PhotoTraveler

I toured SE Asia, from Indonesia and Singapore thru Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Guess what!? laos was my favorite! Its so much more ‘real’ and low-key with less tourists (still plenty and you can get around) Its really a very special place if you appreciate culture, nature, and adventure. FYI the food is nothing special, but everything else is spectacular

Bali is lovely. It is one of the few places in the whole world that I would actually want to go back to and do what I already did (rather than see new things) it is just L-O-V-E-L-Y. Seriously it deserves all the hype!

I was afraid or uncomfortable with the politics of this country, but I went anyway and I am so glad I did – after all I don’t even like my own government’s foreign policy, and who am i to “throw the first stone”? the people, sights, adventures, and everything else about this country is FANTASTIC!

Southern Peru is AMAZING and if you only have 7-15 days you’ll likely stay there, but the North is also incredible, has less tourists, and is just as great – e.g. the chachapoyas ruins are almost as nice as Macchu Pichu! The Huaca de la Luna y Sol – incredible pyramids and ruins. Chan Chan – excellent! Trujillo and Chiclayo. The Museum in Chiclayo for the mummy was the BEST MUSEUM I HAVE BEEN TO IN THE WORLD!!!

Thailand is a HUGE tourist destination. its easier and safer to travel there if you are not an experienced backpacker, but if you want authentic culture and less pushy people who see you as a dollar sign – GET OFF THE TOURIST TRAIL. its a big country with a LOT of low-key chill places with less tourists… and 10 places that are great to see, but also crowded. try do do both if you have time!

Totally worth the long drive from anywhere. you won’t forget this place. ever.

If you visit, come for the FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK, every month 10-15 restaurants, stores, and art galleries open up their doors and people wander and socialize from all over the region, up to and including some Chicagoans! Its really a well-organized and fun time to visit. [first frida of every month. most vibrant in spring, esp. June when “All Things Itallian” is the theme]

My parents moved there to relax an meditate and I felt uprooted with no more ‘childhood home’ but now I guess Fairfield is a home away from home(s)... Its a sweet place with a vibrant town center and some degree of beauty and culture compared to other places in Iowa. Its very interesting to see the meditation community and happy spiritual people as well as townies, all in harmony, with wonderful local bookstores and a few really good restaurants and community organizations.

I have been to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, Ladakh (Leh), and the lower hill stations of Manali, Uttarkashi, Mussoorie, etc. I LOVE the himalayas and highly recommend them for visitors. see my website www.samoppenheim.com for travelogues and to email me questions about hiking/trekking/visiting.

Baelo Claudia & Bolognia – in Andalucia in the south (Near Rock of Gibraltar) is a secluded beach with 2-3 small hotels and a ROMAN RUINS. you can see Africa on a good day, and there is a nature preserve on a peninsula attached to the clean, lovely beach… a GREAT SPOT!