Volume 04, Number 15
Partyline
July 5 and I'm starting this column high in the friendly skies of United Airlines flight 827 to Bangkok— just short of a six hour flight from Narita. Still sort of overwhelmed by the size and scope of the US Ambassador Thomas Schieffer and his wife Susanne's super celebration of the good old USA's Independence Day at their residence yesterday. The decorations, the musical show, the food, and Tom and Susanne's hospitality made it all very special. Congratulations to the hosting couple and their staff on what had to be one of the best July 4th bashes ever. Photos and more details later.
Got to Narita a bit early today so had some time to check out some of the many shops, restaurants, etc. in Terminal 1. I was really lucky to discover a small shop just like the one I always felt I'd like to open. The name is “One Village, One Product Market” and they have all kinds of ethnic handicrafts and fashions from the African countries, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands. Prices on everything are quite reasonable and the girls working there told me they also have other shops at the Haneda and Kansai airports.
My United flight left at 6:15pm, fifteen minutes early, and it couldn't have been any better. Had plenty of room in my seat, which reclined to become almost flat, the lighting was good, and the cabin spotlessly clean. The cabin crew (all Asian) were friendly and attentive and the food was excellent. Trader Vics is behind many of the interesting dishes on the menu. There was a huge variety of both visual and audio entertainment and with that and some reading and writing, time literally flew by and we were landing at Bangkok's big and beautiful airport. We arrived 30 minutes early, immigration and customs were fast, and I booked an airport taxi right outside customs for 1,200 baht (around $35).
Traffic was light so it only took 30 minutes to reach my hotel—the magnificent Millenium Hilton on the edge of Bangkok's Chao Phraya River. My corner suite had a panoramic view of the river and the city and once again made me realize what a truly magical city Bangkok is. Former Tokyoite Thomas Hoeborn, who was food and beverage manager at Hilton Tokyo and the general manager at Hilton Hua-Hin—the popular Thai beach resort, is now General Manager at the Millenium Hotel. He really has a lot to be proud of, and I'll be talking about that in a travel story update on Bangkok soon.
For now, let's get down to earth and back to Tokyo's social scene. The hard working and always helpful staff at National Azabu Supermarket really go all out to do some interesting and fun events. Recently, they held another of their special weekend happenings in the store's parking lot. In addition to the food booths, there was a book sale. The large number of kids there really enjoyed the huge inflatable playground as well as the traditional matsuri games. It was a great day with National's staff joining their customers and making sure everyone had a good time.
It was wall-to-wall interesting and important people at the Italian Embassy for the official inauguration of Primavera Italiana 2007. The super event was hosted by Italian Ambassador Mario Bova and his wife Anna Cenerini and special guests included TIH Prince and Princess Hitachi and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture, Honorable Francisco Rutelli. At the main entrance to the Bovas' residence there was a dynamic display of Italian automobikes and motorcycles. A huge futuristic white canvass had been set up in the Bovas' legendary garden. Under the arch was a black and white taiko, which was also huge, and a group of drummers put on a really exciting show. The long tables in the main reception and the dining room groaned under trays of everyone's favorite Italian foods. Needless to say, the guests all really enjoyed the feast.
It was nice seeing world-famous architect Arata Isozaki again. I don't know all the details, but was happy to hear he finally got the go-ahead on a controversial project he's doing in Italy.
Our sincerest congratulations to our Italian friends on the size, scope and success of this memorable Italian promotion/cultural exchange.
My, how the time goes by. As impossible as it seems, the popular and prestigious Grand Hyatt Tokyo Hotel in Roppongi Hills recently celebrated its fourth anniversary. To celebrate the special event the General Manager Xavier Destribats and his staff hosted a glittering gala reception. The hotel's ballroom was the main venue, but there were exhibitions, etc. in several of the hotel's other function rooms as well. The guest list included politicians, Diplomats, big business representatives, top society members and familiar faces from the fashion, arts, and entertainment worlds. The ballroom itself looked fantastic with real trees hanging at different levels from the high ceiling, spectacular flower arrangements, and an amazing array of food from all over the world.
Xavier made a short and meaningful speech and an orchestra played soft and mellow music throughout the evening.
I enjoyed talking with Lise Frederikssen, wife of the Danish Ambassador. She's chairperson of this year's Ikebana International Fair and is involved in many worthwhile projects. It was also nice to meet Xavier's brother Antoine who was visiting here from Paris. I appreciated Ines Ligron introducing me to the then Miss Japan—now, Miss Universe Riyo Mori. She, as you can see, is a beauty and after talking with her, it was easy to see how three years in Canada and a dance career gave her the confidence to win her title as Miss Universe 2007. I also enjoyed meeting the beautiful and talented actress Kanda Uno.
The thoroughly enjoyable evening also gave guests the opportunity to view the banquet rooms and an exhibition of the hotel's new and innovative banqueting styles, as well as the new Kayakizaka Teppanyaki restaurant. Kudos to all concerned.
Over at the Cerulean Tower Hotel, friends in the medical field hosted a reception to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the highly regarded Saiseikai Hospital's Shibuya Clinic. I have the good fortune of knowing two of Saiseikai's top execs—Internationally renowned diabetes specialist Dr. Kempei Matsuoka, who's clinical prof, Keio University University of Medicine, and renowned cardiologist Dr. Hideo Mitamura who is Deputy Director at Saiseikai. Other friends at the celebration were legendary Dr. Eugene Aksenoff and young rheumatologist Dr. Peter Shane. His father is well-known general practitioner Dr. Fred Shane.
Let's face it—few people like hospitals, which are almost always crowded and can be depressing. If you have some problems, the modern, well-staffed Saiseikai clinic in Shibuya is a good alternative. They have a general internal department, diabetes section, neurology, cardiology, hematology, ophthalmology, and dermatology as well. The clinic is open Monday–Friday from 9:30am–12:30pm and 2:30–5pm, and on Saturdays from 9:30am–12noon. Address: Tei-to Aoyama Bldg. 2F, Shibuya-ku. Tel. 03-3407-0895.
People
The music world recently lost one of its super stars when Brooklyn-born Soprano Beverly Sills passed away at the age of 78. Prior to her appointment as chairwoman of Lincoln Center, and during her time there, she helped make people who didn't really know opera aware of how great it all is.
I met Beverly at a big party here and we were standing in the back when guests were asked to join in the singing of The Star Spangled Banner. We both did, of course, and I jokingly told her: “Now I can say I sang a duet with the great Beverly Sills.” She laughed and said “You can do that and tell them I said you've got a pretty good voice.” That's the kind of lady the highly respected, much-loved opera superstar was.
The Tolman Collection owner Norman Tolman has had some tough times lately. First there was the loss of his friend, noted artist Clifton Karhu, and not long after that, the loss of one of his long time, highly respected, popular staff members, Taka.
On a happier note, his son-in-law, Patrice Martineau has been appointed as a chef at the signature restaurant in the soon-to-open prestigious and beautiful new Penninsula Hotel in Hibiya. This, of course, means Norman's daughter Hilary and four-year-old grandson Lucas will make their home in Tokyo. And finally, congratulations to Yuriko Koike, the first woman to be appointed Defense Minister of Japan.