Floating Lunch
We’re constantly trying to come up with stuff to do with visitors that isn’t in the guidebooks. A lunch on a barge drifting down the river seemed like just the ticket.
Grammy & Grampy Return to Laos
Grammy and Grampy are back in Laos for an encore of their January adventures…but I suspect mostly to see the kid we tote around with us.
Railay: Baby Overboard
Finally, the post you’ve all been waiting for… Noe (and friends…but mostly Noe) in Railay!
Railay Night Life
When the sun sets at 6pm, even Noe gets a sampling of the beach nightlife. And when the grandparents are in town, mom and dad get even more.
Railay: Reasonably Unseasonable
We spend five days on the Railay Peninsula with Grammy, Grampy and friends, soaking up the beach life and warm company, despite an unexpected visit from Old Man Winter.
Meet Me in Railay
Heading down south to one of our favorite places on the planet for five fun-filled days with four of our favorite people on the planet.
Vientiane DOs & DON’Ts
Some helpful considerations for planning your visit to Vientiane. A couple may surprise you.
Vang Vieng: If at First You Don’t Succeed
Last May, we attempted summiting Pha Ngeun, but the mountain had other plans for us. This time, we brought reinforcements.
Vang Vieng: Tubing & Swimming Through Caves
From caves to lagoons, ziplines to inner tubes, we make it a water-themed day in Vang Vieng with an out-of-town visitor.
Vang Vieng: Champa Lao Bungalows
We’ve wanted to stay at this rustic little hideaway as long as we’ve been coming to Vang Vieng, and finally got our chance.
Spaghetti, Snakes, and Suds
Gearing up for hosting a string of visitors, enjoying the lovely November weather, and other low-key adventures.
Almsgiving at the Festival of the Great Stupa
It’s that time of year again—That Luang Festival Time—time for topping up merit and paying respects to the Great Stupa.
Out on the Farm
When we heard that a local area farm was hosting an open house complete with activities for kids we knew we’d have to check it out. It is autumn, after all.
Lao-lloween
Yep. They do Halloween here…and with a vengeance. Thankfully, it’s still all about the little things for this 16-month-old.
West, Son, Along The Mekong
Our second attempt walking the picturesque (and completely exposed) river path from downtown to the ice factory. Will we succeed this time?
Laos Life: 15-20 October 2017
It’s festival time! For the Lao that means beer, parties, and temple time (seemingly, in that order). And for us—bad kale and a visit from Sherlock Holmes.
The Lao Zoo
The Lao Zoo may just be the most overlooked and misunderstood zoo in Southeast Asia. It’s not really even a “zoo” at all, but in fact something far more interesting.
Hiking & Kayaking the Nam Lik Basin
Making the most of a couple of much needed sun breaks to explore the lush Nam Lik area by foot and paddle.
Nam Lik Eco Village
Call it a Robinson Crusoe fantasy, outdoor enthusiast’s dream, or ad hoc creation of an isolated madman, Nam Lik is a lodging enigma of the best kind.
Tropical Depression
Boun Awk Phansa was meant to mark the end of the rainy season. Tell that to the three big storms that have soaked Vientiane in the past few weeks.
Vientiane Boat Racing Festival
For some in Laos — the Boat Racing Festival is the big reward after a long, hard planting season.
For many, many more — it’s one more excuse to party down.
End of Buddhist Lent
The full moon of the eleventh lunar month marks the end of the Rains retreat, when monks emerge from monastery and light spills out onto rivers and doorsteps.
Sanctuary
What can US$50 get you in the Green Season in Laos? Both, much more than you’d expect, and exactly what you’d expect.
Birthday Weekend on the Nam Ngum
It’s my birthday [again], so we’re heading up to the lake! Our usual place is closed for renovations — a perfect excuse to try some place new.
Dazed & Confused
Back in Laos, Noe and I are up at sunrise following a harrowing night chasing elusive z’s — merely the first of several, it turns out.
