Skip to main content

Featured

Visit Catalina Island: Lloyd's of Avalon

Of course we stopped to get some ice cream while on Catalina Island.  We ended up at Lloyd's of Avalon , where one of the employees told us they source the ice cream from various vendors (so it's not housemade). Cookie Monster Mocha Almond Fudge Bubble Gum Honey Churro I had the Honey Churro, which was a little too sweet for my liking. Everyone else loved the ice cream flavors they chose, however. The ice cream definitely helped to beat the Catalina Island heat! Lloyd's of Avalon 315 Crescent Ave Avalon, CA 90704  
Post a Comment
Read more
Labels

Visit Japan: Omiyage in Lieu of Tipping

 Ever since our first trip to Japan decades ago, we've been leaving omiyage for housekeeping in lieu of a tip, since tipping is not customary in Japan.  We have since expanded this practice to include other hotel staff (eg. the front desk), private drivers, and others in appropriate situations.  

In fact, sometimes, at certain hotels, we are gifted with omiyage as well, as we discovered the staff members are thrilled to get omiyage, especially when it's from Hawaii.  

Omiyage from the staff at Mimaru

My go-to for omiyage is Big Island Candies (I've brought Big Island Candies to many countries to gift as omiyage!)  The Japanese have an affinity for Big Island Candies.  In fact - when I brought Big Island Candies to Italy, a Japanese woman who lives there was so excited when she opened up the box, commenting on how the neatly packed box of cookies and the decorative containers were reminiscent of Japan.

I love that many of the Big Island Candies boxes are decorated in Hawaii themes, which only adds to the charm.

What do you give as omiyage when visiting Japan?
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts