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Airports: From Asia to America
Malaysia is a funny place when you step back and compare it to the US, and I know I shouldn’t, but it’s quite inevitable to compare the two. The laidback, can’t-be-bothered attitude drives me crazy at times. Drivers either straddle both lanes of the highway or speed down the shoulder because traffic makes them impatient. Doctors…
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One Year Later Back in Makassar
It’s amazing what can happen in a years time. This is my experience of going back to Makassar, the first city of our Asian adventure: [Moving here was hard; Living here was hard. It was just as hard as I allowed it to be, and boy was it. When I moved to Makassar, my anxiety was…
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Giving Thanks Overseas
It’s that time of year again to show and give thanks. I don’t know what it is, but Thanksgiving has always been bittersweet for me. I’d venture to say it’s my favorite holiday of the year and there are many reasons for that. It feels so American. It makes me feel so American. The day fills me…
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George Town, Penang
George Town, Penang is a quirky show of Malaysia’s artistic and culinary pride. Ask anyone and they’ll say this city reigns supreme as far as street food and street art are concerned. The island may only be three hours from the Thai border, but it retains a character all its own, not to be mistaken with…
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Cameron Highlands: A Green Escape
There’s a place in Malaysia where vibrant green hills extend as far as the eye can see, and high altitudes and cooler temperatures lift the cumbersome tropical heat off your shoulders. In Malaysia, there’s no such thing as seasons, but this is as close to fall as you’re going to get; there’s respite from the searing,…
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Chiang Mai During Songkran Festival
this year we were lucky enough to find ourselves in the middle of Songkran craziness, and I’m happy to say we survived the World’s Biggest Water Fight. From April 13-15, the entirety of Thailand celebrates its New Year. Specifically, Chiang Mai is famous for celebrating its Songkran “Water Festival” with the biggest parade in the nation,…
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The Mona Lisa of SE Asia: Bayon Temple
After visiting just some of Angkor Wat’s monumental temples, it was quite a nice relief to see hundreds of mysterious smirks smiling down on us. I knew I couldn’t forget this temple. Against all suggestions, we visited around noon, the HOTTEST time of the day. It didn’t help that I was sick with the beginnings of the…
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First Stop in Angkor Wat: Preah Khan
My first encounter with Angkor Wat was beyond mind-blowing, especially since I’ve always felt a strong connection to history and love experiencing cultures through their architecture. These temples aren’t just old buildings under restoration; they’re an amazing architectural feat of a once great Asian civilization. As for Angkor Wat in particular, I always knew it would…
Gorgeous Globe 