Radisson Blu Hotels

by Wendy Fougner

Over the years, Bruce and I have stayed in countless hotels for business and pleasure, and they have run the gamut of cost and style – from hovel to palace. The hotel chain that we keep coming back to is the Radisson Blu. The service is fantastic and consistent across the chain, and for a higher end hotel, the Radisson Blu provides great value.

Over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of staying in a number of Radisson Blu hotels all over the world. From a scouting trip for a client retreat in St. Maarten to our family trip in Scandinavia and the Baltics, I’ve had the chance to see a number of these wonderful hotels.

St Maarten, Dominican Republic

The St. Maarten resort, located on the French side of the island, offers a spa, refreshing infinity pool and PADI diving courses. It is easily accessible from the airport and is best arrived to by cab or rented car. It was extremely charming and decorated in a traditional Caribbean style. The three story buildings are very nice with the rooms showcasing pictures of the island. A great place to get away and relax.

Nydalen, Oslo, Norway

The Radisson Blu Nydalen is situated along the banks of the Aker River, just 5km north of the Oslo city centre. This hotel is wonderful and provides a great complimentary breakfast. The hotel is a couple of subway stops outside of the downtown core. So it is close to the city centre and its many attractions, including the Royal Palace, Domkirke, about 50 museums and the harbour. Winter brings outstanding skiing, skating and tobogganing. You couldn’t ask for a better location!

Stockholm, Sweden

Located near the Mälaren Shore, this hotel in Stockholm encourages guests to explore the waterfront or take a boat ride into the city’s scenic archipelago. I found that this Radisson Blu was a bit too far out of town, which made the journey tiresome given the heat. So everything is a bit of a trek to see the sites: Drottningholm Palace and Theater, National Museum of Art, Djurgården, Sigtuna (Sweden’s first town), and the Uppsala historical landmark.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, the beautiful capital city of Estonia, is a hub for major festivals and concerts. The hotel is in a great location, about a ten minute walk from the old city – perfect for exploring. There’s a ton of art in the old city, as well as shops to wander into. So the hotel is located within easy reach of all the key sights. The only problem you’ll have is lack of time.

Riga, Latvia

The Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel is a beautiful, modern hotel located in the heart of the city in a lively neighbourhood filled with boutique shops, restaurants and exciting nightlife. Just a five-minute walk from beautiful Old Town where there is live music everywhere, and a number of different squares to explore. It is within easy reach of key attractions including the impressive Dome Cathedral, Riga Opera House and the 17th century Blackheads House.

Helsinki, Finland

Located in the heart of Helsinki next to the city’s newest and largest business, shopping

and entertainment district, the Radisson Blu Royal offers an abundance of conveniences, including a great complimentary breakfast, for all travellers. This Helsinki city centre hotel’s location is across from bus and metro stations and the new Kamppi shopping and entertainment centre with a multiplex theatre and art museum. Unfortunately, while we were here it was raining the entire time making it less desirable to get out and wander. My daughter, Crystal, experienced this hotel and the surrounding city of Helsinki while it was nicer and had only good things to say about both.

Copenhagen, Denmark

We took the subway to the Radisson Blu Falconer, which was wonderfully situated directly across from the station. A shopping centre complete with grocery store was close by. The city is known as home to some of “the happiest people on earth,” and life goes by at an easier pace. It’s easy to fall in love with this completely cosmopolitan city steeped in old world charm. Everything is near by – culture, shopping and restaurants. Unfortunately the hotel had just been flooded out the week before from huge rains, and thus the lobby was in an active state of repair during our stay.

Overall, Radisson Blu hotels offer numerous services and amenities to make your stay enjoyable. They also tend to be centrally located in major cities, making it easy to quickly get out and explore the sites. With over 200 hotels around the world, it is easy to get consistent, great service when you travel for business or pleasure. It’s certainly one of our favourite chains.

