Voyage of Discovery

In and around World

After maintaining a fast pace on the treadmill of life for many years, we have decided to take a break from commuting to high intensity jobs, shepherding the kids from activity to activity, and thinking wistfully on Sunday nights how nice it would have been to get a chance to read the newspaper that day. We're chucking it all in and going out to see the world. There's never a good time, or an easy time, to leave home for something like this, but now seemed like as good a time as any, and we're very excited about sharing the world with our kids, spending some very focused time with them, and creating a lot of spectacular memories. Our adventure begins on August 23, when we (Christina, Dan, Grayson (age 10) and Abby (age 8)) leave the San Francisco Bay Area for our first stop, Amsterdam. Over the next nine months, we plan to travel through parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia, absorbing as much culture as possible, enjoying local cuisines, and hopefully touching others' lives as our own are touched as well. We hope that you will join us from the comfort of your computer, as we regularly post reports of our experiences and impressions, and share photos from the journey.

Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Four Explore

  1. 1

    “I think you are unstressing”

    Orinda, United States | Aug 22 '07 | Reviews: 0

    After months of seemingly non-stop pre-departure planning, packing, and related activities, we finally made it out the door on August 23. After Gra... Continue reading »

  2. 2

    In the Land of the Tall People

    Amsterdam, Netherlands | Aug 23 '07 | Reviews: 0

    For those of you who didn’t read the news reports, the Dutch have passed the Americans as being the tallest people in the world. Walking the street... Continue reading »

  3. 3

    City of de-LIghts

    Paris, France | Aug 26 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Our first 36 hours in Paris have been full of art, culture, sights, sounds, and, naturally, good eating!  Our initial experience... Continue reading »

  4. 4

    Nirvana in a Baby Bottle with a Flying Egg

    Paris, France | Aug 30 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Paris, Aug. 31

    By Dan

    Note: we were a little slow in finding an internet connection, so this is late in being posted.

    Paris has c... Continue reading »

  5. 5

    Sweating it out for the Saints

    Chartres, France | Aug 31 '07 | Reviews: 0

    It proved tougher than expected, but we did manage to get out of Paris. Having gotten very comfortable with the Metro and RER train system, we felt... Continue reading »

  6. 6

    Sleeping with Pigeon Ghosts

    Bayeux, France | Sep 02 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    Arriving in Normandy late in the day following our journey from Paris (via Chartres), we were thrilled to discover that our “pig... Continue reading »

  7. 7

    If there's a bustle in your hedgerow

    Caen, France | Sep 03 '07 | Reviews: 0

    September 4, 2007

    By Christina

    Two points to anyone who can name the song from which the above line comes. Dan and I sang it throughout... Continue reading »

  8. 8

    Out of the Mouths of Babes. . . . .

    Saumur, France | Sep 06 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Sept. 7

    [NOTE:  we had some trouble uploading pictures for Normandy - they are now in there.]

    By popular demand, and consistent wi... Continue reading »

  9. 9

    Four Explore Feel Poor . . . and Other Notes From the Road

    Saumur, France | Sep 06 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    OK, I thought that I’d do an entry that was less travelogue on what we’re seeing and doing, and more on what we’re thinking and feelin... Continue reading »

  10. 10

    Doing the Horizontal Limbo in a Peugeot, Dordogne Style

    Sarlat-la-Caneda, France | Sep 09 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Wow. A lot of ground covered since our last report. But, today, the sum total of our activity was an hour hike and a few hours frolick... Continue reading »

  11. 11

    Eyes Wide Open

    Sarlat-la-Caneda, France | Sep 11 '07 | Reviews: 0

    September 12, 2007

    By Christina

    The Dordogne continues to fascinate, and just driving around is enough to fill the senses.

