Laos

Tubing the Vang Vieng river

A vacation is certainly not without its indulgences, and we have many.

Vang Vieng

This blog entry is a combination of all three destinations visited within Laos despite their hugely apparent differences. Our first stop was Vientiane, the sleepiest of all cities. With an 11:30pm curfew, the city did not fare better during the day. At least it allowed our bodies to refuel for our visit to Vang Vieng. In recent years, Vang Vieng has become a prime destination for young tourists. Imagine: floating down a river in a tube and being lured by bar patrons who hand operate ropes for pulleys. Once on deck, you are given bracelets and a shot of Lao Lao Whiskey. Even without tubes, we spent most of the days at the river sunbathing, drinking BeerLao and buckets, playing beersbie, sliding down large water slides, socializing, dancing, and playing with darts and oversized Jenga blocks. Our evenings consisted of restaurants which offered a menage et trois of luxury - pillowed beds for comfort seating, amazing food and an endless stream of 'Friends' episodes. Moreover, we frequented the hotspots for more buckets and ended the nights with roadside pancakes topped with Nutella and peanuts (Bee opted for banana). As if this tourist infested place does not already succeed at sucking you in, the scenery is also worth a visit - lush mountains, dark limestone caves, and a spectrum of oranges drip through the sky during sunset. Seriously, this is not real life (even though many tourists-turned-local-bar-staff have made it theirs). 

We left Vang Vieng and took a seven hour mini-bus ride up North to Luang Prabang. The influence of French Colonialism is apparent here at this UNESCO endowed World Heritage Site.  We visited Pak Ou Caves and the Kuang Si Waterfalls where we trekked to the top and then refreshed in the turquoise blue. Catapulting back into Night Market fervor, we also ate a buffet of street food, drank wine, played cards, and took part of Luang Prabang's most happening night activity: bowling. 

Pam  xx

Siem Reap, Cambodia

 

Bayon

Tomb Raider was filmed here

Standing in front of the beautiful Angkor Wat temple

 Taking a much needed break after climbing steps in 40 degree weather.

 Elephant Terrace

Angkor Wat archaeological park was a marvel. Its masterpiece is the Angkor Wat temple, the world's largest religious structure. There is so much history in the religious devotion of people, the artistry in the carvings and the command and rule over the muscles that laid the sandstone down. We bought a three day pass and toured the temple grounds with a tour guide the first day, via tuk-tuk the second, and cycled through for the third day.

 Silk Farm

 Silk weaving - such an intricate process

  Floating Villages

   

 Our daily walk along the broken path

Angkor What?

 One classroom

 Imagine lyrics

I have come across a place that is spectacular to me. I am amid scenes that can appear to be dormant in development but limitless in its ability to make visitors feel welcome. Our lifestyle in Siem Reap was a perfect blend of high-energy moments coupled with relaxation. With many days in Cambodia, we have enjoyed a slower paced vacation style albeit a fast paced appreciation for the country. We picked out our favourite dining place ($2 meals that left us feeling completely satisfied), our favourite side street bakery, our favourite night spots and our favourite locals. In addition, after an evening of introductory meditation, I met Monk Reth Rann who also happens to be the Headmaster of an English school. With an invitation to teach, the reverie of being in Cambodia continued well into three subsequent nights. It was gratifying to teach English to a classroom full of teenagers, young adults and a few Monks who all have a genuine interest to learn the language. We handed out colourful woven bracelets, sweet candy and took many pictures with our wonderful pupils. A fellow traveler commented, "I can meet tourists anywhere. I'm here to meet the locals." Although we don't set restrictions to who we meet, I can soundly say that a visit to Cambodia is not complete without meeting the faces of this country.

Pam  xx

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Ethereal beauty

   

The first day to Phnom Penh started early with a sunrise flight. By mid-afternoon, Bee (longtime friend & new travel companion) and I found ourselves in the crossfire of tuk-tuks, motos, bicycles and cars. It did not take long for us to embrace the madness as we toured the city by foot and tuk-tuk.

Fish, street food (viewed but not consumed)

Psar Thmei - Central Market. The shelves of the market are lined with statues, paintings and silk scarves which feel just as beautiful as they look. Fake designer bags and materials of clothes also leave little space between the rows of shops.

       We could have spent the entire day watching these two young boys. There's so much beauty in the innocence and playfulness that little kids possess even when they are swimming in filthy water or dancing around, such as the little girl who pranced around in a pink princess dress outside of her family's small street shop. These children can teach us a thing or two with their lessons focusing on life pedagogy - it is not that we should dive in sewage water, but that we can still find happiness within every surrounding.

Inside the Royal Palace/Silver Pagoda

 Clothing supplied by the palace as we had to be properly covered

After two quick days in Phnom Penh, we made our way up North to Siem Reap by taking a bus ($6 was the price to pay for 6 hours). Despite our driver laying it on the horn an obnoxious amount and the loud Cambodian shows playing on the bus' front TV, it was a journey that could not be missed even by sleep. We spent most of the six hours staring out the window and being captured by the visually astounding images of Cambodia's countryside and shanty towns. Even with these pictures, I wish I could show you more of what my eyes are feeling. I want to show you the hands that flag us down, the warm voices, and the privateness of the lives that live within these open walled houses. More than that, I want to show you the smiles of the locals that we encounter. They really make for a great experience.

Pam  xx