Tokyo is constantly ranked among the top most expensive cities to live in the world. I never thought I would go to Tokyo until I booked Japan Airlines going to Kuala Lumpur. The airline offered a one night stay for free at Holiday Inn Airport, and I took the opportunity to visit the city. Unfortunately, I had only a few hours to enjoy Tokyo, one of the biggest cities and top destinations in the world. I chose to visit Shinjuku, a fascinating district in Tokyo, and it is the location of the world's busiest train station, Shinjuku Station. It cost $15 for a one way ticket from Narita International Airport to downtown Tokyo.

This is not the place you want to be during rush hour. As I exited from the train at Shinjuku at 7 pm, there were still a huge crowd (majority were in black, and in their long coats). Crowds of people rushed toward their trains in a timely manner intersecting one another as they hurried to their designated trains. Not knowing where I should go, I just followed the crowd, and looked for the bright neon lights. Shortly after, I came to Omoide Yokocho, a place known for its alleyways that are fill with small eateries serving ramen, soba, yakitori and kushiyaki. An interesting observation at some these small restaurants, menus were displayed out, and there was a button on each order for the customer to push in. Once ordered, you put the money in, and picked up the food at the counter. There were only a few seatings in many of these places.

Make sure you have cash as many these establishments do not accept credit card.

After dinner, I walked around the area, where I saw hundreds of neon lights at stores' front: some were displaying animate Japanese's characters while others were showing the newest gadgets in the market. Store employees trying to entice shoppers with offers and discounts, and video games arcades were wildly popular among young adults here.

Before I knew it was time to head back. At the train station, I realized I did not have anymore Japanese yen for my ride back to my hotel. But I was surprised that the courteous agent who was working at the station gave me a piece of note. He told me I could pay at the office in the airport train station the next day. I could not believed that.

This is a pleasant incident you will not find in America.

I paid the fare next day at the station in the airport. I saw the same agent (I was surprised to see him there although he said he would the previous night), and I thanked him. Spending that few hours in Tokyo will do not justice to this fascinating city. Therefore, I am planning to visit Tokyo again, and next time it will not be just a stopover.

Air Asia was established in 1993. Almost 20 years later, it has operate scheduled domestic and international flights to more than 400 destinations spanning 25 countries. My first encounter with AirAsia was back in 2009 when I went to Hanoi with Jack (a history teacher in New York).

It was not a good experience then. The airline would not allow Jack to board as he was required to have a visa to Vietnam. But I argued that he could get a visa upon arrival. No! the agent responded, and I had to leave Jack behind in Kuala Lumpur.

Fortunately, the flight was pretty good and so was the service - low fare, no frills and no fuss. I arrived at Hanoi International Airport (Noi Bai) on an early Tuesday morning. Public and private transportations are plenty at the airport. You can easily get an airport taxi for $10 to downtown Hanoi (the airport is about 28 miles to downtown). Or you can pay $6 per person for a private van.

I took the private van, and the driver dropped me off at a hostel in the Old French Quarter. The first thing I noticed the moment I stepped out from the van was the deafening noise from the hundreds of motorbikes honking at one another (and the pedestrians) as they veered through the streets. Almost 90% of the 2 million residents in Hanoi used motorbikes as their mode of transportation. Therefore, the roads here are pretty congested, and pollution is one of the highest in Asia.

The French Quarter was built by the French colonists in the late 19th century; their vision was to recreate an image of little Paris in Hanoi. But today, with the exceptions of the Opera House, Government Guesthouse, and Metropole Hotel, many villas in the French Quarter have degraded badly.

In the old part of the French Quarter, you'll find old cables dangling from pole to pole, and degrading prewar houses next to newer buildings. What is so interesting here is that each street seems to specialize in selling one kind of product; you find one street that sells only hardwares, the next street that sells only fabrics, and so on. Even the names of the streets reflect the particular trade each street is doing. Like most cities in Asia, along the street, or any streets, you'll find food! Almost everywhere! Basically most do not have menus as these owners serve only one or two kinds of food. Therefore, it might be a good idea to know one or two Vietnamese words. For instance, ph? is a very tasty noodle soup that you will find almost everywhere. Chicken is ga, and beef is bo. And in case you like to know, dog meat is Thit Cho.

Bún is another noodle dish that you can eat by itself, but it's normally served with meat (beef, pork, chicken or crab), and sometimes in broth with lots of herbs, spices and vegetables. The taste is amazing. Bánh cu?n is a light tasty meal filled with minced pork and mushrooms, and wrapped like a roll. It comes with a side of Vietnamese pork sausages and bean sprouts.

