PATPONG (BANGKOK) NIGHT MARKET

If this scene looks familar to you, then you are probably a fan of Leonardo Dicaprio's film "The Beach." He visited this market while staying in his backpackers hotel before heading out to the mystical island. This place is nuts - think Sodom and Gomorrah with dudes selling fake Pumas. You never know what you'll find around the next corner, and most times you really don't want to find out!

This guy is selling fried bugs on the street. You can see a close up of the fried grasshoppers, which don't look as popular as the larvae.

My transportation back to the hotel is a Tuk Tuk. It's name derives from the fact that it is essentially a small converted mortorcycle, and when they idle at traffic lights, all you hear is tuktuktuktuktuk... I tried my best to bribe the dude to allow me to drive home, but no dice.

BANGKOK STREET SCENES

I had about an hour to walk around today, and got these shots. Sorry there are no good stories to go along...

BONG IS MY BOY!

The view from my window in Bangkok. You are looking at the Chao Phraya River, which is the most important waterway for the Thai people, as reported by Bong, the dude who brought my bags up today. I asked why, and got like every third word of his explanation, so you are just going to have to take Bong's word on this one.

MANILA IN A SHOT

The combination of a delayed flight to Manila and an early flight out the mext morning prevented me from a lot of outside time here. This is the lone shot. It is of a jeepney, which is a form of public transportation here. It costs 10 pisas vice 15 for the bus. At 55 pisas to the dollar, one might not think that is a lot, but all you have to do is take a cab from the airport to your hotel to see the profound poverty here.

TAIPEI 101

To say that I scored an amazing room here in Taipei is an understatement. They ran out of king beds, so they upgraded me to a suite. It takes 24 steps to reach my front door from the bedroom. I counted. And I pass two bathrooms en route! This is my view, and you are looking at Taipei 101. This building is currently the official world's tallest building in the categories of highest structurally, highest roof, and highest occupied floor. If you count those categories... One Liberty Place in Philadelphia is currently the official world's tallest building in the categories of highest structurally serving cheese steaks, highest roof serving cheese steaks, and highest occupied floor serving cheese steaks!

A VIEW FROM THE TOP

Taipei 101 is also in the Guinness World Record Book for having the fastest elevators. It takes only 37 seconds to reach the observation deck, and the elevator is pressurized just like an aircraft. 'Cause you can never enjoy your ears popping too much, I think!

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER PASSPORT STAMP

Arrived in Taipei this morning. I learned upon arrival that Taipei is actually an acronym, and it stands for Technology, Art, Innovation, People, Environment, and Identity. What a bunch of tools! I think I'm going to start an acronym contest for Philadelphia...

LEAVING HONG KONG THIS MORNING

YOU, WITH THE SCABS...GET OUT THE POOL!

And that chick in the deep end looks suspect too!

BONEMAN & GOLDMAN SACHS, IT'S TRUE...

...One screen aint enough, Jack, you'd better make it two!

FIRST CLASS IS FOR SUCKERS!

Super Class is how I roll...

GOOD MORNING FROM HONG KONG

An early morning shot from my hotel. Since I was up at 4 a.m. due to jet lag, I hit the treadmill and then went outside for breakfast. The Ravens/Colts game comes on here at 8:30 a.m. so I've got that going for me...

My room is up there, on the 57th floor.