Kipling & Clark: October 2011

10.20.2011

Yes - Burma!

Several developments in Burma have gotten us excited about this wonderful land. Although still ruled by the military junta, opposition leader and Noble Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who now has relative freedom of movement, is implicitly encouraging travel to her beautiful homeland. Also, based on popular discontent, the government has suspended construction of the Chinese-financed Myitsone dam project in Kachin state. This decision reflects perhaps the government's increasingly progressive stance over the past few months. The release of additional political prisoners last week was another encouraging piece of news. We hope for the best for these beautiful people.

Notwithstanding its politics, we still feel Burma to be among our favorite places in all of Asia. Bev, Zen and I all agree that the Burmese people are among the most handsome and kind-hearted people in all of Asia.

- Randy

10.10.2011

Our Extraordinary Experience with Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific's 777-300 aircraft delivery ceremony at the Boeing headquarters in Everett, WA.

We were humbled to be invited to Cathay Pacific's 777-300 ER new aircraft delivery at Boeing's headquarters in Everett, Washington on August 26, 2011. Following the aircraft delivery ceremony, our small party was flown on the new aircraft directly to Hong Kong. We had various Chicago service inaugural activities in Hong Kong and Shanghai, ending the week flying Cathay's inaugural HKG-ORD flight on September 1.

Although United Airlines has always been our preferred transpacific carrier, we are, indeed, in awe of the level of excellence and high-touch service of Cathay Pacific.

Prior to the aircraft delivery ceremony, Cathay treated us to a private tour of Boeing's main747-8F, 777 and 787 assembly building. Superlatives cannot properly describe this building, the largest building by volume in the world - covering 98.3 acres with 18,000 workers on site; 75 football fields can fit within its area! Observing the various complex stages in creating the 747-8F, 777 and 787 aircrafts, one is awed by the creative manufacturing achievements by the Boeing engineers, produced in the most leading and technologically advanced facility in the industry.

We were most impressed with the new 787 Dreamliner, a sleek smaller aircraft than its larger 777 cousin. Nearly 50% of the 787 primary structure, including the wings and fuselage, is made of composite material. Our August 26th visit coincided with the official 787 Dreamliner FAA Certification. Congrats to the Boeing 787 team!

No coincidence that most of the 787 aircrafts waiting for delivery were from the fast-growing Pacific Rim-based airlines, starting with ANA.

Cathay CEO John Slosar and Director Nick Rhodes cutting the Inaugural ribbon!

Being a special aircraft delivery flight, our Everett, WA to Hong Kong cabin service had a festive, jubilant atmosphere, with Cathay's engaging CEO, John Slosar, serving as our host. As only the First and Business Class were used in this flight, it was somewhat eerie to see a completely empty Economy Class cabin area!

Cathay's 777-300 First/Business Class Cabin

Our snapshot review of Cathay's 777-300 First and Business class cabin service:

The First Class seats are enormous, with each seat occupying a 3-window space area. The dining trays are so large, a couple may share a meal together in one seat. Our favorite First Class keepsake was the custom Cathay Shanghai Tang pajamas - very nice!

Cathay First Class 5-star hotel analogy - the feeling and exclusivity of an Aman Resort stay!

Cathay Business Class 5-star hotel analogy - the comfort and service level of a Peninsula Grand Deluxe Room (sorry, no Victoria Harbour or Pudong views at 37,000 feet!)

Both First and Business Class offer amazingly
quiet BOSE noise cancellation headsets.
The First and Business Class flat-bed seats truly have a feel of a bed; roomy and loaded with amenities, including 15" video monitors with over 100 movies - "Cedar Rapids" and "Midnight in Paris" being the consensus favorites!

Asia service culture

With the Buddhist and Confucian based cultures' embracement of hospitality and respect, it is no coincidence that high-touch service seems almost intrinsic to Asia-based carriers, particularly Cathay Pacific. Also, in contrast to the many other international airlines, you feel the cockpit and cabin service alike have a sense of belonging and "familyness" to their airline...how refreshing! Great job Cathay Pacific management!

