A quick guide to Manhattan: 3 amazing days in New York

Most of my posts are about travel or life in Asia. But a while back I had the good fortune to visit New York. I was there only for 2 days, and it… Continue reading

X Japan: A blast from the past with Hide, Yoshiki and Toshi

When I first moved to Japan in 1992, a friend of mine happened to know “hide” from a visual kei band called X-Japan. Free tickets and free beers with the band made for… Continue reading

Koh Phi Phi Thailand

A friend of mine asked me for advice on where to stay on Koh Phi Phi Island, near Phuket, Thailand. Here’s a bit of intel, and a crappy video I just did now… Continue reading

My permanent residence visa…GOT IT!

After 5 long months of wondering “Will I get it???”, I got the call today from my immigration lawyer. I got my permanent residence status!! Booya! For those not familiar with the life… Continue reading

A Day at the Office: Legian Beach, Bali, Indonesia

People often ask me why I go to beautiful places like Thailand, Bali or the Philippines…and then do no sightseeing and just sit in front of my computer 14 hours a day working.… Continue reading

$220 Mangos in Kagoshima, Japan

I love free travel, and presenting at conferences is a nice way to get some work done in my field, and see a bit of the country while I’m at it. This time… Continue reading

The red tape behind a simple address change in Japan. Aka: Why people have high blood pressure

More RED TAPE in Japan Last year I moved to a new apartment. So last week I went into the Department of Motor Vehicles in Japan to change my car registration address. A… Continue reading

Japanese banks: Reinventing the Wheel

    (日本語文は、下にあります) What do these images above have in common?? Everything. The banks in Japan, in spite of having a reputation of being technologically advanced, still run as if they were operating… Continue reading

The Chocolate Hills and other Bohol Day Trip Stuff

Just next to the well known island of Cebu is the lesser known island of Bohol. In February, I did the see-it-in-a-day tour of the main sightseeing spots on the island. I didn’t… Continue reading

A week on Alona Beach, Bohol, Philippines

Anybody who knows me knows that I’m all about beaches. And Alona Beach is one to remember. Most people who have been to or thought of visiting the Philippines have heard of the… Continue reading

Health Tourism in Thailand

A few years ago I decided to get a health check in Thailand. Although it’s quickly getting more expensive, the  outstanding hospitals and dental clinics and the options for comprehensive health checks and coronary… Continue reading