RV vacation?

My relatives recently brought up travelling by RV across America since it is a recreational vehicle used for travelling on the roads and it is what Americans most often use. It is so huge now that there are RV parks in all the National Parks and even mid-sized towns across America offering mini-golf, water-parks, playgrounds as part of the overall experience.

I am not sure about ...

1. The Price, its a little high. But a quick look at 2018/2019 brand new models say I can get an RV for the same price as a car.
2. The Tight Fit Inside, it's a tiny home on wheels. I'll be outdoors most of the time anyway and slide-outs are pretty common these days. I just need to choose a floor-plan that suits my travelling needs. 
3. Drivers Licence Requirements, I thought I needed a trucking licence. As it turns out a regular drivers licence is OK for Class B, Class C RVs and Class A RVs with fully loaded weight below 26,000 lbs. Tow-Alongs (Trailers) are also OK, just make sure your vehicle can take on that tow capacity, I'm thinking more along the lines of commercial trucks/vans that can take on double the weightage of regular trucks/vans.
4. Convenience of not having to book a hotel ahead of time and specifying how long you need to stay there. I can decide when I want to stay or leave and have all my things with me. But whenever you park the RV, you have to do some housekeeping like connecting to water and electricity.
5. Travelling Costs are about the same with or without RV. Hotels charge more per night, RV Parks do charge something nominal but nowhere near what it'll cost to fuel up and run.
6. Sanitation. Everyone says not to use the RV bathroom/toilet as it is only for emergencies. Truck stops and highway rest stations offer shower and toilet facilities, sometimes for a fee. Same thing with laundromats.

When making a choice between trailer or motor home, I think it depends on whether you already have a car capable of towing a decent sized trailer. You can still use your car on vacation by unhitching the trailer, that makes it really convenient to sight-see or pick up groceries. You can also buy land space and leave your trailer there like a house.

Motor-homes that can be had with a regular drivers licence are ...

1. Class A RVs under 26,000 lbs that look like buses. I like these vehicles for that sleek exterior look, privacy from being above ground level and you can opt for enlarged windows in front for a great view of the open road when you are driving. Tiffin Allegro Breeze Motorhome or Winnebago Sightseer both around $260,000 USD.
2. Class B RVs that look like remodeled vans, I would much rather get a station wagon or regular van instead, pricing is same or cheaper. I recommend Airstream Mercedes Benz Atlas for around $216,000 USD, it's got lots of custom fittings.
3. Class C RVs that resemble trucks with overhead bunk that is what I want. It would be really cool to have a sunroof where the overhead bunk bed is so you can see the stars at night. If you want 2 full size beds in one vehicle, this is your best option. I recommend any brand, any model size as it comes under the weight requirements. Prices are from USD $55,000.

The outside feature I like the most is the outdoor kitchen, swing-out BBQ and cook-top with lighting.

Outdoor entertainment center, TV and speakers to listen to music outside.

Most importantly, it needs a large enough awning to provide shade and storage accessible from the outside to hold tables and chairs, maybe even a pull-out table.

Kiddies New Home

My niece and nephew have a new place that is bigger than their current home and also nearer to more shops and services, making their daily lives more comfy and less hectic.

Is that my imagination or do the kitchen counters block out the door?! The window grills also add to that jailhouse look. It's all meant to be child-safe and whatnot coz of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

Their interior decorator went with the beige and brown color scheme and there is also all new furniture for the space. I think their existing furniture would have worked as well but new home new furniture, especially when you are hiring an ID already.

Cute pink and silver foil curtains in the girls room....very princessy.

I like the new cupboards that have no handles and a geometric design on the outside. The insides look like my current wardrobe, the mirror used is the same kind. 

Master bedroom even has a roomy walk-in wardrobe. I was wondering why the wardrobe doors are soo small, so its actually a walk-in inside.

Showers with marble tiling and ledge for toiletries, very handy design.

I had chicken rice from the nearby food center for lunch, after spending the entire morning watching them unpack clothes into the new wardrobes.

Potluck Dinners and such

I feel like potluck dinners are the best solution to special occasions. Everyone prepares one dish and brings it along to the venue so the work is spread out and I don't have to think about what gift to bring along. Mushroom and something risotto, I don't know what vegetable is used here, my sis-in-law made this dish.

Or you can just buy something under $50 to bring along. I like to buy Satay and BBQ Chicken Wings from the hawker center, real crowd pleaser. My sis likes to bring sushi platters, very impressive.

Home BBQs are almost the same as potluck parties coz it takes the whole evening to cook the food so you should really bring something along like a side dish. Steamed corn sounds easy enough, maybe a fresh salad or even pigs in a blanket.

pigs in blanket pic from Betty Crocker.com

Singapore BBQ online packages:

www.hungrybbq.com

www.bbqwholesale.com

www.ezbbq.com.sg

www.bbqhouse.com.sg

Bringing along a big bucket of fried chicken will also work nicely. Ice cream or Froyo would be a nice cold treat to have while waiting or in the car. Absolutely loving the new KFC Mac & Cheese that is tdf! 

Starbucks Gold Card

I finally received my Starbucks gold card, after spending $300 at Starbucks this year. For the rest of the year I will get gold member privileges at Starbucks like free refills and free birthday treats etc. This balance gets reset every year so you have to spend another $300 next year to get the gold level status again.

Choc chip Frappucino, Speculoos Banana Toast, Curry Chicken Pastry.

Caramel Frappucino with an extra shot of espresso, Turkey ham Cheddar & Egg white sandwich, Chocolate Custard Danish.

Midnight Mint Mocha Frappucino, Ham & Cheese Brioche Baguette, Spinach & Mushroom Quiche.

Black Tea with Grapefruit & Honey + Smores cake!

Mango Mango, Caramel Macchiato Frappucino, 4 cheese toast, Mac & Cheese pie. You can actually have both cheese items together coz its a different mix.

This is the new lunch items introduced in April this year. Roast Chicken & Soba Bowl with sesame dressing, you can pour the dressing in, close the lid and shake it to mix. Oriental smoked duck sandwich with black bread. Milk Tea Panna Cotta Cream that is really strong black tea with jelly panna cotta cream.

Cold Foam Iced Espresso, Chicken Pie and Apple Cinnamon Toast. I was looking for the new nitro cold brew that is only available at certain stores, what a disappointment.

Dark Caramel Cold Foam Nitro brew Iced Coffee...finally found the outlet that does this and the place was fully packed. Smoked Chicken Bagel and a Wrap to wrap things up.