Author Archives: JimG

Southeast Asia 2025 – Koh Samui Tour

Posted on December 10, 2025 by JimG

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

We took an island tour today, and the weather cooperated just enough to give me plenty of sunshine for photos.

During the tour, Sophon mentioned that he expected Koh Samui to feel more like Hawaii. I told him it was about what I expected. Both places are beautiful, but in different ways.

Watching The White Lotus makes the island look like pure paradise — and to be fair, parts of it do feel that way. If you spend all of your time inside the perfectly manicured resorts and spas, it absolutely looks like paradise.

But like Hawaii, once you step outside the resort bubble, you’re reminded that it’s a real place where people live and work. Beautiful, yes — but not exactly paradise island.

The tour was enjoyable, we got to see a few temples, a mummified monk (with sunglasses) and grogeous views.  We got back to the hotel around lunchtime and had lunch there before heading down to the beach. The afternoon slipped by quickly.

By evening it was time to find dinner.

We walked down the street looking for somewhere new and eventually settled on a Thai restaurant called Siam. The atmosphere was great, but something amusing happened. When Sophon started speaking Thai to the servers, they looked confused.

It turned out they weren’t Thai at all — they were from Burma.

Continue reading →

Categories: Thailand | Leave a comment

Southeast Asia 2025 – Koh Samui – A day at the Beach

Posted on December 9, 2025 by JimG

The view from the room

Thursday, December 9, 2025

Thailand is often called the “Land of Smiles,” and it doesn’t take long to see why. The people are genuinely warm and welcoming. Whether you’re walking down a hallway, approaching the front desk, getting into a taxi, or stepping into a restaurant, you’re almost always greeted with a friendly “Sawasdee.”

We headed down to breakfast at the hotel and quickly realized it was going to be a highlight of the stay. I was glad I had booked a rate that included it. The buffet spread was impressive — Western favorites, Asian dishes, and plenty of local Thai specialties. Fresh fruit, pastries, noodle dishes, eggs cooked to order — it seemed like it went on forever. I’ve had my share of hotel breakfasts over the years, and this one easily ranks among the best.

When I first checked into the Sheraton Samui, I liked it. But in less than 24 hours it had really grown on me. The hotel has character. My room could probably use a fresh coat of paint, but it was clean, comfortable, and — most importantly — quiet. I slept extremely well, which after a long stretch of travel felt like a luxury in itself.

We knew we were visiting during the shoulder season, but with the recent White Lotus effect I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. To our surprise — and relief — the hotel wasn’t busy. At meals there were only a few other tables occupied, and finding chairs by the pool or beach was never a problem.

After breakfast we took a short walk down the street to the 7-Eleven — one of those small but essential travel rituals in Thailand — before taking the shuttle to the local mall before we headed to the beach.

I generally try to avoid traveling during peak seasons. Fighting crowds, waiting in lines, and competing for space isn’t my idea of a relaxing vacation. Of course, traveling during the shoulder season means you sometimes roll the dice with the weather and you don’t get the picture perfect photos. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t.

Within an hour of settling in on the beach, the wind started to pick up and dark clouds rolled in. Before long, a tropical storm swept through.

The rain came down hard and we retreated to a covered area next to the restaurant. Instead of beach time, we spent the afternoon reading and surfing the web, while watching the storm move across the water. It wasn’t the beach day we had imagined, but it was still a relaxing afternoon.

Later that night the weather intensified. Ligtning along with loud thunder.  My phone lit up with storm warnings.

But lying there listening to the storm roll through the island, I couldn’t help but think — even a rainy day in Koh Samui beats a good day almost anywhere else.

Homemade Thai candies

Categories: Thailand | Leave a comment

Southeast Asia 2025 – Koh Samui

Posted on December 8, 2025 by JimG

Monday, December 8, 2025

We boarded Scoot Airlines for the short flight to Koh Samui, Thailand — the setting for the most recent season of The White Lotus. Thailand has become an almost annual trip for us. Sophon visits family, and we usually tack on a destination or two to explore along the way.