A New Beginning
Noe tries out a new daycare after a three-month hiatus, and we inadvertently crash a fashion fundraising event at one of Lao’s finest restaurants.
Summer in the USA: Path of Totality
Venturing into the Path of Totality as Eclipse Apocalypse grips the nation in the final days of our 2017 visit to the U.S.
Summer in the USA: Oregon Coast
Soaking up the sunshine in and around Florence, Oregon with Grammy and Grampy.
Summer in the USA: Tahoe Road Trip
After two weeks in Portland and Roseburg, it was time to road trip it South with Nanny and Poppi.
Summer in the USA: Portland & Roseburg
Shaking off jet lag with a full schedule with family and friends in Portland, then south to Roseburg for quality time with the grandparents.
Seoul Stopover
Three zombies roam the streets of Seoul on a 12-hour layover with three objectives: Stay awake, meet an old friend, and make it out before nuclear Armageddon.
In-Between Days
Keeping things fun at the height of monsoon, enjoying Noe’s summer milestones and preparing for the year’s biggest adventure!
Koh Samet: In Search of the Perfect Beach
We venture to the far south of the island to Wai Bay. Could this prove to be the perfect beach we’ve searched for all these years? We’ll find out!
Koh Samet Cove Hopping
On some islands, you beach hop. On Koh Samet, you cove hop. Today, we visit five distinct coves without setting foot on a lick of blacktop.
Island Life on Koh Samet
Awake early in the small Thai fishing village of Ban Phe with a couple of unhappy stomachs. Nothing that some tropical beach time won’t cure!
Island Escape: Bangkok to Ban Phe
With work obligations finished, we’re off on our long overdue first beach holiday since moving to Southeast Asia!
Bangkok: Adventures Along the Sukhumvit Line
Noe and I explore Bangkok on our own while Lori attends a physical therapy conference … until we decide to sneak our way into the conference, posing as Dr. Singha and his esteemed colleague, Professor Peepoo.
Bangkok, Old & New
Starting the week on old Rattanakosin Island, before relocating into the exploding high-rise jungle of Eastern Bangkok.
Trip Report: Ancient Siamese Capital of Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya. For over four centuries, the magnificent center of the Siamese kingdom. Say it three times fast and you just may give yourself TMJ.
Bangkok: Khaosan Road and the Temple of Dawn
Continuing on our Saturday out in Bangkok, we catch a ferry to the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) and cool down with some drinks along Bangkok’s infamous Khaosan Road.
Bangkok, Baby
After nine months of living in Laos, we finally make it down to the Big City, a mere 400 miles south of Vientiane (but a world apart).
Noe’s First Birthday
Noe had a pensive air about him on his first birthday. Mommy hasn’t been coming home at lunchtime as much lately, but for some reason, he must have sensed today was different.
One Year Old!
Not quite walking yet, Noe seems to think he’s much older than his 12 months may suggest, and has the hutzpah to prove it.
Due Date & Daddy Day
My very first Father’s Day Weekend as a full-fledged dad, and incidentally Noe’s first Daddy Day as a son. Guess that’s how this dad thing works.
Laos Life: Phontan House
We’ve been living in our lovely Lao home for eight months, but haven’t gotten an opportunity to really talk about it — until now!
Laos Life: 1-11 June 2017
A therapy-inducing mall experience, Noe’s Houdini-inspired antics, a date night, and the long-anticipated reveal of what Noe eats and where we get it from!
Vang Vieng: Nadao Village (aka Elephant Adventure Village)
Following our failed attempt at climbing to a lookout point, we were in need of some mulberry pancakes and an easy stroll around a traditional village. Luckily, we knew just the place.
Vang Vieng: An Ill-Fated Attempt at Climbing Pha Ngeun
We were told that it was a 500-meter, 30-minute climb to a stunning view at the top of a karst peak. Back at the parking lot two hours later, it was clear our sources must have been smoking some very strong wacky-tobacky.