So I get off the plane in Tokyo resigned to the fact that my T-Mobil Blackberry will not work in Japan and then I fly on to Korea when I at least can swap my SIM card into a rental phone and get calls.

At the customs line a guy ahead of me is happyly typing away on his 8700 - I asked is that a new local BB?
No, he said a new 3G BB from Vodaphone in the UK that works in all GMS countries as well as Japan and Korea!!!

Great I says but since returning from Asia I have not been able to find anything like it being offered in the US.

Does anyone know if I was dreaming after a long flight or if it was real?

It's the 8707.. don't think any NA carrier's selling it.. I am sure you can buy it over in europe or asia and plug in your sim card..