A visit to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Prison in Phnom Penh

A visit to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Prison in Phnom Penh

As I walked from one stop to the next listening to the Cambodian man speaking in my headset, I tried to visualize the events here at Choeung Ek some 40 years ago – the truck pulling up to the gate, Khmer Rouge guards, many of whom were just teenagers, unloading blindfolded and partially-clothed prisoners. They had just come from the prison at Tuol Sleng; otherwise, known as Security Prison 21 or S-21 for short. It wasn’t a long ride – just 15 kilometers. The prisoners were to

A trip down the Mekong River, in Laos, from Houay Xai to Luang Prabang

A trip down the Mekong River, in Laos, from Houay Xai to Luang Prabang

I was very relaxed as the long, narrow boat cruised down the Mekong River, for two days, from Houay Xai to Luang Prabang. It was quiet except for the constant, rhythmic whine of the boat’s engines. Had it not been for the stunning scenery and interacting with the other tourists on the boat, I could easily have been rocked to sleep as the boat glided down the placid river. We rocked from side to side, occasionally, as the boat’s driver navigated around rocks protruding up from

Hellfire Pass - more than 700 Allied POWs died here during WWII

Hellfire Pass - more than 700 Allied POWs died here during WWII

As I walked through the cutting, where the rail line had been long ago, I was alone in my thoughts. I pictured the Japanese guards high above on the top of the rocks yelling down at the prisoners to speed up their efforts - even throwing rocks at them not caring where they struck the men below. I envisioned the prisoners working in two-man “hammer and tap” teams - one holding a long drill while the other swung a sledgehammer pounding the metal stake into the rock. When the ho

A visit to the Bridge over the River Kwai (near Kanchanaburi, Thailand)

A visit to the Bridge over the River Kwai (near Kanchanaburi, Thailand)

As I stood alongside the river and gazed at the bridge, I found myself comparing it to the one I remember from the movie – a wooden bridge that spanned a deep gorge with a river running below. The one I was gazing at was steel-based supported by cement pillars that jutted down into the water and spanned a wider river in a fairly flat area. It was a totally different scene. I almost felt like saying “hey everyone, this is the wrong bridge”. It’s not surprising. The movie was f

Street food - is it safe to eat? An example from Krabi, Thailand

Street food - is it safe to eat? An example from Krabi, Thailand

You can find food vendors on just about any street in Thailand – or so it seems. Some travelers love it. They swear by it. While others will not eat it under any circumstances. What is it about street food that people either love or hate? Those who love it say it’s tasty, cheap and it’s quick and easy to obtain. It also seems pretty trendy right now. On the other hand, those who are opposed to it say they aren't sure if it's safe to eat. They don't want to get sick. Most of t

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A grueling climb to the top of the Maderas Volcano on Isla de Ometepe

A grueling climb to the top of the Maderas Volcano on Isla de Ometepe

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