Vang Vieng: A Walk on the Wacky Side
Laos’ outdoor adventure mecca of Vang Vieng is one wacky place. But it used to be a heck of a lot wackier.
That Chinese Ghost Town Down the Street
Exploring (and making sense of) a bewildering and mysterious collection of vacant structures in the middle of a swamp in Vientiane—just minutes from our doorstep.
Laos Life: 23-30 November 2016
It’s nice to be back in town for the last week of November. It’s full-on dry season now, so we’re trying our best to take advantage of the cooler, sunnier weather.
Tham Piu Cave: Lessons on Life from the Jungle Cave of Death
An unexpected journey to Tham Piu Cave (aka the “Missile Cave”) in the jungles of eastern Laos reveals humanity’s penchant for both destruction and compassion.
Xieng Khouang: Cemetery Sunset
Taking a sunset walk to the mysterious old Chinese cemetery overlooking the picturesque frontier town of Phonsavan.
Xieng Khouang: Plain of Jars
Exploring a mysterious network of mammoth, 2000-year-old stone jars from a lost civilization.
The Xieng Khouang Frontier
Welcome to Xieng Khouang Province, gateway to northeastern Lao PDR. The frontier, both culturally and literally.
The Most Heavily Bombed Place on Earth
Grappling with the heartbreaking legacy of the American Secret War in Laos at Ground Zero.
Laos Life: That Luang Festival
Scenes from a very special night here in Vientiane — the final day of Boun That Luang (Festival of the Grand Stupa).
Luang Prabang: North Bank
We spend our last day in Luang Prabang taking a leisurely stroll around the UNESCO peninsula, and a local ferry across the Mekong to explore a small village and a hilltop jungle temple.
Luang Prabang: Return to Phu Si Hill
First thing on the Saturday morning agenda? Hike up Luang Prabang’s revered temple hill, in the heart of Old Town.
Daddy Days In Luang Prabang
While Lori went on site visits with her technical team, Noe and I spent quality time together exploring the religious and historical heart of Laos.
A Gloomy Day, Indeed
Returning to the UNESCO Heritage town of Luang Prabang after a four year absence, to discover a place largely unchanged – and a world forever changed.
Laos Life: 1-8 November 2016
The first month of November in Vientiane brings more exploration, more quirky coffee and beer joints, and more baby hijinks.
Laos Life: 21-31 October 2016
Spending some time in Vientiane between Lori’s work trips, soaking up the sun, and exploring our adoptive city.
Month Four with the Mister
A look back at Noe’s fourth month with us on Planet Earth, and first month living in Laos.
Noe’s Never-Ending Night Out in Chiangmai
We join Lori’s work crew for a sunset tour of Chiang Mai’s most famous mountain-top temple…and back into town for a Lao shopping bonanza at the city’s other night market.
Baby’s First Night Sleeping in a Piano
We spend some time working and staying in a most extraordinary place, and Noe and I embark on a pilgrimage to a unique coffee shop.
Chiang Mai Streetlife & Wararot Market
Discovering Chiang Mai’s sprawling and bustling indoor market, where the locals go to shop for specialty goods.
Chiang Mai: Awk Phansa & Sunday Night Market
Exploring Chiang Mai’s famous night market in the heart of the Old City, while taking in the cultural and religious festivities of the end of Buddhist lent.
Chiang Mai: Chicken, Temple, Massage, Repeat.
Digging into some world-famous chicken, taking in another temple, and trying our best to not let a three-month-old get in the way of a good ol’ fashion massage.
Chiang Mai: Stranded at Wat Phra Singh
We had big plans for exploring the temples of Chiang Mai’s Old City this morning, but find ourselves hold up in one of the city’s largest for much longer than anticipated.
Back to Chiang Mai
Returning to Chiang Mai after four years away, for a work trip and to retrace the steps of our week-long residence in 2012.
A Saturday at Buddha Park
We heard of a unique and mysterious “spirit city” a short bus ride out of town and couldn’t resist making Buddha Park our first Vientiane day trip.
Week Two Walks & Eats
Eating our way around Phontan Village (and the rest of Vientiane), house hunting, more adventures home with baby, and settling into our new life in Laos.
Second Saturday
After our first full week in Vientiane, we explore around Xaysettha District, neighboring Sisattanak, and Chanthabouly.
Vientiane, 4 Years Later
Getting to know our adoptive home town of Vientiane, and comparing it with the Vientiane we first encountered four years prior.
Vientiane, 4 Years Ago
The post that never got posted from our 2012 backpacking trip through Asia. And, ironically, the place we’ve now ended up moving to in Asia. A look back at our first time around in Vientiane!
Vientiane Arrival & Move-In
We’ve arrived! Three more flights from Brussels to Vientiane get us to our new home just before noon. Now, we’ve got less than 24 hours to move-in to our temporary abode before Lori reports to work in the morning.
Brussels to Vientiane
The wait is over! After months of waiting and a few days getting Noe’s travel feet wet in Brussels, the real adventure is about to begin!
Brussels: Ixeles & Bourse
Exploring the Brussels neighborhoods of Ixeles and Bourse with a three-month-old in tow while Lori attends orientation for her new job.
Bruges Day Trip (Pt.1)
Lori didn’t have to report to work until Tuesday, so we spent Monday on a day trip to charming and historic Bruges.
Brussels: Arrival
Belgium is one of those countries that I enjoyed a whole lot more than I thought I would. I mean, what’s not to love about a country whose major exports include some of the best beer, chocolate and waffles on the planet?
Portland to Brussels
By his seventeenth it was pretty clear that Noe was starting to get bored with wineries, so we got on a plane and moved to Laos. While that might not be entirely true, the weather leaving Portland was a good sign it was time to move on.
Month Two with Noe
Wow. Noe’s already 2+ months old! Well, that’s what everyone keeps saying. When he hit the two month mark last week we couldn’t believe he’s only been with us for such a short period of time. […]
Moving to Laos!
Yep, you guessed it! We’re moving to Laos! Noe’s coming along too. As you can see, he is pretty stoked.
Momentum
I was steaming mad. Well, probably more exhausted than anything, but symptomatically I was presenting as pretty darn perturbed. Lori and I found ourselves on this sweltering […]
First Month with Noe
We’re here in Roseburg now and will be for another six or seven weeks. We’ve got some big news to share in terms of next steps, so stay tuned. Last Thursday, Noe celebrated his one month birthday […]
It’s a Boy!
Our sweet baby boy, Noe Owen (rhymes with “Joey”), was born on June 21, 2016 at 6:38am (6lbs.5oz.). Contractions began Saturday night, water broke early Father’s Day morning, laboring […]
Leach Botanical Garden
40 weeks + 4 days. My question to Lori today, “Do you ever feel like you’re just waiting around for something to happen?” Since Lori wrapped up work a week ago — and particularly since […]
Trekking Portland’s Alameda Ridge Stairs
We set out to conquer Alameda Ridge of NE Portland and its 400 stairs spread out over 30 blocks.
Southern Oregon’s Wildlife Safari
A few weeks back we joined my parents on safari through a game reserve featuring over 70 species of exotic animals, including tigers, giraffes, zebras, lions, elephants, […]
Riding the Rails in the PacNW
We cover two of the Pacific Northwest’s best rail adventures in this post: The Mount Hood Railroad and the Seattle-Eugene portion of Amtrak’s Coast Starlight […]
Hiking Northwest Portland’s Balch Gulch Loop
Exploring Northwest Portland’s Wildwood Trail and Lower Macleay Trail along the Balch Gulch Loop.