A Scenic Rail Adventure Through the Alps The Matterhorn After a few days in Berlin celebrating Oktoberfest with some of our safari group , it was time for the next adventure. Pam and I hopped a flight from Berlin to Zurich, Switzerland , where we would begin a train-based journey through the Swiss Alps . While planning our Berlin trip, I had been looking for something interesting to add on afterward. During my search I stumbled across a company called Railbookers . They speci

This trip was the one that first got me thinking about capturing our vacations and memorializing them somehow . Years ago, Pam and I were going through her dad Jim’s treasure box of keepsakes. Inside was a document written by his father , describing a boat trip he had taken with friends through the Chesapeake waterways of the United States . The document carefully cataloged travel routes, meals, adventures, and places visited. I remember thinking how fascinating it was to rea

Motor bikes in Hue Paula giving it her best Onboard Cambodian dancers City tour of Siem Reap via Tuk Tut with Pam Monkey see Monkey do in Angkor Wat The Matco tool man of Cambodia or the mobile dollar store Keeping the flies away at a local market in Cambodia A last good bye to the crew of R.V. Pandaw Tonle The captain getting his groove on for our last night Tuk Tuk through the alleys of Cambodia Another local ride to our next adventure Kids at a local school showing us thei

Siem Reap, Cambodia and Angkor Wat Up at 6:45 after a terrible night of sleep thanks to a sore throat that decided to show up uninvited. Apparently even halfway around the world your immune system still knows how to ruin a good night. We headed down to breakfast which, like everything at this hotel, was included with the room. The spread was impressive but we went local with a traditional Cambodian soup along with fruit and yogurt. While visiting with our server we mentioned

Mekong River Days – From Vietnam into Cambodia (Pandaw Cruise Journal – February 16–22) February 16 — Day 2: Coconut Candy, Canoes, and Rodney’s Pancakes The day started quietly on the sundeck , coffee in hand, watching a handful of dedicated guests doing tai chi while the Mekong drifted slowly past. It’s a peaceful way to wake up—river mist, soft morning light, and the occasional clink of coffee cups. Breakfast in the dining room continued the trend we’d been enjoying since

From Da Nang to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) The alarm came early—very early. Our last morning on the central coast of Vietnam started well before sunrise. We were up and out the door by 5:45 a.m. to meet our driver and guide for the shuttle to Da Nang Airport . Waiting for us in the lobby was a thoughtful touch: a pre-ordered box breakfast , ready to go. Coffee in hand and bags loaded, we slipped into the quiet early-morning streets for the 45–55 minute drive to the airport.

Hoi An – Lanterns, River Boats, and a Slower Pace Our final day with our guide Phuong and driver Quan started early. After breakfast at the hotel in Hue, we loaded up at 8:00 a.m. and began the drive south toward Hoi An , with several planned stops along the way. About an hour into the trip we pulled into Lang Co Bay , a small coastal fishing and oyster farming village sitting on a narrow strip of sand between the mountains and the sea. The morning air was cool and quiet a

Our Journey to Hue – The Former Imperial Capital of Vietnam Every great trip has a beginning that feels like a small expedition of its own. Ours started early with a 7:30 a.m. ride to the airport , kicking off what would become a nearly 30-hour journey across three countries  before finally arriving in Hue, Vietnam. Luck was already on our side before we even left the ground. Our tickets were confirmed in coach for the 13-hour flight to Incheon, South Korea , but somehow we m