Bangkok Week 446

January 12, 2017

First week of the year in Bangkok. Can we stay awake?

Our first dinner back in Bangkok: eat at 5pm, and go promptly to sleep!

Secret Santa lottery at a bbq dinner the next night.

Great view of a night market from the rooftop of this shophouse.

An enterprising bird made his next in the middle of this giant lamp.

Chilli fish from the veggie seller in Chula food court! Yum!

Get your ducks here!

Belated birthday dinner from mum and dad. Thanks!

Great message on their placemats...

The birthday feast continues at lunch the next day.

Time for my annual hair cut!

The result: a nice trim.

Home-made hummus for dinner!

The colourful result; and the cutting board makes its debut.

The view from my office for the next 6 months.

DAIRY QUEEN THAILAND FINALLY HAS MIIIIIINT BLIZZARDS!

Ladies' Parking at Central Westgate!

Christmas 2016 - Week 3

January 5, 2017

Happy 2017!

Up close and personal with the Tesla Model X at Yorkdale Mall.

Then it's on to the caves of Turkey for lunch.

Delicious Turkish "pizza".

Having a laugh over our new favourite Russian driver.

Another round of cards with Grandma.

The final few seconds of light at Honest Ed's, on New Years Eve.

Delicious home-made French onion soup to ring in the new year.

We had beautiful weather on New Year's Day to guide our ride to Bracebridge.

Blue skies and powdered snow. Real winter!

The skies were blue over Bracebridge, too!

Colby looks thrilled to be held like that.

We're off to see Granny!

Granny was happy to have visitors that day.

So many visitors!

Something was funny!

Stylish Granny!

Looking closely at her new quilt.

Colby was very eager to see Granny, too.

Attentive and alert.

Annual hat photo!

Then she tried on *all* the hats!

Safeguarding the quilt from all the thieves in the Pines.

Taking another peak at the quilt.

Saying good-bye to Colby.

A thatched sky over the Pines as we left.

Sun is setting as we head back to Toronto.

Having a laugh at some photos - perhaps of Granny?

The award-winning central staircase at the YMCA.

Good-bye, Y. 7 visits during our 2-week free trial is not bad.

Classy tree outside the Gardner Museum.

An ice frame outside the ROM.

Naomi & Mike are still listed as donors at the Conservatory.

Nice renovations at the conservatory.

Trying a new Korean restaurant for lunch. Not bad, but the rice wasn't as crispy as Tofu Village.

Can't complain for an $8 lunch special!

Who knew this sofa seats 3!?

The Last Supper, with the Toronto Tomczaks.

Mum and daughters.

The serious wine drinkers.

Look at all the cookies and tarts that Jasmine made!

Looks just like the earlier picture, with one swap!

Our final lunch in T.O. was a big one!

Swanky new check-in area for VIP flyers. Might be our last time using it!

Mum's thrilled to see us go.

And dad has something in his eye.

One last hurrah - celery sticks! Something you don't find in SEA!

They've redone the interior of the 777s! Bonus!

Beautiful view of the Zagros mountains in Iran, on our approach to Dubai.

More mountains.

Our flight path. We did go decently far North - straight over Iceland.

A quick stop in Dubai...

... and we're finally on our last leg to Bangkok.

It's the Burj Khalifa in the distance!!

Getting my zzz's.

Looks like they brought in all the cranes overnight, to begin construction on the Suvarnabhumi expansion.

Had to tend to our poor plant as soon as we got home.

Here's our breakfast loot! This should last us until February ;)

Christmas 2016 - Week 2

December 29, 2016

Merry Christmas 2016, everyone!

It's Colby! And we're off to see Granny.

Granny seems happy to see us. Or at least my hat.

We brought her some shortbread cookies. Too bad she had no teeth.

At least one of us was looking at the camera.

Colby knows who she can trust.

Granny's all ready for Christmas.

Buckled in for the long ride down to Toronto.

The next morning, Colby enjoys checking out the croissant crumbs.

