There’s too much food in Bangkok. Whether you’re there for street food, ample buffets, or restaurants, Thailand’s capital manages to combine a diversity of flavors and cuisines with quality. Consequently, for those of you stuck in the indecisive camp, let me make a recommendation– The Allium at The Athenee Hotel Bangkok. Address-wise, it’s a very […]
Crossing China’s Newest Border with Hong Kong
Last week, after flying in to Hong Kong, I wanted to use the new(est) China Hong Kong border crossing to reach Shenzhen. For background, the Chinese side is called Liántáng (莲塘), and the Hong Kong side Heung Yuen Wai (香園圍). It is located in the Luo Hu district of Shenzhen, in a more residential part of town […]
Downtown Check-In Reopening Next Month in Hong Kong
After more than three years, it appears that downtown check-in is finally returning to Hong Kong. Starting 5 July, passengers on select airlines will once again be able to realize downtown check-in for their flights at the Hong Kong Island Airport Express station, by the ifc Mall in Central. Lamentably, the last time I was […]
As Expedia’s One Key Approaches, My Travel Loyalty is Back on the Auction Block
6 July is when the fun hits the fan– Expedia’s One Key rewards program is coming to topple the First World achievements of many of us BoardingArea readers. Bid adieu to those 11th night bonuses of hotels.com, and whatever the heck Expedient.com offered. As I mentioned earlier this year, Expedia is rearing its own version of […]
Trip Report: GX Airlines, Nanning NNG to Bangkok BKK
Here’s a new carrier for BoardingArea trip reports– GX Airlines. In this post, I will be covering my flight from Nanning, in southern China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, as well as the sole airport lounge in the international wing of Nanning Wuxu International Airport. But first, a warm tip for potential visitors […]
My Podcast Interview by the World Food Travel Association
Earlier this spring, I was interviewed by the affable Erik Wolf, a fellow food traveler, and creator of the World Food Travel Association; the non-profit organization was started in 2003 as a way to promote international culinary cultures in a sustainable manner. Our discussion was for the World Food Travel Association podcast, in which we […]
First Class Lounge North, Zhengzhou, China
For my second of three lounge reviews from China, today we will visit the domestic First Class Lounge North at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport. (If you’re not so familiar with the name Zhengzhou, it’s in a particularly historic region, located between two ancient capitals of Kaifeng and Luoyang.) Not to mention, given it’s central (to […]
China Eastern VIP Lounge 137 at Shanghai Pudong, China
I’ve searched English and Chinese websites for information about Shanghai Pudong’s China Eastern VIP Lounge 137, but I’m getting the feeling it’s like that fortune-telling machine from the movie “Big.” There’s a deluge of information about other Shanghai Pudong lounges, all with lucky or lucky-lite numbers (that is, nothing with a four), but 137? No […]