It's Raining Travel

We’ve all heard a lot of “horror” stories about the overland travel from Bangkok to Siem Reap and a lot of travelers who blogs have shared their stories about it and wrote how they dealt with the touts that plague Aranyapathet and Poipet border. Well, the good news is when you go the other way around, it’s not the same story. The overland travel from Siem Reap to Bangkok is very easy and almost hassle free. I have tried a variety of bus companies from Siem Reap to Bangkok and the usual process is like this: 1. You buy a (bus-van) ticket to Bangkok from Siem Reap. 2. You get picked-up from your hostel. 3. Bus travels from Siem Reap to Poipet but stops at a store for a few minutes. 4. You then board the bus again and the journey continues and then it stops again at a garage where they put stickers to passengers (they use stickers to tag the passengers that will then be picked up by their counterparts on the Thai border. 5. You go through the Cambodian Immigration for the exit...

I’ve been to Sukothai thrice in the last five years and it’s still one of the places that I love going back to. There’s a certain laid back feel that I enjoy a lot in this quaint little town. I first visited Sukothai last 2007 when I first left my job to travel to Thailand. It was also my first time to travel solo (although I have a friend staying in Bangkok at that time, I opted to go solo to give solo backpacking a try). The Sukothai Kingdom is said to have existed from 1238 until 1438 and the town itself used to be one of the old capitals of Thailand which was later overtaken by the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. Flashback of My First Trip to Sukothai From Bangkok I first spent a few days in Ayutthaya where I didn’t know that they were celebrating Songkran at that time (I didn’t know yet about Songkran during that time). So there I was walking naively looking for my guesthouse and as I turned on the street where it’s located, a gang of locals and farangs held my arms and hosed me w...

Most people visit Cambodia to visit the magnificent Angkor Wat Complex in Siem Reap. The longer I stay in Cambodia the more I find out about similar sites in other parts of the country. Banan Temple is one of those places and it can be found in Battambang. Banan Temple can be found in the district of Banan, a bit out of the way if you’re coming from Phnom Sempeau, luckily, Hapi, our tuktuk driver/guide that time know some shortcuts. As soon as we arrived at Banan, Hapi parked his tuktuk and explained some bit of facts about the temple. He mentioned that the temple on top of the hill is still intact but some original parts were looted in the past. All the stones are original and the same materials used in the building of Angkor Wat. However, the stone steps (350 steps) were already replaced with larger ones to make climbing the hill safer for pilgrims and visitors. Banan Temple is a functional temple and a lot of locals go here to make some offerings and prayers. In case you v...

As digital nomads, we often rely on internet to get our work done regardless of where we go. Sometimes, we spend a great deal of time, in our hostels/hotels, restaurants with wifi and coffee shops. Coffee shops would probably be one of the most popular place among digital nomads and other internet workers as they’re often more quiet, affordable, comfortable and provides fast wifi in comparison to restaurants. Here are some tip on how you can stay productive while working from coffee shops anywhere in the world: Prepare Your Stuff Before You Go Write down what you want to accomplish before you go to the coffee shop of your choice. If you’re thinking of editing pictures, then make sure to bring your portable harddrive where you usually save your pics. Bring your laptop charger, smartphone, notebook and pen and your travel adapter to make sure that your plug fits their socket. Travel adapters are very helpful especially when you go to different countries every now and then. Choo...

While chilling in my hostel in Bangkok around July last year, I chanced upon a local travel magazine and saw an upcoming festival in Thailand that immediately caught my interest. Luckily, the festival would start a couple of weeks from the date I saw the information and I told my friend that we should check it out. Prior heading to Dan Sai (the place where the festival was), we dropped first to another town in North Thailand by for a few days to visit a friend. After a few days, we then proceeded to Dan Sai. Dan Sai is a quaint little town in Loei, Thailand and it’s not usually part of the itineraries of most travelers. But once a year, it holds a three day festival that attracts tons of local and foreign tourists alike. And that festival is known as Phi Ta Khon (or Pee Ta Khon). The first day is the ghost festival itself (which some say a fertility festival as well) wherein locals dress up wearing masks made of coconut leaves, rice husks and other local materials. They also w...

