Frohe Weihnacht!

 

Wassssssssaaaaa biiiiiieeeee

I have always liked the nutty, the chips and crunchy snacks. Out in SEA, we find these snack packs and my favourite has long since been the Wasabi coated nuts. Having tried other brands, I think that Tong Garden are the best! And I don't know why, but the ones from this pack are more fiery than from the tin. 

Having these at 5am lets me question some of my decisions....

Buses, not Vehicle Access Management Needed at KLIA

 

There was hardly any other news in my social media feeds on December 1 when the new Vehicle Access Management System (VAMS) kicked off at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 1. And it was hotly debated, of course. VAMS is to reduce the congestion by speeding up pick-ups.

In my opinion, the implementation of the VAMS will only result in people parking along the highway, despite a free parking space available, but that is a discussion for another day.

The question that should be asked is: why are there so many cars at the airport? I travel a lot and from my experiences, the number of cars is significantly less elsewhere. I believe that the answer is very simple: personal transport, passenger cars, are still the best way to get to the airport or back home after a trip.

I have recently moved from Setia Alam to Subang Jaya. Not once have I taken a bus to the airport. A quick online search might perfectly illustrate why not. From Setia Alam, a bus ride would take three hours to get to KLIA. One would be shuttled to KL Sentral first, then to the airport. Subang Jaya is not any better. It would also be a detour to KL Sentral first and a total travel time of two hours.

Subang Jaya, with the main artery of Persiaran Kewajipan connects nicely to the highway. Imagine, if I could hop to a bus stop, say at Main Place and then go to the airport. Or If I was at the Setia City Mall and a direct bus takes me to KLIA 1 in 40 minutes!

Just how many people arrive in KLIA annually? It is estimated that over 60 million passengers go through the airport in 2025. On top of that, there are all the employees that need to commute. Although I don’t have the numbers, I am sure that a number of people will be dropped off by their spouses, adding passenger car traffic to the vehicles moving passengers. On a recent trip to Beijing groups of people were ferried from the hotel to the airport in a hotel-owned bus. Perfect! It would run every half hour, straight to the departure hall; free of charge and hassle.

Imagine, there would be more buses connecting to the airport: there would be less congestion on the ramps. No more need for VAMS maybe? Another immediate effect would be that there would be fewer vehicles on the highway and other roads. A bus carrying some 50 people would reduce the number of private vehicles ferrying passengers already by a significant number. Furthermore, this will bring about a reduction in harmful emissions. Fewer vehicles, less emissions. Less traffic jam, also less emissions. And less traffic jam means lower chances of missing a flight.

We would also have less stressed spouses dropping off their partners on their airport runs. One could even join on the bus ride even though one is only going to the airport and back. I would dare say that the cost of a bus ticket could also be lower than what it takes to drive in a passenger car.

In my opinion, we shouldn’t be debating if 10 or 15 minutes should be the limit for people to park at KLIA’s departure hall. We should be plotting the most sensible locations for bus hubs. One should be a KLIA itself, maybe taking a page out of Hong Kong airport’s playbook? There, buses are a convenient, fast, efficient and fun way to get to most corners of the island and New Territories.

As Malaysia is gearing up the Visit Malaysia Year 2026, I wonder what the first impression tourists will have. Will it be that of an efficient place that quickly whisks you to your destination in town or a fume-filled and congested struggle through the tropical heat to get out of the airport?

Reviewed: My New Manual Coffee Grinder

I could not resist buying it! My latest addition to my travel gear is the Timemore Chestnut Pro as shown here. Having used it a few times now on short trips, I would say I give it a 9.5 rating (out of 10). The only thing that could possibly irk me a little is that the brush that came with it is nor that great for cleaning the grinder after using it. \

Maybe the best part is the unscrewing of the container as that sounds like you are getting ready to go to battle. The sound of the metal on metal is real sexy! The grinder has a nice heft to it and the operation does not require lengthy studies of a owners manual. 

