Asia: Top 10 Moments

NEW NEWS! You can view my photos--6 separate albums by clicking on the link ABOVE. For those that haven't much time, I have chosen 10 shots of the most memorable places and added a short and sweet explanation.

Koh Samui, Thailand * Well, I'm going to start with the end of our trip. Samui was a much needed source of relaxation and toasty weather. In the mid-to high 90's each day, Samui and our beach bungalow offered beautiful tropical views and inexpensive fine dining---if there is such a thing. I had one unfortunate day of illness from the water- but who can resist strawberry margaritas, even if the ice cubes are a strange shade of brown...I was so fortunate in having a friend come visit me in Asia. I am so thankful for your friendship and already miss seeing you each day! Thanks for your willingness to step outside of your comfort zone and experience a new part of the world with me...you are AMAZING!

Golden Triangle: Myanmar, Thailand & Laos. We boated along the Mekong River, from one country to the next. Pictured above was a child from one of the many ethnic minority groups in northern Thailand. These poor children are semi-exploited by their parents in asking people for money to have a picture taken with their kids. I hesitated, but felt like them getting dinner that evening was justification enough.

LAOS: It was only a one hour visit--but we made it. We checked out a market that offered the local fare----silks, snake whiskey and handicrafts. Very simple lifestyle here, families are tight knit and work together to set up their shop that is frequented by tourists wanting to catch a glimpse of their country and culture. Asia is so accessible, I was constantly amazed at how efficiently and inexpensively we were able to travel.

Ayutthaya, Thailand: We saw probably 25 Wats in Thailand, but Wat Wattanaram was incredbile and most memorable. It was modeled after Cambodia's Angkor Wat. Despite having survived years of turmoil, today some lies in ruins and others in tact. The striking contrast of the deep rustic orange structures and the green desert-esque grasses and brite blue skies was.....something else! (for lack of a more powerful description). Of course, what do I do--turn it into a black and white photo. Check out my photo gallery for over 20 color pics of this place.

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Elephant riding was THE highlight for me. There were time during the trip where I had to stop and say, "Where am I!?" But not here. Riding elephants through the jungles of northern Thailand and in rivers and ravines was breath-taking! These gentle creatures were so strong and beautiful. We took turns riding bare-back and 'steering'...quite empowering and humbling (when you realize your fate is at the hands of a 4 ton mammal!)

Beijing, China: The Great Wall of China. Difficult to describe, hard to fathom the way in which such a monstrosity could be created and harder to believe that I have walked along it. It can't be explained and the 'top-of-the-world' feeling that ensues was unforgettable. Check out the web gallery for another 50 color pics.

Lampang, Thailand: Wat Rhon Khun. Awesome tour guide that he was, Anu made a surprise stop at this temple to show us what a 'modern day Thai temple' looked like. It was SO contemporary and the artist/designer behind this one had some really outrageous ideas. At the base of the photo you can see hundred of hands reaching out from the depth of hell, a pair of devil horns and then a walkway leading up to heaven. Quite the interpretation of the Buddhist way. This Wat is more progressive, and he did away with the brite golds, reds and blues--opting for a striking white structure with thousands of teeny pieces of mirrors built into it. The place was covered in 'bling'....I called it Wat Vegas. Perhaps the reason I was so awestruck was because it didn't seem religious at all.

Hong Kong, SAR of China. What a place, the lites and action and people and nite life never quit. We spent New Year's Eve/Day here and were shocked by the way tycoons and peasants can live side by side. There is no middle class or middle road here----all or nothing----uninhabited, undeveloped islands clashed with Louis Vuitton and Prada flagship stores. What a paradox, what a place!

Beijing, China: The Summer Palace. Loved the spacious, simplicity of this park. Built for the Empress to enjoy only a few months a year, this place stretches almost 3 miles along side a lake. We lucked out and enjoyed a sunny, brisk day--perfect for a stroll along the famous covered walkway that her Majesty also enjoyed several hundred years ago. The sights in China were all magnificent and overwhelming in size...appropriate for one of the largest countries in the world I suppose. But a shock for my eyes to see, especially living in Japan where even a village is made up of wall to wall people and buildings.

Narita, Japan: Our final destination. I wanted to share a Japanesey experience with Rustin, so I treated him to the ryokan experience. He was excited to try the yukata, futon, public bath and really traditional Japanese food. We had so many laughs, swapping stories about our experiences in the last month---but I think Rustin will agree---Japan really is in a category of its own! When the mission was nearing completion, I DID miss Japan and Japanese culture. Having been back for 3 days now, I am SO thankful to have this experience in Japan.