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SOUTHEAST ASIA | STORY BY RON & MARY JAMES | PHOTOS BY RON JAMES |

nd I must admit, we were also a bit anxious about Singapore. The people we met were courteous and welcoming,
our first visit to Southeast Asia, probably partially and proud of their rich culture. We found distinctive arts and
fueled to our mixed experience trying to decipher crafts, magical architecture and unforgettable cuisine. It all
the formidable menus at an authentic Asian restau- made for an unforgettable experience.
Arants in the States. We were concerned with crowds,
pollution, weird food and the reception we would get from the Each of the countries we visited were distinctly different, al-
locals. though their were some common threads. Wars, conquests,
colonization, migration and trade have impacted the area
What we found was that Southeast Asia is a traveler’s nirvana, for centuries, changing boundaries and political systems and
offering natural wonders like the mystical limestone islands spreading religions and customs. Today, Southeast Asian
of Halong Bay, timeless treasures like the storybook temples countries and culture reflect thousands of years of interac-
of Thailand and energetic booming cities like Hong Kong and tion with empires in the Middle East, Tibet and, especially
Wine Dine & Travel Winter 2015 13