#sunset apartment phnom penh

[greenpenthouse-blog]

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[vrdigitalau]

16 Overlooked International Destinations Providing Visa On Arrival For Indians

Possibly the most stressful point on preparing your overseas trip is acquiring a visa. You'll be amazed to recognize there are more excellent than 45+ nations for Indians where you can get to and also get a visa perception on arrival. If you are seeking an account of countries approving visa on arrival for Indians after that look no further, we have selected the best places to travel this year that supply visa on arrival.

No matter where you live around world, these places provide you with several of one of the most spectacular sights, spectacular architectural as well as exotic paradise.

Macau

Macau is an independent region on the southerly shore of China, merely an hour away from hong kong. It has mix society connections of Portuguese as well as Chinese, with numerous casinos and markets Macau is ideal thought of internationally as Las Vegas of Asia. This indicates there are great deals of choices for after-dinner satisfaction in sparkling Macau. Macau tour Packages

Visa - 1-month visa on arrival

Currency - Macanese pataca

Best Time to Browse Through - March to April & October to December

Top Views - Senado Square, A-Ma Holy Place, the Venetian Macao, Macau Tower, Damages of St. Paul's.

Indonesia.

Located in between Indian and also Pacific Ocean Indonesia has real charm as well as contains a terrific destination for a traveller. Indonesia is understood for its beautiful coastlines, wild animals, neighbourhood craft as well as diverse culture. It is one of the significant visitor attractions in Asia which is visited by neighbourhood as well as worldwide visitors all over the world. Indonesia Tour Packages

Visa - 2 week.

Money - Indonesian rupiah.

Best Time to Browse Through - April to October & November to March.

Leading Sights - Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, Bali, Lake Toba, Borobudur, Komodo National Park.

Sri Lanka (Evisa).

An island country positioned in the south-east of India is diverse as well as a modern nation; Sri Lanka is residence to numerous faiths, teams, and languages and also ethnic. Sri Lanka is a tiny island with much scenic appeal, gold beaches, unclear hills, mighty elephants, rejuvenating tea and warm grins; it is an ideal place for fun as well as leisure. Sri lanka Tour Packages

Visa - thirty days.

Currency - Sri Lankan rupee.

Most good Time to See - December to March & Might to September.

Top Views - Sigiriya, Holy Place of the Tooth, Dambulla cavern temple, Yala National Park, Adam's Optimal.

Jordan.

Jordan is among the safest of Arab nations in the Middle East. There are numerous attractive views and also areas to visit the whole year without obtaining rushed. Monoliths, burial places as well as an ancient society of the centuries-old cities, make this location a remarkable put on the world.

Visa - Visa on arrival valid for two weeks.

Currency - Jordanian dinar.

Ideal Time to Check Out - March to May & October.

Leading Sights - Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea, Mount Nebo, Amman Castle.

The Maldives.

The Maldives is an accessible choice for vacationer when it comes to charming coastlines, aquatic life and peerless luxury. Sunny climate perpetuity lengthy make diving and water sports experience excellent. From informal dining to pricey dishes, the Maldives allows a remarkable range of modern cuisines. Maldives Tour Pakages

Visa - Visa on arrival for 90 days.

Money - Maldivian rufiyaa.

Ideal Time to Check Out - December to February.

Top Views - Hulhulemale, National Gallery, Atolls of the Maldives, Meeru Island.

Kenya (Evisa).

Kenya is just one of the most striking and distinct countries of Africa. If you love journey and also wild Kenya can give you fantasize trip of a lifetime. Its national parks & havens are caring to a few of the greatest as well as most diverse neighbourhoods of wildlife on the planet.

Visa - 3 months visa.

Money - Kenyan shilling.

Ideal Time to Browse Through - January to March & September.

Leading Views - Maasai Mara, Amboseli National Park, Samburu National Get, Diani Beach.

Nepal.

Nepal is truly a privileged location with magnificent energy. It is house to the world's highest possible mountain trips, stunning valleys, monasteries, holy places as well as differed society. It likewise uses numerous sort of experience sport like rafting, hiking, bungee leaping, hiking, paragliding and also more that make it the best location for the journey applicant as well as a nature enthusiast.

Visa - No Visa.

Currency - Nepalese Rupee.

Ideal Time to See - October to November & March to May.

Leading Views - Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Massif, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Kopan Abbey.

Mauritius.

Mauritius might seem similar to just one more island country, but it is incomparably more than that. Mauritius provides fantastic attractions plus caters to nature - water sports, a diving experience, dolphin cruise, varied cuisine, landscapes it's a destination lively.

Visa - 60-day visa on arrival.

Money - Mauritian rupee.

Best Time To Check Out - Might to December.

Leading Views - Bluebay Marine Park, Blue Safari Submarines, Rochester Falls, Tamarind Falls, Crocodile & Titan Tortoises Park.

Seychelles.

Seychelles has recognized for its abundant aquatic life and nature book this island supply a lot of destination as well as activities. Because of a high standard of living the island warranty quiet and relaxation, here is something for every person.

Visa - 1 month.

Currency - Seychellois rupee.

Most good Time to Go To - April to May & October to November.

Leading Sights - Anse Lazio, Curieuse Island, Aride Island, Sainte Anne Marine National Park.

Thailand.

Thailand is absolutely among the most preferred locations around the globe. It has every tourist attraction to provide for traveller around the world that includes Buddhist temples, stunning sandy beaches, cozy & bright weather, historic sites, nightlife, diving websites, galleries and several world heritage areas.

Visa - 15 days (Visa cost of 2000 Thai Baht needs to be paid in Thai currency).

Currency - Thai baht.

Most good Time to Go To - November to February.

Leading Views - Grand Royal Residence, Phi Phi Islands, Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket City.

Laos.

Visitor commonly ignores Laos due to its next-door-neighbours like Myanmar as well as Thailand. Still, Laos can amaze the majority of the travellers with its unlimited attract like tasty food, sunset scenes, south-east Oriental history, unclear hills. Laos is few of unknown locations left on the planet, the whole country of Laos is beautiful.

Visa - Visa on arrival for one month.

Money - Lao kip.

Most good Time to See - November to January.

Top Sights - Luang Prabang, Mekong, Vang Vieng.

Madagascar.

Madagascar is typically neglected; however, it deserves seeing for wild animals fanatics, it is more of jungles and also trekking than safari jeeps as well as sundowners. It does have incredible unique landscapes and flora & animals; however, it continues to be much untouched by the traveller profession. Here you are anticipated to see an unbelievable variety of wild animals.

Visa-Free visa on arrival for 30 days.

Currency - Malagasy ariary.

Ideal Time to Check Out - December.

Leading Views - Avenue of the Baobabs, Nosy Be, Ile Sainte Marie, Tsingy de Bemaraha.

Cambodia (Evisa).

Cambodia signed up with by Thailand, Laos, as well as Vietnam, has remarkable cozy, pleasant people; it is a little country with old-ancient beauty, pristine beaches, landscapes as well as temples. Now recovery from its previous dark tourism is among the reasons for Cambodia newly-stable economic situation.

