Neil will probably criticise me for not including pictures with this entry, but sometimes you have to let your imagination do the work.  My bag was stuffed full, and I was too lazy to pull out my camera.

I’m currently on my way from Switzerland to Taipei, by way of Bangkok, where the “red shirt” protests are in full swing. I’m delighted to report that I made it in-and-out of Bangkok with no problem.  I managed to have a couple of massages at the airport, part of the pleasure of flying through Asia.  It’s never a burden to have a few hours to kill at Bangkok Airport.  Between the massages, the great lounges, the good food, and the excellent shopping, there’s plenty to pass a few hours without too much pain.  I know everyone raves about Singapore Airport, but for me, BKK takes the cake.

There are so many things about Asia I enjoy.  Little things, things I forget about until I’m reminded of them again.  Delicious minced pork buns at the Thai lounge, washed down with a Meh Kong and soda.  Rose apples, something I’ve never seen outside of Asia, being served for dessert.  The wonderfully warm, welcoming smile of the Thais.  It’s not by accident that I ended up with Asia as my responsibility.

I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks.  A week in Taiwan, a country I’ve never visited, should be a great excuse to explore.  And then I’m back to China, to Beijing and Dalian, with a colleague who knows both cities well, so I’ll have a guide of sorts.