Ever Evolving Travel Plans

I'm a big fan of keeping work and vacations completely separate. In my opinion, there should be a massive gulf (or ocean, really) separating one from work while on vacation. Typically, I leave my laptop at home and turn off my phone's e-mail capabilities. I don't want anything to do with work.

This time, we actually brought my laptop to Greece - the agreement was to not open Outlook so I couldn't read any work e-mail. I kept my end of the agreement. However, when Ike was about to hit and all travel plans went out the window, my laptop turned out to be a lifesaver. Combine that with Skype and the ability to make plenty of calls to Continental for $.02 a minute, we were able to constantly work on travel plans when everything was going to pot. Simply put, I would strongly recommend bringing a laptop when traveling on vacation - just be sure that you have the willpower to stay away from work or just leave it off unless you really need it. If you make the commitment to not work, as I did, you can do it.

Our travel plans have constantly evolved... essentially, we'll end up home 3 days after originally planned. Our flight from Athens to Paris took off without a hitch. After that, things got confusing. Our Paris to Houston flight was cancelled for two days. That left us in Paris for two nights. OK - not a bad place to be. On the day we were supposed to fly back to Houston, we found out our flight to Houston was cancelled again. We shifted to a flight to Newark (that included an overnight stay) with plans to then fly to San Antonio. Newark was fine (that's 3 unplanned nights in a hotel) but we later found out that getting a car in San Antonio to drive to Houston was impossible.

San Antonio was out so we worked with three ticket agents at the Continental ticket sales counter to then switch our flights from eTickets to paper tickets (I guess that's what they had to do to make the change) so that we could fly from Newark, via Nashville, back to Houston. The next day, when we went to check in, we were told that we essentially didn't have tickets on anything... Nashville, San Antonio, zilch. Hmmm... OK, not great. So, the agent started fixing the mess the last 3 agents had made. She worked over the phone with someone from Continental and actually found us seats on a direct flight from Newark to Houston - something we thought was virtually impossible. From what we know, flights should be taking off and landing in IAH so we should arrive back shortly after midnight on the 16th. Our original plan was to be back in Houston on the 12th. Juuuust a slight delay.

Wow... fun stuff. It's hard to keep sane but we made the best of it, enjoyed a bit of time in Paris and Roissy (more on that later) and tried to keep a sense of humor without strangling each other. Soon, I'll be able to post some pictures from the wonderful island of Milos and our stops in-between.

Hotel Gift Shops and Absurd Prices

What is it about hotel gift shops that they feel the need to gouge customers staying at hotels? Some items are simply overpriced - little travel size deodorants for a few dollars rather than the usual 99 cents. Today, however, I spotted a new one... while staying at the Newark Airport Marriott Hotel, I came across a package of two generic diapers (some no-name brand) for $5.00. Now, let's think about the math. That's $2.50 a diaper. We usually buy a pack of 110 Pamepers diapers (I believe that's what size they are) for $30.00... that's $.27 a diaper... so, the hotel gift shop charges 9x more for a no-name diaper than Target. Wow... nice! Besides, as if two diapers can help... you usually need more, just in case.

Moral of the story - be sure you have extra supplies. We learned that on this trip as our 8 night vacation ended up being extended by 3 nights.

When Life Hands You Lemons

Greek adventures, stunning beaches on the island of Milos, crooked Athenian cab drivers, precarious mountain roads, layovers in a surprising Roissy and hurricanes... so much to post, so much to catch up on. I'll have some great tips coming up in the next few weeks with plenty of pictures of fascinating places like Tsigrado, Yerontas and Klima.

Our trip to Milos was an absolute dream and our journey began to draw to a close with some unexpected twists and turns. This is what is so great about traveling... you never know what to expect. More to come soon... in the meantime, the next time you get stuck at Roissy by CDG in Paris, don't fret - the tiny little town actually has a bit to offer the weary traveler.

