After nearly a month of traveling in style and comfort with friends it’s taking a special sort of kick in my ass to get motivated again.

When you have received something that is exactly what you have secretly wanted, at a moment when you can most appreciate it, no thought can compare to something tangible.

Our captain had been preparing us each day leading up to our arrival that the waters of Komodo were “funny waters, many tricks”.

So Long Lula, I hope the next person’s conscience that you inhabit might have a bit more fruitful knowledge to keep you happy

Why just a few posts ago he professed and undying love for India. Is Pete some sort of traveling two-timer? So easily tempted by some tropical islands that he has already forgotten India?

7 weeks since the last post, but in my defense it only seems like 3 weeks to me. Amidst all the infighting and accusations of beer stealing we have managed to cobble together a little bit of new content.

Once you are solidly perched on their back they will unleash a fire hose stream of water at you. If the spray doesn’t knock you off then the elephant will demonstrate just how puny we humans are by making a small twitch of her shoulders that never fails to toss tourists and village children alike into the river.

Operating at elevations above 18000ft these mysterious superheroes employ their superhuman fashion sense and disbelief in helmets to inspire WTF moments amidst the dreary eyed men working the roof of the world.

Occasionally you meet someone, a kindred spirit that creates such a deep impression that you know the parting will leave a hollow space that will not likely be filled by the next stranger on a train.

I assumed we would have one of 6 conversations that the local street folk like to use on tourists and then he would ask me for some money, my pen, my notebook, or maybe all three. I never suspected this man would hold the key to my inner peace.

My new friend Laurenne is a woman with the courage and skill to write her inner monologue for our entertainment. Laugh, enjoy, and occasionally find yourself thinking wow I can’t believe she said that. http://humansarefunny.blogspot.com/

Somewhere in a small office in a basement of some ministry building in Delhi there is a person in charge of writing the humorous road signs found all over India’s highways.

photo fun at the Taj

With a modicum of common sense, or any remaining shred of western hygiene she could have avoided her fate. Sadly the Tarnished Ms. L had been traveling in Asia for too long.

Tourists run for refuge, cows get a floating buffet of trash to choose from, sensible people pull out umbrellas, rickshaw drivers keep peddling through the flowing water, and the kids strip down to their underwear and run outside and play.

In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to “swallow” the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its life-giving light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable…

Those with weak grammatical stomachs should be advised that this blog will contain graphic abuse, flagrant misuse, and calloused disregard for the proper structure of the English language

6 Indians, one Nepalese oarsman and two foreigners makes for a lively crew rafting the Beas River.

We suspected his Holiness might step out onto the balcony to do something crazy while he though nobody was looking, but alas we saw no late night Lama Dance.

As a tourist it is difficult not to give in and part with a few dollars, if not for charity’s sake then for sheer admiration of their efforts.

Girl: “Mister, you buy bracelet for girlfriend then she loves you and gives you 100 kisses.”

The ancient art of palm reading reveals unknown secrets in my life

Once again the foreign press steals some of my 15 minutes of fame and uses it to make me look like an idiot.

Disney himself could not have dreamed up a more enchanting set, although he probably would have put diapers on the street cows.

There was a clear choice to be made between participating in the festival or trying to photograph it… I chose to participate.

Painted elephants in a parade, dancing, elephant polo, and tug of war. These are just a few of the promised highlights to Jaipurs annual elephant festival.

I knew Pete and Bob would need some guideance while they visited the luxurious coconut beaches of Thailand. So I wrote this article to help them navigate Thailand’s wild ways. – lisa

“Yeh! what the hell are we doing here? I’m going back to the coconut beaches of Thailand…good luck!” My 8 months of travelers sense and judgment were about to abandon me here and retreat back to a hammock in Thailand.

Serendipity, good times and unfortunate events make for interesting travel…

She baited us with an easy solution, a friendly smile, familiar language and an offer of the best, “most highest” guesthouse view of the Dragon’s Back Rice Terraces.

We learned a few things about Hoa right away. 1) He’s been running this place with his wife for about fourteen years and 2) He drinks like a Marine but has the build of an eleven-year old and 3) Hoa can’t really hold his liquor very well.