Visa - thirty day.

Money - Cambodian riel.

Most good Time To Go To - May to October.

Leading Views - Angkor Wat, Bayon, Angkor Thom, Banteay Srei, Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh.

Bhutan.

Bhutan is a small Himalayan country and also one of the least industrialized countries in the world. Nonetheless, the natural surroundings, rich culture as well as fresh mountain air make it essential and also make you fall for this country. Bhutan trips are best and too unique for hiking, Buddhist explorers, and even monastery fan.

Visa - No Visa.

Currency - Bhutanese ngultrum.

Most good Time to Visit - March and also April.

Top Sights - Paro Taktsang, Tashichho Dzong, Kurjey Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong.

Saint Lucia.

Saint Lucia will undoubtedly take your breath away with miles of the ideal landscape, lovely sunset as well as palm-fringed coastlines. Saint Lucia is the perfect place, whether you're after exhilaration, charging or experience.

Visa - Visa on arrival valid for six weeks.

Money - East Caribbean dollar.

Most good Time to See - May and June.

Leading Views - Pitons, Pigeon Island National Forest, East Winds, Fort Rodney.

Jamaica.

Apart from Bob Marley museum, Jamaica is jam-packed with a range of attractions. Nature fan will undoubtedly discover this area kick back and also relax with plenty of points to see and do, no considerable shock Jamaica values an online reputation for being a Caribbean hotspot.

Visa - Visa not required - 6 months.

Currency - Jamaican dollar.

Ideal Time to Check Out - November and also December.

Top Views - Dunn's River Falls, Dolphin Cove Jamaica, Negril Coastline, Green Underground Chamber Caves.

According to a study by holiday company trip cart vacations, the very best travelling setup come in April, with August and September. So begin making brand-new travel arrangements, Include these goals to your bucket list, and also you prepare!

Disclaimer: Please note visa, and also immigration policies occasionally change at the time of publishing message these nations give a pass on arrival for Indians.

If you need assistance Call Diplomat Visa Facilitation Services, best visa agents in Delhi.

[justjibberjabber]

they tell me i’m good as new...

I started writing this a few weeks ago, but as I say further on in the post – life moves forward sometimes at a crushing speed, and we don’t always have the luxury of time and space to process, comprehend, and do all the things we want to do. So anyway, it’s coming to you a couple weeks late.

Today I realized that it still hurts to talk about it.

It somehow came up in conversation at work, and although I spoke about it briefly and generally, it prepared me to talk more deeply about it on the phone the next day to the representative from Imerman’s Angels – a cancer support group that will match me, a cancer survivor, with someone who is newly diagnosed with the same type of cancer that I went through.

Of course, once our phone call was over, the day rushed on – things to do, places to go, chores to be done. It wasn’t until the quiet of night, when my body lay still and the air lay silent, that my thoughts began to churn.

I thought about all the details. All the things and events, big and small, in Cambodia. It was like watching a movie – meeting my host family for the first time in the temple, with the monks chanting in their saffron robes and the thick air pressing in on us. Fussing with my mosquito net every night while getting up to go to the bathroom, trying to quietly sneak my window open just to catch a bit of the cooler night air. Being led around my host grandpa’s living room as he pointed at pictures of his wife and daughter, and all I could say was “seh-ahd-nah” – very beautiful. Muddy puddles in the market, my language teacher’s pink lipstick, jackfruit in the backyard. Squeezing my lips together during cistern baths so as not to drink the water, chickens darting through the house, skin sticky all the time with sweat and bug spray and sunscreen. The constant, crushing pain, angst, of having left behind my loved ones in America, as if my heart were a wet dish rag being rung out repeatedly, until there was nothing left. Making the mistake of getting a SIM card for my phone, making home both more and less accessible. Calling my parents to wake them up at 2 am, sobbing hysterically that I couldn’t be apart like this from the ones I loved and that I would be home soon. Waiting all weekend in a hotel in Phnom Penh where the showers were cold, the bed had ants, and time seemed to completely halt its relentless march forward. I walked to Central Market, I did yoga in my room, I ate a Domino’s pizza. And still, my reunion felt so far away. My heart lay feeble in my chest, but hope at last it did have.

A six-hour flight to Seoul. A sixteen-hour flight to Detroit. A quick hop in a rickety plane to St. Louis.

Home. I was finally home. My plane was landing, and St. Louis had never looked so beautiful. My mom was there with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. My old standard. I went to the bathroom, and when I came back I found my Mom sitting in an airport chair gazing at the floor. She looked so small. Just three weeks before we had been in the same place saying goodbye – I had clutched my sister-in-law’s hand in the parking lot, wet my dad’s gray pocket t-shirt with my tears, hugged them all one by one, and then hugged them all again. I had been so distraught going through security that even the TSA agents were kind to me. As my Mom sat there with her hands in her lap, clearly overwhelmed, I hated myself for having put my family through this. But overjoyed we were to be together again. Things were back to the way they were supposed to be.

The following weeks were so immensely happy, such tranquility and peace in my heart, euphoric. I was home with my loved ones where I knew I belonged. I felt a calm that I had never felt. I watched sunrises and sunsets in the place where I grew up. I took walks down the road and let the clouds roll over me. The front porch invited me in, and I sat and looked outward onto memories of childhood spent in the front yard. Every breath was deep and meaningful, sweet inside my lungs. A dark weight had been lifted from my chest, and my heart soared. I cried unabashedly at the balloon fest; I looked over at my Mom and told her through my tears how happy I was to be home. I felt so secure, so safe; I had made the right decision. I was on cloud nine; I was high. And yet every one of these is such a poor description of the profound peace and happiness I felt.

“All three spots actually came back positive for something called papillary thyroid carcinoma.”

Everything shattered. I came hurtling down through miles of clouds and sunshine and happy memories and soft blankets of security and crashed in a doctor’s office where suddenly the walls were too white, the people too stiff, the lights too blinding, the floor beneath me hard as stone.

In two seconds, my emotional gears, which had been cranking out some incredibly transcendent feelings for a few weeks, lurched and screeched and came to a grinding halt to turn production in the opposite direction.

I felt small and fragile, like a child. I sat on a bench outside the hospital with my Mom, the September heat around us, and curled under her arm to cry. The days that came brought fear, sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, despair. I felt sick the night before surgery, then undisguised terror being wheeled back to the OR.

I survived.

I spent the next four days in the hospital, my parents sleeping in chairs next to me. I woke up at odd times through the night in pain. My Mom sat next to me at 2 am, as if things were normal, as I colored postcards for the friends I had made in Cambodia and listened to my John Mayer Pandora station in an attempt to get Eve 6’s “Heart in a Blender” out of my head. It must have been on the OR’s playlist during my induction or extubation.