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most coveted places to visit among travelers because of numerous interesting sights that can be found in this lively city. I haven’t been to Rio yet but this city is definitely in my bucket list and I have also started saving up for a trip to Brazil in the near future and then onwards to other countries in South America. Here are five places that I intend to check out when I visit Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer and Corcovado Mountain The Christ the Redeemer statue located in Corcovado Mountain is definitely the most iconic image not only of Rio de Janeiro but also of Brazil. Every time I think of Brazil, the image of this statue immediately pops into my mind. The statue is gigantic – standing at 98 feet tall. Aside from the statue, visiting the peak of Corcovado Mountain will definitely give me a nice view of Rio’s beaches, favelas and the picturesque Sugarloaf Mountains. Sugarloaf Mountain Sugarloaf Mountains is another iconic la...

After staying for six months in Bangkok last year we finally left my favorite city late in the afternoon for our evening flight to Kuala Lumpur. As soon as we arrived in Kuala Lumpur airport, we immediately walked around to find a nice spot to rest and nap for a few hours. Our flight to Kathmandu is one of the earliest flights during that day and most of my fellow travelers at the airport were all still groggy and sleepy. As I walked passed by the baggage check station, immigration counters up until the boarding area, I was trying to contain my excitement. It’s been awhile since I last saw Kathmandu and I couldn’t wait to see it again. I was in Kathmandu a few years before this trip as part of my first solo backpacking tour around Asia which lasted for six months. Kathmandu holds a special place in my heart. While waiting to be boarded, I was observing my fellow travelers who looked as excited as I was. There were only a handful of tourists during that day and most of the pas...

I have passed through Vang Vieng in the past on my way to Vientiane from Luang Prabang but I have never been to nor stayed even for a day in Vang Vieng. And in my recent trip to Laos last July 2013, I decided to spend a couple of weeks in this infamous town. Since we’re already in the Northeast of Thailand, we have decided to go to Udon Thani to take a DIRECT bus to Vang Vieng. While researching for this trip online, I saw in some forums that there was a direct bus but most of the posts were already year or two years old and I didn’t see any other updates. So me and my friend have decided to find it out ourselves. We though that if it doesn’t exist anymore then we’ll just take a bus to Vientiane instead and a local bus to Vang Vieng afterwards. From Dan Sai we took a bus to Udon Thani (cost 115 Baht) which dropped us to Bus Station 2 in Udon Thani. The trip took almost 4 hours. From the bus station we saw some songthaew going to the city proper but not sure which one goes to th...

While asking around and deciding what to do in Vang Vieng, me and my friend decided to visit Blue Lagoon on our own by bike. Since we are on a tight budget, we don’t usually pay for tours and more often than not, we visit various tourist attractions on our own. And one of the places that we visited was Blue Lagoon. Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular places to visit in Vang Vieng. You can arrange a tour to Blue Lagoon through any travel agencies in town or you can rent a motorbike or bicycle or go there yourself. Some tourists prefer to walk which I wouldn’t recommend to those who are not used to walking long distances since the distance of the Blue Lagoon from the town is about 8KM. Bike Rental Bicycle and Motorbike rentals are plenty and you can choose from a variety of bikes to rent. The cheapest bicycle (rent) that I saw was around 10,000 Kip and 30, 000 (and up) for Motorbikes. For mountain bikes, the cheapest rental fee that I saw was 20,000 Kip. You can also rent an...

