Month: October 2022

Today’s place is a little bit unusual, because I was actually inspired to visit Cambodia at Penn State. When I first came here, I never thought a class could influence me to add a place to my bucket list, but it did! I first learned about the Southeast Asian country in my anthropology class while researching places known for their archaeological ruins. After taking one look at the vivid and curious pictures, I knew that Cambodia was a place I wanted to look past what was in the course curriculum. 

Starting off with what caught my attention in the first place is Angkor Wat. 

Made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992, Angkor Wat is one of the largest temples in the world. Its history began in the 12th century when it was most likely built by Khmer King Suryavarman II in dedication of Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation. However, what fascinated me even more than the history was the symbolic design. Interestingly enough, the shape of the temple is supposed to represent Mount Meru (a sacred mountain in Hinduism). There are also thousands of intricate carvings of heavenly nymphs (apsaras). Angkor Wat is so well known that it is even featured on the Cambodian flag!

Cambodia actually has many other temples — more than 4000 to be specific — and they all have rich histories and beautiful architectural styles. Imagine a run-down temple overgrown by trees, sweeping in every direction. This is not a fantasy; it is Ta Prohm, a Bhuddist temple that has been overtaken by the surrounding forest.

Another temple that is just as intriguing is Bayon and the smiling faces that adorn the stone. But if you look closely, the faces actually represent the avatars associated with Buddhism. If you have the time to spare, I think that it is so worth it to visit these temples and see not only how different religions are celebrated, but also how the architecture has changed with time. 

Something a little different is Siem Reap, which is actually at the base of Angkor Wat, but is often overlooked due to the grandiosity of the temple. But this city is a hidden gem. Take in the rich French colonial and classical Chinese architecture while exploring the chic contemporary accommodations.

One of the most famous activities is taking a bicycle or ATV tour of the rice fields and beautiful countryside. If that seems too extreme, you could also try browsing the bustling street markets for traditional crafts, aesthetic cafes and perciular massages (red garra fish maybe?). To end the night, check out Phare, a circus where performers use music, acrobatics, dance and magic to blend traditional and modern Cambodian stories. Highly rated and luxurious, it will truly be a night to remember!

Of course, it wouldn’t be one of my blog posts if I don’t get to mention a beach somewhere 🙂

Today’s location is Koh Rong Samloem, which is more lowkey than the neighboring Thailand’s beaches. The Cambodian shore offers sandy beaches with beach huts and hammocks that will let you end your excursion on a relaxing note. 

So, why go to Cambodia? Well, if you like culturally significant monuments and lowkey beaches, this country is for you!

Amsterdam was a more recent addition to my list, because I always assumed it only had tulips and other than that, it was pretty much a normal city. I was so wrong. The Netherlands capital has amazing pieces of artwork and beautifully preserved historical buildings that transport you back into time. For those who want to experience the perfect blend of cottage core vibes and a solid party scene, Amsterdam definitely deserves a visit!

I think that the first thing I would do when I visit the city is visit the many art museums that are scattered on the streets of Museumkwartier (literally means Museum Quarter in Dutch). The most notable has to be the Rijksmuseum, a national museum that is dedicated to Dutch painting and art by notable artists like Rembrandt and Vermeer. Not only is it the largest and most visited in the country, but it is also home to the RIJKS restaurant that was awarded a Michelin star in 2016. 

If you are looking for the work of Vincent Van Gogh, look no further than the Van Gogh Museum with paintings, drawings and even his written letters. Even if you just have a few hours to spare, these museums will give you a good feel for what Amsterdam’s artistic culture is all about. 

If you don’t take a trip down Amsterdam’s canals, did you even truly visit the city? With more than 62 miles of canals dug out in the past for defense, travel and water management purposes, Amsterdam is often known as the “Venice of the North.” In fact, the canals are one of the reasons why Amsterdam’s streets go in a circle to follow the canal routes. Touring these canals is a staple for any trip, especially if you are able to go on a self-guided tour with one of the many pedal boats.

