Cambodia

Hi folks! So let's just jump right in and discuss what I know y'all are thinking about... My trip to Cambodia!!

The main focus of my time in Cambodia was exploring the epic ruins in the ancient city of Angkor. I stayed in Siem Reap, the jumping off point for the temples. With the growing numbers of tourists visiting Angkor Wat each year, Siem Reap has developed into a hip little town with plenty of fantastic bars, restaurants, and spas.

Pub Street, the drinking capital of Siem Reap

Every morning I woke up bright and early to visit as many sites as I could before the heat became too unbearable. In order to keep this post at a reasonable length, I'll focus on some of my favorite temples to share with you (in no particular order).

1. Banteay Srei

Features some of the finest Cambodia artisanship, with impressive stone carvings dating back to the 10th century. 

2. Ta Prohm

The infamous Tomb Raider site. This temple is slowly being swallowed back up by the jungle, as massive trees embrace the crumpling towers with their roots.

2. Preah Khan

One of the largest complexes at Angkor, with a beautiful maze of corridors to explore. Preah Khan also has some impressive trees encroaching on the temple walls.

3. Beng Mealea

More off the beaten track then many of the other sites and not as well preserved as Ta Prohm or Preah Khan, Beng Mealea is an example of what happens when nature runs riot at a temple. I felt like Indiana Jones, climbing over piles of fallen stone and ducking under vines.

4. Baphuon

Used to mark the center of the capital of Angkor before Angkor Thom was constructed.

5. Ta Kao

This partially completed temple features incrediblely steep stairs that barely measure the width of a foot.

6. Bayon

Probably my favorite temple in Angkor, Bayon has a collection of 54 Gothic-style towers decorated with 216 giant smiling faces. 

Many monkeys hang around Bayon, probably because it's their favorite temple too

7. Angkor Wat, "City of Temples"

Built as an earthly respresentation of Mt. Meru (the Mt. Olympus of Hindu faith), Angkor Wat is truly fit for the gods. Imagining how the Khmer people completed an architectural project of this magnitude with the resources they had available is mind-blowing. For example, each sandstone block used for the construction of Angkor Wat was carved from Phnom Kulen more than 50km away and floated down the Siem Reap River.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Before:

After:

Bas-Reliefs stretching around the temple complex

More than 3000 unique apsaras (heavenly nymphs) are carved into the walls of Angkor Wat

Enough about temples though...

I was very curious about the cuisine in Cambodia, as it is not ubiquitous in America like some of it's Asian counterparts.  One very popular Khmer dish is called Amok- a curry made with fish (or other meats). The meat is cooked in banana leaves, sweetened with coconut milk, and seasoned with kroueng spices. Another dish that you'll find on most menus in Cambodia is the green mango salad. The crisp and slightly sour green mango is shredded and blended with lime juice, chilies, garlic, coriander, peanuts, and dried shrimp. 

I tried a vegetarian version of amok- very tasty!

Green mango salad and pumpkin soup 

I was also able to catch a show in Siem Reap featuring Khmer classical dance. Above is a picture of the Apsara dance, a ballet-like routine performed with great precision, with each position having it's own particular symbolism.

I'm currently in Bangkok enjoying my last day in Asia. Reflecting back on these past 5 weeks, I cannot believe all that I have accomplished. This trip has been absolutely unforgetable experience. I come home today with amazing memories, new friendships, and an ever growing thirst for exploration. Thank you so much for all of your support throughout my journey and I'll see you soon!

All the love in the world,

Laura

My Life in Ruins

It's ya girl Laura here, still alive and thrivin' in Asia. You may have noticed that I didn't say Thailand- this is because I actually crossed the border over to Cambodia yesterday! 😃 The next few days I will be exploring the ancient city of Angkor and its many impressive temples. 

But let's not get ahead of ourselves here... Today I'll tell you about all of the exciting ruins I visited in Thailand this past week. I said my sad goodbyes to the wonderful city of Chiang Mai and set my sights on Sukhothai, an old kingdom that once reigned from 1238-1438. The Old Town Sukhothai has since been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Historical Park. 