Hanoi is famous for its numerous rivers, lakes, and mountains in the surrounding areas. As you wander further away from the Old French Quarter toward Hoan Kiem Lake (considered the most beautiful lake in Hanoi), you find grand boulevards around the lake. The French architects blessed this part of town with wide Parisian Boulevards, leafy green canopy, and fine French Colonial architectures, notably The Opera House, based on the Neo-Baroque Paris Opera, and The Museum of History, an elaborate blend of Vietnamese palace and French villa, a style named Neo-Vietnamese. Around here, you'll find sidewalk cafes, fine-dining restaurants, luxury hotels, and villas.

Some of the attractions in Hanoi are Saint Joseph Cathedral, Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature), and Ngoc Son Temple.

I must admit that I did not come to Hanoi to sight seeing. I went there to sample its food and the Old French Quarter. After sometime, I came to accustomed to the sound of honking from the motorbikes. I had some really tasty street food, although some of these food stalls' condition may look rundown. One word of advise if you decide to come to Hanoi for your next vacation: follow what AirAsia is all about - low price (fare), no frills and no fuss - and you will come to enjoy the city a lot more despite its pollution and noise.

As for the visa, Americans can get one upon arrival as long as they have a letter of invite from the place they're staying at.

Malacca Town and Penang's George Town were formally inscribed as UNESCO Heritage Sites in 2008.

Malacca is rich in culture and it bears several places of historical interests. Tourism is an important industry in Malacca. "Visiting Malacca Means Visiting Malaysia" is a slogan adopted by Malacca because it was the location of one of the earliest Malay sultanates, and it was the birthplace of the Baba Nyonya heritage.

I took a day trip to Malacca with some friends. Jessica, our tour guide and driver, drove us from Kuala Lumpur. It took us about 2 1/2 hours to reach Malacca Town. Jonker Street is the main street in the town. Well-preserved prewar buildings turned into shops selling souvenirs, antiques, and local designs. On Fridays and Saturdays, the street turns into a night market where tasty treats and delicious knick knacks are sold at dirt cheap prices. A handful of bars turn the street into a mini street party with tables oozing beyond the sidewalks and a mix of live music beating throughout the area.

Traffic was pretty slow here. Jessica showed us the oldest and grandest temple in Malacca, Cheng Hoon Teng. It is located along Jalan Tokong (formerly Temple Street) in the core area of the Malacca Heritage Site. Dating back from 1646, the temple continues to serve the Buddhist community in Malacca. The temple is dedicated to Kwan Yin, is noteworthy due to its craftsmanship and preservation. A robed effigy of the Goddess of Mercy can be found within the main hall and remains the focal point for the entire shrine.

Malacca is well-known for its food. Its Baba Nyonya cuisine is a fusion of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, Indian, British and Malay cooking with most dishes being spicy in nature. We had 'Chicken Rice Ball' for lunch. It's basically chicken rice with the rice comes in the size of a ping-pong ball. Other famous local fares in Malacca are 'Nyonya Laksa' (a Peranakan cuisine, which is a fusion of Malay and Chinese cooking) 'Itek Tim' (a sour duck soup with salted vegetables), and 'Ayam Pong The' (miso soy braised chicken).

Malacca has a laid back atmosphere. Between the scattered historic spots are Chinese prewar shop fronts and traditional Malay houses. Time stands still as we head to the Main Square, where Stadthuys and Christ Church are located. Stadhuys, a salmon-pink town hall and the governor's residence, is believed to be the oldest Dutch building in the East, houses several museums. Christ Church is the oldest Protestant church in Malaysia. Built in 1753 to commemorate a century of Dutch rule in Malacca, it is one of the most recognizable buildings in the country. The square is never short of activities: trishaws adorned with plastic flowers (lots of them) and Malaysian flags to attract tourists, man with a white 'motionless' python that you pay a fee to pose with it, and street vendors selling souvenirs and tidbits.

Porta De Santiago (A'Famosa) is a must for anyone planning to visit Malacca. Constructed by the Portugese in 1511 as a fortress, it suffered severed structural damage during the Dutch invasion. What is remained today was saved by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1808 when the British planned to destroy the structure was aborted.

Malacca is a city mix of the old and new, historical sites and prewar shophouses stand close to modern shopping centers and offices. Here you will find old folks relaxing in their houses and young adults enjoying the life texting with their iphones. Malacca once a sleepy town, is slowly becoming a major tourist destination in Malaysia. And, before we drove back to Kuala Lumpur, we had Malacca famous satay celup, it's skewered raw fish or meat cooked in peanut sauce!