Beautiful Burma

by Lesli Heron 

For some people with wanderlust, the lure of exotic lands and people so unlike home are what keep them going. For others, it’s the opportunity to immerse themselves in history and culture. Luckily, travel to the various regions in Asia satisfies most travel hankerings. One location you might consider adding when travelling to the more well-known travel destinations of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, is Burma (Myanmar).

You can visit Burma throughout the year, but the best time is between October and February when the weather is neither too hot nor wet. There are so many options, including neighbouring countries, to make your trip to the region memorable and as busy, or relaxed, as you like to be on vacation.

While in Burma, you might want to ensure you put some of these options on your must-do list:

• Tour the 2500 year-old Shwe Dagon Pagoda, the largest and oldest golden monument on earth, where Burmese kings and queens have donated their body weight in gold to the pyramid.
• See the golden throne of the last Burmese king that just might outshine those of emperors, maharajas, Charlemagne, Louis XVI, Napoleon, Cleopatra and William the Conqueror. You’ll marvel at the throne’s carvings that depict many a tale.

• Explore Kuthodaw Pagoda at the foot of Mandalay Hill, the home of the white marble Buddhist bible. Inscribed on 729 marble slabs and placed in individual temples within a square, it is an unbelievable site.
• Ring the Mingun Bell, a wonder at a height of 26 feet and weighing 90.55 metric tons.
• Visit the 2400 year-old miracle Golden Rock, Kyaiktiyo Pagoda. You have probably seen images of this golden boulder precariously balanced on the edge of a cliff.
• Tour the amazing floating-islands and row a boat in the highest and largest lake in SE Asia.
• See living mummies. That’s right, living mummies. These are the preserved bodies of Buddhist monks that are said to be still growing nails and hair decades and centuries after death.
• Feel small by visiting the largest reclining Buddha in the World, the Shwethalyaung – a colossal, 181’ long reclining statue of Buddha. It is said to have been built in 994 AD, lost when Bago (Pegu) was destroyed in 1757, and then rediscovered under a cover of jungle growth in 1881.

• If you are pagoda and miracle weary, you might enjoy scuba diving among the coral of the southern Myanmar sea. Or, for the extremely daring, you may wish to climb Khakaborazi Peak, the highest peak in southeast Asia and sister mountain to Everest. If more calming pursuits are what you are interested in, spend a bit of time with a fortune-teller and see your future or enjoy a bit of shopping to get some great deals on jewelry.

Before you go, keep in mind, you will need a visa, so make sure you have that in your trip planning. While there, you will want to refrain from kissing and hugging in public, pointing at things with your feet, sitting with your back to a Buddha image, or acting inappropriately toward a sacred thing such as a Buddha image or touching a monk. And before you leave, make sure you understand what needs to be declared to Customs so you don’t have items confiscated when you depart.

Losing Your Passport During Travel

by Wendy Fougner

In October 2011, my husband and I had the unfortunate experience of having our passports stolen when we were in Athens. Over the years, people have frequently told me that you should bring always bring photocopies of your passports in case they get stolen, to help with the issuance of a temporary one, however, we found out the hard way that this really wasn’t the case. Here are some tips that I hope will ease the process of getting a temporary passport for you if you ever happen to be in this similar situation while you’re abroad.

The process of getting our temporary passports was very straightforward. You can pay extra towards getting a 5-year passport, which we did, or you can get a 1 year. If you get a 5 year, when you return home you exchange your temporary passport for a new permanent one. It’s a good idea to get your passport photos taken before you go to the embassy as we had, this speeds up the process. Make sure that you have two identical photos and that the photography store where they are taken writes their name on the back of each photo. In addition, we had already filled out an application form prior to going to the embassy. At the embassy there was another form to fi ll out, but since we already had a form, it made filling out the embassy’s form much faster.