The first surprise of the morning probably shouldn’t have been a surprise at all. We had booked what looked like a Singapore Airlines flight, but it turned out to be operated by Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. While Singapore Airlines is part of Star Alliance, Scoot is not.

That meant the usual perks — frequent flyer miles, lounge access, and priority boarding — didn’t exist. The flight was less than two hours, so it wasn’t a big deal, but I had assumed I was buying a flight that was part of Star Alliance only to discover it was operated by an airline that isn’t part of the alliance. Situations like this always leave me feeling just a little misled.

When we landed in Koh Samui, the hotel had a car waiting for us. A short drive later, we arrived at the Sheraton Samui Resort. At check-in, the staff mentioned that my room had been upgraded. These days, I’m never quite sure what that actually means. The room looked exactly like what I had booked. That said, it was spacious, comfortable, and had everything we needed, so I wasn’t complaining.

The hotel itself sits on a steep hillside overlooking the ocean. When we first walked down to the pool and restaurant, I immediately wondered how quickly the daily climb back up the hill would get old. What if you made it all the way to the beach and realized you forgot something in the room?

Fortunately, the staff regularly shuttles guests back and forth between the rooms, pool, and beach. That small detail made the layout feel far less intimidating.

We had lunch at the restaurant overlooking the water and then spent some time wandering the property and getting our bearings. The pace of the trip was about to shift dramatically. Singapore had been all about sightseeing, crowds, and constant motion. Koh Samui was going to be something entirely different — slow mornings by the pool, walks along the beach, and hopefully a few hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

Categories: Thailand | Leave a comment

Southeast Asia 2025 – Singapore Zoo

Posted on December 7, 2025 by JimG

Sunday, December 7th

The Singapore Zoo is arguably one of the best zoos in the world, known for its open concept where animals live in naturalistic habitats rather than traditional cages. Since my last visit, two additional wildlife parks have opened nearby. As much as I would have loved to visit them as well, time was limited.

I was feeling pretty proud of myself because my plan worked perfectly. We arrived right when the zoo opened, and for a while it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves. Several times we were the only people in an exhibit area and even had the tram to ourselves.

Because it was still early in the morning, the animals were active and the zookeepers were making their rounds with food. It felt like we were seeing the zoo at its best. Continue reading →

Categories: Singapore | Leave a comment

Southeast Asia 2025 – Gardens by the bay

Posted on December 6, 2025 by JimG

Singapore

Saturday, December 6, 2025

After that, we did the OCBC Skyway and the observation deck. The views over Marina Bay and the skyline were fantastic. Singapore from above never disappoints.

We jumped back on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus, but there was a marathon in progress, so several routes were temporarily rerouted. No big deal. We rode it over to Zion Riverside Food Centre for lunch.

Perfect timing.

Sophon wanted duck. I wanted Char Kway Teow.

When we got in line it didn’t seem too bad, but within a few minutes the line behind us started growing quickly. As I got closer to the counter, I noticed the stall had a Michelin Bib Gourmand sign. Apparently we either have good instincts… or very good luck.

The portion of Char Kway Teow was massive. I got back to the table first and assumed Sophon would end up helping me finish it.

Wrong.

He showed up with multiple dishes of his own. In the end, we both cleaned our plates. No sharing required. It was that good.

After lunch we hopped back on the bus and discovered the marathon had wrapped up and the routes were back to normal. We got off near The Fullerton Hotel Singapore to see the Merlion — the classic Singapore photo opportunity.

I always get a laugh watching people pose so it looks like the Merlion is spitting water into their mouth. It’s right up there with people “holding up” the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Not exactly original.

By late afternoon we were running on fumes. We grabbed a taxi using Grab — and that’s when my phone died. I had taken so many photos and used it nonstop all day.

Rookie mistake.

Travel rule: always carry a power bank.

We’re staying near Clarke Quay, so that evening we walked around the area. It’s lively, colorful, and buzzing with energy. We eventually found a British pub that looked promising.

