Category Archives: Asia

70 years after Hiroshima, ‘secret’ survivor in unlikely place

Posted on August 6, 2015 by

Apparently there’s a survivor of the world’s first atomic attack — the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, living in, of all places, Washington, DC. It withstood the U.S. attack that led to the end of World War II 70 years ago. … Continue reading →

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A New Year celebration where you can’t make noise

Posted on March 21, 2015 by

For those of us in the western hemisphere, this March 21 is merely the big thaw into spring after hibernating all winter. In Bali, Indonesia, it’s New Year’s Day. But they don’t say Happy New Year there, exactly. They might … Continue reading →

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Journey to a part of JFK’s past: Vietnam

Posted on November 23, 2013 by

The 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is bringing me back to a piece of his past — and mine. The Vietnam War. Granted, Vietnam was not nearly Kennedy’s war as much as it was those … Continue reading →

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Three nights in Bangkok

Posted on November 11, 2013 by

I’ll admit the only thing I knew about Bangkok, Thailand, prior to a trip to Asia were the lyrics to “One Night in Bangkok” — that over-the-top song that made Murray Head a superstar in the ’80s. Trust me, once … Continue reading →

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Why travel, when the same food’s better at home?

Posted on December 24, 2012 by

A while back, I announced I was going to be conducting a taste test of one of my favorite comfort foods: pho. That great Vietnamese soup just like my dearly departed Jewish grandma used to make. Well, not quite. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Eats | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Georgetown, Malaysia: One big museum

Posted on November 17, 2012 by

As I mentioned, most of what I saw on the Eastern & Oriental Express was from the train. But it was nice to get out and mingle with the real world for a little while. We stopped in Malaysia and … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Trains, planes and ferries, UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eastern & Oriental Express: Big, beautiful tapestry

Posted on November 10, 2012 by

Warning: If you really want to see most of the places that the Eastern & Oriental Express cuts through in its path from Singapore to Bangkok, this isn’t the trip for you. Reason is, of course, you’re on this five-star … Continue reading →

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Eastern & Oriental Express: It’s a tough life

Posted on November 5, 2012 by

Last I mentioned the Eastern & Oriental Express, I was just about to board the train. And worried that my darling little pillbox hat would be on the ground in a crumpled heap before I ever made it to my … Continue reading →

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Tale of two subways: New York and Singapore

Posted on October 23, 2012 by

A NYC subway train at the Kew Gardens station, not far from where I was born.  Taken on the way to JFK to catch flights to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. A station in Singapore’s subway system. The difference? … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, I Heart NY, Trains, planes and ferries | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Asia Chronicles: Managing to stay out of trouble in Singapore

Posted on October 23, 2012 by

I’m not trying to be funny. Everything I knew about Singapore — the jumping off point for my recent adventure aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express — was what everyone else seemed to know, too. That American kid who was … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Cool places to stay, Eats | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments