Ayutthaya, Thailand, 2014

Lots of bus time lately.. lots of thinking time.  It's like I am staying this trip to the end to avoid the truth of what awaits me back home.. rather who is not waiting back home.  I think of my dad all the time. This leg of the trip has been the strangest time of …

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 2014

So we basically came here for one reason .. to continue our education into the genocide that occurred here in the 70's.  I just find it so hard to believe that events like this went on while I was alive... but I suppose that things like this are going on right now at different levels …

Siem Reap, Cambodia, 2014

I will never forget Siem Reap.. it is now burned in my brain as a serious part of my life story.  From the second we crossed the border from Thailand into Cambodia our trip took a drastic turn into a vacuum.. where part of me will remain forever.  By the end of day 2, Sylvie …

Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand

Ko Pha Ngan We are on a bus now heading back to Bangkok after just under 2 weeks of island life. We had planned to do the big three.. Ko Tao, KoPha Ngan and Ko Samui.. but we learned that the latter is a giant island full of luxury resorts, retired expats and lady bars.. …

Ko Tao, Thailand

Ko Tao (Turtle Island) Islands are my favourite.. they are the most difficult to reach but also the most rewarding. The people on this island all share this: we all took a very long (and uncomfortable) train or bus ride to a remote village jumping point and we all took an ocean crossing vessel to …

Bangkok, Thailand

One night in Bangkok.. So we flew for 24 hours.. two flights with air Canada and one with Thai airways.  We have to say that the 14 hour flight with air Canada was the best flight we had ever taken.. the staff were so friendly and helpful.  But 14 hours is a bit much to …

Learned Helplessness

Back to my trip to Thailand and Cambodia ..  So much wisdom gained from this trip and so little time to pass it all along.  I don't claim to be an expert in anything I write about .. simply my observations and opinions.  Feel free to refute or agree.. I was home for just a …

Lazy Westerners

So I recently had the pleasure and privilege of traveling through Thailand and Cambodia.  I take a trip every year or so and I always take the DIY route. I pack a hefty backpack, a passport, a Lonely Planet guide book, some ideas and of course some money.  I roam the countries looking for attractions …

OPEC

For those who aren't sure ... OPEC - Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC is an organization that produces a third of the world's oil.  They are a sort of club consisting of powerful oil producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Iran .. They produce so much oil that they are able to …