In this installment of No Work All Travel, I will be introducing a Tokyo weekend trip to Nagano prefecture. More specifically, a voyage to the castle city of Matsumoto, and Daio Wasabi Farm, in Hotaka. The first recorded instance of wasabi, sushi’s hot-headed colleague, dates back to the year 981, during the Heian period of […]
Phoenix to Tijuana Nonstop, Coming Soon
Starting in 2024: Phoenix to Tijuana, nonstop. For the first time in years, Tijuana is getting a flight to the United States. But if you guessed Aeromexico Connect, Volaris, or Viva Aerobus, you’d have to guess again; more on this later. On 15 February, American Airlines is taking up the helm. More specifically, SkyWest Airlines […]
Kurume Tonkotsu Ramen
In 2016, I visited the city of Kurume, Japan, located in the southwestern island of Kyushu. The city is notable for two major contributions to the Japanese economy: Bridgestone, the world’s largest tire and rubber company, and Kurume tonkotsu ramen, the “parent” of Hakata-style ramen. I guess that’s why the noodles were so chewy. Vocab […]
Trip Report: Japan Railways (JR) Seishun 18 Ticket
I’m writing today to tell you about another Japan Railways “rail pass,” in particular about my recent experiences using the Seishun 18 Ticket (青春１８きっぷ). As for why there have been some Japan-related posts lately, well– I’ve been in Tokyo for a couple of weeks. What is the Seishun 18 Ticket? In short, the Seishun 18 […]
Miracle Lounge (Concourse G), Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
The 24-hour Miracle Lounge Concourse G Bangkok Suvarnabhumi is a sizable one. However, you’re unlikely to be using it unless your flight is leaving from a G gate. It has two entrances; one is slightly tucked away on the main shopping/dining level (level 4), and the other is near gate G2 (level 3). In other […]
Japan Trip Report: JR East Pass (Tohoku Area)
Although I’ve traveled throughout much of Japan, I embarrassingly didn’t once set foot in the Tohoku region until a few days ago. That’s where the rail pass, the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area), was of tremendous benefit. Firstly, let’s define the Tohoku region (in Japanese, 東北 touhoku, meaning northeastern): The Tohoku region is generally characterized […]
Air France – KLM Lounge Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
After a two week’s visit to one of the world’s food centers, it was time to move on. Since my next flight was leaving from BKK, let’s check out the Air France – KLM Lounge Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. This lounge is located on Level 3 in Concourse F. Most lounges– save for a Miracle Lounge […]
Hotel Review: Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
The 298-room Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 — located on Sukhumvit Soi 11 –exists in a very crowded sea of hotels, restaurants, and nightlife. With so much choice — and more options being built month after month in one of the world’s most visited cities — how does this property stand out? For a more literal […]
