Mekong Journey to Luang Prabang

January, 2026

The Mekong – Mae Khong… or Mother Khong- as rivers are revered as the mother of waters.
Flowing 4350km from its source in Tibet, the Mekong meets Laos, Myanmar and Thailand at the Golden Triangle. Cross over from Thailand into Laos and board a boat for a 2-day journey on one of the most beautiful stretches of river in Southeast Asia, to the former royal capital of Luang Prabang.
See more on: https://alamasia.net/mekong-journey-to-luang-prabang/

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Sri Ramana- The Sage of Arunachala

Tiruvannamalai, October 2025

Sri Ramana Maharshi ( 1879-1950 ) found his way to Arunachala Hill- an embodiment of Lord Shiva.
He spent the rest of his physical life at the mountain encouraging followers to discover one’s true-self.
A humble sage who has inspired millions to feel the divine source within.
Click to See and Learn More: https://alamasia.net/sri-ramana-the-sage-of-arunachala/

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Pondicherry – a piece of France in India

October, 2025

Pondicherry has a nearly 300-year history as a French colony in India. The Dutch, Portuguese and the British all tried to control Pondicherry but the French managed to hold on. Today a lasting legacy of French architecture, street names and culture is found in the Old French Quarter, known as White Town. Pondicherry officially became a Union Territory of India in 1954, but French influence and character remains in this town which also evolved into a spiritual center under the Sri Aurobindo Society.

See and Learn More: https://alamasia.net/pondicherry-a-piece-of-france-in-india/

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Brihadeshwara Temple- a Dravidian Masterpiece

Thanjavur,Tamil Nadu, October 2025

Dating back to 11th Century, the Brihadeshwara Temple dedicated to Shiva was built by King Rajaraja I of the Chola Dynasty. Imagine stone carried up a gradual 7km ramp to the top of the tower by elephants.
See More: https://alamasia.net/brihadeshwara-temple-a-dravidian-masterpiece/

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Pura Desa Temple of Padang Tegal Celebrating 25-Year Cycle

October, 2025

and the Story of Calonarang….
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Song of the Nutmeg

Once the gold of the earth, nutmeg and the Spice Islands of Indonesia changed the world. Brutal wars were fought over spices as present-day wars continue to exploit our earth and people. One can say that Nutmeg ended up being a curse, but also carries a song calling us back to nature & to where we belong.
The Banda Islands today remain remote and away from mass tourism.
With time and effort, idyllic islands await those up for an adventure and to hear the songs….
Click for MORE: https://alamasia.net/song-of-the-nutmeg/

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Going High-Speed to Slow Down in Laos

Imagine a High-Speed Train from Vientiane to Luang Prabang and on to China.
Normally the long and rough 9-10 hour drive from Vientiane to Luang Prabang (via Vang Vieng) can now be done in comfort by train in around 2 hours! So now in the Land of PDR- which is a reminder to Please Don’t Rush… you can now speed up your trip out of Vientiane to relax in Luang Prabang.
See More Here

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Bombs and more Bombs…
How many more Limbs need to be Lost?

Photo with President Obama courtesy of COPE Centre, Vientiane, Laos.

From 1964-1973, the US dropped more than two million tons of bombs on Laos- mostly at random during 580,000 bombing missions to target the Ho Chi Minh Trail passing through Northeast Laos. No other country has ever been bombed so extensively. For those nine years, Lao communities lived in caves, setting up living and medical facilities, while venturing out at night to plant rice.
U.S. President Obama made a historic visit to Laos in 2016- the first US president to visit and to personally address the legacy of war.
Sadly wars continue to escalate in the world which is a Failure to Humanity.
Sharing personal stories of Laos and Cambodia and How to Support ICAN- International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons:
Click to Read More

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Myanmar Memories: Sailing on the Irrawaddy River
Bagan-Mandalay to Bhamo

Sharing news of what has been happening since this last brutal coup does not attract much interest in the outside world. Sadly the people of Myanmar feel forgotten. But their resilience carries on.
Rather than share more news of the brutal atrocities being committed, I’d like to share some fond memories of journeys to this country, experiences of travel back in time, meeting some of the most welcoming, friendly people you can imagine, and to honor that spirit.

Cruise from Bagan to Mandalay and further upstream to less explored territory including the place where George Orwell lived, who wrote Burmese Days...
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Mother’s Day Reflections May 2024

“I am sure that is the mothers of various nations could meet,
there would be no more wars.” – E.M. Forster

Also honoring Ibu Pertiwi – Mother Earth- discovering a special space on Bali
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A Farewell to Ibu Wayan

Ibu Mangku Wayan Kelepon 19 November, 1950- 28 December, 2023

Our beloved Ibu Wayan, mother of all at Cafe Wayan, Alam Indah Hotels and to so many around the world, has left this world peacefully after enduring a long illness. Ibu has been the heart and inspiration to so many of us who were graced by her presence.
Her cremation ceremony, held on 30 January, 2024, was a very special send off…
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Flying Taxis for Indonesia inspired by Historic Mysteries?

