Done Like Dinner

18.01.2014

Our trip to Asia is done like dinner, and shockingly, we didn't leave this continent 10 lbs heavier! I'd like to say it was because we practiced supreme self control while eating here, but it's more likely because of a few days of food poisoning that helped knock off about 5 lbs! There were lots of eats in Asia, and with a few small exceptions, most of it was very good, and a lot of it was even spectacular - it's true what they say about the food here, that the selection and quality are mind blowing.

Previously, the most intense and celebrated food cultures I have come across in the world were in Europe, with France and Italy at the top of the list. But while there is a definite love and appreciation for food in those two countries, it's not quite like it is here in Asia, where food is practically an obsession. Daily life seemingly completely revolves around food, and if you're in Asia and won't be able to have a good meal, you might as well not get out of bed that day.

But good eats aside, it's a pretty amazing continent, and this past three and a half weeks here offered perhaps the most unique travel experience I've ever had, in a number of ways. This was a trip of firsts - first visit to Asia, first time getting robbed, and first time having severe food poisoning while traveling! While the latter two experiences weren't very pleasant, you can't argue with the fact that they were still very memorable ones.

A typical trip offers only a handful of highlights, but this one was unusual because, despite the lowlights we experienced in Phuket Town and Ko Phi Phi, almost every other place we visited was a highlight, making it impossible for us to pick out a favourite place or experience. There was also the extreme contrasts, going from the regimented world of the Japanese to the relative chaos of Thailand, and then from modern and businesslike Singapore, to the wonderful historical offerings of Cambodia. Truly, we managed to find a little bit of everything while traipsing around Asia for nearly a month.

Unfortunately, our trip ended like an excellent Asian meal - far too soon! It was funny in a way, because halfway through the trip when things took a turn for the worse in Thailand, the trip seemed like it was dragging on, and it felt as if we had been traveling forever, with us eagerly anticipating the end. But lo and behold, as soon as things started looking up again, it seemed like the days were rapidly slipping away, and by the time we hit Cambodia, we wanted nothing more than to continue our travels.

Asia definitely lived up to its reputation, and it opened my eyes (and stomach!) to a whole new world of travel possibilities. Though relatively speaking, we certainly covered a lot of ground in a short time, there is still so much more to see, experience, and perhaps most importantly - eat - here in Asia. Obviously, a return trip is definitely in the cards one day, though we don't know exactly when - so until that day, we'll have to make due with a song that will serve as the theme for the trip, and one that will always remind us of all the good times and good food we've had in Asia. As Weird Al would say, "Just Eat It!!!"

Monks On Parade