Neighborhood Worm: Digging Up Local Flavours

In this day and age of global brands, its easy to fall back on the familiar in unfamiliar places. I love the fact that I can get my morning Starbucks coffee (my current fave: iced tall double half toffee nut non-fat latte) in most places that I travel to. That continuity is very comforting. But the places that I love most are the places where I don't need to rely on a standard like Starbucks (let's face it, Starbucks actually does not have great coffee, what they really serve is that Cheers feeling). I would never dream of walking into a Starbucks in Paris! The fun thing about travel is getting to try things that cannot be found, or aren't as good as, at home -- espresso in Italy, satay, hainan chicken rice and Peranekan food in Singapore, Japanese gadgets, etc.

So when I met Gene Miao last year, I was very excited to hear about his new project, DayTauChung, which is Cantonese for neighborhood worm, someone who knows the ins-and-outs of the local neighborhood, all those secret addresses that are unique to that particular place. I finally got an email today announcing that the beta version is up-and-running. Check it out and help him update it with local addresses. Be sure to check out the About page, which lists 5 guiding principles for listings, but also the More Food for Thought makes for a fascinating read about how the project grew out of his RISD architecture degree thesis, drawing on French, post-structuralists Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari's distinctions between State and Nomad paradigms.

Koolhaas' Awesome Seattle Central Library

Judge not a book by its cover, nor a building by its exterior.

When we were kids, my Dad would to take us to the library every Saturday morning so that we could pick out books to read for the week to come. That was the way we earned our allowance. I think we got about 5 cents for every page we read. He would give us suggestions on books we might be interested in reading, but he never really dictated what we should read. I went through my Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys stage, Choose-Your-Own-Adventure stories, World War II, dinosaurs, biographies, even Barbara Taylor Bradford, different books at different times. I always enjoyed those Saturday mornings at the library. It not only nurtured our love of books and a curiosity to find out more about our world, both past and present, but it also gave us a sense that no matter what the problem or question was, we would always be able to find an answer at the library (these days, google is a great substitute).

Since graduating from B-school, I haven't really used a library (except for a brief visit to Erik Gunnar Asplund's beautiful Stockholm Library last August). I do love libraries though. When well-designed, they're a real sanctuary (in fact, I am writing this entry from the Vancouver Public Library, because I'm having problems getting high-speed internet service installed in the apartment). They're places from which one can learn, reflect, work, but also to relax, socialize and bond, as we did with our parents. They're wonderful, multi-purpose public buildings that bring the community together. At their best, libraries provoke, inspire and enlighten.

I first came across Rem Koolhaas' Seattle Central Library when researching for Little Cream Book: Architecture. Unfortunately, it got dropped from the list, because we wanted to include more Asian architects, so the S entry went to Toyo Ito's Sendai Mediatheque, just as worthy an entry as the Seattle Library. So when I found myself in Seattle for 24 hours, I just had to visit. It was truly an awesome experience. While the traditional libraries of universities are dimly-lit, sombre halls of learned endeavours (Dont' get me wrong, I actually have a soft spot for such libraries, the ones with the green, banker's desk lamps, long wooden desks and a fierce librarian that glares at you from over her bifocals the moment you make a noise. The old Art & Archaeology library at Bryn Mawr was like a crypt, but I loved it). Koolhaas' library, on the other hand, is a joyous occasion. The moment you walk in, you feel like the world's doors are opening up in front of your eyes. There's an incredible sense of freedom.; your eyes are drawn skyward, your soul feels lifted. There's a feeling of excitment, a buzz. And its all because he dares to inject a bit of bold, playful colours into the whole scheme of things (the 4th floor housing meeting rooms is entirely fire engine red).


This is a view of the 3rd floor entrance to the Living Room area, which houses a gift shop, cafe, teen area etc., from the 5th floor Mixing Chamber, where there are more than hundreds of computers for library users.


The 5th floor Mixing Chamber.There's a layer of mesh on the windows to reduce the glare of the sun. And notice that the frames are painted in sky blue.



The Spiral is an amazing concept for housing the stacks. The floors circle upwards, with a flourescent yellow escalator running through its core, leading up to the Reading Room.





Approaching enlightenment...


...otherwise known as the Reading Room.


And if the books don't inspire you, there's always the art...



Between the sky blue frames, the real plants and the carpet silkscreened with fake plants, it really does feel like the perfect lazy, sunny Sunday afternoon in the park with your favourite book or a copy of the Sunday New York Times.