There are various travel agencies that can book you a bus/train tickets from Vientiane to Bangkok. The last time I was in Vientiane, I just booked a bus ticket through one of those travel agencies and paid 50,000 Kip for a ticket to Nong Khai. I was picked up in my hostel and was taken to the bus station behind Talat Sao Market. The driver then bought a bus ticket for me to Nong Khai. I went to the counter and checked how much the bus ticket was and it was only 15,000 Kip. It’ll be cheaper if you just go there instead and buy your own ticket. You can just go together with fellow travelers you meet in your hostels or you can take a tuktuk or moto to the bus station. From Nong Khai there are overnight buses that go to Bangkok. Prices vary depending on the type of bus. The one that I took only cost me 380 Baht. It’s an airconditioned bus (no toilet onboard) and it’s very comfortable for me. The bus will then drop you off at Mo Chit Bus Station. Just walk towards the City Bus S...

More and more American’s are visiting Israel than ever before using Condor due to the large amount of tourist attractions located in the country. Tourism is the country’s main source of income due to the large amount of visitors it receives each year to their beaches, historical and religious sites. Here are the top tourist attractions worth visiting when in this beautiful country: Tel Aviv and Jaffa This is the cultural centre of the country and worth visiting. It is here you will find the amazing nightlife and luxurious beaches. This city is just over 100 years old, so has plenty of history to learn from during your visit. However, Jaffa – the city next to it is steeped in the past as has been around since biblical times. Jerusalem Old City This is the capital city of Israel and should be at the top of your list of priorities when visiting the country. This city is one of the most sacred cities in the world with three major religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. T...

Pashupatinath is said to be one of the most significant Hindu temple in Nepal. It’s frequented both by Indian devotees and of course by foreign tourists. Pashupatinath is just a stone throw away from the airport of Tribhuvan and if you’re coming from Thamel you can just take a bus going to Boudha and just let the driver know that you want to alight at Pashupatinath you could also just take a taxi which of course is the easiest way to get to any place in Kathmandu. If you’re coming from Boudha, you can take a bus going to Ratna Park and just tell the driver that you’re going to alight at Pashupatinath. A lot of people just walk from Boudha to Pashupatinath passing through a string of small villages. It also involves a short hike uphill which is quite steep at some point so be careful when you take this path. We walked from Boudha to Pashupatinath and the first thing I noticed once I got to Pashupatinath was the huge gathering of family members who were there to cremate a a love ...

Basantapur Durbar Square also known as the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square is one of the most visited places in Kathmandu due to its proximity to the popular tourists/backpackers area of Thamel. You didn’t even have to take a taxi or rickshaw to get here, it’s just around 15-20 minute walk from your hostel (if you’re staying in Thamael). You’ll also pass by Indra Chowk Market along the way which makes the walk more interesting as there are so many unique things to see along the way. Basantapur Durbar Square is full of unique and beautiful structures showcasing the craftsmanship of the Newari people. It’s also here where you’ll get the chance to see the Royal Kumari (The Living Goddess) as she lives in one the courtyards here. There are also palaces in Durbar which was once inhabited by the previous kings who ruled over Kathmandu. Entrance fee to Basantabur Durbar Square cost 750 Rupees. If you’re staying longer in Nepal and would like to visit Basantapur quite often, there’s no nee...

Holi is definitely the most colorful festival in the whole world, literally. It’s an ancient Hindu festival that is now being celebrated even in non-Hindu places. We were lucky that we were in Kathmandu during the Holi Festival and had the chance to celebrate this colorful festivals with the locals. We decided to go to Thamel early in the morning to see what’s happening and while waiting at the bus stop in Boudha we started seeing traces of color from the local people that we see on the road. We saw many children covered in color dust, some red and yellow dust scattered all over the floor and some dogs with red dust on their forehead. As we arrived in Thamel, the roads were still quiet until about an hour after when the crowds started to appear. There were so many local teenagers walking around Thamel throwing out colorful dust and water to everyone they met. They also told us that there’d be a huge concert at Basantapur Durbar Square where most people would go to to listen to ...

