Following the introductions, a small group of men in bright-green shirts situated beside the ring begin to play the ceremonial music unique to this sport. With pii (a small wooden flute), skin drum and finger cymbals, the band plays the…
Category: Travel
A Night at the Fights I
Knockout! A left kick to the jaw sends one man to the canvas. The audience drew silent as the young man in blue stood in momentary awe over his downed opponent. I couldn’t help but wonder if the crowd surrounding…
Learning to Sail II
Of frogs, fast cats and future instructors. During the second weekend, we sailed aboard The Frog one of a fleet of small, very fast racing catamarans called Fireflies, designed and built in Phuket. The course was lead by two local…
Learning to Sail I
Heroic epithets and ballast babes “Master mariner of land ways and sea ways,” and “the great tactician” are epithets for one of western literature’s greatest heroes – Odysseus of Ithica. Odes to his legendary skill with sword, sail and battle…
Book Review: Communion
I know I’m not really qualified to say this, but I love Vietnamese food. Having spent a total of only three weeks in but a handful of the country’s cities, my exposure to Vietnam’s vast culinary vocabulary is limited at…
Opening the Door of Your Heart: The Humor and Compassion of Ajahn Brahmavamso
“If I hold up a glass of water for ten minutes, it will feel heavy. If I hold that glass for 30 minutes, my arm will hurt. If I hold it for two hours, I am a very dumb monk,”…
Viet’s Restaurant
Check out the mouthwatering, Vietnamese dishes at Viet’s restaurant the next time you find yourself in Denver, Colorado. Here’s a little sample of what you can expect . . … Continue reading
What to see in Luang Prabang
It’s gilded profile stands between two great, rushing rivers in the northern reaches of Laos. With its numerous historic temples, aging French colonial facades, UNESCO Heritage status and long, noble past, the peninsular village of Luang Prabang is a popular…
Bangkok Transport I
Most visitors to Bangkok get around by sky train, underground, metered cabs or tuk-tuks. But if you want to go local with a little flair, try a motorcycle taxi through the city’s traffic-laden streets. When do four lanes turn into…
Bangkok Transport II
Traveling around Bangkok by tuk-tuk is an experience not to be missed! “Three-Wheeled Nightmares,” “Devil’s Minions,” “Pollution Promoting Health Hazards,” . . . these are just a few of the derogatory terms given to that distinctly Bangkokian mode of transport:…