Wyoming: Brooks Lake Lodge, Yellowstone, Old Faithful Inn & Amangani

12-14 July 2006

"I see trees of green, red roses too
I see 'em bloom, for me and for you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue, clouds of white
Bright blessed days, dark sacred nights
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

The colors of a rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands, sayin' how do you do
They're really sayin', "I love you".

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more, than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world!"
~ Louis Armstrong, What a Wonderful World

"A picture says a thousand words," goes the saying. But sometimes, even a picture fails to accurately describe the emotional power of nature's beauty. In those instances, a song may work.

Singer Ray Callaway was performing cowboy and western songs throughout our dinner at Brooks Lake Lodge (BLL). All the other 11 guests seemed to know the songs, but I was hearing most of them for the first time. None of the songs seemed to move the group as much as when Ray did his rendition of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World". It made quite a few people teary-eyed around the dinner table. It was probably so moving, because it touched on what we were all feeling at that moment or had been experiencing since we arrived.

My four days in and around Jackson, including Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Dubois was perfectly rendered by the song. And all the people I met were wonderful -- There were the two couples from Michigan (one couple were the grandparents of Adam, one of the few full-time, year-round staff at BLL), a couple from Phoenix who also spend considerable time in Atlanta because the husband is trying to retire from a coaching the Atlanta Falcons, a scrabble-loving family from Alabama and a couple from Dallas. Everyone had been to BLL more than once.

Having just come back from the overnight pack trip, I could understand why BLL engenders such loyalty among its guests. The setting is stunning, the service superb in a familial (rather than formal) way and there's just so much to do (ride, hike, fish, boat, spa, etc.) within such the vast playground of Shoshone National Park. And despite being in the wilderness, you don't feel lacking of any comforts or conveniences. Sure, there was no mobile phone reception and no phone in my room, but I didn't feel the urge to take or make calls (of course, there is a house phone for those that do). There was free wi-fi in the lounge area. My laundry was done within hours. I stayed in one of the lodge rooms for US$330++/night, definitely a great value since it includes all three meals and afternoon tea as well as activities such as trail rides, fishing, guided hikes etc. (spa treatments, of course, are extra). There's no air-conditioning, but there's no real need for it either.




I was reluctant to leave BLL, but they were full and I had to move on to Yellowstone. I had had a fabulous time and everyone there (guests and staff) are such wonderful people. I hadn't actually made a reservation for where I was to stay next, but on a whim, I called up Old Faithful Inn (recommended by my uncle for its architectural and historical significance as well as it convenient location). They only had one of their bathroom-less rooms in the old wing, but at least I'd have somewhere to stay within the park.

It was 11am by the time I finally got myself to leave BLL. I arrived at Old Faithful Inn seven hours later, having driven around most of Yellowstone's southern loop. I made a few photo stops along the way. At one, a couple motor-bikers, who had ridden from Chicago, asked me to take their photo and asked after my marital status. I found it quite amazing that people drive from all parts of the country to Yellowstone, a good number of them in RVs (recreational vehicles, a bit like mobile motel rooms). Low prices at the gasoline pump really do contribute to the American way of life. My favourite photo-op was when a silly-looking bison caused a traffic jam in the opposite lane.


Everywhere, the ravages of the great fire of 1988 were evident, but also nature's regenerative power.


At Old Faithful Inn, my room had no bathroom, just a sink. I found it charming though; I was staying in the original part of the inn. Out of my window, I even had a view of Old Faithful (which goes off like clockwork every 90 minutes or so). To experience a piece of history with front row views of Old Faithful, US$90.10/night seemed pretty reasonable.


The historic inn has survived a lot since it was built in 1903. Obviously, it has undergone renovations and modernization, but much has been kept according to the original, including the materials used to fill in the gap between logs -- mud and grass!


The lobby, at seven stories high, is impressive.


The next morning, I went on a beautiful and inspiring walk to Mystic Falls, passing by a lot of hot springs, geysers and other hydrothermal features. It's a leisurely and pleasant walk, probably about 6 miles back-and-forth. Along the way, I happened upon a group being led by a Ranger Bach, so I joined in to listen to his fascinating explanations of what we were seeing along the way to the falls. Getting a ranger to guide you around the park is highly recommended!