I am always fond of seeing animals. When I was younger, my family used to take me to zoos so I could learn more about them. In school I always spend some time in the library reading about a variety of animals. I even dreamt of becoming a veterinarian when I was a kid so I could work with animals though that dream did not materialized. Now that I am traveling, whenever I get the chance, I try to visit animals but this time around in their natural habitats. I was fortunate enough that this lifestyle helped me visit a couple of of national parks in India. The first one I visited was Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal where I first saw a one horned rhino and Indian bison. The second was Keoladeo National Park where I saw tons of local and migratory birds. Last year, I also got a chance to visit a national park in South Nepal which is Chitwan National Park. Chitwan National Park is the first national park in Nepal and one of the most popular among local and foreign visitor...

Just as individuals we are not all the same, every single island the world over has subtle differences too, even if it is located extremely close to the mainland of a country, or a group of other islands. This is why you shouldn’t judge every Caribbean island to be the same as the others, because if you do that, you’re seriously missing out. Look at it this way, each Caribbean island is in fact an island nation, so you’re visiting a different country regardless of which sea they are floating in, or the region they belong to. If you have the chance to visit more than one of these sun-drenched islands, I say go for it, and if you decide to cruise the region, you will see very clearly the differences between them. However, the fact of the matter is that visiting the Caribbean isn’t a cheap adventure, and it is a long-haul flight to boot. Cutting costs here and there, and finding ways to make your flight easier on your mind and body, will help make your Caribbean dream a reality. A...

Trying to find a safe, clean, and budget-friendly hotel in Bangkok can sometimes be a difficult task to accomplish. From the Take a Nap Hotel to the Regent Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, there are many affordable hotels in Bangkok to choose between. Here are the top 5 cheapest hotels in Bangkok. 1. Take a Nap Hotel With rates starting at 255 Thai bahts or $8.13 U.S. dollars, the Take a Nap Hotel is perfect for the cash-strapped individual. Unbeknownst to many people, each room at this particular hotel boasts a different theme. Popular themes include “Central Park” and “What a World.” Room facilities include air-conditioning, television, and high-speed Internet access. The Take a Nap Hotel is located on 920-926 Rama4 Rd. 2. Lub d Hotel Located in Bangkok’s thriving entertainment district, the Lub d Hotel boasts 4 different dormitory-type rooms.  Women will especially like the Lub d Ladies’ Dormitory. Rates start at 289 Thai bahts or $9.21 U.S. dollars. The Lub d Hotel is l...

If you are looking for some unusual activities or experience you should definitely visit a body exhibition. But be warned! This is definitely not an exhibit that is suitable for those of a queasy disposition, or those easily upset. What Is It? A body exhibit is a display of real human bodies that have been preserved and dissected in various ways to show the intricate workings of our forms. You can see skeletons, bodies with the skin removed to show the musculature and circulatory systems, dissected organs, and the reproductive system, including different stages of fetal development. You were warned! This certainly is not an exhibit for the faint of heart or squeamish. Where Do the Bodies Come From? The exhibit displays human remains of Chinese citizens or residents which are originally received by the Chinese Bureau of Police. They were donated to Premier Exhibitions Incorporated by the Chinese government. These cadavers supposedly belonged to people who had no close relati...

Olympic National Park is located in the extreme northwest corner of Washington State.  The park was established in 1938 to preserve some of Washington’s primeval old growth rain forest.  Approximately 95% of the park is designated wilderness. The Olympic peninsula is a land of extremes.   Large glaciers are cascading off rugged summits, and they are flanked on their lower western reaches by a lush temperate rainforest.  The eastern side of the Olympic Mountains are drained by the legendary Dosewallips, Hamma Hamma and Duckabush River Valleys.  It was here that Walt Disney filmed the Elk of Wonderland Valley in the early 1960’s that profiled the parks Roosevelt Elk species.  If river are the veins of Olympic National Park than Salmon runs are the blood of the park.  There is probably no other national park in lower forty eight that contains healthier salmon runs and diversity of salmon species than Olympic National Park.  The high s...

