Kuang Si Falls

From Luang Prabang, I did a refreshing day trip to Kuang Si Falls, one of the most beautiful I have seen. The main falls are quite impressive (tho I didn't capture them with my camera), but I spent most of my time exploring the pools and cascades below. The turquoise water was perfect for swimming and the surrounding jungle was alive with songs of birds and racket of insects...

Four Book Recommendations

Emergency Sex (and Other Desperate Measures)
Kenneth Cain, Heidi Postlewait, & Andrew Thomson

The title of this book does not do the stories told inside justice. Three UN workers tell their compelling and often horrifying memoirs while working in Cambodia, Somalia, Haiti, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Liberia during the 1990s. The three co-authors, who became close friends while working in Cambodia, are gifted writers and their distinct voices vividly recount experiences working in war-torn countries and in the aftermath of genocide. Shocking and fascinating both.

Confessions of an Economic Hitman
John Perkins

Though sometimes vague and lacking details which would solidify its claims, this book tells the eye-opening account of John Perkins, a so-called Economic Hitman, who worked as an economic planner for an international consulting firm for over 20 years, helping wealthy corporations exploit developing nations. Fully true or not, it is a chilling story that reveals much about how the "corporatocracy" has shaped American foreign policy over the past forty years.


Three Cups of Tea
Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin

I dont know what to say except "READ THIS BOOK!" No really, every American should read this book. In the vein of "Mountains Beyond Mountains", it tells an inspirational story of one man's mission to change lives-by building schools and promoting peace in central Asia. I read several reviews that called the writing "awkward", but I in no way found that the case. No matter, the story is so powerful you wont want to put it down.

Life of Pi
Yann Martel

A second reading for me, and I enjoyed it doubly this time. The captivating and adventurous storytelling is so unbelievable, it must be true. A gem of a book that has risen into my favorite fiction, and one that I will likely read a 3rd or 4th time...

Laos Photo Teaser

I am finally back Phnom Penh after 17 days in Laos, a magnificent and mysterious country. Will be posting some impressions and stories this week, but for now, just a few of my favorite photos from the trip...

Funny boy in a funny paper hat.

Majestic Mekong

During the most recent PEPY trip, we spent a incredible afternoon spotting the rare Irawaddy River Dolphin and bathing in the Mekong River just outside the town of Kratie. Fewer than 50 of these dolphins are thought to exist in Cambodia (and fewer than 300 in the whole world), but we managed to see a number of them as they broke the surface between our boats. Beautiful creatures, but it quite sad to consider the possiblity that there will be none left in 10 years.

After a refreshing dip in some powerful river rapids, we caught a most glorious sunset on the banks of the mighty river.

Monk Takes a Drink at Angkor Wat