Cambodia

Three million dead at the hands of Pol Pot in 4 short years - Indochina raped and pillaged and then completely forgotten like a disobedient black sheep of the colonial family. Landmines everywhere, people with missing limbs strewn about like litter mindlessly thrown away without a concern for what happens to it. Beauty and ingenuity beyond comparison reminiscient of a once golden age when kings were truly divine and created images of the other world to share with humans just to give a taste of what lies beyond our five meager senses. Poverty and violence, coupled with a head ringing, mind bending complete lack of understanding at how history unfolded the way it did. Kindness and cruelty covering every square inch of land and dwelling as if they can't exist separately and need each other in order for their continued mutual existence.
Western midlife crisis opt-outs - a parasitic influence of a sex trade left over from war years that continually feeds on itself and perpetuates a cycle that continues to rip away at the seams of a very tightly woven society. Police that expect you to barter with them when they stop you for a 'random' check.
Hard working, dedicated, indefatigable people with a fierce determination for something better - more reminiscient of their enlightened past - with a strong belief that the past and future are meaningless if you waste the present.
Feeling of complete fascination and wonder from beginning to end - and then a hunger for return.

Laos

Such innocence. Lost children. Contentment in isolation and ignorance. Kindness and generousity results?
The revolution marches on in the minds of many. National museum strewn with weapons used to take down the "US Imperialists and their puppets" Giant paintings depicting the "savage French colonialists". Great black and white photos of the 'Japanese Fascists' being rounded up and marched. Shrines to Lenin, Marx and Engels. Display of drugs, guns and other weapons used by the "Bad Social Elements' to taint this pure society with evil and lead the pure astray. More displays of pharmaceuticals and other manufactured goods to show off the government's self-sufficiency and success.
Tainted food, sleepless nights worshipping the porcelain gods.
Anger and disappointment at rebel shootings and blocked roads. No options for transportation and too much danger. Swallow pride and arrogance of youthful invinciblility and turn around into Thailand.

Vietnam

Won't allow us a visa because of a political touche with the Canadian government over SARS. Doesn't matter that we haven't been in Canada in 15 months.
We'll return in more gentle times.

Thailand

Magic....to be continued.