Lee Cobaj

Being silly together is the ultimate test of compatibility. It’s all about who you can be at your most ridiculous, most unhinged with. A laugh partner, if you will.

Wow looks great!

This needs to go global

Vietnam is really good for boutique hotels! I’ve got a few favourites but good to hear about Hanoi Garden. I’ll check that out 😊

I'm writing about the best boutique hotels in Southeast Asia and aiming to champion some great independently run places. Would love to hear about your favourite affordable but lovely small hotels.

The Logic of Destruction And how to resist it

What's happening in America isn't Trump being mental, the plan - backed by Thiel and Musk - is to burn it all down. We all need to start convincing everyone we know about this dark new reality. Following @timothysnyder.bsky.social is a good place to start.
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...

Bans, Fees, Taxes. Can Anything Stop Overtourism? (Gift Article) Efforts to limit visitors in tourist hot spots have had mixed results, at best. Competing interests have a way of impeding attempts to stem the tide.

“The hard truth is that once overtourism has arrived,” said Rachel Dodds, professor of tourism management at Toronto Metropolitan University, “it’s exceedingly difficult to turn back the clock.” (gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/t...

And you!

Happy New Year, Friends! 🧧🧧🧧

Grim :(

The last time it was legal, exports of sea sand destroyed dozens of Indonesian islands. Now, the ban is being lifted The demand for sand is soaring in places like Singapore. But extracting sand from the sea is destructive. It’s worth looking at alternatives

The last time it was legal, exports of sea sand destroyed dozens of Indonesian islands. Now, the ban is being lifted
theconversation.com/the-last-tim...

China’s Tibet Dam Project Has Its Neighbors Worried The hydropower dam, in quake-prone Tibet, is set to be the world’s biggest. But China has said little about the project, which could affect nearby countries.

www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/w...

Yet another week in which Hong Kong gets to talk about national security

Hong Kong conceptual artist Luke Ching Chin Wai fired when he reveals McDonalds paying their staff under minimum wage en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_Ch...

Sieg heil Tesla Yes, you did see what you think you saw. Here's an idea, let's call a Nazi salute a Nazi salute.

I wish I could convince everyone I know to read this warning from the brilliant @carolecadwalla.bsky.social The world is heading in a very dark direction, we need to prepare for what's coming. broligarchy.substack.com/p/seig-heil-...

These newly weds are apparently aged 63 and 78 and have been together for 33 years. Former prime minister Thaksin apologised that they had to wait so long for this day (bawling again)

😭😭😭

Ceremonies are taking place at Paragon Hall. Some friends and I have registered to witness the celebrations

I’ve come to Siam Paragon, where many of the first marriages will take place. Crowds are already forming outside

Why Thailand became a haven for LGBT couples Thailand is set to legalise same-sex marriage - one of the few places in Asia to do so. Why is it an outlier?

Good morning from Thailand, where the Marriage Equality bill comes into effect today! 🏳️‍🌈🥰🏳️‍🌈🥰🏳️‍🌈 www.bbc.com/news/article...

"Add oil" is a Hong Kong English expression used as an encouragement and support to a person.[1] Derived from the Chinese phrase Gayau (or Jiayou; Chinese: 加油), the expression is literally translated from the Cantonese phrase. "Add oil" can be roughly translated as "Go for it".

Hong Kong’s baby pandas, which were born at Ocean Park in August, will go on display to the public from 15 February. They are super cute!

The only major international news of the day is that after many years of research, I’ve written a book about penguins

Oh of course Boris Johnson is there. Of course. The UK Cunt Bingo proceeds apace.

Move over London and Paris – Bangkok is the definitive city of the 2020s The Thai capital does hotels better than anywhere else in the world, whilst its food scene is also booming

I wrote about how Bangkok is owning it at the moment for @telegraphnews.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...

It’s a peregrine falcon — the fastest animal on the planet! Got to meet her in Scotland last year 🥰

If you see this, post a bird

Note: Do not watch on my next flight

Chinese airlines rush into Europe as western carriers retreat Ability to keep flying over Russia helps three big state-owned carriers undercut European rivals

European airlines are losing out to Chinese carriers which can offer shorter flight times and cheaper fares by flying through Russian airspace - but who's happy to fly over Russia when they have shot TWO passenger jets out of the sky? www.ft.com/content/a3ee...

Yay! I can finally switch my electric blanket on!