Uh, Oh. Now you did it. Clicking on a link that you had no idea of where you’d be taken brought you here, to our rambling pages. You can quickly escape (for both the smart and faint of heart) by using any of the links above; otherwise be prepared for numerous pages about the company, me, my views and experiences, travels . . . and just to prove I know it’s not all about me, some friends, acquaintances and even customers.

An Ambassador To The World, Or How To Deduct World Travel On Your Taxes
I took my first trip out of the country (I don’t count border towns in Mexico) about 35 years ago. Went to Tahiti and Bora Bora. Loved it. Not just the place, but the whole idea of long plane fights to distant and exotic lands. New people, new locales, new food, new language . . . there’s a whole world out there to explore and I’m planning on seeing all of it.

And I’m doing it on our government’s dollar. Sort of. Yep, because I pick up many of the materials I use in creating our line of products while visiting foreign lands, I get to deduct the trips from my taxes as a business expense. The government loves me for this, no doubt. I know the customs agents at the airport just love seeing me coming. I usually get to spend a few hours with them as they search through my luggage trying to find unclaimed goods. No such luck. I report it all since the duty is so damn cheap anyway!

Several years ago I began writing a diary/travelog while on my trips and always wanted an excuse to put them on the web. Now I have one. Pure selfishness. But, you, dear reader, can benefit too. These little tales will give you an idea of the lands I visit; I do “color” rather than details. If you plan on visiting one of these places, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect (something travel guide books sorely lack) and will find numerous tips to make your trip more enjoyable. What you won’t find is boring lists of museums and tourist traps, hotels, and restaurants. I’ll share some of that with you, but part of the joy of travelling is finding that cool little restaurant, inn, or bar on your own. And if you’ve already been to one of the places I write about, it’ll bring a smile to your face as you remember your time there (or a frown when you realize how much you missed).

I guess, before I begin, I need to tell you a bit more about myself. I’m 50 or so, a single guy, love to party and have a good time and generally find people a decade or two younger than me to be more fun than my contemporaries. ‘Course that’s a generalization: I’ve run across 60 year old folk who are a hoot, too. I’m not a backpacker nor do I think the best way to meet the real people of a distant land is by staying in their home. I tend toward 3 & 4 star hotels and splurge frequently on expensive meals. My idea of a good trip is living comfortably during the stay and not pinch pennies . . . so forget tips on long bus routes, I take cabs; no “scenic” 5 hour train rides, I fly; and, no “best places to eat under $2”, I’d find a McDonald’s first and would rather drop $20 on a memorable meal.

Over the last few years, I’ve been to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Phuket (no, not during the tsunami), and Bali. I’m not going to transcribe past travelogs but will, here in a minute, provide some memories of these places. Then I’ll ramble off on some other subjects before coming back to my travels again. To better help those using these pages as a guide book, of sorts, I’ll tell you a funny story or observation here and there and then if you want more on that country or city there’ll be a link where you can take off for further tales of that city. Otherwise these rambling pages would have dozen of entries all on one page and you’d have to click like hell to get to a new place or subject. See, I’m thinking of your welfare and have your best interests at heart. That it’ll be easier for me to organize these pages that way is but a minor point.

So on we go . . .

The Land Of Smiles, Or Quick, Smile So No One Thinks You Made That Smell
Ahhhh Thailand, the sights, the smells . . . hey, what the hell is that smell? If you’re asking, it means you’ve just landed in Bangkok, capital of the Kingdom, home to a few million Thais, and also home to what can only be called the essence of Bangkok. A memorable odor that will stay with you for weeks. Some find it terribly off putting, but then if you’ve ever experienced walking past an open meat market stall in Kowloon, Bangkok smells as sweet as a rose.

The smell, to get it out of the way, is a mixture of the city’s divergent odors. The sweet perfume of plumeria, the heady scent of incense from the thousands of shrines and temples, the reek of the river and canals that form an important part of the city’s transportation system (as well as a major part of its sewer system), the aroma of street side cooking on every block, and the fragrance typical of a bustling Asian City. Take a strong whiff, inhale and embrace it. It will be with you for your entire trip so make friends with it now . . . no one appreciates the American tourist cringing behind a handkerchief looking at everyone as if they just passed gas.

As negative as this sounds for an introduction to the Land of Smiles, I have to tell you I’ve been there dozens of times, go at least twice a year, and use Bangkok as a base for travelling around Asia. The food alone is worth the visit. And there just ain’t no place with nicer people than Thailand.

If you haven’t been there yet, go. If you’re planning a trip, here are few tips. No. 1: It’s hot. Doesn’t matter when or where you go, it’s hot. No. 2: It’s cheap. Doesn’t matter when or where you go, it’s cheap. No. 3: The Thai people are warm, friendly, and loving people who will forgive you for your crass American ways. But do yourself a favor and adopt the Thai outlook on life as soon as you get off the plane. You’ll have a much better trip, a wonderfully memorable one, and next time I’m there I won’t have to deal with the bad impression you would have otherwise made on the locals.

Ramble On . . .

SIGHTS OF:

Bangkok

Bali

Singapore

Kuala Lumpur

Cancun