My Otherwise Perfect Trip To Poland and Southern France

I would summarise this as one of my best trip ever, if not because of the VAT (tax return issue here in Warsaw airport. And the service attitude of the officers and persons in charge, really left rooms to be desired. I am trying not to let my whole trip spoilt by this....really related issues. Choong

Premier Tax Free SA and Global Blue Tax

I am now at Warsaw Airport, and I was just being informed that they do not have any service provider here, to return the VAT/Tax to us? Is this amount to cheating, I do not know, and I will send email to them when I am back to Beijing. It is not right as no one inform us about this. I did my Purchases at Nice And Cannes, and when I checked with Nice customs, they asked me to claim at the last airport that I will be exiting in Europe, and I told them it is Warsaw and they mentioned is clearly that I have to claim this tax return at this airport. At this airport, they told me, there is no such service provider here, hence, I would love if Premier Tax can explain to me on this matter. Secondly, for Global Blue Tax, they have the counter here. And since for this claim, I will have that refunded into my credit card directly, hence, I have to send the form after custom's rubber stamp. And I was informed that they do not have a postal box in the airport or inside the airport. In Nice they have that, as I have seen one. So, that is the problem, may I know. And finally, no one inform us, that all the items and goods must be shown to them, before the custom is wiling to put their Rubber stamps on the tax return forms. No one again informed us, but luckily, I brought all items in, except one, a bag for toiletries. Who will bring that bag in, and despite my plea and explanation, the custom officer in charge say no, it is not his problem. And fine, I do not want to argue with them, because this is Poland, this is their country, I have to respect that, BUT, if the tax return is part of European Union, then why was this not being standardized. I would not be fair to us, the consumers, we spent the money right here in Europe and not being able to get the money back, simply there is no service provider in this Airport? I am just wondering and I shall write email to Premier Tax and Global Tax accordingly. Thanks for reading Choong Warsaw Airport Poland

Krakow-Finale

Krakow, is so beautiful Krakow, her people, are so nice and friendly Krakow, is a great gem Krakow, I would love to be back again.

There are many old cities, historical cities around, and this one, Krakow is one to the nicest I have ever been too. Life here is simpler (in my opinion) and they are still not charging so high price and quality of life is good. You don't see people crazy so much about holding Iphone 4, 5. You don't see people crazy about which camera model they are holding. You don't see people waiting their good. You see that they welcome you. You see that you are in general able to enjoy some restaurant food. You will see that they sell a lot of books every where. You see that they love gardening, in fact I think their gardening comes from their hard, a simple house looks great when they plant some flowers and a few pots surrounding their houses. That to me is beauty.

And Polish are ever so ready to offer assistance not unless they have problems speaking English themselves and I don't feel that they use the kind of 'eyes' to see you, like u r some kind of Alien or do you have that status to enjoy something..! No, everything is great. The hotel Sumadi helped me to book was great, initially, it was Cracow old town guest house, and they are managed by hotel Elektra, and by chance of luck or what ever positive vibration you called that, they offered me a hotel suite, it is really a suite and I can believe that when I check-in my room, haha. Pics are here. And all came to around Euro 91 for two nites, including breakfast and wireless internet which is superb.

And the exchange rate they gave in Krakow is so reasonable, from the low of 4.03 to the high of 4.1. In Warsaw, the best I got was at 4 to one Euro at Warsaw central station, and worse was at the airport, I think it was around 3.3 (but I hv no choice as I need to buy ticket to go to the airport during that time). And I go some nicest porcelain, not cheap, but I would say reasonable and I love them a lot:), pics here. Hope I can use them in my next week meal preparation.

Oh yes, meeting Yuki-San is also making this trip more fun, as we go to outside, exploring the city and the camp together, though we don't talk much as he is talking less in English and use some Japanese. But it is fun.

And this morning before taking the train to Warsaw, we went to the market, the pictures are here. Again, I think the market is clean and beautiful.

Now that I am on the way back to Warsaw, seeing the tree leaves changing color, again the view is superb and fantastic. And tonite and tomorrow (1/2 day), my final exploration with Warsaw. So far, I am satisfied and I am happy with this trip. And I am contented, and my special thanks to Sumadi, and the other three gentleman I met, Janek and Yuki-San and Gary Thanks for making my trip meaningful in Southern France and Poland.

Terima Kasih.

Krakow To Auschwitz-Birkenau

I didn't write anything last nite and the nite before simply because I was a bit exhausted, mentally, after visiting the Nazi camp at Auschwitz.., I just don't feel good after that, and I need sometime to re-compose myself. Sceneries along the journey are beautiful, sunny and blue sky. It was a good day except after seeing the pictures at the camp and explanation given by our tour guide, Anna, and a little bit of my high school history recalling, it sort of makes me understood more that the whole incident. It was more serious than I can imagine it to be, and very much inhumane if you may allow me to say that. I mean how can people do this to other human being, who has done nothing wrong. And I love some quotes I saw during this visit which I would like to share here.

