Pyjamas down the coffee shop

I was hanging out down the coffee shop in Lapu Lapu on Mactan Island and was astounded to see two relatively young women wander into Civet Coffee and order take away coffees.

Normally Philippine women are very particular about their appearance, so you could imagine my surprise when they entered the shop in their pyjamas. Maybe this is the new chic? This is maybe now the new standard in going out attire.

I am seeing this trend in western countries so I am guessing this is beginning to become the norm here. There isn't any shopping malls in this area, an unusual occur acne for the Philippines but this is the hotel district so I would expect designer shops attached to the apartments and hotels.

These two women were fairly young, attractive and I am guessing reasonably well off financially. I am guessing they have either picked up on this trend when travelling or at the very least by following the activities that the young set now are aligned. Either way, they pulled it off, they dressed down in public in their and turned heads.

A day in Cologne

It was a Saturday around 1 pm and we had just rolled into Cologne from Frankfurt after a two-hour train journey. As it was a day trip, a two-hour return trip awaited us, I was ok with that, I actually enjoy train trips.

Wandering out of the train station I was not expecting the sheer number of people hanging around the square on this fine Saturday afternoon. There was plenty to see and do, I never really saw Cologne as a tourist destination and I saw Cologne in a new light.

I had been to Cologne about 15 years earlier for a series of business meetings, I had viewed the city somewhat differently because of that primary reason why I was initially in this city. This trip, I saw Cologne from a totally different perspective and I’m glad I did, it was a beautiful day, that certainly helped.

I had expected to wander around Cologne for the day, it would be pretty quiet with not too many people, well, I got this one wrong. I really liked Cologne as a day trip, there was plenty to se and do, I could see myself going back any time.

A ticket - let's see about that

I have long complained about the public transport system in Perth; that is how the bus links to the train network. So when I received a fine for fare evasion, this was going to be challenged.

Let me begin, I purchased the wrong ticket and I was in the wrong. My Smartrider, not all that much of a smart system was running low in funds. Why didn't I just make a payment through my bank you ask?

Well, I normally would make a payment but it takes working 3 days for the payment to show on my account and I must log onto the system within 5 days and log onto the train/bus network for the balance to register.

Now, I had planned to be away from the network and was unable to log-on in that period, even if the money was transferred, the funds would not be credited to my account. I have learnt this lesson previously and I was in stunned silence when it was explained to me.

Now, as my funds were running low I decided to purchase a manual ticket and I purchased a 1 zone ticket for $3.30, when I was pulled up at the guard informed me I needed 2 zones for my ride. On the trip home, I jumped on the ticket machine and priced a 2 zone ticket for $4.90.

So, we are dealing with a $1.60 shortfall in funds based on my mistake. I purchased a manual ticket but clearly didn't understand the fee structure and made a mistake. A $100 fine is fair for a person who routinely evades fares, but not for a person who makes a mistake purchasing a ticket so I will challenge this fine.

But even better, I will use this moment to change the way the Public Transport Authority runs services. See, the bus I normally catch is frequently late to arrive at the stop, this means that the bus arrives late at the train station and as the bus is scheduled to link to the train - I miss the train.

Now, as the train runs every 30 minutes at this time of night, this means I miss the train by normally 1 minute to 4 minutes. So, now another 30 minutes to wait plus the half hour trip home, this night is going downhill quickly so now is the time to do something about it - maybe this ticket is a positive.

Rooibos tea

Rooibos is a red herbal tea sourced from the fermented leaves of the Aspalathus linearis shrub, a native South African plant.

Rooibos is a herbal tea but is not related to the black or green tea varieties; Rooibos tea is usually consumed the same as black tea although I was introduced to this variety as a cold tea. Naturally sweet in flavour, nutty overtones combined with low tannin ensures a bitter taste is not experienced.

Whilst rooibos tea isn't for everyone, I am happy to keep some pure origin at home as well some blended versions from TWG Tea and T2. I don't much like black tea or breakfast tea and I really can't drink green tea so rooibos is really my only choice.

Mastercard Black

Mastercard® like the other credit card issuers is offering a premium product for high-end clients, out of interest's sake I couldn't help but look into it. The Black card is an exclusive product with a higher perceived value over competing credit cards.

Needless to say, Mastercard® claims the card displays a certain degree of prestige through high credit limits, combined no doubt through the high fees and would be best suited to the business traveller.

Manufactured from stainless steel with a carbon back for greater durability and distinction, I would tend to like this card as I always tend to damage my plastic credit cards in my wallet.

With 46 worldwide patents, this card has a reasonable annual fees supported by a host of luxury benefits such as concierge, VIP lounge access and Priceless® invitation only entertainment.

The card offers a list of exclusive services including travel assistance, travel medical insurance, luggage protection, travel insurance, trip inconvenience insurance, airport lounge access irrespective of frequent flier programs and concierge services.

I have a standard Mastercard® and whilst always searching for improved products, I have to look at what I Mastercard®, Visa® and American Express® offer. I don't think I will be upgrading anytime soon - not for that price anyway.

Oktoberfest

So, whilst it was never high on my wish list, I have finally made it to my first Oktoberfest. Ironic really as I went there in late September and not October.

It wasn't as I expected, but I don't want to base my portrayal on the Chevy Chase National Lampoon's ‘European Vacation’ and I’m glad I didn't. I try not to over-research as that leads to disappointment. Instead, I wanted to just arrive and be part of the atmosphere and that's exactly what happened.

What I found is Oktoberfest is held at a large showground, we started off with a beer at one of the outside bars, it was very nice. We found a Paulander bar fabricated from pine and that was nice for a couple of casual drinks.

I wasn't interested in any of the rides, certainly not recommended after drinking beer by any means. There was food, boy was that expensive but we ended up getting a bite after all. We hadn't especially headed to Munich for Oktoberfest, we happened to be passing through the area so decided to stop off since we were there anyway.

We arrived at the showground late in the afternoon, we weren't staying in Munich per se, that was way too expensive at this time of year. So we took a train in from an outlying area after catching the train in from Augsburg.

So we wandered into a couple of beer halls, by this time of the day getting a seat was near impossible. The beer halls were full and festivities were well under way, there was music playing, people singing along with plenty of pushing and shoving.

All of the major breweries had their own pop-up beer hall, so you could choose the beer of your choice. I decided to take a couple of drinks outside at Lowenbrou, can't say it is my favourite beer but as it turned from day to night, better to be somewhere.

So around midnight it was time to head back to the Munich hauptbahnhoff and squeeze into a carriage for the 60 minute ride back to our accommodation. The train ride was fun to a degree, no seats but pressed into the aisles with a bunch of very merry people was a laugh.

To be honest, I didn't drink all that much over the course of the afternoon. Since I was down in southern Germany at the right time of year warranted popping in for a look. I was happy to soak up some of the atmosphere for an afternoon before heading onto the next place.

Vickery Riesling

I love a Riesling in the summer, to me this dry and acidic white wine can't be beaten on a warm summer afternoon drinking outside - for me, preferably in the garden.

According to Vickery winery the Watervale Riesling has volumes of lime fruit flavour and floral notes with bright, fresh citrus acidity. The Watervale Estate in South Australia's Claire Valley produces brilliant white wines according to my views, the reds in my opinion tend to be a little lacking. Looking at the reviews on their website, the wine is rated from 91 to 95 points with most reviewers accentuating the lemon/lime flavours.