http://www.danberly.com/ a journal of love and adventure en-us http://www.danberly.com/rss.xml It usually takes an effort to get Dan to go shopping. For this instance, "shopping" is not defined as driving to Walmart for a set of microwave-safe Tupperware. Rather, we are referring to the type of "shopping" that is a glamorous swagger through a .... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=47 With our two remaining weeks in Thailand, we decided to do one week soaking up the paradise islands in the south and one week shopping in the raging megapolis of Bangkok. A few airplanes, a bus, a ferry and a ride in the back of a pick-up truck later.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=46 Like an angry toddler being dragged backwards by his legs, Dan dug his fingers into the Chiang Mai carpet, whining and begging and refusing to leave. Chiang Mai is brilliant. In conversation, Kim accidentally refers to it as home. We miss it .... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=45 This seems like an appropriate time to make mention of the terrible affliction that is “Vacation Eating”. Va•ca•tion Eat•ing |vāˈkā sh ən|ˈē-tən | An extended period of recreational eating. Physical symptoms include: no.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=44 To satisfy the multiple requests for details about Kim's Thai massage classes (thanks to Eric Braha in particular!), she has put this entry together, just for you. First, I championed the two week Beginner’s Thai Massage Course at Sunshine M.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=43 Our mega bus screeched to a halt. The sun sank below the crowded city buildings and the sky darkened quickly. We stepped into a melee of sweaty Cambodian taxi/tuk-tuk/cyclo drivers; some of them holding signs with names, most of them asking questions.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=42 "Don't you know the history of this place?" a serious-looking security officer said as he approached Kim. She was gazing, awestruck at the enormous roots of an ancient tree which had grown up through the dense sandstone walls of the ancient temple na.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=41 Greetings friends and loved ones. We apologize for the lengthy delay in posting an entry, but the difficulty in obtaining a decent wireless internet connection in Laos has thus far prevented us from doing so. But fear not! Danberly is back. .... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=39 Unabridged version Happy New Year! These holidays are bittersweet for us; we miss our families and holiday feasts. Our thoughts are quick to remind us of how far from home we are. We wish we could be with you, our friends and loved ones — .... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=38 Louang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is billed as "The Paris of Southeast Asia." It's easy to see why. Old French colonial mansions line broad boulevards, and fresh crusty baguettes with pate et fromage are sold next to noodle soups and stic.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=37 We must really thank the intrepid tour guides who create a seamless herd of tourists from the neon bustle of Thailand into the enchanting heart of Laos. We paid less than $40 each for a three-day adventure from Chiang Mai Thailand to the ancient fort.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=36 "It's like Valentine's Day for Thais," said Yan. "It's sort of a Thai Thanksgiving," said Aor. "It's like The 4th of July without any rules," said Dan as we stepped through the tightening bands of revelers. We are walking to the Ping River to honor .... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=35 With a pair of Japanese crotch-rockets buzzing between our loins, we zipped like overweight bumblebees across the curvy kilometers of Thai highway. Our goal was simple: to go on vacation. Dan had been slaving away on his computer and Kim had been thr.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=33 The lively old city of Chiang Mai is nestled in the mountains of northern Thailand. It is a bustling city, complete with its own Tesco (Thai Walmart Supercenter), several major universities, a zoo, dozens of important Buddhist things, huge outdoor ma.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=32 After four days in the vacation mecca of Ko Phi Phi, we were so ready for a relaxing break, away from the constant demands of being tourists. Kho Phi Phi was one of the islands hit hardest by the tsunami in 2004. The island has a wasp-waist shape, .... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=31 We finally took a day off from adventuring in paradise to relax in Krabi Town. We edited this video for your pleasure. You can watch the youtube version below, or click the thumbnail to the right, for a slightly better quality version. Lo.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=30 After a CRAZY bus ride from Trang to Krabi and a loud boat ride to Railay, we've made it to paradise. Kim has found a mode of transportation that is even more stressful than flying: bus rides in Asian countries. Never have we been so adamantly for dr.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=29 Trains are the best way to travel. There are no worries about falling out of the sky, careening off the side of a cliff, or being sideswiped at an intersection. No-siree. The moderate pace and security of being stuck to the tracks is the comfortabl.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=28 Thai Airways, Kim’s new favorite airline, treated us like royalty, a treatment we’re becoming used to. Chairs so plush they don’t require reclining, choices of delicious Thai food like coconut chicken curry with a side of smoked whitefish, and .... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=27 Oh, how we've wanted to write this article. Oh, how we wanted to be right about this! Finally, as we leave Bali, we can safely report: our bellies made it out unscathed! Just a few quick words about the infamous bellyache they call Bali-Belly. It .... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=26 Ubud Whenever the city of Ubud is mentioned in print, it is always accompanied by the term "Bali's cultural heartland". We're not sure what type of science is used when testing for cultural heartlands, but Bali is hardly a place to start getting l.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=25 Thank you all for your support and love! We hear the sweet voices of you all, our friends and families echoing our minds as we travel throughout Bali. Since we've landed in Bali, it seems that so much has happened, so many sweet and perfect detail.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=24 Bali is everything we expected, but at a much friendlier, relaxed pace. Yes, there are hawkers selling every type of pirated goods from Billabong Tshirts to Prada sunglasses to DVDs of movies still in theatres. Yes, the traffic is intense, as thousan.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=23 Our romp in Oz climaxed in a road trip to Phillip Island – a forested oasis just beyond the Melbourne city limits. Rach’s mother’s friends own a beach house on the placid bay, so we packed our thermals and the children for a weekend of.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=22 Melbourne, for those that have been there, is clearly the coolest, cleanest, most culturally excellent city they've ever been to. Of course, they probably haven't been to Rio de Janeiro or Tokyo, but neither have we, and thus we maintain our claim. .... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=21 Hi! Thanks to Stuart's homeopathic prowess, Kim is no longer stressed about flying! In fact, she was probably the most non-airsick person on the entire plane. She was constantly wanting someone to play games her perky-eyed, energetic self. This is.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=20 Hello lovelies, We put all our energy into the video this time, so if you're trying to save time or minimize your effort, just stick to watching the video. It starts off all sweetly and loving-like, but soon devolves into a soup of questionable ac.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=19 Wow. We are diiiiiirty. And tired. And our shoes are covered in cow poop. Man. We are WWOOFing! For all of us laypeople, WWOOF stands for "Willing Workers On Organic Farms". We had been touring through the New Zealand winter for two weeks when .... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=18 First, we extend warm, grand, hugging thanks to everyone who left comments and wrote us personal emails. Also, for everyone who read and didn't comment, thanks less immensely, but no less grandly. Reading your sweet or witty or interesting or downrig.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=17 Haere Mai (Welcome) Friends! Its winter here, in mid-August, and watersports don't really have that same euphoric jump up-and-down excitement as they do when it is mid-summer, and you are 8. The place was mostly deserted, save for the tragically o.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=16 Hi Everyone! We're sitting in a coffee shop in Whaingarei (That's "Fang•a•ray" to the locals). We had a warm and lovely time with Dan's mom's cousin Grace who was so kind and gracious and slowly cooked such delicious food. Her good friends.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=15 Ki Ora from New Zealand everybody! See all that computer Mumbo Jumbo above, and to the right? Pay no attention to that. It is our secret language. Quick translation: we have not posted any pictures. More on that later. This story may be to.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=14 This was our first post . . . but due to some technical problems, lets call them Ruth, it was deleted. If anyone has saved the entry, please email it to Dan, and we'll post it back up. If not, let's just paraphrase: Wow, we're so excited we're.... http://www.danberly.com/index.php?entry=12