On one of our rare holidays from work, a colleague asked me if I fancied a trip to Mingun and Sagaing on the back of his bike. Mingun and Sagaing lie just over the Irrawady River from Mandalay and, as the crow flies, the distance is not so great. However, as only a single bridge serves the river, a long and arduous ride is needed down and back up the river in order to reach the landmarks in the area. Unfazed, we popped on our helmets and set off for our destination. Continue reading
SE Asia
Myanmar General Information
Are you interested in coming to Myanmar for a visit? If so you have come to the right place. In this blog entry I have pulled together what I believe to be useful information for anyone planning to come here, gathered over the long weeks I have spent living in Yangon and Mandalay. I have attempted to be as truthful as possible in my analysis of the country and what it can offer, so read on to find out about the good and bad aspects of a trip to Myanmar. Continue reading
Wat Rong Khun: Chiang Rai’s White Temple
After the hostel we’d booked in Chiang Rai closed without warning and a disastrous attempt to book a Green Bus months in advance, it seemed that our visit to the White Temple wasn’t going to happen. However, after we exhausted all of Chiang Mai’s sights with a day left to spare, we plucked up the courage to rent a car and simply drove there instead. Continue reading
Siem Reap
If you plan to visit Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples you will likely find yourself staying in or around Siem Reap. Whilst Siem Reap is relatively small, it has plenty to offer. There are a wide range of restaurants to choose from serving all kinds of cuisine (Khmer to Swiss to American and even insects!) and plenty of opportunities to grab some souvenirs or unwind with a full body massage or spa treatment. Continue reading
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! Continue reading
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. Continue reading
Siem Reap: Eat, Drink and Stay
Places to eat and drink
Bugs Cafe (Insects)
When I discovered the Bugs Cafe on TripAdvisor prior to my trip to Siem Reap I thought, well, just think of the photographs I can get from that place when I go to Cambodia! I set my mind on going. I told all my friends about it. I promised them I’d be telling them all the gory details once I’d eaten all those weird creepy crawlies. Continue reading