Holly's Holiday

Here is a video that better shows the beauty of Koh Rong, the most relaxing place I have ever traveled.

Cambodia-Part II

I am so happy I was able to go back to Cambodia and see the beaches that I had heard so much about. I can honestly say I have seen the most beautiful sunsets in Cambodia and one of the top experiences of my life occurred there. Granted I did go back to spend time with someone, but that didn’t work out as well as I would have liked. Instead I made new friends, traveled to a remote island and ate some delicious food.  I flew back into Phnom Penh then headed to Sihanoukville beach, then to Otres Beach to sleep in a hut on the beach. It was there I made some great new friends and ditched the spoiled brat I had come with. With my new friends I headed to Koh Rong, a remote Island with no cars, roads and only a few people living there.  Magical is the word I think of to describe my visit there. White sand beaches, crystal blue water, phosphorescent plankton, beach bonfires, lightning storms, and many other amazing experiences, it is east to see why people stay there longer than anticipated.

Goodbye Vietnam!!

Those were words that I was happy to be saying; to start it is not a country that I want to go back to. Right from the beginning things seemed off, for one the people never smile. You may think who cares if they smile, but it was really strange as everyone in the other countries I visited couldn’t stop smiling. You get the feeling that the people there don’t really want to be in their own country.  My friend Kellie and I immediately got scammed out of money with our taxi driver then had difficulties with finding the guesthouse. The next day we were able to take a tour to the Mekong Delta, which was really nice despite the fact that our guide kept trying to sell Vietnamese women to western tourist.  Another of the sites we visited was the Vietnam War Museum, which had some different perspectives about the war then what I remember learning.   All in all, I was very happy to go back to Thailand but can say that Vietnam is the country that probably taught me the most on this trip.

“See you later Nan.” This town and it’s people have been so good to me I am really going to miss everyone.

Kanchanaburi is an amazing little town in central Thailand that has a ton to offer. First we spent the day trekking through the 7 tiers on Erawan waterfall, which is the most popular in Thailand because of how huge and beautiful it is. The fish like to come up and nibble on your skin so that means you get a free spy treatment, just watch the big ones. Next stop was Bridge over the River Kwai at sunset. Neat piece of history and you can see all down the river. After such a long day we spent the next afternoon visiting the Tiger Temple, and walking huge animals that could kill us. It was a little scary to see them sometimes go into stalking mood, they really like to chase kids cause they are small. Tigers were great and it was an experience I will not soon forget, but not recommended for children. 

Cambodia Part I –Angkor Wat

Getting to Cambodia was quite a trip, a long train ride, then a tuk tuk to the border, then from there another 6 hour bus ride. However, Angkor Wat was worth all the travel hassle, I have never seen anything more ancient and magical. Majestic would be the word to describe what being there was like, I really felt like Indiana Jones or Lara Croft the whole time.  The county of Cambodia itself is not so beautiful, very flat. However, going to the smaller cities and you really fall in love with the place, the people are friendly, the food is delicious, and there is a lot of interesting history there. If you don’t know what Ankgor Wat is then I suggest you look it up, in short ancient ruins that are Cambodians pride and joy. I was also able to stop on Phnom Penh and see the Khmer Rouge 21 museum; I choose not to take pictures as it is such a recent catastrophe.  Again, if you are like me I did not know anything about it before coming here plus I was not old enough to remember what happened, but please look it up.  Besides that I was able to meet some really great people who showed us around town and invited me to come back soon. Which as you can see this blog is part one, meaning part two coming soon as I head back to Cambodia to see more.

Songkran!!!!!!!!                                               April 13-15

The New Year’s water festival in Nan was amazing! I am so happy that I was able to come back to my home town to celebrate the Thai New Year. Chiang Mai was nice to start it in but it was also just a lot of drunken “farang” (white people). In my small town of Nan it was the students and community I have come to know and love that were having a blast. Day one I was able to join my neighborhood kids and through water from the back of a truck. They really loved being able to throw it at their friends once it was ice cold. Day two, I joined my friends for a more adult version of Songkran. There was music and powdering people’s faces from a spot on the main street, plus a few beers and food.  Day three, a more relaxed day of sitting by the river and watching kids tube, it is considered more of a family day and less crazy. I then continued the day with a drive on the back of a motorbike for more soaked fun. At the end of the day I can leave here saying that Songkran is one of the best experiences of my life and I am thrilled I got to spend it in the town I love so much.  

Laos!!!

After finishing classes and having a few days to relax at home it was time to get started on some more traveling. A couple of friends made a stop at my place and then we were on our way to Laos. After a very long 4 bus rides we made it through the border and to the capitol Vientiane. It was so much hotter than I anticipated, sticky and muggy the capitol only has a few places to really see. We only stayed on night then moved to our next stop four hours north.

  Vang Viang is worth the stinky, sweaty, dusty bus ride needed to get there. It is well known for its beautiful nature with cool caves, refreshing rivers and gorgeous mountains. The views were amazing, especially looking out of our $7 a night hotel window. As we were settling in we looked out our window to see a hot air balloon drifting down the river and I took it as a sign that we needed to do that next.

  All I need to say about the hot air balloon is totally amazing!!! We had such a packed day that it was off to cave hiking next, and a refreshing swim in a blue lagoon. To end our day we had to participate in what Vang Viang is famous for, which is drinking buckets of booze while tubing down the river. Those are some pictures that I will have to think about before posting to a blog. ;) 

Now I am off to more adventures starting with a trip to Cambodia and then Vietnam, so happy I am able to have this amazing experience. Love you all!!