    For t... Continue reading »

  12. 12

    Take Me to the River

    Carcassonne, France | Sep 15 '07 | Reviews: 0

    September 15, 2007

    By: Christina

    The past three days have been all about water. On Thursday, we drove to Domme (a hilltop village with... Continue reading »

  13. 13

    Neece is Nice

    Nice, France | Sep 16 '07 | Reviews: 0

    September 23, 2007

    By Dan

    Note:  we're way behind on our entries, as the hard drive on our laptop appears to have died.  As I... Continue reading »

  14. 14

    The Two Funniest Words in Italian

    Milan, Italy | Sep 17 '07 | Reviews: 0

    September 24, 2007

    By Dan

    Oh, do we like Italy and Italians!  No offense towards France and the French -- in fact, Grayson still t... Continue reading »

  15. 15

    The World's My Home

    Venice, Italy | Sep 18 '07 | Reviews: 0

    September 28, 2007

    By Christina

    Italy continues to deliver.  All four of us were completely blown away by the view of the Grand Ca... Continue reading »

  16. 16

    Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Bravo!

    Poggibonsi, Italy | Sep 21 '07 | Reviews: 0

    October 1, 2007

    By Christina

    I am writing this on our laptop which now has a new hard drive and appears to be in good working order. Ho... Continue reading »

  17. 17

    A Word from the Kids...

    Poggibonsi, Italy | Oct 03 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Nearly a month after their last entries, Grayson and Abby dictated the following, which have been transcribed verbatim.

    By Grayson

    In... Continue reading »

  18. 18

    Hedgehogs, Wild Boar, and Owls – Oh, My!

    Poggibonsi, Italy | Oct 03 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Well, we’ve been living the easy life in Tuscany for two weeks now, but tomorrow we’re back on the road. One of the fun things about t... Continue reading »

  19. 19

    The Saints are Coming

    Assisi, Italy | Oct 04 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    We would be remiss in not mentioning here our continued fascination with the saints and religion. Even our rabidly agnostic youn... Continue reading »

  20. 20

    Oh No, Another Curse!

    Pitigliano, Italy | Oct 06 '07 | Reviews: 0
    Oct. 7 By Dan If we have a theme song for this trip so far, maybe it’s David Bowie’s “Ch-ch-ch-changes”. We left our spacious s... Continue reading »
  21. 21

    La Dolce Vita

    Rome, Italy | Oct 07 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    We pulled into Rome and unloaded our car in the easiest transaction we have had since our departure. It was like buying a pack o... Continue reading »

  22. 22

    Greece Is The Word . . . .

    Athens, Greece | Oct 11 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Remember the theme from a previous entry of ch-ch-changes? Well, it is continuing. Thursday night the 11th, we said arrividerci to Ita... Continue reading »

  23. 23

    Island Style

    Mykonos, Greece | Oct 12 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Friday afternoon the 12th, we made our way to Piraeus and found the Diogenes V, the boat that will be our home for the next week. It’s... Continue reading »

  24. 24

    Take a Look Around, See Which Way the Wind Blows

    Paros, Greece | Oct 13 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Early Sunday morning, we set off for Paros, and spent a couple of really rough hours bouncing around on heavy seas. Things were flying... Continue reading »

  25. 25

    Irini of Santorini – not wearing a bikini

    Santorini, Greece | Oct 15 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Early on Wednesday morning, we heard the engines chug to life, and felt the ship pull away (finally!) from the Paros dock. About six very rough hou... Continue reading »

  26. 26

    Grayson on Greece

    Aegina, Greece | Oct 17 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Grayson

    Greek cuisine is actually (in my opinion) better than Italian and French food. I know you are going to say “What?” but since I lov... Continue reading »

  27. 27

    Abby on Greek Fauna

    Athens, Greece | Oct 18 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Abigail

    I don’t know, I haven’t decided if I liked the cruise more than Normandy. I might have, because there is always something to do. W... Continue reading »

  28. 28

    The Greeks Don’t Want No Freaks (I just couldn't resist)

    Athens, Greece | Oct 18 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    After bidding farewell to our boat and its crew, we headed into Athens for three days to get rid of our sea legs and do some sig... Continue reading »

  29. 29

    We’re On the Rhodes to Nowhere

    Rhodes, Greece | Oct 21 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    (Yep, still working on the song title puns. . . .)

