Yayyy...A Senior Badge & Life Update

Apparently I have now contributed enough reviews to Tripadvisor to receive a "senior badge". I have no idea what that is but I have it. I'd pin it on myself and walk proudly around the house, but alas...I think it might be a virtual badge. I'm a firm believer in rewarding people for their efforts, but somehow, I don't think virtual rewards have the same impact as tangible things like stickers, crowns, certificates, prizes or money. Here's the review which earned me the distinction. Nothing special, just sharing about a nice café from my recent trip to St. Jacob's.

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserReviews-g499298-d3171322-r173720364-Kokken_Village_Cafe-St_Jacobs_Ontario.html

Other than this, I'm not certain what alien has taken over my body. Actually, that's a bad analogy since I just gave away my purple inflatable alien to a thrift store. I've been ripping apart my house yet again trying to downsize, organize and sort. More on that in tomorrow's blog. I completed and submitted my next column yesterday even though it's not due until Monday. It is scheduled to be published on Friday the thirteenth...uh oh.

I've signed on for three months of Weight Watchers online after being inspired by my stepdaughter who has lost over 90 pounds. More on that later as well. At this time, it sufficeth to say it's more than a small struggle, as all weight issues are. The points system seems so easy until you finish lunch and discover you have no points left for the rest of the day. Fortunately, my 5 km of walking a day and my time at the gym give me a few bonus points. I'm hanging in. It's a learning process just as my cell phone was.

Today, I made a recipe from the "Weight Watchers in 20 minutes " cookbook. It took me an hour. The recipe was "Curry Dusted Shrimp with Mango-Ginger Sauce". Easy...not. I cooked some Deer River wild rice with it.  Pretty good tasting. There's enough rice and also enough mango sauce left from this meal that I've decided to make mango chicken another day. Perhaps I'll turn this into a cooking blog. Might get me more followers.

 

Anyhow, this will definitely be my last kick at the weight loss can. It's exhausting. Having said that, next Sunday will be my macaron making class in the big city. I wonder how many weight watchers points are in those? Best I start jogging and zumba-ing and saving points. Either that, or I resist eating them. Is that even possible?

Jokers I Wish I Knew

I'm a fairly frequent contributer to TripAdvisor. I write a review when I'm surprised, impressed or annoyed by a place. In other words, when the mood strikes, or something about a restaurant or hotel motivates me. I try to be honest. After all, I too use TripAdvisor for helpful hints. I've been told that sometimes my reviews are humorous. ("It's Time...Implode!" was the title of my review of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas)

There was a news item recently about a location in Scotland which received rave reviews on TripAdvisor. The more I learned about the review, the funnier I found it. I suppose I wouldn't have been as amused had I actually attempted to book and stay at this location. It boasted marble floors, crystal chandeliers, a fabulous staff, a wonderful spa and many amenities. It even made it into the top 100 recommended hotels for Glasgow.

An employee of the "hotel" apparently noticed and contacted TripAdvisor to remove their location from the site. It was not as it appeared. In fact, the Bellgrove Hotel was a men's shelter.

The following is one of the many newspaper articles about this hoax.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2314546/Jokers-Glasgow-hostel-homeless-5-star-reviews-TripAdvisor-sending-countrys-100.html

All I can say is that I wish I knew the people who were the participants in this joke.  I think they'd be a lot of fun at a party.

Tripadvisor Review - Kalyvia Restaurant, Toronto

I completed a short, to the point tripadvisor review after a recent lunch. There wasn't a lot to say. I'm not an expert on Greek food but what I ate was yummy. Worked it off with four hours of shopping, and hiking from the Chester subway station to the East General Hospital area with a brief liquor store detour for the following very nice, inexpensive red wine recommended by my friend.

I have now completed 17 reviews in 14 cities.

 

“Delicious, generous portions, reasonable price”

Reviewed 17 March 2013NEW

 

My friend and I went to this restaurant after an exhausting four hour shopping tour of Honest Ed's. We had been to the Kalyvia before and had enjoyed it. It's clean and unpretentious with simple decor and delicious home style cooking. There's a welcome consistency to their fare. We washed our hands in the immaculate bathroom, then relaxed with a glass of red wine. The waiter pointed out a prix fixe menu...excellent deal, but too much food for us. We had the special of the day - soup, salad and gyros $8.95. It was a large portion and everything tasted fabulous. The service was excellent. On the way out, we noted that the restaurant had been written up in magazines. I can see why.

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserReviews-g155019-d705480-r154889301-Kalyvia-Toronto_Ontario.html#REVIEWS

I added some photos.