I spent three nights at Fairmont Singapore November 29-December 2, meeting a friend.  I can now say I have traveled literally halfway around the world to see a girl I had not previously met.  I mentally prepared myself for the oppressive humidity, but it was severe enough to elicit vocal complaints from me.  My inclination to dress in light garments was also at odds with my desire to protect myself from UV radiation that often reached 9+.

I spent the next six nights in Bangkok, gaining experiences that I missed on my previous Bangkok trip in June 1998.  Amid the endless debauchery, my friend and I managed to fit in normal tourist temples and Jim Thompson's House. I booked my room at Dream Hotel Bangkok via Hotels.com because its Welcome Rewards program amounts to an effective 10% discount!

Then, we jetted to Seoul, where we met up with my parents and sister.  I have been camped at Lotte Hotel Seoul near City Hall.  I have gone out a few nights at nightclubs named Octagon and Mass, along with my first experience at a Korean booking club, Boss.  Partying with my underage sister was a memorable experience.  I have wanted to develop Korean as a secondary language, but not having regular speaking partners makes this endeavor difficult.  At the beginning of the year, I could not have foreseen two separate trips each to Singapore and Seoul.