    Like everyone, Christina and I occasionally allow ourselves to be lured into... Continue reading »

  30. 30

    Talkin’ Turkey

    Fethiye, Turkey | Oct 25 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Since Greece and Turkey aren’t exactly the best of friends, there aren’t a lot of connections between the two countries, but we had do... Continue reading »

  31. 31

    The Captain of our Gulet has a Mullet

    Kas, Turkey | Oct 26 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    For those of you who don’t know, a mullet is a groovy hairstyle (short on top, long at the back) that enjoys great popularity th... Continue reading »

  32. 32

    Livin’ the Dream

    Olympos, Turkey | Oct 28 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    One of my favorite people on the gulet was an Australian guy named Phil, who was touring around Turkey with his lovely wife Shar... Continue reading »

  33. 33

    Turkish Delights

    Antalya, Turkey | Oct 30 '07 | Reviews: 0

    Bathing

    By Christina

    Part I – Antalya

    Late in the afternoon of our first day in Antalya, we trundled down the street to th... Continue reading »

  34. 34

    In Hot Water Again

    Pamukkale, Turkey | Oct 31 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    After six nights in Turkey, it felt a little weird to be striking out on our first real foray into Turkey proper. Somehow, a quick run... Continue reading »

  35. 35

    Dan's Letter to the Ephesians

    Selcuk, Turkey | Nov 01 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Leaving the hot water experience at Pamukkale, our next stop was Selcuk. (Turkish pronunciation and spelling results in the town being... Continue reading »

  36. 36

    On The Heels of Achilles

    Canakkale, Turkey | Nov 04 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Leaving the sleepy fishing village of Assos on November 5, we drove another 100 km. or so north and east to the town of Canakkale, whi... Continue reading »

  37. 37

    Fly Me to the Moon

    Urgup, Turkey | Nov 06 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    Wednesday the 7th of November found us on our first domestic flight in Turkey, on Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to K... Continue reading »

  38. 38

    Sultans of Swing

    Istanbul, Turkey | Nov 08 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Grayson

    We arrived in Istanbul on the 9th of November. The next day, we started out by going to the Blue Mosque. We were going... Continue reading »

  39. 39

    The Turkey is Finished Before Thanksgiving

    Istanbul, Turkey | Nov 08 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    As a matter of convenience more than anything, we saved Istanbul for the end of our time in Turkey. I hesitate to say that it’s leavin... Continue reading »

  40. 40

    Talkin’ About A Revolution

    Cairo, Egypt | Nov 13 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    Driving into Cairo after the relative tranquility of Istanbul was shocking to the senses. Everywhere you looked, there were peop... Continue reading »

  41. 41

    Walk Like an Egyptian . . .

    Cairo, Egypt | Nov 15 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    . . . which means do an absolutely amazing, death-defying sort of limbo between passing cars, buses, taxis, and donkey carts. I knew I... Continue reading »

  42. 42

    The Things We Do For Love

    Alexandria, Egypt | Nov 16 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    Being the good mother that I am, I have taken a keen interest in one of Grayson’s greatest passions: war history. As you know fr... Continue reading »

  43. 43

    I’ve Been Through the Desert on a Bus With No Name

    Siwa, Egypt | Nov 17 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    If you’ve had your fill of crowds, noise, pollution, and chaos, what do you do? You get away from it all. What’s one way to do that? P... Continue reading »

  44. 44

    Midnight at the Oasis

    Bahariya Oasis, Egypt | Nov 21 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    Grayson recently remarked that the world was much larger than he realized and that traveling for many days resulted in very litt... Continue reading »

  45. 45

    Buried With a Donkey, He’s My Favorite Honky

    Luxor, Egypt | Nov 24 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    You knew that we couldn’t go all the way through Egypt and not title one of our entries from Steve Martin’s song, right? Dear readers... Continue reading »

  46. 46

    Hatshepsut’s Story

    Cairo, Egypt | Nov 29 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Abigail

    In ancient Egypt, there was once a queen called Hatshepsut. They knew about her first burial place, but there’s one thing they did... Continue reading »

  47. 47

    Where It All Began

    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Nov 30 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Having spent a lot of time listening to Bob Marley and his pals over the years, it felt like living one of his songs as we left Babylo... Continue reading »

  48. 48

    A Little Addis and A Little Addat

    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Dec 03 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Ugh, was that too much of a stretch for a pun??

