In my last post, I gave you a taste of everyday life in Siem Reap. But let’s be honest, if you’re headed to Siem Reap, it’s most likely because of one reason only: to see the ancient Angkor temples! So today, let’s get on to what you really care about and talk about temple hopping. First, before I say anything, I have somewhat of an embarrassing confession: I honestly didn’t know anything about the temples. I mean, of course I’ve…
Temples, monkeys, and needles: a Lopburi misadventure
I should have known better. I should have known that beneath the cuddliness, is danger. During our 2nd full day in Ayutthaya, we took a day trip out to Lopburi, a little town about an hour’s train ride north of Ayutthaya. Up until a couple of days before, I’ve never even heard of it. But a couple of people we’d just met told us to go there to see monkeys. Any mention of potential animal encounters, and I’m in! After an…
Visiting the beautiful Karen Long Neck people
The Long Neck people was something I’ve only vaguely heard about. They were like a strange, beautiful legend that only existed within the pages of a National Geographic magazine or from behind the TV screen of a documentary about an ancient faraway culture. Is it possible that they still exist in this modern society? So when I learned that they have a name (Karen Long Necks) and lived in Thailand, and that their village was accessible from Chiang Mai, I…
The Best of Europe: Churches (Vol. I)
My first Europe trip is over and I realize that I haven’t written much about it at all. The thousands of pictures I’ve taken lay jumbled in a series of digital folders, unsorted and unedited. It makes me feel a little bad because I saw so many incredible things and now those memories are slowly slipping away. So here goes a series of Europe recaps, mainly for myself so I can always remember. First up: places of worship!
The locals’ guide to Warsaw: Poland’s phoenix city
Warsaw is a city best appreciated through its history. At first glance, Warsaw is neither impressively metropolitan nor charmingly historic (unlike the more popular Krakow). It seems neither here nor there, as if a city not yet come into its own. The result is a very forgettable city, some may even say utterly lacking in character. But to even begin to appreciate the city, you need to understand the history. Warsaw’s story is one of heroism, destruction, and rebirth. Stick with me as…
Vienna Zoo: The exhibits – Part 2
Last week in Part 1, I posted pictures of the regular animals. But this week, I’ll be talking about the special exhibits that make Vienna Zoo the coolest zoo I have ever visited! Let’s get straight to it! If you just want to know if it’s a responsible zoo or not, feel free to jump to the bottom! The Rainforest I thought this was the most interesting part of the zoo! As soon as you step into this huge multi-level glass building,…
Vienna Zoo: Meet the animals – Part 1
I admit that one of the things I was most excited for this Europe trip is the Vienna Zoo (or Tiergarten). But for a good reason! The Vienna Zoo is the oldest zoo in history… that’s crazy! It was established in 1752 as the private royal menagerie, as this zoo is actually located inside the Schönbrunn Palace grounds! The zoo has had a colorful history since its establishment. Before World War I, it was a lively zoo with 712 species and over 3500…
Sainte Chapelle Cathedral… my one Paris love
Paris is such a confusing city. I don’t love it, and half the time, I don’t even know if I like it. BUT… I have never been anywhere that made me constantly want to cry from overwhelming magnificence. There is something about standing in the shadows of centuries-old buildings that will break down even the most iron-hearted of us (though I am pretty emotional). And no building gave me that feeling more than Saint Chapelle Cathedral. Sainte Chapelle Cathedral looks like nothing from the outside…
Behind La Boca’s Colorful Houses
I merely glazed over La Boca in my last post, but the truth about La Boca is a lot more complicated and I think it deserves its own post. Everyone who visit Buenos Aires has La Boca on the top of their list. But we deliberately didn’t visit it the first time because the area isn’t real. It’s a fake representation of BA culture that only tourists would fall for. At least, that’s how I saw it and I don’t necessarily agree with it. I…
Recoleta Cemetery: City of the Dead
weeping angels // dried flowers // marbled tombs // wooden coffins // roaming cats // silky cobwebs This is the hauntingly beautiful Recoleta Cemetery. For a huge city that draws millions of tourists a year, this cemetery remains the #1 attraction in all of Buenos Aires. It has to be something special, right? Visiting cemeteries has never been on my list of must-do travel activities, so I was feeling quite skeptical as I set off to find out what’s so special about a cemetery. As soon…