It sounds weird, but sometimes when life gets really crazy, there’s a part of me that wants to go back to those four days in the hospital, JP drains in my neck and all. My time there, those days and nights that melted unrecognizably into each other, was oddly comforting to me – my parents right there; Clay visiting me every morning and every night around his work schedule, taking me for shaky walks up and down the hallway; my Mom adjusting my pillows or helping me to the bathroom. Psychologists might call it regression.

I went back to work five weeks later, sooner than I was ready. And just like that, life moved on, leaving me hustling to catch up emotionally. A couple courses of high dose radiation, a tiny blue pill every morning forty minutes before breakfast, and they tell me I’m good as new.

I haven’t thought this deeply in a long time about how the scar on my neck all started, how it all began. There are so many details, so many emotions, so many moments both weak and strong, that are impossible to portray in a blog post. Impossible to convey at all, really. I don’t know why I want so badly to be understood.

But I learned today that it still hurts, and it still brings unrestrained tears if I give it too much of my time.

It probably will always hurt. At least a little bit.

[shooktim-blog]

If you’re looking for recommendations about where to hop off and spend more of your time in Southeast Asia, you’ve come to the right place!

While each destination in this diverse region has its own charm, we know that most travellers only have so much time and money to spend. So we handpicked our favourite spots in each country, that will give you a variety of epic experiences and create memories for a lifetime… apart from a few nights you might not remember.

Where to hop off in Thailand

Bangkok

Most of our passes start or finish in Bangkok. This buzzing capital has a lot to offer if you have a few days up your sleeve. Check out some of the ancient temples and vibrant markets. Visit the crazy tourist mecca of Khao San Road and check out Rambuttri Road which runs parallel. Stop in at the Stray Shop just off Rambuttri and we can help you plan your day. If you’re arriving into Bangkok and want some help with your first night’s accommodation and a private airport transfer (always wanted to see someone waiting for you with your name on a sign?), check out our Bangkok Arrival Packs.

Chiang Mai

Heading North, Chiang Mai is next on our list of places to hop off. Nestled in the mountains of Northern Thailand, the city is known as an adventure hub and has an arty, youthful vibe. If you’re into hiking and nature, this city is a great place to base yourself. There are many treks accessible from here that combine hiking, nature and culture – the trifecta of activities!

For those seeking wildlife, this is the place you can spend a day walking with elephants. As animal lovers, you’ll be aware that there are many unethical “sanctuaries” in Southeast Asia and beyond. It can be hard to know which organisations are helpful or harmful. We’ve done our research, and can confidently recommend Elephant Nature Park.

A trip to Pai should definitely be on the cards if you’re hopping off in Chiang Mai. This small, riverside town sits on a beautiful valley. It is famous for its hot springs, gorgeous waterfalls and the Pai Canyon, which offers scenic hiking opportunities. Travel time to Pai is about 3 hours, so we recommend staying the night there to truly embrace the experience.

For more tips and advice about what to do in Chiang Mai, check out this blog.

Where to hop off in Laos

Vang Vieng

The moment you arrive in Vang Vieng, you’ll know you want to stay a while. The small town sits alongside the Nam Song River, and is surrounded by striking limestone mountains and caves. The reputation of this place has undergone a massive transformation in the last 10 years; from a boozy party capital with unregulated and dangerous tourist activities, to an adventure seekers paradise, thankfully with much better regulations.

Top things to do in Vang Vieng still include some of the old classics, like tubing down the river (safely) and partying. The Insta-worthy Blue Lagoon is worth the tuk tuk ride out of town, and if you bring a torch, you can spend some time exploring the Tham Phu Kham cave while you’re there. Cave tubing, rock climbing, zip lining and panoramic hiking are all on the agenda.

See how we’d spend 48 hours in Vang Vieng here.

Don Det

Don Det is one of the islands on the Mekong River that makes up the stunning and popular 4000 Islands. This island was once a backpacker secret, known as a beautiful place to escape from the hustle and bustle of travel. The secret is out, and the island is developing rapidly, but we’re pleased to say that it has retained its good looks and chill factor. If you’re looking for a place to hop off and relax for a few days, this is it.

You can still get some exploring done while you relax though.  Don Det picked up the ball where Vang Vieng dropped it, and is now the place to go for lazy river tubing and a few beers. It is an entirely safe activity, just make sure you don’t overdo it on the booze, and hop out of the river at the bridge.

Other awesome activities along the Mekong include a trip to see the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin. One of the last remaining pods in the world live here!  You can also rent a kayak and explore the waterways, or head to Khon Phapeng Waterfalls, the biggest in Southeast Asia.

Where to hop off in Cambodia

Kampot

Seeking calm? Kampot has got you covered. The former port city has a retro ambience to it that will leave you feeling peaceful and ready to tackle to chaos of Phnom Penh. Known for producing some of the best pepper in the world, visiting a pepper farm here is a must do activity.

Joining a sunset river cruise is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the area. As the sun sets behind the nearby Bokor National Park and stains the sky, watch the lovely town light up. Keep your eyes out for fireflies too!

Speaking of Bokor, a visit to this national park is an excellent way to reconnect with mother nature. You can take an affordable taxi tour of the park in an afternoon. View stunning waterfalls, beautiful views of the city and ocean below, and a ghost town that was one of the final strongholds of the Khmer Rouge. For those feeling more adventurous, you can sign up for a trekking tour of the Bokor Moutain – home to wild elephants and tigers (don’t worry, sightings are extremely rare).

Check out our blog on why you can’t miss Kampot.

Where to hop off in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh

On the Stray bus we spend two nights in Ho Chi Minh, but take our advice, it is not enough. This is a city steeped in history, from its Khmer roots, to French colonisation and 100 years later, its pivotal role in the Vietnamese independence. Spend some time here to learn about the turbulent history. A visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels is a must, an incredible experience that demonstrates the resourcefulness and determination of the Vietnamese. Combine this with a visit to the War Remnants Museum for a deeper understanding of the Vietnam war (from their perspective).

Stepping back into the present, you must be hungry. Luckily for you, food stalls line the streets, providing endless opportunities to sample authentic Vietnamese delicacies. From Pho to Bánh Mi, the food is a tourist attraction in itself.

Check out 5 foods you must try in Vietnam.

From beautiful pagodas to French architecture, there is plenty to see in this buzzing city. For more sightseeing ideas, take a look at our self guided walking tour of Ho Chi Minh.

Hoi An

Half way up the country you’ll find yourself in Hoi An. This magic little coastal city is definitely worth a bit of your time. The exceptionally well preserved ‘Ancient Town’ is a major attraction, and reflects the melting pot of different cultures that have influenced the city. Doing this UNSECO heritage site justice will take at least a full day of your time.

Hoi An is also the place to get yourself some sweet new threads. With over 400 tailors in the city, you’re spoilt for choice! Dream up your new outfit, decide your budget and get some recommendations (an important step). Most tailors in the area will offer a 24 hour turn around, so you’ll be looking suave in no time.

You’re on the coast, so why not hit the beach! Some of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam are just a bicycle ride away – check out  Cua Dai beach and An Bang beach. For an island experience, grab your bike and board a ferry to Cham Islands – a great place for snorkelling and diving.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for Hoi An; the food, nightlife, nearby temples and activities are all there to be explored!