It only seems fitting that after a month without posting I should resume my diatribes with something to grab your attention.

Finding out my chinese name

A glimpse into Chinese Muslim culture

An economically viable and culturally sensitive proposal for saving the declining panda population.

Hong Kong – The city with everything, or at least is seems that way after 4 months in mainland China.

They let me back into China. Sadly… I am sure I will be banned from New Jersey… Sorry, Bruce.

Wow! In one word this is all I can say. China really did an amazing job of hosting the Olympics.  The skies were blue, the city was clean, the people and staff friendly, the years of preparation paid off. Having lived in Atlanta before, after, and during the 1996 Olympics I can say that Beijing [...]

Arriving in Beijing for the olympics just in time to dive into the party.

While I am really enjoying China, it seems China does not really enjoy my websites.

Mongolian judo, the backstreet Boys, and Olympic fever. You never know what to expect on the train.

After a significant amount of metallic banging, dripping brake (?) fluid and a plenty of wine and we had new wheels.

My interest in the wild horses had been peaked after some conversations with a journalist friend Camilla who was/is writing a story about the Takihs.  Essentially these 200+ horses are the result of a successful reintroduction of wild horses to Mongolia.  It is my understanding that this species formerly ran free on the steppe, but [...]

If all else fails retreat to the 5 star bar.

Moments form a night out in Ulanbataar

Photos from the Gobi Desert

Navigating the Gobi is an unfailing system of intuition, experience, and some occasional head scratching.

“If you don’t get a visa extension you just marry me and stay in Mongolia as long as you like” -Ogi

With a bucket full of mutton and a few jugs of airag I headed out for days two and three of the Naadam Games with my newly-adopted by a Mongolian family. I also discovered I have no dumpling-rolling skills whatsoever.

Read about my 1st day at Mongolia’s Nadaam National Games

Some notes about Mongolia, little known facts, and other interesting things which didn’t fit into other posts.

Funny stuff from my travels

A collection of strange, confusing, and sometimes dangerous ways people are earning a living in developing nations.

 
I arrived in UB several days after the riot and soon after the end of the “Special Situation”, as the locals are referring to it. There was a slight nervous air in the city, but otherwise business as usual (as far as I could tell).  I met just a few foreigners who were present during [...]

Our flight form Beijing to Ulanbataar (aka Ulan Bataar, aka Ulan Bator, or UB for short) was turned back to Beijing after circling the Ulanbataar airport on account of high winds and rain. Many on the flight suspected it had to do with the political situation on the ground more than the weather, but after [...]

With only a day to spend in Beijing between flights I took the time to wander around a bit and check on the progress in the Olympic village area.

Well after a whirlwind last minute prep, goodbyes, drinking, an impromptu party & photo roast (Thanks Lisa & Caroline), plus an Independence Day celebration it was time to start heading west, until I arrived in the east.  The 15+ hr flight from LAX to SFO and SFO to Beijing was relatively uneventful.  It was a [...]

Another blog is born, Strangerview.com the travel project.

Girl: “Mister, you buy bracelet for girlfriend then she loves you and gives you 100 kisses.”

As a tourist it is difficult not to give in and part with a few dollars, if not for charity’s sake then for sheer admiration of their efforts.

Well after a whirlwind last minute prep, goodbyes, drinking, an impromptu party & photo roast (Thanks Lisa & Caroline), plus an Independence Day celebration it was time to start heading west, until I arrived in the east.  The 15+ hr flight from LAX to SFO and SFO to Beijing was relatively uneventful.  It was a [...]

With only a day to spend in Beijing between flights I took the time to wander around a bit and check on the progress in the Olympic village area.

Our flight form Beijing to Ulanbataar (aka Ulan Bataar, aka Ulan Bator, or UB for short) was turned back to Beijing after circling the Ulanbataar airport on account of high winds and rain. Many on the flight suspected it had to do with the political situation on the ground more than the weather, but after [...]

While I am really enjoying China, it seems China does not really enjoy my websites.

Arriving in Beijing for the olympics just in time to dive into the party.