Penang is often known as "The Pearl of the Orient". Its history began when the island was leased to Captain Francis Light, an English trader-adventurer working for a Madras-based firm, in exchange for military protection from the Siamese and Burmese armies who were threatening Kedah.

The architecture in Penang is a durable testament of her history - outstanding colonial buildings include the Municipal Council and Town Hall buildings, Penang Museum, the Eastern and Oriental Hotel, St George's Anglican Church, and buildings in the old commercial district - all of which are part of the UNESCO Heritage Site.

Penang is linked to the Peninsula by a 13.5 km (9 miles), three-lane, dual carriageway Penang Bridge. Penang Bridge is one of the longest bridges in Asia. Alternatively, there is a ferry service for passengers, and vehicles from Butterworth in the Peninsula. Driving from Kuala Lumpur is about 4 to 5 hours.

Penang was recognized as having the Best Street Food in Asia by TIME magazine in 2004. I couldn't agree more. The food reflects an ethnic mix of Chinese, Nyonya, Malay, and Indian in Malaysia. The best places to savor Penang's food include Gurney Drive, Pulau Tikus, New Lane, Penang Road and Chulia Street. In retrospective, Penang is truly a cosmopolitan city with communities of Burmese, Filipino, Ceylonese, Japanese, Eurasian, Arab, Armenian and list goes on. It has a sizable expatriate population under the Malaysian My Second Home Program, and this has greatly influenced the local cuisines in Penang which you don't find often anywhere else in Malaysia.

One of Penang's best known attractions is Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. Located at 14 Keith Street, the structure was erected in the 1880s by Hakka merchant, Cheong Fatt Tze. The mansion is built in a traditional Hakka-Teochew style. The stately manor as 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases, and 220 timber-framed windows.

The Khoo Khongsi is a Chinese clanhouse for individuals with the same surname, Khoo. The clanhouse represents the family's social and spiritual commitments between ancestors and the extended families. The Penang Khoo Khongsi (known as Dragon Mountain Hall) has an impressive architectural feat that personifies good luck and wealth. Stone carvings adorned the entrance hall and pavilions, fantastic murals portraying birthdays, weddings and most impressively, the 36 divine guardians sprinkle the interior. The Khoo Khongsi has retained its authentic historic setting, which include an association building, a traditional theatre and the late 19th century rowhouses for clan members, all clustered around a granite-paved square.

Fort Cornwallis is another well-known landmark in Penang. The fortress' 10-feet walls are laid out in the shape of a star, and within those walls, some of the original structures built over a century ago can still be seen – a chapel, some prison cells, ammunition storage area, a harbor light, the original flagstaff and some old bronze cannons, which include the infamous 17th-century Dutch cannon called 'Seri Rambai', believed by the locals to have an encouraging effect on women's fertility. As for Captain Frances Light, his final resting place is at the Catholic Cemetery, located less than a block from Penang Road.

There is a lot more in Penang that meets the eyes. "The Pearl of the Orient" has a unique architectural and cultural landscape without parallel anywhere in Southeast Asia. It is also the most livable city in Malaysia and it has the lowest crime rate in the country. It is definitely one of the best islands to explore in Asia.

Garden International School is located in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. Jack had wanted to speak at schools in Malaysia, and I had made arrangement with my brother-in-law, Jeffrey to have Jack speaks at Garden International School when he decided to join me back to Malaysia.

We arrived a few days before Chinese New Year Celebration in Malaysia. Jeffrey arranged a talk for his friends with Jack as the speaker at his New Year's open house. Jack's topic was about "The Titanic and The Early Days of Recording". Jeffrey's friends were impressed with Jack, and one of his friends, Dr Kiran, a professor at a local university, Universiti Teknologi Mara, immediately asked Jack if he was interested to speak at her class. And, Jack agreed.

It was a Thursday afternoon when Jack spoke at the Garden International School. The school prepares students who are planning to continue their studies overseas, and also for children of expatriates who work in Malaysia. There was a huge crowd of over 100 students in the library. I had invited Pat and Roger, good friends of mine. The topic was about "The Events that changes the World in the 19th and 20th centuries". Jack spoke for more than an hour and a half with questions and answers at the end.

The Universiti Teknologi Mara in Shah Alam is a local university that provide professional programs of study in various fields including engineering, law, science, medicine, technology, business, arts and humanities. Jeffrey drove us to the university in the morning where Jack was scheduled to speak. We were greeted by Dr Kiran, and the room full of students and other faculty members. His topic was "The Media and The Presidency In the US". It was another excellent speech from Jack.

We are hoping that Jack can do this more often in Malaysia, and hopefully this would be something he could do in the future. We ended our day with friends in the karaoke.