2011 Photo Roundup
South Korea Knowing less about South Korea than either Japan or China made for some wonderful surprises. A rich, colorful culture and curious, helpful people made our visit here one of true discovery. China Size and numbers, that’s China. Too big to possibly ever know then whole country and more people than imaginable. With thousands […]
Bangkok Revisited
Returning to Bangkok after a month in Vietnam (and several more in Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos) was a bit of a shock. Everything seemed so modern and cosmopolitan, fashionable and brightly-lit. We spent Christmas eve (thanks to more points) in the Renaissance executive lounge, drinking wine and singing carols with Thai Santa and some pretty […]
City of the Soaring Dragon
Hanoi is frantic and frenetic, unnerving and uncompromising, but it grows on you quickly. Hassles and scams can surely be found here, but so can unexpected kindness and unbridled energy. Hanoi gets under your skin, and it doesn’t take long to lose track of time once you start wandering. Even crossing the street can be […]
Cat Ba Island and Halong Bay
Halong Bay is for many travelers the #1 must-see destination in Vietnam. With jagged limestone peaks that rise from the blue-green waters of Tonkin Bay and countless spiky rock islands with hidden grottoes and swooping birds dotting the horizon as far as the eye can see, it’s truly unique. After a couple of frustrating days […]
Paddling Upstream
Sometimes travel is a struggle. Everyone suffers moments of discouragement and frustration, times when everything seems to be working against you. But it’s often these times that turn out to be the most memorable, when you learn something about yourself while trying to see the world from someone else’s perspective. Ninh Binh was supposed to […]
Time for Socks in Hue
With the exception of some chilly nights at high altitude on the Eastern Tibetan Plateau in Western Sichuan Province, we had been sweating since leaving South Korea at the end of June. The streets of urban China offered many reasons to keep feet covered, but we abandoned shoes entirely after entering Southeast Asia in September. […]
Ancient City Hoi An
Designated a World Cultural Heritage town, Hoi An thrived in the 16th and 17th centuries as an international trading port. Chinese, Dutch, Japanese and Indian traders arrived, and in many cases established businesses and residences here. The town has some of the best-preserved architecture (residences, pagodas, temples, communal and assembly houses, wells, wharf, etc.) in […]
Saigon Scene
The tourist strip of Pham Ngu Lao was our first introduction to Saigon (renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the fall/liberation of Saigon in 1975). Just off the bus from Phnom Penh, we checked into one of the multitude of hotels, down an alley off the main road. It was a family place, with the […]
Doing Some Time in the Penh
We realized after we’d arrived how little we knew about Cambodian history, and during our visit attempted to soak up whatever knowledge we could. This five-part article called The Banyan Tree gives a thorough, objective account of recent events (last 30 yrs). It’s well worth reading the whole thing. Tuol Slang Genocide Museum is set […]
Mekong Meandering
Small-Town Cambodia along the Mekong The Mekong River is the main focus of activity in many parts of Cambodia, and exploring the small towns along the river is richly rewarding. The rhythm of life is slow and quiet. The atmosphere is laid back. People tend to be friendly and curious, and much less jaded by […]