May 25th, 2009
Points of interest from the article:
Quite aside from all the other alleged shenanigans this is the first I have heard about fractional ownership (timeshare) in Reunion Resort. Things just get more interesting everyday.
You can read the full article here.
Posted in Reunion Resort |
May 20th, 2009
The Belgian city of Ghent is declaring Thursday, ‘Meat Free Day’. Every restaurant will at least have a vegetarian option available with some going completely veggie once a week. In schools a veggie option will be the default.
The basic premise behind the initiative is to reduce the amount of meat being consumed in an attempt to reduce the carbon footprint of the city and to boost the health of its inhabitants. A recent UN report stated that animal farming is responsible for more global greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transport sector combined. It also uses up vast quantities of land, energy and water, clearly making meat an unsustainable product. Consuming large quantities of meat and other animal products has also been linked to a number of life-threatening illnesses, such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes and some cancers.
Importantly unlike most initiatives in Europe there is no state compulsion, it is entirely voluntary, which is why I like it.
Posted in Being Vegetarian |
May 14th, 2009
I am feeling decidedly groggy today having celebrated my brother in law’s birthday all day yesterday. It was great day and it almost made me want to be 50 too, just so I could get loads of presents and sympathy!
Steve is the one in the middle of the photo, it seems that if your 50th birthday is approaching you had better be prepared to leave your self respect at the door. It was great that his good friends from Scotland flew over to celebrate with him as well.
After a champagne breakfast we all made our way to the Gathering Drive pool for a good few hours of sunbathing and swimming. This pool is great as not too many Reunion guests make their way down to it therefore leaving it quiet and relaxing for us civilized folk.
I think a good time was had by the birthday boy!
The day ended with a trip up to the Grande for a Forte meal in the bar. The food was fantastic! Steaks, tuna, bass and various pastas were all cooked perfectly and the wine flowed copiously all night. I would like to thank Alison and all the staff in making it a great evening.
Everyone had a fantastic time before we moved out on to the veranda for the ceremonial cake cutting and further champagne imbibing.
At some stage it was decided it would be a very good idea to set some balloons off into the night with a note attached explaining that if anyone found them they could call me and win a $20 prize. I wonder if anyone will?
Anyway, as with all good things the night eventually came to an end but what a great day!
I am suffering for it now though.
Did I tell you by the way, that the facilities at Reunion are just outstanding. I let out a few homes here as vacation rentals very successfully so if you want to make your next vacation one to remember take a look at them at VRBooker.com.
Also, if you own a home here (I see several of you have visited from the Reunion Owners Forum, “Hi”) I would love the opportunity to talk to you about how I could promote it for you (or even manage it). Email me if you have any questions.
Posted in Personal, Reunion Resort |
May 10th, 2009
I know I used to love eating KFC back in my murdering omniverous days but do you still want to?
Watch more videos at KentuckyFriedCruelty.com.
Go veggie baby!
Posted in Being Vegetarian |
May 8th, 2009
As I am an alien in this wonderful country I spend quite a bit of my time checking out immigration forums. The main reason being that any opportunity to make our visa status more permanent would be a godsend and if any changes in the labyrinthine immigration regulations can be helpful to us then I want to know about them immediately.
(That’s me on the right by the way. Having just got off Virgin Atlantic VS75 from Manchester. Yes, I do look a lot younger than my wife but aren’t the children beautiful.)
However there is one problem with reading these forums… They can be so damn depressing!
I can be sitting in the sunshine, cooling my feet in the pool, sipping a mojito whilst doing some research on the computer and it doesn’t matter how good I am feeling, ten minutes reading other people’s horror stories will summon a black cloud that will sit over me for hours.
Well no more….
