Islands of Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu, JAPAN

The Hikari Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) delivered me from Tokyo to the town of Tokushima (southern island of Shikoku) faster than your local pizza boy could bring home your order. The Hikari flies by at an average speed of 163 km/h, slower than its big brother, the Nozomi (avg. at 263 km/h). The Hikari passes the Nozomi in opposite directions in a split second!

I spent some time on Shikoku island and from there went to Hiroshima to see the left overs of the first Atomic Bomb and visited the Atomic Bomb Memorial Park including an excellent museum. This visit to Hiroshima was indeed an emotional experience for me and if I ever could recommend one museum, its this one. One darn fine museum to remind us all of the destruction of an atomic bomb.

The rest of the time I spent on the most southern big island, Kyushu, and visited several hot springs, the active volcanoes of Aso and Sakurajima. Both are very impressive: steaming and smoking! On Kyushu island I visited the areas of Fukuoka, Kamamoto, Kagoshima, Oita, Pebbu, Aso, etc.

Its really great to be back in Japan. Unquestionably one of my top destinations! Japanese people are so polite, well organized, and their consumer products are years ahead of the rest of the world. The food -- awesome! Had some great fresh sashimi and sushi at Tsukiji fish market -- the largest in the world. What I like most of Japan is that in all my 8 days traveling, I have seen hardly any garbage; unlike so many other countries I visited where garbage is in your face everywhere, notebly Central America!

This is my 7th visit to Japan and I vowed to be back as soon as I can. Next will be northern Honshu Island or Okinawa.

Hong Kong, CHINA

I am safely back home in Hong Kong after leg three of my Round-the-World trip which took me to Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. Unfortunately had to cancel my trip to Bangladesh due to scheduling difficulties. Was a real disappointment but I will go for it sooner than later.

Thanks to so many people who made my trip memorable. The people of Myanmar are awesome, same for the Lao people...and we all know how great the Thais are! Difference is that Myanmar is tourist virgin territory! Many places I visited in Myanmar, I was the only Westerner around town and people stared at every move I made...and somehow found me very funny...especially when I wore the Longjy (which most men wear) and the Tannakah (which most people use). Please, don't go to Myanmar....I don't want to see any tourists when I go there next time..hehe...You'll love it!

Tonight I am sleeping in my own bed in Hong Kong. As the airport bus brought me into Hong Kong, I once again realized: Hong Kong -is the most awesome city in the world!!! And believe me...I have seen almost all the great cities in the world. Hong Kong is number one! A fast growing, very dynamic city! Spectacular skyline!

Tomorrow I'm off to Tokyo, Japan. This time with my Hong Kong friend who speaks fluent Japanese! Believe me...I am tired of walking the traveller's road alone. I really look forward to having a friend by my side who speaks the local language. Will land in Tokyo tomorrow afternoon and head straight south (6-hour trip by bullet train) to the far south. I am going to conquer Sakurajima volcano!

Will report from Japan!

Chiang Mai, Northern THAILAND

After a few days in Chiang Rai, in the far north of Thailand, I traveled 4 hours south of Chiang Rai to the town of Chiang Mai (second biggest town in Thailand as far as I know). Over the past few days I have explored the area extensively, with trekking trips into the mountains to visit hilltribes, bamboo rafting, elephant riding trips, hiking, and more. I really enjoy the natural wonders in this area of the world. If you know me well, you will know that I'm an awesome Thai food cook! I attended a few classes offered by one of the famous TV chefs here in Thailand, so now my Thai cooking is even better! Wanna come over for dinner -- if you can catch me~

I originally planned to be in Bangladesh right now, but for several reasons I postponed the trip to this land of swamps and waterways at the mouth of the great Bengal river.

If you are following news about our planet, you will have seen on TV that Volcano Tungurahua is very active at the moment. I visited this awesome volcano in February, and this was my observation on February 27th 2006:

Baños is nestled among spectacular mountains...and looking over its shoulder is the angry and very active Volcano Tungurahua, which continues to blow dark clouds of black/grey smoke into the atmosphere. In October 1999, Volcán Tungurahua was on red alert and the entire village was evacuated for about 4 weeks. I hope it starts to spew hot lava while I´m here!

Chiang Rai, Northern THAILAND

I am in the far north of Thailand, in the town of Chiang Rai. Pretty little town which is my base for exploring the hilltribes, villages, and hiking the mountains. It is lush green and rains a lot most evenings. Thai hospitality, great food, I just love this country!

Around Northern MYANMAR

From Inle Lake, I took a long 7 hour shared taxi ride up north to the town of Mandalay (second largest town in Myanmar). It was a very rough ride over the mountains and the driver had absolutely no sympathy for the old 1985 Toyota Corolla. Near the top of the mountain 3 of the 4 Burmese passengers in the back seat got sick so I stopped the driver and threatened to throw him off the cliffs if he doesn't slow down. We arrived safely in Manadalay. Spent a few days exploring the town, and nearby villages of Amarapura (for the world's longest teakwood bridge), Inwa (horse carted around many ruins and temples and countryside), and the town of Sagaing which is dotted with tens of impressive temples and stupas.

From Manadalay I took a 12 hour very bumpy train ride to the northern town of Naba. What an experience this was!! Every little village where we stopped, vendors lined up along the train selling their wares (mostly home made snacks). Many boarded the train and what a zoo it was! I arrived at 2:40 am in Naba and in the darkness found a very crowded chicken bus which after a 45 minute ride dropped me off at the small village of Katah. I checked in a guesthouse, slept for 3 hours, and then explored this little town along the mighty Irrawaddy river. As very few foreigners visit this village, I had celebrity status. People would run out of homes to take a look at me, and laughed at every gesture I made. Quite a weird feeling - It feels like I am either a smart monkey with people laughing at everything I do, or I just landed from outer space.

Late the same day I was lucky to board a big Chinese built ship for the 24 hour ride on the Irrawaddy river back to Mandalay. I booked into a first class cabin and luckily I had the cabin to myself. Had a good night sleep and the rest of the time I entertained some locals in my cabin. At times my cabin was filled with locals as I told them stories about life in the West. We all had a good time and finished off a bottle of local rum (which costs me less than US$1). Talking about the political situation in Mynamar is a no-no but I enjoyed criticizing the Military junta of Myanmar. Locals are NOT allowed to criticize the junta as this would land them in jail.

I arrived safely in Mandalay, stayed another day, and then boarded another ferry for a 12 hour ride to the town of Bagan. Here I stayed for 3 days to explore the 2500+ ancient (1000-year old) temples and stupas, visited Mnt. Popa (climbed to the top), and then flew back to Yangon for my connecting flight to Bangkok. From here I am flying to Chiang Rai in northern Thailand on Monday, August 7th.

I had a wonderful time in Myanmar! The people are incredibly friendly and the food is excellent!

Tata (Burmese for "bye-bye")