I had a wonderful dinner at Amangani on my way back to Jackson. Amangani has a great location, set high up on a hill, overlooking the valley where you can see lots of wildlife roaming. You get this view from each of the rooms, pool, lobby...basically, from everywhere you look. I had dinner with Guy Heywood, the manager there, and got a hint of what is to come in terms of future Amans (In Asia, Beijing and Delhi are already slated to open soon. In the Americas, they're looking at Lake Powell, Utah and Baja, Mexico!). As always, Aman's level of service never ceases to amaze me. I had only made an arrangement to have dinner with Guy (not stay there as a guest), but the staff still addressed me by my name! I asked Guy how he manages to train staff to know. But of course, he didn't really let me in on their secret. Suffice it to say, it's a lot of training and briefing! Dining tip: Try their homemade ice creams! I had scoops of goat's cheese, port wine and graham cracker; all absoutely delish. And if you're staying there, make sure you have a nice romantic private dinner in their really, cool tee-pee, from which you can sip Kir Royals and watch the sun set over the valley below where the animals graze.


My one big disappointment on this trip: Lots of elk, but no bear!

Brooks Lake Lodge: Pack Trip

11-12 July 2006 -- It's been storming on and off all afternoon, so I don't feel like I'm missing too much sitting here blogging. At least I'm sitting in front of magnificent views while the occasional thunder and lightening goes off, followed by torrential downpour, which usually lasts no more than 30 minutes at a time.

I came in around 12:30pm after an overnight pack trip. It was an amazing experience, I almost want to go out and do it again tomorrow! When I got to Brooks Lake Lodge yesterday, it was around 1:30pm already (I was late from missing the turn-off). I grabbed a quick bit for lunch before riding out around 3pm with Greg in the lead, me on Brody, Amy in the back with the pack horse and her sister Daniel, who was visiting for 2 weeks, in between. The ride was gorgeous. The sun was out and the wild flowers in the green meadow made for a sea of colours.


Early on, Greg pointed out a mountain in the distance with remnants of the winter's snow on top. We'd be riding there. A little further on, Amy suddenly shouts to Greg, "We forgot the shotgun!". But they decided that the bears probably wouldn't cause us much trouble. I was pretty sure we wouldn't be needing it either, but I was also secretly hoping that I might be able to catch a glimpse of a bear from a safe distance.

When we got to a sign that read "Wilderness Boundary", we stopped briefly so that Greg could check in with the lodge on walkie-talkie. It was the farthest point where the walkie-talkies would be able to talk to the lodge.


By the time we rode into camp, it was a little after 5pm (about half an hour in from the Wilderness Boundary). Western saddles are so much more comfortable than English saddles. My backside wasn't sore at all, but the moment I dismounted, I could feel my knees wobble a little bit.

The horses were placed in a corral with electrified fencing to keep them from running off. There a solar-panel charged battery that hooks up to fencing with wiring in them. Pretty nifty. But because it looked like it might storm, Amy decided not to electrify the fence.



Camp consisted of a dining tent, cook tent, several sleeping tents and even a toilet tent (ok, it's still a whole in the ground, but at least there's a seat and you get to take care of business in relative privacy). The camp takes about 3 days to set up and, in accordance with park rules, it has to be moved every 16 days.


My sleeping tent had a cot and sleeping bag that would keep me warm in even -20C weather. Amy explained that I should strip down to just underwear before I get into the sleeping bag because it works off of the body's own heat.


The first order of business was setting up the cook tent and getting the campfire going so that Amy could start cooking. Greg went off to chop some wood to keep the fire going. In the meantime, Amy got one going with some dry twigs and paper carton and started putting away the food items in the pack into the bear-proof containers. She also pointed to the bear pole behind the corral, which is used to put things like scented toiletry items.

While Amy and Greg were hard at work, I relaxed in a chair and took a nap (was in remnants of jet lag or the high altitude?), despite all the flies and mosquitos swarming and buzzing around me. No amount of OFF! or deet-infused cream would get them to stay away from me, so I decided that the best way to deal was to just let them be.

By the time Greg finished with the wood, it was time to take the horses out to graze. He had been gone for about 40 minutes or so (they're supposed to graze for an hour) when we suddenly heard Greg call for Amy. Apparently, Peggy had wandered off onto the trail and would be heading back to the lodge if Greg didn't go after her. So Amy went off to bring back the other horses while Greg went after Peggy.

