Merry Christmas

It was a fun and nice Christmas Eve. Went to a Christmas party, courtesy of Uncle Leo and Aunt Terri. Totally love their remodeled backyard. It is like a hotel's lounge.

We had a very fun session of White Elephant. Some of the gifts were so creative. The Hubby got a Patron Tequila, and it was a highly sought after gift. Hehe...

I got an Urban Decay Pony Set as the gift, in hoping another girl will fall in love with the eyeshadows quality of this brand.

In return, the Hubby got an Adidas travelling set and I got a set that include a Coca Cola drinking bottle, Altec Lansing Headset with Microphone and a few pairs of socks. We totally love our choices since these are very usable daily items.

The Hubby is watching the Christmas Story now. He does that every year, and every time, he never failed to laugh so loud with the movie.

We are going to have a nice cup of eggnog and Panettone tomorrow. And after that, I'll be working whole day from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm on Christmas day. Bleh~~~ Oh well.

Time to take a bath.

Merry Christmas. 

Love, Fish Fish

Charleston Hotels Photos Reviews

One popular choice is the 1837 Bed and Breakfast, one of the most popular bed and breakfast Charleston hotels in town. Among the hotels in Charleston South Carolina, this is perhaps the only one which was built as a “single house”, meaning that the entire building from top to bottom is only a single room wide. Built, as the name suggests, in 1837, the ideas was to conserve space. The result is a 9-unit Charleston hotel with some fascinating room layouts, each with their own separate entrances. One floor houses the breakfast room, where guests can enjoy the breakfast which is included in the price of the room. Costs are between $70 and $170 for a room.
Another popular choice among Charleston accommodations is the Ashley Inn, located in downtown Charleston and close to many of the downtown attractions in Charleston, including historical buildings for a walking tour. This is one of the more popular Charleston hotels for accommodation during the annual Spoleto Festival thanks to its proximity to downtown. The hotel costs are between $110 and $265 for a room, which include a full breakfast. Folks who would like to stay at this Charleston hotel should note that children age 10 and under are not allowed.
One of the finest hotels in Charleston, South Carolina. Located at 205 Meeting Street this elegant hotel is the perfect venue with our award winning Charleston Grill restaurant, extensive meeting and conference facilities and beautifully appointed rooms and suites.

Charleston Place is historic Charleston’s premier hotel just minutes from famous homes, museums and churches. World-class luxurious accommodations including a full-service spa; rooftop pool, “The Club” a private concierge level located on the top two floors; award-winning dining, 28 exclusive boutiques and the legendary Orient-Express service, all in the heart of downtown Charleston.

This hotel on the corner of Market and East Bay is for those who like some chintz with their antebellum charm. Don't worry, the oil paintings in gilt frames and intricate brocade wallpaper in the lobby are just tasteful enough to avoid being over-the-top. The 70 rooms have a similar look, with mahogany beds made up with Frette linens, heavy damask curtains, and Italian marble bathrooms full of Hermès products. The rooftop pool lined with fountains and striped loungers is a summertime gem, but inexplicably shuts down at 4 pm when the cabana bar opens for business. There's also a classic gentleman's club–style bar downstairs with antique wood booths and a steak restaurant that serves a mouthwatering New York strip.
The Embassy Suites is another top choice for Charleston lodging. This Charleston West Virginia hotels also located in the core of downtown and is right across from the Town Center Shopping Mall and a block from the Civic Center. Charleston accommodations at the Embassy Suites are considered upscale yet come with terrific rates. The hotel is full service and conveniently situated within minutes of the Clay Center for Performing Arts, the WV State capital and the West Virginia State Museum. The Embassy is one of the few hotels in Charleston West Virginia offering two-room suites complete with complimentary made-to-order breakfast and high speed internet access
Overlooking Charleston Market, this "quiet hotel" opened nine years ago, but has eighteenth-century decor accented by creams and gold with red and blue touches. Guests socialize over complimentary wine and cheese in the early evening. while treats like M&M's, lemonade, and coffee "are always out for your enjoyment." Rooms and suites have 14-foot ceilings and bathrooms in black and white tile, gold wallpaper, and black marble counters. "A surprising change from the typical Charleston shrimp and grits," the menu at Tristan includes items like New Zealand lamb.
artagena de Indias, or more commonly known as Cartagena, is a jewel of a city on the northwest Caribbean coast of Colombia. I don’t use that term lightly and Cartagena really is fantastic. The old town is as good as it gets and I’ve been to a lot of old towns around the world, especially in South America and in Europe. It is as fun as it is beautiful. I has all the little intricacies that you would look for and it has that ‘hard to put your finger on’ intangible quality that just makes it an amazing place. It’s hard to explain all of the reasons why it’s such a cool city but I will give it a shot.
Charleston Hotels so travelers coming to town during the summer should expect prices to be at their highest. Charleston hotels are also known for their characteristically historic bent. The town in general has remained a shining example of the Old South, and travelers won"t find skyscrapers along the skyline of the city. As such, Charleston accommodations tend to be found through bed and breakfasts as well as older inns, rather than through larger chain hotels.
Another excellent choice among hotels in Charleston South Carolina is the Rutledge Victorian Guest House, which is found in a 19^th century building. Although this is not an official bed and breakfast, the cost of the room does include a continental breakfast in the morning. This is a good choice among Charleston accommodations for travelers who want to be closer to and other attractions than downtown. Once a Victorian-era home, many of the rooms at this inn have their own fireplaces, which work, and the building architecture and design is quite interesting for history lovers.

