Tiger Leaping Gorge is reported to be China’s best trekking trail. We spent three days hiking 21 miles on the high and low trails in late May 2018. It was relaxed and scenic, though not exactly secluded!
All in Round the World
Kunming Day Trips: Stone Forest 石林 and Disco Caves
The Shilin Scenic Area in Yunnan Province, China, has forests of stone and caverns pulsing with garish neon lights. The Stone Forest and Jiuxiang Caves are just a two hour bus ride from Kunming.
Civilized Kunming 昆明, China 中国
"Civilized Kunming" is the city's motto. Kunming has clean air and blue skies; is powered by renewable energy sources; offers plenty of green space where people actually gather in the evenings for singing, dancing, exercise, and camaraderie. Yes, it is indeed civilized! A joy to experience!
Annapurna Circuit Trek 2018
The Annapurna Circuit is the ideal place to wander, planning each day as it comes based on weather, time, altitude factors, trail conditions, and fatigue. We hiked the circuit in the Spring of 2018, starting in Chamje and ending in Birethanti.
Siem Reap, Cambodia: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Khmers in Angkor
Before coming to Siem Reap, I had the misconception that Angkor Wat was a single temple. But I quickly learned it is just one of many in a vast complex of other Hindu and Buddhist temple cities built by various Khmer Dynasty rulers during a 500-year period between 900 and 1400 A.D...
Sharing the Tet Temple Pilgrimage Experience in Ninh Binh, Vietnam
The temples in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh province, have exceptional characteristics, which is why they are a popular pilgrimage destination during Tet. Happy Year of the Dog!
Ha Giang, Vietnam: Motorbike Circuit
Our motorbike tour through Ha Giang province in Vietnam's northern highlands was the capstone of our two months in Vietnam...
Perfect Island Retreat for Couples in Con Dao, Vietnam
Con Dao is a perfect couple's retreat for those who love a quiet beach, an eye-opening dip in the salty bay after a hot morning run, and long stretches of simply staring in amazement at nature's glorious beauty.
Caves! Phong Nha National Park, Vietnam
The main attraction in Phong Nha National Park, Vietnam, is CAVES! Each cave offers a unique and completely different experience, but the highlight was...
Hue, Vietnam: Beautiful City With a Turbulent Past
Hue is a beautiful, modern city with a sordid past. From unifying the country to eventually selling-out to the French, the political events in Hue nearly 200 years ago altered the trajectory of the country.
Vietnam's Garden of Eden: Viet Hai
Most tourists to northern Vietnam book a fast-paced, one-day excursion to Halong Bay only to post disappointed reviews later. Do yourself a favor: ditch the crowds and enjoy a little slice of Eden in Viet Hai on the island of Cat Ba...
Making Friends on Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
Nothing attracts kids like a flying camera! Caffrey making friends in Viet Hai, Cat Ba Island, Vietnam while flying the DJI Mavic Pro drone.
Danang and a Hai Van Pass Roadtrip to Lan Co
Danang has more to offer than just soft sandy beaches. When you’ve had enough sand between your toes, try exploring some of the nearby attractions, including: Marble Mountains, the Danang Fine Arts Museum, or a road trip over the Hai Van Pass to Lan Co for an all-you-can-possibly-eat seafood feast. Read on for more…
Impressions of Hanoi, Vietnam
We were in Hanoi Vietnam for a week and it took about that long to get used to the noise, dirt, and chaos. There is an order, but don’t expect to articulate or quantify it. You just have to surrender to it.
The Noise of Clutter and Choice
It's getting quieter in this apartment, as we approach our move-out date. With less stuff, there is less choice. With less choice, there is less noise in my head.
Top 10 Fears as We Embark on our RTW
Our plan is starting to materialize and I find us wavering between moments of absolute certainty and times of doubt. Preparing for my future look-back, here are the top fears I have at T minus 100 days from initial departure...
Destination Everywhere
We are now "vagabonding", I believe is the term. It's a big change for us, with lots of unknowns. I don't know the arc of this story, yet, and I do not know how our characters will struggle, adapt, change. But I do know one thing: this chapter will be different from the previous 20 years...
Travel is ZEN
When I travel, I attain a sudden wellspring of patience and tolerance and humility that escapes me on the gerbil wheel of the daily grind. This short story explains the title of Travel Is Zen.
Travel is ZEN.