    Following our very late (or early?) arrival in Addis, we slept like the dead thr... Continue reading »

  49. 49

    It’s A Hard Knock Life

    Bahar Dar, Ethiopia | Dec 04 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    After boarding an early morning flight from Addis, we began our journey through Ethiopia’s “Historical Circuit” - the Northern p... Continue reading »

  50. 50

    Africa’s Camelot

    Gonder, Ethiopia | Dec 06 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    Perched on the edge of the Simien Mountains (sometimes called the “Rooftop of Africa”) and sitting at an elevation of close to 8... Continue reading »

  51. 51

    Monkeys with a Bleeding Heart

    Gonder, Ethiopia | Dec 07 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Grayson

    We started our quest for animals in the Simien Mountains. After staring at the gorgeous scenery, we hiked down a mountain trail to... Continue reading »

  52. 52

    Sometimes You Need to Go Down To Go Up . . .

    Lalibela, Ethiopia | Dec 08 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    . . . to Heaven, that is. Continuing our tour of Ethiopia’s Historical Circuit, our next stop was Lalibela, which is perhaps the star... Continue reading »

  53. 53

    Searching for the Ark of the Covenant

    Aksum, Ethiopia | Dec 09 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    Our last stop on the northern Historical Circuit was the town of Aksum far to the North, just shy of the border with Eritrea. (A... Continue reading »

  54. 54

    Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude

    Arba Minch', Ethiopia | Dec 12 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan and Christina

    Following our completion of the Historical Circuit, we flew south from Aksum to Addis, where we spent a half-day and nig... Continue reading »

  55. 55

    The Turmi-nator

    Turmi, Ethiopia | Dec 13 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Leaving Arba Minch (thankfully), we started another day of driving that was filled with cows, donkeys, goats, awesome scenery, and peo... Continue reading »

  56. 56

    If I Had a Hamer

    Demeka, Ethiopia | Dec 15 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Shortly after leaving Turmi, it was time for our next visit to a traditional village. This time, it was a Hamer village. After our Arb... Continue reading »

  57. 57

    Please Have Mursi

    Jinka, Ethiopia | Dec 16 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Ah, every man’s fantasy: to be grabbed and groped by a topless woman carrying a machine gun. . . . Got your attention, did I? Well, yo... Continue reading »

  58. 58

    Gazing at Gazelles

    Arba Minch', Ethiopia | Dec 18 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Abby

    Mammals

    The mammals that we saw when we were on safari in Ethiopia’s Nech Sar National Park were really awesome. I liked... Continue reading »

  59. 59

    Take the Long Way Home

    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Dec 19 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    It was time to start heading back towards Addis, so we rolled out of Jinka on the morning of the 17th. After about 75 km.,... Continue reading »

  60. 60

    Bright Lights, Big City

    Nairobi, Kenya | Dec 20 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    We’ve always known that there are many sides to Africa, but sometimes it takes a two hour plane flight and the chance to see two count... Continue reading »

  61. 61

    A Lamu Christmas

    Lamu, Kenya | Dec 21 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    It has been close to eighteen years since Dan and I were in Lamu, but this little slice of heaven really hasn’t changed that muc... Continue reading »

  62. 62

    Takin’ It To The Streets

    Nairobi, Kenya | Dec 28 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    . . . . or Burnin’ Down the House, if you prefer the ‘ Heads to the Doobies.

    We flew back to Nairobi on Friday afternoon the 28... Continue reading »

  63. 63

    I (Wish I) Had A Farm In Africa

    Lake Manyara, Tanzania | Dec 31 '07 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    As Dan mentioned in the previous entry, I have a thing for Karen Blixen and it was her book and the subsequent movie “Out of Afr... Continue reading »

  64. 64

    Carrion My Wayward Son

    Ngorogoro Crater, Tanzania | Jan 02 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Grayson

    The Ngorogoro Crater is packed with animals. As mom would put it, “it is a bowl of animals”. We started driving up to the rim at 8... Continue reading »

  65. 65

    Sure as Kilimanjaro Rises Above the Serengeti (Not)

    Serengeti National Park, Tanzania | Jan 05 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    I’d long had a feeling that Asia, or Christopher Cross, or whoever sang that cheesy song in the early ‘80s had never been to Tanzania,... Continue reading »

  66. 66

    Who Let the (Wild) Dogs Out?

