Mastering Dashi Broth

There’s one ingredient that is so archetypal for Japanese cuisine that you just can’t live without it – for many reasons. I am talking about dashi, a rich, smoky broth made of seaweed and bonito flakes that build the base for many Japanese udon noodle dishes and many others. See it as an essential staple […]

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How to enter China without a Visa

Visa and landing permits are one of the worst bureaucratic hurdles countries still hold up, that have survived through the tech age. The reasons some countries ask for a Visa as an entry permit are dubious and sometimes just outright bullying. Despite many countries having abandoned Visa requirements for most of the civilized world, others […]

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Bangkok Confidential

I love coming to Bangkok over and over again. This city is so fully packed with surprises and is changing dynamically, I think I can never get tired of it. There are thousands of beautiful restaurants and flavors to try, and even more shops with all the exotic things you can imagine. Plus, Bangkok seems […]

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Thailand Food Shopping

Thailand is one of these places where I could take an entire suitcase full of food back home. And, occasionally, I do. And not only food: From cutlery, ceramic dishes, small ceramic containers – everything is nice here. On the Chattuchak weekend market in Bangkok, these items sell for a steal. But back to food. […]

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Shangri-La Bangkok Hotel

Bangkok is one of those cities where you probably could spend a lifetime trying out all the great hotels there. There are more 5-star hotels than in any other city in the world, and those 5 stars are worth so much more than anywhere else. Bangkok is the global reference for the hotel and hospitality […]

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Whale Shark Diving

Being a recreational diver for me usually means finding the most exotic, beautiful and rare fish and taking lots of pictures, if possible. But occasionally, you don’t find these aquatic creatures. They find you. This happened on one of my recent Koh Samui diving trips, where I went for my usual Koh Tao / Chumphon […]

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Ko Samui by Motorbike

One of the nice things you can do on Koh Samui Island is going around by motorbike or rental car, as the island is big enough to show you a different face every time. The south and southwest offer fabulous sandy beaches with no one there but coconut tree and perhaps a small food stall […]

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