One of the things we had to include was our birth certificates numbers. Its a good idea to keep documents such as these in an accessible place back home, so that a family member can find the information easily and send it to you, or alternatively copies of these might be helpful to bring along. We didn’t need a guarantor as we were able to swear an affidavit. Since our driver’s licenses and Nexus cards weren’t stolen, we were able to show those as well. The photocopies of the passports that were stolen didn’t help at all towards getting a temporary passport. It is still a good idea to bring copies of your passport with you on holidays though. If you leave your passports in the hotel safe, you should carry the photocopies with you in case you are stopped by the police or need to take out money at the bank. It is also important to note that having a Nexus card really didn’t help in Europe. We couldn’t have crossed the border with only our Nexus cards - they aren’t a replacement for the passport, but are really just for travel in Canada and the US.

Once the paperwork was finished, we gave the file numbers to our son back home, who brought them in to the passport office in Vancouver for processing. They were processed within 24 hours and we had new, temporary passports. The passports indicated that they were issued in Athens even though they were, in fact, issued in Canada. Luckily we were able to catch up with our cruise and enjoy the remainder of our vacation. We went through customs in several different countries while on the cruise and no one gave us a hard time for having temporary passports.

Overall I would say that this was an important learning experience, and it hasn’t changed our view of travelling at all. These sorts of things just happen sometimes, and it’s not the end of the world. In retrospect we probably could have been a bit more careful, but we still managed to put it behind us and enjoy the rest of our vacation.

Awe-Inspiring & Life-Changing Travel Experiences

Everyone has a few travel experiences that stand out as especially memorable, awe-inspiring or life changing. With this in mind, we decided to ask the Lloyds Travel team which travel experiences stick out to them as unforgettable.

Barbara: On Safari in Tanzania

A few years ago Barbara went on safari in Tanzania with Abercrombie and Kent tours. Barbara said that the extraordinary setting and the company’s expertise made it a truly unforgettable experience. The guide was very knowledgeable and was able to find all of the animals. At one point a family of leopards was camouflaged in a tree, but he was able to spot them right away. In addition, the small group size enabled them to get up close with the wildlife. Overall, it was amazing to see such unique animals in their natural habitats.

Bruce: Cruising Tahiti with Paul Gaugin

A trip that stands out in Bruce’s mind is a Paul Gaugin cruise through Tahiti. This was the first time that Bruce had experienced a luxury cruise. The destination was magical, characterized by spectacular beaches and crystal clear waters. The food and wine on the ship were absolutely amazing and blew him away. The combination of the ship experience and the location made the trip unforgettable.

Deborah: Kenya Safari Experience

An awe-inspiring travel experience that sticks out in Deborah’s mind is a weeklong safari in Kenya. She described the visceral experience of being surrounded by animals in their natural, wild setting. She observed lions on the hunt, barely visible as they crouched in the tall grasses. The giraffes were particularly breathtaking, their unbelievable bodies towering over the trees. Ultimately, it was inspiring adventure unlike any other.

Jude: Local Families in Bali

On a trip to Bali, Jude had the opportunity to visit local families in a small village. Jude was particularly struck by her experience visiting the home of one local woman. Her small house, which was home to a family of five, was elevated on stilts with chickens and goats kept underneath. The woman was very inviting and beamed with pride for her home. Jude was really affected by how happy and proud the woman was. She remarked that in North America we often take for granted how much we have, and visiting other cultures really puts things in perspective and makes us appreciate what we have.

Lesli: Gorillas in the Mist

One of Lesli’s most aweinspiring travel experiences was visiting the gorillas in Rwanda. Lesli described how the stunning, picturesque setting of Rwanda provided an amazing backdrop to the experience. She journeyed into the gorillas’ habitat in the Virunga Mountains in Parc de Volcan. Visiting their natural home and being so close to these amazing creatures was unforgettable. Lesli reflected that the gorillas are so human, in their behavior and expressions. Ultimately, this raw experience was completely unique and Lesli would return in heartbeat!

