Rediscover Prana Resorts & Spa Koh Samui at - QVI Club
Rediscover Prana Resorts & Spa Koh Samui at - QVI Club
Rediscover Prana Resorts & Spa Koh Samui at - QVI Club
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THE TRANSIT LOUNGE<br />
Dr. Mark Paul Pl<strong>at</strong>on, a Diamond <strong>Club</strong> member, shares with us his most memorable holiday<br />
experiences to d<strong>at</strong>e.<br />
Q. Wh<strong>at</strong> <strong>at</strong>tracted you to becoming a<br />
<strong>QVI</strong> <strong>Club</strong> Member?<br />
My family and I love to travel, so when we<br />
were introduced to <strong>QVI</strong> <strong>Club</strong> and learned<br />
about how much we could save on our<br />
accommod<strong>at</strong>ions around the world, we<br />
immedi<strong>at</strong>ely decided to join. It’s also nice<br />
to know th<strong>at</strong> as <strong>QVI</strong> <strong>Club</strong> members we’d<br />
be able to stay <strong>at</strong> spacious well-appointed<br />
resorts and hotels instead of small<br />
cramped and uncomfortable rooms.<br />
Q. Wh<strong>at</strong> is your most memorable<br />
holiday experience and why?<br />
Q. Wh<strong>at</strong> are your favorite destin<strong>at</strong>ions?<br />
When I’m in the mood for a highly urban<br />
retre<strong>at</strong>, New York City is still on the top<br />
of my list. The fast and trend-setting<br />
pace ensures th<strong>at</strong> there’s never a dull<br />
moment when I’m there. But when I’ve<br />
had too much of the hustle and bustle<br />
of city life, Switzerland is by far the best<br />
place to detox. It still offers the comforts<br />
of city living, but it’s so much more safe,<br />
relaxed, quiet and clean. Arm yourself<br />
with a Travel Pass and a couple of basic<br />
French and German phrases and you can<br />
wander aimlessly by train all throughout<br />
this picturesque country.<br />
22<br />
My most memorable holiday experience<br />
by far was when I went to visit my<br />
sisters Czarra and Czarina in Switzerland<br />
last 2006 and we went around Europe.<br />
We had quite an adventure together<br />
in Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Rome,<br />
Amsterdam, and back to Switzerland<br />
where we celebr<strong>at</strong>ed a simple Filipino<br />
Noche Buena or evening dinner to<br />
usher in Christmas and my birthday.<br />
Traveling is made even more special and<br />
memorable when you’re with loved ones.<br />
Reminiscing on the beautiful sights,<br />
hilarious mishaps, and gre<strong>at</strong> times<br />
exploring new cities never fail to make me<br />
smile and brighten up my day wherever<br />
I might be.<br />
Q. How about your worst holiday<br />
experience and why?<br />
I can’t say I’ve had a bad holiday<br />
experience yet. Even when I had to go<br />
on duty and work <strong>at</strong> the hospital over<br />
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve<br />
which are normally reserved as special<br />
family time, I still managed to enjoy the<br />
spirit of the season.<br />
Q. Wh<strong>at</strong> do you like to do most when<br />
on vac<strong>at</strong>ion?<br />
Every time I’m on vac<strong>at</strong>ion or even<br />
when I’m visiting a new destin<strong>at</strong>ion for<br />
business, I just love exploring my new<br />
environment on foot. If I get the chance,<br />
I also make it a point to try out the local<br />
public transport system, specially the<br />
Metro. Each one’s got its own personality.<br />
And if it’s fairly safe, I won’t even mind<br />
getting lost! Th<strong>at</strong>’s an adventure in itself,<br />
and there’s so much to see and learn<br />
while finding my way back home.<br />
Pictures of Dr. Pl<strong>at</strong>on’s vac<strong>at</strong>ions around the world<br />
are his best souvenirs<br />
Q. Wh<strong>at</strong> is your idea of a perfect<br />
holiday?<br />
A Perfect Holiday: No work, no plans, no<br />
budget. Everything spontaneous and onthe-fly.<br />
Q. Amongst all the countries you have<br />
been to, which one has left you with the<br />
strongest impression?<br />
I consider myself blessed to have seen<br />
countries outside of my own, but taking<br />
everything into account, there is really<br />
no place like the Philippines. It has a little<br />
bit of everything: interesting historical<br />
sites, colorful cultural celebr<strong>at</strong>ions,<br />
upscale urban settings, gorgeous n<strong>at</strong>ure<br />
retre<strong>at</strong>s, and charming hospitable<br />
people. No wonder more and more people<br />
from around the world are choosing to<br />
live here.<br />
Q. Name <strong>at</strong> least 3 essential items you<br />
always take with you when traveling<br />
overseas?<br />
1. My notebook computer - It pays<br />
to stay connected, especially when<br />
you’re stuck in the airport.<br />
2. My Bio Disc - keeps jetlag <strong>at</strong> bay,<br />
plus it helps me stay energized the<br />
entire time.<br />
3. A digital camera - Pictures are the<br />
best souvenir.<br />
Q. If you were exiled to a desert island<br />
and could only take one person and one<br />
personal item with you, wh<strong>at</strong> would<br />
you select?<br />
One person? Hmm … I haven’t met her<br />
yet. One personal item? A big f<strong>at</strong> Swiss<br />
Army knife!