I made several stops around Southeast Asia on my way to and from other places, but took some time to explore Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong. The best part was my two week motorbike trip around the mountainous northwest of Vietnam, an area that saw little fighting during the war. It’s very rural and the ethnic minorities that populate the region mostly farm the steep slopes for a living. Visiting Angkor Wat is unforgettable, especially the farther out temples, some of which are more impressive than the main one and completely devoid of other tourists in the mornings. It is also inspiring to hear many of the Cambodian people talk about how they have come to terms with the violence that ravaged their country, and how they have learned to forgive and make peace.

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