Category Archives: Tip

Best Western Airport Hotel, Bangkok

Posted on April 11, 2013 by

I had a layover in Bangkok so I decided to stay at a Best Western by the airport. Luckily, this was a great decision. The hotel shuttle was easy to find; the hotel personnel were friendly and spoke English well. … Continue reading →

Posted in Accommodations, Asia, Tip | Leave a comment

Night Train to Datong

Posted on April 8, 2013 by

I had four days off in a row and took the opportunity to go to Datong so I could see the Yungang Caves and the Hanging Temple. Datong’s off the beaten path and there’s only one train a day there. … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Tip, Transportation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Come On

Posted on September 26, 2012 by

I followed my orders. I reminded the assistant that she needed to get our return tickets today. I did this first thing. She then replied to my email. Then we called her at 2:30 after the rest time to check … Continue reading →

Posted in Tip, Transportation | Leave a comment

Off You Go

Posted on August 1, 2012 by

Last Friday I went to a dinner for JET Programme participants departing for their first year in Japan. They’ll spend a year team teaching English as a foreign language in Japanese schools. Ahh, in so many ways I wish I … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Tip | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Seat Finder

Posted on June 15, 2012 by

Air traveler isn’t getting easier: higher fees for checking baggage, surly staff, and diminishing seating space. I have come to dread flying. Yet there’s one new free service that counters the decline in service. Sign up for myseatfinder.com and you … Continue reading →

Posted in Airlines, Tip | Tagged | Leave a comment

Pearl Market

Posted on June 14, 2012 by

The Pearl Market should be on the list of all stops during a visit to Beijing. I think it’s more fun than the Silk Market that’s gotten too aggressive and congested. Of course, you’ll find pearls and jade, but you … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Place, Shopping, Tip | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Zhujiayu, A Glimpse of Old China

Posted on June 12, 2012 by

The Lonely Planet suggests the small town of Zhujiayu as a day trip from Jinan and I’ve wanted to go there, but had been put off by the potential hassle of getting there. You’re supposed to take a bus to … Continue reading →

Posted in Activity, Asia, Culture, Place, Tip | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sweet Victory

Posted on May 17, 2012 by

Today I learned that my complaint against the black taxis, who refused to give my friends and I a ride using their meters, has resulted in some success. A Chinese friend helped me file official complaints a few weeks ago. … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Tip, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When a place gets crowded enough to require ID’s, social collapse is not far away. It is time to go elsewhere. The best thing about space travel is that it made it possible to go elsewhere. Robert A. Heinlein Related … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on April 23, 2012 by | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Traditional Chinese Medicine – A final question answered

Posted on February 23, 2012 by

A lot of Westerners see Chinese Medicine and alternative therapies from ancients as better based on whimsy and caprice more than anything else. This post offers a different view, written by someone who lives here and knows the culture well. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Tip | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments