Quite Remarkable

When I lived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, all the Western expats gathered for Thanksgiving and Christmas parties in apartments and at restaurants. The US and British embassies also hosted events!

In Thailand, almost all the hotels have big Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts since the holidays fall during peak tourist season in SE Asia. Russia, Scandinavians and anybody in a cold part of Europe and North Asia seek the warmth of fun spots like Thailand. Christmas decorations are as elaborate in central Bangkok as they are in any US city. Quite remarkable. Christmas music played, too. And yet, most Thais are Buddhists.

Secrets of Sathorn

Bangkok

Emporium Suites

Not Just Once

Of countries I've been to, these 15 are 

Truly Worth Revisiting

China

Russia

Spain

Japan

Australia

Italy

Thailand

Mexico

France

Canada

Portugal

Switzerland

Chile

Sri Lanka

Indonesia

These are countries I have actually revisted: France, Russia, Uzbekistan, Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Spain, Vietnam, Canada.

As usual, I don't include my own country in these rankings. However, no doubt the USA would make this list.

Revisits

Of Asian cities I've traveled to, I think these are worth revisiting:

Tokyo

Hong Kong

Bangkok

Kuala Lumpur

Ubud

Tashkent (sentimental favorite)

New Delhi

Global Food Experiences

I can check off 15 or 16.

Now let me come up with my own list. Can you check off 5?

Ramen in Japan

Basque Cheesecake in Spain

Pilav in Uzbekistan

Borscht in Russia

Seafood Soup in Chile

Dim Sum in China

Mussels in the Netherlands

Beef Bourguignon in France

Nasi Goreng in Indonesia

Raw Oysters in Australia

Wild Boar in the Czech Republic

Durian in Malaysia

Smørrebrød in Denmark

Tom Yum Goong in Thailand

Crepes w/ Maple Syrup in Canada

Tamales in Mexico

Cold Noodles in South Korea

Marisco in Portugal

Frites in Belgium

Shashlik in Kazakhstan

Apple Strudel in Austria

Laab in Laos

Tandoori Chicken in India

Smoked Pork w/ Broad Beans in Luxembourg

Mud Crab Curry in Sri Lanka 

Empanadas in Argentina

Chicken Rice in Singapore

Pho in Vietnam

Romantic Trips

 

I've been to only seven of those destinations. But let me share my own list based on places I've been. These are in no particular order.

Zaandam, Netherlands

Bruges, Belgium

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Paris, France

Kyoto, Japan

Florence, Italy

Camogli, Italy

Seville, Spain

Bali, Indonesia

Budapest, Hungary

St. Petersburg, Russia

Koh Samui, Thailand

Luang Prabang, Laos

Salzburg, Austria

Montreal, Canada

Foods & Drinks

Here's my own list, using only places I've visited, and in no particular order:

Seville

Colombo

Tashkent

Paris

Bangkok

Buenos Aires

Tokyo

Hong Kong

Montreal

Florence

Only Two

As much as I love Thailand and Spain, I'm going to have to select Japan and France, primarily for the sushi and the opportunity to always eat fresh raw oysters.

Best Countries for Food

My ten favorites, in no particular order:

Spain

Italy

France

Thailand

Sri Lanka

Argentina

Indonesia

Japan

Denmark

Uzbekistan

Advice

This was advice I gave. I realize often times it's easier said than done. However, if you're young and not tied down, you could go live overseas. It's very possible. Let's just say money's tight, yet you're young, healthy, free and grow up in the USA. Why not teach English? Why not join the Peace Corps? You don't realize how many people over the years say, "I don't have money for that!" Well, I try to show them how to overcome that obstacle.

Vibrant Cafe Cultures

Fantastic list! I would also consider Spain, Portugal and Denmark.

Asia also has a vibrant cafe culture, although it's a much younger scene. Of ones I've experienced, these cities are standouts:

Seoul

Tokyo

Hong Kong

Bangkok

And in my hemisphere, excluding the USA, which would be on any list, these cities have great cafe experiences:

Montreal

Mexico City

Buenos Aires

In fact, Buenos Aires is as amazing as any old European city.

Best Seafood

I've been to all but Peru and Greece, and I intend to visit them within the next five years. Now, on our trip to Mexico City the first part of this year, we went to a couple of fabulous seafood restaurants. One was off the charts! We went there twice. And thinking back on my early travels with Kade, we had a seafood dinner in Bali that was indescribable.

Since this is my international travel blog, I usually don't include my opinions or experiences on US travel. However, if you visit the US and are in the South or on the East Coast, there's a lot of delicious seafood in New Orleans, Panama City, Savannah, Charleston, Boston and any town in Maine. You can't go wrong!

Eat Fruit, Be Cute

Check out Ms. Fit Vegan's story and website here.

I have one of those Durian King t-shirts. I bought it in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia while on a quest to try the country's best durian.

DS Tower 1

Bangkok

Norway

Thinking about a trip to Norway and Sweden next year.

How About...

 16 before the age of 35?

I can see adding about five more.

Everywhere

I just search for "Massage near me" from one of the most random places in Bangkok - a place that's not even popular with tourists. See all the options that popped up. It's crazy.

One Universal Connection

I need to get busy!

Best Cities in Asia

Jakarta is the only one I haven't visited.

White Noise Machine

Great for traveling. It makes as much noise as my home machine. You can buy one here.

Lumphini Park

September 22, 2024

BNP Furniture

 Baan Panya Furniture

Click here for more photos (and reels) of their furniture.