Wandergliding: See Ya Southeast Asia

February 17^th, 2025

This was my first foray into Southeast Asia, and what a great time! I kinda knew that it would be, but it definitely exceeded my expectations.

For my recap of my trip, a certain person, who shall remain anonymous, but was with me for a good chunk of the time, thought that I should be a bit prophetic about my summary. Well, that’s not exactly my forte, but there is one thing that sticks out to me from this voyage. Southeast Asian people are super friendly. Someone, a Westerner, pointed out to me, that people here “acknowledge you”. A complete stranger will nod their head while placing their hands in a prayer position to give some respect to you, and you reciprocate. And if feels good. It’s a simple gesture, but it is a positive action.

Here are some highlights from my trip:

Meeting up with my Victoria friend Pam in Bangkok, whom I hadn't seen in many years, and by chance she was finishing up a trip in Thailand. It was a great way to ease into my trip.

I think I make a pretty good Buddha.

Kayaking at Railay Beach near Krabi...beautiful spot.

I went ATVing last year in Uganda...gotta keep up my skills. This was near Khao Sok National Park.

Who doesn't like to pet a pig?!?

Do you like my hat?

My first time shooting an arrow.

Scuba diving at Koh Tao. I did my first night dive there.

Meeting up with Naomi in Bangkok. Nothing like an infinity pool on the 22nd floor.

Feeding some elephants at a sanctuary. No, we didn't ride them or bathe them...that's not healthy for elephants. Sadly I have done both before, but now I know better.

One of the big highlights of the trip...the Chiang Mai Lantern Festival.

Climbing up a "sticky" waterfall.

The White Temple in Chiang Rai.

The Tham Luang Cave, where 12 kids on a soccer team and their assistant coach were stuck for 18 days before being rescued in 2018.

Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum in Hanoi. What a strange experience....seeing a mummified Communist leader who died before I was born.

The infamous train street in Hanoi.

Getting a bit of culture...attending a water puppet show in Hanoi.

Climbing into the sky in Sapa.

Are we having a good time?!? You betcha. Day 1 on the Ha Giang Loop.

And these were our Hmong hosts for the first night...such nice people.

Vietnam...me likey.

Ninh Binh, just south of Hanoi.

Beautiful Ha Long Bay.

Well, if you can pay a small amount of money to look like a king and queen...why wouldn't you?!? In Hue.

The strange Bana Hills theme park.

Don't tell anyone!

Thai cooking classes in Hoi An.

Naomi's photoshoot in Hoi An wearing her Ao Dai, a traditional Vietnamese outfit. She got so many compliments and looks from the locals.

Oh my god, a waterpark to just ourselves?

High up in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).

The crazy gondola on Pho Quoc Island.

Checking out a Vietnam War tunnel.

My first time shooting a real gun...an AK-47!

The "Crazy House" in Dalat.

Stuck in jail on Con Dao Island.

Meeting Bou Meng, one of 12 survivors (out of 20,000 prisoners) from the S-21 prison from the Khmer Rouge reign of terror during the late 70s in Phnon Penh.