Wendy: Philippine Revolution

At 27 Wendy took a trip to the Philippines for a convention in Manila. At the time, President Ferdinand Marcos was still in power. The liberation movement was gaining momentum and it was suggested that the conference be cancelled, but Marcos insisted that it go on. During a slideshow of the Spanish invading the Phillipines at the opening ceremonies bombs went off in the distance and men burst in with machine guns. Needless to say the convention was cancelled. The government asked people to open their homes to conference attendees. Wendy and her family went to a woman’s house whose husband had been assassinated. The house was huge and tables of various dishes such as suckling pig were laid out. Wendy spent the entire night talking with the woman about Asian history, and this experience ultimately influenced Wendy’s decision to go back to UBC and take Asian Studies.

Lesli's Lists: Standing Still

by Lesli Heron

Sometimes travelling to experience a new culture, people and unique landscapes doesn’t always leave us fulfilled or provide enough disconnection from the clutter of our daily lives. With its message of peace and compassion Southeast Asia is a place of extraordinary beauty, discovery and spirit. The following is my list of some places that inspire a sense of reverence, a zen moment or just a place where you can “stand still”.

1. Rise early to give alms to monks in Luang Prabang, Laos

2. Meditate at sunset (keeping eyes open!) in Angkor Wat, Cambodia

3. Do the downward facing dog at sunrise overlooking the terraced rice paddies in Ubud, Bali

4. Climb to the Taktsang Monastery in Bhutan where the quality of life is measured in terms of GNH Gross National Happiness

5. Walk clockwise around the Shwedagon Pagoda in Burma, stopping to pray along the way at this most sacred of Burmese sites

6. Enjoy a massage at the Thai Massage School on the grounds of The Grand Palace, Bangkok

7. Hike Adams Peak, Sri Lanka - a mountain that is all things to all religions

8. Spend a day as a monk or take a course in Tibetan Buddhism in Dharamsala, India

9. Do the 88 Temple Circuit clockwise (1500km route) to rid yourself of the 88 evil human passions as defined by the Buddhist doctrine, Shikoku, Japan

Mellowing in the Maldives...at Club Med

by Bruce Fougner

Wendy and I had the opportunity to slip down to the Maldives on our last trip to South East Asia. This 1190 island archipelago is situated off the South West coast of India. We arrived in Male, were through customs in minutes and then whisked across a small road to the water taxis, very smooth. Our destination was Club Med who purchased an island (Kani) about 35 minutes via fast water taxi.

Kani is about 700 metres long by 150 metres at its widest point. The high point on the island is maybe 6 feet above sea level, so their concern about water levels is very real. Your first impression as you enter through the reef is one of paradise. The island is covered with tall shade bearing coconut and banyan trees, it is visually stunning. You arrive at the dock, which in a lot of ways is the main activity centre as this is a diving and snorkeling mecca, luggage is placed on a hand wheeled cart and 15 minutes later you are in your room. We had a basic deluxe room (lowest category), but when we arrived we thought we had been upgraded, we were beach front, main floor (there are only maybe 12 rooms on a second floor), great little deck, beautiful bathroom and bedroom. It was gorgeous, and we discovered later it was their entry level room category.

Our day consisted of breakfast, snorkeling at 10am, back in time for lunch, snorkeling at 2:30pm, and then back in time to find a chaise lounge on the west facing beach next to the bar (70 metres from our east facing beach front room) where the local Maldivians offer great bar service. We read until sunset, then went back to the room for a shower and changed for dinner, stopping first at the bar on the east side of the island for a cocktail, and then heading for dinner, another after dinner drink (Wendy and I usually don’t attend the show) and then home to read some more, rest and wake to start all over the next day. There is no charge for snorkeling and as there are a dozen sites to visit (all between 5 and 15 minutes by boat). We didn't go to the same place twice. We also did a couple of yoga sessions (also complementary) and the instruction was great.

This is a popular honeymoon destination for China and Japan so there are lot of young couples in love wearing matching outfits. There are Chinese, Japanese and international food dishes available at every meal (always great sushi). The second glass of house wine was always better.