For our top 7 things to do in Hoi An, click here.

Hanoi

Welcome to the capital, and your final destination on your Stray trip. Although you technically have to hop off here, we’ve included Hanoi as one of our favourite stops, because it’s worth keeping a few days up your sleeve to explore. Spend an afternoon meandering around the Old Quarter. The streets are named for the goods that are sold on them, can you guess the English names?

For a cultural experience featuring the legend of a giant golden turtle and a dragon king (we know you want that), look no further than Hoan Kiem Lake.  Ngoc Son Temple sits on Jade Island in the middle of the lake, accessible by footbridge. Large soft shell turtles roam the waters beneath, and in the mornings you can watch locals practicing t’ai chi on the shore. The Water Puppet Theatre nearby is an historic art form and a must see. These shows in Hanoi are rated the best in the country.

For more information, check out why you should hop off in Hanoi.

Just three hours from Hanoi by bus is the picture perfect Ha Long Bay. Sparkling emerald waters filled with rainforest-clad limestone formations, this is one place you need to see for yourself. Jump on a traditional junk boat or rent a sea kayak and go at your own pace. Explore caves, climb rocks, or go SCUBA diving and see things from a new perspective! Your Tour Leader can help you book with a reputable company.

We hope this has helped to give you a clear idea of where to hop off, and which places you’re itching to know more about. Are there any we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments!

The post Where to Hop Off in Southeast Asia appeared first on Stray Asia - Southeast Asia Adventure Travel.

[jodie-and-ewans-adventurings]

05.01.19

Jodie picked us out a great little cafe for breakfast, then we went to meet our tuk tuk driver who would drive us around for the day.

Thoeum was a lovely guy who had lived through the Khmer Rogue regime as a child. He drove us through town and showed us a big sculpture of Buddha and explained that once each week people would make offerings here.

He then told us a little about what it had been like fleeing from the Khmer Rouge. In 1970 King Norodom Sihanouk was overthrown by the government in a coup and replaced by Lon Nol but his new military government was weak and corrupt. The Khmer Rouge were the communist opposition to the government and backed by the Chinese. They believed that the country should be returned to farmland and that the ‘base people’, (farmers who had never lived in cities) were the model citizens of Cambodia. After they defeated Lon Nol’s government they attempted to implement their ideology. They forced everyone from the cities to rural areas to work as farmers. Soon however, they started killing anyone linked to the old government, foreigners or anyone who appeared educated (like wearing glasses).

By the end of the regime the Khmer Rouge began to turn on itself murdering the base people and it’s own soldiers, including many of it’s high ranking members. This genocide took the lives of 3 million people, a quarter of the population.

Eventually after 4 years of bloodshed, torture and starvation the Vietnamese invaded and freed Cambodia from the genocide. Our guide also explained that the same people who had been involved in the Khmer Rouge regime were still in power today thanks largely to European countries like Britain and France.

After this small chat we drove to our first stop, the bamboo train. This was a less sobering experience although the railway did need to be rebuilt after it was bombed by the Khmer Rouge. It is essentially a track on which small bamboo carts are placed.

Powered by a small motorcycle engine we set off. When you meet another cart you have to disembark, pick up the cart and remove it so the other can pass before reassembling the train and continuing.

We drove through farmland and reached a tiny village where we stopped for 10 minutes while a bunch of kids begged us to buy their clothes and bracelets. Unable to say no to them I bought a tank top whilst Jodie got a couple of bracelets.

We then drove the same way back and re-joined our driver. We drove through a fishing village that caught fish by piling wood and sticks along the edge of the river that the fish make into their homes. The fisherman then harvest the fish inside.

Next stop was The killing cave, one of more than a hundred execution centres used by the Khmer Rouge in Polpot’s murderous regime. The caves had openings where prisoners were brought to be executed. Bullets were expensive so most of the executions were performed with farm tools, clubs, knives and bamboo poles, their bodies then dropped down into the cave below.

There were a series of caves like this here, one where women were murdered, another for men and a different cave for their clothes. The caves were chilling with a memorial filled with skulls at the entrance. Another area has a series of grotesque sculptures depicting some of the horrendous tortures.

We walked to the viewpoint then descended to get some food and watch the bats leave the cave for sunset.

Our driver suggested we go to the other side of the mountain to avoid the extremely loud wedding that was currently happening nearby as he said it may prevent the bats coming out of this way. We sat on top of the mountain and at dusk thousands upon thousands of bats came out of the caves. They flew over our heads in one long stream creating a dancing ribbon in the sky that undulated and pulsed as they grouped and spread apart.

Apparently 20 million bats live in this cave. We watched as they all poured out to feed, as you listened you could hear the little squeaks they make which enables them to see. We watched for 20 minutes as they continued to pour out then as the sun disappeared we walked back down and met our guide. He drove us back and we showered in the hotel and then went for dinner. We ate and then returned in time to catch our sleeper bus.

The bus was interesting with just enough room to squeeze your feet and bags. We settled in for a tight yet relatively comfortable journey to Phnom Penh.

[tirsaroundtheworld]

Cambodia

From Bangkok we took a bus to Poipet, a city at the border of Cambodia. From there, where we obtained our visa, we shared a taxi to Siem Reap with a French guy we met on the bus. There our Cambodian adventures started:

# Already upon arrival, we realized something weird in the currency used in Cambodia: local Riels and American Dollars are used simultaneously, and there are no coins, just the notes. In restaurants, hotels and shops prices are indicated in Dollars and are often rounded. As soon as unrounded numbers occur, let's say $2,75, you would pay with $3 and get the $0,25 change in the corresponding Riels, 1.000 in this case. At markets and street vendors prices are often in Riel, making haggling easier. It took us some time to get used to it, and even then we did not understand why this strange system would benefit anyone. 😜

# We found the people in Cambodia to be a lot friendlier than their Thai neighbours. Apart from on the journey to Siem Reap, they are not trying to scam you when they make conversation. 👍 Everywhere we went, we would hear little voices screaming "Hello!", coming from broadly smiling children, wildly waving at us and giggling when we would smile and wave back. People would invite us into their homes, share their food and answer all our questions with a big smile.

# The ethnic group native to Cambodia is called Khmer and its language is still spoken today. The Khmer empire is the predecessor state to today's Cambodia and its greatest legacy is Angkor; its capital city, located slightly North of Siem Reap, that bloomed from about the 9th to the 15th century and is believed to be the largest pre-industrial urban centre in the world at the time. We rented a scooter and spent the day exploring the ruins by ourselves, but it would have been nice to have a guide telling us more about specific aspects. It is just incredible to think about the techniques, materials, skills and time that the Khmer people had needed to build such majestic monuments, let alone the impressive art, culture and belief system that is projected!

Back in Siem Reap after a day in the Angkor ruins, when looking for a bar to get a well-deserved drink, we bumped into some hotelschool study mates - also on a long term trip! Such a crazy, small world!! After having some drinks and sharing experiences, we decided it would be fun to travel together for a while and together we took the bus to Battambang.

