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Temple of the reclining Buddha
On the banks of the Chao Phraya River lies Wat Pho. Also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, it is Bangkok’s oldest and largest wats. Today it is also known as Wat Phra Chetun or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. One of the entrances to Wat Pho A bit of history When King Rama I established Bangkok around 1782, he ordered the construction of the Wat Pho. It was built on the site of an older, Ayutthaya era temple called Wat Photharam, or Podharam, right next to the Grand Palace. In fact, some of his ashes are enshrined within the temple. The temple complex was further renovated…
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A royal visit
It’s not every day that you gets to visit a palace. So, when you visit Phnom Penh in Cambodia, a tour of the Royal Palace is an absolute must. Oudong, about 40 kilometers from Phnom Penh used to be the capital of Cambodia. It was here that the kings had their royal residence, for more than 250 years. However, in 1865, King Narodam I decided that Phnom Penh would be the capital of the country. He relocated in 1865 and went about recruiting the best to construct the Royal Palace. Among them was the architect Neak Okhna Tepnimith Mak whose brief was simple – design a palace that was, well,…
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Two days in Phnom Penh
For a city that was known as the ‘Paris of the East’ before the 1970s, chances are you will have a hard time finding anything in Phnom Penh that reminds you of France. Yes, there are a quite a few French colonial buildings. However, either they are badly maintained, or are rapidly being redeveloped to make way for high-rise buildings, malls and bigger structures. Agreed, Phnom Penh may not have what either Siem Reap or Sihanoukville has to offer. What it does have though, is a reminder of Cambodia’s turbulent history, especially that of the latter part of the 1970s. A visit to both Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung…
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And then, there are days…
Days when you don’t necessarily want to talk, you still crave company. Days when it’s okay to sit around, doing nothing. Days when spending an hour with each other is more satisfying than just whiling away a few hours. Those are days. Like this post or want to read it later? Pin me.
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Three days and seven things to do in Siem Reap
The primary reason everyone heads to Siem Reap is to see the ruins at Angkor Wat. However, there are other things to keep you entertained, including sights to see, activities to do and indulgences to enjoy. Covering Angkor Wat in a matter of a few days is next to impossible. Unfortunately, not all travellers have the luxury of time on their side. While some travellers may be there for a week or two, others would only be hopping in for a couple of nights, on their way to another part of the region, or back home to where they belong. While it is perfectly okay to try and see all…
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A day tour of Angkor Wat – Highlights
What used to be a sleepy hamlet is today, a booming town, thanks to an influx of tourists from around the world who come to see the UNESCO World Heritage site – Angkor Wat. Literally meaning ‘Siam defeated’, this culturally rich town has a lot to offer, depending on the amount of time you are willing to spend here. My suggestion is to take a relaxed approach to everything you are doing, including a visit to the many temples in the complex. Getting into Siem Reap Getting into Siem Reap is relatively hassle-free if you are flying. There are flights from international destinations in the region. There are also bus…
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Once upon a time in Venice.
When mobile phones didn’t have the cameras they do today. When cameras were analog, and every film cost you a fortune. When every click mattered, and you’d only know how good or bad it was, once you’d developed it. When you were getting older, and yet felt younger. And a trip with Contiki across Europe on a bus was your best introduction to travel. Saluti! Like this post or want to read it later? Pin me.
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Turkey e-visa
A few months ago, a couple of friends had stopped over in Istanbul, on their way back from one the Schengen states. While their trip was great, what got me curious is why they applied for a physical Turkish visa sticker, when they could have availed of an e-visa. Neither their travel agent, nor the local VFS office was particularly forthcoming with this vital bit of information. Indian passport holders have been able to avail of the e-visa option since the first quarter of 2013, with certain conditions. Whilst there is the usual validity of passport that must be more than six months… the most important condition is that you…
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Vietnam introduces e-visa
I was in Vietnam in the last week of December, 2018. This was my second trip to the country, having visited, again exactly 11 years earlier, the last week of December, 2007. At that time, as a resident of Dubai, I had applied for my visa at the consulate. Once my Excel sheet itinerary had been scrutinised, and tickets checked, I was issued with a single-entry visa valid for one month. This time though, I opted for an e-visa. For those not in the know, this is something that Vietnam has just introduced for tourists from a list of 46 countries. If you are among the lucky ones, then opt…
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Cambodia e-visa or visa on arrival
In the second week of January, 2019, I made my way to Siem Reap, Cambodia, on the last leg of my Indo-China trip. We were three of us and upon landing from Saigon, at Immigration we headed in different directions. I had opted to avail of a visa on arrival. There were a couple of reasons why I had opted for this, which I shall write about shortly. My two friends who had previously each applied for e-visas went straight to an immigration counter, got stamped and waited for me. e-visa For the e-visa, the process is simple. You need to log on to their registered website and create an…