Oh no! Shh, don't tell anyone!

A leg-less Colby waits patiently for Chris at the bottom of the stairs.

Who's coming?

Hard to believe, but it's Honest Ed's final week!

Looking quite picked over inside.

They're selling everything - including the signs.

Soon, this view will be gone.

Colby wonders what she's doing.

A meta-moment!

Who's over there?

Best Christmas sweater ever, hand-knit (and bedazzled) by Erika.

Looking closely at Chris's new soaps.

Colby has recently taken up an interest in logo design.

The shared mystery gift from Thailand.

It's a mat! Now, where to put it?

Colby's not really into gift exchanges.

Mum's favourite Thai snack: chicken legs!

The next morning... it's stocking time!

And then dad made happy waffles for breakfast, as a throwback to the good ol' days.

Colby's also taken an interest in twitter.

Out for a nice long Christmas day walk.

Modeling the sweater in day light.

Don't miss the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree on the back!

The table's set...

... and the feast is made!

Mother and son, in matching Christmas Crowns.

Two of our Christmas guests.

Colby is in a state of shock from all the guests and food.

Time for everyone's favourite part of Christmas - the gift exchange!

Grandma is thrilled to have received a HUGE box of Godiva chocolates from Henry & Robert.

Robert hangs out with his new BFF.

Enjoying the gag gift.

Checking out Grandma's new quilt.

Grandma's polite son poses for the picture as nicely as she is.

Colby wonders what all this fuss is about!

The peanut gallery off to the side.

A boxing day bus trip up to Bracebridge.

To visit Granny, who wants nothing to do with Christmas.

Granny wants nothing to do with these flannel PJs.

Back at Chris's condo, Colby is suddenly friendly to me - is it because I have a clementine?

Colby came, made the bed, and left.

Still deciding whether or not she wants to spend the night.

Who's the rascal?

A grey day over Bracebridge - but still a great view from Chris's balcony.

Time for the annual cottage trek.

Colby is trying not to break through the icy snow.

Too cold to walk by herself!

It's an ugly lake this year!

Three generations!

Concerned about the drive back.

Tasty -- but huge -- lunch at Bracebridge's latest burger joint.

Trying our luck with Granny once more.

Delicious Bibimbap, with more crispy rice than I could've imagined. Delish!

These two look like happy campers as well.

Finally getting to see Jasmine & Julia!

It's very hard to decide...

... which of the many delicious Purdy's chocolates to try!

Taking his time.

And finally, we get to try our tastebuds at Hogtown Vegan!

The buffalo chicken wings get two thumbs up!

Philly cheese steak!

A grey day ends with some surprising blue sky.

Blue sky *and* sun over Bloor!

Christmas 2016 - Week 1

December 22, 2016

A packed first week in Toronto!

We land in Toronto just in time to celebrate Dad's birthday.

Happy Birthday! It's a chocolate curling stone!

Decadent 4-layer chocolate cake by Erika.

Wide-angle shot; a.k.a. playing with the Gimbal!

Christmas came early for someone!

Looks cozy!

A Saturday morning visit to Wychwoord Barns.

Lots of home-made goodies that you can't find in SEA!

What's up there?

New Isaan restaurant coming soon, to the Junction near you!

But for now, we'll lunch at the Purple Onion diner instead.

And then enjoy a home-made Mac'n'Cheese feast for dinner!

Now our holidays are complete!

Working on some photos in the fridge.

Down on Queen Street, winter is happening in full-force.

Watching his Sunday afternoon football... in the fridge.

Setting out to work on the largest crossword puzzle that the NYT has ever published.

Looks like a cold day!

Indeed! A cold day on Euclid!

Why are we heading out on such a cold day?

Robert and Henry's living room is like a Christmas Oasis!

Very festive!

The delicious buffet that Robert put together for us.

Matching crowns - although one is obscured.

Square-dancing with Santa.

Mum in her Christmas Bling.

Two kinds of purple eggplant!

A pre-Christmas visit with Grandma.

