Chernobyl

I will start boldly by saying that my visit to Chernobyl was the most fascinating trip I’ve ever taken and it will take something very special to depose it from the top of that list. I’ve always had an unusual obsession with all things post-apocalyptic so Chernobyl has intrigued me since I was a child. Where else in the world can you visit that will give you such a vivid glimpse at what a future without human life could look like? I knew I would be captivated by all Chernobyl had to offer but my experience far surpassed even the lofty standards I had anticipated.

Beng Mealea

Beng Mealea is a little off the beaten track. It is roughly an hour’s tuk tuk ride from Siem Reap but it is definitely worth the travel to get there. I paid $50 to ensure Braus, my driver, stayed with me for the entirety of the day and this included taking me to the temple complex and back and then to Siem Reap so I could grab a bit to eat. I probably could have haggled this price down but in the end I didn’t think it was worth it to save an extra $10 or so. Doing the journey to Beng Mealea by tuk tuk can be an experience in itself as you head down myriad uneven dirt roads which, at times, can have you hanging on for dear life!

Angkor Wat and Surrounding Temples

When people think of Cambodia they’ll probably think of Angkor Wat first and foremost. There are, however, a great deal of additional awe-inspiring ruins surrounding this most famous of temples which are likewise well worth a visit. The preservation of these sites varies wildly – some are in a state of utter disrepair, others are holding up amazingly well considering their age and long abandonment.