The famed Golden Triangle is a region of Northern Thailand close to Myanmar and Laos.
Like most regions it is not delineated by lines on a map but is an area associated with a way of life or historical events. In a similar manner you will find no lines on a map marking America’s ‘Rust Belt’ or the ‘Midwest’, England’s ‘Wessex’ or the ‘Scottish Highlands’ but everyone knows where they are there because of either a distinct way of life or an association with past events. Continue reading
I am a Geographer by training and I have been a Geographer all my working life, firstly as a Geography Teacher and latterly for 40 years as a Tour Operator.
I love looking at maps and, as a child, enjoyed nothing more than going for a ride in my father’s motor bike and sidecar and discovering Dorchester was indeed just as the map said, 25 miles west of Bournemouth. Continue reading
I first came to Ban Nong Weng in 2006 and I am pretty sure I have been here every year since. It is a small village of maybe 300 or so inhabitants in Isaan, the hot, dry, north eastern region of Thailand, that many people believe provides the economic (and perhaps spiritual?) backbone to Thailand, if for no other reason than the fact that, for generations, the people of Isaan have flocked to Bangkok, Pattaya and cities throughout Thailand in search of employment and provide the labour force for so many activities. Continue reading
If one of the subjects of this website is remarkable people it is fair to say that Juergen Lusuardi (Gio) qualifies and it is equally true that anyone who meets Gio will not quickly forget him – and especially when they discover how many others benefit from his energy and efforts. Continue reading
For the second time this year I find myself typing away with a fan behind me in the village of Baen Non Waeng in Northeast Thailand. The fan is 5ft tall, a beautiful bronze complexion, and twists smoothly back and forth imparting relief and pleasure at every moment. Unfortunately this relief is provided by courtesy of Continue reading
You would be hard pushed to find Baan Nong Weng on the map – I first came here 6 years ago and have been back most years since, staying in one of the many thousands of almost indistinguishable villages in Isaan, the dry dusty north eastern region of Thailand that borders on to Cambodia and Laos. Continue reading
I am coming to the end of a two week stay in Pattaya of all places and I have seen this unique city from a very different perspective. That is surprising in that my previous visits had afforded some contrasting experiences given that they included coming as a solo male traveller, a short stay in Thailand with my Continue reading
Notes from a Nomad 