Check out the latest video: https://youtu.be/Citqe38BAMg

sponsored by AMAZING
After a 13 hour flight from Shanghai (PVG) I land at LAX. I will grab my rental car at Alamo and then drive home to San Diego.
My drive from LAX to home usually takes about 2.5 hours. About mid-way home, I will usually stop at a rest area on the I-5 near San Onofre. Its a good mid-way point and an opportunity to stretch my legs, stretch my back and use the rest room.
While there, the sun was setting so I took the opportunity for a quick photo. As I was walking toward this embankment to get a cool shot of the sun setting over the pacific, a guy in his 20’s shows me the photo he just took of the sun – commenting on how beautiful it was. In speaking with him, I learn he is originally from Shanghai.
“I just got back from there”, I said.
“Ah, I am heading there on Tuesday – when did you get back?” he asked.
“I landed at LAX about 2 hours ago.”
“Oh wow! you JUST got back.”
…
So we shared a few comments about the weather there.
Turns out his family has a business there and he will be going back to work in the business. He did his undergrad work at University of Oregon.
…
Its always great to meet new people.
Since then we’ve exchanged email pleasantries. I’m quite confident I will return to Shanghai – definitely want to explore more of the city.

Check out the latest video: https://youtu.be/7Qu1-f0hFok

sponsored by AMAZING
Grabbing some duck at the airport and heading back to California. The layover in Shanghai was not so bad. I was about 1 day early as far as lucking out and getting some nice (non-rain) weather BUT considering the amount of travel in had been doing up to this point, the “boring” of simply walking around and staying at the Airport Hotel was actually a Welcomed amount of downtime.

Here’s the AGODA link to Hotel 168 if you want to check it out:
https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1730848&pcs=1&hl=en&hid=529210

Check out the latest video: https://youtu.be/6cwxT9kDNWw

sponsored by AMAZING
After a nice 4 hour nap, a shower, and I dropped my bags off 3 hours before departure. I am simply in the habit of this as it is traditionally the earliest I can check in for an International flight AND I like to be THE first, or at least One of the first people checking in. In at least 1/2 the cases, I don’t pay for the extra legroom or upgraded class of seat when I am flying to SE Asia so if I get there early, I have usually been able to get an emergency exit row seat. Read as: TONS of legroom. At 6’2″ (188cm) I am not a giant however any flight with lack of legroom is very uncomfortable for me.
On this Delta flight from PVG to LAX I was using points so for about $80 all in, I was able to upgrade to their Comfort + and get Sky Priority boarding and baggage. Plus the use of my Delta AMEX card is a nice little perk as I don’t need to pay for checked bags.

This Shanghai layover has been an Ok experience. I don’t particularly like anywhere when its cloudy and raining but the real bummer was how tired I was for about 14 hours of travel prior to arrival – even if the weather was epic, I think I would have been distracted by fatigue so the 6 hour hotel rest was very worth while.
I am very much looking forward to returning to China to check out Shanghai as well as Hong Kong and Shenzhen. A LOT of exciting things are happening in this part of the world. I cannot even imagine what it will all be like 50 years from NOW!
Exciting!

Thanks for watching.
~mikes

Check out the latest video: https://youtu.be/5rAemN_FTiw

sponsored by AMAZING
This the weather the way it was in Shanghai: Cloudy, drizzly, then rain, I decided the Airport Hotel (Hotel 168) was the best solution for this layover. For about $45 i was able to get about 4 hours of sleep in a quiet room and a nice warm shower in a clean bathroom.
I call that a big win.

Here’s the AGODA link to Hotel 168 if you want to check it out:
https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1730848&pcs=1&hl=en&hid=529210

Check out the latest video: https://youtu.be/CWN2aD7dpcw

sponsored by AMAZING
Sorry – the first one I uploaded had some videos out of sequence. I believe this is correct.

GREETINGS from Shanghai Airport (PVG). I arrived about 6am and my next flight was at 7am. I really want to check out the MagLev train as well as some more touristy stuff in this global metropolist…

Check out the latest video: https://youtu.be/pLX8YYUpccQ

sponsored by AMAZING
I decided to take the MRT/BTS over to Phetchaburi station and then a quick walk to the Asoke/Phetchaburi Pier. From there take a river boat 16 stops up to The Mall Bangkapi Pier to meet a buddy for some coffee and conversation at Starbucks.

Here’s a quick video of the trip. Fun! Convenient and about $0.50 EPIC!

Scott Mallon on YouTube – An American In Bangkok: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCurctSeouvoryzOlBcjxGbQ

Check out the latest video: https://youtu.be/lkJOAdtk_i4

sponsored by AMAZING
On a Tuesday in September while in Bangkok, I took a *GRAB*
if you’ve never used GRAB basically its just like LYFT or UBER or FlyWheel.. and used to be called MyTEKSI. Use my referal code if you’d like to sign up: mike68746

The GRAB took me from our apartment in Klong Toei area over to Thonglor area and checked out a co-working space: the HIVE.
I dug it only 150 THB (about $5 USD)

Hope you enjoy the video.

The HIVE Bangkok (*Thonglor*): http://thehive.co.th/
Actually “Try Out Tuesday is *every Tuesday*:
http://thehive.co.th/events/event/try-out-tuesday/

A bit of a summary about THE HIVE:
The Hive was founded by serial entrepreneur Constant Tedder in 2012. After moving to Hong Kong from U.K, he set out to create a beautiful workspace for entrepreneurs, creatives and start-up businesses to create a community to grow together.
The Hive believes in empowering the creative and entrepreneurial community across Asia. We do this by designing beautiful, unique spaces by providing personalised and responsive service to connect members into a powerful network.
At its core, The Hive is a community of people who share a common belief that creativity and entrepreneurship is worthy and meaningful work.
The Hive has two locations in Bangkok: one in the heart of Thonglor, the one I went to on this day in this video, and the other in Prakanong. Both are members’ coworking spaces. the Hive Thonglor is just 5 minutes motorbike ride from the Thonglor BTS station and close to all the restaurants and shops. We converted a large shophouse into a unique space with 5 floors of co-working space, a rooftop cafe and an outdoor shaded terrace.
DO check out the spa on the 1st floor to help you kickback and relax.

— other HIVE links —
The HIVE SPA: http://thehivespa.com/
The HIVE Prakanong (Still in BKK but different area) : http://www.thehiveprakanong.com/