Wow! In one word this is all I can say. China really did an amazing job of hosting the Olympics.  The skies were blue, the city was clean, the people and staff friendly, the years of preparation paid off. Having lived in Atlanta before, after, and during the 1996 Olympics I can say that Beijing [...]

They let me back into China. Sadly… I am sure I will be banned from New Jersey… Sorry, Bruce.

Hong Kong – The city with everything, or at least is seems that way after 4 months in mainland China.

An economically viable and culturally sensitive proposal for saving the declining panda population.

A glimpse into Chinese Muslim culture

Finding out my chinese name

It only seems fitting that after a month without posting I should resume my diatribes with something to grab your attention.

She baited us with an easy solution, a friendly smile, familiar language and an offer of the best, “most highest” guesthouse view of the Dragon’s Back Rice Terraces.

Serendipity, good times and unfortunate events make for interesting travel…

“Yeh! what the hell are we doing here? I’m going back to the coconut beaches of Thailand…good luck!” My 8 months of travelers sense and judgment were about to abandon me here and retreat back to a hammock in Thailand.

Painted elephants in a parade, dancing, elephant polo, and tug of war. These are just a few of the promised highlights to Jaipurs annual elephant festival.

There was a clear choice to be made between participating in the festival or trying to photograph it… I chose to participate.

Disney himself could not have dreamed up a more enchanting set, although he probably would have put diapers on the street cows.

Once again the foreign press steals some of my 15 minutes of fame and uses it to make me look like an idiot.

The ancient art of palm reading reveals unknown secrets in my life

We suspected his Holiness might step out onto the balcony to do something crazy while he though nobody was looking, but alas we saw no late night Lama Dance.

6 Indians, one Nepalese oarsman and two foreigners makes for a lively crew rafting the Beas River.

In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to “swallow” the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its life-giving light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable…

Tourists run for refuge, cows get a floating buffet of trash to choose from, sensible people pull out umbrellas, rickshaw drivers keep peddling through the flowing water, and the kids strip down to their underwear and run outside and play.

With a modicum of common sense, or any remaining shred of western hygiene she could have avoided her fate. Sadly the Tarnished Ms. L had been traveling in Asia for too long.

photo fun at the Taj

Somewhere in a small office in a basement of some ministry building in Delhi there is a person in charge of writing the humorous road signs found all over India’s highways.

My new friend Laurenne is a woman with the courage and skill to write her inner monologue for our entertainment. Laugh, enjoy, and occasionally find yourself thinking wow I can’t believe she said that. http://humansarefunny.blogspot.com/

I assumed we would have one of 6 conversations that the local street folk like to use on tourists and then he would ask me for some money, my pen, my notebook, or maybe all three. I never suspected this man would hold the key to my inner peace.

Occasionally you meet someone, a kindred spirit that creates such a deep impression that you know the parting will leave a hollow space that will not likely be filled by the next stranger on a train.

Operating at elevations above 18000ft these mysterious superheroes employ their superhuman fashion sense and disbelief in helmets to inspire WTF moments amidst the dreary eyed men working the roof of the world.

Why just a few posts ago he professed and undying love for India. Is Pete some sort of traveling two-timer? So easily tempted by some tropical islands that he has already forgotten India?

So Long Lula, I hope the next person’s conscience that you inhabit might have a bit more fruitful knowledge to keep you happy

Our captain had been preparing us each day leading up to our arrival that the waters of Komodo were “funny waters, many tricks”.

Our flight form Beijing to Ulanbataar (aka Ulan Bataar, aka Ulan Bator, or UB for short) was turned back to Beijing after circling the Ulanbataar airport on account of high winds and rain. Many on the flight suspected it had to do with the political situation on the ground more than the weather, but after [...]

 
I arrived in UB several days after the riot and soon after the end of the “Special Situation”, as the locals are referring to it. There was a slight nervous air in the city, but otherwise business as usual (as far as I could tell).  I met just a few foreigners who were present during [...]

Some notes about Mongolia, little known facts, and other interesting things which didn’t fit into other posts.

Read about my 1st day at Mongolia’s Nadaam National Games

With a bucket full of mutton and a few jugs of airag I headed out for days two and three of the Naadam Games with my newly-adopted by a Mongolian family. I also discovered I have no dumpling-rolling skills whatsoever.