Grand Teton National Park offers one of America’s most spectacular mountain vistas.  Grand Teton is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming near the town of Jackson.  The park also lies just south of world famous Yellowstone National Park. There is perhaps no other park in the United States that offers such an iconic and breathtaking view upon arrival.  The majestic Teton Mountains rise dramatically above all other landscape features and are flanked by beautiful rocky mountain lakes and rivers.  The highest peak is named the Grand Teton and is located in the center of the park’s rugged skyline. Grand Teton National Park Hotels and Lodging There are hotel and cabin accomodations within Grand Teton National Park. Two of the most popular places to stay are at Jackson Lake Lodge and Jenny Lake Lodge. Both lodges offer you spectacular views of the Grand Teton Mountains and easy access to the beautiful lakes. Grand Teton National Park lodging fills up quickly...

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is located in California about a four drive from Los Angeles in the southern High Sierra Mountains.   Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks features giant trees, high Sierra peaks, and deep forested canyons. The park is located in the southern ‘sand the parks’ elevations extend from 1,300 feet down low in the foothills to 14,491 feet at the summit of Mount Whitney which is the highest mountain summit in the lower 48 states.   Visitors flock from all over the world to see and touch a giant sequoia tree.  Most popular are the General Sherman tree and the General Grant tree.  This is one of the most unique national parks in the country. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Lodging There are several lodging options in the park. Wuksachi Lodge is operated by Delaware North Park Services and is located inside the park.  It is open all year and phone reservations are accepted.  This rustic lodge is lo...

Rocky Mountain National Park is located in north central Colorado just inside the Colorado Rocky Mountain Front near the town of Estes Park. The centerpiece of this high alpine wonderland is Long’s Peak. At 14,259 feet at its summit, Longs Peak is one of Colorado’s most prominent summits over 14,000 feet. This backdrop of the park can be seen from as far away as the Colorado mountain foothills and prairie. Rocky Mountain National Park is often the first taste of mountain habitats and scenery for many visitors from America and abroad. The networks of visitor roads of Rocky Mountain National Park offers visitors access to diverse ecosystems characterizing the higher life zones of the Rocky Mountains. The Trail Ridge road takes visitors through alpine meadows and aspen groves, along rivers and up through subalpine forests to more than 12,000 feet in elevation. No other national park roads offer the dramatic experience of a long drive across alpine tundra region. Only the high and na...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has the distinction of being the most visited national park in the United States and the only park that doesn't charge an entrance fee. With over 9 millions visitors a year, this park is quite busy especially during the summer! Fortunately, at over 500,000 acres, Great Smoky park has lots of areas where you can get away from the crowds. There are 384 miles of roads and over 800 miles of hiking trails for you to enjoy. Most park visitors stay in their cars and few hike the trails. View a map of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been designated an international biosphere reserve. The park is a wonderful place to view the eastern deciduous forests and the wide diversity of plants and animals. Look for the beautiful rhododendron and mountain laurel. Due to the dense brush and trees, the water and hydrocarbons produced as by products of the leaves produce the "smoke" that gives the Smok...

Bryce Canyon National Park was established in 1928 and displays the natural forces of erosion. Bryce Canyon is one of the smaller National Parks at 35,835 acres in size. More than a million people visit Bryce Canyon every year to view the rock spires and hoodoos. Hikers and horseback riders can get a close-up view of the sculptured pinnacles. Located in southern Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park follows the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The western tabelands are at an elevation of 9,000 feet and densely forested. To the east are the carved canyons that drop 2,000 feet to the Paria Valley. Streams have eroded portions of the plateau into horseshoe shaped bowls. The largest and most famous is Bryce Amphitheater. Located in the center of Bryce Canyon, the amphitheater is 6 square miles in size. Water has created the rugged Bryce Canyon landscape over millions of years. The constant freezing and thawing of water in the cracks of the rocks chisels away the outer layers in a nev...