Looks pretty cold outside Grandma's window!

Playing cards...

... still got the skillz!

At Costco, if your birthday is around Christmas, expect a Christmas cake!

A great Christmas Present from Henry and Robert - tickets to "Come from Away".

Aren't we lucky to have gotten seats to the sold-out show.

By comparison, Lola isn't having such a great night.

"Leave me in peace!"

Braving the cold to go to the YMCA!

The Eaton Centre deer moved places this year.

It was a bad, bad idea to go during lunch time on the 22nd!

Bathurst Station all dolled up in a tribute to Honest Ed's.

Uh oh. The Candy Crush itch is back.

Chinese food!

And now for Act Two - Matilda!

Laughing at Toronto Zoo's resident pandas enjoying the snow.

A delicious middle-eastern lunch.

Someone is psyched.

And a scrumptious Korean dinner. What more could I ask for?

Food-and-cold coma!

Barely a day in Seoul

December 16, 2016

Somehow, a 9-hour layover shrank into a 3-hour pop into Seoul.

Redeeming a credit card promotion - free ice cream!

The snazzy EVA lounge in Bangkok.

The snazzy lounge even serves whole coconuts.

Retro business class on Asiana. Can't complain, I suppose.

No idea how to control this seat. Stellar design.

One flight delay, immigration queues, and a 1-hr train ride later, we made it to Seoul!

An awesome graphic. Two grey ladies on the left: one cheering them her on, one afraid; and a man preparing to do gangnam style.

We made it to the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the building designed by Zaha Hadid.

It's a giant blob of a building, completed in 2014 (after we were last in Seoul).

When they were excavating, they found remains of the former Seoul City Wall, constructed in the 1390s to defend Seoul against invaders.

Giant and curvaceous.

Lots of outdoor space - perfect for another season!

At least the underbelly is sheltered.

You can peek up to the outside city from below.

There was a sculpture exhibit going on as well.

The spiral staircase inside.

Top floor gallery and open space.

Giant grassy ramp, all the way back down to street level.

Tiny people below.

More exhibits as part of the sculpture exhibit.

Malls and department stores peeking out from behind.

Mr. Big Ears.

Mimicking Mr. Big Ears.

Very cool zig-zaggy stairs as part of the spiral staircase.

Very graphic (and yet confusing) sign on the door -- not part of an exhibit.

Half the complex is design shops. These had some neat products, like these festive lamps.

And this table.

And this very cool tanker truck.

Big open space for sellers of both local and famous international design brands.

Few windows in the giant blob though.

Forgot my pants!

Patriotism outside the DDP.

A Christmas Tree decorated with shampoo bottles.

The region is actually a bit hilly!

Bending over backward.

This is a shop on the platform of a subway station. You need it? He has it!

Prince Hotel: where we stayed for a night when we passed through Seoul in 2013.

The famous Myeong-Dong shopping district.

A massive green wall.

The talking clam is all dressed up for Christmas!

Stopping for our favorite street food snacks - chewy, warm, sweet pancakes.

Interesting building. Can't complain about the weather we had!

A bit suspicious of these recommendations for foreigners?

Smash these cookies with a hammer! Go on, smash 'em!

Cutesy cute cupcakes.

Very good!

And a one-hour train ride later, we're back at the airport and ready to move on.

Can't complain about our seats!

Au revoir, Incheon International Airport!

And a great view of Incheondaegyo, the 21.3km cable stay bridge.

My appetizer - can't complain.

And someone else's Asian feast!

Slept like a log for the remaining 10 hours of the flight.

We must be approaching Toronto!

I see the lake! Hello, Toronto!

Bangkok Week 442

December 15, 2016

A weekend with the doggies.

Trying my hand at the power washer.

And time for the rinse.

Namtan has found a new favorite vantage point - the car hood.

New landscaping in the back yard!

Look at all the cute little jack fruit.

Delicious dinner time!

That looks like a comfortable sleeping position.

Namtan's new favorite form of entertainment is Maruay.

