Monk walking in Bangkok

Tomorrow morning we board our flight to Paris France. Our eight months in South East Asia are coming to an end.
It has been a journey of mind and spirit as well as physical travel. Michel and I now both struggle to remember what if felt like when we arrived in September of 2013. All of that hard work to cast off our possessions and in a way our former selves. We almost floated off of the plane when we landed in Bangkok back in September. Our visions of what would happen here completely unrealistic and at the same time many of them came true.

Vang Vieng

We speak together often of the places we have found that feel the most like a potential home to us.
There is Luang Prabang with it’s ancient beauty and international feel. It is easy to imagine living there a few months a year. In that town we have found people we would like to know even better. We would be happy using it as a base so that we could continue to explore Laos and the neighboring countries.

Nong Khiaw bridge view

There is Kampot with it’s tremendous potential for growth and down to earth family feel and values. We have met good friends in Kampot and would be happy continuing those relationships. There are so many important things in Cambodia that we have not done yet.

Muslim Fisherman Boat

We leave Asia with many fantastic memories and a greater understanding of the world in general. We have seen suffering and poverty, a place were a life has less value and yet the people are smiling and warm. We have observed how misguided and ineffective the NGO’s are when it comes to helping people here. We have observed how a few individuals who have made their lives here permenantly are really making a difference.

Phongsali

We have witnessed the local politics and survived the local transportation. We have seen mind blowing beauty and been angered by horrible ugliness. We have learned so much and yet still feel we have only just begun to understand life in South East Asia.
Is this the last time we’ll visit this beautiful part of the world? Absolutely Not!
But for now, goodbye Asia. Our restless feet must move on.

Sawadee

Categories: Cambodia Travel, Laos travel, Thailand Travel

Tags: Leaving Asia, South East Asia