# Our one day in Battambang we spent exploring the second largest city in Cambodia by scooter. We drove around outskirts of the town too, where we experienced a totally different atmosphere of a lot of vegetation, basic homes and farming. We tasted wine at the only Cambodian winery and watched the clouded sunset from the ancient bamboo train - one of the world's unique rail journeys. The bamboo train, or 'nori' in Khmer, simply consisting of a wooden frame covered by light bamboo slats that rests on two bogies, powered by a truck engine, follows a 7 km bumpy, misaligned rail through countryland and over some seemingly unstable bridges left by the French. In 20 minutes it takes you to O Sra Lav, where unfortunately was nothing to see but a bunch of pushy kids trying to sell 'selfmade' bracelets and some touristy shops. We wandered around and made friends with local school kids, before we returned. All together the interesting history of the train made the ride fun, but due to the many bushes around the rails we didn't see anything of the area and the extreme focus on getting tourist money gave us a bad aftertaste.

# We ended our time in Battambang with a visit to the Phare Ponleu Selpal circus. This circus is a non-profit Cambodian association that works to improve the lives of children, young adults and their families with art schools, educational programs and social support. And on top of this great cause, it was a fantastic show! A small group of young adults performed crazy and impressive stunts and acrobatics along a funny storyline. We weren't surprised to hear that Cirque du Soleil has many athletes in their team that once started here!

From Battambang, we took the bus to the Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital city. Our new travel buddies had been here before, so they took of and we were back on our own. We stayed in Phnom Penh for 3 days and fit all of this in:

# Cambodia has a very brutal history including one of the worst genocides in the 20th century, of which we learnt a lot by visiting the Tuol Sleng prison, or S-21, and the Choeung Ek killing fields. From 1975 to 1979, Cambodia was ruled by communist party Khmer Rouge. During these four years, the regime has killed over 2 million people; one out of four people at the time! Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot aimed to bring Cambodia back to nothing to 'start again at year zero' and did so by forcing people out of the cities to work on communal farms in the countryside. People  opposing the revolution or anyone thought to be intellectual - assumed to be when for example wearing glasses or speaking a foreign language - were brutally tortured and killed. Thousands of others died from deseases, starvation or exhaustion from the back-breaking work they were forced to do. All of this happened in secret and out of sight of other countries, which is why Pol Pot has been supported all this time. S-21 and the killing fields are well preserved and still carry a spine chilling atmoshpere, showing the tiny cells where people were kept in, the instruments of torture that were used, pictures of prisoners, pictures of found bodies, the mass graves and killing pits. It is incredible to believe that all of this could happen, just 40 years ago!!

# Luckily, we also did some fun things in Phnom Penh. The absolute highlight was renting a bike and just riding around the city. When biking through the outskirts of Phnom Penh, we were stopped by some local guys. They pointed to the tree above them and before we knew one of them had climbed up and started cutting off trunks of fresh mangos. His friend on the ground caught them and filled the basket on our bike. A bit flabbergasted by this super nice gesture we thanked them millions and after some conversation we were back on our way with a basked full of mangos. Soon we realized that the closer we got to the city center, the more attention our mangos got. Already on the road, while waiting for a crossing, we gave some away to two guys passing us on a scooter. Later, when we made a stop to get bus tickets, we got into a conversation with a tuk-tuk driver on his break. When we had given him a mango he left, to come back with a knife and start cutting the in our view unripe mango. From all directions other tuk-tuk drivers joined us to score a piece of mango. One guy brought a bag of spicy spices to dip de mango in and it became a small feast of laughter and free food! In the end we had eaten all the mangos and made new friends. Unexpected things truly are the best! 😄

Meanwhile the Ambassy of Vietnam in Phnom Penh fixed our visa, so in the end we have green light to enter Vietnam!  Ho Chi Minh City, we are on our way!

[passportsymphony]

Vientiane travel guide: The most quiet capital in the world

Laos was a real mystery country for me before I visited. Landlocked between China, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, Laos is the country that gets forgotten by travellers exploring Southeast Asia. I could see hundreds of blogs with information about Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh and Phnom Penh, but very few about Laos, and especially its capital- Vientiane. That’s why I decided to write this Vientiane travel guide.

Even the pictures I clicked from my window seat appeared like pictures from a mystery land that has a lot of hidden gems. And I could say that was exactly the case, after completing my Laos trip. I can’t say that about its capital though. However, before actually visiting Laos, I heard it described as a ‘less developed’ Cambodia. I was soon educated on how woefully wrong that was…

The most quiet capital in the world Vientiane travel guide

I’ve never quite seen a capital city like Vientiane. Apart from the remnants of French influence, Vientiane seemed pretty generic and too quiet for a capital. There aren’t big and fancy skyscrapers or shopping malls and crazy nightlife, but yet there’s this peculiar charm, especially in the sunsets next to the Mekong River.

In Vientiane, everything happens next to the river. You can see an array of food and beer stalls, street vendors, musicians, and jugglers. All this creates a visual and aural disharmony, but still beautiful in its own way. You can hear it coming from everywhere: Lao pop, most probably the world’s worst, while most of Vientiane’s 600,000 people seem to be here, squeezed along the Mekong bay. Most of them would be eating or drinking. And the ones not engaged in these activities would be shouting.

What to do after arrival

Even the airport seemed awfully quiet even though I didn’t arrive at an odd hour. There’s no Uber or any similar apps in Laos, and there aren’t any public buses connecting the airport to the centre of the city. However, the airport isn’t very far from the city centre- only around 6km, so the cab doesn’t cost a lot. The only way to get one is to pre-book it at the airport. You can do this at the stands right next to the exit.

Most hostels have a lot of solo travellers visiting them and you can arrange your transportation to near-by sights for a really good price if you are a guest. One day trips to Buddha Park and Long Kor cave cost around 100,000 Kips ($12 USD). After settling down in the hostel, I took the advice of most travellers and went straight to the Mekong Riverside.

The Mekong Riverside

The Mekong river has historically been a giver and taker of life in Southeast Asia for thousands of years. Even more in Laos, as the only landlocked country in the region. The Mekong for Laos has the same importance like the Nile for Egypt, the Ganges for India or Huang He for China. Without Mekong’s waters life would be a daily struggle for survival; but still, its waters made life a daily bet for some villages, whether through natural disasters or diseases throughout history.

Even in these modern times, this is clearly visible. While walking around the streets of Vientiane you might get the impression that it’s a boring city. Just take a walk on the Mekong Bay and your presumptions will be completely denied. The charm of Vientiane lies at the Mekong Bay. It’s here that the boring, generic city transforms in a vibrant and authentic scenery. It’s at the Mekong Bay where you truly will experience the Lao way of life.

