Astana is the capital of Kazakhstan. It was originally established as Bozok in the 8th century and was built into a sprawling modern city with huge boulevards, mosques, civic buildings, monuments and etc. by 1997, when it replaced Almaty as the capital. Not much that is historical remains here and it is mostly interesting as a modern, …
Borobudur – Indonesia
Yogyakarta and Borobudur, March 16, 2016 The day before our flight to Australia, we took an all-day tour to Borobudur. On the island of Java. It is the site of a 10th century Buddhist Temple of massive proportion. Supposedly it is the largest Buddhist Temple in the world. It has, of course, been reduced …
Indonesia – Ubud
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia – March 10-17, 2016 Steve and I spend a lovely two or three nights in Ubud on our honeymoon trip in 2002. We got an amazing deal on a luxury resort because it was less than a month after the bombings and everyone cancelled their trips to Bali in fear. It was …
Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – March 8-10, 2016 Another big, glassy, beautifully modern Asian city (like Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok), Kuala Lumpur impresses even as you fly in. The city is surrounded in every direction with palm trees (harvested for palm oil), and it is an amazing sight to behold from the air. Very very …
Cambodia – Siem Reap & Angkor Wat
Siem Reap, Cambodia – March 5-8, 2016 Back to Angkor Wat!! This place was so magical and special that we decided to put it on our itinerary again even though we were here in 2002. We were worried what the changes would be, as it was obvious when we were here nearly 15 years ago …
Cambodia – Pnom Penh
Pnom Penh, Cambodia – March 2-5, 2016 Having missed Pnom Penh and gone directly to Siem Reap on our trip to Cambodia in 2002, we felt like we should make a stop there and see what the capital is all about. First order of business, unfortunately, was to witness some of the reminders of the …
Vientiane, Laos
Vientiane, Loas – February 29-March 2 Here we are in Vientiane at the end of our 11-day tour, and I have managed to catch up on my writing! Hurrah! It is with mixed feelings that we leave Laos tomorrow…we are excited to see Pnom Penh for the first time and return to Ankor Wat, …
Laos – Phonsovan
Phonsovan, Laos – February 25 The plain of Jars. This rather romantic sounding place took as about 6 harrowing hours out of our way en route between Luang Prabang and Vang Vien. Steve had heard about the barfy busses, and since he gets car sick, we decied to pony up for a private driver. This …
Laos – Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng, Laos – February 26-29, 2016 With jutting cliffs lining the beautiful Nam Song, it is not difficult to understand why this little town is a destination for tourists from all areas. Adventure and Party travel is what’s on tap here. There is climbing, hiking, kayaking, tubing and caving on tap, the …
Laos – Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang – Cote d’Azur of Laos February 21-25 No, it isn’t on the ocean, but it feels like it is where all the cool kids come to hang out in Luang Prabang. Of course, the outstanding difference is that none of the travellers staying at the slew of lovely guest houses and resorts seems …