Mike and I are now traveling on our own, after our whirlwind tour with Road Scholar, through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. And what a tour it was!
My blog couldn’t keep pace with our activities and even now, this summary will only provide a taste of those incredible 20 days.
Here are a few of the many reasons I love Road Scholar.
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
Road Scholar made contributions on our behalf to the two village schools and hospital we visited.
One nurse per 500 children at the outpatient clinic of this free hospitalLook who else visited the hospital–but not while we were there.
While traveling in Cambodia a few years ago, the Spitlers asked their guide to suggest a worthwhile project. The end result was this village school.
Sarin, Cambodian tour guide, and head of the Spitler School
Prior to the Spitler School, children in this village had no opportunity for education.
Yes, we were captivated.
JAW DROPPING EXPERIENCES
Mike, taking in the majesty of Angkor WatThe demons guarding the bridge to Angkor ThomOne of the many faces of King Jayavarman 7Good guys on the left, demons on the right, churning the sea of milk with Jayavarman 7 gazing down on it all
And of course, the many Buddha images in Laos and Thailand were unforgettable and impressive.
WONDERFUL LECTURES
Tony Zola, another former Peace Corp volunteer who settled in Asia, was a fascinating lecturer. He spoke to us in Thailand and Laos.Tara (an American)and a local Lao woman created the Museum of Art and Ethnology.We had an amazing lunch at Fabian’s stilt home in a Laotian village, followed by a lecture.
GREAT COMPANIONS
Fantastic experiences are even better when shared with like minded companions.
The jungle templeShowing off our Baci Ceremony strings
CULTURAL IMMERSION
Elephant CampHanoi Water Puppet ShowLanna danceAncient musical instruments. That IS an elephant carved on the end of that bowOne of the marriage stories in the museum of Art and EthnologyFrom night markets…To rice paddies, we saw it all
BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
INCREDIBLE FOOD
Judging from their rounded bellies, I think these apsaras just finished a Road Scholar trip!
I’ll give your eyeballs a rest, and stop with the photos.
You’ll just have to take my word for it, this trip was AMAZING!
I am intensely curious, with a spirit of adventure that is tempered by my very strong aversion to anything with potential to cause pain. I love travel, photography, reading, gardening, yoga, music and propelling myself through space (biking, dancing, walking, dancing while walking). I've never considered a lack of proficiency in any of the previous activities to be a hindrance, counting on abundant enthusiasm to make up for my shortcomings.
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3 thoughts on “Why I Love Road Scholar!”
Love your blog, Shelley, and I’m with you all the way. Road Scholar rocks!
Destination NOW 
Love your blog, Shelley, and I’m with you all the way. Road Scholar rocks!
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sooo glad u are enjoying, u have time left after mike leaves??
san Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:10:28 +0000 To: sandyking84@hotmail.com
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2 weeks with global volunteers after Mike leaves. I just learned the school only has squat toilets. Good thing I brought skirts!
Too bad the weather in Hanoi isn’t as great as in HoiAn
Shelley
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