Intro to Bundi The region in the northwest of India known as Rajasthan has long been a favorite base for cultural and historic exploration. Most popular routes include the three…

We are SO excited that a  photo we took on our most recent visit to Japan was chosen by the folks at Frommers to serve as back cover art for…

From the simple cyclo to the most decked-out, sparkly tuk tuk, getting a ride in Southeast Asia is an adventure.  Having evolved from the need to navigate narrow streets quickly,…

Illumination has many interpretations, from the simple brightening with light, to a deeper spiritual or intellectual enlightenment.  In India, both of these concepts seemed to constantly be at play.  Major…

Starting off a new year, most of us at least think about resolutions.  Typically, we want to diet, get a new job, save money, manage stress. Facebook and social media…

Vietnamese banh trang or rice paper wrappers are so delicate you can see through them. These images were captured near Ho Chi Minh City last year. These translucent discs made from water, rice and sometimes a bit of tapioca flour. They are dried in the sun over large woven bamboo racks. They are used to make delicacies such as spring and summer rolls.

This image was captured from a rooftop in Kratie, Cambodia. It says “Thankful” to me because of the representation of Earth, water, air and the fiery sky. It makes me feel thankful for our amazing, beautiful planet that we are lucky enough to call home. Please enjoy this photo and each and every blessed day.

India was one of our most challenging and most rewarding stops. We saw the heights of art and architecture and the depths of poverty and despair. We were sweet-talked and hustled, greeted graciously and treated with kindness. We were thrilled, frustrated, over-stimulated, exhausted, energized, thankful and sad, often in the same day. India will touch you, one way or another, in ways you can’t imagine until you’ve been there. We spent our five weeks exclusively in the north, taking our time, but still covering a lot of ground. We did the full Rajasthan circuit, substituting a couple of less-traveled spots for those we heard were over-saturated. Outside Rajasthan, we visited Varanasi and Khajuraho, New Delhi, and Agra (Taj Mahal).

From the Mekong Delta in the south to the mountains in the north, from the urban hubs of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to world-famous Halong Bay, Vietnam is a country of diversity. Go prepared to bargain and use your street smarts, especially in the cities. Keep and open mind, and don’t shy away from the chance to sit on a plastic mini stool and eat some amazing food or take a ride on a motorbike! Gorgeous landscapes will surround you, and a new adventure is around every corner.

Cambodia’s recent history gives plenty of cause for sadness, but its people’s smiles are our dearest memory of the beautiful country. This breakdown of our expenses while visiting in November, 2011 is less skewed than some others because we did not redeem any points for flights or hotels during our time here. We traveled by boat, bicycle, tuk tuk, van and bus, and were able to get to a few less-visited spots. There are still many left to explore on a future visit. Posts on Cambodia can be viewed HERE. Our photo gallery from Cambodia is HERE.