The history of the type of jacket called a “Pleiku Jacket” starts in the aftermath of the Second World War. At that time, the remnants of parachute capes found new life as they were transformed by American soldiers into what came to be known as souvenir jackets. These jackets, inspired by baseball jackets of the …
Author Archives: Will Holland
Pleiku Tea – A History
As a self-proclaimed tea nerd, it’s quite an oversight on my part that I haven’t delved into how deeply Pleiku’s identity is steeped in tea until now. Tea production in this region is a cornerstone of Pleiku’s identity today, with roots tracing back to the era of French colonization. Setting the Scene Our tale begins …
BSL in the Classroom
There’s a school of thought in English foreign language teaching known as TPR (Total Physical Response), advocating the use of physical actions to aid learning. One day as I pondered over suitable actions for my classroom, a revelation struck me – all the actions I could possibly need were already well defined: sign language! And …
Some Much Needed Rain
In three distinct periods of my life, rain has brought unexpected joy. In primary school, it meant a lunch break of indoor play with Lego; during my stint at the carboot sale, it signaled a day off. And now, seated in a cozy café with Yumi and her Auntie “Green” Xanh, the heavens open above …
Awayday and the Mekong Delta
Somehow I managed to live in Saigon for a year without checking out nearby tourist attractions. So when my employer dangled the carrot of a free flight for an awayday and by coincidence my cousin Henry decided to drop into Vietnam, well, it was high time to rectify my lack of exploring. So, with the …
Ling Tơhan
Gia Lai Folk Festival 2024 This weekend was the Ngày hội văn hóa các dân tộc tỉnh Gia Lai which was a celebration of the indigenous peoples of Gia Lai province. Each of the province’s 14 districts sent a village to represent their culture. They put on displays of crafts, music and dance. There was …
Quy Nhon and Plei Boi
Quy Nhon for Easter Our Easter holiday kicked off bright and early at 7am when the car rolled up to whisk us away. Packed inside were Yumi, three excited aunts, a cousin, myself and two other partners, and our ever-patient driver. We were headed to Quy Nhon city. Taking first the infamous Mang Yang pass …
Visa Victory and Linguistic Endeavors
Personal News Exciting news to kick things off: I finally got my new visa! With a generous two-year validity, it’s a weight lifted off my shoulders. It’s been quite the ordeal, in the past I could always do visas in Saigon but they changed the rules so all visas must be done locally. The adjustment …
Mysterious Tales from the Annamite Highlands
The YouTube algorithm has a knack for surprising me with recommendations for videos I never knew I’d be interested in. A recent suggestion had me watching a fascinating talk on the history of the Pith helmet. Learning about its practical design for sun protection and air circulation, I felt I needed to head to the …
Continue reading “Mysterious Tales from the Annamite Highlands”
Fungal in the jungle
As a fan of both hiking and the allure of jungle settings, there’s not much that excites me more than embarking on a trek through dense, untamed foliage. Recently, I found myself drawn to the mysterious depths of Chư Păh. . Little did I know, my adventure would be accompanied by a nifty app that …