Visiting during Pride or a music festival? The canals often play a major part in many of the city’s biggest and hottest events. 

Switching gears to land, Dam Square is another tourist attraction that just screams “Amsterdam!” Although its true purpose is serving as a memorial to World War II and the fallen Dutch soldiers, the square has quickly become home to many of the local attractions. Right in the middle stands the Royal Palace, one of three in the Netherlands. The palace was notable in the 19th century when it became the property of King Louis Napoleon; today, it is primarily used for state visits, awards ceremonies and tourist tours.

If you take a 2 minute walk, you will also end up at a more contemporary attraction: Madame Tussauds Amsterdam.

Check out the collection that spans from the Dutch Golden Age to now. If wax figurines are not your thing, there is still so much to do in Dam  Square like shopping, viewing more art, or simply breathing in history. 

Although Amsterdam was never a place I thought I wanted to visit, I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see it in a new light. Tulips are awesome, don’t get me wrong, but the rich culture is what makes the city even more enticing. 

Now that you have been through 4 posts, you may be wondering if you have the ability to go on trips internationally, especially with rising costs of fuel and traveling in general. Like you, I wanted to add some more cost-friendly trips to my bucket list: the US National Parks. With over 400 parks spread across the US mainland and territories, we can explore right at home. Over the years, I have been to a few such as the Smoky Mountains and the Grand Canyon and both were as full of beauty and adventure as some of the other places I mentioned at the fraction of the cost. 

You may be wondering why the United States even has pieces of lands designated as “national parks.” The idea really started when environmentalists began to lobby for wildlife and land preservation. However, it never took off until Ferdinand Hayden, who led a federal geological survey, uncovered a number of “strange features” in Yellowstone valley. As a result, Hayden pushed for Congress to pass legislation in 1872 to make it a national park. Shortly after in 1916, the National Park Service Organic Act was passed to “protect other preserved land for  future generations to enjoy” according to the National Park Service. 

Obviously, the first park we have to look at is Yellowstone located in Wyoming with some portions of the park extending into Montana and Idaho. Due to Hayden, Yellowstone became the first national park in the US and in the world. Famous for being the location of more than half of the world’s active geysers, Yellowstone offers stunning and scientifically incredible geothermal attractions. I highly recommend seeing the iconic Old Faithful that erupts every 44 min with a height of up to 180ft (over 4 school buses long!).

Next, check out Grand Prismatic Spring. Saying it’s colorful is like saying fire is hot. The striking array of rainbow colors is actually due to bacteria in certain regions of the water scattering white light differently!

The next national park I want to visit is interestingly home of some of the Apple macOS backgrounds. Taking up nearly 1,200 square miles in central California, Yosemite is known for its unique granite rock formations crystallized from glaciers moving around the Sierra Nevada. Two that are famous among rock climbers are Half Dome and El Capitan.

If you are like me and want something less extreme, the national park is also known for some of the tallest waterfalls like Yosemite and Ribbon Falls. Although it is a hard hike, the payoff is spectacular: unobstructed views of the park. 

Now, imagine mounds of sandstone towering over you in peculiar shapes and sizes. Some may be loops while others resemble arcs. Arches National Park in Utah offers all of this and more.

There are actually over 2000 of these arches, formed by thousands of years of erosion.  One of the most famous has to be hiking up the Delicate Arch trail. Ironically, there isn’t anything delicate about it; the moderate-difficulty hike is 3 miles roundtrip with some steep climbs and limited shade from the blazing Utah sun. However, you’ll be greeted by the largest arch in the park that has become a commonly recognized landmark of the beehive state. 

These 4 parks are like a grain of sand at a beach when compared to the hundreds of national parks we have access to in this country. The few that I have been to were not only cost-effective but offered me to see more nature than I am used to in southeastern PA. So, venture out and explore what nature has to offer in your own backyard!