Palma's Place

South East Asia 2000

From late November 2000 till early January 2001, I traveled to south east asia, the first two weeks were for work, in Singapore and Penang, Malaysia.  Here I was lectured by a cabbie about the controversy over the disputed Gore/Bush Election.  I then traveled to Vientiane and then Luang Prabang, Laos.  Next up was Chiang Rai, in northern Thailand.  Here I crossed into Burma for a few hours and then saw the Golden Triangle.  Next up was a week in Siem Reap, Cambodia and the 1,000 year old city of Angkor, and related temple sites.  This was followed by a short stay in Bangkok and then hit the beach at Kho Samui, a beautiful island off the cost of Thailand, once famous just for its coconut plantations.  A quick stop back at Singapore and I was back to silicon valley. 

I was fascinated with the Naga, pictured here in Angkor.  The legend, dating back to Indian mythology, of a serpent/man king protecting Buddha, is common throughout Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.

I have attached some background information and some other resources.  My photos and videos from the trip will be added to the site shortly.