The French Influence

Laos used to be a French protectorate back in the days, and Vientiane as its capital has an obvious French influence in its appearance. The city is a unique mix of Oriental and French architecture. There are a lot of colonial looking buildings and breathtaking temples peeking through the wide boulevards. The wine and coffee shops with the flaky baguettes in the window, just add to the French legacies which are ubiquitous in this country, especially in its capital.

There’s also the famous replica of the Arc de Triomphe, known as Patuxai (Victory Gate). This monument is a symbol of the Laos independence and all the soldiers that died fighting for freedom. The Patuxai is actually a bit larger than the Arc de Triomphe. Take that, France!

Quick Side-trip getaways

There are a couple of quick getaways that you must do if you’re in Vientiane. My personal favourites were the Buddha Park just outside of the city and the amazing Kong Lor Cave, which is a bit more far away. The latter one will take a couple of days, but it’s completely worth it.

The Buddha Park is a park located 25 km on the outskirts of the city. The park is a home to more than 200 Hindu and Buddhist fascinating statues sprinkled across the place.

As for Kong Lor, this cave is one of Southeast Asia’s geological wonders! There’s a 7 km of Nam Nih Bun river flowing through the cave making it impossible to cover by walking. The colour lights inside the cave make the view even more fascinating. This was my favourite place in Laos and I will be writing a whole article about it soon.

Places to visit in Vientiane

I would have to start with That Luang. The Great Stupa, besides for looking fascinating is also the most sacred monument in the country. That Luang is surrounded by few other architectural masterpieces as well, making the complex looks more like a fortress, rather than a monument.

I already mentioned Patuxai, the Laos Victory Gate. It only costs 10 cents to climb up to the 7th floor and enjoy probably the best view in Vientiane, especially during the sunset.

Another great place to be during sunset is the Night Market at the Mekong Bay. After the sunset, all street vendor take out their stall and the riverside looks even more alive than it does during the day. You can get some really good bargains here. You should also try Lao Lao, a traditional rice whiskey that has a scorpion in the bottle!

Before visiting Vientiane, I could only dream about chatting with a Buddhist monk! The monks visit the Sangha College once per month to chat with tourists. So you can finally ask them all the questions that have been bothering you for years. It’s definitely a unique experience.

Few thoughts for the end

Finally, if you are looking for a busty and dynamic city, Vientiane probably wouldn’t be the choice. Vientiane is quite different compared to the neighbouring capitals like Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh. However, Laos is a country that’s’ certainly worth a visit, especially because of its raw, untouched and unexplored nature. After the Vietnamese War, Laos became the most bombed country per capita, leaving most of its forest not reachable because of the number of active mines that’s still out there.

Anyway in Laos all roads lead to and from Vientiane. Moreover, I always say you can get an idea about a country from the life in its capital. Vientiane is an example of the laid back and calm nature of Lao people. Plus, scam artists are much less likely to be seen here, compared to Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

  The post Vientiane travel guide: The most quiet capital in the world appeared first on Passport Symphony.

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Day 4: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, Cambodia We left Siem Reap behind to travel by coach to Phnom Penh, the capital city. We were supposed to do this part of the journey by boat, however, due to it being the low season, the boats were not running and we ended up having to go coach. Nothing much to report apart from it being a very superior coach journey with croissants and water dished out at the beginning and a very safety conscious tour guide who pointedly stood over you until you did up your seat belt. First impressions of Phnom Penh were not as favourable as Siem Reap. Where SR was vibrant and warm and cosy almost, Phnom Penh was vast and impersonal and distant. The people did not appear as friendly and the atmosphere felt that little bit more calculated. We decided to go on a sunset boat ride run by some tourism students from the local university that first evening. The waters were a dull swampy brown and we were told that this was down to the flooding as it is currently the rainy season. The make up of this city is fascinating as it encompasses a curious mix of muslim fisherfolk, Buddhist and Hindu Cambodians. The monarch dictates the faith of the country and as the current monarch is practically a Buddhist monk- single, celibate and 65- so is the rest of the country. Buddhist I mean, not single, celibate and 65! We decided to walk back to our hotel and discovered that we had made a bit of a mistake. The roads were frantic and traffic did not stop for anybody. Crossing the roads was to take your life into your hands and pray the traffic gods did not require sacrifices tonight. During one such crossing an incident occurred which will forever be linked with Phnom Penh in my mind. We were crossing the road and I was holding my son's hand. We were in the middle of a very busy road and 2 motorbikes were approaching. We determined to cross immediately after them. As the second bike passed I felt a tug at my bag and I thought the bike's handlebars had just nicked me as it went. In response, I held onto the strap of my bag and felt it being torn from around my body. The passenger on the bike had snatched my bag! Motorcycle Cowboys. I made it across the street crying out, 'My bag! My bag!' I was shaken and upset. The thief must have also grabbed hold of my shirt as they passed and so had torn that as well and I felt violated. The kindness of strangers A passing local woman saw the whole thing happen and stopped to help us. We did not have a clue what we would have done had she not helped. She walked us to a police nook and explained the incident. I was shaken and crying and my son who has never come across any incidences of violence/ theft was in floods of tears. His fears encompassed being unable to get back to our hotel as I was carrying a large sum of money in order to get it changed and he worried we had nothing left. He also got angry and stated, 'I hate the robbers!' His hate made me sad as he truly meant it and I don't believe he has ever had cause to hate anybody in his life. To top things off, as we sat at the police station, the heavens opened. Heavy rainfall, like being in a power shower, flooded the streets. When, at last, we were able to leave the police station we had to wade to the tuk-tuk in water that was shin deep. Some kind men sat under the awning beside the police nook offered us a large umbrella to the tuk-tuk but it made no difference. We were skin-soaked by the time we'd taken the 5 steps needed to the vehicle. Their kindness offset the awful actions of the 'motorbike cowboys' as they're known and whilst I'll always associate the terror of their act with Phnom Penh, I will also always remember with gratitude the kindness of strangers. I wish I had been able to thank the woman who had stopped to help us and walked out of her way to guide us to the police. A generous spirit indeed.

[vietnamtourpedia-blog]

Built between 9th to 15th centuries, the temples of Angkor consist of several groups of monuments covering an area as large as 200 km2 (77 square miles). Their construction was carried on in such a scale and with such an architectural and artistic greatness that the sight of them has never failed to fill visitors with awe, ever since a French explorer named Henri Mouhot “rediscovered” them in 1860, when they had almost been swallowed by the jungles of the North-west of Cambodia.

Influenced first by Hinduism then Mahayana Buddhism, the kings of Angkor, while holding on to the religions’ mythologies and ideals, created however unique architectural concepts and artistic manifestations that set their temples apart from all others. Today, amateur visitors and experts alike can’t help but be amazed by the diversity and creativity that can be seen in the layouts, structures, materials, carving details etc of different sites. “Old stones can speak”, and the emotions evoked while visiting these temples are an experience one shall not forget.

