BANGKOK – Love, love, LOVE the Metropolitan Bangkok’s Met rooms:  super spacious and modern, with soothing earth tones; big comfy beds (and lovely sheets to go with), huge bathrooms (shower, tub and silky smooth robes) and a full-on entertainment system (to watch all those pirated discs you ‘didn’t buy’).  The rest of the hotel – service, pool (which annoyingly, [...]

  TOKYO – Take it where you can get it.  Narita Express (NEX) may be transport of choice for going to and from Japan’s main airport but it’s also a prime opportunity for some quality RELAX TIME before dealing with the chaos of Narita or if arriving, before stepping into the Tokyo whirlwind.  A first (or last) row, single seat [...]

  BANGKOK – Need to feel worked, relaxed and refreshed?  Then call Silom Massage and ask for John.  His three hour Traditional Thai Massage session (anything less and you’ll want more) will renew your faith in this hugely over-exploited practice.  John, a Myanmar national, speaks little English but knows the body like all therapists should (and most don’t).  Usually one [...]

TOKYO – This kushiyaki-style eatery (meat and veggies skewered on sticks then grilled) next to a cemetery serves up a decadent ‘cheese peep’ (roasted green peppers wrapped in bacon and filled with creamy, melted cheese) and to-die-for ‘shisho tsukune’ (ground chicken seasoned with shiso leaves then grilled).  The rest of the food is quite tasty as well including the wasabi [...]

TOKYO –  Whenever I’m in Tokyo, I always make it a point to spend some time at BAR IDO (aka IDO or ‘eee-doh’).  This is a place I was introduced to by Japanese colleagues (back when I working in Tokyo) and it remains one of my must-do’s whenever I’m back in town. What is it?  One of the finest whiskey bars around [...]

      TOKYO – Always hard to find; usually filled with hot, young, affluent Japanese; a few local celebs; often located off the main road, on one of the many back streets.  Years ago it was AMRTA; then Sonin Ni; and most recently Bar 73.  Trendy names for trendy places.  Check em out if you can find them; the [...]

  BANGKOK – Excellent service and NONE of that colonial attitude one gets at its so over rated sister motel in Hong Kong or at other so called ‘top’ establishments in Bangkok make this one of our favorite hotels in Bangkok.  Whether you’re checking-in; tanning by the pool; boozing at their Bamboo Bar; getting done at the spa; or being [...]

  TOKYO – So what if every person who’s seen it thinks it’s one big bore.  If you have a chance to catch one of the spring time performances of Noh (traditional Japanese theatre) held outdoors at Yasukuni Park in Tokyo, don’t miss it.  The fiery torches, beautiful cherry blossoms, and an old-style, open-air, wooden theatre create a spectacular setting [...]

BANGKOK – Chatuchak…the infamous weekend market.  Okay, not really a fave; actually a love-hate relationship.  For me, Chatuchak (or JJ as the locals call it) is one gigantic assault on the senses – the crowds, the chaos, the odors, the heat and the endless aisles of anything and everything.  But JJ is also about shopping and to a large extent [...]

  TOKYO – Of all of Japan’s many contributions, the ubiquitous and wonderful Japanese convenience store (the konbini) has got to be one of the best.  Known by various names – am pm, 7-Eleven, Lawsons, Family Mart – Japanese konbinis, set the standard for convenience stores everywhere.  Whether it’s magazines for every occasion; a huge selection of snacks; the latest [...]