• Field Report:  Bulguksa, Gyeongju, South Korea (02 February 2019)

    Field Report: Bulguksa, Gyeongju, South Korea (02 February 2019)

    There was a very large gap in my first visit to Gyeongju last year: a gap by the name of Bulguksa. On my second encounter with this historic corner of Korea, filling that gap ranked amongst my highest priorities.

  • Field Report:  Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma, Japan (16 November 2018)

    Field Report:  Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma, Japan (16 November 2018)

    I love onsen towns, even though I’m not inclined to take the waters myself. With their narrow streets, relaxed atmosphere, old-fashioned architecture and rustic charm, even non-bathers will find them an excellent place to unwind, far removed from the hustle and bustle of Japan’s megacities. Today, we’ll stroll around a splendid little corner of Gunma…

  • Rail-Bus Report:  From Tōkyō to Kusatsu Onsen and back with a Japan Rail Pass

    Rail-Bus Report: From Tōkyō to Kusatsu Onsen and back with a Japan Rail Pass

    There’s more than one way to travel between Tōkyō and the famous hot spring town of Kusatsu Onsen. Moreover, it’s possible to do the entire journey for free with a Japan Rail Pass. In this report, we’ll try two different routes that rail pass holders can use at no extra cost.

  • Flight Report:  DXB-MNL on Emirates Flight EK 332 (04 April 2019)

    Flight Report:  DXB-MNL on Emirates Flight EK 332 (04 April 2019)

    Let’s close off my first round-trip experience on Emirates by looking at their performance on the last leg: the long flight from our transit point at Dubai to our final destination, Manila. Welcome aboard Emirates flight EK 332.

  • Scimus Christum surrexísse a mórtuis vere

    Scimus Christum surrexísse a mórtuis vere

    Tu nobis, victor Rex, miserére. Friend and reader: I wish you, your family, and all your loved ones a very happy Easter.

Quote of the week

"People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."

~ Rogers Hornsby