Old Bagan, Mandalay Region

destination

Old Bagan

It’s situated along the Irrawaddy River about half way up the country in an arid plane that rises to the east of the river. In this setting there are about 2000 temples scattered between the river and the hills that rise further to the east. They are breathtaking in the way they are monuments to the passage of time. And unlike places like Angor Wat or the Pyramids of Giza, they aren’t covered by 5000 world tourists with selfie sticks. You can literally wander from one temple to the next and have them to yourself. You walk, bicycle, or moped between them, and to be there alone at sunrise or sunset at a 2000 year old temple becomes very spiritual

outdoors

Patagonia

It’s another one of those places that reminds you how insignificant we really are in comparison to the raw force and scale of Mother Nature. The scale of the vistas and mountains and glaciers are spectacular. And even better is the lack of people to give you the real feel

Shan, Myanmar (Burma)

outdoors

Inle Lake

While in Myanmar/Burma, it’s worth going to Insle Lake. It’s another throwback in time and to spend a day on one of the long boats with a local fisherman is simply amazing

Ninh Hải, Ninh Bình

destination

Tam Coc Ninh Binh

The village of Tam Coc in northern Vietnam is simply amazing- with amazing limestone cylinders that jut vertically up from land or sea. They are images from which the movie Avatar pulled from and they are breathtaking. Rent bicycles and spend two days exploring one of the most photographed sections of Vietnam

New Zealand, NZ

outdoors

South Island

I had the good fortune to wind up as a goose exterminator for the New Zealand Wildlife Department as I tried to travel and work my way around the world years ago when first out of school. It’s well documented that they filmed Lord of the Rings down that way, but the breathtaking nature of the mountains is less well documented. The non-existent footprint of man in the sections I traveled is also what made it really special

Quảng Ninh, Vietnam

outdoors

Hạ Long Bay

It’s best to go to the islands north or Ha Long Bay. Though the bay is a world heritage site, it’s crowded. By going north you get the same amazing geology, without the crowds. Take a three day trip on a local junk fishing boat.. and sit on the front of the boat and just watch the movie unfold.