In a place like Heviz, there are a few things to do. It’s not like Paris or Rome where there are endless museums and monuments to see. It’s more of a health and wellness place than anything g else. Actually, most people we see around d are just relaxing or having some “medical-tourism” purpose at the place. Us, after having rested after lunch, and having digested a bit of the so much food we ate at lunch.

In the afternoon (or early evening but the sun was still shining), we went to have an espresso for Amo and Ice cream and just relax and watch before us how life and time pass by in this city of health, relaxation and wellness. It felt great to just sit back and relax and not worry you get back home without seeing this museum or without being able to see this or that attraction.

Related to my previous post about Prestige Haz Hotel Review, here is a closer look at the deluxe apartment that we took. We booked for 9 nights and I hope everything will be all right. At first glance, it was okay, although as we entered, the disinfectant smell was so strong, maybe because the management/owner of the hotel wants to maintain the perfectness of cleanliness which I think they do achieve at 99.5%. Why? The smell could have been better and they can achieve the 100% if the guests would not guess that so much disinfectant is in place. But that0s it, so far so good, the space the arrangement and everything, no much complaints except that we were expecting at least the bidet.

As I write this article, it's the second night of at least a week stay in this hotel-appartment lodging, the Prestige Haz in Heviz, Hungary. So far so good. Naturally, there are the good stuff and the bad stuff during the stay. This is a personal and unbiased review, just as a guest, and I would like to share my experience to those who plan to rent this place as well.

The good stuff and included in the service:

1. We were picked up from the airport without additional fee (for a few hundred kilometers)

2. The buffet is included

3. We have the hotel employees drive us to some appointments

4. The price is very reasonable and the place is clean and well-maintained.

5. Quiet(er) as it is not in the "centrum" itself, it's a few hundred meters away.
6. Free Internet (wifi access) with very good speed. ( just finished uploading the photos of the day, around a hundred photos to my online personal album without problem).

The not-so good stuff but we can deal with it without big deal:

1. The reception is closed after 21:00

2. No elevator as there are only 3 storeys

3. Breakfast starts only at 8 and ends at 10 (shorter duration)

4. I smell some egg (raw egg smell) from the glasses (they might have forgotten to use the dishwashing liquid or detergent) ... hopefully this will improve from the second morning further...

The dining hall where the tables are numbered per room, your place is secure.

The hall/small lobby at the reception

View from the deluxe apartment terrace

When we were in Paris, one of the things I was shocked was the way motorists were behaving. They do not respect pedestrian lanes and traffic lights. There were so many occasions when it was already the pedestrians' turn to cross the street but trucks, cars, motorcycles, etc. were still speeding up! It was horrible! Once, the old lady still had to wave so many times to have eye-to-eye contact with the drivers to be allowed to cross the street! The streets were scary! I mean, aside from looking at the traffic lights and pedestrian lanes, pedestrians should really open their eyes, especially that roads in Paris are really wide and so are the crossings!

I don't know if anyone else has the same experience but we stayed in the 16th arrondisement, that's where our hotel was, and to reach the center, we had to commute. We also walked alot around the nearby arrondisment for attractions so I cannot really pinpoint which part(s) of the city we had crossing the street troubles.

Just to double check my experience, I googled and I guess what? The first results to my query were pedestrian accidents lawyers advertisements! If there is this big ads on this type of living or job, then I know, they can live with it... as there are many cases about pedestrian accidents!

But why is that? Paris is one of the leading tourist destinations if not the number one, but why this danger? No raffic cameras to fine those irresponsible drivers? Be careful tourists when you're in Paris, always be sure when crossing the street, despite the presence of traffic lights and pedestrian lanes!

Just in general, be careful, Paris or anywhere!

One of the best things I enjoy living in the Netherlands is the wide possibility of purchasing something  coupled with a wide range of payment options. Only in the grocery stores (where basic consumption products are sold) credit cards are not allowed but I think this is something positive to make the consumers aware of the fact that "borrowing money costs money". And using credit card has interest! As for shopping, almost anywahere one can just swipe their "PIN" (debit card) and the transaction is concluded. The PINs or debit cards must have always free balance in it to be used,or for some cases, allowance allowed by some banks if you apply for it (say, you can go Eur 500 below zero balance).

I don't have a car and I also don't have a good deal of patience to go shopping (literally). I like relaxing at home and just to press the keyboards. Thus, online shops suit me very well. I have purchased so much online and have them delivered at home without problems. I like Netherlands in this way. Yes, I do pay for delivery and handling costs sometimes but it's so worth the time and effort. Of course, it's not only the stores who are efficient but also their partner courrier service and at the same time, the flexible banks and payment options they offer, especially here in the Netherlands, I almost always pay with IDEAL, which is the online connection to my PIN or debit card (current bank account).

Below is the summary of some of the online shops I frequent and my reaction towards them:

1. Eetvis.nl
Eetvis.nl is an online store for fish buyers. I only transacted with this store once andspent only about Eur 130 (free shipping aboveEur 65) but I am very satisfied. The fish are cleaned, the products fresh and they deliver the day after! I recommend this site for fish buyers. You can always call them too regarding your order and they assist you without problem. Patment method is through IDEAL.