The sun was setting when Greg rode back with Peggy and dinner was ready. I was expecting hot dogs and smores for dinner, but I was in for a surprise! Amy amazed me with her campfire culinary skills. With two dutch ovens, she backed buttermilk biscuits with cheese and a chocolate pudding cake for dessert. For starters, we had a salad with julienne carrots, peppers and onions. There were two types of dressing -- ranch, of course and vinegarette. For main, we had steak grilled over the campfire and baked potatoes, also pulled from the campfire, served with sides of baby corn and caramelized carrots. Dinner was served in the dining tent with white table cloth and napkins, proper plates, glasses and silverware. It was around 9:30pm when I sat down with my mug of apple cider and we devoured our dinner by candlelight (which, incidentally, is very good for getting rid of mosquitoes. The flames attract them and they end up burning their wings. By the end of the dinner, our table looked like a mass graveyard for mosquitoes).

After dinner, we pulled chairs up by the campfire. It was a shame that the sky was still clouded over (it drizzled a bit early in the evening, but the full force of the storm passed us by, leaving us pretty dry for the night), so we couldn't see the moon or the stars. We chatted a bit. Greg is working as a wrangler for the summer. He heads back to Mississipi as a junior in geological engineering (applicable in oil & gas industries, civil engineering or building projects that require underground work etc.). Apparently, he learned how to ride on a friend's ranch in Tennessee. How did he end up in Wyoming then, I asked. Internet, he said. He looked for dude ranches looking for summer help and that's how he found Brooks Lake Lodge. This summer was his first season working here. Amy, on the other hand, is a season regular. She's worked summer and winter (lots of snowmobiling through the snow-covered wilderness) season for the past four years. She's originally from Michigan, so she's no stranger to cold weather. She tried to convince her 16-year-old sister (Amy herself is 25) to work here this summer, but Daniel opted for a 2-week holiday here instead. That's what I would have done! Daniel does quite a bit of riding at home. She has her own horse and competes in shows.

By 11pm, I was starting to nod off (I woke up from campfire smoke being blown in my face), so I decided to turn in. I did as Amy had instructed and crawled into the sleeping bag with just underwear and a top. When I woke up this morning around 8am, I thought I was in the lodge, in a real bed. The cot was surprisingly comfortable and stiff and the sleeping bag was really warm.

Amy (she and Daniel had slept by the campfire all night) and Greg were already up. Greg had gone off to graze the horses again; this time he led them two at a time so there would be no repeats of runaway horses.


Amy had ready a pot of hot coffee and a plate of fruit. For breakfast, she cooked up french toast, crispy bacon and eggs. What a great way to wake up in the wilderness!


After breakfast, Greg saddled up the horses and off we went, back to the lodge. Amy stayed behind because another family of 7 (3 adults and 4 young boys) were riding in. Our paths actually crossed along the way. I hope the storms of this afternoon missed the camp, but then again, it could make for more adventures and stories to tell. My pack trip was uneventful, but it was a great experience nonetheless. There's something about being out in nature. Everything's different and every little creature comfort is not taken for granted. It's a great way to chill out and recharge. For the time that I was out there, I didn't think about work. Nothing really seemed to matter; it was all about enjoying the moment. It's great way to spend US$250(much better at destressing than a day at the spa!) and definitely worth doing once a year.



The sky is clearing and the sun is streaming into the lodge now. That family out there is going to have a great night of stargazing ahead of them tonight. And they'll be making s'mores too, because I saw the marshmellows in the bear-proof containers.

Jackson: Alpine House & Grand Teton National Park

10 and 11 July 2006 -- Arrived into Jackson Airport around 9:30pm. Rented a car and headed into town. It was dark out, but I could still feel the tranquility of the vast landscape -- towering mountain ranges on either side and plains in between with an elk refuge. And oddly, I did feel like I had arrived in the land depicted in My Own Private Idaho, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, A River Runs Through It, and most recently, Brokeback Mountain. Just a great expanse of wide open nature as far as the eye can see.

It wasn't difficult to find Alpine House, Jackson is a small town with just a few main streets. I walked into Alpine House and found an envelope with my name on it at the front desk. Inside were the key to my room and a note : "Sorry we missed you...please don't lock the front door.". Welcome to small town Jackson. All was quiet in the house, but as I started up the stairs to my room, I noticed a Japanese guy diligently working away on his laptop (I found out the next morning at breakfast that his colleagues/clients in London obviously didn't know he was on holiday in Jackson). Big town meets small town.