“If you don’t get a visa extension you just marry me and stay in Mongolia as long as you like” -Ogi

Navigating the Gobi is an unfailing system of intuition, experience, and some occasional head scratching.

Photos from the Gobi Desert

Moments form a night out in Ulanbataar

If all else fails retreat to the 5 star bar.

My interest in the wild horses had been peaked after some conversations with a journalist friend Camilla who was/is writing a story about the Takihs.  Essentially these 200+ horses are the result of a successful reintroduction of wild horses to Mongolia.  It is my understanding that this species formerly ran free on the steppe, but [...]

After a significant amount of metallic banging, dripping brake (?) fluid and a plenty of wine and we had new wheels.

Mongolian judo, the backstreet Boys, and Olympic fever. You never know what to expect on the train.

They let me back into China. Sadly… I am sure I will be banned from New Jersey… Sorry, Bruce.

When you have received something that is exactly what you have secretly wanted, at a moment when you can most appreciate it, no thought can compare to something tangible.

After nearly a month of traveling in style and comfort with friends it’s taking a special sort of kick in my ass to get motivated again.

Once you are solidly perched on their back they will unleash a fire hose stream of water at you. If the spray doesn’t knock you off then the elephant will demonstrate just how puny we humans are by making a small twitch of her shoulders that never fails to toss tourists and village children alike into the river.

Funny stuff from my travels

Some notes about Mongolia, little known facts, and other interesting things which didn’t fit into other posts.

Serendipity, good times and unfortunate events make for interesting travel…

Those with weak grammatical stomachs should be advised that this blog will contain graphic abuse, flagrant misuse, and calloused disregard for the proper structure of the English language

Hong Kong – The city with everything, or at least is seems that way after 4 months in mainland China.

A glimpse into Chinese Muslim culture

Serendipity, good times and unfortunate events make for interesting travel…

A collection of strange, confusing, and sometimes dangerous ways people are earning a living in developing nations.

Navigating the Gobi is an unfailing system of intuition, experience, and some occasional head scratching.

Photos from the Gobi Desert

Wow! In one word this is all I can say. China really did an amazing job of hosting the Olympics.  The skies were blue, the city was clean, the people and staff friendly, the years of preparation paid off. Having lived in Atlanta before, after, and during the 1996 Olympics I can say that Beijing [...]

A collection of strange, confusing, and sometimes dangerous ways people are earning a living in developing nations.

Navigating the Gobi is an unfailing system of intuition, experience, and some occasional head scratching.

Photos from the Gobi Desert

Wow! In one word this is all I can say. China really did an amazing job of hosting the Olympics.  The skies were blue, the city was clean, the people and staff friendly, the years of preparation paid off. Having lived in Atlanta before, after, and during the 1996 Olympics I can say that Beijing [...]

Hong Kong – The city with everything, or at least is seems that way after 4 months in mainland China.

A glimpse into Chinese Muslim culture

Serendipity, good times and unfortunate events make for interesting travel…

When you have received something that is exactly what you have secretly wanted, at a moment when you can most appreciate it, no thought can compare to something tangible.

Another blog is born, Strangerview.com the travel project.

She baited us with an easy solution, a friendly smile, familiar language and an offer of the best, “most highest” guesthouse view of the Dragon’s Back Rice Terraces.

Serendipity, good times and unfortunate events make for interesting travel…

I knew Pete and Bob would need some guideance while they visited the luxurious coconut beaches of Thailand. So I wrote this article to help them navigate Thailand’s wild ways. – lisa

7 weeks since the last post, but in my defense it only seems like 3 weeks to me. Amidst all the infighting and accusations of beer stealing we have managed to cobble together a little bit of new content.

After nearly a month of traveling in style and comfort with friends it’s taking a special sort of kick in my ass to get motivated again.

We learned a few things about Hoa right away. 1) He’s been running this place with his wife for about fourteen years and 2) He drinks like a Marine but has the build of an eleven-year old and 3) Hoa can’t really hold his liquor very well.

Serendipity, good times and unfortunate events make for interesting travel…