2. Groupon.nl

Although groupon is a soaring marketing giant all over the world, it still is in my list. I have done at least a dozen purchases from groupon for either gifts or stuff for personal use. Great discounts and great way to discover nearby shops in the vicinity. So far I think I have spent a total of around Eur 300 with groupon and that means around Eur 300 of discounts too! Deliverey method? No need! Youprint your own voucher or receipt and that's your proof of purchase. Payment method? Paypal or IDEAL or Mastercard all apply.

3. Hema.nl
My experience with Hema was not very good. They also promise quick delivery but that time, they got delayed for a few days. Thus, the item we ordered missed its purpose and was not anymore that useful when we got it. It was a one-time experience for an order of about Eur 40 and with a delivery cost of about Eur 5. Still, I will buy from Hema.nl if I need to. Payment method was with IDEAL.

4. Kijkshop.nl

My favorite I shall say. Maybe with Kijkshop I have purchased at least a couple of thousand euros. Kijkshop never fails me. They have the next-day delivery rule and they always arrive on the day I expect them. This online store (but they are also in the neighborhood) is also packed with great deals of discount. Another good thing about Kijkshop is the possibility to track your order with a single click. They provide you the tracking code via email when they inform you that the products has been sent out. The payment method I always use here is with IDEAL. Highly reccommended. From tme to time, they have gratis delivery for at least Eur 15 of purchase! So cool! Viva Kijkshop!

5. Neck.nl
Neckermann, a German based company but also in the Netherlands (I know only of the online version) offers a wide range of products. I bought something in dicount here last time and the delivery is quite long but they only charge you upon delivery so it was okay as well. I purchased something for the household worth Eur 300 and I had to pay the delivery (with 1st floor, inside the unit delivery) and handling for extra Eur 30. I was happy with my purchase and I also commend this online store, especially for those who don't have personal mode of transport for heavy items. I paid with IDEAL for this.

6. Otto.nl
Otto is a competitor to neck.nl. They have similar style of marketing and similar product lines. All the same, a good alternative. I bought from Otto something heavy to and it costs in all at least Eur 400. The delivery took time as well and same rules as in nck. They don't charge until they delivery. On the delivery day, they contact to inform you. I paid via IDEAL.

7. Plutosport.nl
Plutosport is Netherlands based although I just saw it's also available in Italy as plutospot.it. I purchased my inline skates from here and they have also the day-after delivery. It arrived on time and they offer tonsof discounts as well. Total purchase was around Eur 70 and they have free delivery from Eur 65 purchase all over the Netherlands. Sports items? Affordable and very good brands, plutosport.nl is recommended by yours truly. I paid IDEAL here.

8.Scapino.nl

Scapino stores and also scapino.nl always offer exciting surprises. Of course, stores' surprises are almost always in the form of dscounts. I always check the shoes section of scapino for great deals and online, they also have they same stuff. I purcased around Eur 250 worthof goods at scapino at 50% discount last time. It was also free delivery and they arrived when I expected them. As usual, IDEAL was how I paid. IDEAL reigns in the Netherlands!

So far so good with myonline shopping experience in the Netherlands. Outside the country, we also purchase stuff in Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and the United States. UK and US are almost always with Amazon or ebay and so far no tragic experience. It's exciting when Ishop online,the joy of awaiting my purchase is really there... theescitementand stuff. Viva online shoppers!

As a 26 year-old Filipina (I updated this post, I posted this 3 years ago when I was 23), I am not that well-travelled yet. I have only visited seven (7) countries so far, aside from the Philippines, and I have not seen much and have not observed much yet of what is out there. To name a few, I have been a tourist to Malaysia, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Austria and France. Out of these seven, I have explored a few cities in each country such as Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Port DIckson and Melaka in Malaysia, etc.. However, I have to be proud of myself and I am happy of the little achievements that I have. With the few travels that I have had, I already have learned a lot from them. I was able to compare the culture and the way of life of people in each place and have gained some understanding that each one of us in this world is different and wish to be understood and accepted.

No matter how varied people are, I have observed that all have the same aspirations. Among these are to have better life, more finances to support life and leisure, a good heart in nature and aspirations to be happy. When I was in Malaysia, I have seen how busy people in Kuala Lumpur were. They were earning and working much. When I tried to see the more remote cities and province like Port Dickson and Melaka, the way of life is different. The same is true in the Philippines and in Italy.

If I am to be asked if travelling has changed my life, the answer is yes. I hope this year I can go to another country or two to have my observation and to give me more understanding of the underlying culture that makes up the place. Culture is very important to make a country progressive or not. Before, I travel like a blind, never that observant and it was something I considered a loss. But now that I discovered a place to put all them, which is here and in another site where I make reviews, I find it more interesting to go around, pay more attention and be keen to details. I am happy to share what I have learned. To explore and to learn.

To end it, what is the essence of travelling for me? For me, it's to learn and to experience new things as well. To enjoy all these, a person travelling should have an open mind as it is normal to have entirely different practices and way of life in another part of the world. Only with open mind that people can learn and not be judgmental and be able to accept or at least respect others as they are. How about you? What do you say? I'd love to hear from you...