Category Archives: Southeast Asia

Hanoi

Feb 24 2010, Hanoi I have emerged, now, from the mountains, and from the backwaters and forests of northern Vietnam, to the lowland of the Red River and thence to the South China Sea.  This stage of the journey starts … Continue reading

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The road is open, sort of – Muong Ngoi to Dien Bien Phu

When last I left you (and the internet), I was in Nong Khiaw, Laos on the Nam Ou, north of Luang Prabang. Nong Khiaw (Key-oh) is a small town now accessible by road, hence a crossroads for a variety of relatively … Continue reading

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Around Muong Ngoi, and a distant farewell

Muong Ngoi, Laos Nam Ou River Tuesday, Feb 16 Before I retire to my bed, lying in the hammock on my verandah in the quiet night I am mercifully far removed from the noise and seed of ruin of this … Continue reading

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reflections from a tiny village in the process of change

Muong Ngoi, Laos Nam Ou River Monday, Feb 15, 6:30 am I am living again just above the river; this is what I was seeking. I awakened yesterday at 8 am after a good sleep, but not at peace sharing … Continue reading

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Muong Ngoi, Laos

2 am, Sunday Feb 14, 2010 I am staying tonight at the Lattanavongsa – a solidly built building, with paper thin inner “walls”. Nice enough. Rat free, bug free, clean bathroom. But it is back from the river, and lacks … Continue reading

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Leaving the Grid

Feb 13 Hello my friends, In a little while I will be heading up river to where the electricity is produced by generators which run only from 6pm til 10pm.  I will be leaving the one internet connection in Nong … Continue reading

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Nong Khiaw, Laos; River Crossroads

Yet another small change of plan, I will spend two nights here after all, instead of none, or one.  My journey flows as the river, responding to land and time and whim. I am in Nong Khiaw, Laos (pronounced key … Continue reading

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Sabaidee

Saibai di is the sound of Laos.  Said with a smile, it means hello, or welcome.  The smile is part of the word – it lights up the Lao face and lights a smile in the recipient as well. Sabai di … Continue reading

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Luang Prabang

I am staying in a backpacker’s hostel here in Luang Prabang, and it is turning out to be a most interesting place.

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Kratie

In Kratie, Cambodia still, and finding this place to be quite fascinating.  Inside resting, as all do in the afternoons here, escaping the worst of the heat, computer on, and theoretically online.  But just as it was for all of … Continue reading

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Angkor and the tourist dollar

At Angkor, there are a great variety of ways that the local people appeal to the tourist to leave behind dollars. Some of the ways get to you after awhile, the learned pathetic looks on the children’s faces, the endless … Continue reading

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Angkor

If you have any interest in the ancient cities and archeological sites of Southeast Asia, you will already know of Angkor, and of its best known temple Angkor Wat. Angkor was the urban area at the heart of the Khmer … Continue reading

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Cambodia is Rice

Wed Jan 27, 2010 Cambodia is rice.  The sole source of income for most of the population is rice farming, grueling hot exhausting labor, done as it has been forever, all manual, plowing behind the family cow.  This is what … Continue reading

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Bangkok to Siem Riep

Yes bangkok is teeming with people, and the views as we left town to the east showed this in all clarity – from the motorway, along the khlongs (canals) were structures patched together extending out over the water, ramshackle, falling … Continue reading

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Gently Touching Thailand

late January 2010 After a week of first baby steps on my first ever international solo trip, then increasingly adventurous forays around Bangkok, and a one day excursion to the old capital city of Ayutthaya, I am very suddenly ready … Continue reading

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