See where Namtan's head is?

That's right. His entire head is inside Maruay's mouth.

Nibble nibble nibble!

Namtan fends off the enemy.

"Help!"

Pausing before round 2.

The three amigos.

Let's go again!

Namtan's balance is noteworthy.

It's a cat with a dog's head!

Maruay ponders picking up the entire cat.

Slap-slap-slap.

Maruay's not sure how Namtan's entire bowl got into his mouth.

The next morning, Namwan has slept well...

... but Maruay is feeling tired for some reason.

Gee, that's a long way down from up here.

Squashed by a lab.

Don't do it, Maruay!

We're ready to go shopping now.

Another night, another feast!

What's that?

And that?

And who are you?

Annndddd... here we go again!

Ouch. That's an ear.

Pinned to the floor.

'Tis the season in the store!

Bye bye! See you next year!

The blankets are looking great! Can't wait to bring these.

His newest toy!

Bangkok Week 441

December 8, 2016

It's Baby It!

Baby It came over to help decorate the tree.

He made himself at home in no time.

Making faces for the camera.

Intriegued by the color-changing ball.

Group shot!

Reading us a book.

The finished product (before we added the lights).

A meter of cookies!!!

Oh yeah? Bite me.

Someone's eyes were bigger than his stomach when he made this ramen.

Taking my birthday gift for a quick overnight spin to Singapore.

Okay, this gingerbread-house-in-hotel-lobby is a little more my speed.

Bangkok Week 440

December 1, 2016

A bit of a change this week - old friends, old cities.

Tuesday night dinner with Noi and Kin, who are visiting from Melbourne.

An uninvited guest snuck into our taxi on the way back.

The "delicious" meal I was served on the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

After so long, what a Saigon welcome!

It's a ball bearing Christmas tree in the hotel lobby.

Is this a thing? Life-sized gingerbread houses in hotel lobbies!?

This one had some unique detailing...

Peek-a-boo. Rudolph is trying not to get eaten.

Great view of a ship dry-docking in the Saigon River.

Umm... slightly overloaded?

Bangkok Week 439

November 24, 2016

Slowly getting into the holiday spirit elsewhere in SEA, too.

Spotted these unique flip-flops at Manila airport security.

Trying a new Italian restaurant and wine bar in Ari.

They make it look like they have a decent wine selection, anyway.

Cheers!

My new shoes! (My large shoes!)

Back at the airport: not sure if this group was checking enough surf boards!

Flying the A350, this time in daylight. A little brighter.

Ouch. My teeth hurt just looking at this sign.

Our Singapore office has gotten into the Christmas spirit.

All I need to feel comfortably at home: Coffee, cookies, chocolate, and enough water for a small army.

Not long ago, this was an unobstructed view!

Bangkok Week 438

November 17, 2016

Singapore, Bangkok, Singapore, Manila. Just pushing the limits of Southeast Asian travel.

Who's that plane in the zorro mask? Why it's Thai's A350!

Economy interior very similar to its 787.

Large sink and usable counter space in the bathroom.

Visible rays of light burst out over west Bangkok.

It's holiday cookie time!

Tagoto, the Japanese restaurant at MBK, has opened a new Bekery.

Good morning, Singapore. What a port!

Sweeping view.

Look what SQ has started serving on its flights to Manila!

Christmas is in full swing in Manila!

Complete with a life-sized REAL gingerbread house!

See? Real gingerbread.

The hotel, however, is from another era. When they had facsimiles.

Wait, they still have a facsimile in every room.

There it is!

Bangkok Week 437

November 10, 2016

A hodgepodge of a week... that culminated in tragedy.

Trying my arms at a new free weight exercise. That'll require some work!

Delicious veggie noodle soup from MBK.

Umm... this is one powerful magnifying glass. It's able to move sub-continents!

Singapore: where you overshoot the entire country when coming in for the approach.

An amusingly graphic warning sign in Singapore.

Beautiful sunset over the island country.

Tragedy in the early stages of formation.

