NAHA CITY, OKINAWA - We open our umbrellas in what's supposed to be the sunniest place in Japan. Just my luck. I pick the rainy season to visit a place where, on average, it rains 30-60 days a year.

NORTH MALEÈ ATOLL, REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES – It’s love at first sight for the honeymooners aboard the Trans Maldivian Airlines seaplane as they crane their necks to get a better look at beautiful KudaHuraa.

KYOTO, JAPAN - The young rickshaw driver doesn't wince when the supersized Canadian approaches and asks to be taken for a ride in Japan's traditional two-wheel hand-pulled cab.

LUANG PRABANG, LAOS - The first thing that strikes you about this city is that there are no traffic lights - mainly because there is very little traffic. Quaint Luang Prabang, a 16th century city, appears frozen in time – a peaceful place where ox and motorscooters hog the road.

LUANG PRABANG, LAOS - A favourite day outing with tourists who come to this remote part of Asia is to take a boat ride down the murky Mekong River - its waters are the colour of a cup of mocha coffee - to the artisan village of Lao Lao and then on to the Pac Cu, or Buddha caves.

HONG KONG - The Star Ferry from Kowloon had no sooner docked at the Central Area pier when a wave of passengers rushed for the exits and headed straight for a convoy of brightly-painted double-decker buses parked opposite the ferry terminal.

LANTAU ISLAND, HONG KONG - This is known as Hong Kong’s treasured island – a place revered by local residents because of its religious importance to the community.

HONG KONG - The last time I was in Hong Kong, Queen Elizabeth II was depicted on its stamps and currency. It was pre-1997 Handover and shopping was more than an option, it seemed a mandate.

HONG KONG - Every 12 year cycle, according to the Chinese calendar, it’s time to celebrate the Year of the Horse. Bettors in race crazy Hong Kong, can’t wait that long - it's always the year of the horse here.

BAA ATOLL, MALDIVES — We are lured to this nation of turquoise water and lush tropical islands by lovely brochure photos featuring luxurious thatched-roofed resort villas suspended on stilts and by promises of sun-drenched days and romantic orange glow sunsets.