Alpine House is a great little B&B. I love the decor: quaint, country inn with a touch of Alpine.


Inside the room, everything foldable (tissue box, toilet paper, face towel) was folded in a fan shape (maybe Mandarin Oriental should consider using this little touch to tie in with their "I'm a fan" ad campaigns).


My room was comfortable enough for an overnight stay, a steal at US$165++/night. The best thing for me was the in-room wi-fi. After a brief chat with VH on msn messenger about Jackson area real estate, I went to bed excited about driving through Grand Teton on my way to Brooks Lake the next day for an overnight pack trip.



I woke up a bit later than usual (7am, which would have been 9am ET) and headed down for breakfast. The breakfast room was full so I wandered around the house and took a few pics. By the time I finished, I managed to find a table. I had a great breakfast of toasted english muffins with cream cheese and smoked salmon, grapefruit and coffee. I skipped the french toast and omelette because I wanted to grab a bit at Jenny Lake Lodge along the way.



I checked out and headed into Grand Teton National Park (it only costs US$25 for a 7-day pass to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks) towards Jenny Lake. The drive was amazing, so relaxing and the views absolutely mesmerizing.


By the time I got to Jenny Lake Lodge, breakfast was done (served until 9:30am) and I was too early for lunch. The woman at the front desk suggested I head to Signal Mountain Lodge since it's on the way to Brooks Lake, so I did. I stopped off at a viewing point for Jenny Lake. I was mesmerized by how clear the water was.


Once at Signal Mountian Lodge, I got side-tracked taking photos and stocking up on essentials for my pack trip (binoculars, sunscreen and insect repellent), that I realized I wouldn't have time to sit down for a bite. So I started driving once again.


Tip to drivers looking for Brooks Lake Road turnoff, it's the gravel road immediately after the turnoff. I missed it and probably ended up driving an extra 45 minutes. It's 5 miles of gravel road with pine trees for as far as the eye can see before you reach Brooks Lake Lodge, but its worth it. On approach, the view opens up and you see Brooks Lake to the right and the lodge set next to it with horses in the paddocks in the foreground. That instant, I knew my pack trip was going to be awesome...

Brooks Lake Lodge lobby wi-fi: Free.

NYC: Chambers Hotel, Bouchon Bakery

Arrived in NYC this afternoon. Checked into Chambers Hotel on W 56th and 5th; great location. The room I checked into is a decent size (has enough room for a closet and luggage shelf in the hallway, queen bed, desk, side table, reading chair, reading lamp, television and minibar). The desk is set-up like a draughtsman's table, tracing paper unrolls from one side with sharpened pencils and coloured pencils ready for doodles; nice touch. The bathroom failed the JR Luxury Hotel rule (i.e. no separate shower & tub. In fact, no tub at all.). But I kind of expected that of a "design hotel" and at US$295++ per night in midtown Manhattan. I could pay nearly US$400++ at Hotel on Rivington in the Lower East Side and still not get a tub (but you do get a view that makes you smile when you wake up if you get a corner room and despite what people might think about the foam mattresses, they do make for a great sleep). The one grip I do have about Chambers is the lack of service, and I suppose this is the gripe I have at most design hotels. I checked in hungry a bit before 3pm. Between 2:30-5:30pm, neither TOWN, the restaurant, is open nor do they have room service. I asked the front desk where I could print out a confidential document and they asked me to email to their reception email address. And now, as I write, I am calling down to TOWN for room service and nobody is answering (The menu says it runs till 1am, it's only 12:30am right now. Front desk just informed me that room service does not run until 1am on a Sunday, but they'll send up a menu from a nearby deli). But I suppose these things are easily solved by its convenient location.





For my late lunch, I walked over to Time Warner Center for a bit at Bouchon Bakery (where they sell freshly-baked gourmet doggie biscuits!). On the way there, I noticed the LV shop has the exact same window display (currently, it's a collage of vintage hotel luggage stickers set against a blue background) as the shops in Hong Kong! I know I shouldn't be surprised, but I didn't realize window displays were determined internationally. I think the building that the shop is in, but is it just me or does the LV facade look a bit like an obscene hand gesture??



