Gulf of Thailand

As our time in Asia came winding down we planned for the last few days to be spent relaxing on the beach and swimming in the ocean. With not quite enough time to make it to the islands of southern Thailand, we opted for the beach resort town of Hua Hin on the Gulf of […]

Elephant Riders

Elephant domestication has a long history in southeast asia. We tried out elephant transport on a trek in northern Thailand. Not the fastest or most comfortable way to get around, but it was cool to get up close to the giant beasts. I felt bad for our mount though, with the two of us on […]

Hanoi street scenes

Bamboo for sale on Hang Vai street… Ancient banyan tree rooted between buildings… Architecture in Hanoi’s Old Quarter…

Serpent Gods from Southeast Asia to the Amazon

Nāgas are a class of serpent beings or minor deities in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. They take the form of massive, often multi-headed snakes with human features. Nāgas are said to reside in Pātāla, the seventh of the nether-dimensions, and are associated with the underworld, caverns, rivers and other water bodies. They are believed to […]

Kinh

These are people I met when my friend brought me to a place called Tinh Bien in the far southwest corner of Vietnam. They are relatives of my friend’s wife. The boys are 12 I think, a good age to be. The woman is pressing sugar cane to make and sell a sweet iced beverage.

Temple stories

I’m fascinated by the murals found in Buddhist temples. These are from Wat Phon Xay in Luang Prabang, Laos. Epic stories that I would like to read or learn more about.. The murals in this temple appear to be about Phra Malaya, a monk who through meditation visited the numerous heavens and hells in Buddhist […]

Laos

A boat down the Mekong brought us to the Pak Ou caves, a shrine filled with hundreds of Buddha figures. Back in the night food market of Luang Prabang, you can fill a platter from dozens of delectable noodle and vegetable selections for about a buck fifty.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang in Laos is a peaceful, picturesque town on the Mekong River. The alluring wats (temples) with distinct sloping roofs are home to orders of orange-robed monks. Strolling markets, listening to monks chant and drum, delicious food – a perfect place to mellow out.

Mountain Biking on Fansipan

We did a mountain bike trek from Tram Ton (Heaven’s Gate) Pass on Mt. Fansipan to Binh Lu, through myriad villages in the area. Coasting down winding mountain roads it was the easiest 40 km I’ve done on a bike, since it was – thankfully – mostly downhill, and fun as hell.

Sapa

A town perched in the far northern mountains of Vietnam, where terraced rice paddies drape the feet of steep jungle-clad peaks. Hill tribes like the Hmong were late arrivers in the area, and had to bring under cultivation the rugged terrain they were confined to.