The Safari Park Zoo

We arrived in Kanchanaburi unsure of what to expect of our time at the Safari Park Open Zoo. We were excited to see animals but we didn’t know much about the project. At the designated meeting spot in town we met a few of the other new volunteers, had a bit of lunch and waited.

A young couple arrived, out of breath, with mud on their boots and a few holes in their shirts. “Sorry we’re late and covered in poo!” the young woman shouted to us with an apologetic smile and a strong British accent. “But just give it a day or two and you’ll be just as poo-covered!” (more…)

Why Cambodia Deserves Our Attention

I didn’t know much about Cambodia, but it was a new place to see and that’s usually a good enough reason for me to want to go somewhere. Plus, there was Angkor Wat to explore, and seeing the Wonders of the World is high on my bucket list. But Cambodia was different– I came away from it with new eyes– a new understanding of the lasting effects of tragedy and war, and of the vibrancy and life that can rise from the ashes of death.  (more…)

Backpacking Southeast Asia

For two months Nicole and I explored Southeast Asia. We went to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore. We volunteered at a zoo and befriended lions, monkeys and giraffes. We helped build a sustainable living community and Buddhist monastery in the jungle. There were riverboats, beaches, bustling markets and wild animals all along the way. (more…)

The Mindfulness Project

We were in Khon Kaen because we had volunteered to help with the Mindfulness Project, a Buddhist monastery that was being built in the jungle along with a sustainable community to give housing to the homeless of the city. (more…)

Thailand and the Terrible, Horrible,
No Good, Very Bad Bus

With Taiwan sadly in my rear view, I went to Northern Ireland for my friend Amy’s wedding and a brief respite from Asia. Home-cooked food and people I love like family made it a great week.

From Ireland I headed back east and landed in Bangkok, Thailand, where Nicole had just flown in from Greece. With my other half back in place, we were ready to spend the next few months exploring Southeast Asia.
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