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Visiting Angkor Wat: Travel Guide and Itinerary
Angkor Wat is an enduring example of humanity’s devotion to its deities. A sprawling temple complex of crumbling palaces, ruined sculptures and holy places of worship, it is the largest religious structure on Earth. There are few places on the planet that rival the staggering and mysterious beauty of Angkor Wat. The glorious temple is the heart and soul of Cambodia: it is the country’s premier tourist attraction, its national symbol, and the epicenter of Khmer civilization. THE TEMPLES OF ANGKOR Angkor Wat is the undeniable highlight of travel…
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One Day in Phnom Penh: Dark Tourism in the Pearl of Asia
Cambodia is a small, landlocked country with a rich heritage and a dark past. Both home to one of the world’s greatest civilizations and one of the 20th century’s greatest tragedies, the country’s history is at once proud, multi-layered, complex and heartbreaking. In Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, the country’s rich heritage and tragic past collide. The city can be an assault on the senses, like a mellower version of Bangkok. With gleaming golden temples and lush vegetation lining its frenetic streets, it is vibrant and intoxicating. In Phnom Penh, motorbikes whiz through…
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Northern Laos: Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi
Laos is a small country that flies largely under the radar due to its lack of big-name attractions. A land of verdant rice fields, spectacular karst formations, temple-speckled towns and friendly people, Laos packs the best that the region has to offer within its landlocked borders. Following my sojourn in Luang Prabang, I’d originally planned to head south, toward the dramatic karst-mountain scenery of Vang Vieng. But after reading about Vang Vieng’s notorious party-till-you-drop atmosphere, I had a change of heart and found myself in the rugged mountains of Nong Khiaw…
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Two Days in Luang Prabang: A Backpacker’s Utopia
The UNESCO-recognized World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, is the undeniable hub of tourism in the tiny, landlocked nation of Laos. A city of bougainvilleas, baguettes and outstanding natural beauty, this charming Laotian town rests at the convergence of the Nam Khang river and the mighty Mekong—giving Luang Prabang a stunning setting amongst lazy waterways and verdant peaks. Like a smaller version of Chiang Mai, but with a decidedly French flair, it is a place where backpackers come to recharge for a few days, and end up spending weeks. While Laos may…
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A Perfect Three Day Inle Lake Itinerary
Myanmar may still seem off-the-beaten-path when compared with its Southeast Asian neighbors, but you wouldn’t know it during a visit to Inle Lake. Inle Lake is—along with Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda and Bagan’s temple-strewn plane—a major draw for international travelers to Myanmar. Hemmed by lush green hillsides and picturesque villages, the placid waters of the lake are home to floating gardens, Buddhist stupas, and communities built on stilts. Inle Lake is a place that is at once enchanting and serene, magical and breathtaking. Yet, it is also a place that elicits a…
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One Day in Yangon Myanmar: Land of Golden Pagodas
Myanmar is a land of shimmering stupas and crumbling pagodas. The country is home to ancient ruins, vibrant cities, friendly people, and beautiful nature. Yet, despite housing some of the great attractions in Southeast Asia, the country has only recently opened its doors to international travelers. For years, Myanmar’s repressive military junta cut the country off from the rest of the world. And as a result, the Land of Golden Pagodas became a sort of black hole on the map of seasoned travelers. But times have changed and the Burmese…
