Shriners in SE Asia

We brainwashed Corbin’s parents into coming to visit us in Southeast Asia. With a jam packed itinerary, 3 countries in almost 3 weeks, we started in the chaos of Hanoi Vietnam. Although train street, a food tour, and a quirky cafe were hits, the highlight was riding motorbike taxi’s through the crazy city... Kari giggled the entire ride, mostly at how big and goofy Kent looked on the back (for those that don’t know Kent is 6’ 5”.)

Next we took the train to Ninh Binh, one of our favorite places in Vietnam. The surprisingly nippy weather didn’t keep us from having fun and exploring. We immediately got some pedal bikes and took off for the paddies. Locals were in their fields working and it was great to see rural life. The next couple days we rented motorbikes, hiked to a viewpoint, floated the Trang An River and went to the bird sanctuary. Kent and Kari got a real taste of Vietnam when they had to drive in the dark because their headlight was broken.

After a cramped flight we landed in our home town of Hoi An. Hoi An is especially beautiful this time of year since the Vietnamese celebrate Chinese New Year. Yellow flowers and kumquat trees filled the streets while locals made offerings and burned incense for good luck in the new year. 

We enjoyed showing them where we were living and spent 4 days relaxing on the beach, riding through rice paddies, and wondering the picturesque streets.

This wrapped up the Vietnam portion of Kent and Kari’s trip. Next stop was Cambodia, a new country for Corbin and Tatum as well. We arrived in Siem Reap City, home of the famous Angkor Wat temples. The next day, we were up early and hopped in our private Tuk Tuk. We spent the next two days chugging water and temple hopping. These were a few of our favorite stops…

We quickly learned how enormous each individual temple complex was. Our first stop, Angkor Thom, blew our freaking minds. Even the gated entrance into the temple grounds was spectacular… See for yourself…

Bayon, a temple within Angkor Thom, is unique because there are giant faces carved into the tops of the temple.  We maneuvered through the narrow passageways while enjoying the temple views and wall carvings.

Ta Prohm is one of the more memorable complex because it has been overrun by the jungle. Giant trees have wedged their roots between stones and have slowly dismantled the original structure. It’s quite

the sight… Tatum is 'rooting' for this to be everyone's favorite temple... BOO!!!!!

Finally, the largest temple in the world… Angkor Wat. This originally Hindu temple, now Buddhist, illustrates Cambodia’s history in more ways than one. You can even see bullet holes in the stones from the Cambodian genocide.

While tuk tuking from temple to temple, we enjoyed glimpses of Cambodian life and countryside. Kent and Kari got to see the best side of Tatum. As we approached a large grey monkey our diver slowed down a

little bit so Kari could take a few photos. Tatum suddenly leaped across the tuk tuk into Corbin’s lap while screaming “did you see him! He was f****** staring me down!” After Tatum was able to compose herself, she whispered to Corbin “did I just say the “F” word in front of your mom?” To which he replied “no, you screamed the “F” word in front of my mom.” Tatum was thrilled that we now have another great story at her expense.

Other Cambodian highlights included eating dinner in the dark due to a power outage, fish pedicures, celebrating Kari’s birthday with morning massages, and drinks by the pool after hot temple days. Traveling in Asia is always an adventure… for instance, your tuk tuk running out of gas on the way to the airport! No worries… Corbin got out to help push while Tatum looked like royalty relaxing in the back and waving to the giggling locals.

We concluded our trip in Thailand. Our whole reason for this last stop… Thai food!! Corbin was determined to have Kent try some seriously spicy local dishes. We spent two days touring temples, walking the hectic streets, laying by our rooftop pool, and snacking on street food. P.S... have you ever spent your birthday in 2 countries? Kari has!!

Just like that… 3 weeks had flown by. A total of 3 countries, 3 cramped flights, 4 massages, countless laughs, and 1 hell of a trip. How lucky are we to have such adventurous parents? A trip we will never forget. Kop ity kop!

With Love,

Boots Abroad

Corbin’s

Highs: Bayon temple, Watching Kent on a motorbike, showing Kent and Kari Asian life, pool party 

Lows: Feeling bad for not getting dad an exit aisle on the planes, working

Tatum’s 

Highs: Trang An float, Ta Phrom temple, “Na I’m good.”, Cambodian pool party, slapping strangers butts with Kari

Lows: Cussing in front of Kari, wearing masks in the heat

Kent's

Highs: Spending 3 weeks on an amazing adventure led by Tatum & Corbin, scooters in Hanoi traffic (a live version of Mario Carts), temples in Angkor Cambodia, the note cafe, egg coffee, driving a scooter at night on rural roads with only a turn signal for light.

Lows: Having no leg room on flights, the smell of durian fruit, being unable to stop chuckling when monkeys were "friggin staring Tatum down".

Kari's

Highs: Experiencing completely new/delightful cultures, celebrating my b-day in two different countries, Tatum & I swatting strangers hineys with card board hands in Bangkok, getting a massage in every country.

Lows: Being escorted across Hanoi's streets like a little old lady, running from a monkey while trying to eat lunch.