In this episode: Laos' famous waterfalls, a water buffalo farm with a purpose, and tour of the former royal capital (Recorded 5/10/25 in Phuket, Thailand)
I have felt healthiest visiting Antarctica, the Galapagos, Alaska, New Zealand, and Australia. Most likely, it was due to either stringent ecological precautions taken when entering the country and/or the vast, open spaces with little or no industrialization. In any case, the air was fresh and I felt energized for any and all physical activity.
This podcast wasn't representative of Laos, nor of the Mekong, as you focused specifically on Luang Prabang and barely even touched on culture. Your characterization of the climate was misleading: It's not 100 degrees Celsius, or your blood would have literally boiled. Humidity also varies from location to location within the country. Aaron, if your glasses fog in Thailand, do you mean in Bangkok? In Phuket? I live in Chiang Mai and I never have that problem. But I was delighted to see the coverage you devoted to the buffalo farm and the bear rehab center. Thank you!
Tea shop to tea shop hiking in the Himalaya in Nepal combines up and down hiking with a light backpack all day and then eating unlimited rice and lentils, dal bhat, and other healthy things like tea and curd (yoghurt). It's living on a stair master while eating an organic vegan diet. I have done two 30 day walks, around Annapurna one year and walking (not flying) into the Solo Khumu to visit all four side valleys and 19,000 feet high at Kala Patar to look down at Everest Base Camp and UP at Everest- awesome and good for you. Tom Harriman
Healthiest I have felt was when I was In Zakynthos, a greek island, in 1989, during Easter celebrations. A gorgeous island , the sea air was amazing and the food beyond delicious and healthy. Worst air and food Beijing in 2007 . The skies were purple ....impossible to breathe...and food... not for me.
Welcome back to S.E. Asia boys. Sorry we can't hook up this trip.
safe travels,
CNX Jon
I have felt healthiest visiting Antarctica, the Galapagos, Alaska, New Zealand, and Australia. Most likely, it was due to either stringent ecological precautions taken when entering the country and/or the vast, open spaces with little or no industrialization. In any case, the air was fresh and I felt energized for any and all physical activity.
This podcast wasn't representative of Laos, nor of the Mekong, as you focused specifically on Luang Prabang and barely even touched on culture. Your characterization of the climate was misleading: It's not 100 degrees Celsius, or your blood would have literally boiled. Humidity also varies from location to location within the country. Aaron, if your glasses fog in Thailand, do you mean in Bangkok? In Phuket? I live in Chiang Mai and I never have that problem. But I was delighted to see the coverage you devoted to the buffalo farm and the bear rehab center. Thank you!
Tea shop to tea shop hiking in the Himalaya in Nepal combines up and down hiking with a light backpack all day and then eating unlimited rice and lentils, dal bhat, and other healthy things like tea and curd (yoghurt). It's living on a stair master while eating an organic vegan diet. I have done two 30 day walks, around Annapurna one year and walking (not flying) into the Solo Khumu to visit all four side valleys and 19,000 feet high at Kala Patar to look down at Everest Base Camp and UP at Everest- awesome and good for you. Tom Harriman
Healthiest I have felt was when I was In Zakynthos, a greek island, in 1989, during Easter celebrations. A gorgeous island , the sea air was amazing and the food beyond delicious and healthy. Worst air and food Beijing in 2007 . The skies were purple ....impossible to breathe...and food... not for me.
Oh, just got sound.
No sound on the Laos podcast.
Probably French Polynesia.
We moved from Minneapolis to Costa Rica. Free health care is excellent. Been here now 26 years. Never felt better!
Thought about what would make me feel healthy - clean air, fresh food, open space, opportunities to be active, no crowds.
Answer: sailing with friends in the Grenadines.
Where I have lived: Alaska & Coastal Oregon. Where I would have liked to live: The Big Island.