How to dress like you are James Bond

Many men choose to get suits made when visiting Asia. It helps if you know what you want. I just came across thoughtful guide to purchasing and tailoring men's suits according to 007 criteria.

In the 007 films, Sean Connery wore lightweight wool (a favorite of Bond author Ian Fleming). Lightweight suits were not in style in the 1950s or 1960s, but Fleming acquired a liking for them after spending some time in Jamaica (where Dr. No took place).

Homage to an airport

Even with few flights, Tempelhof remains magical. Berlin's a mess but glorious because, being bankrupt, it is more affordable than other major capitals, which makes it attractive to singles, artists, students, immigrants, people on the dole and dreamers. Its airports cater to this population of discount passengers. Tegel is the most efficient and wonderful airport in Europe; Tempelhof, the most beautiful. Even homely Schönefeld works. Quiet, efficient, cheap, humane and perfect for flying around the continent, they collectively improve Berlin in ways immeasurable by accountants and politicians.

NY Times

Air fare watchdog can help you find low air fares

A NY Times article recommends signing up with airlines for private price cuts in order to get good deals:

Not unlike clothing chains that dole out special "family and friends" discounts to employees and repeat customers, airlines quietly offer special coupon codes to travelers who sign up for their weekly newsletters or frequent flier programs. Airfarewatchdog.com, which monitors such deals and posts the codes on its Web site, reports that it has noticed an increase in deals recently, including new promotion codes in Alaska Airlines newsletters every few weeks with savings typically of 20 percent.

In praise of Indonesia's Blue Bird Taxis

Indonesia boasts what may well be the world's best taxi company. Actually, I think a National Geographic team awarded the Indonesian company this title.

Of course, I'm talking about Blue Bird Group taxis. When in Indonesia, take Blue Bird or Silver Bird.*

Blue bird taxis have the blue bird marking on the top of the windshield. They are blue, and in Jakarta they usually carry the Pusaka name. In Bali look for Bali Taxi.

With regular Blue Bird, you usually save money over other taxis because they take you where you are going without any hassles and the drivers are courteous.

As for other Indonesian taxis? Let's just say you have been warned.
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* Silver Bird is a far smaller fleet consisting of 700 Mercedes and large Toyota taxis that do pick ups at the major hotels. Silver Bird only charges a 20% premium. Blue
- Blue Bird Group website.
- The company operates a holiday resort on the island of Lombok. I've been there -- it's pleasant.

Too few international airlines flights to Bali

European tourists were having difficulties finding direct flights from Singapore to Bali due to a recently prolonged EU ban on Indonesia's national carriers.

A recent Ministry survey on European passengers found that 30 percent of those wishing to visit Bali were forced to switch destinations due to flight unavailability.

More flights, new routes:

• The Ministry of Transportation recently granted Singapore Airlines an increase in flight frequencies from four to seven flights per day to support the government's tourism program. Singapore Airlines provides flights from Singapore to Bali, Jakarta and Medan, and the flights increase could see traveler capacity rise to 15,000 per week.
• The government has also recently opened the Yogyakarta-Kuala Lumpur route to two airliners: Malaysia Airlines, which would use the 144-passenger carrying Boeing 737, and AirAsia, which would use the Airbus A 320, with 180 passenger capacity.

Jakarta Post