Category: Asia

My Second Trip To Cambodia And The Places I Recommend

My Second Trip To Cambodia And The Places I Recommend

Posted on by Jacky Editor

Cambodia is one of the most gorgeous and unique places in the world. I highly recommend going there and visiting some of the tourist attractions that I visited on my second trip to Cambodia. If you want to find out what those attractions are, then continue to read on.

1. Siem Reap- This is a resort town that is located in northwestern Cambodia and I recommend you visit this place as soon as you arrive in Cambodia. One of the most amazing ruins can be found there and that is the ruins of Angkor, which is where you can find Angkor Wat, which is the main temple. You can also find various stone buildings. If you are looking for a chic city to visit, as well as one of the most famous ruins in the region, then you will want to pay a visit to Siem Reap.

Ancient Khmer Panorama Angkor Wat

2. Kampot- This amazing city is home to some of the best things to do in Cambodia, and on my second trip I made it a point to visit it. Some of the things you can do while in Kampot include backpacking, checking out the rivers and hiking and visiting the beaches. There are also zoos you can visit, and if you’re looking for a great place that the entire family will enjoy, then look no further than Kampot. The city has something for everyone and you will find that there are many affordable things you can do while there.

Kampot-Cambodia

3. Ream National Park- My second trip to Cambodia included a visit to Ream National Park, which is one of the most gorgeous national parks in the world. Amazing rivers and gorgeous beaches and coral reefs can be found there. Not only that, but the park is home to an abundance of wildlife and marine life. However, the park is quite large and you can easily spend a few hours there or an entire day, so it’s a good idea to get to the park as early as possible because the chances are you will want to explore as much of it as you possible can.

4. Poipet- Are you more of a nightlife type of person, or are you curious about the nightlife in Cambodia? If you are, then do what I did and take a trip to Poipet, which is an amazing town located right near the border of Thailand, and the nightlife there is impressive. You’ll find that there are quite a few things to do, and this includes visiting a casino, gambling and dancing the night away at some of the best bars/nightclubs you have ever been to.

5. Virachey National Park- Another national park I have been to and recommend you go to is Virachey National Park, which offers you the chance to do things such as backpacking and being able to view various animals, including elephants, sun bears and even tigers. However, the chances are you won’t get to see those animals in the wild, but you may very well hear them afar. If you’re looking for a good day out and you enjoy doing a lot of hiking and you like being surrounded by gorgeous scenery, then you will love spending the day at this park and it should be one of the first places you go to in Cambodia.

If you have never been to Cambodia, then you are missing out. My second trip to Cambodia was just as amazing as the first trip, and that says a lot. If you like adventure and gorgeous scenery and unique tourist attractions, then book a trip to Cambodia as soon as possible.

Thailand Ancient Ayutthaya

Thailand Ancient Ayutthaya

Posted on by Jacky Editor

I know that everyone falls in love with the places that they travel, but I think that is a great description for the feeling that I had when I went to Thailand’s Ancient Ayutthaya city. Everything about this amazing destination enchanted me and made me want to go back to the land of Siam time after time. From the people to the sense of history I got, I don’t know that there is another place on earth that I would feel as attached to in all honesty.

The first thing I want to talk about was the people there. I know that in most tourist spots, it seems like the locals could care less, or they are out to sell you something. It didn’t feel like that when I was in Ayutthaya. Instead, I felt like people genuinely wanted to help me and that they really cared about the history that their country held. It seemed like they were happy to have me there, and like they were honored I would understand the importance of their history.

The second thing I noticed was just how time has been preserved here. In other historical sites, I see way too many modern things, I hear way too much English, and I don’t feel like I have been transported to the past. However, this city seems like it has stood still in time, and the people who work there have worked very hard to preserve that. From people speaking in fast Thai to old ladies squatting by the side of the road and selling their wares, I felt like I was actually in the past.

