Chiang Mai was the center of the Lanna Empire eons ago. Naturally isolated from the distant Capital of Bangkok, due to a forbidding mountainous terrain all around, Chiang Mai has a provincial feel. More laid back, less hurried and easily…
Wat Po ~ a magnificent ode to Buddha. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok’s oldest and Thailand’s largest Wat (temple complex) is Wat Po. Wat Po houses a giant reclining Buddha – 46 meter long, and 15 meter high. When you walk in and see this HUGE, gold figure which completely fills up…
Live, from the streets of Ubud, Bali. Indonesia
We often wonder, before arriving at a new destination: “But what does it look like?” and by this we mean, what does one find, say, taking a walk in the streets. So… for those who share this basic curiosity, we…
Good karma brings exceptional Bali home exchange! Indonesia
Before we left Nicaragua, I was having a conversation with my father on skype about our upcoming departure for Southeast Asia, when he said to me rather incredulously, “You two live as though you are millionaires!” To which I replied,”…
30 year cycle ceremony at Gyanyar Temple, Bali, Indonesia
Jubilant! Amazed! Awed! Honored! These are the words that come to mind as to the opportunity we have been afforded. One of the workers at the home exchange house where we are staying, belongs to a temple in the regional capital of…
12 hours in Singapore (via L.A.)…
Ben and I reunite in LA for a few days before making the big trip back to Asia. Our bags are packed… we are ready to go! One small carry on bag each, plus our well worn backpacks ready the…
Ancestors and the spirit world, Hoi An, Viet Nam
A fundamental organizing principle for Viet Nam: The belief system and rituals that regard the spirit world. Vietnamese believe that there are two kinds of ghosts – those spirits who are “at peace” and were buried nearby their ancestral home…
Museum of Ethnology ~ previews of future discoveries…Hanoi,Viet Nam
Our visit to the Hanoi Museum of Ethnology whets our appetite for visits to the countryside. In all, Vietnam is comprised of 54 distinct ethnic groups, each with their own language, traditions, arts, clothing etc. Here, 9 sub groups of…