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What an amazing trip!  India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong.  Part cruise – part land, from takeoff to touchdown back at LAX, a incredible mix.

The Journey

I have always loved the journey as much as the destination. At 40,000 feet, any food tastes marvelous, any seat feels temporary, and time loosens its grip. Departure itself is the luxury.

This trip began in Dubai — all glass, scale, and precision — before dropping me into Mumbai, where beauty and hardship coexist in impossible proximity. From my balcony at the Taj Mahal Place Hotel, I watched the Gateway of India emerge through morning haze, chai warming my hands as the city woke below. Mumbai asks you to hold contradictions without resolving them.

In Dharavi slum, I learned that dignity does not require comfort. People work endlessly, believe deeply, smile freely. They speak of karma with acceptance rather than despair. There is no time for crime when survival itself is labor. I found this both enlightening and heartbreaking.

At sea, time restructured itself. Days became walks, talks, tea, and the steady companionship of the horizon. I learned about azipods and port pilots, medical evacuations and maritime law — and I learned that I am happiest when days unfold simply, guided by curiosity and rhythm.

In Sri Lanka, stone steps climbed toward ancient caves reminded me how long humans have searched for meaning. In Thailand and Malaysia, history layered itself visibly: Portuguese, Dutch, British — then independence. Tin, spices, trade routes. The past is never past here.

Singapore felt like the future — engineered, green, efficient — yet still anchored by tradition. Raffles Hotel stood immaculate and timeless, reminding me that preservation can coexist with innovation.

And then Hong Kong.

Victoria Harbour stopped me in my tracks. Having landed in Hotel Heaven I watched dawn and dusk from a room that felt impossibly generous, ferried across the water on a system older than most cities’ transit dreams. Hong Kong is vibrant, beautiful, complex — a place balancing autonomy and obligation, capitalism and constraint. It feels alive in a way few cities do.

When the plane finally turned east and crossed the International Date Line, time folded in on itself. I landed in Los Angeles before I had technically left Hong Kong. Travel does that — it bends reality just enough to remind you how small and strange the world really is.

I am passionate about travel. It feeds my soul. It educates me, unsettles me, delights me. And yet, there is sweetness in coming home — in landing at LAX at Christmas time, heart full, suitcase heavy with memories rather than things.

What was my favorite part?  The journey, the contrasts,  every part of it. I feel such joy and gratitude to be able to undertake these adventures.

Part of the fun of this trip was the flying and airports – I’ve included a picture of the incredible Jewel waterfall at Changi airport Singapore.  I love comparing airlines & aircraft, cruise lines & ships, airport facilities and lounges, hotels, subways – all of it.  Below are highlights and tips on how I flew around the world using points—all in business class.

How I flew – All reward seats, all “Epic” per miles and points calculator

1. LAX → Dubai | Emirates A380-800 | 15h 50m

Booked via Emirates Skywards

• 157,500 points (transferred from Capital One Venture X & BILT)
• $1,075 taxes/fees (cash value ~$5,563)
  Tip: Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways often charge very high taxes/fees—these vary by country and airline.

Dubai Connect Overnight
Emirates offers a free hotel + meal for long layovers (eligibility rules apply). I used the time to visit the QE2 hotel/ship, explore DXB, and enjoy the Emirates Business Class Lounge before continuing to Mumbai.

2. Dubai → Mumbai | Emirates B777-300ER | 3h 15m

Purchased as part of the LAX–Mumbai through ticket.
Older business class seat, but still lie-flat. Short flight—lounge access in Dubai was the real win.

3. Singapore → Hong Kong | Singapore A350-900 | 3h 45m

Booked via Air Canada Aeroplan (partner award)

• 25,000 points (Chase Ultimate Rewards → Aeroplan)
• $80 taxes (cash value ~$1,181)

Tip: Always check aircraft type. The A350 offers a superior cabin vs many 787 configurations.
Pre-flight highlight: Changi Airport + SilverKris flagship lounge.

4. Hong Kong → LAX | Cathay Pacific B777-300ER | 13h 7m

Booked via Cathay Asia Miles (TIP:Asia Miles is a great place to book British Airway flights often for excellent points prices!)

• 88,000 points (Capital One Venture X  → Asia Miles)
• $168 taxes (cash value ~$5,187)
  Outstanding redemption. Two world-class lounges: The Wing and The Pier.

Pro Tips: How to Book the Right Flight

• Not all aircraft are equal. Variants (A350-900 vs 1000, different 777 layouts) can mean very different seats.
• Always check seatmaps at SeatMaps.com before booking.
• Sometimes the best seat requires flying from a different airport—but nonstop can still be the sweet spot.
• Deploy your rewards points with care.  There are a wide range of points prices out there depending on which loyalty program you book with.  Often you want to book “indirectly” as I did, through a partner airlines loyalty program to get the best points price: Air Canada Aeroplan to book Singapore Airlines. Transfer Partners Cheat Sheet
• Use this points Redemption calculator to see if your redemption makes sense

For more info about travel hacking and the points and miles game:

For flights research google flights

Not sure if you should use cash or points try Award vs cash calculator

Not sure which credit cards points transfer to which airline or hotel partners try Transfer partners cheat sheet

For all things miles and points and travel hacking The Points Guy and The Daily Drop both have great newsletters and library of articles

For Youtube videos on any subject to do with cruising Tips for Travelers