Grapes: Japanese Pione

 A trip to Japan is on my Bucket List.  I have seen a couple of videos showing how expensive grapes can cost there.  Why? Are they worth the price? The bunch below by Mrs Paley on Instagram cost $55 back in October 2019.  Don't these plump, purple Pione grapes look appealing though?

I want to see them and taste them first-hand. For now, further research, pictures, and videos will do.  

Pione grapes are a large varietal that grows in short, thick, and dense bunches. Each grape averages 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter and has a uniform and plump, round to oval shape. The grape’s skin is thick, smooth, and taut, appearing in shades of dark purple-red. The surface is also covered in a powdery blue-grey bloom, a protective coating that prevents disease and moisture loss. This bloom is edible and can be easily removed by wiping the fruits. Underneath the surface, the flesh is pale, translucent green, aqueous, and firm with a jelly-like consistency. The flesh may also contain a few small seeds or be found seedless, depending on cultivation practices. Pione grapes are aromatic and have high sugar content, ranging from 16 to 18 Brix. The grapes also contain moderate acidity, contributing to the flesh’s sweet-tart, sugary flavor with subtle fruity and wine-like undertones. - Specialty Produce

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

13The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. Song of Solomon 2

Pione Grapes

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International Pineapple Day 2021 and History of Colada

 It's the Pineapple's day to be recognized!  Reminds me of one of the main ingredients of a favorite cocktail drink of mine, the ever popular Piña Colada ... 

3-ingredient Pina Colada

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit... ( Ephesians 5 )

On This Day: June 27th

Piña Colada

History: Colada cocktails

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Toilet Talk

😁😄   All in fun!  😆😁

Public toilet at Istanbul Airport

Public toilets at ancient town of Ephesus, Turkey

Our German friends have a sense of humor!

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TBT: Cologne, Germany & Me

First, to properly pronounce the town of Cologne's name, click H E R E.  
It is not how we Westerners would usually do it. My DIL, who is German, says it perfectly.

Second, the Fox News post below prompted a memory of Sis' father-in-law's warning during our visit to Germany approximately 1 year ago. Americans are generally disliked by the people of Cologne  and for good reason.  The town was devastatingly destroyed and flattened, and many thousands were killed or homeless during World War 2 because of the Allies.

The Allies dropped 44,923.2 tons of bombs on the city during World War II, destroying 61% of its built up area. During the Bombing of Cologne in World War II, Cologne endured 262 air raids by the Western Allies, which caused approximately 20,000 civilian casualties and almost completely wiped out the central part of the city. During the night of 31 May 1942, Cologne was the target of "Operation Millennium", the first 1,000 bomber raid by the Royal Air Force in World War II. 1,046 heavy bombers attacked their target with 1,455 tons of explosives, approximately two-thirds of which were incendiary. This raid lasted about 75 minutes, destroyed 600 acres of built-up area (61%), killed 486 civilians and made 59,000 people homeless. - wikipedia

World War II veteran Clarence Smoyer, 95, received the Bronze Star Medal on Wednesday for his heroic actions that helped destroy a German tank and take the crucial city of Cologne.

Smoyer was a tank gunner with the famous "Eagle 7" M26 Pershing tank crew, which blew up a Nazi Panther tank that had killed several American soldiers on March 6, 1945. 

His lieutenant told them, "'Gentlemen, I give you Cologne. Let's knock the hell out of it,' and we obliged," Smoyer told the Defense Department following the event at the National World War II Memorial in Washington.

I am thankful that historic Cologne Cathedral remains standing though it sustained 14 aerial bomb hits during WW2. No, I am not a Catholic; I admire it for its historical significance and as a great example of gothic architecture. 

From the air during the War, it was an easily distinguished landmark. (pc: wikipedia)

And I will restore to you

 the years that the locust hath eaten...

