{September 11th 2010} Everytime someone goes to Vegas, they talk about the food, the shows, the gambling and those weird Hispanic guys who slap the hooker flyers on their hands at you to get your eye contact. People will tell you about the 2 ft high Hurricane slushies that you can buy at the front of the Imperial Palace and about the dancing girls at the front of the Mirage. They’ll tell you about how great the Bellagio was and that the shopping in Caesar’s Palace is absolutely ridiculous.

What don’t ever seem to hear from people is that if you take a shuttle and head over to Fremont Street in “Downtown Las Vegas”, you can have a great experience at 1/2 the price of everything on the strip. Need souvenirs … head over to Fremont Street. Need $5 blackjack to waste your time away, then head over to Fremont Street. Need to see all the impersonators in full costume … head over to Fremont Street. Need that 2ft slushie Hurricane with a half a bottle of Everclear … well … don’t get that … I think my crotch hurt from that Everclear stuff. You get the idea!

I might have forgotten something else … it might have been a ridiculous fishtank …

Actually, I think I might have forgotten the Fremont Street experience in Viva Vision across the last 6 years. Over the last couple of years, things have gotten substantially better on Fremont Street. The staples like Binions, 4 Queens and Glitter Gulch are still there, but definitely I think you get a better run for your money at Fremont Street.

2005

2008

Even from 2010

You have to head to the Golden Gate casino. This was the first casino in Vegas. There are interesting historical notes inside the hotel like a piece of the first phone line to be built into Vegas. Just walking to the back of any of these casinos will give you a sense of how Vegas has changed over the decades. Ignore all the feedback about how it is a man made ghetto and the sense of desperation and blah blah blah … never let someone else paint your imagination.

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Post tags: experience, fremont street, must do in vegas, things to do in vegas, viva vision

then there is only one place you go to … don’t stop, dont pass GO, do not collect $200, proceed directly to the “awesomeness” of Iron Barley. This fine establishment is definitely not the height of culinary excellence. They do not pretend to be anything more than what they are … a place that makes ridiculous hot dogs.

Iron Barley is one of those places everyone has heard about but will get around to visiting “one of these days.” Well, “one of these days” is becoming less and less of an excuse, especially when the place has been on TV a couple times for their Monte Cristo hot dog.

Our server Mark, embodied the apparent spirit of Iron Barley: casual, friendly, and humble. If you’re looking for cleavage or giggles over light beer, this is not the place for you yet our server was able to speak like the very accommodating owner of a house we happened to stumble into after smelling good food from the street.

Now from the video is the real deal … I have to say that as a non cheese eater who really hates the smell of anything sweet, this hot dog was an assault on my senses, however our 98 lb Filipina test eater Faye was obviously up to the challenge. Note the size of the double hot dog to her body.

Note in the picture below the relative sizes, there are no tricks of perspective – we used a very simple camera

As for why is “Iron Barley” called “Iron Barley” … our server Mark mentioned that everything is cooked in Iron grilles and that they use no other cereal/grain than barley. For instance, take the Oak smoked double cut pork loin, with barley risotto … that barley risotto is cooked in pork stock, with tomatoes, peppers and two types of sugar, among the ingredients and it is phenomenal.

Finally, the meal ended up with a Peanut Butter Chocolate cheesecake that had cumin and black pepper in the crust,  a habenero chili spiked whipped cream, floating in a strawberry habanero coulis.

All in all .. one of the best places to drop by in St Louis.

© rishiray for Rishi Sankar: Ah Trini Travelogue / Ah Trini Traveller, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: iron barley, iron barley review, monte cristo, monte cristo hot dog review, pictures, st louis

The hotels in Las Vegas are specifically built and engineered to keep you inside as long as possible, all in the hopes of extracting the maximum sum of money from your already endangered pockets.

The Bellagio is one of the ultra posh hotels on the Vegas strip but it more known for its fabulous water fountain show on the Strip.

The iconic fountain show helps the brand. The outstanding lobby, known for the gaudy and colourful hand-blown glass flowers peering from high above their spectacular ceiling stage. A lot of people like it, a lot of people hate it … but you can’t help but take a picture.

As you walk through the hotel, I’ve always found that 5 things are must do’s at the Bellagio.

1. Bellagio Lobby (15 mins)
2. Chocolate Fountain (5 mins)
3. Botanical Gardens (30 mins)
4. Water Fountain show (15 mins)
5. The buffet!!!

