Living Like Sultans in Brunei

We spent two days in the country of Brunei Darussalam, with a total population of 400,000.  What the country lacks in population, it makes up for in wealth: it is one of the richest nations in the world, and is ruled by one of the richest people in the world, the Sultan of Brunei.  Click the link to read about our brief visit to the land of Sultans.

10 Things I Like About Bangkok

Over the course of three visits--once to obtain a visa for Burma, and twice as a stopover to other destinations--we spent ten days in Bangkok, Thailand.  During the past ten years, I have visited Bangkok ten separate times.  In honor of my tenth visit, click the link to read my list of ten things I like about Bangkok.

Videos of Vietnam

From the incredible traffic to the fun-loving people, Vietnam is a country that demands to be seen on video.  Click the link to watch some of my favorite videos from our visit to Vietnam.

Vietnam and "Easygoing Communism"

In 1986, a new president took over Vietnam, and he instituted financial reforms, split up government monopolies, and allowed private ownership of land.  Since then, Vietnam, while still nominally "Communist," has really had a largely capitalist system.  It is a system that one of our tour guides refered to as "easygoing communism."  Click the link to read more.

Vietnam and the American War

In America, it's known as the "Vietnam War."  In Vietnam, it's known as the "American War."  In America, the Vietnam War is viewed as a discrete 10-20 year conflict.  In Vietnam, the American War is viewed as the final stage of 116 unbroken years of armed conflict--first with France, then China, then Japan, then France, then the United States.  Click the link to read more about our tours related to the "American War."

Food of Vietnam

For someone who loves to eat, Vietnam is a great country to visit.  The food is delicious, varied, plentiful and inexpensive.  Our average meal cost around $2.  Click the link to see some of my favorite meals in Vietnam.

Faces of Vietnam

Welcome to Vietnam!  We spent almost four weeks traveling from Hanoi in the north to Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City, as it's now officially called) in the South.  Over the next week or two, I'll publish some posts describing a few of our experiences and impressions of the country.  Click the link to see a collection of some of my favorite portraits taken by Nick or myself during our visit to Vietnam.