There was period from early 2020 into the end of 2021 when this blog site on Thursday was devoted to COVID-19. Remember that the official worldwide count of Covid deaths is just over 7 million.  However, the suspicion is that perhaps 36 million actually died. As far back as late 2021, it was estimated that  nearly 44% of the world's population caught Covid at least once .   This rate was as high as 79.3% in sub-Saharan Africa, as low as 13% in parts of Asia and Oceania, and 31% in the U.S. and Canada.   Forty countries had more than 70% at least once infected. Of Americans under 18, through the end of 2022, only 10% were not infected ( Novids) . 25% of Americans had still not caught Covid by the end of 2023 .  However, and this was not explained, 55% of adults think they have never had Covid. Only 13% of those 16-29 years old were Novids.  The infection rate for Blacks and Whites were about the same, around 77.5%. Asians 66% and Hispanics 81%. A...

Today I continue my  nostalgic  Pearl's Ashes  series , focusing on  Bangkok .  But there will be a few informational detours, leading to a nightmarish journey to my hotel in Tokyo, and finishing with a hint of what will be my posting next Tuesday. I flew first class, and left Honolulu on 1March2011, 24 hours later arriving at my favorite hotel in Bangkok, the Sheraton Grande Sukhamvit. My philosophy when flying is, "if free, every drink not drunk is money wasted."  I'm not sure my body, and liver in particular, would agree, but it makes for an enjoyable flight. Go to my posting that day for the details , but I had 16 different alcoholic drinks getting from Honolulu to Bangkok. I selected the  Grand Palace for Pearl's Ashes #15 . Here is a  short video of this attraction . Official residence of the Kings of Siam, now Thailand, since 1782, until 1925. Over 8 million visitors/year. One of Pearl's very favorite spots on Earth is the   Grand Pala...

If you ever come to Bangkok, one experience you should not miss is rooftop dining.  It must have been more than two decades ago.  I was staying in the Banyan Tree Hotel, which was then a Westin.  In any case, at the top was  Vertigo , the first roof top dining restaurant in the city.  The building has 61 floors, and you are at the top. Since then I've dined at a few more.  As the second of its kind,  Sirocco  opened in 2003 on the 63rd floor.  Read about  my experience in 2015: ... the symbol of supreme dining extravagance in Thailand, remaining as the highest place to enjoy a meal with only the sky above you, on the 63rd floor of the State Tower.   I took the photos below awaiting my table and saw the sunset. Maybe your mind might recall this scene, for parts of  Hangover 2  were shot here. This posting  provides cuisine and wine details for every dish. So, the chef came by to chat with me, for maybe the third time, ...