Some tips and things to expect for those going on Trafalgar tours for the first time. This is based off my experiences with Trafalgar tours in Europe. I have only good things to say about Trafalgar tours so far... so hopefully you will enjoy it as much as me!
Pre-Trip
1. Check the availability of airport transfer. They will have certain timings so if you are intending to take the airport transfer provided by Trafalgar or the hotel, make sure you plan your flight accordingly.
2. Check the first day of your itinerary. If there is going to be a welcome reception or short city tour, arrange to arrive at your destination early morning at the very latest, or preferably, the day before. Otherwise, you will miss this half day event.
3. After receiving your tour material/package, it is advisable that you fill up the pre-trip information a few weeks before your trip. It is a short survey indicating each member's personal preference and his/her travel details. This has to be done on your own.
4. Bring along/use the Trafalgar luggage tags provided. They have their own system of ensuring your luggage are well accounted for every morning so do bring them along.
5. Look through the optional tours and have a rough idea which are the ones you are interested in. Prepare sufficient cash accordingly (see point 13 below).
During the Trip
6. Unlike tour guides from local travel agencies, Trafalgar travel directors (as what they call themselves), are more straight-forward and business-like. They go by rules to ensure the safety and efficiency of the tour.
7. The itinerary and departure time for each day will be posted on a notice board in the hotel lobby. You are required to set your own morning call. The travel director will mention the departure and breakfast time a few times and if you miss it, you can refer to the notice board.
8. Slow-paced itinerary. Excluding the optional tours, there are usually only 2 or 3 places of interest to visit each day. You usually end the day at around 5 to 6pm each day and you get to stay at the places of interest longer than local tours will provide. This is why Trafalgar is more popular with older people.
9. Luggage will mostly be taken care of by your travel director. The travel director will usually give you the keys to your room and the luggage will be brought up to you by the hotel staff. The next day, you just need to leave your luggage outside your room (make sure the Trafalgar luggage tag is there) and it will be on the bus by the time you leave.
10. They usually have a rotating seating arrangement on the bus. Each day, you will be rotated and assigned to a different seat so that everyone gets their chance to sit in front or at the back during the trip. From my experience, they will just rotate clockwise, so if you are a family, you will need to sit in front/behind each other in order to be together after each rotation.
11. Be prepared for 'weird' lunch hours or spots. I am not sure if the ang mohs tend to have light lunch and heavier dinner or what, but for the Trafalgar tours I went, they seemed to place less importance on lunch, unless it is a special lunch that has been built into the itinerary. They might drop you at convenient places with not much options (mostly cafe serving sandwiches or pastries). If you are expecting to have a full course meal, be prepared that it might not be every day you get to do that.
12 Be-My-Guest lunch/dinner is the most enjoyable part of the tour :) Don't miss it!
13. The optional tours are really optional. Many a times when I went with our local tour groups, they have optional tours which are not really optional because it is either the entire tour group go for it, or not to go for it. So unless the entire group happened to agree on the option, it is not really 'optional'. For Trafalgar, they will arrange for you to either head back to the hotel or some other shopping places if you are not joining. On rare occasions, you might need to wait for the other members to finish before heading to the next destination together.
14. Bring cash to pay for optional tours. Although you can pay for the optional tours using credit card, but their portable credit card machine can be a bit wonky especially if it is in remote places. My family paid by cash and it was very fast whereas I saw other families trying to pay using their credit cards for a few days because it just wouldn't work.
15. You might want to bring something dressier for special dinner(s). Do not be surprise if ang moh tour mates turn up for some musical or dinner and dance event dressed to the nines! On one of my trip, the travel director brought us back to the hotel to freshen before a traditional Scottish dinner show. Most of the ang moh tour mates came down in gowns and tuxedos!
End of Trip
16. Your travel director will arrange your airport transfer if you not extending, otherwise you will need to arrange your own airport transfer.
17. Some travel directors do not openly ask for tips. If there is a farewell dinner included in the package, that is usually a good time to give the travel director and bus driver their tips.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Review: Prorance Hair Rich Powder
I have little hair which makes my scalp obvious when I part my hair. I am not balding but because the scalp against my black hair makes it more obvious and ages me.
As you can see below, this was how obvious my scalp was before. As the top of my head is relatively flat, it makes my hair looks flat and sparse too.
Prorance Hair Rich Powder is the first cosmetic product I bought for my hair. I am not familiar with this brand but I note that they have lots of products for hair, so I do feel like they are a hair product specialist.
The product, with its black and gold theme, gives off a luxurious feel.
At the top of the cap is a mirror. A nice touch but I don't think I will be using it to view my application of the product on my hair.
