For the final leg of our trip through Asia, we had a decision to make. We could either go to Hanoi & Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, Chiang Mai in Thailand or Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
Hanoi & Ha Long would have been great, the only downfall was the cost of flights, and the fact we would have to endure a very uncomfortable bus ride to Ha Long Bay for a few hours. and as amazing Ha Long would be, i think i will be satisfied this trip being able to visit Phang Nga Bay, north of Phuket a few weeks earlier.
Chiang Mai, Thailand would have been the cheapest option, just north of Bangkok, we could have caught a train, or even flew for around about $30AUD, but besides spiritual attractions, like Wats and temples, there really didn't seem to be all that much up there for the two of us.
We finally settled on Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We decided that we would love to visit the Khmer Rogue's Killing Fields & the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Modern history is something that very much interests me, it would be thrilling for me to visit Austwich in Poland. and perhaps i may do that while i am over in Europe if i find the time and then money to do so.
We are staying in a small guest house, called Rory's Guest House. The man who runs it is an American who has settled in Cambodia. The Guest house is right in the middle of town, a stones through from the royal palace and a few minutes walk from major tourist spots.
Planning on travelling up to Angkor Wat and see the historic temples for a day, the place looks absolutely amazing and is on the world heritage list. Im quite sure that Jarrad and I will find a tour operator in the city that will take us up there for the day.
I am very glad that we have made the decision to visit Cambodia, it is a city very rich in culture and history and im sure that we will see some very special sites.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Planning: Bangkok, Thailand
After leaving the Island of Koh Samui, Jarrad and I are shooting off to busy Bangkok.
We're staying at a hostel called the Udee Bangkok, which looks very nice. It is ranked #5 for best budget accommodation in Bangkok on www.tripadvisor.com
The website has been a very helpful planning tool, as it lists everything from accommodation, activities, restaurants, flights and a load of other stuff. Thanks to this site, we have made travel plans to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Not to mention of course, found this hostel.
This photo of Udee Bangkok Hostel
I will be in Bangkok for my 21st birthday, I had the choice of pretty much every destination in South East Asia and Europe, and i picked bangkok. Why? I don't really know, but im sure that Jarrad and I will make the 22nd of July one to remember for both of us.
Where our hostel is, there are markets which are open at all hours of the day and night, and street vendors almost on our door step. One of the hardest things i will find through out the entirety of south east asia is the language barrier. Looking into it online, 9/10 people i ask for directions will have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about. I am a little worried about getting lost, especially in such a massive city as bangkok.
The floating markets look very cool, and wouldn't be like anything i have ever seen before, and the massive centries-old temple around the city look breath-taking, i can see already that this is going to be a very busy 4 days for Jarrad and I.
We are departing on the 24th of July for Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
We're staying at a hostel called the Udee Bangkok, which looks very nice. It is ranked #5 for best budget accommodation in Bangkok on www.tripadvisor.com
The website has been a very helpful planning tool, as it lists everything from accommodation, activities, restaurants, flights and a load of other stuff. Thanks to this site, we have made travel plans to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Not to mention of course, found this hostel.
This photo of Udee Bangkok Hostel
I will be in Bangkok for my 21st birthday, I had the choice of pretty much every destination in South East Asia and Europe, and i picked bangkok. Why? I don't really know, but im sure that Jarrad and I will make the 22nd of July one to remember for both of us.
Where our hostel is, there are markets which are open at all hours of the day and night, and street vendors almost on our door step. One of the hardest things i will find through out the entirety of south east asia is the language barrier. Looking into it online, 9/10 people i ask for directions will have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about. I am a little worried about getting lost, especially in such a massive city as bangkok.
The floating markets look very cool, and wouldn't be like anything i have ever seen before, and the massive centries-old temple around the city look breath-taking, i can see already that this is going to be a very busy 4 days for Jarrad and I.
We are departing on the 24th of July for Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Planning: Koh Samui, Thailand
After departing Phuket Airport on the 15th of July, Jarrad and I will be heading to Koh Samui.
Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand, and sits in the Gulf of Thailand.
The decision was made to visit the island because a friend of ours is going to be there for his birthday, which will be celebrated during one of the islands Full Moon Parties on Sunday the 17th, July.
The first thing we had to work out after we'd decided to travel to Koh Samui was how we were going to get there from Phuket. The other group have opted to catch a bus, and then a ferry across to the island. Jarrad and i decided it would be much easier to fly, as i believe the flight will only take around about thirty minutes, and will be considerably more comfortable than catching a public bus.
Another reason i think that this would be ideal is because the hotel we are staying at is just a 10 minute drive from the airport in Chaweng, which is in the islands north-east.
The hotel is called the Ark Bar Beach Club, which looks really quite nice, three star accommodation, with a pool and a bar. What more can i really ask for? It was quite affordable and is in one of the main tourist centres on the island. It is also in close proximity to where my friends will be staying.
During my time there, I'm very keen to explore the islands natural wonders, example would be the Na Muang waterfalls, the beaches or snorkelling the reefs around the island.
Other attractions are the Samui Zoo and Aquarium and the islands Snake Farm.
I think that the most exciting thing about the island will be the Full Moon Party. according to the website, there can be anything from 10,000 to 30,000 people there, and the party runs from dusk through to the afternoon of the following day.
Its going to be very exciting.
We will be departing Koh Samui on the 20th of July and headed to Bangkok, Thailand for the next leg of our trip!
Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand, and sits in the Gulf of Thailand.
The decision was made to visit the island because a friend of ours is going to be there for his birthday, which will be celebrated during one of the islands Full Moon Parties on Sunday the 17th, July.
The first thing we had to work out after we'd decided to travel to Koh Samui was how we were going to get there from Phuket. The other group have opted to catch a bus, and then a ferry across to the island. Jarrad and i decided it would be much easier to fly, as i believe the flight will only take around about thirty minutes, and will be considerably more comfortable than catching a public bus.
Another reason i think that this would be ideal is because the hotel we are staying at is just a 10 minute drive from the airport in Chaweng, which is in the islands north-east.
The hotel is called the Ark Bar Beach Club, which looks really quite nice, three star accommodation, with a pool and a bar. What more can i really ask for? It was quite affordable and is in one of the main tourist centres on the island. It is also in close proximity to where my friends will be staying.
During my time there, I'm very keen to explore the islands natural wonders, example would be the Na Muang waterfalls, the beaches or snorkelling the reefs around the island.Other attractions are the Samui Zoo and Aquarium and the islands Snake Farm.
I think that the most exciting thing about the island will be the Full Moon Party. according to the website, there can be anything from 10,000 to 30,000 people there, and the party runs from dusk through to the afternoon of the following day.
Its going to be very exciting.
We will be departing Koh Samui on the 20th of July and headed to Bangkok, Thailand for the next leg of our trip!
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