We need some comfort donuts.

How cute! The office in Singapore provides our colleagues personal thermos lunches on Friday.

Meanwhile, back in Ari, we have rock climbers practicing at our condo.

Maruay's twin is taking a break from policing the BTS!

Bangkok Week 436

November 3, 2016

A final meal for Vegetarian October - and then its off to Manila!

Vegetarian donburi at MBK.

And veggie sushi. Not stellar, but the last restaurant in town serving October veggie.

Umm... what type of ear phones?

Off to Manila, in my mourning suit.

Approaching Manila.

Is that solar?

Still approaching Manila.

This turned into a 35-min final approach.

The posh part of town.

Meanwhile, back in Bangkok - the condo next to ours has taken a stance against Airbnb!

Bangkok Week 435

October 27, 2016

A long-weekend with my three favorite Thai dogs!

Namtan is great at finding awkward ways to sleep.

Doesn't that look comfortable?

Spotted!

One can always entertain a cat with a string.

Namtan is wondering why his bed is suddenly less stable.

Uh oh! Mom's new favorite pet!

Posing with my furry brothers.

Maruay's wondering how he can sleep with this thing on his blanket.

Say cheese, Maruay.

The result.

He knows he's off to no place good!

"This can't be good, Dad."

Trying to look on the bright side of a doctor's visit.

Initial inspection by Khun Mor.

Namwan's just along for the ride.

Look! They sell iPhone 7 in Trat!

It's suspiciously quiet for Namtan.

Not sure if he's into this whole "lap dog" thing.

Entertaining himself with a leaf.

New toy for washing the car!

No need for soap! Just apply the miracle spray!

"I'm free at last!"

"Now let me run to eat grass!"

Comforting his brother on the well-earned ride home.

"Huh?"

Amazing Maruay has found a way to block 3 access points within the store.

I see. He doesn't like me; he likes my feet.

Cat in a basket! Now how to get down?

Look at all those papayas up there!

And all those young chompoo.

Over there!!

Father and son.

20,000 kilometers! Only!

And on a different note: pistachio pizza in Singapore. Surprisingly good.

Bangkok Week 434

October 20, 2016

I finally returned to Bangkok, only to be spoiled with all sorts of unnecessary birthday treats!

Guess who got his Canadian visa while I was away!? YAY!

He got me a neon Blizzard cake!

Thank you for the great belated birthday!

A one-year subscription to Business Traveller. Time to geek out!

The cutest, funniest book of animal cartoons ever!

Swanky new overnight bag, designed and made in Thailand. The bottom is a used innertube!

Whoops. Succumbed to the jetlag.

Spent 3 hours on Tuesday renewing my drivers license... 1 hour of which included watching this "safety video".

Et voila - the fruit of my labor. Good thru October 2022!

Egads! She's got something on her face!

He must own this 7-Eleven.

J week is still in full swing at one Japanese restaurant in MBK!

Fully vegetarian - yum!

Fully Japanese?

Toronto in the fall!

October 15, 2016

Lucky enough to have 3 days in Toronto on my "way back" to Bangkok.

Sunlight reflecting off the green leaves outside. Something we don't see in December!

Crackers and cheese for lunch. I must've arrived at Euclid!

Green trees, blue sky. What a treat!

Hello up there, in the third floor window!

The green view from Grandma's window.

"It develops right away?" And other forays into selfies.

A $55 ice cream cake to celebrate the Blue Jays' spot in the playoffs!

Enjoying their BR together.

Making sure all the appointments are in order.

Our plant is everywhere! Including engaging in questionable relations with a scarecrow.

Blue skies over downtown Toronto!

Mum's super-excited by the new store in town!

The MARS building is looking great under the fall light.

I'm not the only one stopping to photograph the red trees!

Edward VII and his horse are enjoying the fall weather, too.

A nice mix of greens, yellows...

... and reds.

I'd say that's a fairly odd mural.

Which apples shall we pick? Let's go for the mushiest ones.

Mauray on a garage door!

