Archive for the "Did you know" Category

Etymology of Thailand and Bangkok

Etymology of Thailand and Bangkok | Thailand | A brief Did you Know? moment. The etymology of Thailand is: Thai (freedom). The Thai use the phrase “land of the free” to express pride in the fact that Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia never colonized by a European power. Bangkok, same consists of two words Bang (meaning city or the plain area) and Kok (olive tree) “city of the olive tree”. Thank you Wirachai Chakumrod for the information. CM

Pineapple symbol of Hospitality

Pineapple symbol of Hospitality | Did you Know | I guess everyday we lear something new, you just need to ask. Since I have got to England, I have been seeing pineapples everywhere, yes you read right, pineapples… and mostly associated to very high-end brands. Today while having my pre dinner cocktail, the silver tray had a pineapple inscription, so I there to ask. Excuse me, what’s the meaning of the Pineapple.? Well this is what I found out by the expert comments of my buttler at Hartwell House. Pineapple has been, since Christopher Columbus, a treat of the Kings mostly in the renaissance of Europe. The concept of hospitality, the warmth, charm and style with which guests were taken into the home. Rare pineapple, was a true celebrity, measured by its rarity, espense and attractiveness. Therefore to be welcomed and offered to share this exclusive fruit, would express by all means a sense of good cheer, human warmth and affection. Now I know why Hesto Blumenthal uses a pineapple as the logo of his restaurant Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, or why my friends and colleagues at Pineapple Hotels, have chosen this name. CM

Alligators in New York City Truth or Myth

Alligators in New York City Truth or Myth | New York City, US | Ha Ha Ha, I always heard about this Urban Myth that there are Alligators living in the sewers of Manhattan, and today when I saw this funny piece of art at the subway station on 14th. Street, it came back to my mind. We all have seen the colony of rats that live across the city, some on Park Avenue, others in Harlem and the most adventurous in New Jersey, but alligators, that is a whole other league.

Short-Term Rental Ban in New York City

Short-Term Rental Ban in New York City | New York City | Are you one of those, that use to come for a week to New York City and choose to stay at an apartment over a hotel.? Well I don’t know if you heard, but a law regulating vacation rentals in New York City was passed (end of 2010) and it took effect on May 1, 2011. This new law will ban the renting of apartments that do not hold a hotel license for rentals of less than 30 days duration, or in buildings that have more than 2 dwelling units and that do not hold a hotel license. What does this mean to you.? that most of Manhattan apartments will not be able to be rented legally for Short-Terms or vacation purposes. Most websites, are now proposing lots of apartments in the north part of the city (south Harlem) and in Brooklyn that can be legally rented for less than 30 days. The reason is that in these neighborhoods (which are great neighborhoods by the way) you can find lots of 2 dwelling unit houses, which are not affected by the law.

Travel Agent or NOT Travel Agent that is the question

Travel Agent or NOT Travel Agent that is the question | How does your brain work when you have to travel for work or decide to set away on holidays and book your flights, hotels, tour packages etc. ? Most of the gay travelers, nowadays, specially in the range of +/- 35 years old, find themselves booking online. They spend incalculable amount of hours researching online, trying to pick the brains of every single well travelled friend, not to mention if they happen to have a fellow travel agent in their close circle of friends… and then, in the end they book online.!!! Thinking HELL YES I made it, I got the best deal, and if not who cares, most of the online sites nowadays would send me a check, if someone books the same flight or hotel at a lower rate. Yeah right. !!!! don’t wait for too long next to the mailbox. Gays are very savvy travelers, I have to give you that, but nothing can compare or match the experience of an Old School / Well Traveled / Specialized Travel Agent (aka. ME – Carlos Melia ) ha ha ha.

Book your flights in advance next time

Book in Advance next time • Follow your Travel Agent’s advice and next time you plan to fly Domestic of International, book in advance. This is a screen shot of a very interesting documental that CNBC did on the Airlines business and how this affects passengers and Travel Agents. Above is an example of what airlines call REVENUE MANAGEMENT and BUCKETS (same system applies for many hotels). Depending on the time, season and how in advance you book or purchase your ticket the final fare that you will end up paying. For the same AA flight 2412 passengers seating in the same cabin with exactly the same service paid from USD 50 up to over USD 700. So do not be shocked next time you ask the person seating next to you on the plane, how much they paid for their ticket. Book in advance, plan wisely and save money. We travel agents know how to do that so trust us. CM

CM by Carlos Melia rocks New York City

CM by Carlos Melia rocks New York City • It is official NOW…. I am a NEW TENANT at the Rockefeller Center Building. CM by Carlos Melia brand new headquarters in New York City @ Rockefeller Center – 630 Fifth Av. Suite 2207. Been in this business for over 20 years working for major airlines, hotels, travel agencies among other travel related services worldwide. For the last 10 years been working for/with the GLBT Community promoting INBOUD travel to Argentina and Uruguay and I felt that it was time to grow. On my search to spread my wings and offer new options to my loyal clientele I have decided to take the challenge of CHANGE. !!!!! Change that will mean new destinations, more reviews on hotel and restaurants…. and much much more, but now from based in New York City. !!!

DINKs vs. DIWKs Gay Marketing

DINKs vs. DIWKs ( Gay Marketing ) • Words define us and our behaviors, and as so, they mutate over the years along in sync with the society, the culture and the reality that surround us, becoming sometimes outdated and obsolete allowing new models to develop. Well this is the case of DIWKs. Both acronyms portrait how our society is changing over the time and therefore the consumption patterns of the Gay and Lesbian community worldwide. DINKs ( Double Income No Kids ) is commonly used in reference to Gay and Lesbian couples who are childless and able to afford a more expensive consumer lifestyle than heterosexual couples. Worldwide, Pink Money is valued at £350 billion across a variety of sectors — especially entertainment and consumer goods. But the question raises to… what happens now with the DIWKs ( Double Income With Kids ). ? when strictly referring to the GLBT market segment. Will our consuming behavior develop to be same as the heterosexual couples ? or not ?…. This is a question that will, once again, differentiate minorities in times where rights are becoming equal for everyone, at least in the Western World.

ANTARES Brewery & Restaurant Mar del Plata

ANTARES Brewery & Restaurant Mar del Plata • Antares is a classic of Mar del Plata. Today after a long day of traveling to ” La Feliz ” ( the Gay ) as many know Mar del Plata, and press conferences and meeting… I needed to relax and enjoy a great diner. You know that I am always ready to find the drink, dish or thing that defines the destination where I am… and as sent to me from above I get invited to try the best Traditional Beer of this region which is ANTARES.

Traveling by Bus around Argentina

Today I have, once again, experience the BUS service system of Argentina…. and I have to admit that I am quite favorably impressed. My trip was from the city of Buenos Aries to Mar del Plata (a 5 hours ride). The bus left Retiro Bus Station terminal, almost in time and came along in a very comfortable and professional way.