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Siem Reap - Cambodia
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Angkor Archaeological Park
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Angkor Archaeological Park, located in northern Cambodia, is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 sq. km, including forested area, Angkor contains the magnificent remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century CE. These include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. Angkor was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992 - the same year it was also placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. UNESCO has now set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings. The foremost Hindu concept is the temple-mountain, where the temple is built as a representation of the mythical Mount Meru: this is why so many temples are surrounded by moats, built in a mountain-like pyramidal shape and topped by precisely five towers, representing the five peaks of Mount Meru. |
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Luang Prabang, or Louangphrabang is a city located in north central Laos, on the Mekong River about 425 km north of Vientiane, and the capital of Louangphrabang Province. The current population of the city is about 103,000. The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The city is also notable as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Luang Prabang has both natural and historical sites. Among the natural tourism sites, there are the Kuang Si Falls and Pak Ou Caves. Tourists may also ride elephants. At the end of the main street of Luang Prabang is a night market where stalls sell shirts, bracelets, tea - suitable souvenirs. The Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum and the Wat Xieng Thong temple are among the most well known historical sites. Along with the magnificent wats a significant part of the old town's appeal are the many French provincial style houses. |
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Laos
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Champasak Cultural Landscape
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Champasak is a small town in southern Laos, on the west bank of the Mekong River about 40km south of Pakxe, the capital of Champasak Province. The town was once the seat of the Kingdom of Champasak, an independent Lao state which was abolished by the French in 1945 when they created the Kingdom of Laos, but the last King of Champasak had his palace in Pakxe. Today the town is very small, consisting mostly of guesthouses along the riverbank, catering to tourists visiting the Vat Phu temple ruins some 10km away. Wat Phou (Vat Phu) is a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex in southern Laos. It is located at the base of mount Phu Kao, some 6 km from the Mekong river in Champasak province. There was a temple on the site as early as the 5th century, but the surviving structures date from the 11th to 13th centuries. The temple has a unique structure, in which the elements lead to a shrine where a linga was bathed in water from a mountain spring. |
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Luang Namtha province is located in the northwest of Laos. 39 ethnic groups make up the population of 125000, each groups having its own dialect, culture and lifestyle, but coexisting peacefully -- a reflection of traditional solidarity. This province has a picturesque beauty with mountains, and many old temples. Although many temples have been destroyed during the war, there is still remaining one major attraction: an old temple noticeably different from other classic temples. The road twists and turns alongside the Nam Luan river, through beautiful vistas of wild countryside. A clearing in the vegetation presents a view of a characteristic village on the slope opposite, belonging to Thai Luan ethnic group. The village of Muang Sing is centered around a large market, where a lively weekly market takes place every Sunday. Being near the Chinese border, this market is an important goods-exchange point for border inhabitants of both sides, and hill people frequent it regularly. . |
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Fertile, gently rolling upland, southern Laos. The plateau lies east of Pakxé (Pakse) between the Mekong River and the western foothills of the southern Annamese Cordillera. Basically a large, basaltic lava extrusion, about 3,500 feet (1,100 m) in elevation, the saucer-shaped upland is highest on its northern and southern rims, where peaks rise 5,194 feet and 3,058 feet (1,583 m and 932 m) above sea level. Directly in the path of the June-to-November southwest monsoon, the Boloven receives annually more than 160 inches (4,000 mm) of rainfall, the heaviest in Laos. The plateau is sparsely populated by the Loven, Nha Huen Sovei, and Sou of the Lao-Theung (Mon-Khmer) peoples. The Muang Pakxong–Saravan (Salavan) highway crosses the plateau. Much of the region still remains in brush and tall grass. Some spices, notably cardamom, are raised for export, as is coffee. Pagodite, a stone used in carving, is mined.. |
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Kratie, Cambodia
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Irrawaddy Dolphins
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Irrawaddy dolphins are similar to the Beluga in appearance, though most closely related to the Orca. They have a large melon and a blunt, rounded head, and the beak is indistinct. The dorsal fin, located about two-thirds posterior along the back, is short, blunt and triangular. The flippers are long and broad. It is lightly coloured all over, but slightly more white on the underside than the back. Although sometimes called the Irrawaddy River Dolphin, it is not a true river dolphin but an oceanic dolphin that lives in brackish water near coasts, river mouths and in estuaries. The Cambodian Department of Fisheries has drafted a Royal Decree for protection of Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River, which includes the designation of eight protected areas, totaling 5,721 ha (22.09 sq mi), in a 190 km (118 mi) segment of the river above Kratie. |
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Originally a ferry that carried teak wood between Vientiane and the south of Laos, the Vat Phou boat was lovingly converted in 1993 into a luxurious floating hotel cruising the Mekong river. The Vat Phou boat is a 34 metre long, 7.5 metre wide steel hulled teak barge, equipped with two 260 HP Isuzu diesel engine. The design retains a character that is unmistakably oriental and enables you to relax in comfort while you cruise the Mekong, you enjoy the everchanging pageant of river scenery and life as you pass smoothly by. 15 staff work on each Mekong cruise departure. This includes 2 full time captains, 2 mechanics, 2 cooks, 3 cleaning staff and 5 bar or waiting staff. Also on board is an English, French and Thai speaking guide who can help answer any questions and point out any interesting sights along the way. Click here for a detailed cruise itinerary |
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Luang Say Mekong Cruises has three boats travelling from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang, or, from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai. Both cruises stop over for one night in our Luang Say Lodge in Pakbeng. The boats are 34 metres long with a 420 HP engine and a steel hull for strength and safety. The boats have a capacity for 40 people in comfortable seats and benches. Each seat has an open air vista. We have coffee tables with magazines and booklets to read during your cruise. The central section of the Luangsay boats have bench seats, a perfect spot for a game of cards, to share your Mekong stories, or to have lunch. Each cruise departure has both a French and English speaking guide who are able to answer your questions and point out any sights of interest along the way. Click here for a detailed cruise itinerary |
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The focal-point of the Cambodian beach scene in Sihanoukville, a relatively new town, carved out of the coast during the Indochinese wars to give Cambodia a deep-water port. Named after King Sihanouk, the area was originally known as Kompong Som, and most Khmers continue to refer to by this name. There are many islands off the Cambodia coast that have lots of coral and fish. All the dive boats in Cambodia leave from the Sihanoukville port area. There are 2 PADI Dive Centers, 1 SSI Dive Center and instructors from NAUI and CMAS working at smaller dive shops in town. The main scuba diving area is the Koh Rung Group located 14 miles offshore. There is also some shallow diving at Koh Tas 6 miles of shore. Along the beaches there are many food stalls and some restaurants, especially at Ochheuteal beach. Many of them serve grilled seafood with chips for only 3-4$. There are a good many restaurants in town as well. Sihanoukville boasts a surprisingly diverse set of cuisines. |
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Sen Monorom is one of the least Khmer towns in Cambodia -- set at the centre of a patchwork quilt of grassy rolling hills, the town is but a blip on the radar and you could pass it all the way through in barely the blink of an eye. Sen Monorom houses remote hill tribes, lush green rain forests for treks and hikes and beautiful waterfalls. Elephant treks are also possible here. The centre of Sen Monorom is clustered around the small market and wedged against the currently non-operating dirt airstrip. Most of the restaurants and the best guesthouse are within easy walking distance of the market. |
