Asia Updates Index

Laurie Weed's Portfolio Travel Writing

The Asia Update: Where it all Began

Original dispatches from April 2002 - March 2003

Before Harold and Kumar went to White Castle, Laurie & Craig went to Southeast Asia. The year of living differently

began in Bali, with a carnivalesque house-hunting adventure inspired by a mysterious man. A version of this story

appeared in International Living, but it is no longer available on their site.

    2. Bali - Island Life

           The joys of living on a tropical island include mysterious ailments, maniacal drunken landlords, and neighbors who

           worship a deranged Pekingese and make us eat weird things. Oh, and finally learning to swim, snorkeling with sea

           turtles, and buying Craig his first sarong.

    3.  Singapore to Bangkok - Fame and Misfortune

           The dynamic duo hit Singapore, perform a Night Circus act in Kuala Lumpur, and commit to a beach-bumming

           existence in Thailand…until disaster strikes (again.)

    4. Thailand - Chiang Mai to Akha Hill House

           Ad-hoc hill tribe trekking leads to inspiration and near-death by Third World transportation (yet again.) A version

           of this story appeared in Backpack Nation.

    5. Vietnam - The Prison Train and the Cockroach Cafe

           Was it the prison train, the monsoon, the man-eating cockroaches, or the local moonshine that ruined Vietnam

           for me…who knows; I’m not a psychiatrist.

    6.  Vietnam - The Open Tour Period

           wE haVe been TaKN hosTage pLs snd $ HELP!



    7.  Still in Vietnam

           I really want to like it, but something about this country just isn’t working with me.

    8.  Back to Bangkok

           Back to Asia after all of that?! Yes, it’s true. I am a glutton for punishment. All new episodes coming your way

           soon, starting from Bangkok--where all adventures in Asia seem to begin.

    9.  Laos - Luang Prabang

           I went to Laos for two weeks and stayed on for two months, renting a house near the lovely old royal “city” of

          Luang Prabang. Our Christmas party was the talk of the (Buddhist/Communist) village.

   10. Laos - Nong Khiaw Means "Road to Hell"

            OK, I left the village once while living in Laos. And it was a mistake. A version of this story was awarded

            Honorable Mention in the Toasted Cheese Road Trip Story Contest.

   11. The Missing Episode - Laurie goes bust in Australia

            No one really knows what went on in the Outback…perhaps they never will.

   12. Thailand - Diving Lessons

            The end of an era draws near…I must bid farewell to Asia after nearly 12 months of traveling. But first, I meet a

            friend from home in Thailand for one last hurrah: scuba diving. Knowing how to dog-paddle is going to come in

            SOOOO handy!