Wats, Mountains and Khao Soy – Chiang Mai

Sometimes, just sometimes, I go with the flow. I don’t plan much and I don’t read or educate myself about my destination. This time, the reason was two-pronged. One, the destination was Thailand, where I’d already been a couple of times. I knew about its deep contradictions and stunning beauty and tourism friendliness. Two, a…

North Vietnam – Part 1

We sat in Mrs.Duong’s courtyard sipping tea, as Na helped translate the seventy-five year old’s life story to us. After politely enquiring about her children, her husband’s nine siblings, their association with Uncle Ho and the ornate shrine in their small living room, we took the plunge. “Is it ok to ask her about the…

The Glories Of Ancient Angkor

Oh, Angkor. Any ode to you that's been brewing in my head ever since I heard of you years ago will not be ode enough. Any words I find to describe even a minuscule part of your physical grandeur or your geographical significance will do you no justice. Any description of how you dwarf the…