It wasn’t.

Service was bad. The food was forgettable. After two days of incredible hawker meals, it felt like a major letdown. We cut our losses and kept walking before heading back to the hotel.

As much as I like 21 Carpenter, it isn’t perfect. The bathroom walls around the sink could use a proper wipe-down. And the bigger issue is noise. There’s a bar across the street. They’ve clearly tried to soundproof the rooms, but when people are yelling at 2:00 AM, you hear it as if you were standing next to them.

Singapore might be one of the cleanest and most efficient cities in the world…

…but drunk people are universal.

The Merlion
Zion Hawker Center
Char Kway Teo
Categories: Singapore | Leave a comment

Southeast Asia 2025 – The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest

Posted on December 6, 2025 by JimG

Saturday December 6th

The hotel breakfast continues to impress, but let’s be clear — the star of the show is Kaya Toast. Toast, butter, and kaya (that coconut-egg jam). That’s it. Simple. Perfect. I’m honestly surprised this hasn’t caught on in the U.S. the way avocado toast did. It deserves better.

We headed out to Gardens by the Bay, which is non-negotiable on any Singapore itinerary. Inside the Flower Dome, they had a miniature train exhibit. I expected something small and charming. What we got was next-level.

Tiny recreations of Singapore landmarks, the north pole, San Francisco and iconic U.S. buildings all with moving trains and trolleys.  The detailing was absurd. We stood there way longer than planned, and it hit me — this is Singapore. Small country. Big execution. They don’t just do something. They do it better than necessary. Best airline. Best airport. Cleanest city. Lowest crime. Overachieving is basically a national hobby.

San Francisco with moving Trolleys
Grand Central Station
North Pole
Singapore

Then we moved to the Cloud Forest, and this is where things got personal. They were hosting a Jurassic Park exhibition. As we walked in, John Williams’ theme blasted through the space.

That score. I think it is second to Jaws as far as recognizable themes.

I’m a huge John Williams fan, and Jurassic Park is one of my all-time favorites. Hearing that music echo through the misty conservatory while animatronic dinosaurs loomed overhead? Completely my speed. It was a total nostalgia hit.

Categories: Singapore | Leave a comment

Southeast Asia 2025

Posted on December 5, 2025 by JimG

Big Bus Tours

Friday, December 5, 2025

After a wonderful breakfast at the hotel, we jumped on the Big Bus Singapore tour. If you’ve never been to Singapore, it’s actually a smart move — you get your bearings, see the big landmarks, and decide where you want to circle back later.

Midday, we hopped off at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre for lunch. I’d been there before, so I knew what we were walking into: organized chaos. It was lunchtime and packed, just like last time.

One stall had the unmistakable long line — the one with the Michelin Bib Gourmand mention that’s been all over YouTube. Good for them but as much as I would like to try their food, I’m not standing in line for an hour (or two) in a hawker center when there are 30 other excellent options within 50 feet. We split up and found other dishes with a reasonable wait. That’s the beauty of hawker centers — there’s always another gem.

Sultan Mosque

Little India

We finished the bus loop and Ubered back to the hotel. Sophon wanted a nap. I went for a walk… and realized Hong Lim was only a couple of blocks away. Had we known that earlier, we probably would have just walked.

For dinner, we kept it simple at BK Eating House. No frills. Fluorescent lighting. Plastic chairs. The kind of place locals actually eat. Continue reading →

Categories: Singapore | Leave a comment

Southeast Asia 2025 – Singapore – New favorite dish

Posted on December 4, 2025 by JimG

21 Carpenter St.

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Somewhere between Bangkok and Singapore, I met my new favorite dish.

They served “Carrot Cake.” I took one bite and immediately knew this was going to be a problem — the kind of problem where you start planning your next meal before you’ve finished the one in front of you.