In particular, the foldable handle is a feature that I value. Making it a compact unit to bring along, this is phantastic tool to get me started on the right footing in the morning. Somehow, instant coffee is still very much a thing in Asian hotels and I cannot but wonder why there aren't more capsule coffee machines in upscale properties.

Got a copper measuring spoon to bring along. Was told that THIS is the material to use as it enhances the flavour. Can't say I notice that, but it is a nice piece of gear too. 

Favorite Among the Boys

Can you imagine the look on the wife's face when I said that I will be meeting a friend in the TITI bar?
Either this naming project was pure genius or totally ignorant. 

On that note, "Naming" of a new product or service is one of the hardest things to do in marketing in my opinion. The name needs to sound nice, make sense, be trademarkable, NOT mean something rude in another language, be suitable for a memorable logo to be created... My favorite creation, although the actual business did not take off, was "Isle of Veg", a hydroponics system. Just say it fast. 

Ingenious Sign

Many restaurants in Asia are housed in a variety of malls. I still cannot get used to the idea that the restroom of a restaurant would NOT be inside the actual establishment, but one shared with shoppers etc. Never mind that... Here is a sign that will make you think a lot about way "this business" would be done: 

Spotted this in a burb called TTDI. And I have to wonder a) what must have happened for this sign to be needed and b) the acrobatics that would be required to achieve the undesired result. 

Location is Secure

The people in Meru, Selangor are really afraid someone will nick their stuff! 
Or maybe this is just a clever way to re-purpose them containers in which autoparts are being shipped in?
 

Now I need Grappa!

The treasure trove of hotel grade stuff has delivered again. Every time we stumble into this thrift shop specialised on hotel furniture and fittings, we find something. This time, it was Grappa glasses from one of the top glass manufacturers. At the price offered, we could not resist, but had to buy a few packs.

Now we need Grappa. 

(This was posted in Jacqueline's Instagram, Riedel was tagged and they even commented!)

I am sure SOMEONE needs this!

If you thought that collecting Ultraman or Godzilla figurines is an obscure hobby, wait until you come across the more drastic vending machines in Japan. I am sure that this kind of plastic model would fit in SOME diorama, however,... I will stick with Deadpool for 300 Yen. 

A Different Stay in Japan

 

Being it for business or pleasure, Japan is and remains the darling of international travellers. Being it for business or pleasure, the choice of the hotel one is staying in has a huge impact.

Wanting to stay away from a more common experience, or needing a bit more space, MIMARU is a brand that should catch the attention of seasoned travellers that value a more personal touch while enjoying the comfort of a sophisticated space. MIMARU is an apartment-hotel brand with two series—MIMARU and MIMARU SUITES. While the SUITES series offers exclusively suite-type layouts, both series provide spacious apartment-style accommodations across Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, with 27 properties on their roster.

The Experience
When booking a hotel room, one would not just pick four walls, but a heart and soul that embodies the brand. Aimed at two distinct groups of travellers, MIMARU offers a variety of apartment layouts—from studio-type units to one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments—comfortably accommodating groups of four or more. Thus, the first group are travellers that require a base for a prolonged period of time. Once settled in, MIMARU anchors guests nicely, as will be explained in a moment. The other type of travellers are families or groups of friends that would prefer to have an apartment-style hotel, accommodating up to 10 persons, rather than splitting up into separate rooms.

With staff from all over the world, speaking some 40 languages, there is surely an immediate connection one can make upon check-in. Many hotels claim to be a home away from home. However, very seldom does the level of familiarity reach the state where one will claim to be going home when referring to the hotel. MIMARU is different.

MIMARU is truly different in many ways as travellers will experience when making use of the facilities. While the property described here is their Tokyo Nihimbashi property, one is to expect the same when opting for any of their other apartments.