The hobbit from the Shire meets the world's most powerful jet engine!

10.05.2011

The Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc

The beautiful lush grounds of the Hotel Du Cap

...perhaps the best in all of France.

Many believe the Hotel du Cap to be the most sought after summer retreat in the world. Yes, the Hotel du Cap is expensive, pretentious, home to global celebrities/jet-setters, AND we feel, among the most beautiful hotels we have stayed anywhere in the world. Directed by general manager Philippe Perd, the property recently completed a USD 67 million renovation project this past spring 2011. You can now enjoy wi-fi, huge Phillips flat screen TVs, and newly redesigned fine fabrics in all rooms.

Perhaps the most impressive part of our stay here was the genuinely friendly and personal service extended to us by the Hotel du Cap staff. It is reassuring to see a hotel where the staff sincerely enjoy serving others. Staying as paying guests, we feel we have the freedom and independence to objectively evaluate all of the worldwide luxury hotels we visit. The Hotel Du Cap was no exception.

Please read on for our Lynch family observations and favorites from one of France's great retreats:

GM Philippe is a man of details and it shows in the high-touch service here – nearly everyone on the Hotel du Cap property addressed Bev, Zen, Sofia, Coco and I by our names (extraordinary for a 118-room hotel!) and you can actually summon the room service staff by using a bell alongside your bed - quite amusing for the girls!

We were all big fans of the sun-bathing pontoons off the Eden-Roc pool and the super snooty cabanas! (33 in total).

Although the Eden-Roc infinity pool adjacent to the waters of the Cap d’Antibes is quite spectacular, Zen did not really care for the pool’s salt water.

Coco very much enjoyed her cheeseburger at the Eden-Roc pool grille...at a cost of Euro 48, surely the tastiest cheeseburger in all of France!

There truly is a distinctive Hotel du Cap scent. The intoxicating fragrant smell that permeates the halls and rooms of the property is heavenly.

A central feature of Hotel du Cap is its expansive 22 acre lush, green grounds, including rose gardens and clay tennis courts…great for morning walks and tadpole catching in the lily pond!

Breakfast or evening cocktails on the Bellini terrace—it is difficult to imagine a more picturesque setting overlooking the warm waters of the Mediterranean!

Zen was quite surprised to see the hotel's own pet cemetery...Edward VIII's and Wallis Simpson's dogs were buried here.

If you haven't viewed our exclusive Turkey-France luxury tour itinerary yet, visit the website and take a look!

Turkey-France Private Tour: Istanbul - Paris - Provence - Antibes

Istanbul: The Hippest City in the World?

Sofia, Zen, and Coco at the main entrance of the

Audience Chamber at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul

From its deep, rich culture and its economic dynamism, we are very much humbled to have had such a compelling trip to Istanbul. Among the quality guides we use in Turkey is Saffett Tonguç. Widely

considered to be among the top (along with Ms. Arzu!) private guides in all of Turkey, he is the author of several award-winning books on Turkey tourism, history and culture. Among Saffet's notable clients touring Turkey are Oprah, Colin Powell, Eric Schmidt of Google and now the Lynch family!

Despite our limited time, we hit all the major stops in Istanbul's historical Sultanahmet peninsula (Hippodrome Square, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque). Similar to the Taj Mahal, the Blue Mosque is even more impressive in person than all the lovely pictures -- we found the blue tiles lining its interior walls most mesmerizing!

In addition to the Blue Mosque, we found the Topkapi Palace to be the most compelling historical site in all of Istanbul. The official residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries, Zen, Sofia and Coco could not believe that Prophet Muhammad's actual cloak and sword are on display here!

Shopping was enjoyed by all at the Grand Bazaar at the Hans...please note Zen's observations in her journal below.

A 2-hour private cabin-cruiser excursion along the Bosphorus is a scenic and refreshing way to see the breadth of this beautiful city. We had a special stopover lunch at HAMDI, located near the Spice Bazaar. The restaraunt has wonderful rooftop views and delicious kebaps with delicious balloons of traditional breads straight out of the oven!

