Malaysian Independence Day Parade Phil and I were in Penang over the Malaysian Independence Day holiday, known as Merdeka, which means Independent or Free in Malay (the word has the same meaning in Indonesian). On August 31st, 2026 Malaysia celebrated it’s 69th year of Independence from Great Britain. Phil and I were lucky enough toContinue reading “Festive, Fancy, and Fun in Penang”

I really enjoyed our short bike ride in Hoi An, Vietnam. Even though the bikes weren’t in great shape and the path had these huge, open drainage ditches on either side, I wouldn’t let that deter me from a future ride. So, Phil and I booked a morning bicycle tour in the countryside of Penang,Continue reading “A Countryside Bike Tour in Penang”

Georgetown, Penang was a great place to begin our first visit to Malaysia. Full of charm, culture, and amazing food, Penang did not disappoint. We did not know a lot about Malaysia going in. We knew it comprised most of the Malay peninsula, on which Singapore also resides, located on the southern tip. We alsoContinue reading “Malaysia: George Town Food Tour”

To be perfectly honest, Phil and I were sad to leave Vietnam. After staying in a country for two and a half months, you get used to certain things about the place. You start to learn some norms and customs, as much as one can as a visitor to a foreign land where you don’tContinue reading “We’re Not All Anthony Bourdain (and that’s OK)”

I am a big fan of coffee. I love the stuff; hot and black in the morning and iced and creamy in the afternoon. Almost every country we have visited in SE Asia has had a decent coffee culture and many coffee shops, but Vietnam’s is the most robust, and the most Robusta! I mentionedContinue reading “Vietnam: The Coffee!”