The Lobby that Ain’t
No matter where, checking into a hotel almost always means that the lobby is the first intense point of contact with the hotel of choice. In the MIMARU the lobby is not just a lobby. It is a gathering space, a social area and a second living space. Minimalist, functional and thoughtful decorated, the space around the check-in counter serves as a nook where one can retreat to read a book. It is also a café. With the idea of it being a social place in mind, MIMARU has rented out the space to an independent F&B operator.

It is here where the guests come together in activities that the hotel staff are curating. A nightly Sake-tasting not only educates but also bonds with others that may have the same passion for the Japanese rice wine. Kids are being entertained with activities that are both educational and fun: mask painting and crafting Halloween decoration were the theme during this stay.

The absolute stand-out during this visit was the tableware, crockery and tools on “display”. As this display is not just a display, it could well be the most though-through aspect of staying in any apartment hotel! Not only are these items samples from another nearby shop, but they are available for guests to be used in their apartments. When cooking in the kitchenette, these items become Instagrammers delights as well as allowing the chef to spruce up the dishes with varying plates, cups and accessories. Combining it, one can take the Sake from the sampling to the room, complete with a set of sake cups.

Room to Unwind
The MIMARU properties are designed to allow guests to unwind, to have a home away from home. Thus, there is no workstation in the apartment. Guests are meant to leave the work behind in the office. One will immediately appreciate the minimalist, functional style of the rooms though. A living room with kitchenette are part of all the MIMARU apartments. Serving as a hub, from there the other rooms can be accessed.

Plenty of storage space, closets and shelving supports the idea of either serving for long-term stays or groups of people settling in. With a full set of kitchen utensils (that can be supplemented from the aforementioned displays in the lobby), the comfort is immediate.

Stemming from the Onsen culture, bathtubs can be found in many hotels in Japan. MIMARU does not make an exception and dipping into the hot water after a long day on the road will be welcome before heading to the sofa or bed. Bedrooms may either feature en suite bathrooms in addition to common, shared ones. MIMARU has taken the art of minimalism to a different level, a reflection of Japanese culture in many ways: there is nothing unnecessary in the rooms, yet everything one needs is on hands. The zen this achieves extends into the bedrooms, which are havens of calm and unclutteredness. 

With the focus on families travelling, MIMARU has also in place an ingenious service that may be unique to them (at least the author has never heard of it being offered anywhere): parents may enjoy time to themselves with the kids being looked after in an in-house play pen, supervised by babysitters. Enjoying an evening out, watching a show or meeting friends in another city without having to look after filia or filius has never been made easier. 

Fully Immersed

The neighborhoods in which MIMARU properties are located in are carefully chosen to support the very idea of the hotels being a home. Within walking distance, there will be all of what is needed for extended stays. From local (and very yummy) ramen shops to supermarkets, Daiso and banks. On the weekend, it is not uncommon for roads to be closed for local activities, which MIMARU guests are naturally also invite to partake in.

It is a hallmark of the brand to find interesting buildings, such as office towers that MIMARU refurbishes to suit their needs. Connectivity is playing an important role in the selection of the locale with train stations always in easy reach of any MIMARU property. The MIMARU Tokyo Nihimbashi can be reached within a few moments walking from the Ningyocho station. Ningyocho station is one station along the Toei Asakusa Line, which allows direct access to both, Narita and Haneda, airports.

Dolls, Kabuki and Merchandise
The MIMARU mentioned here is located in an area that is known as Ningyocho, meaning "Doll Town," originated in the early Edo period as a major entertainment district in Tokyo, home to numerous kabuki theatres and puppet shows. It developed around these theatres and the artisans who made and repaired puppets, which is how it got its name. Despite later fires and the relocation of its theatres, the district preserved its traditional atmosphere through events like the move of Suitengu Shrine and the survival of WWII bombings, retaining elements of old Tokyo's charm.

On display in the MIMARU are several dolls that are on loan from a nearby shop that has been making and selling artisanal dolls for decades. Acting as a display case, the MIMARU features a number of them as talking points or suggestions for souvenirs. In particular the samurai helmet turned pen holder on the check in counter caught our attention.