Today at ExpatsVoice there has been something of a revolution. Negative posters are under attack. Visa holders who are actually enjoying their time in Florida are fighting back with comments like:
Even after 2 years living here I too still wake up & think I live in America and am thankful I’m here and not Glasgow. I love Glasgow the place – but I love living here more….my kids also love it – my 16 yr old plays for a local soccer club and the opportunities open for him are brilliant I know he wouldn’t have got that in Glasgow. The weather is a big factor too you got to love waking up to sunshine every morning.
and….
Hi, just wanted to say I too get in my car and think WOW I am gald to be here and I never did that driving into work back Scotland.
We can only be positive in our approach so keep smiling and moving forward and enjoy what ever time we may have here in good Ol Houston
and even….
Been here three years on the visa of doom and loving it, loving it, loving it! (OK. I posted that one.)
Immigration rules are a farce, there is certainly no doubt about that and every day pen pushing bureaucrats ruin the dreams of hard working people just trying to grab their own little piece of the American Dream. But every person from the UK who visits us is insanely jealous of the lifestyle we are enjoying at the moment. I am so pleased that we made the decision to come here three years ago. I just can not envisage life in the Socialist Republic of UK at the moment, where my trash will get weighed, NHS whistle blowers get fired and teenagers are treated as the forgotten generation.
Now, obviously when we encounter major visa problems (We have minor ones on a daily basis.) I will immediately become one of the whingers and ruin other people’s days but until then I am rather liking this positive revolution.
By the way, ExpatsVoice is a great forum if you are seeking advice about a move to the US.
Posted in Personal |
May 7th, 2009
It appears that the management at Reunion are starting to bring in some changes. I think it has actually started to dawn on someone that the current business model just isn’t going to work and unless it is adapted in some way then only bad things can happen.
I went up to the Reunion Grande last night with some friends and family to sample a Tondarita and an Alisoni (In house cocktails mixed by the great staff at the reception bar. That is Alison above, she and Tonda work fantastically hard to keep guests happy.) and a few other delights.
When we arrived I was surprised, nay shocked, to discover the billiard table had disappeared from reception. On investigation we discovered it’s removal seemed to be a management decision to maintain higher standards in the reception area. On balance probably a good idea.
On further drinking Alison informed us that the menu for ‘Forte’, previously the most expensive restaurant in the resort, had been completely revamped and it was now serving a selection of Italian dishes that were available in various portion sizes and very reasonable prices. This is the new menu (You may have to click the image to read it):
This is a huge departure from the old Forte which was very traditional and overly expensive in the humble opinion of people I know who had eaten there.
Anyway, it seemed churlish not to try something so we all ordered and they served us at the bar. What a refreshing change. Well cooked food, in smaller portions that arrived hot and in good time. It was great to sit down and eat and not find ourselves absolutely stuffed to the gunwhales afterwards. This change is definitely for the better and I think Forte is going to find itself becoming a lot busier from now on.
But the most contentious change and one that I think will cause most fuss with the members is the almost official sanctioning of the use of credit cards at all the bars and restaurants. Those ‘in the know’ have always been aware that as long as it wasn’t too well publicized then guests and visitors could pay with credit cards rather than the ‘Reunion card’. But, it seems now that if you turn up at the Reunion entrance and let them know you are eating or drinking at the hotel (Including Forte and 11) or the clubhouse you will be allowed access and be able to pay with a credit card.
If I told you where I got this information I would have to shoot you afterwards so don’t say you got it from me.
I would be interested to hear from someone who has done this successfully as I am sure it is going to ruffle a few feathers with the membership who pay a substantial amount every month to keep the resort ‘exclusive’. Interesting times.
Posted in Personal, Reunion Resort, VRBooker |
May 4th, 2009
We must be doing something right at VRBooker as I have just received some great 5/5 reviews for vacation rentals rented out over the Easter period. It is great when I get feedback like this!
You can read them here and then contact me to stay in these homes yourself. 
I keep telling you I am the best vacation rental guy you will ever have!
Thinking about it, what is the collective term for testimonials?
Posted in VRBooker |
