Globemaster's Travel Blog

Had a chocolate chip cookie at Creative Cakery in South Redondo … So, how was it?

2008-08-26T20:49:58-07:00

I walked by this small bakery on many occasions but never stopped and had a treat until last week. Creative Cakery is decked out in various decorated goodies (cakes) and the smell inside is very sweet. I just had several chocolate chip cookies. They were fifty cents each. Not a bad deal. The cookies had a delicious taste. The consistency was not my favorite as I like more chunky cookies. These were thinner. They did have a home made fresh flavor and I happily finished them off. I will stop by here in the future for an affordable sweet. Check’em out !

mycreativecakery.com
Creative Cakery
1815 Via El Prado,
Redondo Beach, California 90277

Riviera Imaging prints out some good photos affordably

2008-08-23T00:46:33-07:00

I have tried a multitude of photo printing options around town in the past few years. Anything from the small kiosks, specialized photo franchises, department stores and even grocery stores. They all provide solid service, but the quality of the photos and the paper never really satisfied me. It would look like it was printed on an inkjet and not like a developed photograph.

During a visit to South Redondo Beach I once noticed the Riviera Imaging storefront and decided to try them out. Their online reviews were very good. I tried their systems and can attest that this is the best photo printer in the area (LA, South Bay) perhaps even more. Their photos are printed on nice quality paper and look like they were developed from roll film. Their prices are favorable with various specials often available. Now, if you upload photos online and pay at that time, you can get 4x6 size prints for seventeen cents. Nice. Their web interface is simple to use … This is not an advertisement. I just like their work. They know me by now and as soon as I walk in, they hand me the photos. Sweet! They will also mail you the photos if you upload online and do not live in the area. Check them out at : rivieraimaging.com/

.. or …
Riviera Imaging
1800 S. Elena Ave
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 791-1785

Booking rooms at Best Western much cheaper at their own site - just personal experience.

2008-08-21T09:50:08-07:00

We recently looked into booking rooms at a Best Western Hotel for a weekend getaway. All of the major reservation sites had this hotel listed as a favorite in the area and offered room reservations. What was interesting is that their price was nineteen percent higher than when booking directly through BestWestern.com. Needless to say we took our 19% discount and booked at their official site. Perhaps this bit saves someone a bit of money. :idea:

This is one of the first instances where I noticed such a price difference in purchasing rooms through the hotel official site, as opposed to a major online site. Usually they are so close in cost that it makes no difference where you buy.

Dim Sum anyone? … but … What is Dim Sum and what does Dim Sum mean?

2008-08-20T10:38:52-07:00

We have been visiting multiple dim sum restaurants in Los Angeles area. We enjoy the food, the flavors, the eating tempo and the social aspect. Prices are usually quite favorable. Eating at a dim sum restaurant usually involves visiting the establishment in the morning (perhaps lunch time) hours. Restaurant servers walk around constantly, pushing small carts with various food items. They are often dumplings, steamed vegetables, some fried meats, potstickers, soups and often we do not know what they are and order those dishes to try out. Most of the carts have heating elements keeping the servings hot. The servings are usually small, perhaps two to four pieces of an item. The wait staff walks around and presents the dishes, trying to “sell” you some. If you like what you see, you ask for a specific dish. The server then sets the plate with the food on your table and marks your bill corresponding with what you ordered. As the meal progresses, you order more and more and enjoy a variety of food items. It is quite nice to see the food when you are ordering it. Dim sum is definitely something everyone should try. Warning, you might get totally hooked on it!

Wikipedia has a good definition and translation from Cantonese:
Dim sum is the name for a Chinese cuisine which involves a wide range of light dishes served alongside Chinese tea. It is usually served in the mornings until noon time at Chinese restaurants and at specialty dim sum eateries where typical dishes are available throughout the day. Dishes come in small portions and may include meat, seafood, and vegetables, as well as desserts and fruit. The items are usually served in a small steamer basket or on a small plate.

The Cantonese phrase dim sum means literally “touch the heart” or “order to your heart’s content”. It may be derived from yat dim sum yi, meaning “a little token”. ("A Touch of Heart” is perhaps the more poetic translation.)

At Nutribase.com a more concise defition is provided
Dim Sum - This Chinese name, which means “heart’s delight,” includes a variety of snacks such as steamed dumplings, shrimp balls, pastries, and spring rolls.

Fill out a survey and get a free baguette. Limited time only. Lasted only an hour.

2008-08-19T10:23:06-07:00

We were at La Pain Quotidien last week and saw a bunch of people carrying their cloth bags with baguettes inside. They informed us that they filled out a survey and got a free treat. We asked for one as well. They were not sure if any were available, but, fortunately for us, they were. Since we are regular customers at this bakery, we filled out the questionnaire knowledgeably, providing basic responses to our bread eating habits (generally) and got our freebie. That same day I ate both of the delicious baguettes with butter and jam. Soooo gooood! I do think I overdid it that day because during my recreational soccer game that evening I was slow beyond comprehension.