During the 3 hours tour, I was just praying and praying for the souls to RIP, I guess this is all I can do.

I also saw some Israelis (as they are holding the flag of their country), lots of them are there, listening to the explanation given by their teachers. I guess this is an important lecture they have to go through and history that they should not miss out. At the same time, I also saw some Germans visiting too. I think all of us, if we ever have a chance, should be there to understand this once. I am sure, though out mankind history, genocide happens to be in almost every part of the world that has gone through war, but might not be as serious as this one, and might hv not been studied and highlighted as detailed as this one. Anyhow, the key point is, this should not happen at all, as every human being, every being, should have the room to coexist without hurting one another. Coming back to the present, I hope the world is really as peaceful as it seems to be.

Amitabha Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu. Choong Krakow, Poland

Of Krakow, Of Autumn

Started the journey from Platform 3 at 10.35am, and arrived at Krakow sharp at 1.35pm. Along the journey, have chance to see the country views, and I think the scenes are exhilarating. It was rainy, but the feeling was good, seeing the color of leaves changing and some already start falling down. Out of sudden I feel that time passes very fast, only around this time (in December last year) I was in Prague, and now it is Autumn turning to Winter soon. 秋去秋又来了。。。。。。不知不觉，又一年了 说快那就是快， 那就不说好了。。。。。。 要记得拉丁语有个说法。。。。Carpe Diem!!!!!

Lunch, tried out the beet they have (too strong) and also the food where every 100g is charge at PLN 3 (close to 3.2 Ringgit).

A picture of Autumn is coming and since it rains this afternoon, it is Winter-like, esp when I do not wear enough clothing. Tomorrow shall wear more...

Went with Yuki-San, having a cup of tea, though expensive but since it is at old town, for sure the price is higher, but worth it, especially the weather was so cold and a cup of warm tea is welcome. i

Oh yes, today I bought a ceramic bowl and Amber....this will be shared later at the Glamorous J when I have the time. Nite. Choong Krakow, Poland 8 October 2012

Nice To Warsaw, Warsaw To Krakow

It is a quite tedious process, from Nice, I have to go to airport quite early, check-out has to be done around 11am, hence it is so, I decided to go to airport at 10am. Together with me, I have 1 big baggage,1 cabin baggage,1 knapsack and one hand-bag, to make it short, I managed to reach the hotel safely and well. The hotel that I have booked, at around Euro 60, Courtyard Marriot was superb, and makes me very happy. I went to check with the Front desk on more information, and the front reception girl, Anna was very helpful with all the information. And after quite a 'hard-life' in Southern France, this was a change for me, so comfortable. I met Janek, a local Polish, and he helped me to buy my ticket to Krakow, and I also manage to find a place where I am able to keep my luggage for 3 nites, until I am ready to leave for Beijing. And this morning, I went to Warsaw Central station quite early, and kept my luggage, and move around a bit, and just coincidentally, met another tourist friend at the train station (he came to approach me, asking me questions, as he thought I was a Japanese, haha. May be my Japanese fashion kah.....), and we explored a bit of Warsaw old city together today. More stories on Warsaw later. Choong Warsaw 8 October 2012.

Nice Airport

Came here since 10.30am, though my flight time is only at 3.10PM (one flight per day, hence I still think our Asian flights leave us with plenty of choices). ANd they only allowed you to check in 2 hours prior to departure time, they did not even start checking in before 1.12pm, and I was the first one to check-in, since I hold the gold card (i think it is very convenient to have one, otherwise, I would not be able to check in by 2pm. I think in terms of efficiency, still our Major Asian airports are the best or better in that sense. ANd now I

And now I am waiting for my flight in the lounge, and because of a little bit mixed up arrangement for myself, I have to check in my new Lancel cabin luggage. I hope it is fine, and arrives safely at Warsaw airport accordingly. Choong Nice Airport Lounge

Tax Return-VAT and Money

This is something out of my planning. I brought extra cash, and two days ago, taking into consideration some of the purchases I made, and expected tax return that I am expected to have, and not wanting to keep so much Euro cash later, I have used my remaining 500 Euro to pay for my purchases in cash. And today, when I went to LV shop to get belt, the sales lady told me that the last country I exited will be the country that will give my tax refund. And I asked her, is Poland part of EU, she said yes, but I told her, Euro is not being used. ANyhow, tomorrow I need to confirm with the customer officers at Nice but chances are slim for me to get my tax return here, which means I will only get them once I leave Poland/Warsaw, which also means I will not get this tax refund tomorrow. I expect this to be part of my traveling budget, and when I heard this, I was shocked. My plan goes upside down a bit, and I have to immediately fall back on my contingency plan, that is replan what I want to do, and also use some of my other currencies back-up to get additional fund, this is at least what I can do for now. And some activities I might need to cut down, like buying some crystal wear here. Oh my my, this is beyond my expectation and I need to control my budget for the next few days, just to make sure..... But I am sure, it will turn out well, as I am the survivor, haha. Choong Nice, France

Southern France Trip, Photos Of Myself That I like, as I Recapped

Nice, nice place.....

