Top 3 Destinations in Southeast Asia
Cambodia, Thailand & Indonesia
After jumping head first into the world of travel, people always ask what my favorite destination is but favorites are tricky. Every city has something special to offer and whether you're looking for a bustling city or a sunny beach, Southeast Asia has it all.
During my late twenties, I spent four years teaching English in South Korea and living in Korea was an amazing time in my life that afforded so many opportunities. It's where my love of travel began and where I learned that I'm capable of so much more than I had ever imagined (hello, solo travel).
There's no question, Korea will forever have my heart and I can't help but mention Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Taiwan but all things considered, my top three favorite countries in Southeast Asia are Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Stating the obvious, Siem Reap is magical. First, fly into Cambodia’s capital of Phnom Penh and then make the five hour trek northwest to the city of Siem Reap. My group, including a handful of fellow teachers, drove through the night in a wild taxi ride for hours, scared we’d never make it, even having to switch vehicles at one point in the pitch black (it was terrifying at the time). Note, never leave your luggage in the trunk of a taxi if you step out. You risk it taking off with all your belongings inside.
But pretty quickly after arrival we found a local guide who offered us transportation for the next few days. Savuth drove a motor bike with a cart attached called a tuk tuk and charged us a daily rate of $20 USD. Soon, we became good friends and would treat him to lunch and conversation each day.
Temple by temple, Savuth drove us around to all the best spots. He'd wait for us at the entrance of each temple and then move on to the next. On the first day, we visited the most well known temple, Angkor Wat, and then made our way to both Angkor Thom and Bayon.
Some of the temples were spread out and took hours to explore, while others were quite vertical and needed to be climbed. Locals sold beautiful artwork and handmade goods at the entrances of each temple while small children would chase you down just to sell the tiniest of trinkets. Yes, please.
The food was simple yet delicious. Consisting mostly of meat, fresh fruit and veggies and noodles, it was hard to not love everything placed in front of me.
Everyone we met along the way was so kind and helpful. The energy was calm and peaceful and some of the temples were nearly empty, still and silent other than the chirping of crickets.
One evening, Savuth invited us to his family's home for dinner. We rode for hours into the countryside and finally reached his tiny home built on stilts. As the sun began to set, we sat outside in the grass among his family members talking and laughing and playing games with the little ones. I remember sitting in the dark while grasshoppers sprung into our food and drinking beer so dark it was nearly black. It’s moments like these that will always stay with me.
The following day we visited Banteay Srei and Preah Khan, the temple where Tomb Raider was filmed. Banteay Srei was beautiful and I fell in love with the children playing on the grounds. It was impossible not to buy everything they were selling and feel some sort of responsibility over them as they wandered the grounds without parents around.
Preah Khan was one of the final temples we explored. The grounds were massive with multiple ways out so be careful not to get lost. I nearly panicked when I couldn't find my group after hours of exploring but eventually turned myself right side around. At the exit, locals were playing beautiful music which helped calm my nerves from getting lost.
One of the coolest sights were the mysterious and captivating banyan trees which seemed to drip in and out of the stone structures. The Banyan tree represents growth, strength and self awareness through reflection, meditation and quieting of one’s mind which was felt in their presence.
The children were some of my favorite. One little girl had an animal on a string as her pet and asked me for a piece of candy. Unfortunately, I didn't have much but gave her a some gum instead.
And with that, Cambodia will forever remain in my heart. It's one of those places you'll never forget. My time in those magical jungles reminds me of a saying by Anthony Bourdain.
““Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.””
Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
The Phi Phi Islands are located just off the coast of Thailand near Phuket. Once in Phuket, take a boat over to the main island of Koh Phi Phi; views along the way are out of this world. Cars are not allowed on Koh Phi Phi but it's small enough to get by on foot and charming enough to truly appreciate.
Once on Koh Phi Phi, don't miss the long tail boat island hopping tour. It was absolutely unforgettable. The colors of the water are so vibrant and the lush islands offer a picture perfect backdrop. Koh Phi Phi is a true paradise.
Our first stop on the long tail boat was Mosquito Island for snorkeling. Each of us jumped into the water and began exploring underneath the surface. The turquoise waters were warm and full of colorful fish.
And then it was on to Maya Bay, passing the Viking Caves. These cavernous limestone formations with murals and bird nests felt like something out of a movie. It’s even possible to climb a rope swing and enjoy a playful moment, splashing down into the warm water.
Maya Bay was breathtaking, with its claim to fame as the location where the movie, The Beach, with Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed. The bay is set back, almost hidden, and surrounded by rocky mountains covered in rich green plant life on each side.
After swimming at the beach, we hiked up the backside where we found ponds of fish willing to give us a pedicure. The little fish nip at your feet biting off dead skin and are fairly common in Southeast Asia.
Our final stop was Bamboo Island where we had time to eat lunch and unwind. The waters were so clear it looked like the boats were floating on glass.
Back on the main island, shops and delicious restaurants lined the streets. Our hostel was super cute and even had an outdoor shower. After the sun set, we danced on the beach in the moonlight with our new friends for the Full Moon Party known to celebrate youth, regeneration and the start of the new Lunar cycle. Incredibly, I even got a bamboo tattoo from a local artist which hurt more than I'd care to admit (even after a few drinks).
Every moment was nothing short of incredible. And don't even bother visiting if you're not into spicy green curry and fruit smoothies - my daily routine in Thailand!
Bali, Indonesia
The island of Bali is incredibly diverse. My teacher friends and I visited several areas including Kuta, Ubud, Semiyak and Tanah Lot. Kuta was a bit touristy for my taste but the rest were absolutely worth it. In the forests of Ubud, you'll find Monkey Forest. Seminyak is a little beach town full of delicious restaurants and super cool shops, my favorite called Home. And Tanah Lot is a floating temple that’s gorgeous during sunset.
Ubud was my favorite spot in Bali and home to the monkey sanctuary known as Monkey Forest. It's filled with hundreds of Balinese long tailed monkeys who will do just about anything for a banana. Hold one over your head and they'll climb up your body and sit on your shoulder to enjoy it. They can get a bit aggressive so watch your pockets but they sure are adorable.
Another wonderful sight in Ubud are the rice terraces. Explore the grounds of Kopi Luwak Coffee Farm and stop to have a coffee and tea tasting. We were lucky enough to try the most expensive coffee in the world at $100 USD a cup in some places. It's made with coffee beans excreted by the luwak, a raccoon-like animal and has a taste that’s super strong and gritty.
One of my favorite moments during the trip was a sunrise hike up Mount Batur. Beginning at 2 a.m. we started our guided tour up the active volcano. It was completely dark, chilly and incredibly steep but worth the risk once we reached the top. Each of us sat down to eat a quick breakfast and watch the sun rise over the landscape. The sky was on fire and the air was full of fog. It was such a special moment to enjoy.
Later on, we ate lunch overlooking Mount Batur and finally saw the volcano we had hiked in the dark. No one had any idea how massive it really was.
Last up, if you remember the book, “Eat Pray Love”, we had the opportunity to visit the home of Ketut Liyer, the Balinese medicine man who starred in the book by Elizabeth Gilbert. What a crazy adventure. Oh, and make sure to see a Balinese fire dance!
If I could offer one piece of travel advice, it would be this: open your heart and your mind when you're in a strange place. Eat the food. Talk to the locals. Learn as much as possible. There's no question you'll get sick or lose money or get lost or miss a flight but just remember to take things one step at a time. It's all part of the adventure. Safe and happy travels.