Ideally this resort is for a couple wanting to relax at the beach after a two week India or Sri Lanka tour, or if you are an avid diver this is probably already on your bucket list.

A Sri Lanka Adventure

by Wendy Fougner

At the end of this past November, Bruce and I embarked on a biking trip through Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is an amazing destination with stunning landscapes and warm, friendly people.

On the first day of our trip, Bruce and I visited the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage which provides care and protection to orphaned elephants found around Sri Lanka. At PinnawaIa you see the elephants outside of their natural habitat; however, I found this more enjoyable because it allows you to get up close with these fascinating creatures. There, I got the opportunity to feed an adult elephant chunks of pineapple and watermelon, which was very memorable. I was also able to feed a baby elephant from a bottle, which was really neat. Holding a warm bottle to the elephant’s mouth, the animal slurped up the entire contents within seconds! Visiting the elephant orphanage was a very unique and visceral experience like no other.

After visiting the elephant orphanage, we began our first exploratory bike ride. Our driver and bike guide were phenomenal, and our mountain bikes were in great shape. Our bike guide, LH, fitted our bikes for us and was very accommodating. It is recommended to take your own helmets and we also brought along my bike seat and Bruce’s pedals. There would have been room for 2 other passengers as the back row of seats is removed to transport the bikes.

Exploring Sri Lanka by bike was a wonderful experience as the country offers beautiful, picturesque landscapes. We rode along fields of rice paddies, followed meandering rivers and climbed through tree plantations in the mountains. As we biked, we encountered workers planting rice, making cigarettes, picking tea and coffee, and local children racing on their bikes. There was always lots of activity in the fields and the people we encountered were very happy and friendly. Everywhere we turned we were met with genuine good mornings, big-grinned hellos and lots of hand waving. The kindness and hospitality of the local people made us feel very welcome. Now that the war is over, there is a sense of warmth and happiness.

One day we were riding along the river and the road was flooded with water up to our knees. A farmer came along on his tractor and took me and my bike through the flooded area. The farmer really had to work his tractor, was happy to help us on our way and expected no compensation. Later on the trip we encountered another farmer who invited us into his home, offered us fresh coconuts and showed us the collection of spices that he grew. We often encountered children in the local villages, running out of the schoolyard and saying hello as we passed on our bikes. I had never experienced that sort of warm openness in a destination before, and am unsure how long it will last.

For most of the trip we biked along quiet country lanes and we often choose to sit in the van to get up the long steep climbs, though not all of them. Some of the routes through the tea plantations were only suitable for off road vehicles.

Some of the highlights of our journey included the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa which was established in the 12th century, climbing up (and down) the old fort site at Sigirya (I didn’t know that Bruce had an issue with heights), Kandy, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (one of Buddhism’s most important temples), driving in 1st and 2nd gear over the one lane roads of the Knuckles range, the beaches at Negombo, Dambulla Cave Temples, and the shopping and dining in Colombo.

Throughout the journey we stayed in a variety of accommodations, from 5 star boutique hotels to more moderate hotels. While the upscale hotels were nicer and more beautifully furnished, the moderate accommodations certainly were still very nice, clean and comfortable. All of the places we stayed were half-board, meaning they provided a buffet breakfast and dinner. No matter where we stayed there was always a great selection of fruits and salads, as well as a wide variety of Western and Asian dishes. When we biked during the day, our guides would bring us delicious fresh pineapple and banana as a snack for our breaks, which was lovely.

Sri Lanka is an unbelievable destination and this biking adventure stands out as one of the best trips we have ever taken. I would highly recommend a trip to Sri Lanka to anyone. The people are warm and wonderful, the scenery is spectacular and there is much to see and do. However, I would recommend going sooner rather than later, as the country is likely to change as tourism becomes more common. Overall biking Sri Lanka was a fabulous, feel-good journey.