Meander Asia

Mangosteen Known as the “queen of fruits,” it is  round with a deep purple skin with  white, wedge-shaped segments inside that are lychee-like in texture and flavor. Rich  in xanthones and powerful antioxidants, it is used in t raditional Vietnamese medicine  to reduce inflammation and support the immune system. Rambutan Bright red skin covered in soft, curved hairs, with translucent white flesh and a small seed. Again, has a texture and taste similar to lychee.  Longan A small, round tropical fruit with thin, light brown skin and translucent white flesh surrounding a shiny black seed — hence its nickname, “dragon’s eye.” It has a fragrant sweetness that’s softer and more floral than lychee, with a juicy and slightly chewy bite. Durian Durian is often referred to as the “king of fruits” in SE Asia. The savory-sweet flavor is described as “notes of vanilla, almond and caramel with savory hints of garlic and onion. Its texture is soft and velvety,, similar to a ri...

Putting a wrap on my very special New Year with  Servas  family.  Still catching up on days gone by, but I didn’t want to miss sharing this high point in all my travels - and there have been many! Fascinating rituals, visiting all the (many!) family households, all within walking distance, where we are served wine, tea and snacks. Heart, soul and belly over full.  The boy “George” spoke pretty good English; his mother asked him to be my guide. The two girls were all over me by the time I was leaving.  Ten-year-old Nana wanted to sing karaoke with me. This is what she chose to sing: Believer https://youtu.be/W0DM5lcj6mw?si=GAJB5jQgMwSkkBkP The “religion” in most of the households we visited is ancestor worship. These incredible altars central in the living room, often incense and candles burning (or had been). The family is close-knit. They also had snake wine (whiskey). Frog and banana, too! Luckily, I wasn’t it wasn’t offered; if so, probably would have opted f...

Time still flies! Sometimes slow, often more quickly. Today my 5th in Hanoi, and clearly it’s New Year's Eve everywhere you look. Flowers, flags, orange trees on the front stoops; others headed that way in the arms of folks on motor scooters. They seem to  move faster than the speed of light, faster than my camera, in any case. Though I’m still determined to capture one. N ary an accident have I seen. The secret! Keep on moving. The weave of scooters and people is an intricate cloth. I am soon off to stay with a Servas family; they have invited me to spend New Year’s Eve and tomorrow with them. A family of four with two young children. I am so so excited!  I wish I had gifts for the kiddos. I typically travel with inflatable world globes and bubbles. Alas, I forgot this time. Instead, I found a bakery and bought macaroons and custard cups with smiley faces. I’m hoping they’ll be well-received. I think I’ve told many of you about Servas , an organization of worldwide hosts and ...

​I (mostly) love a good challenge; I’m sure you do too (mostly). So in pursuit of my Vietnam visa, I decided to trek to the consulate to see if someone there could help me. The wall is draped in blooming bougainvillea in all the colors they come in. But the entrance is locked closed. I see a window open and decide whether to shout “Sabadee.” Instead, I decide to walk around the block, case the joint. There’s what seems to be a guardhouse, a fellow on his phone (of course). Most Lao seem to have a small amount of English, but he has none. Google Translate to the rescue, yet again. “I want to check on my visa.” He hasn’t a clue. I keep trying… Another man appears, a higher-up that speaks good English. I show him the receipt for my application and payment. He says it’s been taking 5 days, sometimes longer, because of the upcoming Tet holiday. He suggests I should change my flight (again). I say it’s too late; I have paid $92 + $59 to change it once, and it’s too late to change it again. I...

​Wondrous Luang Prabang, Laos  Wish I could bring some home Always elephants  Night market food court Kebabs Let it rain (or rather sun) Chilis (from hot to hotter) black olives; huge pits! Jackfruit Greens galore Mekong River fish 

I’m sitting on the front stoop of the Sensoukharam Temple, one of several of ~30 temples and monasteries in the center of Luang Prabang where I meditate, listen to evening chants, cogitate or simply sit and ponder. There’s a palpable peace inside these walls just off Walking (main) Street. There’s also a VV “bug” enshrined in an ornate glass-enclosed room on campus. I was actually looking for the reclining Buddha, and discovered it. Wonders never cease. I squinted to read it belonged to a past Abbot of the monastery.  I was reading the other day that insects may have feelings and emotions, and I wondered about the car. Certainly my VW bug, circa 1962, seemed pretty savvy and smart; it surely got me out of some jams, transporting me long distances as if on wings of fire. I’m feeling at peace sitting here and found myself envisioning the car returning to its sources: the window glass dissolving into sand, limestone, sodium carbonate; the steel into iron ore; the  rubber tires li...

​This goes back aways, as I try to play catch-up. I’ve got quite a backlog of drafts, and I’m hoping to whittle away at following my morning outings as  I seek cool in my room  on these hit and steamy afternoons. As much as I’m traveling at a somewhat leisurely pace., 4-nights here, 2-week there, everything is new, so sensual, so many experiences, At the end of the day, perhaps I jot a few notes, review and edit my photos, but typically fall asleep soon after I hit the hay. — Luang Prabang, Laos A couple days ago I went on my first outing. I knew there were places to go, places to see, but I was feeling quite content exploring the many charms and discovering hidden-away temples and treasures in this former capital with French overtones city. My Aussie friend, Sue, had gone home to her 18-year/old cat; aa door closed awaiting the next one to open. On my way home after evening chanting at Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham temple, as grand as its name is long, I was ambling along feeling e...