Didn't know cabbage belongs in a vase.

Freshly baked mac & cheese. What could be better?

This key lime cheesecake by Erika!

Blue sky is still here the next morning, for our drive to Bracebridge.

Ominous clouds?

Great colors along the entire drive north!

Great view.

Like straight out of a painting. Except for the jersey barrier in the foreground.

Stopping in Gravenhurst for donuts "for Granny".

I can see why they make this a regular stop along the drive!

Earless Colby doesn't seem so thrilled to see me!

"Help!"

What a picturesque view from Chris's balcony!

It should stay like this year-round.

And Colby gets stepped on yet again.

Donuts for all!

Could've guessed we'd end up here for lunch!

Granny was in a good mood, and very pleased for the donut!

And she found this pumpkin particularly heavy.

What a hoot!

A slightly more poised photo.

A nice portrait of Granny, her daughter, and son-in-law.

Blue skies on the way to the cottage.

Wow, you can't make up these colors!

Like straight out of a painting.

The small lakes are particularly picturesque, with trees in the foreground and background.

Happy little trees.

The other small lake.

Colors galore.

Here's the cottage! Looks like there aren't any leaves left *on* the trees!

The "new" dock, and McKay Lake's colors.

Despite the colors being in the shadow, the clouds are still impressive.

Looking left.

Nah, still lots of leaves left *on* the trees!

Here's what's left of the tree that fell.

Mr. Mulcher is doing his duty.

It's our chubby friend, Mr. Chippy!

Not sure what to do with this chestnut!

The sunflower seeds are much more interesting.

Stuffing your cheeks is always flattering.

Back for another round - straight from the hand who feeds him.

Can't say he's a shy chippy!

More seeds!

"You lookin' at me?"

"Nom-nom-nom."

"Um, I'm getting kinda stuffed, here."

"So. Many. Seeds."

"I think I'm stuck."

Tea-and-donut time back at Chris's.

No trip to Toronto is complete without a hearty dinner in Chinatown!

The next morning, a refreshing trip out to the Islands.

I guess I've gotten lucky with the weather this trip!

Hello, Asia.

The great, ever-evolving Toronto skyline.

Trees are changing on the island, too.

A very nicely designed modern house overlooking the mainland.

The beach on Ward's Island.

Water's too cool to swim today!

Wow, it's sunglass weather!

The beautiful boardwalk along the south-eastern edge of the island.

Mum photographed ever berry on the island.

These palm trees were lying down to hibernate for the winter.

Canada geese, having one last conference before heading out for the winter.

Catching up with my buddy, Franklin. It had been a while.

Mum wanted to see what Bear was up to.

Dad and Otter, just hanging out and stretching their hamstrings together.

Nice reflection of the CN Tower in the still waters of Long Pond.

Then we found a pig! Pinky was her name.

The cow came over to see how Pinky made it to the other side of the fence.

Pinky was awfully dusty. And bristly.

Lounging with my new friends on a Muskoka chair I've yet to grow into.

Enjoying the artwork overhead, over lunch.

The Queen City Yacht Club.

For now, the CN Tower is still visible through the skyline!

The sun sets (after 6:30pm!) over Bloor Street.

Ah ,yes, now my visit to Toronto is complete.

Happy to see me go!

Umm...

One sad, one happy. See you in fewer than 2 months!

I'm seen off by a beautiful sunrise over Toronto and Lake Ontario!

Chicago-Philly-Boston!

October 11, 2016

A whirlwind 6-day tour of Chicago, Philly, and Boston -- 5 of those days for work.

ANA not only gives slippers, but also a shoe horn (and a pouch for the slippers). How Japanese!

Sunrise over the farmlands outside of Bangkok.

The business class of ANA's 777-200 is, well, a bit dated.

The approach to Narita - Japanese farmland looks different than Thai farmland!

In the lounge: hope you weren't in a hurry to print!

The comfy cabin of ANA's 777-300: buckle in for the 11.5-hr flight to Chicago!