I’ve always found that looking at a fountain of white and dark chocolate to be absolutely mesmerizing … maybe because I’ll never eat it, or I have enough fun watching other people watch the fountain.

As for the Botanical Gardens, the display changes every season and is absolutely gorgeous both at day and night. At Christmas time, they have a fantastic Santa display.

As for the buffet …

So from total memory recall here’s how it went down:

*-My Personal Favorites

• Round One
  • Ceviche salad
  • Spicy Eggplant *
  • Smoked Scottish Salmon (very good quality, smooth and fresh)*
  • 3 X Spicy Tuna Hand Roll
  • Brussel Sprouts in garlic
• Round Two
  • Prime Rib (small sampling)*
  • Chilean Sea Bass (two small pieces; tasted like butter)*
  • Smoked Scottish Salmon (two more smaller pieces)*
  • Alaskan Haddock
  • Fried Shrimp
  • Spicy eggplant
• Round Three
  • More Chilean Sea Bass*
  • Seaweed salad
  • Smoked scallops*
  • 10 pieces of sashimi
  • Honey Cured Bacon *

© rishiray for Rishi Sankar: Ah Trini Travelogue / Ah Trini Traveller, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: bellagio highlights, what do to in spain, what to do in vegas

after yet another weekend in Vegas … I have carefully analyzed the facts and determined that only certain types of people will enjoy Vegas.

Vegas is not ….

1. for people who don’t like to walk. Seriously! The strip is huge, the hotel are huge and if you do not bring comfortable running shoes, you will die. Ok maybe you won’t die, but you will have a miserable time and expensive cab rides.
2. for people who don’t like crowds on weekends. If you come to Vegas on a Friday or Saturday night, be prepared for a mass of humanity walking the strip, dragging their kids on strollers. They will bump into you, they will push you sometimes and the traffic on the strip is horrendous.
3. for people who want to drive. Driving on the strip is akin to peeling off the skin off your face.
4. for people who like to complain about the temperature. Vegas is in a desert. Deserts are natural formations that are either too hot or too cold. Deal with it.
5. for people who have kids. It is not a family affair. Your children will be exposed to drunk frat boys, girls in overtight, ridiculously short dresses and grannies with no panties. Unless you want your young sons to be asking questions about why those boys are “different” or “why are those sisters kissing each other on the mouth”, for God Sakes, leave your kids with the grandparents or Social Services.
6. for people who don’t gamble or drink. You tend to miss a bit of the “other” side of Vegas … but that is my opinion of course.
7. for people who actually can shoot a picture. If you have done any photography in your life, be prepared to see every rule in photography broken, also coupled with people stopping at every sign, post, dead dog in the road to shoot a picture to “remember the moment”. Massive patience is required.
8. for people with dry skin. Vegas is in a desert. Deserts are natural formations, that are always too dry, else it would not be called a desert. Bring tons of skin cream, lip balm and hand lotion.
9. for people who can’t deal with tacky dance numbers, feathers and over the top “anything”

Looking across the years, here are some comparative shots .. notice any differences

2006

2010

© rishiray for Rishi Sankar: Ah Trini Travelogue / Ah Trini Traveller, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: are hotels far apart in vegas, vegas is not, what vegas is not

no suprises, of course! There are three main touristy areas in Panama City that you could do, but only two places that will be absolutely thumping!

1. Calle Uruguay is a neighborhood filled with bars and discos for wealthy Panamanians and foreigners. We went along the street twice in our three days and I would liken the scene to a “West Mall” thing in Trinidad or “Yorkville” in Toronto.
2. Zona Viva (pronounced “Zohnahabeeba” .. all one word). This is an enclosed party district, guarded by the tourist police – you will need to show ID or your passport. I didn’t have my passport with me when I went and I almost didn’t get in … but trust your English speaking ability plus making a scene and holding up the line to get you in … but that is my trick – so take some picture ID with you.
3. Casco Viejo – this is the old city. It is gradually being gentrified, and the buildings that have already been restored give a sense of how magnificent the area must have looked in past years. However, part of the allure of strolling along Casco Viejo’s cobbled streets is the dilapidated charm of the crumbling buildings, abandoned houses and boarded-up ruins. As for bars and restaurants, there are some nice places to go, but no where will compete for the thumping beats or energy of Zona Viva or Calle Uruguay.

The reason I mention the three areas and not any others,  is because Panama City is a bit dangerous, if you don’t know what you’re doing or where you’re head. This is definitely not the city to be wandering outside the “known” areas. 

