Atop this mysterious nation of imperial history sits an island, Hokkaido, our introduction to Japan. A culture built from fantasy and mystique refined over centuries. Before we plunge into the high tech neon world that is ultra-modern Japanese mainland we must farewell the frontier island of Hokkaido where the clearest water in the world forms […]
It’s the day after the storm, the food storm that is; last nights dinner still seems like a strange side effect of an illicit drug binge; we had a surreal experience we still can’t describe but we’re sure it happened. Depressingly clear headed we are into the day after finally braving the complexities of a […]
The time has finally come, the cyclone that is Vietnam has swept by leaving us blinking wide eyed at the hard white light pouring down upon us at the departure gate. So often travel is preceded by anticipation leaving the moment of departure to finally fit like a keystone upon many weeks or months of […]
There’s love affairs and there’s just affairs, some are meant to last and some are made only for the memories which outlast a dream that will never be. In 40 days we’ve indulged in love affairs with Rob and Greg on the road trip to end all road trips, an affair became so much more […]
As the last few intense days settle into some form of normality we are off into Hanoi for a more regular tourist look into the sights, sounds and smells of this crazy town. Through the washing machine of seeing a young life take steps towards forgiving himself, hearing of a heart wrenching past and feeling […]
Kicked in the ass by a donkey, that’s a little how we feel today. We ask the travel gods all the time for insights close to real life, the local view into worlds we have traveled the world to see. Sometimes we get close, sometimes we look from afar and just like a farm animal […]
Just when we thought Rob and Greg were comfortable settling down to retirement it’s on the road again, this time just a short trip out of town to see where Tung grew up, a town called La Phu. With the rainy season dousing our hopes for a venture into the northern wilderness of Vietnam this […]
Yesterday we went to the pub with Tung and today he read my writings about that night. His English isn’t polished but at times correctness is not necessary when creating a writing voice or impact. Coming out was a long time ago for us and although we remember the time it’s impact has been dulled […]
Wandering these streets seems too familiar too quickly in the storm of chaos that describes them. Yet familiar they seem more than they ought, a travellers adaptability or maybe a human resilience we all have but so rarely grant an opportunity to shine? Tung is leading the way as he tends to do; being a […]
Rain rain go away, come again another day; as the saying goes for children wanting to play outside, so it does for us: children wanting to play outside. It is the rainy season so there’s little to complain about really but our planned ride to the scenic highlands north of Hanoi is all but washed […]
Charlie and Steve's Excellent Adventure 