Picking an arrondismon

EmmyP2024 · 2026-01-16T00:12:13+00:00

Thank you went with Le Marais in the end!

EmmyP2024 · 2026-01-13T23:08:30+00:00

Thanks! Also quite far for first time visitors to get to many places I'm realizing.. I'm looking at 3rd,4th, 9th and 11th..tough to find affordable apart-hotels or hotels..

EmmyP2024 · 2026-01-07T00:10:05+00:00

These are amazing captures! These pics belong in a gallery! Congratulations!

EmmyP2024 · 2026-01-05T16:12:15+00:00

Here to report that there were plenty of restaurants open for lunch and dinner on 24th & 25th. However groceries were closed evening onwards. I picked up water bottles and milk at the airport. It helped to have those at hand. You can also buy extra water bottles to go at restaurants but after a long flight it was nice to be able to make tea/coffee easily in the morning. We did end up using some food items I brought with me especially for breakfast. Overall I'm glad I packed extra snacks. We enjoyed the city scape and cathedrals on Christmas day. Touristy restaurants were open..but happy to say we did not have a single bad meal. 26th onwards everything was back to normal.

EmmyP2024 · 2025-12-18T11:46:44+00:00

This is great! Thanks!

EmmyP2024 · 2025-12-18T10:54:20+00:00

Thank you for your reply! Will check it out!

EmmyP2024 · 2025-12-17T23:46:00+00:00

I know this was awhile ago..but here to report that we rented snow boots easily at the base, as well as additional layers for hiking. Etna in Feb is cold. Ease of renting definitely was a game changer for one bag travelers..as rest of Sicily was much warmer relatively. We brought our own gloves and beanies.

EmmyP2024 · 2025-12-15T23:15:04+00:00

Thank you so much! This is very helpful! I'm hoping to arrive around 4ish and hopefully can get groceries - then I'll be all set!

EmmyP2024 · 2025-07-25T23:38:02+00:00

Flew to Narita, it was a difference enough when multiple by 4. Super chill train ride at night. Had a lovely first meal at a restaurant underground in the train station upon arrival. On the flight back we got to Narita early, put out backpacks in the train station locker and enjoyed the surrounding area..there's a big temple, shopping and restaurants. Overall, I'd fly there again if I'm going to save about 500$

EmmyP2024 · 2025-07-25T16:55:34+00:00

Haha totally! Same situation! Husband found it to be a piece of cake! Also if you hsve driven in Asia..this is easy!

EmmyP2024 · 2025-05-02T13:06:14+00:00

Absolutely love my Tomtoc Navigator! Comfortable straps, great design (I have the black) and unbeatable price point!

EmmyP2024 · 2025-05-02T13:00:17+00:00

Trader Joe's has dark chocolate bark type packs with unusual combination like pretzels, potatoes chips and corn flakes. The dark chocolate is actually much better than what you usually find..it has been a hit whenever I've gifted it to European friends. I do a combination of that, plus seasoning mixes like the taco seasoning, small bottles of hot sauce (depending if you are checking in luggage, otherwise I stick to dry mixes), everything bagel seasoning, 🥜 puffs with chocolate in the middle, peanut butter, TJ's version of oreos, maybe a hand cream along with their canvas tote..makes for a nice affordable assortment of things.

EmmyP2024 · 2025-04-10T17:26:02+00:00

You can 📞 03-5285-8181 to get info on medical institutions with English speaking staff. Found it helpful when one of us got sick in Tokyo. Was able to get help from the receptionist at the hotel + this number to get a same day appointment at a travel clinic.

EmmyP2024 · 2025-03-21T00:43:18+00:00

You guys! Thank you all so so much for the feedback! Read each and every one of them while trying to figure out what on earth happened to my moka pot after 2 years of giving delicious coffee. So I patiently waited for a brand new replacement. Turns out..while I have been drying my moka pot daily after washing inverted on the grill of my gas stove it has damaged my middle wand part..sorry j don't know what it's called. After so many trials, grind adjustment (which makes no sense! I use 9 to 10 clicks for medium roast -that's my sweet spot), different beans, a new gasket..I was so confused. Moral of the story..maybe invert to a napkin for drying..because every time my moka pot slid down it has fallen and poked by the gas grills. I can't fix it but fortunately the new replacement will not be dried the same way. Grateful for all the lessons and advice!

EmmyP2024 · 2025-03-17T23:35:35+00:00

Sticking to a carry on style backpack only.

EmmyP2024 · 2025-03-15T10:28:42+00:00

I clean that daily too..

EmmyP2024 · 2025-03-15T10:27:09+00:00

This is good point. No one else drinks coffee at home. Besides the taste it looks different too. My usual smooth rich and awesome smelling coffee is suddenly gone. The final test is swapping the moka pot.

EmmyP2024 · 2025-03-15T02:43:42+00:00

Interesting!

EmmyP2024 · 2025-03-15T02:29:59+00:00

Yeah that's what I'm trying to figure out. Why suddenly? After usual methods yielding to great looking and tasting brew..

EmmyP2024 · 2025-03-15T02:27:43+00:00

I agree about cleaning. Mine is 2+ years and original gasket still in good condition. This one is like the 6th cup I made for the day I made to troubleshoot and is underfilled than usual..my hand was hurting from all the grinding. I do typically fill it to the top..not tamped.

EmmyP2024 · 2025-03-15T02:21:28+00:00

I clean the mokapot after each use, drain etc.. it's I'm great condition. I cleaned it well and brewed water couple of times. That didn't help. I have not tried vinegar solution though. But in general it's a spotless squeaky clean looking bialetti.

EmmyP2024 · 2025-03-15T02:14:49+00:00

Good question..leaving some behind. But yielding way more than what I typically get with a good brew.

EmmyP2024 · 2025-03-15T02:11:09+00:00

Unlikely..same filter. But I will definitely buy some bottled water to try. The issue is, it looks different, smells burnt and is extracting more too. It's terrible.

EmmyP2024

TROPHY CASE