Rains of (Burma)
June 20, 2018
Testing a waterproof phone in Burma
Knowing tribes and people (Vietnam)
June 9, 2018
There is a Quranic verse that speaks to my heart. We made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Nothing makes me more happy
Saigon, April 1975 (Vietnam)
April 30, 2018
I often hear the distinctive sound of Chinooks here in Singapore. The twin-rotor sound, especially in this hot April, always reminds me of the last
The newcomer (Vietnam)
April 22, 2018
“I hope this hasn’t got anything to do with what happened at Kodenmacho,” blurted out her father. “What do you mean?” Naho asked. “Haven’t you seen
Came for the ghost, stayed for the view (Vietnam)
January 14, 2018
Trang figured that a friendly welcome for me would be to explore a mostly abandoned building to look for ghosts. Along the narrow corridors, we
A new Korean idol (Vietnam)
November 30, 2017
If you were near Saigon airport last night, you may have heard two sets of teenage screams, about 20 minutes apart. The second one - the louder and
もったいない, do not waste (Singapore)
October 26, 2017
In our Japan, there is a word and the philosophy of もったいない, mottainai — meaning “don’t waste”. It is actually hard to fix things these days with
Best time in a city’s life (Cambodia)
October 23, 2017
I like Phnom Penh for the diversity of food available at good prices. For example, we ate at an Ethiopian restaurant here and it was about 14 USD. A
The best camera (Japan)
September 17, 2017
An old raincoat won’t ever let you down. I am a big fan of this camera - inconspicuous, pocketable, and yet lovely colors. And a fan
Always wander into that alley (Vietnam)
August 17, 2017
In my stays in Saigon in the early 2010s, I sometimes ate at a street noodle cart near the backpacker area of Pham Ngủ Lau. The seller was kind to
The che seller in downtown Saigon (Vietnam)
July 30, 2017
The Chinese style dessert seller at 31 Nguyen Thai Binh, mixing up a Che - Vietnamesedessert - is a joy to watch. Don’t know how to speak
The art of traveling light
May 30, 2017
Last week in Singapore, I shared how I travel with just half a bag. At most, I carry two changes of clothes (in addition to what I’m wearing). My
All you have to do is exist (Vietnam)
May 9, 2017
Sometimes, all you had to do was exist in order to be someone’s saviour. I always recall the above line from a Japanese novel when I met the chè
A face in the crowd (Vietnam)
December 16, 2016
It’s December, and it’s cold late at night in Hanoi. The skewer shop is a welcome stopover — you can warm your hands while they get your stuff
I will defect in a hurry (China)
August 2, 2016
I will offer no resistance and defect, as long as they promise to bring the cuisine along
A dead drop in Saigon (Vietnam)
July 24, 2016
In which my Airbnb host is perhaps a secret agent. I forgot my phone adapter and she found an unique place to hide
Takoyaki laments (Vietnam)
May 26, 2016
You are born of flour and octopus bits. You start as a shapeless dollop; she keeps prodding you, turning you round and shaping you. You are so happy
The cutest bookseller in the world (Burma)
May 4, 2016
Part of my heart is left behind in Rangoon, across from Scott’s Market on Montgomery Street. This is where I met the cute bookseller. Every time I
Down by the Mekong Delta (Vietnam)
April 12, 2016
Everything burns during the day in the Mekong delta. I spend that time sleeping. At night, it’s cooler. I walk to the river. The breeze carries the
Exploring ethnic enclaves in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
March 1, 2016
My hobby is exploring ethnic enclaves in the cities I frequent. Sometimes I post my repeat visits to the enclaves on local travel forums/meetups,
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