The links lead to my original websites and blogs from 2004–2011, preserved through the Internet Archive. Some photos may be missing and older links may no longer work. I plan to gradually restore these pages with their original photographs and occasionally add new reflections and commentary from 2026. In the meantime, enjoy this little time capsule of my travels and memories from 2004-2011.
My adventures in Asia began in the summer of 2004, when I traveled to Japan for the first time. It was my first real international travel experience, and I was immediately captivated by the sights, sounds, culture, and excitement of exploring a completely different part of the world. After my first visit in June, I returned for another vacation in August. By then, I had experienced enough of Japan to know that I wanted more than just a vacation. In September 2004, I packed up my life in Phoenix and moved to Yokohama, beginning what would become more than two unforgettable years living in Japan.
Life in Yokohama was certainly an adventure. From exploring the streets of Yokohama and nearby Tokyo to memorable visits to Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, there was always something new to discover. I particularly enjoyed excursions into the beautiful countryside around Kamakura, including visits to its famous Great Buddha. Studying Japanese martial arts and even appearing in a Japanese feature film added to the experiences and memories that have stayed with me ever since. Not everything went according to plan, of course, but that was part of the adventure. Living in Japan gave me an entirely different perspective on the world and introduced me to a way of life far removed from the desert I had left behind.
I returned to Phoenix in December 2006, but my adventures in Asia were far from over. Within just a few months, I made my first trip to Thailand in 2007. What began as another journey overseas developed into several years of return visits, particularly to the northeastern region of Thailand known as Isaan. Along the way, I explored ancient Khmer temples, Buddhist monasteries, national parks, bustling markets, and small towns, discovering places and experiences that rarely appear on the typical tourist itinerary.
The photographs, travel journals, and original blogs collected here capture pieces of that seven-year period, from my daily life in Yokohama to my travels throughout Thailand and the years in between. Nearly two decades later, I'm bringing these memories together again, preserving the original stories while gradually restoring the photographs and adding a few reflections along the way.
For a more detailed account of my time living in Japan, take a look at my original Adventures in Yokohama, written in December 2008. You'll find the link at the top of this page.
Samurai Ramen was the working title for a movie that was released in Japan in 2006 called “Moyuru Toki: The Excellent Company