This isn’t the sweet, cream-cheese-frosted American version. In Singapore, carrot cake — known locally as chai tow kway — is a savory hawker classic. There are no carrots involved. It’s made from radish (daikon), steamed into a dense cake, then stir-fried with egg, garlic, preserved radish, and chili. The texture reminded me a bit of seafood stuffing — soft inside, crispy edges, packed with umami. Comfort food!

I’m calling it now: this is going to be my go-to dish this trip.

Continue reading →

Categories: Singapore | Leave a comment

Southeast Asia 2025 – LAX to Singapore

Posted on December 2, 2025 by JimG

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

We didn’t get to the hotel until after 2:00 AM. By the time I finished reworking our itinerary over the phone, it was after 3:30 AM. United rebooked us to Bangkok on ANA. We grabbed maybe two hours of sleep before dragging ourselves back to LAX.

And somewhere between security and boarding, I had a very simple thought:

Why do I keep booking United?

Loyalty. Status. Habit. Whatever you want to call it — it clearly isn’t based on the actual onboard experience or United’s Customer Service. As a Star Alliance Gold member, I am consistently treated better on other Star Alliance airlines than I am on United itself.  I was having a hard time with how the crew acted when the pilot said that the flight was cancelled, the crew acted annoyed and made it clear, that the customer service agents would answer any questions that we had.   The customer agents started yelling at us to line up according to our boarding group.  They acted annoyed.   That’s not how any customer should feel.

The difference hit immediately once we entered the Star Alliance lounge where the employees acted like they cared about their jobs.   It aain hit when we boarded ANA.  The flight attendants looked sharp. Professional. Friendly. Not tired. Not disengaged. Not like they were just trying to get through another shift. The menus — both Western and Japanese — were thoughtfully presented and genuinely appetizing. And when I ordered, I wasn’t asked for my “backup choice.”

That question on United drives me crazy. If I’m paying for a premium cabin ticket, why is “in case we run out” even part of the script? Premium shouldn’t feel conditional.

Service was calm, deliberate, and polished. No shouting across the aisle. No barking instructions over the carts. No visible chaos. It felt coordinated. It felt intentional. It felt like people took pride in what they were doing.

And it wasn’t just the flight.

The ANA lounges were everything Polaris wasn’t the day before — clean, well stocked, good food, actual attention to detail. Nothing flashy. Just well executed.

I slept most of the way to Bangkok. That alone tells you how comfortable and relaxed the experience was.

We landed with several hours before our Singapore flight. For a moment, we considered a capsule hotel just to reset, but availability was limited, so we found a quiet area and waited it out.

Then it was time for Singapore.

After stopping in the KrisFlyer lounge — again, well run and well maintained — we boarded. And once more, the contrast was impossible to ignore. The crew looked composed and put together. When they needed something, they passed notes discreetly rather than shouting across the cabin.

It made me wonder: does United seriously benchmark itself against airlines like ANA and Singapore Airlines? Or has the focus shifted entirely to operational metrics and cost containment?

Because from where I sit, the difference is huge.

By the time we finally landed in Singapore, exhaustion had set in. But stepping into the hotel room, taking a hot shower, and putting on fresh clothes felt like closing the chapter on a rough start.

The trip had officially begun.

Just not the way United intended.

Categories: Bangkok, Singapore, Thailand | Leave a comment

Southeast Asia 2025 – A Rough Start

Posted on December 1, 2025 by JimG

Monday, December 1, 2025

Not exactly the start to vacation we had in mind.

Sophon and I arrived at LAX early for our business class flight. While I’ve flown business before, this was my first time visiting the Polaris Lounge at LAX — and I was genuinely looking forward to it.

Big mistake.

The lounge looked impressive at first glance, but that’s where it ended. We struggled to find a table, and the food looked like it had been sitting out for hours. As we picked at a few items, I couldn’t help noticing that no one seemed to be clearing dishes or wiping down tables. The whole place felt sluggish and neglected. Continue reading →

Categories: Bangkok, Thailand | Leave a comment

Proudly powered by WordPress Theme: Adventure Journal by Contexture International.