Asia

April 9th 2011
Chiang Mai, Thailand
I have been dreaming of visiting the Four Seasons Chiang Mai ever since I first came upon it doing hotel research for a story ages ago. Its signature landscape, treetop-style bungalow-meets-pagoda design and just overall exoticness has stayed with me over many subsequent years of hotel research.  Thus, when the opportunity [...]

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April 9, 2011
Singapore

I just spent 24 hours in Singapore visiting my brother Bud. Although it was a blink of a visit, I was still able to draw a positive impression of the city. (A rarity, since most of my snap judgements lean toward the less-than-impressed). With Singapore, I liked the city right off the [...]

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BANGKOK
September 19th, 2009
Another stellar suggestion from Maria, the MUAY THAI BOXING is a must-do when visiting Bangkok. Be sure to go to the fights at Lumpini Stadium and sit up front (VIP) for all the action – including the splatters of blood and sweat.  Be sure to check the listings for which nights have fights [...]

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BANGKOK
September 19th, 2009
Upon a suggestion from the lovely Maria at the Four Seasons Bangkok, I headed out to see the famed KATHOEYS (Lady Boys) of Thailand perform. I went to the latest evening performance at MAMBO Cabaret, which was recommended as having the best looking ladyboys around though, I beg to differ. The one I [...]

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OUTSIDE BANGKOK, THAILAND

September 17th, 2009
My apologies that I cannot write more right now. I’m exhausted from a long, hot day – woo-ee is it muggy here. But I’m going to post some pics and promise to add more textual reference to them tomorrow.  Thank for your patience.

Continue reading about THAI FIRST IMPRESSIONS

SUZHOU, CHINA
September 14th, 2009
The Number 1 Silk Factory doesn’t get its name because its the best in China, rather because it’s the oldest. Its one of the few remaining factories where employees still do some of the work by hand. It makes for a surprisingly enlightening tour, causing you to rethink every silk possession in [...]

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SUZHOU, CHINA
September 14th, 2009
Here in Suzhou, a smaller city in China (though still 6 million people), I’ve discovered what my buddy Ben in Hong Kong had forewarned about traditional Chinese business dinners.  As Ben rattled off lore (lazy susans, chicken feet and hideously potent alcohol) I absently shook my head thinking there’s no way our [...]

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SHANGHAI
September 13th, 2009
I went to the Urban Planning Museum in Shanghai which at first seemed a bit frustrating that I was going to a museum about a city I was actually in and thus able to visit the city itself. Yet, I stand corrected. The museum was interesting with photos from the city’s past plus [...]

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SHANGHAI
September 13th, 2009
So, as customary, I returned the following day to retrieve my custom designed, tailor made selections; a brown cashmere coat with added detail on the cuff and pockets, a purple cashmere dress with added pockets, a green and gold wool dress and a silk print shirt. What felt like a giddy foray into [...]

Continue reading about FABRIC MARKET (cont’d)

SHANGHAI
September 13th 2009
First off,  HOLY MOLY! The FABRIC MARKET in Shanghai, located now at 399 Lu Jia Bang road, is one of the most alluring and dangerous places I have ever been.  It was Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and I embodied every single one of the bratty child characters at one point, including Charlie, [...]

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