Joel 2

Cologne, Germany

Cologne Cathedral

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LIST: Top 20 Travel Destinations per AIRBNB

Surprisingly, Paris, France did not make it on this list for either Yr 2019 nor Yr 2020.  Surely people are missing-out on a fabulous city; one that remains the travel destination for many from around the globe.  But then, the Parisian visitors may not be using AIRBNB??

I am also very surprised at who got the #1 spot; but further reading gave the explanation.  BTW, years ago, I worked with a gal whose parents went to this town on their honeymoon.  She was so embarrassed on their behalf 'coz  in her estimation it was low on the totem-pole of exciting cities to visit, LoL. 
Personally, #5, #8, #17 and #18 are on my bucket list. May the Lord God make it possible!

20 for 2020: Airbnb Reveals the 20 Destinations to Visit Next Year (w/ links) :

1. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

2. Bilbao, Spain

3. Buriram, Thailand

4. Sunbury, Victoria, Australia

5. Romania

pc: wikipedia

6. Xi'an, China

7. Eugene, Oregon, USA

8. Luxembourg

9.  Guadalajara, Mexico

10.  Vanuatu

11.  Cali, Colombia

12.  Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA

13.  Aberdeen, Scotland

14.  Courtenay, BC, Canada

15.  Ubatuba, Brazil

16.  Les Contamines-Montjoie, France

17.  Tokyo, Japan

18. Kerala, India

19.  Malindi, Kenya

20.  Maastricht, Netherlands

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

James 4:14-15

Airbnb's Trend Predictions are In for 2020

Millennial Travel Destination 2019

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Survey Winner: Best Luxury Hotel in the World

Although Donald Trump’s presidency has brought a lot of controversy and disagreements among the American people, it seems there is one thing that luxury travelers all agree on. The Trump Organization runs a good hotel. According to voters in an exclusive luxury travel magazine, the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Manhattan was voted the best hotel in the world, beating out other great locations including those in the Middle East.

Donald Trump’s NYC Hotel Was Just Voted The Best In The Entire World - AWM American Web Media

The property, which overlooks the southwestern corner of Central Park, narrow beat out the amazing  Vatuvara Private Island in Fiji that has entertained guests including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. That Pacific Island resort was named the second-best hotel in the world.

pc: AWB

The reader survey that asked well-traveled people to rate their “travel experience” at certain locations resulted in the Trump Organization property being labeled the “best hotel in the world.”

The second-place winner was the resort in Fiji while third place went to the immaculate Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, which won the best luxury location in the world in the same survey last year.

pc: Vatuvara

Other top rated places include the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, which placed fourth and the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort, which took fifth place.

According to Daily Mail, the remaining properties on the list were Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas (sixth); The Langham, Sydney, Australia (seventh); The Dorchester, London (eighth); Trump International Hotel Washington, D.C. (ninth) and The Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, Basel, in Switzerland (10th).

pc: Emirates Palace

The magazine is based in the United Kingdom and features readers who love shelling out thousands of dollars for luxury travel. They’re among the best-traveled people around the globe.

According to Trump’s winning hotel’s website: “At Trump International Hotel & Tower, we are renowned for our iconic building, unparalleled views, and luxurious amenities. The newly designed guest rooms, suites, and hallways create an ultra sophisticated ambiance capturing the hotel’s vibrant New York City location. Offering a more contemporary look, the design is inspired by our view of the Central Park, and the energy of Columbus Circle. From your first step off the elevator, the woven wooden wall, sparkling crystal chandeliers, and custom wall sconces create a youthful elegance. Walls are covered with a soft gray palette and crisp white crown molding. Fabrics were selected in a variety of textures to stimulate the sensorial experience. Discover the design elements that reflect a youthful, energetic, and luxurious new experience at Trump International Hotel & Tower New York!”

While Trump’s politics are often in question, the fact that this hotel is great is not. Without a doubt, international travelers respect this New York hotel and recognize it as one of the best in the world. This year it took home the top spot, which was a mighty honor for the hotel based beside Central Park.

