http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/syrene-1/ en Sun, 19 May 2013 17:10:19 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.luxurylink.com/community/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/syrene-1/ http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/syrene-1/vacationing-british-columbia-1201/ Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:51:31 GMT My husband and I were traveling from New York toBritish Columbia in Sept. 2001. Our first stop was a very remote island in the far North of the... My husband and I were traveling from New York toBritish Columbia in Sept. 2001. Our first stop was a very remote island in the far North of the region to see Grizzly Bears in the wild. We had a wonderful time but it was all very rustic and we were looking forward to staying in the luxury of the Aerie Lodge outside of Victoria. We rented a car and took the long drive there, arriving late on Sept. 10th.



We had prearranged for 2 massage therapists to come to our room for massages and after that and aquick room service dinner we fell into a restful sleep.



We awoke late the next day and had a leisurely breakfast overlooking the beautiful scenery. We could not have been feeling better.



As is his habit, my husband called his office after breakfast just to "check in" and the whole world changed.

He was on the patio yelling "WHAT?" over and over again, white as a sheet. When I walked outside he just yelled at me to turn on CNN.

They just kept showing those images over and over again. My first thought was for my sister - she was in securities at the time and could easily have been downtown. Then my thoughts turned to my aunt and cousins and friends.... I couldn't get through anyone on the phone for a heart stopping hour. Even then no one really knew how anyone else was doing. It was all so chaotic and unbelievable.



We eventually found out that our close friends and family were thankfully OK and ended up being "stuck" in Victoria for an additional week, as we were not able to arrange a flight home.



During that time we were "adopted" by almost everyone we met. The manager of the Aerie gave us the Presidential Suite at the same rate and arranged for us to attend long sold out events to keep our minds off of things. People in restaurants, shops and on the streets hugged us and cried with us and invited us into their homes.



I have never experienced such incredible warmth and generosity as I did during that horrible wonderful week. I will forever be grateful to the people of British Columbia, but I don't know if I could ever bring myself to go back. ]]> Syrene-1 http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/syrene-1/vacationing-british-columbia-1201/ http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/syrene-1/laluna-985/ Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:07:26 GMT I spent a week at Laluna (Grenada) in early December. While we had a very nice time, I would not return nor recommend it. The place itself is very... I spent a week at Laluna (Grenada) in early December. While we had a very nice time, I would not return nor recommend it. The place itself is very small yet pretty and nicely decorated (save for the numerous anatomically endowed statues). With an open air bar area complete with comfy couches that are very well placed (either for privacy or to be social). The pool is right next to the bar and next to that the thatched roofed, open air restaurant. There is a tiny weight room across for the bar with a small desk and computer for guest use. This touch would have been much nicer if the computer hadn't (literally) crashed after each command. The beach is behind the pool which was beautiful and very private.

The staff was, for the most part very friendly and accommodating.



Behind the bar are the stairs that lead up to (most) of the cottages. Our cottage was about half way up the hill with a strange partial view of the ocean. When I say strange I mean, the view seems to really not have been a consideration when these cottages were built, which is a shame. The structure itself was a decent size (about the size of a hotel room), minimally furnished and quite dark (perplexing given the abundant sunshine). The most disappointing aspect was the shower - you had to choose between searing hot or ice cold. There was a switch in the closet we discovered that turned the freezing cold water to scalding. No warm water here.



Our package unfortunately included meals which ranged from OK to inedible. The food is Italian and the menu very limited. We ate dinner there probably twice because I just did not like the menu and the few things that we did try were just bad (tons of cream in everything - even the on Thai dish). We were not the only people to dislike the food - it was a main topic of conversation amongst all the guests we spoke with.



Laluna is fairly isolated with a very poor road leading to it (good and bad) - cab rides to get to other restaurants were very expensive.

But speaking of other restaurants, we tried a fun place called Patricks in St. George that I would highly recommend. It is in Patrick's home and there is no menu. You eat small plates of about 20different dishesof his choosing.Not only is he a very good cook but a fun host (Quite a character).



Another word to the wise, take insect repellent. Lots of strong repellent. I have never been bitten so much in my life. The only repellent that they seem to sell in Grenada is Off and apparently the bugs have developed a taste for it.



So, while we enjoyed ourselves and there were some truly great aspects of our trip, Laluna is by no means the five (or even 4) star resort it appears to be. ]]> Syrene-1 http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/syrene-1/laluna-985/