@feklar42

I love Philly. The food is amazing--international and for all budgets. The people are rude, but hilarious. In the right neighborhood you can walk anywhere you could want to go from dive bars to hoity-toity museums. Walking down one street you can go from Colonial to Federalist to Victorian to Gothic to Modern architecture.

Actually landed in LAX, had dinner with a cousin, then rented a car to drive up to SF. Spent a week with friends in SF, went to a rave, explored Berkeley, drove across the Golden Gate, all the normal things.

After sprinting back to Denpasar for my flight, I spent another nice layover in Singapore, before making a 30 hour trip back to the US via Seoul and Narita (no stopovers).

I made Singaraja and Lovina Beach my northern base. The economy is still based in tourism, but it's a lot slower and friendlier. I really enjoyed my time here. I'm not a morning or even a beach person but I saw more beach sunrises than any other time in my life while I was there. Banjar hot springs made a nice side trip--luxury resort feel without the cost.

I meandered north in various vehicles. Bali is as beautiful as it is rumored to be...but, it is hellaciously over-touristed in the south. I hadn't felt so regularly targeted for grift (and sex) since I'd been in Italy. That started to decline as I went further north. A friend of mine had strongly urged me to go to Ubud. I have to admit, it wouldn't have been on my list as it seemed like a boho mecca, but I actually loved it. I did enjoy the arts scene more than I expected. I stayed in a gorgeous cabin on a rice paddy and saw traditional dance/opera at Ubud Palace, which is worth visiting for the water gardens alone. Going further north I stopped at Gitgit waterfall, which is a hike, but lovely. The trail up is also lined with stands selling snacks and, unexpectedly, some of the most diverse and least expensive textile products I saw on the whole island.

Bali has always been on my bucket list. I blame Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and "Road to Bali" which I watch innumerable times as a kid. That said, my goal was to get out of the southern part of Bali Denpasar/Kuta area as quickly as possible.

On my way to and from Bali, I had 24 hour layovers in Singapore. After the wildly growing nature and rowdy atmosphere of Thailand, it felt like a giant, extremely well manicured shopping mall. It's pretty, but even the botanical garden felt more like a golf course than a garden. I had my first masala dosa in a basement eatery for immigrant workers. Delicious!

Continuing south I made a brief stop in Ayutthaya historical park before landing in a BKK hostel. I spent the next day walking around Bangkok--I nearly walked into a construction elephant!--before flying out to Singapore.

I bussed back south, stopping on the way for a day at Sukhothai. You can rent a bike to get around this sprawling historical park. Gorgeous, amazing, all the things you hear and then some.

Chiang Mai was my favorite city in Thailand. It was small enough to wander around easily, but big enough to have tons to do. While wandering I stumbled on a fantastical temple complex, had noodle soup at the night market, and came across lovely gardens. I had my first Thai body massage here. I also did the obligatory jungle trek with elephant ride, bamboo rafting, hiking through bamboo forests, by waterfalls and rivers, and sleeping in local villages. If I go back to TH (and I want to) I would make Chiang Mai my base.

aka Korat. The first place I went in Thailand. I remember the city itself being hot and dusty, but I was really there for Prasat Phimai historical park. Thailand has really done an amazing job of preserving its archaeological sites and making them accessible as historical parks for Thai and international tourists.

After the quiet outer islands of HK, walking out of the airport to a gazillion lane highway in BKK was a shock. First thing I did was head to the bus station to go north.

I had a friend doing an internship in HK and imposed on their hospitality. She lived on an outer island and I spent most of my time exploring them. HK central was overwhelmingly bustling in comparison. We bought a durian to try. I mean how can you not with its reputation? :) It lived up to its reputation. LOL

Post grad in NYC. I picked a school in NYC b/c I wanted to live in NYC. That was an excellent reason to pick a school. I loved living in NYC for about 10 years.

Last year of undergrad. Graduation was on the Ellipse (lawn on south side of White House). Donna Shalala spoke.