Most of the major Angkorian temples are surrounded by a moat filled with water. The main entrance facing east is accessed through a causeway. In the old days, the moat served as a protection for the temple and the water from it could be used in case of fire. However, on a more spiritual note, water was also a symbol for purification before entering a holy place. From the esthetic point-of-view, it was a much appreciated soothing element to the solemn constructions. Centuries of abandonment to nature after the move of the capital to Phnom Penh had allowed the greedy jungle to grow around and even inside the sacred home of the Gods and the God-kings. Destruction done, the charm of the left ruins is now enhanced by the presence of an impressive vegetation, centuries-old trees with strangling roots.

Despite an increasing number of tourists pouring into the Angkor Archeological Park every day, today visitors can still manage to avoid the crowd and find them-selves almost alone to witness the splendor and enigma of the vestiges of this lost empire, thanks to the great number of monuments, as well as their incredible sizes and the reasonable distances between one site and another.

Whether one is taking a motorized vehicle, a bicycle or on foot, moving around from one temple to another is a reward in it-self, since one can enjoy the shady trees of the jungle, feel captivated by the strange atmosphere of the mangrove or admire the bucolic scenery of large paddy fields and sugar palms.

A sketch of the legacy of the ancient Khmer civilization would be incomplete without the presence of the Khmer people, whether they are photogenic yellow dressed monks; shaved, white dressed old devotees holding some incense sticks; curly hair, brown skin young girls and boys trying to sell postcards and drinks with their sweet voice; tour guides with krama (Khmer scarf) around their neck commenting passionately on some bas-reliefs; well-to-do Khmer families having their picnic on the bank of Angkor Wat’s moat; or policemen standing by their motor on the road side to assure sunset and sunrise admirers that they will be safe even at such odd hours in the middle of the jungle.

Among them all, Suryavarman II and Jayaverman VII are the most famous. The former is the founder of Angkor Wat, while the later is the builder of Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm. Together they created the glory of the Khmer people. The image of Angkor Wat is printed on Cambodian flag and indeed has become widely a symbol of the nation. On the other hand, the enigmatic smile on the stones of Bayon will obssess visitors for long, as though it wanted to remind them to never forget this wonder named Angkor. And indeed they won’t!

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Do you feel like an adventure in Angkor Wat? Make all above happened on a journey of discover and make sure to include them on your Cambodia luxury travel

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Top 10 Go-To places in Cambodia

Out of Town Blog Top 10 Go-To places in Cambodia

Top Ten Go-To places in Cambodia

Cambodia is such a majestic country. It’s filled with the remnants of the Khmer Empire, an immensely powerful rule back in the 802 CE. Their territory stretched from Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Southern Vietnam.

The Khmer Empire’s signature architecture is mostly seen in these countries, but it is in Cambodia where they placed their seat of power. But apart from the beautiful temple ruins, Cambodia also tells tales of gruesome stories that would leave you haunted and saddened.

Angkor Wat during Sunset Photo credit: sachman75 / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

People come here every now and then to relish the mystical vibe that the country has to offer, so for the purpose of knowing more about this country, here are the top 10 Go-to places here.

1. Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat – places in Cambodia Photo credit: Roberto.Trombetta / Foter / CC BY-NC

Angkor Wat is one of the Seven Wonder’s of the World and perhaps is the most known landmark in this country. Its classic picture perfect temples are quite eye catching and lots of people have taken photographs of it countless of times for its sheer beauty. Many people are awe-struck with the well preserved structures, and others are quite amazed with the profound history that backs up the entire colossal monument that Angkor Wat is. Angkor Wat is something that you would never miss to see while in this country.

2. Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom Cambodia Photo credit: dalbera / Foter / CC BY

Like Angkor Wat, it was also the Capital of the Khmer Empire. To be more precise, it was the last capital of the Khmer Empire. Much like the Angkor Wat, its stand out architecture and chiseled stone sculptures are quite astounding to look at. This is a huge complex housing iconic structures such as the Bayon Temple, the 54 Gods and the 54 Demons, the Terrace of Elephants and the Baphuon.

3. National Museum of Cambodia

National Museum of Cambodia Photo credit: phalinn / Foter / CC BY

Every country has their story and what better way to get to know their history than visiting the National Museums. Cambodia’s National Museum has a wide collection of Pre-historic and Khmer artifacts. Most of these materials are of ceramic and bronze.

4. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Most people would describe this place as a disturbing but moving place. It was a former high school turned into a torture camp by the Khmer Rouge. 14 000 people were held captive here and only 7 survived of them came out alive. The gruesome history of the place is ironically the most attracting factor of this place.

5. The Killing Fields

Skulls of those executed at the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center near Phnom Penh Photo credit: sctatepdx / Foter / CC BY-NC

As mentioned earlier, Cambodia does have a horrendous history especially during the Khmer Rouge. One of the places where you’d get to see this fact unfold is through the Killing Fields. Locally referred to as Wat Thmey, The Killing Fields is named for being an execution area for the captives held in Tuol Sleng. The small area features a memorial for those who have died in these fields. A small structure with glass and inscriptions that houses some of the vicitims here could be found in this place.

6. Royal Palace

Preabaromareachaveang The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh Photo credit: ethan.crowley / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

The Royal Palace is probably one of the most iconic places in Phnom Penh. It is the residence of his Majesty Preah Bat smdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk and Her Majesty Preah Reach Akka-Mohesey Norodom Monineath .It’s golden roof with the signature pointy ends is something you most definitely would not miss. Visiting the Royal Palace would give you a glimpse of the spectacular artifacts, a taste of Cambodia’s culture, and a piece of the country’s history.

7. Silver Pagoda

Silver Pagoda

It’s really quite astounding how there are so many iconic structures there are in Phnom Penh alone. Joining that list would be the Silver Pagoda. It got its interesting moniker from the fact that the floor of the temple is covered with at least 5000 tiles made from silver. Other attractions here are the Emerald Buddha, the ashes of Buddha, and tons of paintings.

8. Bantay Srei

Banteay Srei Temple in Siem Reap Photo credit: Nick Moulds / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

The Bantay Srei literelly translates to “Citadel of Women” and it was said that women carved the stone sculptures engraved on the walls of this temple. The superbly intricate details of the carvings would tell you of the old Hindu tales, so it would be great to have some tour guide tell you more about it.

9. Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville Photo credit: patrikmloeff / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

Now if you think that Cambodia is nothing more but a Temple Capital of the world, well think again, because there’s a part of this country called Sihanoukville where you could bathe under the sun and enjoy the relaxing sound of the waves and the refreshing waters of the sea. It’s got white sands, and pristine spots that are mostly undeveloped.

10. Koh Ker

Koh Ker

If you think that you can only find pyramids in Egypt and in Maya’s, Aztecs’, and Incas’ territories then I am afraid you are mistaken, because in Cambodia, you get to see Koh Ker. It was once a capital of the Khmer Empire like that of the Angkor Wat, but it was only for a brief time. The pyramid here is Prasat Thom which is about 30 meters in height, towering the entire landscape of the area.

Also Read: Must See Places You Can’t Leave Cambodia Without Seeing!

Check for list of hotels in Cambodia via Agoda.com.

