Greetings from San Francisco and "Happy Thanksgiving"

San Francisco is one of my favourite City in the US - besides New York of course! I love coming here and I never get bored.
Today is Thanksgiving in the US, one of the most important bank holiday in this country. Besides a few seedy drinking holes and Starbucks most restaurants, shops and museums in town are closed, except in Chinatown, where business is as usual.

Here are 10 things you should do when visiting this fantastic City - besides the obvious touristy things.

1. Start the day with a hardy breakfast at an American Diner
2. Hire a bike, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, continue on to Sausalito, have lunch at Scoma's and then take the ferry back to San Fran.
3. Visit the California Academy of Science at the Golden Gate Park.
4. Make your way to the Top of the Mark bar of the Intercontinental Hotel around sunset. The view is spectacular and the 100 Martinis menu is a reason in itself.
5. Then walk down the Hill to Chinatown and have dinner at the cheap and cheerful House of Nanking or the more upmarket but equally delicious R&G Lounge
6. Check out the more alternative neighbourhood of Ashbury Heights for some groovy second hand shops and organic restaurants. If Thai food is your cup of tea then Thep Phanom is a must at Lower Heights
   
7. Beach Blanket Babylon is an institution in this city. It's an outrages musical revue in its 34th year. Lots of colour and movement and lots, lots of laughter is garanteed - a must do!
8. Afterwards make your way to Amelie, a wine bar on Polk Street. Great selection of wine, great food, great atmosphere, great neighbourhood crowd and very friendly service.
9. At some stage you will end up at Union Square. Why not stop at Scala Bistro for a "Three Martini Lunch". A cool $50 will snag you all the necessary supplies: Caesar salad, grilled flat iron steak with "Cafe de Paris" butter and pomme frites, a small dessert and -- as promised -- three martinis :)
   
10. Last but not least. Just walk around and discover the city for yourself - you won't be disappointed.
    

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Greetings from Hong Kong - Tian Tan Buddha

In all those years of traveling to Hong Kong I always wanted to see the Tian Tan Buddha which is the largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha. Now I had no excuse as it is very close to the Regal Airport Hotel were I was staying last time I was in town. I took the shuttle bus from the Regal to Tun Chung - if you are coming from Kowloon take the MTR to Tun Chung Station. From there a cable car takes you on a beautiful ride with spectacular views up the mountain. Once on top you'll find a little theme park, shops, cafes etc and its only a short stroll to the Buddha. I would also recommend to check out the Po Lin Monastery nearby. The main temple houses 3 bronze statues of the Buddha representing his past, present and future lives as well as many Buddhist scriptures. You will also find people do offerings and prayers.

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Greetings from Sydney - playing Tour Guide

Yesterday I had a friend visiting. Debbie and I used to work together in Toronto 17 years ago at the Royal York Hotel and haven't seen each other ever since. Thanks to facebook we touched base again just a few months ago.
Debbie was on her away from Vancouver to Wellington, NZ and had about 7 hours spare in Sydney. So what do you do if you have only 7 hours in Sydney.
We started off at Mr Ts City Pat in Potts Point and Debbie was blown away by the view :) We then went along Victoria St, took the stairs down to Woolloomooloo, passed Harrys Cafe de Wheel, which is a Must Stop and famous for its Hot Dogs and Pies, mmmh and continued towards the Royal Botanic Gardens. I Love the RBG for its spectacular view of the City and Harbour, its diversity of plants and trees and the fruit bats hanging of trees - such interesting creatures. Once passed through the RBG, there it was, the Opera House, world famous and surely one of the most photograhed structures in the world - we took at least 10 pix! Debbie then took the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, which is another Must Do and a great way to explore the beautiful Sydney Harbour. She went to see her 80 year old Aunt for lunch and it turned out that her Aunt has not been to the City side for 24 years - bless. I picked Debbie up from Circular Quay 3 1/2 later and drove her to the airport where she caught her connecting flight to Wellington. I hope next time Debbie visits I will have more time to show her around.

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Going on a European Holiday!

The day has finally come. Mr.T and I are going on holidays - if you can call visiting the folks in Germany and going to a trade fair in Amsterdam a holiday.

My idea of a holiday is not having to see an aircraft from the inside let alone flying in it for 20 odd hours, hanging around airports and staying in hotels - sounds to much like work to me. I have tried contacting my friend Scotty to beam us over - how fabulous would that be, but to no avail.

So reluctantly I went to get the tickets today, 18 hours before we are about to leave. I still haven't packed, but even worse neither has Mr.T!! Mr.T is to busy at the moment with putting little stickers on things - don't ask!

We are heading tomorrow to Frankfurt via Singapore and Adelaide - Ade.. what? EXCACTLY! But with lots of luck we will be doing it in Business Class - Champagne here we come. We have a 5 hour transit in Singapore, which we will probably spend in The Qantas Club, thanks to Mr.T's life time membership - how handy :)

Once we arrive in ze Fatherland, folks and friends will treat us like Kings!
"Finally we are meeting ze boyfriend."
You can be guaranteed that we'll be fed until we explode. Fois Gras anyone?

After Mr.T has endured everything that comes with the Kat, we'll head to Amsterdam, by train, along the Rhine River - noice.

Room 68 of the Ambassade Hotel Amsterdam is were we reside - its a gorgeous Hotel and it will be our third time in that room ...

After a week in Amsterdam it's time for me to come back home. Mr.T's travels will continue to Geneva, London, New York and finally San Francisco - all in First Class of course thanks to an endless amount of freakenflyer points.

Meanwhile I'll be flying for work to San Fran as well to meet up with Mr.T - just in time for Folsom Street Fair :)

I know, life sucks!

Like I said, my idea of a holiday is not.....

Stay posted!



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Greeting from Germany

Here are some images of my recent 3 day visit to Germany




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Greetings from Manila

I just got back today from Manila this morning. I had 25 hours there and enjoyed it. My first impression was mixed and I think I have to go back again to get a better understanding of the place - there is only that much you can expierence in such a short time.
You see everything in Manila, from people washing themselves in the street gutter to a Imelda look alike, being chauffeured around in a big 'n fat Bentley.
The people are very friendly, always having a smile on their faces. The local food was delicious - I did indulged myself with some crispy pig knuckles - mmmh Kat liked verly much. And the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, where I stayed, is also known for it's excellent Buffet. Food, Food, Food - I love it.
I had a great time with my colleague Pen who is from Manila and showed me around the place. She me took for a fantastic massage - no, not the one you are thinking off. In our cab rides from one place to another Pen entertained me with some fantastic stories about life, love and the universe - you rock girlfriend.

Btw the picture above is of a Jeepney. There are hundreds of them in Manila and they all look different.

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Greetings from Beijing

888

Safety First - found in the wardrobe of my hotel room

The Nest

The Cube

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And while you are in town have some peaches, they are in season - so juicy, so delicious, so yummy...