Jane.
You, Tarzan.
Well, in China’s Sanya Nanshan Treehouse Resort and Beach Club, I suppose such an arrangement is negotiable.
This beautiful hideaway has four tree houses for vacation rentals. Set atop Tamarind trees, they offer a great view of the ocean. Nearby is a 5,000-acre Buddhist and ecological theme park composed of lovely temples, rich pagodas and botanical gardens.
Before you write this off as a vacation spot only adventurers would appreciate, take a closer look. The tree houses here aren’t quite like the ones back home.
Big Beach in the Sky
Meanwhile, the Hawaiian Hale Hotel Tree House can accommodate around 16-20 persons in seven separate spaces on three levels. There is also the Guan-Yin Spa Tree House to help you become more at ease with nature.
…
Jul|12|2007
Teaching Kids To Try New Tastes, Part 2
Posted by Camica as Around The World, Family, Food and Drink, Gourmet, Tips
As promised in my last post, here’s the rest of the tips to encourage your kids to try new dishes:
Let the kids eat from your plate – The best endorser is still mom and dad. If they see you’re enjoying yourself, chances are they’ll be encouraged to try it out too. Since kids don’t eat as much as adults, see if the restaurant is open to shared dishes. This way, there won’t be any wastage the kids don’t like the dish they have. And if your little tyke gets an appetite, you can always order more.
Do the 3 bites rule – My daughter and I have a deal. She has to take at least 3 bites from the new food. This is because it usually takes more than 2 bites for a person to get …
Jul|11|2007
Teaching Kids To Try New Tastes, Part 2
Posted by Camica as Around The World, Family, Food and Drink, Gourmet, Tips
As promised in my last post, here’s the rest of the tips to encourage your kids to try new dishes:
Let the kids eat from your plate – The best endorser is still mom and dad. If they see you’re enjoying yourself, chances are they’ll be encouraged to try it out too. Since kids don’t eat as much as adults, see if the restaurant is open to shared dishes. This way, there won’t be any wastage the kids don’t like the dish they have. And if your little tyke gets an appetite, you can always order more.
Do the 3 bites rule – My daughter and I have a deal. She has to take at least 3 bites from the new food. This is because it usually takes more than …
Jul|11|2007
Teaching Kids To Try New Tastes, Part 1
Posted by Camica as Around The World, Family, Food and Drink, Gourmet, Tips
Some of my fondest memories of travel are associated with food. During the B.C. (Before Children ) years, we used to choose a destination in part because of the local cuisine. Unfortunately, our kids have yet to develop the sophisticated and adventurous taste buds their parents have. It’s not really a problem if we’re going somewhere where pizzas and hamburgers are also the norm. But it becomes more complicated when you find yourself asking for a translation when you’re reading the menu. My daughters, like most kids, are understandably wary about new tastes. So you can say we were forced by circumstances to be more creative about persuading the kids to try unfamiliar foods. Allow me to share with you some of the tricks I picked up:
Introduce the type of food even before the trip – This is helpful …
Jul|11|2007
A Real Chocolate-y Experience
Posted by Jen as Gourmet, Travelogger
Tired of watching your kids watch T.V. all day?
Tired of the same parks and beaches and playgrounds?
Well, here’s an idea you might not have tried yet!
Send your kids to the factory!
Wait.
Hold that thought and allow me to finish!
The factory I’m talking about isn’t the place where your kids will have to wear boring uniforms and form unions with other kids. I’m talking about the Hershey’s Chocolate World. It’s a tour every chocolate-loving kid and grown-up will surely love.
Hullo, old friend!
There, you guys can learn the art of chocolate through a very yummy chocolate tasting spree that allows everyone to experience everything from creamy milk to dark choco. There’s also a really big 3D show …
Jul|05|2007
Great Gifts, Small Packages Part 02
Posted by Jen as Shopping, Tips, Travelogger
Still on that journey of looking for that special gift? Coming from my last post, here’s suggestion number two! Go designer on bags! While they don’t exactly come in such small packages, they are definitely budget-friendly and thoughtful.
After all, luggage is one thing a lot of travelers take for granted. They have the tickets, the reservations, the kids! And then they have that ratty luggage or that boring trolley. That’s where you, as the good friend, come in and help them be even more excited about their trip.
People don’t have the same personality or outlook on life. To avoid making the mistake of giving them the same boring old bags you were trying to get rid of in the first place, why not choose something that reflects their personality? That way, it would give your present a more personal touch.
For example, a real girly-girl would probably love something like this:…
Jul|03|2007
At What Age Should We Take Kids Abroad?
Posted by Noemi as Family, Tips
I was talking with a friend the other day and she told me about her plans of going to Hong Kong in August. She has an 8 year old son and a 6 month old daughter and she was debating on whether to bring one or both of them. This prompted me to think about the question: When should kids travel abroad?
I suppose this question could be answered by first determining why you want to take your kids to another country. Perhaps the most common answer would be to expose them to a different culture and to offer them something different. If this is the case, I think that kids below 6 years old would not really appreciate the trip. I mean, tell me, do you remember you summer vacations when you were younger than 6? I think I can remember snippets but not …
Jul|03|2007
Westin Family Package, Nusa Dua: Thumbs Up!
Posted by Jetsetter as Asia, Family, Islands, Resorts, Romantic
It was the first time we took our two kids, ages 5 and 2 on a proper family holiday abroad without any help to speak of, so when when it came down to choosing the best hotel in Bali, the Westin Nusa Dua seemed like the perfect choice. Not just because it looked pretty, clean, and was in a safe neighborhood, but because of its Kids Club and the reasonably priced “Family Package” (from US$135 ++) which promised my husband and I the chance of some ” R & R” in our two-week holiday.
Upon arrival at hotel, the kids were given paper bags, each containing a sippy cup (refillable at any of the resort’s f & b outlets), which upon receiving they promptly started filling with the bowls of boiled sweets on the tables. I was also given a handy info sheet which said that …