I was delighted to find out that the monthly Sound and Light Show at the park would be on the night that I arrived.  The production showcased the history and culture of the ancient Thai capital, including a reenactment of the life of King Ramkhamhaeng, who reigned over Sukhothai's golden age in the 13th century.

Sunset behind an illuminated temple as local Thai children played traditional music.

All of the dancers and actors in their beautiful garments.

The next morning I set off for the park to see the splendor of the ruins in the daytime. The best way to see everything is by bike, so I braved the triple digit weather and pedaled my way all over the park.

Old Town Sukhothai is gorgeous, and although many of the buildings have diminished down to their pillars, one could really get a sense of how grand Sukhotahi was in the 13th century.

Above three pictures: Part of Wat Mahathat ("temple of the great relic"), the most impressive and important temple compounds in Sukhothai 

Bell-shaped stupa, Wat Sorasak

Wat Si Chum

Giant sitting Buddha in Wat Si Chum

After my visit to Sukhothai, I ventured off to see another ancient city just an hour north of Bangkok. Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya was the capital Thai city for 417 years before the Burmese attacked and left it in ruins.

Wat Phra Si Saphet

Crumpling Buddhas

Large reclining Buddha

Wat Maha That

One of the most photographed images in Ayutthaya- a Buddha head entangled in tree roots at Wat Maha That

Hundreds of chickens can be found at the statue of King Naresuan- A man befriended many of these creatures while being taken prisoner.

Wat Na Phra Men, an active monastery in Ayutthaya

Love to you all,

Laura 

Waterfalls, Mountains, and Caves

How's it going?! 

After a few days in Chiang Mai, I decided to make a trip to Pai, a mountain town further north that many people have recommended. Pai is small and very friendly, with a relaxed hippie vibe and a strong sense of community. While it's sunny out, people often go on trips around the area via motorbike or small tours. Once night falls, everyone congregates at a chill bar in town and sips on beer while sharing stories.

On my first day, I visited some marvelous viewpoints and one of many local waterfalls. I absolutely loved the landscape of Pai- quiet, pastel fields leading up to rolling mountains blanketed by fog.

Path to a viewpoint, adorned with latterns

I was offered tea, complete with decorated teapot, as I enjoyed one of my views

Pembok waterfall

The following day I signed up for a tour to check out some of the popular spots around the area. 

Our first stop was the Lod Cave, an amazing natural limestone cave system near Soppong.

The Nam Lang flows into the Lod Cave, requiring bamboo rafts for parts of the exploration. Two Thai women with latterns guided us throughout the cave.

Entrance/exit of the cave. Thousands of swifts occupy this area, building nests (and pooping everywhere)

Stalagmites and stalactites 

Large columns form when stalagmites and stalactites join together.

Following the cave, my small group stopped at a natural hot spring and a waterfall.

Secluded hot spring near Pai

Mor Paeng Waterfall. *I'm visiting Thailand right before the rainy, monsoon season. As a result, the waterfalls are currently not as active as they will be after several months of downpours (although still beautiful)

World War II Memorial Bridge

We  also made a stop at Pai Canyon, a fantastic spot providing panoramic views of Pai Valley. For those who are adventurous, narrow dirt trails wind throughout the canyon (obviously I was all over 'em)

Pai Canyon:

I returned to Chiang Mai after several wonderful days in the mountains. I signed up for Flight of the Gibbons, a highly rated zip-lining excursion. The tour included 33 different platform stations (which included abseiling and suspension bridges), with over 5 km of ziplines. Not only did this satisfy the adrenaline junkie in me, but it also provided an excellent way to see the Thai Forest. I even got to see some wild gibbons effortless gliding across the treetops!

In my ziplining gear, all ready to go

At the end of the tour we had the opportunity to check out Mae Kampong Falls. This waterfall has been my favorite so far... It featured seven different impressive tiers, all reached by climbing a steep stairway.

The very end of Mae Kampong Falls

Getting a bit higher up

At the top of Mae Kampong Falls

I have now reached Sudkothai, an early kingdom in Thailand and home to an impressive UNESCO World Hertitage historical park. Can't wait to show you some of the beautiful pictures :)

Love y'all!

Laura