    Serengeti National Park, Tanzania | Jan 07 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Safari guides take a lot of personal responsibility in making sure that their clients see good stuff, so I think our friend Felix was... Continue reading »

  67. 67

    Malaika

    Arusha, Tanzania | Jan 08 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    This was probably the easiest blog entry title we have had so far, although it is obscure enough that I’ll have to explain. . .... Continue reading »

  68. 68

    We’ve Got a Ticket to Ride

    Arusha, Tanzania | Jan 11 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Arusha is a very pleasant town nestled against the base of Mt. Meru, which is sort of Kilimanjaro’s little sister as it rises above... Continue reading »

  69. 69

    In An Octopus’ Garden

    Male, Maldives | Jan 16 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    The 16th of January was a sad day for us: we said goodbye to my mom and we left the continent of Africa. The good news was... Continue reading »

  70. 70

    Eye of the Tigers

    Colombo, Sri Lanka | Jan 21 '08 | Reviews: 0

    Jan. 22

    By Dan

    I thought of our time in the Maldives as a sort of vacation from our vacation. Like all vacations, it had to end, so we... Continue reading »

  71. 71

    I Want Kandy

    Kandy, Sri Lanka | Jan 22 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    Our tour of Sri Lanka started off with an early departure from Colombo, as we wanted to be at the Pennewala Elephant Orphanage i... Continue reading »

  72. 72

    Jungle Love

    Sigiriya, Sri Lanka | Jan 24 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    The next phase of our Sri Lankan adventure was delayed a little as we tried to depart Kandy. A wedding party was arriving at our hotel... Continue reading »

  73. 73

    Rolling on the River

    Kitulgala, Sri Lanka | Jan 26 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    After a brief consultation with Maxi, we decided to change our travel plans and avoid the town of Ella, where we were scheduled... Continue reading »

  74. 74

    The Long and Winding Road

    Dikwella, Sri Lanka | Jan 28 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Our unplanned pause at Kitulgala at an end, we were back on the road south heading towards our next scheduled destination, the Sinhara... Continue reading »

  75. 75

    Workin’ for a Livin’

    Galle, Sri Lanka | Jan 31 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    By this time, we have had lots of practice leaving places we love, and Dikwella was no different. But, we’d relaxed and chilled long e... Continue reading »

  76. 76

    You Must Be My Lucky Star

    Negombo, Sri Lanka | Feb 02 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    After our short stop in Galle, our friend Maxi the driver arrived to take us north towards Colombo, ending our circuit of Sri Lanka. C... Continue reading »

  77. 77

    Oh Backwaters, Keep on Rollin’

    Kochi, India | Feb 05 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Another day, another stamp in the passport. Hello, India! Ninety minutes of flying brought the six of us from the craziness in Sri Lan... Continue reading »

  78. 78

    Bohemian Rhapsody

    Mandrem, India | Feb 07 '08 | Reviews: 0
    By Christina Kingfisher is a well known name around India. As the country’s leading brewery, there are ads for its various flavors of... Continue reading »
  79. 79

    Living Just Enough, Just Enough for the City

    New Delhi, India | Feb 15 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    I think the kids would have been happy to stay on the beach in Goa for another month or so, spending their days boogie boarding and dr... Continue reading »

  80. 80

    A Love Supreme

    Agra, India | Feb 17 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    Just over one hundred miles southeast of Delhi sits the greatest of all tributes to love, the Taj Mahal. This white marble palac... Continue reading »

  81. 81

    Voice Post from a Tuk Tuk

    New Delhi, India | Feb 17 '08 | Reviews: 0

    Please listen to what Grayson has to say about riding in a tuk tuk in Delhi, India.

    http://blog.realtravel.com/2008/02/29/from-a-tuk-tuk-in-d... Continue reading »

  82. 82

    Abby's Tabbies

    Bandhavgarh National Park, India | Feb 20 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Abigail

    From Agra to Bandhavgarh we took a night train. It was probably the worst night’s sleep I have ever had. Period. I mean, there’s n... Continue reading »

  83. 83

    Cat Scratch Fever

    Bandhavgarh National Park, India | Feb 21 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    I thought I’d also do an entry on tigers for the sake of more comprehensive coverage. And, since Abby doesn’t have the same appreciati... Continue reading »

