Bellingham couple answers the call of Southeast Asia

Borneo and Malaysia are latest experience for travelers

ZOE FRALEY

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America may be known as the world's melting pot, but if you ask Pete Chorney, it's the blend of cultures in Southeast Asia that is truly inspiring. You can hear Muslim prayer calls and stand in the shadows of Hindu sculptures. You can hear about ancient philosophy and see modern skyscrapers.

"I just love it � the people, the cultures," the Bellingham resident says. "The fusion and the variety of customs and cultures and food and religion, and they all seem to get along really well."

Last summer, Chorney and his wife, Linda, took their most recent of many trips to Southeast Asia, this time focusing their travels on Borneo and Malaysia.

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SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL

Bellingham resident Pete Chorney is a big fan of Southeast Asia. Here are some of his favorite sites and places he�d like to visit still:
- Redang Island off the east coast of Malaysia had picturesque diving.
- Terengganu on Malaysia�s east coast was casual and beautiful, with amazing beaches.
- Thailand and Laos are Chorney's perennial favorites.

"Since I retired in 1998 we always try to go on a three- or four-week trek," says Chorney, 61, a former employee of the U.S. Department of Commerce. "Just to get the wanderlust out of my system."

The couple broke their month-long trip up into three segments, starting with their week-long stay in Borneo. While there, they visited national parks and got up close and personal with the wildlife at an orangutan sanctuary.

"Just the uniqueness, the remoteness, the culture," he says of Borneo. "That was on my wish list."

They spent the second week of their trip at a resort on the east coast of Malaysia, where every day they were busy exploring the verdant parks and turquoise seas.

"The diving was just gorgeous," he says. "There were sea turtles � and gorgeous beaches."

The final part of their visit was a two-week trip all around Malaysia through a travel group. For two nights the couple stayed in the home of a Malaysian family, which was a highlight of the trip for Chorney.

"We discussed everything under the sun, from faith healers to UFOs to suicide bombers," he says. "What a discussion we had with these people."

With a biking trip through Italy in the works for this summer and India looming large in his travel dreams, Chorney and his wife don't plan on staying put for too long.

"Keep on moving," he says of his travel philosophy. "I've got a wish list I'm checking off."

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Tuesday, May. 13, 2008

Bellingham couple answers the call of Southeast Asia

Borneo and Malaysia are latest experience for travelers

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