There’s more to Akihabara train station than bags of electronics on their way to be resold abroad. But to enjoy this post, you will first need to get a train ticket.* *Well, I should clarify that requirement. In Japan, there’s something called a platform ticket (入場券 にゅうじょうけん nyuujouken) that you can buy, allowing you to […]
Lounge Review: Kyra Lounge Hong Kong (HKG)
Just when I was getting accustomed to visiting the Chase Sapphire Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), the Kyra Lounge HKG has its debut. Having opened only on 2 July of this year, I only discovered it while scrolling through the Priority Pass app. Accompanying the Chase Sapphire Lounge, and the Plaza Premium trio […]
Restaurant Review: Zhuo Yue Xuan at the Four Seasons Shenzhen
Disclaimer: In exchange for a meal at the Four Seasons Shenzhen restaurant Zhuo Yue Xuan, I am writing this review. Located in Futian, the primary CBD (central business district) of Shenzhen, the nearly 11-years old Four Seasons hotel in Shenzhen is located close to the district’s largest convention center, metro stations, and even a high-speed […]
Flight Review: HiSky New York JFK – Bucharest OTP
Disclaimer: In exchange for a one-way HiSky New York to Bucharest ticket, I am writing this review. In January, I wrote about a flight from the United States to Eastern Europe. More accurately, it was the resumption of a nonstop route last flown by a U.S. carrier nearly 15 years ago. Recently, I was able […]
Restaurant Review: Bad Hombre in Manhattan, New York
Disclaimer: In exchange for one tasting menu with drinks, I am writing this review. As a former resident of/frequent visitor to Mexico, I generally don’t enjoy Mexican cuisine outside of that country. The climate zones, the variety, the ingredients, the chilies — to me, Mexico’s gastronomy has no equal. Then I received a surprising invitation […]
Chinese Visa-Free Access for Three More Countries
Since reopening to international tourism in March 2023, international arrivals numbers to China have been lower than anticipated by that country’s government. To encourage more foreign tourists to visit, Beijing has temporarily eliminated tourism visas for a number of countries, mostly in the EU. Starting 1 July of this year, there will now be Chinese […]
Inaugural Flight Review: Avelo Airlines New Haven to St. Louis
Disclaimer: In exchange for a one-way ticket, I am writing this review. As a former albeit brief resident of the St. Louis area, whenever the chance arises, I visit a couple of friends still living there. But STL is certainly not among the cheapest airports to fly to in the states. That’s why I was […]
Lounge Review: Turkish Airlines Lounge Bangkok (BKK)
If you’ve got Priority Pass, and you’re in the international departures area of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), you’ve got heaps of choices for so-so lounges. Yet only after a recent flight from there, I noticed that the Turkish Airlines Lounge BKK, formally known as the Turkish Airlines Star Alliance Gold Lounge, was also available to […]
