Hello everyone, and welcome to 2010. Cheers to new beginnings!

This project is about to kick into high gear – I'm leaving tomorrow, stopping briefly in Cairo and then arriving in Chiang Mai on Tuesday afternoon. I've never been to Asia. In fact I've not been further east than Finland, and only then for a single blizzardy afternoon. I'm wandering into the unknown a bit here. But that's the point, right?

Until then, If anyone has suggestions for places to visit in the North of the country please let me know. If you'd like to see a photo of something in particular, pass that on as well. I've got a good deal of time and I'm leaving details rather open until we're on the ground and get to feel out the terrain. Many a temple and festival will surely be visited, the night bazaars and city streets should also make appearances. Mountains, waterfalls, tuk-tuks and Buddhas likewise!

Interesting Thai fact of the day: The Kingdom of Thailand is the only country is Southeast Asia that has never been colonized. It is, however, a constitutional monarchy. King Bhumibol Adulyadej has reigned since 1946, making him the world’s longest reigning monarch and the world’s longest serving head of state.

Come next week I'll start posting photographs. Onward!