Hello there Yeap. Not much to report from the land of cowboys and armadillos, since this isn't my usual type of entry, from some interesting place somewhere in the world. But again, this is a professioanl trip, and the destination is certainly not the main issue. I am in Dallas for a conference on diabetes, the disease I have a passion to try to help patients control. On my way here I luckly escaped, by a matter of hours, the tragic mess created in Atlanta by the severe storms and tornados. Well! I don't think there is much to see and write about from here, besides the site where president John F Kennedy was assassinated. From my hotel room window I can see the street where it happened and even "the window on the 6th floor" ... read more

In Hanoi, where Starbucks, thank Buddha and God, has not arrived yet, there is the Tamarind Cafe. Cozy atmosphere, Wi-Fi, strong Vietnamese drip coffee, and the yummy "Es apokay" shake (avocado, banana, lime, yogurt, soy milk, honey). I booked my 2-day, 3-night trekking trip to the northern mountains of Vietnam thru the Handspan office at the back of the cafe. Recommeded! In the overnight train, one of my cabin mates had been to Rio for 12 days. So, after a little chat, we all said "boa noite" and were awaken before dawn, at 5:30am, when we arrive in Lao Cai. Another 1-hour road trip overlooking the misty mountains of North Vietnam, as we waided our way up, and we arrived in SAPA. It was cold, but I got to warm up at breakfast with a bowl ... read more

A GLANCE AT "REAL" CAMBODIA "DAY IN THE LIFE OF A RURAL FAMILY", was the main reason why I stayed at "The Villa at Siem Reap". Australian onwers Anthony and Fiona found an amazing way to give back to the community.They organize tours to very poor villages, where the tourist get to spend a day with a family, helping them with they daily work, food preaparation, etc, besides visitng other sites on the countryside. Of the $32 per tour, $25 goes to the village, and that's a lot in a country where the average salary is $30/month. The 700 families of the village I visited have benefited greatly from the "project", receiving, among other things, 12 water filters, crucial for disease prevention and children's survival. But much more is needed, and tourists with a heart are ... read more

So, I leave BKK: - Impressed by the number of simple street stalls, selling everything but primarily fresh food, and by the fact that vendors weren't pushy at all. Food is everywhere. - With the colors gold, yellow and orange ingraved on my eyes, from the temples, the number of people wearing the color of the monarchy and of the Monks' robes. Buddhism and the Monarchy are sacred to the Thai people without a doubt. - Amazed by how the Thai adore their King, who have been on the throne for more than 60 years! - Without seeing the red-light district or sings of the shameful sex tourist industry, as I planned. - Fascinated by the fresh flowers being turned into garland for offerings. - Disappointed to learn that some Thai monks have engaged in very ... read more

My travel mode is switched on long before the "T-day" (travel day). Booking a free, travel-award ticket nowadays requires reservation at least 6 months in advance and to tailor a 100% personalized, travel agent free trip, sure takes even more time and commitment. Too much trouble? Not for me. The process is an informative journey in itself. Yeap! It does takes many hours on-line and reading travel books, but that's when the adventure actually begins to shape up. Learning about places and imagining being in that culture, changing destinations as I discover a more fascinating one, has become an energizing hobby. Hussle of air traveling: yes, it's an inconvenient reality we can't escape and must endure, thanks to Bin Laden and affiliates of terrorism. So, to still enjoy my trips, I've made Rule #1 for fun ... read more