Passport to Outdoors

  The myths about  Bangkok  traffic came true even before I landed; the haze! The drive from the airport gave a real glimpse of the legendary traffic; However the city has done a good job of regulating traffic by constructing extensive freeways. Enjoyed talking with the travel agent who was speaking in a mix of funny English, a lot of Thai and some Hindi!           King Rama IX ( Bhumibol Adulyadej) and the Queen (Srikrit) are the most revered persons in Thailand and are treated like Gods. Every shop, every taxi, every shop, every hotel, every temple has an idol of the King & Queen. The King & Queen have done so much good for the people. The results are so much visible everywhere. The first outing was to the magnificent  Wat (temple) Phra Kaew & Grand Palace . The 945000 sq m ground encompass more than 100 buildings that represent 200 years of royal history and architectural experimentation. The Wat structures are extrem...

  March 3rd, 2000 Reached Singapore late in the evening; surprised at how I am not used to  the high humidity. Went to the magnificent  St. Andrews Cathedral  that sits  right in the heart of the city; was built by the British two hundred years  back; nothing seems to have changed in this cathedral.  Orchard Road  is  probably the busiest in Singapore with all kinds of Malls and hotels. If I was  surprised to see the shops in Hongkong that was probably an over-statement.  Singapore has aped this western concept to the hilt. And boy o boy, these  Singaporeans are crazy after shopping!!  Had great Indonesian food at  Kartikeya's;  Never had any before. Very  eclectic. And then the very delicious South Indian food; after ages. Amazed to  find so much South Indian influence. Found Singapore to be a cultural melting  pot of Chinese, Malay's, Indian's and Europeans. Surprised not to find many  Ameri...

  March 1, 2000 The first impression of Hong Kong isn't its skyline, but its weather—a misty, persistent rain that greeted me the moment I landed. The airport was a modern marvel, a stark contrast to the first glimpse of the city itself. From the shuttle window, I watched old, crumbling buildings stand shoulder to shoulder with gleaming new skyscrapers, a visual contradiction that defines Hong Kong. My hotel room, located in the bustling Kowloon Market area off Nathan Road , was a lesson in urban efficiency. The room and bed were shockingly small, a clear sign that here, every square foot is a luxury. Stepping out onto Nathan Road was an assault on the senses. The crowds were unlike anything I'd ever seen—a river of people, each one carrying shopping bags, moving past an endless parade of malls. The sheer density of retail space made shopping districts back home feel like small-town curiosities. Wandering deeper into the city's heart, I found Chungking Mansion , a place of...