The experience going from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto on the Hokkaido Shinkansen, covering over 800 km in just under four hours and then onwards to Sapporo on the Hakodate Main Line, covering just over 250 km in… just under four hours. It’s safe to say there’s no beating the Shinkansen for speed on the rails in Japan.

I’m on the record as saying that the Conrad Tokyo | @conrad_tokyo is my absolute favorite hotel in Tokyo since I started staying there for at least a night or two as part of a swing through the city. I say that even recognizing that, until this trip, I’d only ever stayed in one other hotel here although it’s hard for the Hyatt Regency to top it even if their Shinjuku location is more optimal for my bops around town.

A wonderful couple of days eating and drinking my way through Tokyo.

Tokyo, as seen on my run across the Rainbow Bridge.

Lunch at ⭐️⭐️ Kikunoi Akasaka | @kikunoi_akasaka.

Faced with a $200 Hilton resort credit that would expire at end of year, I took a side trip on the way to Tokyo to stay at the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa | @hiltonodawara. With the credit, it basically came out to $50 for the night and I got a massive room, a solid balcony view, an onsen bath facility that I availed myself to end my night and to start my next morning.

A wonderful day, eating and drinking my way through Odawara.

From my visit to Odawara Castle 小田原城, I got a little bit of history within its walls but the real highlight was the 360º view from the outdoor perimeter deck.

The experience going from Osaka to Ho Chi Minh City and then to Tokyo in Vietnam Airlines Business Class, with a stop in the KIX Lounge Kansai for breakfast and then at the Lotus Lounge in SGN for a much-needed shower and supper.

A wonderful final evening eating and drinking my way through Ho Chi Minh City.

Sheraton as a brand in the Marriott portfolio is a weird one as the quality between individual hotels can vary wildly with seemingly very little consistency in brand standards in place. The Sheraton Can Tho | @sheratoncantho is one of those that exceeds the standard with a top-notch breakfast buffet and made-to-order dishes that was 50% off for being a guest at the hotel. Even better was the spa, where I got a 90-minute massage for the price of 60 - at 695,000₫, that comes out to… just under $27. Yep, a steal. Also? My room rate came out to under $90 a day! Insane.

Can Tho, as seen on my walks around town.

A wonderful long weekend eating and drinking my way through Can Tho.

If you ever find yourself having a conversation with me and I mention wanting to run a marathon in southeast Asia, do me a solid and remind me about my experience running the Can Tho Heritage Marathon | @canthoheritagemarathon?

Can Tho, as seen on a very warm run, especially at 8 am.

I booked a standard King Guest Room at Hilton Saigon | @hiltonsaigon but thanks to my Diamond status (which I owe entirely to the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card), I was upgraded to a King Suite. Not too shabby for around $250/night - probably a lot by Vietnam standards but I ain’t complaining.

Ho Chi Minh City, as seen on my many walks around town.

A wonderful couple of days eating and drinking my way through Ho Chi Minh City.