Be careful in both Casco Viejo and the Panama la Vieja ruins area. There are a lot of tourist police in both neighborhoods but you have to have your wits about you and definitely if you’re a single female, do not wander too far in these areas alone (even in the day) and certainly not in the evening. Stay out of El Chorillo, Santa Ana, and San Miguel. Typical, drug gang infighting and there are reports of tourists have been kidnapped right off the street.

When partying, definitely be careful when crossing the street! As I mentioned before,Panamanian drivers are notoriously aggressive when the traffic allows and will not slow down for you even if you’re lucky enough to find a crosswalk. There’s only one way to cross the road here. Wait for a break in the traffic and walk. Once you start, keep going. Drivers will stop(99% of the time……)

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Post tags: cusco viejo, drinking in panama, zona viva

When delayed on any flight, my mind goes a certain checklist, almost like a program. If I could write the logic for the program, it would look something like this …

• IF Airport = Internation then execute search routine for airport lounges
• IF Airport lounge > 1, then evaluate facilities for food, free alcohol, free WI-FI and newspapers
  • Choose lounge with the most of that stuff
  • ELSE If Airport Lounge = 1, then settle for crap
  • ELSE If Airport Lounge = 0 aka STL (St. Louis International) … then grumble and ask airline desk clerk for food voucher

At IAH, last night … I missed my flight to San Jose, Costa Rica because a thunderstorm caused us to circle for 2 hours like idiots, hence missing my connection. After running around to try and catch my flight, I realized that it was a lost cause and headed to Continental customer service.

So after explaining my situation to the counter clerk, she put my on standby for the 9.20am flight and confirmed me on the 11.20 flight, then handed me a phone number for the discount hotel service. My response was utter amazement, as she didn’t even offer a hotel voucher – she explained that weather was not the airline’s fault and hence the hotel was not their problem – the last part of the conversation went like this …

<Rishi> Seriously, this is the rationale?
<Counter clerk (CC)> Yes sir, there is nothing I can do.
<Rishi> Can you offer me a dinner coupon, discounted dinner or a fricking tic-tac?
<CC> Sorry sir. The discount hotel tonight is the Econolodge.
<Rishi> Why didn’t you just offer me a cattle barn or the boat you floated on from Cuba?
<CC> Excuse me, I’m not Cuban, I’m Dominican
<Rishi> I’m sorry … let me rephrase … Why didn’t you just offer me a cattle barn or the boat you floated on from the DR?
<CC> I didn’t come on a boat …
<Rishi> Raft, boat, cherry picking truck, plastic sheet… anyway never mind … you probably don’t know the translation of that … I’ll go to the Sheraton.

That being said, if you are stuck at IAH, you could worse than booking at the Sheraton North Houston, they have a rate for stranded travellers at $77 a night … the Econolodge was $61 a night … the Sheraton is worth the extra $16 a night, with a concierge lounge, free Wi-Fi, drinks, pool and 24 hr gym.

I got back to the airport early to catch a standby flight and here are some of the things you can do while you’re here …

• Go have a margarita and some wings at Chili’s (tucked away in a corner of Terminal B)
• Ride the underground train between terminals B, A, C and the Marriott.
• Ride the above ground terminalink.
• Eat at Harlon’s BBQ in Terminal C.
• Check out some of the international duty free shops in Terminal D.
• Drink a martini in all 4 president clubs TWICE! repeat for longer layovers…
• Go see the weird ugly George Bush “flowing coat” statue.

As for the lounges, the Continental President’s Club lounge is a very nice lounge. In fact, it was rated the #1 lounge for the past 4 years in the US.

They also had a theatre style TV room to watch the Netherlands vs Brazil game in English, which was a quite welcome addition.

© rishiray for Rishi Sankar: Ah Trini Travelogue / Ah Trini Traveller, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: houston international, IAH, stuck at IAH, what to do when stuck in an airport

After spending the weekend in St. Louis, I have to say that my opinion has changed. I no longer think that St. Louis is an “armpit of the US”. Could I live in St. Louis? Not in this lifetime, however as a place to see for a weekend or two weekends, it is definitely somewhere worth visiting. 

St. Louis is not a big city but a car is absolutely essential as the Metrolink, while somewhat convenient, doesn’t offer the access to all the attractions. Additionally, if no one ever mentioned this … summers in St. Louis are absolutely brutal. This was past weekend downtown was stiflingly hot … the combination of high humidity off the river, the concrete jungle that is St. Louis and unsheltered sunshine make for an unbearable combination. Lesson = rent a car with a good A/C system.