Istanbul Four Seasons Duo

Having experienced both Istanbul Four Seasons properties, we found each property offering its own unique activities and advantages.

The Four Seasons Sultanahmet offers a small, more intimate setting (only 65 rooms), located in the heart of the Sultanahmet historical district, walking distance from the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, as well as numerous small shops and restaurants. Engaging general manager Felix Murillo mentioned that the property was actually Istanbul's first contemporary prison from 1918 all the way until the 1970s. The prison inscription date is still displayed on the Four Seasons entrance! The only real downside to families staying here is no pool.

In contrast to the Sultanahmet, the Four Seasons Bosphorus is a more sprawling (175 rooms) stand-alone luxury resort, saddled along the banks of the Bosphorus. Despite the property being new (perhaps three years), the Four Seasons Bosphorus has a unique 19th century feel. We love the amazing Bosphorus views to the Asia side of Istanbul from the breakfast terrace. A private hammam at the spa is a special treat and the kids love the pool overlooking the Bosphorus. We feel it is not an overstatement to proclaim the Four Seasons Bosphorus as the top luxury hotel in all of Istanbul.

Hello fellow global kid travelers!

YES, Japan is my favorite place in the world, BUT I really loved Turkey and France! My cousins, Sofia and Coco, and I wrote a list of the things we liked most about Istanbul.

Kittens and dogs everywhere! Istanbul is a kittens-dogs paradise; everywhere we walked we saw the most beautiful animals! We especially liked the dog "Harry," who returned to the coffee shop across from the Four Seasons Sultanahmet every night for food...We miss you Harry!
Shopping at the Grand Bazaar! Forget Michigan Ave. in Chicago -- we prefer all the small, cute shops at the Grand Bazaar. Top of my list were the many "evil-eye" pendants. These are great for my birthday party goodie bags!
Prophet Muhammad's actual cloak and sword at Topkapi Palace - unreal!
Hammam (Turkish bath)! No, we were not allowed to do this because of our age, but at least we did a walk-through!
Our private guide Saffett! Yes, we have had so many great guides in so many countries. Add Saffett to the top - he is so awesome! Saffett is a walking "Google" for Turkish history and culture AND he is so funny!
My only dissapointment is that we missed the sunrise hot air balloon over Cappadocia - next time!

Happy Travels!

-Zen Lynch

10.04.2011

Bonjour Paris!

Among our many worldwide travels, Bev, Zen and I consider Paris to be no less than the most beautiful and culturally compelling city on the planet! Walking through the various boulevards, neighborhoods and winding streets, you are teased with so many wonderful activities: innumerable iconic landmarks, awe-inspiring art, lush greens parks, all that amazing food and so many beautiful, historic bridges! In our view, Paris is complete aesthetic perfection.

Although our clients prefer the 5 star luxury hotels of the Right Bank (Four Seasons, Hotel Le Bristol, etc.) Bev, Zen and I prefer the more intimate immersion of Parisian life on the Left Bank. Unlike the Right Bank, where there is a clear abundance of French historical monuments and public buildings, the Left Bank (think Latin Quarter) is more residential and university-oriented. It is made up of countless boutique shops and bistros in great walkable neighborhoods - this is definitely the more artsy, aesthetic side of Paris!

We were most happy with our stay at the luxury, boutique 51-room Relais Christine, located in the heart of St. Germaine. Built on the foundation of a 13th century Abbey, Relais offers a quite relaxing haven with meticulous service. Our family preferred the tastefully decorated 2-story duplex Junior suites. Another plus of staying here - meeting the property's engaging general managerJean-Luc Chomat - a remarkable look-a-like of Stephen Colbert!

Our engaging Paris travel coordinator, Sylvie, gave us great advice for shopping - just look at the stylish Parisian gamines walking the street for good shopping tips!

Paradoxically, we could not believe the block-long line for locals visiting the newly openedAbercrombie & Fitch store on the Champ Elysees...we finally felt stylish in our A&F tees!