Once opened, there is a white puff and upon shaking it with the puff facing downwards, there will be specks of powder coming out. The powder comes out quite easily. Reminds me of shaking pepper but odourless.
This was how it looked like when I tried shaking it on the back of my hand. The powder stays on quite well when I tried to dry wiped it, but can be easily removed with just water.
This was how my hairline looks like immediately after application. It does look better, especially when I am taking photos from the front. So far I have not experienced any discomfort from using this product. It doesn't feel itchy although I have to clarify that I was in an air-conditioned environment for most part of the time while using this product.
As you can see below, this was how obvious my scalp was before. As the top of my head is relatively flat, it makes my hair looks flat and sparse too.
Prorance Hair Rich Powder is the first cosmetic product I bought for my hair. I am not familiar with this brand but I note that they have lots of products for hair, so I do feel like they are a hair product specialist.
The product, with its black and gold theme, gives off a luxurious feel.
At the top of the cap is a mirror. A nice touch but I don't think I will be using it to view my application of the product on my hair.
Once opened, there is a white puff and upon shaking it with the puff facing downwards, there will be specks of powder coming out. The powder comes out quite easily. Reminds me of shaking pepper but odourless.
This was how it looked like when I tried shaking it on the back of my hand. The powder stays on quite well when I tried to dry wiped it, but can be easily removed with just water.
This was how my hairline looks like immediately after application. It does look better, especially when I am taking photos from the front. So far I have not experienced any discomfort from using this product. It doesn't feel itchy although I have to clarify that I was in an air-conditioned environment for most part of the time while using this product.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Review: Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel for sensitive, dry and flaky skin
I always have this problem of dry flaky skin when using BB cream or foundation. Despite several attempts at moisturising my skin, the problem still occurs. The patchy spots can become obvious especially in an air-conditioned room.
I read up on solutions to my problem and there will always be this advice to exfoliate your skin. It is a piece of advice which I took to heart and went in search of some simple exfoliating products. I am actually quite fair and my skin smooth with no breakouts. The only problem is dryness (not noticeable if I am not wearing makeup) and some sun spots at the cheek area. Because of my relatively good skin and complexion, I avoid putting on too much products on my face because after all, they are chemicals.
I bought a Japanese brand exfoliating paste from Tokyu Hands after noticing the 'natural' exfoliant, rice bran. It does a decent job in leaving my skin feeling squeaky clean but it also brings about a tightness to my skin. Although the exfoliant is natural, but it is really physically scrubbing away the skin cells, dead or not.
My second product was the Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel seen below. It comes in a standard 120ml plastic tube. It claims to use fruit extract to 'dissolve' the dead cells on your skin without damaging your skin.
The gel is translucent and after rubbing in circular motions for a few seconds, you will feel the granules on your skin.
The granules are not your dead skin cells, or at least not all of it are. There will be more granules if you use it directly on dry skin as compared to when your skin is wet. I applied a bit more around my dry flaky spots - around my nose and forehead. It soothes my skin and makes it a bit smoother and brighter. I don't need any moisturiser after using this product because it doesn't make my skin feel dry or tight.
Overall, I am pleased with this peeling gel from Mizon. I have been using it probably two or three times a week and so far no adverse effect.
Highly recommended!
I read up on solutions to my problem and there will always be this advice to exfoliate your skin. It is a piece of advice which I took to heart and went in search of some simple exfoliating products. I am actually quite fair and my skin smooth with no breakouts. The only problem is dryness (not noticeable if I am not wearing makeup) and some sun spots at the cheek area. Because of my relatively good skin and complexion, I avoid putting on too much products on my face because after all, they are chemicals.
I bought a Japanese brand exfoliating paste from Tokyu Hands after noticing the 'natural' exfoliant, rice bran. It does a decent job in leaving my skin feeling squeaky clean but it also brings about a tightness to my skin. Although the exfoliant is natural, but it is really physically scrubbing away the skin cells, dead or not.
My second product was the Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel seen below. It comes in a standard 120ml plastic tube. It claims to use fruit extract to 'dissolve' the dead cells on your skin without damaging your skin.
The gel is translucent and after rubbing in circular motions for a few seconds, you will feel the granules on your skin.
The granules are not your dead skin cells, or at least not all of it are. There will be more granules if you use it directly on dry skin as compared to when your skin is wet. I applied a bit more around my dry flaky spots - around my nose and forehead. It soothes my skin and makes it a bit smoother and brighter. I don't need any moisturiser after using this product because it doesn't make my skin feel dry or tight.
Overall, I am pleased with this peeling gel from Mizon. I have been using it probably two or three times a week and so far no adverse effect.
Highly recommended!
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