Amazing presentation. Looks like an Indian food court meal.

Hello, Chicago!

The Peninsula Chicago: far and away the best hotel I've ever stayed at! Unrivaled attention to detail.

A few hours of daylight left - let's explore Chicago!

The Wrigley Building, completed in 1924.

Looking down the Chicago River, Trump Hotel on the right.

Looking back across the river, Wrigley Building still looking great.

How picturesque!

Found the giant bean! Turns out it's actually called Cloud Gate.

It's been there for 10 years now!

The bean, by Anish Kapoor, is made up of 168 highly polished stainless steel plates welded together, so there are no visible seams. So cool!

Up close, it ain't so blemish-free.

Looking back at the skyline from Grant Park.

A very cool playground in Grant Park.

Lake Michigan!

And the boats of the Chicago Yacht Club.

Canada geese enjoying the sunset. No need to migrate!

Long shadows of patient tourists waiting to cross Lake Shore Drive. (Do all cities-on-great-lakes have one?)

Buckingham Fountain - which was cordoned off, in preparation for the Chicago Marathon.

Looking north, over the tracks.

Chicago feels like a clean NYC!

The L!

The L is fascinating! Too bad I didn't ride it.

Stumbled upon the Chicago Theater, open since 1921.

What a picturesque marquee!

The city looks great at night, too!

Marina Towers: two truly peculiar buildings - where cars park on the edge!

The city is really well-lit at night! Highlights the grand old buildings.

Returned to the hotel to find that the housekeeper had tied up my headphones.

BCG Chicago: a beautiful office in the clouds.

My office for the day - can't complain!

Overlooking the fork in the river.

The office's swanky new snack area.

Evening rush hour!

Reunion dinner with (former) BCGers now at Kellogg.

The dinner was a bit too late in the evening for some of us who'd just flown in, though.

Nicer weather the next day!

Chicago: flat as a pancake.

Nope, still can't beat the jet lag!

Chicago's famous deep-dish! The only drawback: it takes an hour to prepare!

Good morning from the city of brotherly love! This is Logan Square, perhaps better renamed Logan Circle.

The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul.

Thank you, team, for remembering!

What are the odds? 2 birthdays among our team of 5, during this 5-day trip.

A quick visit to Logan Square before dashing off.

Looking down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

The grainy cathedral.

We made it! End of Day 5 in Boston!

Time for some refreshing exploration of Boston!

Blue skies over the financial district.

The massive Rowes Wharf.

More perfect fall weather!

The backside of the aquarium.

Someone at the Parks Department has a sense of humor.

The wharf in front of the aquarium.

View from the Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park.

Blue but chilly!

Not quite fall foliage season here yet.

Quincy Market not quite open yet.

A few shops in Faneuil Hall were open...

... like this souvenir shop selling tribute shirts for Big Papi...

... and this cafe, which sells muffin tops!!

A narrow escape.

Exchange Place, the home of our Boston office.

These lucky ducks have a pretty nice view!

Overlooking the North End and East Boston.

The Paramount Theater is looking pretty good since its reopening in 2010.

A bit more fall foliage in Boston Common.

Great day to be out with the family!

Beautiful colors!

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

And a carousel - I don't remember this having always been here!

Plenty of roses in bloom at Boston Public Garden.

The garden is as beautiful as ever!

Make way for ducklings!

More picturesque park.

All the squirrels were out, preparing their steals for winter.

George Washington - who also just made an appearance on The Simpsons.

No swan boats at this time of year.

The willows are weeping at the prospect of winter.

That same writer at the Parks Department is at it again.

State House.

Park Street Church.

And a final view of downtown Boston, because...

... we're off to Cambridge!

The eyesore of a new building on MIT's campus.

The good ol' Metropolitan storage building, which apparently closed last year!

Things still look the same!

MIT is celebrating 100 years in this location this year!

Looking along Mem Drive.

Famous shot.

Half way to hell, indeed.

Had never noticed this plaque at the start of the Harvard Bridge before.