The Dandu Monara – the ancient passenger aircraft used by King Rahwana to fly Sita to Lanka.

Indonesia plans to test Flying Taxis for the new capital called Nusantara on the Island of Borneo. But we may need to wait until 2045… but wait… has the technology not been with us already since ancient times?
Click Here to learn more about Vimana flying machines recorded in early Veda texts of India

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Bali August Moon- Waiting to Dance Again

When covid closed life on Bali, dancers could only dream to dance again.
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Revisiting Orangutans- Tanjung Puting, Borneo, 2019

For years, it was so special to accompany trips into Tanjung Puting National Park.
After several years absence, finally a journey up the Sekonyer River to see the Orangutans again
and to experience the park these days welcoming visitors to this still magical place.
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Halo Halo Bandung -Halo Sundaland

One does not hear much about Sunda…. where is it? It’s West Java- and a long time ago, much more of a land mass that was submerged with rising sea levels. Could this have been the cradle of civilization?
Take a train ride to Bandung including a High Speed Whoosh and discover layers of history from ancient to post Dutch times.
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Indonesia- Easter Reflections sailing to Islands East

Each island feels like its own universe in Indonesia- ethnically diverse, yet also sharing cultural connections. Recalling our days exploring the islands with the MSY Perinitis, traditional whalers of Lamalera make their way to celebrate Good Friday on Flores.
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Caves and Weavers around Tham Lod in Mae Hong Son

Amazing hidden caves in remote mountains of Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand. Close to the Myanmar border, this area is also home to ethnic Karen people who proudly continue to weave.
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The Salween – if the River Could Talk

Beyond Mae Sariang at the southern part of the Mae Hong Son loop, you can drive to the end of the road in Thailand- to the village of Mae Sam Laep, with the road ending at the Salween River divding Thailand and Myanmar. Could this River ever become a future Peace Park?
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Twilight Over Burma- A Journey to Hsipaw
and the story of a Shan Princess

You may not know what awaits you in a town called Hsipaw. And neither did Austrian, Inge Sargent, who fell in love and married a fellow student from Burma while at the University in Colorado during the 1950s.
But it wasn’t until she arrived in his country, did she find out that he was the ruling Shan prince of Hsipaw, Sao Kya Seng. Inge Sargent wrote about her life in Twilight over Burma– a magical time which unfolded into tragedy with the disappearance of Sao Kya Seng during the 1962 coup.
This journey was about finding the old home of Sao Kya Seng and his Princess.
Getting to Hsipaw is possible by taking the Old Railway Line between Mandalay and Lashio, crossing the famous Gokteik Viaduct, built in 1900 for the British by the Americans.
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Akha Swing Festival in Chiang Rai

“When you don’t have your country anymore, you can still feel free while swinging in the air”
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Silent Walks in Sri Lanka

The Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka is home to ancient and sacred sites dating back to 4th century.
Anuradhapura served as the first capital where the Sri Maha Boddhi Tree remains very much alive.
Exploring into the countryside, you can walk back in time to Mihintale and the “Rock of Invitation” where the son of King Asoka introduced the teachings of Buddha. Not far away is Ritigala, where Hanoman dropped healing herbs from the Himalayas. Today see remains of a monastic hospital in the quiet forest.
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Trincomalee- an abode of Ravana and his Lingga from Shiva

The Bay of Trinco- the second largest deep-water harbour in the world on the east coast of Sri Lanka has alot more history prior to World War II and the years of colonial rule. This area was an abode of King Ravana. His sacred lingga thrown into the sea by the Portugese, was miraculously rediscoverd during a diving expedition which included Arthur C. Clarke.
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East Java Volcanoes- Bromo to Ijen and Crossing to Bali

East Java is home to several prominent active volcanoes, called Gunung Api “mountains of fire.” 
Mount Bromo (2,329m) famous for its otherworldly landscape is a popular destination for visitors on the East Java Overland Trail where ancient kingdoms flourished between 10th to 16th centuries.
Continue to journey overland to a beautiful resort at the foot of Mt Ijen where you can relax in nature or partake in a hike to the Mt Ijen to see its blue flames. From the port of Banyuwangi, a short ferry ride will bring you to West Bali and to Pemuteran Beach with access to snorkeling and diving. .
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