New flagship joins the luxury carrier’s all-Airbus fleet as STARLUX Chairman pilots delivery flight, supporting future growth in North America and Europe Taipei, Los Angeles, and Toulouse, January 6, 2026—Marking a major transcontinental milestone, Taiwan-based luxury carrier STARLUX Airlines today took delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000 wide-body aircraft, becoming the first Taiwanese airline to operate the aircraft type. The aircraft, registration B-58551, was officially handed over at Airbus’s Toulouse headquarters and flown nonstop to Taipei by STARLUX Chairman K.W. Chang. Upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport early this morning, […]

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Originally published via Armageddon Safari: Sometimes stereotypes hold true. Case in point: Asian men do indeed, as a rule of thumb, as anyone who has watched Japanese pornography may have noticed, tend to have smaller-than-average packages compared to those of the European persuasion and definitely pitted against the Africans. (I discuss issues related to the phallus in the context of living in East Asia as an expat extensively in my top-selling memoir, Broken English Teacher: Notes From Exile.) Accordingly, the Asian market is rife with all manner of pills and potions to […]

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Charles A. Ray is a retired U.S. diplomat and former ambassador to Cambodia and Zimbabwe. Before joining the Foreign Service, he served 20 years in the U.S. Army. Over his diplomatic career, he held key positions including Deputy Consul General in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Deputy Chief of Mission in Sierra Leone, Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs. He is a prolific author of more than 400 fiction and non-fiction books, with genres spanning leadership, history, diplomacy etc., and […]

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Las Vegas is one of those cities that has always appealed to me in an intriguing sort of way. It’s not a ‘conventional’ city by any definition; its wink is seductive, filled with opportunity, excitement and flash – where money is always on full display. The city can be overwhelming, especially for first time visitors. My first trip was in college. Stepping out of the plane into one of the terminals at Harry Reid International Airport, I remember laughing to myself seeing the slot machines as soon as I entered […]

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My friend dropped me off at the base of Penang Hill. He had strongly recommended I climb this in the early morning, but the night before we were out until nearly midnight enjoying the Chinese New Year festivities. Borrowing his umbrella, a lifesaver from the hot tropical sunshine, I set out on the Heritage Trail. This path, founded in 1890, led nearly straight up the mountain, climbing some nearly 800 meters to the top. It followed the funicular which whisks visitors up in less than 10 minutes. The first half […]

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Beginning May 28, luxury carrier extends its popular PEANUTS™ experience beyond Asia with Snoopy-themed cabins and inflight amenities Los Angeles, CA, and Taipei, TW – Snoopy fans, prepare for takeoff! STARLUX Airlines, Taiwan’s premier luxury carrier, is bringing its popular PEANUTS™-themed flight experience to select U.S. routes for the first time, starting May 28. Passengers can embark on an unforgettable journey with Snoopy and friends through “Snoopy is Shooting for the Stars,” a limited-time experience running through December 31, 2025. This year’s partnership expands beyond the airline’s Asia routes to […]

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The Cameron highlands are a breathtaking area high up in the mountains in Malaysia. The region is renowned for the tea plantations, ancient forest and stunning views.  We have been traveling the world for a while now, and the Cameron highlands still have a place in our top 10 destinations. We have spent 3 days in the Cameron highlands and fell absolutely in love with the place. There is lots to do and see.  The Cameron highlands are a popular tourist destination. There are buses going from every part of […]

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Malaysia, with its diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures, offers a plethora of breathtaking experiences for travelers. From lush rainforests to stunning coastal views, the country is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Here’s a guide to the top 10 scenic experiences you must enjoy in Malaysia, including essential tips for your journey. Genting Highlands: A High-Altitude Escape Genting Highlands, located just an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, is renowned for its cool climate and entertainment options. The Cable Car Genting offers a mesmerizing ride through the misty […]

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Continuing as “Proud Partner” and now “Exclusive Taiwanese Airline Partner,” STARLUX affirms its commitment to the people of the City of Angels and the Dodgers’ homebase. Los Angeles, California, and Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan-based luxury carrier STARLUX Airlines and the Los Angeles Dodgers are bolstering their relationship with a three-year expanded renewal agreement. This new multi-year deal not only renews STARLUX’s “Proud Partner” status – in existence since its inaugural Taipei-to-Los Angeles transpacific flight – but now expands the carrier’s designation as the Dodgers’ “Exclusive Taiwanese Airline Partner.” This renewal […]

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Dan Buettner is a National Geographic Fellow, the #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of five books on longevity and happiness, and a three-time Guinness World Record holder for long-distance cycling. In 2003, Buettner founded Blue Zones, where he has studied communities with increased longevity, including Ikaria, Greece; Loma Linda, California; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; and Nicoya, Costa Rica. His study of longevity has been adapted into a limited Netflix series ‘Live To 100: Secrets Of The Blue Zones’. I was fortunate enough to get hold of Dan and ask […]

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Q. Briefly tell us about yourself and what are your roles at the Guam Visitor Bureau (GVB)? My name is Carl T.C. Gutierrez and I am a former governor of Guam. I have worked closely with the Guam Visitor Bureau in the 1990’s to build up our tourism industry. Under my administration, tourism thrived and broke records with over one million visitors a year. We reimagined the tourist capital of Tumon with then General Manager Gerry Perez to create Pleasure Island as a long-term attraction that both local and visitors enjoyed for over […]

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Announces International Partnership with LA Clippers with rights through NBA’s innovative international team marketing program Taipei, Taiwan, Los Angeles, California – March 16, 2023 – STARLUX Airlines, a Taiwan-based luxury carrier, today announced the launch of its inaugural Taipei-Los Angeles transpacific flight debuting on April 26. Initially starting with five weekly flights, the service is expected to ramp to daily in June. STARLUX also announced the establishment of its first US office based in Los Angeles and its new designation as the “Official International Airline Partner of the LA Clippers” […]

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Withlocals is an experiential travel company that provides a platform for locals to offer private, personalized tours to travelers. Withlocals’ mission is to connect people with cultures by breaking down barriers between travelers and locals worldwide. I recently had an opportunity to get hold of the CEO, Matthijs Keij, to ask him a few questions. Q. Can you briefly tell us about yourself, your background, and your journey to joining Withlocals as CEO? My name is Matthijs Keij and I’m the CEO of Withlocals. Before Withlocals I have built an […]

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Most Vietnamese dishes are known for their fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, liberal use of herbs and vegetables, and a lightness of touch, with very little oil used in preparation. And they’re delicious! Vietnamese cuisine differs throughout the country, with proximity to other countries being relevant. Influences on southern Vietnamese food can be seen from countries such as Cambodia, Malaysia, and the Cham people, while Chinese influences can be seen more clearly in northern Vietnam. The French influence is widely seen throughout Vietnam with food items such as bread, cauliflower, artichokes, […]

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