  84. 84

    I'm Too Sexy for my Temple

    Khajuraho, India | Feb 23 '08 | Reviews: 0

    (Parental Discretion Advised)

    By Dan

    Recognizing that we may have some younger readers, let me start with a warning that the content of... Continue reading »

  85. 85

    Get Lifted

    Varanasi, India | Feb 24 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    Situated on the banks of the Ganges River, Varanasi is arguably the holiest city in all of India. Many Indians consider it the c... Continue reading »

  86. 86

    Give Me Novocaine

    Siliguri, India | Feb 27 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    Sometimes the best laid plans…fall by the wayside. Such was the case with our recent quest to reach the town of Darjeeling in no... Continue reading »

  87. 87

    Can’t You Hear That Whistle Blowin’

    Guwahati, India | Feb 28 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Train travel is a quintessential part of the India experience. Supposedly, something like 15 million people ride a train in India ever... Continue reading »

  88. 88

    Welcome to Paradise

    Kaziranga, India | Feb 29 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By: Grayson

    From Guwahati, we drove about five hours to Kaziranga National Park, famous for its one-horned rhinoceros. Mom had been managing... Continue reading »

  89. 89

    O Calcutta!

    Kolkata, India | Mar 03 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Well, Calcutta (now known as Kolkata) is our final stop in India, and in some ways it feels like we have been in training for Calcutta... Continue reading »

  90. 90

    A Boy Named Sue

    Bangkok, Thailand | Mar 06 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    A curious title, you might say, but you would be surprised at the number of “lady-boys” (the phrase used in Thailand) walking ar... Continue reading »

  91. 91

    Banana Pancakes

    Chiang Mai, Thailand | Mar 12 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    After our experience on the overnight trains in India, I was really looking forward to the overnight train ride from Bangkok to... Continue reading »

  92. 92

    Rice, Rice, Baby

    Mae Waen, Thailand | Mar 13 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    There’s nothing like going to sleep in a bamboo hut thatched with teak tree leaves, in the middle of rice paddies in the mountains wes... Continue reading »

  93. 93

    King for a Day

    Chiang Rai, Thailand | Mar 15 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    We blew into Chiang Rai after a three hour bus ride from Chiang Mai. We had decided to break up the journey to Laos by stopping... Continue reading »

  94. 94

    Everybody Chiang Khong Tonight

    Huay Xai, Laos | Mar 16 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Christina and I still chuckle about the time we got in a taxi in Orange County on our way to Disneyland, and I noticed that the taxi d... Continue reading »

  95. 95

    Fly Like An Eagle

    Bokeo Reserve, Laos | Mar 18 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Grayson

    After crossing the Mekong River into the town of Huay Xie, Laos, we headed on to the extraordinary Gibbon Experience. The Gibbon E... Continue reading »

  96. 96

    Uncomfortably Numb

    Pakbeng, Laos | Mar 20 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    A little additional commentary on the Gibbon Experience, from the parental perspective. (Read Grayson’s entry, immediately prior to th... Continue reading »

  97. 97

    Brothers in Alms

    Luang Prabang, Laos | Mar 22 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    After two days of drifting on the Mekong River, sitting on hard wooden benches and eating salty snacks, we were definitely ready... Continue reading »

  98. 98

    Shiny, Happy People

    Vang Vieng, Laos | Mar 25 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Leaving the monks and classical ambience of Luang Prabang behind, we headed south for Vang Vieng. As usual, there were a variety of tr... Continue reading »

  99. 99

    They Call It Mellow Yellow

    Vientiane, Laos | Mar 26 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Throughout Southeast Asia, we have been struck by how much yellow we see. Flags, shirts, signs, etc. are very frequently yellow in col... Continue reading »

  100. 100

    Crossroad Blues

    Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Mar 27 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By: Christina

    Arriving in bustling, hustling Cambodia after mellow Laos and pristine Thailand was a big change. There are lots of people ever... Continue reading »

  101. 101

    Darkness on the Edge of Town

    Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Mar 29 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Christina

    The legacy of the Khmer Rouge resonates in Cambodia to this day and is like a dark shadow lurking in the corners of Cambodian ho... Continue reading »

  102. 102

    Don’t Fear the Reaper

    Siem Reap, Cambodia | Apr 02 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    . . . The Siem Reaper, that is, as in Siem Reap, the Cambodian city that is home to one of the world’s most amazing collections of tem... Continue reading »

  103. 103

    Wat You Want? Baby I Got It!

