CHIANG RAI, Thailand – Did we mention we loved the mopeds? So much, in fact, we used them again to explore Chiang Rai and the surrounding countryside. See it all in today’s photo gallery.

LAMPANG, Thailand – On a trip through Lampang, we decided to make the trek to see one of Thailand’s living, breathing national symbols – the elephant. See it all in today’s photo gallery.

In the spirit of the Olympic games, we’ve compiled the following list of some of our favorite “short eats” – meals for travelers on the go – and awarded medals to those that rank in the top three.

We were in our usual rush.  With only one day in Kandy, the small mountain city at the base of Sri Lanka’s tea country, we had ambitions to cover a lot of ground: a visit to the area’s most heralded tea plantation two hours away, a tour of the Buddhist temple here which houses Sri Lanka’s most famous relic, the Buddha’s tooth, and some exploration of the busy streets of downtown Kandy, that swirl around the oddly-located local prison (or “free hotel” as our cab driver calls it) in the town center.

Sadly, as is sometimes the case with determined travelers, we neglected to allot any time for perhaps the most important and yet occasionally overlooked aspect of traveling: eating. Lucky for us, Sri Lanka is home to a phenomenon called “short eats,” their answer to the American burger and fries off the rack. Sri Lanka’s short eats shops, a nice compliment to the country’s already terrific formal sit-down restaurants, usually feature an assortment of stuffed pastries such as the patty, a triangular dumpling filled with curried potatoes, vegetables or fish. Also available are baked sweetbread buns sprinkled with sugar, a remnant from Portuguese colonization. Read the rest of this entry »

BEIJING, China – What a day!  The world turned its eyes onto Beijing tonight for Opening Ceremonies for the 2008 Olympics, and we were right in the thick of it all in Tiananmen Square and downtown Beijing partying it up with the Chinese on their big day.  See it all in today’s photo gallery.

We’re posting from Beijing as quickly as we can – expect more from the events from tonight shortly.

CHIANG MAI, Thailand – Even though they drive on the “wrong” side of the road in Thailand, we were really excited to rent mopeds for a day to explore Doi Suthep National Park. See it all in today’s photo gallery.

CHIANG MAI, Thailand – We lucked out and got to Chiang Mai on a Sunday. The famous Sunday Walking Market was extensive. See it all in today’s photo gallery.

RAILAY, Thailand – On our second day in Railay, we decided to jump right in and enjoy all the positive aspects that this beautiful place had to offer. See it all in today’s photo gallery.

RAILAY, Thailand – Our first encounter with Railay left us at a loss. The peninsula was full of so much beauty, but so much of it was wasted. See it all in today’s photo gallery.

BANGKOK, Thailand – The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew attract huge crowds. It was not hard to see why the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai kingdom. See it all in today’s photo gallery.

BANGKOK, Thailand – One of our LongJaunters was dealing with stomach issues and a high fever we feared might be a recurrence of malaria. The other … See it all in today’s photo gallery.