Ancient Ayutthaya_001

Walking among the ancient buildings. I realized that I was in a place older than my country, older than many of the countries on earth. This place stood through the ages, through different empires, and through entire shifts in boundaries. It’s breath-taking to be in a place that existed farther back than you can even think, but that still stands and is able to welcome people into it as well. This is the true power of Ayuuthaya, and the part of it that truly dragged me into the city.

There are modern areas in the city, but the historical districts seem almost untouched. The temples in particular seem to welcome you back to a time that has long been forgotten. Monks walk among the people, their robes colored as they were years ago, and they speak in the same tongues that were spoken hundreds of years ago. Women in sarongs provide them food in hand-made containers and laugh in a way that vibrates throughout the city.

Millions of people come through this city in a year, but it feels like you are alone when you watch the goings on of the city. Everyone is careful to pay attention to their own lives, leaving you to explore and learn more about the city on your own. However, you will always get the help that you need as well, making it the best of both worlds.

One of the biggest features that I loved was the floating market. Trying to see everything and sample everything for sale was futile, but I was amazed at the Thai ingenuity that I saw. Rather than crowding the street with sales, small boats came and went, selling out their wares and then returning home. The market was never the same, it changed every day, making me return every day that I stayed, and making me wonder what I am missing to this day.

Everyone smiled as well. Thailand is called the land of smiles, but I didn’t really think that it was going to be this common. Everyone looked me int eh eye, treated me as an equal, and welcomed me with a smile. I think this might be what truly won over my heart.

In the end, I fell in love with the city, the people, and the culture. I think I could go back 50 more times and still be happy, still have something to explore, and still be in awe of the history that the city holds. It’s a must have on any bucket list in my opinion.

My Thailand Elephant Park Visit

My Thailand Elephant Park Visit

Posted on by Jacky Editor

Not long ago, I decided that I was going to make a trip to Thailand. I had always loved the area and been intrigued by the culture and the animals of the country. I decided to study up on Thailand and learn even more about the people, the animals, the geography, and more. After I did, I would plan a trip so I could see all that I had learned about and solidify my knowledge.

It took me a few months to learn all I could and to secure my passport, plane tickets, and other reservations I needed for the trip. I had already planned out so many things that I wanted to do while I was there and I knew that I would not have time to do them all, but I could always hope. I decided to make a list of all the things I would like to experience and then prioritize the list.

Thailand Elephant Park

I knew that one of the main things I wanted to do was go on a Thailand Elephant Park Visit. I had read so much about the park and I was really excited to go and see all the animals that lived there. For as long as I could remember, I was a big fan of elephants and the ones at the park in Thailand would be my dream come true.

I took some time to learn about about the Elephant Nature Park. The space was a sanctuary for elephants and a natural home for cats, birds, dogs, buffalos and many other animals that had been rescued. I knew that I wanted to spend at least an entire day in the park, maybe longer.

So, after learning all I did, and making all my plans, I arrived in Thailand. I was super excited and just like a kid at Christmastime. It had been my dream for so many years to visit the country and I finally made my dreams come true.

The first thing I did was have a car bring me to my hotel. I unloaded my suitcases and took a short rest. I was quite tired from the trip and I wanted to have the energy I needed to start enjoying my time in this amazing country.

My very first full day in Thailand, I visited the Elephant Park. I was so excited to get started. Once I arrived, we took a drive though the countryside to get to the park. During the drive, stories were shared about the elephants that had been rescued. It was quite inspiring to learn how they got free from the abuse and become members of a herd. The time spent driving was so relaxing and I loved watching the elephants in the sanctuary roaming free. My overall experience at the Elephant Park in Thailand was an amazing day that I would never forget.

After the elephant experience, I had many other great adventures in the country. I tried a lot of delicious foods and loved almost everything that I had tried. I also met so many amazing people and was so glad that I made the decision to visit the area. Once it got close to time for me to leave, I decided to visit the elephant park since I loved it so much. I knew that I would not be able to get the experience again unless I visited the country again. Just like my first visit, the second visit was just as amazing. I wasn’t sure if I would learn anything the second time around, but actually I learned more than I had ever imagined. I knew that I would try to come back soon and bring a friend of mine that seemed to love the area as much as I do.

