We left Chiang Mai to start our road trip back to Bangkok.  First, we headed north to the border of Thailand, Myanmar (formerly know as Burma) and Laos.  You can cross over to Laos to shop at some stores across the bridge by paying $30 and leaving your passport. This part of the world is... Continue Reading →

The tour plans were for us to spend one night in this city and then to trek (hours) into the jungle to have "homestays" in two local villages for two nights before two more nights in the city. The weather has changed and gone from "freakin" hot to cloudy with rain. It took me a... Continue Reading →

Before we left Bangkok we went to visit Temple Wat Po home to the reclining Buddha. Some things about Buddha: *Buddha is asexual--some with a masculine body, some feminine *Buddha has 72 different poses, each with a meaning such as concentration, meditation, days of the week, etc. *Buddha was born in India over 500 years... Continue Reading →

I love Thailand.....at the passport control in the airport there is a special entry portal for diplomats, pregnant women and senior citizens (70 yrs old). On my first entry and again this time I, of course, took that opportunity to cut long lines and both time the officers questioned my right to be in the... Continue Reading →

Today we flew (having the last good look at the magnificent Mekong River) to the Imperial City of Hue. This city is the intellectual, cultural and spiritual heart of Vietnam. The Citadel, built between 1804 and 1833, is still the highlight of Hue. This massive compound was the epicenter of royal life and a fortress... Continue Reading →

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, smaller than HCM City with 7 million population. It feels like a western city with modern stores, wider streets, and tall buildings. There are highways with overpasses and hundreds of new office buildings and condos being built--a two bedroom condo costs about $250,000. Still a zillion motorbikes and traffic... Continue Reading →

Our last night in Siem Reap we had dinner and an Apsara Dance show. How they can bend their hands, legs and bodies is truly amazing. When the show was over we were invited up on the stage to pose with the stars........ Luang Prabang is the spiritual capital of Laos. Our last morning we... Continue Reading →

Before I left my Farmstay/Resort in central Vietnam my host asked for a photo.......notice my height (I really think I've gotten taller). I'm off to Ho Chi Minh City (aka: Saigon) HCM City is in the southern part of the country. (Hanoi in the north is the capital). This city is so vibrant and is... Continue Reading →

I spent the last five days at the Phong Nha Farmstay (which is not a farm but a lovely hotel in the middle section of Vietnam).  My room came equipped with balcony, hammock, great views of the rice paddies and spectacular sunsets.This is the first hotel I have stayed in that has bomb exhibits.  Everyone... Continue Reading →