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out of town cambodia

Top 10 Go-To places in Cambodia Melo Villareal

[morelovemoreadventure]

Cambodia was a treasure. From the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat to the pristine Sunset beach to the fresh crab in Kep, Cambodia has shown us calm beauty, delicious food and a deep appreciation of history (good and bad).

We arrived on Christmas Day in Siem Reap and wandered around Pub Street until we found a great little restaurant where we had beef lok lak and chicken amok – the two most popular national dishes.  

After Skyping with both of our families the following day, we headed off to the National Museum to learn about the history of Cambodia, including the history of the Angkor temples. We are really glad we went to the museum first because seeing the temples made more sense after learning about them…

The next day we took a tuk-tuk to watch the (uneventful) sunrise at Angkor Wat with a million of our closest friends and then toured around the bigger temples. 

It was an incredible day – these temples are unreal. 

There is beauty around every corner – though I have to say that we both enjoyed the smaller temples without the hoards of people much better. The temples always seem a bit more magical without people.

The following day we took a bicycle ride around the temples stopping at many of the smaller temples. Again, it was an amazing day. They are just wonders. 

After we had a delicious Cambodian BBQ, we were then off to Battambang. 

We rang in the new year riding the bamboo train and watching thousands upon thousands of bats come out of a cave at twilight. What a sight! We also hiked up some stairs to a temple on the hill where our guide fed the monkeys…

Battambang was a quiet little town and we enjoyed our downtime. We also took a cooking class, which included shopping in the local market. 

Battambang was a funky little town with outdoor ellipticals and iced coffee double bagged. We ordered iced coffee and iced thai green tea from a local cart... he gave it to us in plastic bags with a straw in it and that was inside a paper bag.... we laughed pretty hard. We also loved eating fresh fruit everywhere... I think we ate pineapple every day. 

We then took the night bus to Sihanoukville, which was a trip because we got on after seemingly everyone else was already on board, and they were sleeper beds instead of seats (2 people per bed) and in our “bed” there was already someone sleeping there… so after having the bus man make the other guy find his actual bed, we snuggled into some already warm sheets. Delightful. We considered ourselves pretty fortunate because at least we like each other and, well, know each other. A guy we met at our hotel who was also traveling on this bus was lucky enough to snuggle next to a stranger… he said it was awful. The picture quality is terrible but you get the point....

 But then we were in beautiful Sihanoukville where everything was beautiful except for the trash that filled the beach. This is a pretty typical party area and the beer bottles in the ocean proved it. But it was a stopping point for us to go to Koh Rong Samloem island on the west side where we were treated to virtually no people, blue ocean, fruit salads with passionfruit and perfect, perfect sand.  

 We slept in a tent suspended from trees… which sounded so exciting and romantic when we booked it. Turns out Jared weighs more than I do so it was like a giant hammock. He kept telling me to move over… but every time I moved up, I just fell back down. Ha! And on the last night, we found out that the tent wasn’t waterproof! 

 It was an adventure to say the least… But with sunset views like this, we can’t even begin to complain.

After an awesome week filled with kayak trips, snorkeling, and no wifi, we headed back to Sihanoukville in order to do some laundry and then headed to our next destination, Kep. 

Kep was probably our favorite town in Cambodia - just a sleepy, little coastal fishing village.

We stayed at the most lovely guesthouse with views of the coast. We had a little bungalow and it was perfect. The owner was an amazing Cambodian woman – we drank Khmer tea every morning and evening before we went to bed and as we were leaving she gave us a bag of the tea because she didn’t know what we would do without it. And I loved her passion fruit smoothies – made with passion fruits from her tree – so she gave us passion fruits as we left too. Such a kind, kind woman and we absolutely loved our stay. If you ever find yourself in Cambodia, make a visit to Kep and sleep at the Treetop Bungalows. (and stay for more than 1 night!!)

In Kep, we ate crab – because that is what you do in Kep. The first night, we had the traditional Green Pepper Crab made with Kampot Pepper – pepper grown right in the area. It was incredible.

 The next night, we decided to do the market crab adventure. We got 1kg (2.2 lbs) of crab (pulled directly from the ocean) for $6! (and I think we got ripped off… crazy!) Then we had it boiled for $.50 and bought some sauce for $1. Then we found a place to sit, bought some beer and a pineapple smoothie, and sat down to eat our boiling hot crab. Again, I had really romantic notions of this but it turns out that the shit is still inside of them. So after getting past the weird green gook, the eyes and the literal shit, the crab was really yummy… ha! It was still an awesome experience and pretty hysterical as well.

After Kep, we headed to Kampot where we went rock climbing. It was a lot of fun! It was my first time climbing outside and it was the perfect first-time experience.

 We then headed to Phnom Penh where we visited the Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum. If you haven’t read about the Khmer Rouge and what they did to their own people, please Google it. It’s a horrible part of the world’s history and the marks of the damage their reign and the genocide had on the Cambodian people are evident even today.

 From 1975-1979, Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge regime took people from the city and forced them into labor camps all around Cambodia. Anyone associated with the old government, specifically men, was murdered. They killed anyone who was deemed intellectual (even people who wore glasses), the disabled, people who weren’t “full” Cambodian, etc. Most often, they murdered the entire family so that no one would take revenge on the new regime. From what we learned at the Killing Fields site, bullets were often expensive so they would line people up and kill them with farm tools, knives, etc.

While starving their own people, giving them only a bowl of rice and water where you could literally count the grains of rice within it, they worked them literally to death. Children as young as 5 were made to work, or arguably worse, forced to train as a Khmer Rouge soldier. Life was somewhat better off for the rural farm workers but as Pol Pot became increasingly paranoid, he began targeting everyone.  

 I read two books on the genocide while I was there, “First They Killed My Father” and a book with short stories written by survivors. In the short stories book, the author’s bio was included for each experience told. Most of them were living in America having been accepted as refugees after their families had been torn apart, many of them the sole survivors of their entire family. Their country had been ripped apart by violence and death surrounded them on a daily basis. All of the bios included their current occupation, many of them social workers helping rebuild their country, others having worked for the US Postal Service and other parts of the government – all of the stories were of productive members of society – grateful for the chance to rebuild their lives free of violence and free of starvation.  

Why do we build these museums? Why do we build memorials?

So that history won’t be repeated.

 Over the last 9 months, I have realized my greatest fear. Will I hide behind my privilege and comfort when people are in need? 

From our standpoint, it’s time to remember that violence and hatred can be stopped by activism and by paying attention to what is happening around us. Democracies are not permanent structures and I know most of the people reading this blog are grateful for the stable and fortunate lives they currently possess. I urge you to look around at the people who are not feeling so stable or fortunate right now. What can we do to reach out and offer that helping hand?

This isn’t a post about being Anti-Trump or Anti-Republican. For anyone who knows us, we can’t live in Wyoming for 4-6 years and be an extreme liberal. We get the differences between the parties, between the disagreements, but what we see more are the similarities and the biggest similarity is that we are all human.

Let us not forget that.