Travel & Music
Exploring the World
There is so much to see - and I’m doing my best to see it all…..
About Me
Hi, I’m Loren (the old guy in the t-shirt there, knee-deep in a rice paddy). I’m a US-native, London-resident singer-songwriter and travel junkie. Now that I’m semi-retired, I do a lot of backpacking.
Ukraine at War
In May of 2025 I was privileged to drive an ambulance from London to Ukraine with Medical Lifelines Ukraine, a UK charity. I then stayed in for 3 days in Lviv (western Ukraine, far from the front lines) and 2 weeks in Kyiv, 4 nights of which I slept of necessity in bomb shelters. During this time I had the chance to get to know a wide range of both locals and ex-pats.
The purpose of this blog is to provide a window on what life is really like in Ukraine today, and how an exceptionally brave, hospitable and indomitable people keep living their lives under frightening conditions, that everyone I met expects will continue for many more years.
Laos Travel Guide
I’ve been to 74 countries. Laos is my favourite.
During a recent 2+months backpacking there, I found the absence of up-to-date practical information so severe that I wrote a webpage to help address that.
It’s all here — Travel information for:
Central Laos: Luang Prabang Vang Vieng Vientiane, Phou Bia, and Getting to and around the region
Northern Laos: Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi, Huay Xai and the Gibbon Experience, The Mekong Slow Boat and Shompoo Cruise, Luang Namtha, Muang Xai / Oudomxay, Phongsali, Sam Neua and the Vieng Xai Caves, Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars, and Getting to and around the region
You’ll also find practical General Information on: Visas, Money, Itineraries, When to go, Booking activities, lodging and transport, general advice on motorbiking in Laos, and more
Travelogues
Slide presentations of some of my longer trips in remote regions
Keep scrolling down for music
Music
Sometimes on a trip, a song comes out. My CD includes 9 songs inspired by my travels in Laos, the Norwegian Fjords, Berlin during German Reunification, the Aegean Sea, Marrakech, the Rocky Mountains, Minnesota’s Lakes, and more.