Free WiFi with a twist. Find the code first and free WiFi is yours.

2008-08-17T23:53:35-07:00

While having my coffee at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on Artesia, in Manhattan Beach, CA, I noticed their sign that wireless Internet access was free here. This is the first time that I noticed this at the Coffee Bean. I fired up my laptop and searched for networks … and whaddayanow … There was a wireless network called CoffeeBeanTeaLeaf. Once connected I received a message that I have to enter a code before proceeding. The code was on the large screen TV (provided by RippleTV) on which there was a smorgasbord of information, news, traffic, weather, food, cars -> everything. I would have to find the Coffee Bean logo and the code underneath it. Then enter that code backwards ?!? … I did it .. and … after a few failed attempts (user error?) it worked. The connection was reliable and fast … I like it. There should be more of these around!

What are TSA’s checkpoint friendly laptop bag standards?

2008-08-15T15:25:00-07:00

TSA has completed a study and later issued a set of standards on how to design laptop bags that are “checkpoint friendly”. The purpose is for travelers not to have to remove the laptop from the computer bag. Read the press release at bottom of post.

I am not sure if this would make things faster or easier. I have never really seen someone complain that they have to remove their laptop for screening. Perhaps I am oblivious. Anyway, look out for “checkpoint friendly” laptop bags near you. I wish that they would not come up with “checkpoint friendly” shoes so that I do not have to take them off. I can see a huge speed improvement there since everyone is always fiddling with their shoes, taking them off, putting them on … before and after the TSA checkpoints … I want a pair of those!

TSA Ready for ‘Checkpoint Friendly’ Laptop Bags
Press Release

Aug. 5, 2008

TSA Public Affairs
(571) 227-2829

WASHINGTON � To help streamline the security process and better protect laptops, starting August 16 the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow passengers to leave their laptop computers in bags that meet new “checkpoint friendly” standards.

This public-private collaboration took just five months to go from concept to reality. TSA reached out to manufacturers in March to design bags that will produce a clear and unobstructed image of the laptop when undergoing X-ray screening. Designs meeting this objective will enable TSA to allow laptops to remain in bags for screening. More than 60 manufacturers responded and 40 submitted prototypes for testing.

“This is a solid example of government collaborating with the private sector to conceptualize and produce a product that really works to improve and advance the security process,” said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. “We put the challenge out there and bag manufacturers overwhelming responded with innovative products that provide a win-win for travelers and TSA.”

For a bag to be considered checkpoint friendly it should meet the following standards:

* A designated laptop-only section
* The laptop-only section completely unfolds to lay flat on the X-ray belt
* No metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on top of the laptop-only section
* No pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section
* Nothing packed in the laptop-only section other than the computer itself.

TSA expects the majority of new bags meeting checkpoint friendly standards to be available for purchase in mid-August. There are a small percentage of bags currently on the market that meet the new standards, include sleeve-like carrying cases without pockets or zippers. These bag types have been tested and can produce a clear, unobstructed image as long as nothing else is in the case.

TSA is not approving or endorsing any bag design or manufacturer and will only allow laptops to stay in bags through screening if they provide a clear and unobstructed X-ray image of the laptop.

For images of checkpoint friendly designs and guidance on use, please visit www.tsa.gov.

Virgin Vacations top party cities -> with my additions

2008-08-13T21:59:41-07:00

Virgin Vacations put together a list of top party cities in the world, eleven of them (link to story): Budapest, Athens, Las Vegas, Barcelona, Berlin, New York, Manchester, Amsterdam, Rio de Janeiro, Goa and Ibiza. I do agree with most of these but I would add a few, namely:
- Belgrade in Serbia with one of Europe’s (if not world’s) best nightlife happenings and parties
- Miami, Florida which I am sure needs no introduction. H-O-T-T
- Kuta, Bali, Indonesia appeared quite the spot when I was there

On the topic of airlines charging extra for everything now (again)

2008-08-10T00:12:08-07:00

Now that the airlines are starting to charge extra for items we once considered included in the price, like luggage, water, snacks, pillows and similar, they will probably start offering specials to customers to make them feel special. The marketing departments must be a busy hive of activity now thinking up all of the limited time offers …. I can see a TV/Internet advertisement that will offer free water for bookings made in August, or perhaps blanket and pillow included for Wednesday red eye flights … That way travelers will feel like they are getting a deal by taking advantage of these special offers.

Small coffee carts in Sydney are everywhere, no wonder Starbucks had trouble getting a hold of the market

2008-08-05T12:56:49-07:00

BBC has an article online (read here) detailing how Starbucks struggled to get a hold of the Australian coffee shop market. We visited Sydney a few years back and noticed that the city is overrun with small coffee carts. They are everywhere. There are coffee shops and such, but the small coffee booths (made up term) and coffee nooks dominate. In front of every building you can buy coffee, and its mostly from small carts where they whip up an espresso for you in no time and it’s not that expensive. They only do espresso and have no idea what brewed coffee is. We got our coffee this way at least ten times which tells you that we liked the coffee, the concept and the convenience.