As for what to do in St. Louis … If you’re staying downtown (I really recommend the Hilton Ballpark hotel … we had a phenomenal suite overlooking the ballpark … if only the Cardinals were playing at night), there are only two absolute “must do” things …

1. Tour of Anheuser-Busch
   From the hotel, the brewery is about a 8$ cab ride, parking is free and the tour is free. All an excellent combination.

   

   Once you’re at the brewery, you have the option of taking the free tour along with Beer School ($10) … I suggest doing Beer School … for the diploma and the absolutely excellent professional beer opener that you get as a gift.

   

   Questions about Bud Beer School
   - Did I learn much in Beer School?  Absolutely not.
   - Were there multiple beer tastings? Yes there were.
   - Is it unlimited beer? Probably after the tour …
   - Are the Budweiser Clydesdales touring the property? Yes they are … and those are some well fed, well tendered horses.
   - Do they force Budweiser down your throat? Nope, although drinking a beer as tasteless, generic and insipid as Bud or Bud Light would require some force feeding anyway.
   - Will there be a chick in Beer School who says … ” All I drink is Bud, cause I don’t know better”? More than likely.

   The other thing that immediately strike you, is the size of the brewery. It is absolutely massive. It makes all the breweries I’ve seen in Canada, Trinidad, Germany etc look like playgrounds.

   

   

   

   If you do have to wait around for beer school or the brewery tour, I highly suggest grabbing some of the Jamaican Jerk wings at Sage. The food was excellent – really excellent. Best wings and pulled pork sandwich I’ve had in ages … and yes that is pepper bacon on top of pulled pork.

   
   

2. The Arch and related places to see around the Arch.
   Not much to explain here. The Arch is there .. go see it.

© rishiray for Rishi Sankar: Ah Trini Travelogue / Ah Trini Traveller, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: budweiser st. louis beer school review, sage restaurant review, soulard, st. louis beer school review, top 10 st. louis, top things to do in st louis, what to do in st louis

Updated (4th August, 2010)

St. Louis is not the world’s most exciting city and if I didn’t actually work here during the week, there would be no reason to visit. That being said, it’s not that St. Louis is devoid of culture, food and activities, it just that I can think of 10 more exciting cities in North America to visit before I would even consider St. Louis as a destination.

However, I’ve managed to put together my version of a very fun food/culture/music filled weekend in the “Lou”. Note here that this itinerary is my personal itinerary.

• Thursday night:
  • Fly in Thursday night after 8pm, check into your hotel.
  • If you’re staying at the airport for the night, then Harrah’s Casino offers a free shuttle to all hotels within a 10 mile radius of the Casino. All you need to do is have your hotel call them and you’ll get a free bus ride there.
  • Grab a 15% off coupon and your coupon for $5 cash from the bus driver. options … and grab a meal there
  • If you’re downtown, then head out to the riverboats for dinner and some gambling
     
• Friday :
  •  Breakfast at the hotel, I’m staying at the Hilton Ballpark – Downtown St. Louis (I highly recommend the Lobby Bar for drinks), then grab rental car. Ask for upgraded King room on the ball park side, if the Cardinals are playing that weekend.
  • Entertainment Options – in logical sightseeing order – look at the map above for a reference point. A Hop On/Hop Off  bus is probably the best bet for doing this itinerary, if you want to eat and relax with no driving.   

1. If you’re staying at the Hilton Ballpark, then your first logical stop should be a tour of Busch Stadium, the first tour starts at 9.30am.
2. The next logical destination should be to the Arch. It’s the symbol of St. Louis and the gateway to the Midwest. It does get a little cramped in there and the Arch Tour elevator isn’t the most comfortable thing for anyone who is claustrophobic.
3. Once you’re done with the Arch, then walk over to the Historic Old Courthouse
4. Then it’s time for lunch on the Arch Riverfront.
5. Once you’re done with lunch, you have the option of the Cathedral Basilica of St Louis or heading over to the last tour of the Budwiser Brewery Tour, since it’s only open from 10am – 4pm
6. Once you’re done, then it’s time for a nap and then off for dinner at Blueberry Hill
7. Finally after dinner, go enjoy some Jazz at the Bistro