In conclusion, I was appreciative of the trip that I took to Thailand. I learned so much more then I could ever learn in books. I knew, too, that I would continue my studies of the country and plan another visit for the future. I sure did hope, though, that I was able to find group, though, so I could share my experience with a big group of people.

Thailand Elephant Park_003

6 Reasons I Loved Cambodia Angkor Wat

6 Reasons I Loved Cambodia Angkor Wat

Posted on by Jacky Editor

As a seasoned traveler, I have been to Europe, Asia, and Africa, but none of the architectural splendors spoke to me as much as Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. In fact, I will go as far as saying that it should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit at least once in their lifetime. Cambodia is an incredible country to visit, steeped in Hindu culture and many history buffs will undoubtedly recall the Khmer civilization as the builder of the Angkor Wat temple complex.

The jungles and tropical climate of Cambodia make it a truly magical place that’s worth exploring. Though everyone will undoubtedly find something else to love about the country, here are the reasons I loved Angkor Wat:

1. Deeply Mystical

There are few things in this world that are still able to retain their mystical appeal. Most world heritage sites have been picked apart by tourists and historians, but Angkor Wat still has that aura of mystery. It is deeply rooted in Hindu symbolism as it was built to symbolize Mount Meru, the mountain where the famous Hindu gods were said to reside.

Surrounded by a moat, the imposing towers stand testament to the peaks of Mount Meru. In addition to a central tower flanked by four smaller towers, visitors can be awed by the massive wall enclosure built to protect the temple.

2. Largest Temple Complex Outside Of India

The sheer magnitude of this Hindu temple complex is enough to take your breath away. Spanning 500 acres, Angkor Wat is the largest temple complex located outside of India. In fact, if you were to translate the meaning of Angkor Wat, it would literally mean ‘Temple City’.

3. Stunning Architecture

Though I am more of a history buff, I couldn’t help but be awed by the beauty of the architecture itself. Just imagining that this temple complex is about a thousand years old and built with complete accuracy is absolutely mind blowing. If you visit Angkor Wat, I highly urge you to take an aerial tour of the complex as it will reveal an amazing maze of architecture. From ground level, you will be wowed by the perfectly executed corridors, walls, towers, and entrances.

4. Beautiful Sunrise And Sunset

The way the temple complex was built puts it in the path of the rising and the setting sun. Angkor Wat’s silhouette during sunrise is absolutely breathtaking and can easily be viewed as a wonder of our world. If you want to see something even more stunning, wait until sunset to see the same silhouette illuminated by the soft glow of the setting sun. Don’t forget to peer into the lotus pond as the reflection of the temple and the sky seem to meld into one.

5. Close To Ta Prohm

Next to the Angkor Wat complex, if you’re ready for more adventure, you can take a peek at the Ta Prohm complex of temples. The great thing about this particular complex is that it has been nearly untouched by human hands, standing testament to the original architecture of an old civilization. Overgrown by massive tree roots, Ta Prohm has been slowly reclaimed by the surrounding jungle, making it the most photogenic and adventurous spot to visit.

If you have an adventurous alter ego that rivals Indiana Jones, you must see the complex! Equally stunning, but less populated, Ta Prohm is the perfect spot for reflecting upon the past.

6. Intricate Stone Reliefs

Carved into the stone walls of the temple, tourists can glimpse images from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The stunning bas-relief carvings are worth the hike through the jungle alone! The walls almost look alive when you catch a glimpse of the Hindu epics. Even if you don’t know much about Hindu religion, you can still marvel at the painstakingly beautiful carvings on the walls of the temple.

Since 1992, Angkor Wat has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. It definitely deserves the recognition it has received over the years and we can’t help but feel awed and inspired by the stunning architecture. Why I loved Angkor Wat may not be the same reasons you will, but I urge you to make the trip!