Haiti Hotels Photos Review Information

The stigma attached to Haitian travel is, unfortunately, still there, and the country barely exists as a tourist destination. Regardless of the many hotels in Haiti, many of them are criminally underbooked, many of the beaches go unvisited. The social inequality is appalling, yes, but it is also a land of beauty and mystery. Unfortunately, it is only the former that many countries see when footage of Haiti comes on television
While many prefer to stay away from the urban setting of Port-au-Prince, those who want to get real insight into Haitian culture will choose its humble array of lodgings. The vicinity of the slums are certainly off-putting, but it is also near many Haiti attractions. Located on the bay, the capital city is a sweeping metropolis that spreads across the Cul-de-Sac Plain to the foothills of the Massif de la Salle. The Hotel Oloffson was once one of the best Haiti hotels
One of Haiti's most affluent areas is Petionville. Situated on a serene hillside overlooking the capital, Petionville is the epicenter for restaurants, art galleries and hotels in Haiti. The Kinam Hotel is here, and unlike some of the downtown areas of the city, you are perfectly safe to stroll around at night. Within walking distance are some of the finest Haiti attractions, making this one of the few areas where Haitian tourism thrives. The Hotels El Rancho and Montana are other coveted Haiti hotels.
I had a difficult trip out of Haiti last week. After waiting all day in the airport in Port au Prince, American Airlines canceled the flight - just before dark. They offered to put me up in a hotel that I had never heard of, near the airport. I had met a travel-savvy fellow Canadian while sitting and waiting, who was being put up in a better hotel because she could get her own transportation there. She offered me a drive to and from the hotel with her - so I ended up in one of the best hotels in the country, the Hotel El Rancho. Thanks Kristie! ... and thank you AA, I think.
Located in downtown Port-au-Prince near the Presidential Palace, the museums and art galleries, Le Plaza is the perfect choice for business people and tourists. Two steps away from the commercial district, the hotel allows you to mix business and pleasure, with all the modern comfort.

Le Plaza Hotel’s rooms are designed with your comfort in mind and thus are all equipped with a king or two Twin beds also know as double doubles. Le Plaza hotel offers a total of 101 guestrooms including 7 Suites. All rooms are equipped with a King or two Twin beds, air conditioning and cable TV.

Haiti (see map link): I'd come by road from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic on my way to Cap-Haitien. On the way back, still on the Haiti side, we turned off the main highway to go about 4 km (2 1/2 miles) into Fort Liberte, a small village that was busy making improvements to its public areas.

A daily bus service that goes between Santiago DR and Cap-Haitien crosses the border here at Dajabon, Dominican Republic and Ouanaminthe, Haiti. Contact Caribe Tours, Rue 28A, Carenage (same zone as the Hotel Roi Christophe). See Hispaniola.com page for schedules.
The Haiti is a fun, lively family hotel with friendly staff who know how to help families have a great holiday. With an appealing modern reception and a bright and airy dining room you are sure to be impressed with the facilities here. You may want to sunbathe by the attractive pool, but if the kids want the sand and space of the beach, head down to Can Picafort beach, or take a bus just a few minutes along the coast to the never ending sands in this bay of Alcudia. Families wanting a good value, lively hotel within easy reach of the resort centre will enjoy the Haiti.
Rooms at the Hotel Haiti have a fully fitted en suite bathroom with shower, direct dial telephone, safety deposit box, a maid service and a terrace or balcony with views over the pool and garden area. Facilities at the Hotel Haiti include a large outdoor freshwater swimming pool with separate childrens splash pool, sun terraces and gardens furnished with loungers and parasols, children's playground, table tennis, pool table, 24 hour reception, currency exchange services, games room, mini disco and a seasonal programme of evening entertainment with live music, cabaret or other professional shows several times each week.