Tragedy in Madrid

The more I read about the Spanair crash in Madrid, the more it bothers me. As you know, a Spanair flight was leaving Madrid for Las Palmas on Grand Canary. Last year, my wife and I flew Spanair from Madrid to Las Palmas. It just strikes close to home, particularly when you read about how the passengers died burned alive. Terrible, just terrible. Tragedies like this can't stop one from flying but they do give you pause.

May 2007 in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

New Yorkers Get a Closer Shave

If you take shaving seriously (that is, if you don't like butchering your face and coping with hellacious razor burn), then you may be familiar with eShave - a great online store focused on all things shaving. I visited the eShave page tonight to buy some preshave oil only to find that eShave now has a retail presence. Located at 993 B 1st Avenue in New York City, New Yorkers now have a brick and mortar location to pick up eShave's shaving sets, badger hair brushes and shave creams. Lucky bastages. I'm a big fan of eShave. This may sound goofy but, simply put, once I started using their products, I consistently get close, comfortable shaves. Nope... I'm not a paid spokesman - just a really happy customer. Check out the store next time you're in midtown Manhattan.

Excellent Service at Arco D'Oro

Good service in a restaurant should be expected but great service should be rewarded. Other than a generous gratuity, what better way to recognized an excellent effort by letting others know about the experience? And our experience last night at Arco D'Oro was an indeed outstanding.

Simply put, we arrived a bit early knowing that we needed to eat before we fed our baby boy. Such is the life of parenthood - eating around your child's schedule. Despite not having reservations on a Friday night, we were placed in a nice booth that made it easy to accommodate us with our son. Throughout the night, we were waited on very attentively - not only by the wait staff but by the maitre 'd who frequently checked with us, spent quite a bit of time talking to us and simply made us feel very welcome despite having an eleven month old in tow. Some nice restaurants would do the opposite and make it clear that "uninvited" children on a Friday night were simply not welcome. Arco D'oro, on the other hand, made us feel like VIPs. That did deserve a generous tip and, as promised, a kind word.

This week we'll be trying out the new Ristorante Cavour at the Hotel Granduca - we'll be enjoying a night out sans baby. The restaurant has a mere 7 tables and has a reputation for impeccable service. Early reviews have been very positive - we'll see how our experience measures up.

Long overdue food options in Zihuatanejo

As you know, we spent a few days relaxing over the 4th July weekend in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Despite a day of bad weather thanks to a tropical depression, the weather was mostly nice - if not a bit humid. Still, during our stay, we had a chance to enjoy some great local restaurants.

La Casa Vieja - authentic Mexican food - delicious completely unhealthy barbacoa on Sundays. We ate there twice... the second day, Sunday, was just us an local families enjoying Sunday lunch. Really enjoyable. Best tortillas we had anywhere in Zihua.

We loved the atmosphere (and the food) at La Casa Vieja

La Perla - Great beachside restaurant in Playa La Ropa - really a perfect spot and the tiritas were out of this world (think ceviche but strips of raw fish)

Tiritas on the beach... yum!

Kau Kan - One of the best restaurants in Zihua. It was pouring while we were there so we didn't enjoy the patio. A tropical depression was just off the coast. More of a romantic/formal restaurant than your typical area restaurant. Pricier, as well, but not ludicrous by any means.

Cafeteria Nueva Zelanda - located in downtown Zihua. Nice place for a traditional Mexican breakfast or to just grab a plate of fruit and yogurt.

Bistro Del Mar - Beachside location on Playa Madera. Our hotel's restaurant. Morning service is terrible but they really shine at night. Very romantic spot. Find out the specials... we had a red snapper for two that was huge and so good.

The delicious red snapper special for two at Bistro Del Mar

La Ranita - You'll never find a web page for this three table breakfast spot. It's located across from the Bistro Del Mar and next door to La Rana "supermarket" (teeny tiny but handy). The family-run place serves made to order breakfasts, sandwiches and other quick and easy fare. A nice place to grab a bite if you're in the area.

A few locals recommended Doña Licha Restaurant to us but we never made it there. Supposed to have a great "plato de la casa" with a big hunk of beef, fresh cheese, etc.