Be careful when you order a bottle of water by yourself, because you will get a 1-litre bottle. The bread here is really great. I had the Rillettes aux Deux Saumons. It was delicious; as I cleaned up the jar with every last remaining crust of bread. Not good for my diet though, as its quite heavy on the butter and I ended up ordering a nice glass of Pinot Noir (can't remember if it was from Sonoma or Oregon) to wash it down. As I was enjoying my late lunch, I could hear people cheering from the Samsung showroom. The World Cup Final between France and Italy was on. When I finished at Bouchon Bakery, I walked over to watch the penalty kicks. I stood next to some French people. I'm not much into World Cup. I totally lost interest when the US team lost to Ghana. But if I had to choose a team to root for, I was rooting for France. The year I was in France, they won the World Cup. Unfortunately, we all know that France lost to Italy by 1 kick. I really felt for the French, they looked utterly dejected. I headed downstairs to pick up a couple National Geographic Trail Maps for Yellostone and Grand Teton National Park. I only have a morning to drive around Grand Teton before I start my pack trip, but I've been told by my uncle WW, that I have to stop by Jenny Lake Lodge.

Can't wait...next stop, Jackson, Wyoming! The Wild West!!

Chambers Hotel ADSL: Free

Cambridge, MA: JFK's Words to Reflect Upon

I arrived at the college town of ivy-covered brick buildings on Friday night. I checked into Cambridge's Charles Hotel just in time for rehearsal dinner. Charles Hotel is very conveniently located by Harvard Square and right next to the JFK School of Government (in fact, I kept picking up on their wi-fi signal rather than the hotel's). The hotel is well-equiped (has got a great gym with swimming pool), and while its rooms are rather non-descript, they are quite large (mine had two queen beds, a desk, TV cabinet, bathroom with bathtub and shower, not separate though) and do not lack in anything. Comfort and convenience at US$219++ per night.

The great thing about flying to the US is that jet lag causes me to wake up early in the morning. So on Saturday morning, I was out jogging by Charles River by 6am. It's great to be up early. I always wish that I am a morning person. There's a stillness all around at that hour of the day. It was so soothing watching the devoted rowers out on the Charles River, it's the beauty of the smooth, gliding stroke over the calm, almost still, waters of the Charles.



On my way back (It took a while because I got lost looking for a Starbucks. In the end, I went for Peet's), I paused by the gate to the JFK Memorial Park, which is right by the Charles Pavilion and the entrance to the hotel. In the solitude of the early morning, I reflected on John F. Kennedy's inspiring and visionary words:

"And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal"



"What kind of peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or the security of the slave, I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living...not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women -- not merely peace in our time but peace for all time." -- Both quotes from his Commencement Address at American University in Washington D.C., 10 June 1963.



Powerful words, moving words, and so relevant to our time now. I wish our current POTUS would study JFK's words of wisdom (especially this quote: "Let us once again awaken our American revolution until it guides the struggles of people everywhere -- not with an imperialism of force or fear but the rule of courage and freedom and hope for the future of man."); the world and this country (USA) would be much better for it. I ended up walking to the two other gates of the park just to read the four other equally inspiring quotes, all worthy of reflection. All of course, made me think of JFK's most famous quote: "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the word: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man". -- Inaugural Address, 21 January 1961. JFK's words still strike a chord today. Circumstances may have changed, but we still desire and need a world of peace as well as freedom and dignity for all of humanity. And the responsibility for achieving these goals rests with every single individual, especially those privileged enough to already live such a life. Because, "freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free".

Charles Hotel Wi-Fi: US$10.95/24 hours

T-30 minutes to take-off for 2 months on the road

Am at the CX lounge at HKIA, ecstatic that I got a lastminute upgrade. HKG-BOS (via JFK) is a really long flight; will be in the air and in transit for more than 20 hours! Boston is the first stop on my 2 month departure from Hong Kong. People have been asking me if it's for work or play. To be honest, I can't really tell anymore. Even when I'm on holiday, I try to squeeze in as many hotel visits, meals, shops, shows, meetings as I possibly can. And my office is really anywhere my laptop can log onto an internet connection.

I still haven't worked out all the places I'll be going during this time, but I will be spending quite a bit of time in Vancouver (where the weather will be wonderful) and New York City. Am looking forward to working and playing on the other side of the Pacific for a change. Next week, I will be spending a couple of days on horseback, riding and camping in Wyoming. Can't wait! It'll be a much needed respite from the hustle and bustle on Hong Kong life.

But in the meantime...first stop, Boston!