This local was sunning himself on the docks of the Charles River.

Looks pretty content with his back to the view.

Hello over there, MIT.

Trying not to block MIT with my head.

Panorama from the Harvard Bridge.

Recognizable view!

What a perfectly clear day for a visit!

This was the best I could do. Seriously have to work on my selfie skillz.

The Green Building is still not green.

Bunny spotting!

Two new food trucks!

Have they renamed Kendall Square?

The Stata Center is still holding up.

Acorns galore!

No wonder the squirrels are so happy!

Athena terminals still exist! I wonder if students still use them though!

Infinite Corridor looks the same.

As does Lobby 10.

Pano of 77 Mass Ave, with banners highlighting key events of the past 100 years.

100 years at 77.

Down in Pappalardo, some evidence that I left at a good time. Like these customized chocolates.

And these customized beaver hard hats.

Woody with Boon - a photo we took in 2006!

With Steve - truly a trooper!

With Santa -- I mean David.

Hey, I'm still on the wall, 9 years later!

Central Square still looks the same.

The hardware store is still there.

Halloween must be coming!

Here's our City Hall!

The moon rises over Central Square.

Rodney's Bookstore.

Pumpkins and boxes.

Hmm. Cross-cultural bagels.

Really scary kiwis!

Bye-bye, Boston! It's been fun! Onward and northward!

Bangkok Week 432

October 4, 2016

The rest of Chiang Mai, and J week back in Bangkok.

Lovely view of Doi Suthep to start the day.

And finish off the morning with Mickey Mouse pancakes.

My costume for that evening's affairs.

Complete with 80s hair.

80s aerobics: mission complete.

Some translation confusion at Chiang Mai airport. Does everything translate to "Caution"?

Farewell, Chiang Mai and Doi Suthep.

Hello Bangkok, Wat Dharmmakaya, and what I surmise is a failed housing development.

No shortage of housing developments here.

It's our favourite J-food at HK Noodle!

The best annual tradition.

Red pork buns! Yum!

Back in Ari, the vendors are vegetarian!

And so are the soup sellers in MBK.

What a treat.

Even the Thai Airways lounge has a dedicated J section.

Extra veg in the food court opposite my office.

Look appetising?

Our final dinner: seasonal veg food at an Isaan place.

Colourful and meat-free!

Bangkok Week 431

September 29, 2016

Singapore, Bangkok, and closing out the week in Chiang Mai for our annual offsite. To be continued next week...

A very picturesque sunrise over Singapore.

Spotted a fox getting off the BTS.

These socks make you sensitive and refined!

Hello, Chiang Mai! The weather is considerably more clear than when we were here in March!

Sun set over Doi Suthep.

Fancy Thai dinner with my team, to celebrate the end of the project.

My team!

A wonderful performance by ladies from all 5 offices.

And the BCG house band, Elevator Pitch.

Lots of Bangkok folk in the band.

A break-out performance for many.

My team again. Looks like I forgot to dress the part.

Bangkok Week 430

September 22, 2016

In Bangkok... for dinners!

We made tom yum soup from scratch!

The tiniest bottle of tabasco sauce. Too cute to use!

Fried eggs or pancakes?

Taking the most direct route back to Bangkok.

Home for dinner on a Wednesday!

What kind of moth is this??

Disco taxi!

Bangkok Week 429

September 15, 2016

Three cities; Bangkok takes the cake for its expensive fruit!

The view of Marina Bay is getting more and more difficult to see with each visit to Singapore.

Somehow, on an otherwise crowded flight back to Bangkok, I have the whole first row to myself.

Crowds make it impossible to take the airport link!

Let the teabag rest for 30 seconds. It deserves a break.

Peaches, for THB 669 (USD 19) a kilo!

But wait, there's more. Apricots for USD 30/kilo!

The brand new Westin in Jakarta - open for less than 2 weeks.

A brand new view from my window.

And a view of a shopping mall, sports complex, university, and more.

A Jakarta you never knew existed.