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.
Starting the week on old Rattanakosin Island, before relocating into the exploding high-rise jungle of Eastern Bangkok.
Ayutthaya. For over four centuries, the magnificent center of the Siamese kingdom. Say it three times fast and you just may give yourself TMJ.
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.
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).
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.
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.
We were content with our previous stay’s lodging in Vang Vieng, but decided to take a chance on Thavonsouk and can’t imagine staying anywhere else in the future!
We’re definitely overdue for some Vang Vieng time. Following a couple of failed attempts we’re finally back in this amazingly beautiful and seductive place.
We spent the May Day holiday weekend here in Laos, only about 15 miles (as the crow flies) from our house, but a whole other world from central Vientiane. This is what we missed about Laos when we were trying […]
Lori and I decided it was time to get back to Rivertime Ecolodge and Resort to expel the bad juju of our last visit and have ourselves a relaxing weekend on the river — and there are few places we […]
We hit the road for a short day trip east of Thakhek to explore the caves along Road 12 — and grab some lunch at Green Climbers Home — before returning to the city and rejoining the Pi Mai festivities.
Noe was nursing a hangover, so we decided to stay close today. The plan is to walk around the French colonial section of Thakhek, then do the cave circuit just outside of town heading east along Road 12. We’ll see […]
Today, we’re attempting to retrace our 2012 “Laos Loop” motorbiking adventure. This time, we’re doing it in reverse with a baby! Oh, and did I mention we’re doing it in a 4×4 pickup this time? Tiny details…
Yep, it’s the last day of 2559! Hard to believe it’s almost 2560 — Time sure flies. We’re spending the day in and around Konglor Village.
Racing through 7 km-long Konglor Cave on a longtail boat was one of the highlights of our motorbiking adventure around Central Laos in 2012, so we were very excited to have the chance to relive the experience in 2017. But what about Noe, you ask? He’s coming too, of course!
Sabaidee Pi Mai! It’s Pi Mai time in Laos! That festive time of year when the temps and crime soars, beer and water flow unrestrained, social mores are cast aside, and expats attempt to flee Vientiane in droves […]
Monday morning in Luang Prabang with family and friends. Miraculously, we beat the retirees to breakfast. Not sure how that happened with the babe, but it happened. A good morning to be up early […]
Lori and I thought Grammy, Grampy & co. might enjoy some time on the Mekong, so we headed down to the navigation office across the street from Saffron Coffee and hired a boat to take us up to Pak Ou cave […]
Lori’s parents are here visiting for 2.5 weeks — our first visitors here in Laos. Close family friends, John and Shirley joined them for the final week. We spent about three days in the […]
I snuck out of our bungalow at Green View Resort while Lori and Noe were still fast asleep to get some much needed kayaking in. We had heard that the sunrises here are pretty amazing. After a star-filled night the […]
Lori had Friday and Monday off for New Year’s weekend, so we thought it might be a good time to get out of town and spend three of those days on a lake about 2.5 hours north of the capital. It’s […]
A short drive east of Vang Vieng is a small cluster of waterfalls at the base of a ridge. The waterfalls might be modest in dry season, but the hike is a worthy trip from town.
We find ourselves wandering the nearby jungle at midday with a baby…on a much longer hike to a much farther cave than expected.
Exploring jungle, caves, and funky watering holes, and discovering Vang Vieng’s infamous past…with a baby.
Laos’ outdoor adventure mecca of Vang Vieng is one wacky place. But it used to be a heck of a lot wackier.
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.
Taking a sunset walk to the mysterious old Chinese cemetery overlooking the picturesque frontier town of Phonsavan.
Exploring a mysterious network of mammoth, 2000-year-old stone jars from a lost civilization.
Welcome to Xieng Khouang Province, gateway to northeastern Lao PDR. The frontier, both culturally and literally.
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.
First thing on the Saturday morning agenda? Hike up Luang Prabang’s revered temple hill, in the heart of Old Town.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Discovering Chiang Mai’s sprawling and bustling indoor market, where the locals go to shop for specialty goods.
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.
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.
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.
Returning to Chiang Mai after four years away, for a work trip and to retrace the steps of our week-long residence in 2012.
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!
Exploring the Brussels neighborhoods of Ixeles and Bourse with a three-month-old in tow while Lori attends orientation for her new job.
Lori didn’t have to report to work until Tuesday, so we spent Monday on a day trip to charming and historic Bruges.
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?
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.