London Hotels Reviews Images

If your summer plans call for some fun and adventure at Ocean Beach Park, consider staying at one of the many hotels in New London. A New London vacation is a well kept secret of New England travelers who love the maritime feel of the community. Taking a day trip to Ocean Beach Park is fun for playing on the beach and soaking up some sun. If you have decided what to do on your vacation and when to go, now is the time to start looking for New London Hotels.
Doing a search for “cheap hotels New London” will generate a variety of results. The Lighthouse Inn is one of the hotels in New London that features rooms with sophistication and style at a low price. The hotel boasts a swimming pool, high speed internet access, and a full service salon. What is unique about the New London lodging option is its location right on the scenic Long Island Sound. Unlike most New London hotels, the Lighthouse Inn has a private beach for those travelers who have had enough of the crowds at Ocean Side Park. The Lighthouse Inn prices start at $75 and go up from there depending on the view of the Sound that the room provides.
For hotels in New London that have an intimate bed setting, try staying at the Queen Anne Inn near downtown New London. The Victorian style hotel is a little over 100 years and has a charming feel to it. The hotel is small, with only eight guestrooms, but if you can find a room the rates are very affordable and start at $95. Amenities include turn of the century canopy beds, a private bathroom, and working fireplaces. Guests will enjoy having easy access to the historical waterfront district and its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants.
Once you have found your New London lodging, take an opportunity to explore the area. The Monte Cristo Cottage is a must-see for theatre enthusiasts while a neighborhood of historical mansions called “Whale Oil Row,” will fascinate history buffs.
Finding cheap London hotels is often a priority for travelers, and the city does offer some excellent options. Travelers looking for cheap London hotels will do best to concentrate on the outskirts of the city, as the more expensive hotels tend to be concentrated in London's west end. Inexpensive London hotels can also be located through travel companies and by booking a travel package that will combine the price of accommodation and airfare. For a comprehensive list of inexpensive London hotels, search online. Be sure to compare online prices with those offered on hotel websites to ensure that you really have found the best deals on the most inexpensive London hotels.
While there were lodging options available, they were mostly either lodging houses or coaching inns. These inns usually were not in the center city, but along the roads and travel networks. Once railroads were developed starting in the 1830’s, lodging inns were also found along side locomotive stations. Unfortunately, all except one coaching inn still stands today. This distinction of being the last coaching inn in London goes to the George Inn which is now cared for by the National Trust.
If you want to find hotels in New London at a reasonable price, it helps to know where to look. For the best cheap hotels New London has to offer, look for affordable New London lodging off of interstate 95. The basic New London hotels are close to area attractions and offer a family atmosphere at an affordable price.

Mum-in-Law's Fruitcake

My H has been yearning for his mum's fruitcake this Christmas. I offered to make him my version of fruitcake, but he wants his mum's. So what else can I do, but ask my mum-in-law for the recipe.

When I got the recipe, I became excited to make it. Why? Mainly because it doesn't use butter; all the fruitcake recipes I encountered in the past so far has a butter cake base. Another reason is her recipe uses tea to soak the dried fruits. A completely different and new fruitcake recipe I was really looking forward to make.

Result: success! My H was so glad to have his mum's fruitcake again. Sometimes with food, regardless of how a dish was made or what kinds of ingredients or techniques were used, it's what you are used to from your childhood that would always do the trick.

The fruitcake was quite addictive I must say. The texture has a bit of a soft bite and is a little chewy. The cake has a distinct taste of nutmeg, and the fruits didn't overpower the flavour of the entire cake. As for using the tea for soaking, well I didn't really taste the tea on the actual cake, but I guess it contributed to the taste of the finished cake. I'm not a fan of fruitcakes at all, in fact I was once anti-fruitcake, but this is one that I can actually enjoy eating. So far, with all the fruitcakes I have tried in my existence, this is probably just the fourth one I liked. I'm really happy to have inherited my mum-in-law's fruitcake recipe.

Speaking of family, I will be spending my holidays in sunny Australia with my family. I'm really excited to see them, and I'm also thrilled to be experiencing Australian and Modern Australian cuisine!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Bisou bisou,

Charlotte

Wisdom of the world - Week 131

To the point

A century ago, a young student at Oxford University in England was taking an important exam in religious studies. The examination question for this day was to write about the religious and spiritual meaning in the miracle of Christ turning water into wine. For two hours he sat in the crowded classroom while the other students filled their pages with long essays, to show their understanding. The exam time was almost over and this one student had not written a single word. The proctor came over to him and insisted that he commit something to paper before turning it in. The young Lord Byron simply picked up his hand and penned the following line. “The water met his master, and blushed.”

Almond Biscotti

 

I love sharing what I bake with people. So whenever there is a special occasion like Christmas, I definitely have the urge to make special treats to give away. This year I decided to make almond biscotti (recipe from Joy of Baking). Biscotti, which means twice baked, are classic Italian cookies that are dry and crunchy in texture, perfect to accompany a nice cup of coffee.

I gave these lovely cookies to my H's colleagues, and they were really delighted. There's nothing better than spending the Christmas season through sharing and giving!

Bisou bisou,

Charlotte