love ya.lyn: Vacation

Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts

6.13.2011

Front Desk

This is kind of scary if only because of how simple it is.
It probably works all too often.

You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. When checking in, you give the front desk your credit card (for all the charges for your room). You get to your room and settle in.

Someone calls the front desk and asked for (example) Room 620 (which happens to be your room). Your phone rings in your room. You answer and the person on the other end says the following, 'This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge card information. Please re-read me your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits numbers at the reverse side of your charge card.'

Not thinking anything you might give this person your information, since the call seems to come from the front desk. But actually, it is a scam of someone calling from outside the hotel/front desk. They ask for a random room number. Then, ask you for credit card information and address information. Sounding so professional that you do think you are talking to the front desk.

If you ever encounter this problem on your vacation, tell the caller that you will be down at the front desk to clear up any problems. Then, go to the front desk and ask if there was a problem. If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone called to scam you of your credit card information acting like a front desk employee.

7.23.2010

Nanaimo Bar

On our recent fishing trip to Telegraph Cove in British Columbia, Canada, we grabbed a bite to eat while waiting for the ferry to take us from Tsawwassen, B.C. to Nanaimo, Vancouver Island (a two hour trip). It was here that I was introduced to and tasted my first Nanaimo Bar. Can I just say that they are to die for!!

The Nanaimo Bar is a dessert of Canadian origin. Named after the West-Coast city of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Nanaimo Bars are chocolate, no-bake squares consisting of a wafer crumb base layer, topped by a layer of light vanilla custard flavored butter icing, that is topped with melted chocolate squares. Many varieties are possible by using different types of crumb, flavors of icing, and types of chocolate, but the original Nanaimo Bar recipe still stands as a favorite...

THE ORIGINAL NANAIMO BAR

Bottom Layer
1/2 cup unsalted butter (Euro-style cultured)
1/4 cup sugar
5 tbsp. cocoa
1 egg beaten
1 3/4 cup graham wafer crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
1 cup coconut

Melt first three ingredients in the top of a double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken . Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut and nuts. Press firmly into an ungreased 8 X 8 pan.

Second Layer1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 tbsp. and 2 tsp. of cream
2 tbsp. vanilla custard powder
2 cup icing sugar

Cream butter, cream, custard powder and icing sugar together well. Beat until light. Spread over bottom layer

Third Layer4 squares semi-sweet chocolate (1 oz each)
2 tbsp. unsalted butter

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool. Once cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.

You can find other recipes for mint, peanut butter, and mocha flavored bars by Googling Nanaimo Bars. You won't be sorry you did...

P.S. You can get Bird's Custard Powder at the Many Lands Market, 1145 N. 500 W. in Provo.