Monaco....where the rich and famous go....haha

Cannes, where stars gather

St Topez, where superstars like to be

Marsaille-The photo I like best, as it represents the natural part of me....

AIX-En-Provence, back to Nature place. I like this place.....this photo, very French, hehe.

V for victory, and it continues...... For the first part of this trip and journey, I would like to thank my friend, Sumadi for helping to arrange the itineraries and hotel bookings, and places to visit. Terima kasih and I feel happy with this trip.....I am contented. Choong Nice, France 6 October 2012

When Well Rested

A well rested face and when tired, for my age, looks a vast difference. That's why they say, youth is your capital, hehe.

When I first arrived. :

So, if I were French, relaxing most of the times, enjoying life, or better still, an Asian living here, in this environment, would I be staying young forever? Forever young, forever young, foreverrrrrrrrrrryoung....! Choong Nice 6th October 2012

AIX-En Province

As there seems to be nothing much to do in Marseille, due to a lot of renovation job to do as it will become the host city for European Union after Brussels, hence, there are a lot of things we cannot see for now. And hence the decision to move to AIX-En-Province. Here, it is basically an outskirt of Marseille, by bus about 40 minutes ride, from Marseille Central station. Very convenient. First we went to the city centre, also known as the fountain city, as the city are full of old fountains...

The city is also the place where famous artiste, Cezanne was born, hence making it very important.

First impression of this city is clean, artistic, but later on as I walked along the city, I saw some beggars (mostly from African cities). The bakeries here Or patisseries here are more tasty and delicious. I found one store known as Paul, and I kind of like this bakery shop.

Oh yeah, people here are basically very friendly, when questions asked, they will try to help in answering them. One problem is that, most of them do not speak English or very little of them. I think as part of European nation, they should at least semi-fluent in this International language. Upon our arrival, and moving to city centre, we met a Chinese nationality friend, coincidentally coming from Beijing, haha. And in the noon time, as there are not many things else to do, we move to an outskirt of this city, a mountainous area, for hill climbing. It is close to 1000m tall, please refer to the picture.

It is very challenging for me, very my tight jeans and long shirt, as I did not expect of the need to climb a hill but anyhow managed to do it well.

Again, at this place, we met two Malaysians, siblings (a Brother and Sister). Apparently, the brother is visiting the sister, for a vacation I think, and the sister has been staying here in AIX for many years, speaking fluent French, good English and surprisingly, after so many years, still speak good Malay. ANyhow, your Malaysian camaraderie will be shown once you are outside Malaysia, and this is what I felt this afternoon. And the lady even offered to fetch to the city (the undersigned thanked her for offering that), I think this is very warm..... I am tired now, need my sleep and tomorrow moving to Nice for a final time, then will fly to Warsaw, for the final part of my journey.

Marsaille, France-Day 2

Wow, time passes. Today is my second day here, and my 6th day in Europe. Would like to talk a little bit about Marsaille before other topics coming into my writing for the day. Marsaille, I think is a bit boring, a bit dirty, a bit messy (as we understood, there are a lot of renovations and refurbishments taking place here, could be much better in year 2013). Anyhow, the impression is that it is a kind of poorer condition compared to Nice, Cannes, and St Lopez, and very pale in comparison to Paris, though as I understood it is one of the major cities in France. Hence, Gary, the friend from Ireland, I tend to agree with his comment. ANd two days are more enough to be here, unless if you have some shopping to do, which I did and story to be shared later.

In general, I think the economy is not doing very well, and most shops are empty, what I mean is, shops like LV, Lancel, Hermes (there is none Chanel store here), though the contrast can be seen with the biz activities in HK for these few brands. I managed to find some time, close to 1.5 hours, and I bought 3 shirts (Guess by Marciano, more write up in the Glamorous J later. And I think I bought quite a lot, though the feeling is a bit funny, when I walked back to the hotel, as I do not feel good when people watching me. I think it is different feeling when you shop in HK, or S'pore, somehow it is different.

And I also regret that I brought too small luggage that I could not put in too much things into my bag....! As it is quite clear that there is nothing much to do here, hence, I have planned to go to AIX-en-Provence, the small city, famous with lots of Fountains tomorrow. Lets see that this place is offering. And to end this, this is my dinner, lots of fruits.

Choong Marsaille France 4 October 2012