Trump International Hotel, Chicago

Editor-in-chief of Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, Nick Gibbens, “‘He clearly divides opinion on a political level, but there is no question about it, Trump is a master hotelier. He understands what super luxury is all about and delivers the very best experience possible, usually exceeding expectations.”

pc:

Burj Al Arab, Dubai, wikipedia

Trump’s NYC Hotel Was Just Voted The Best In The Entire World

Vatuvara Private Island, Fiji

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Car smashes into lobby of Trump Plaza in New Rochelle, New York

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LIST: Best Airlines for Travel

Our overseas trip departure date looms ever closer. We are flying out on Lufthansa, then on United Airlines when we return.  Too bad neither airline made it on the list.
Don’t Book Another Vacation Until You See Which Airlines Are Winning All The Awards by A W M
What’s the best airline for your upcoming vacation? According to the Passenger Choice Awards, the most comfortable carriers to fly are Virgin America, which is now part of Alaska, and Aeroflot. If you’re looking for the best service on a flight, however, Southwest is the top pick for North and South America and Virgin Atlantic tops the list for Europe.

Virgin America also gets top marks in entertainment for North and South America, while Icelandair is the top choice for entertainment among European carriers.

For those who value Wi-Fi service, JetBlue is the tops for onboard Wi-Fi in the states, with Norwegian Air nabbing high honors in this area for European carriers.

If you’re into tasty meals onboard your flight, Alaska is your carrier of choice, with Virgin Atlantic being the pick across the pond.

For a lot of travelers, cost is a big factor, and the Global Passenger Choice Awards named Texas-headquartered Southwest and Brazilian-based Azul in the Americas, and Norwegian Air in Europe.

These winners were selected by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) based on passenger feedback and data from the app TripIt. Nearly one million flights were rated by passengers across 428 airlines from around the world between October 24, 2016 and July 31, 2017, using a five point scale.

Passengers rated overall flight experience, as well as specific categories, such as cabin service, seat comfort, food and beverage, entertainment, and Wi-Fi.

APEX CEO Joe Leader said of the results: “Regional airlines around the world constantly strive to set new standards of in-flight excellence for their passengers; from regional content selections, to  elevated meals, faster Wi-Fi, or service with a personal touch.”

He added, “Airlines hold the feedback of their passengers in high regard, which is why they value receiving an honor like the APEX Passenger Choice Award, which represents the collective verified voice of their travelers.”

Here’s a look at how various airlines ranked in the categories for both North and South America and Europe.

GLOBAL PASSENGER CHOICE AWARDS FOR NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA
Seat comfort: Virgin America
Cabin service: Southwest
Food and beverage: Alaska
Entertainment: Virgin America
Wi-Fi: JetBlue
Global for North America: Delta
Major regional for North America: Alaska
Low-cost carrier for North America: Southwest
Global for South America: LATAM
Major regional for South America: Avianca
Low-cost carrier for South America: Azul

GLOBAL PASSENGER CHOICE AWARDS FOR EUROPE

Seat comfort: Aeroflot Russian Airlines

Low-cost carrier for Europe: Norwegian Air

Cabin service: Virgin Atlantic

Food and beverage: Virgin Atlantic

Entertainment: Icelandair

Wi-Fi: Norwegian Air

Global for Europe: Aeroflot Russian Airlines

Major regional for Europe: Olympic Air

Low-cost carrier for Europe: Norwegian Air

Plenty of people weighed in with comments on the Daily Mail’s coverage of the awards, many sharing their own experiences with some of these carriers. Norwegian got a fair share of positive remarks, with one person explaining: “Norwegian is excellent. I did my first long haul with them earlier this year and the Dreamliner was great, especially the air quality. The first time I’ve ever felt fresh and ready to go at the end of a long flight. The staff were great and the price was amazing.”

--  American Web Media

Airlines That Win Awards

Norwegian Air Shuttle: cheap flights to Singapore

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