I started asking and answering the “Why xxx?” question when we traveled to Sicily, which isn’t exactly a travel hub for Americans. On the other hand, Southeast Asia, especially Cambodia and Vietnam, have a strong pull on Americans who had some connection to, or at least a memory of, the Vietnam War – whether that was watching news coverage, serving in the war or getting a draft card (as Jim did.)

Although I will be very interested in the recent history – seeing the Killing Fields of Cambodia, the Cu Chi Tunnels of Saigon and learning about the unexploded bombs in Laos, I’m more excited to experience ancient history, especially Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and learn about the culture in a part of the world that is so different from ours.

It also doesn’t hurt that we’ll escape cold and dreary New Jersey for (mostly) warm and humid SE Asia.

So there are many answers to the question of Why. As with our other trips, I expect we’ll discover even more answers to that question.