• Saturday :
  • No breakfast at the Hilton, since we’re going to Pappy’ Smoke House for 10.30am– this is one place I want to try, since it is pretty famous in “these here” parts.
  • Then off for some lounging at Union Station
  • No trip would be complete without some shopping and the St. Louis Galleria mall wouldn’t be the worst place to go.
  • After shopping, then head over to the Laumiere Scuplture Park and the Missouri Botanical Gardens, which is one of the top 3 Botanical Gardens in the World.
  • After all that walking and shopping, it’s time for some “ broasted” chicken at Café Lazeez
  • Head back to hotel for nap … then off for an evening of Blues music at BB’s Jazz 
     
• Sunday
  • Still no breakfast at this Hilton but rather Breakfast the Kaffee Haus at Schneithorst’s is said to be the best … with its completely German menu
  • Hopefully, there should be space for Chocolate at Bissinger’s French Confections. They are one of the last handcrafted chocolatiers in the world
  • After that heavy breakfast, head down the “Mother Road” down Route 66 to Ted Drewed Frozen Custard). This landmark custard stand is an icon along the original Route 66 sign and a St. Louis institution. Be sure to try the “concrete,” a milkshake so thick you can turn it upside down without spilling a delicious drop. Ted Drewes has been serving up ice cream treats to Route 66 travelers since the 1920s
  • Then head off the airport with a good taste of St. Louis in your mouth

(...)
Read the rest of 3 day weekend itinerary for St. Louis (255 words)

© rishiray for Rishi Sankar: Ah Trini Travelogue / Ah Trini Traveller, 2010. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 3 day weekend itinerary, how to spend a weekend in st. louis, how to spend a weekend missouri, missouri, personal list of restaurants in st louis, st louis, where to eat in st louis

Through some luck and a corporate hookup, I was able to organize a night out at Busch Stadium to see the Cardinals play. To clarify, I am not a baseball fan. I think Baseball is one of the most boring sports ever, which is why there are copious amounts of beer being consumed at a Baseball game. No sane person would subject themselves to the Chinese Water Torture that is a Baseball game while sober.

However, if someone invites you to watch a Baseball game and promises unlimited, free booze (Glenlivet 15 included) at the Lobby Bar of the Hilton Ballpark Hotel with free valet parking for you and 6 of your friends. Then walks you over to Luxury Suite 20 at Busch Stadium, then you should definitely take up that offer. If they were showing underwater basket weaving, you should go.

The view from the box, coupled with the amenities make the luxury suite feel like a home away from home … with extra food.

© rishiray for Rishi Sankar: Ah Trini Travelogue / Ah Trini Traveller, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: cardinal, cardinals, st louis, top 100 things to do in st louis, what to do in st louis

Mileage running is really not a sport for your average traveler. Doing a mileage run without “status” is an even more arduous task, since you have to put up with a host of crappy things in chasing your miles, that your “status” would help you to avoid:

• Terrible seats or no prior seat selection : Using a site like SeatGuru is amazing because you can figure out which seat has the most legroom and space. If you have “status”, then all the seat are available at your disposal (not the first class seats … obviously). Mileage running without advance seat selection is like going to a restaurant and eating whatever is put in front of you – it could be good, but more often than not, it is going to be terrible.
• No advance boarding : If you are taking carry-on luggage, you normally have to pack it in the overhead compartments. For example,on a full segment from Santa Ana to Newark, the entire plane was packed and there was no space for carry-on luggage (thankfully I had found space at the front of the plane even though my seat was in the back)
• Paying for luggage : “Status” usually entails some free luggage. Without it, be prepared to pay at least $25 for your first bag and give up your second child to check in a second bag.

Mileage running also require having some patience for the best deal to come to you, it’s always possible to find the second best deal – or the best PPM on the current market. One tool I used from checking the travel forums is Farecompare (FC). You can either go to the destination maps, plug in your home airport and find the place that’s furthest from you for the cheapest price, or you can use this nifty tool that FC created (plug in your home airport like YYZ for Toronto). This makes it easy to sort the list of fares by PPM; if you don’t find a fare or carrier that suits your needs, just scroll down and find somewhere that sounds appetizing.

This week’s mileage run for me, involves me going through the following cities in a 2 week period … this is technically not a “true” mileage run – but at $0.086 PPM, this qualifies as a decent run.

As for the map of this week’s mileage run – definitely criss-crossing the US.

© rishiray for Rishi Sankar: Ah Trini Travelogue / Ah Trini Traveller, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Mileage run, mileage runs, travel hacking, travel hacking 101