Twenty-five years ago, Brian and I planned a dream trip to Southeast Asia. We had the itinerary mapped out, the dates set, the budget sorted. Everything was ready—Khmer temples, Balinese waterfalls, night markets, and golden sunsets were waiting for us.

And then, just as we were about to book the flights—surprise.

We found out we were pregnant.

So, with joy in our hearts and guidebooks tucked gently away, we put the trip on pause. Our new adventure was about to begin—one filled with diapers instead of daypacks, lullabies instead of long-haul flights. And it was extraordinary.

Fast forward twenty-five years, and that little baby is now a bright, compassionate young woman living and working in Taiwan. (The photos above are from Yilan County, where she works). Anna shares our love for travel, for culture, for discovery.

And so this past winter, while Brian stayed home to care for our sweet old dog Pepito (who turns 17 this May!), I finally made that long-postponed journey to Asia—with Anna by my side.

We wandered through places I had once only dreamed of, but this time with someone I never could have imagined back then—my daughter.

Yilan, Taiwan

Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Bali, Indonesia

We began our journey in Taiwan, where Anna is currently living and working in Yilan County—a quiet, lush corner of the island known for its natural beauty and slower pace of life. In winter, the landscape is patchworked with water-filled rice fields that shimmer like mirrors, reflecting the soft gray skies above. It’s peaceful here, and was the perfect place to settle in and begin our time together.

We continued onto Hanoi in Vietnam, a city that hums with life. Amid the honking and weaving of motorbikes, there’s a surprising rhythm—and a quiet intimacy of friends and family passing the time together.

Outside of Hanoi, the landscape is a magical blend of mountains, stone, and water and has a kind of beauty that stays with you long after you’ve left.

Lanha Bay

Ninh Binh

Halong Bay

Bali, Indonesia—everything I had imagined, and somehow even more. A place where beauty feels effortless and sacred. Daily offerings line the streets, tucked into doorways and perched on temple steps—small gestures of gratitude woven into everyday life. It’s not just something people do here; it’s a way of being.

I was in my element—camera in hand, capturing the quiet poetry of daily life. From early morning markets to terraced rice fields, every corner felt like a story waiting to be told.

Traveling in Asia takes a bit of courage. It’s complex, crowded, and often chaotic. But if you open yourself to the adventure, life reveals what it truly is—a wild, generous offering of beauty, available to everyone. I had a taste of that magic, and I’m so grateful to have shared it with you here.

Thank you for following along. 💛