The plains of Bagan have to be one of the most magnificent things we have ever seen. At one time there were around 14,000 caramel colored temples rising out of the land, as far as the eye can see.

We had a 3 day stopover in Hawaii and got a rental car so we could drive all around the island. First thing after we picked up our car - wham! We were part of a 3 car pileup.

Our motorbike tour of the Central Highlands began in Dalat, when we met an easy rider named Lucky. He convinced us, pretty easily, that the journey from Dalat to Hoi An via motorbike would be amazing. He turned out to be right. Not only were we able

We left the next evening for the holy city of Varanasi. It is a holy city because it is located on the banks of the River Ganges, the "mother" of India, and is considered to be one of the oldest cities in the world, at least 2000 years old. It is considered by Hindus to be a most auspicious place to die, because of the belief that dying here will remove you from the cruel cycle of death and rebirth, which normally takes many lifetimes of good karma to accomplish. The city has been built all the way to the banks of the river, and culminates in a series of ghats (steps leading into the river) extending in either direction for about 3 km. It is a fascinating place to visit, because all aspects of life, public and private, are performed on these ghats at all hours of day and night.

I loved Hampi. There is nothing I have ever seen that is similar to this place. If I had to provide an analogy, I'd say it's a cross between Roman ruins, and a landscape similar to Arches National Park in southern Utah, with distinct central Indian influence. It was a huge capital that had its peak in 1332 C.E.