The night before we embark on a big adventure — namely a motorbike ride form Hoi An in the center of the country, across the Central Highlands of Vietnam I have mixed feelings about this upcoming trip. Of course, I…
Travel by motorcycle ~ over the mountainous Hai Van Pass from Hoi An to Hue, Viet Nam
After almost a week back in Hoi An, relaxing at the Sleepy Gecko hostel, we decide on our next move. We are ready to have a new adventure. Our journey will take us in a Northernly direction towards the Imperial…
Hoi An, Viet Nam ~ ceramics, temples and seafood
Though a small town, Hoi An is a treasure trove of surprises at so many levels. Here is a smattering of Hoi An moments… and an inevitable set of culinary vignettes of Vietnamese street food culture. For us, Hoi An has…
Bali, Indonesia ~ Preparing offerings for the ceremony: a woman’s domain
Riding through the countryside near Tinkup we stop next to a temple where many women are congregating ~ wondering what all the action is about… The stairway to the temple is decorated with woven coconut leaves announcing upcoming festivities. Yellow…
Petulu, Bali, Indonesia ~ village of the sacred herons (and returning souls)
Petulu is a quaint wood carving and painters’ village, just outside of Ubud. Petulu’s profile changed after a massacre in 1965 when Indonesia was rocked by the Indonesian government policy of radical “purging” of communists (inspired and financially supported by…
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,”…
Going to Ubud’s central market ~ Bali, Indonesia
Sometimes jetlag can be a good thing. We are easily up and out the door on our motorbike and on the way to the local market at 7 a.m. We’ve been told that by 9 a.m, when the tourists…