With great excitement, hopeful expectation, and a good dose of sadness and melancholy, I have set foot upon this continent, our continent, my continent once again. "Ah, Ahmerrrreeka," the Balinese would croon. Ahhhhhhhh. It's good to be back.

My tales of Southeast Asia follow, and although this represents the last leg of our trip, it certainly is not the end of my journey. As with the previous issues about my trip, I've combined this newsletter with pictures we've posted on the Internet -- feel free to move back and forth between the pages using the links provided.

Now pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, snuggle into a cozy chair, and come tumble with me to the far side of this world.