    Siem Reap, Cambodia | Apr 03 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Oh, yeah, there are some temple things near Siem Reap, right? Angkor Wat, etc.? That’s why we went there, right? Yep, and they wer... Continue reading »

  104. 104

    Take It Easy

    Ko Samui, Thailand | Apr 09 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Leaving the temples of Cambodia behind us, we hopped on a plane bound for the island beaches of southern Thailand. While the pace of o... Continue reading »

  105. 105

    Sunday, Bloody Sunday

    Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand | Apr 10 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By: Christina

    After our days of luxury and leisure in Koh Samui, we were due for a bit of time roughing it. We got that in spades when we... Continue reading »

  106. 106

    On The Road Again

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Apr 15 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By: Christina

    We had decided to try a no-frills, economy carrier, AirAsia, for our flight from Thailand to Malaysia. The tickets were priced... Continue reading »

  107. 107

    Oh, Oh, That Smell. Can’t You Smell That Smell?

    Jakarta, Indonesia | Apr 18 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Well, that blog title would have been appropriate for many of the places we have visited on our journey. Jakarta, a city of over ten m... Continue reading »

  108. 108

    Shake, Rattle, and Roll

    Jogjakarta, Indonesia | Apr 20 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By: Christina

    Yogyakarta (pronounced “Jogjakarta” or “Jogja” by those in the know) is a sweet city with a small town feel in the center of th... Continue reading »

  109. 109

    Smoke on the Water, Fire in the Sky

    By Dan

    OK, so truth be told, we didn’t see either smoke on water or fire in sky, but we saw a whole lot of smoke in sky, and since that’s suc... Continue reading »

  110. 110

    One Night Only

    Surabaya, Indonesia | Apr 25 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Having seen what we could of Bromo and environs, it was time to head back down the mountain to Hot and Steamy Land. The ride down gave... Continue reading »

  111. 111

    Ninety-Six Degrees in the Shade

    Gili Trawangan, Indonesia | Apr 27 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By: Christina

    Another day, another island. With more than 17,000 in Indonesia (6,000+ are uninhabited), we could spend the rest of the year v... Continue reading »

  112. 112

    Give Me Shelter

    Senggigi, Indonesia | May 02 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Our last morning on Gili T saw us reluctantly packing up after our six delightful nights at Marta’s Bungalows, and preparing for depar... Continue reading »

  113. 113

    We're Off to See the Lizard

    Labuanbajo, Indonesia | May 04 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Varanus komodiensis, that is. The lizard of all lizards. The king of the lizards. The Komodo dragon. In 1995, Christina and I h... Continue reading »

  114. 114

    Puff the Magic Komodo Dragon

    Komodo, Indonesia | May 05 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By: Abby

    Komodo Dragons are the world’s biggest lizards. They grow to be anywhere from 9 to 10 ½ feet long from nose to tail. When they are b... Continue reading »

  115. 115

    Surfin’ Safari

    Bali, Indonesia | May 08 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By: Christina

    With four straight days of surfing under our belts, the title for this entry was a no-brainer. Surfing has played a prominent r... Continue reading »

  116. 116

    Endless Summer

    Seminyak, Indonesia | May 12 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By: Grayson

    On the first day of surfing Dad, Abby and I had lessons. I had not done any surfing before, and I was... Continue reading »

  117. 117

    Funky Chinatown

    Hong Kong, China | May 15 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    Packing our things in Bali was sort of surreal. We culled ruthlessly, leaving behind clothes that had been beat up by too many dhobi-w... Continue reading »

  118. 118

    California Dreaming

    Orinda, United States | May 16 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By Dan

    One more morning in a hotel room. One more taxi to a train station. One more trip through an airport. One more (very long) plane fligh... Continue reading »

  119. 119

    Coming Home

    Orinda, United States | May 23 '08 | Reviews: 0

    By: Christina

    One of my favorite John Legend songs is “Coming Home.” During our trip, I found myself singing it from time to time, and since... Continue reading »

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