Dalat is a wonderful city located in the highlands of southern Vietnam. It’s at an elevation of 1500 meters (4900 feet) and – with its …
The Many Faces of Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh had many faces. He was a politician, a leader, a terrorist, a hero, an enemy, a friend, a writer, a soldier, a …
Battambang: Buddhas, Bats & Bamboo Trains
Battambang is Cambodia’s third largest city, but with only about 150,000 people, it’s a relaxed place compared to the intensity of Phnom Penh and the …
The Majestic Ruins of Angkor
The Khmer Empire lasted from 802 to 1431 and at its height it ruled most of current Southeast Asia. Its capital city Angkor reflected its …
The Chaos of Phnom Penh
Phom Penh is city with a kind of chaotic freedom. It is sidewalks where cars and motorcycles outnumber pedestrians, if there are even any sidewalks …
The Hectic City of Hanoi and Its Stunning Surroundings
F. Scott Fitzgerald famously wrote: “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time …
Riding The Four Day Ha Giang Motorcycle Loop
The Ha Giang Loop is a spectacular route through the Northern Vietnam mountains near the Chinese border. What makes it special for motorcycling, besides the …
Diving Among the Original Spice Islands
The original spice islands were scattered around the Banda Sea in present day Indonesia. 500 years ago these were some of the most valuable real …
The Land and Sea Critters of North Sulawesi
Sulawesi is a large, weirdly shaped island in eastern Indonesia.
I spent a couple of weeks at its very northeastern tip seeing some wonderful small …
A Short Hop Into Singapore
My overall impression after three days in Singapore is that if you wanted to design the perfect early 21st century large city, you’d have a …