What the world has taught me…

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“Where you go becomes who you are” is a saying that has ignited my zest for life. I have a passion for traveling, seeking out new people, and learning about their culture. This curiosity is what has led me to traveling to over fifteen countries. Each trip had a significant impact on the person I am today. For example it was in Nicaragua that I learned the importance of family, in Iceland, that beauty is all around us, in Fiji, that doing nothing can be everything, in Thailand, the discovery of spirituality and in Costa Rica, adventure. I am who I am today because of where I have been in the world. I believe that traveling is the key to discovering who you are, and who you want to be.

Below is a video compilation of some lessons I have learned along the way…and certainly not the last.

Insider Tips when Traveling to Rome

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Explore Rome at Night - Rome in my opinion is best seen at night. Preferably between the hours of 3 AM and 5 AM when the city is asleep. All the famous monuments are beautifully lit and there is usually no one else around. You can enjoy a moment of peace and quiet as you sit alone on the steps of the Trevi Fountain for example or stand in the center of the usually traffic jammed Piazza Venezia intersection taking in the monument before you. It is amazing.

When Going to Appian Way - If you are trying to get to Appian way you will want to ask for directions before you leave. We decided to rely on Lonely Planet, which only got us half way there. The guide book tells you what bus to take but not what stop to get off at and asking our bus driver did not help at all. Like other tourist destinations in Rome, Appian way is not clearly marked and you will not realize you are there unless someone tells you or you are looking at the Appian way map provided at the tourist information center. My friend and I took the 218 bus  from Piazza di San Giovanni and got off around 8 stops later (you will pass a large stone wall as you head outside the city…stay on the lookout for signs for the catacombs). We got off the bus knowing the catacombs were along Appian Way hoping to be somewhere near the beginning. Walk up the path for Catacombs di Castello and pass the ticket area (closed from 12-2 PM) to take a left at the four way intersection. You will see what looks like a school on your right as you are walking and it even says private property…keep going. About 10 minutes later this path will connect to the main road (Via Appia) and the information booth is on your left next to a little cafe. This is a great place to start your tour with a helpful map and descriptions of what you are seeing. Since we went about this blindly this is probably not the best way to go about getting there, which is why I suggest you get better directions from your hotel or hostel. Geared up with your map (and bike if it’s nice weather) backtrack and walk back along that path to the Catacombs di Castello. Please do NOT go on the actual road that will eventually connect with the Appian Way attractions. It is a very narrow stretch of road for about a 20 minute walk. There are times where there is no shoulder and the italian cars wiz by you practically brushing up against your body. To save yourself time and the stress of getting hit by a car, walk through the park. The very first short section of the Appian way still has a pretty constant flow of traffic traveling along it. Shortly after it is only open to local traffic and a little further on it is closed to traffic all together. Allow yourself ample time to see all the attractions. Renting a bike from the information center would be the quickest way to see everything. This will just require you to go all the way back to make the return. If you walk, there are several turn off points where you can pick up a bus to take you back into the city.

Roma Pass Considerations - I don’t recommend buying it unless you are a museum fanatic and will be taking the metro often. My friend and I bought it for 25 euro (each) and didn’t use it enough for it to pay for itself. With the Roma pass you get two free entrances to the first two places you visit, discounted prices after that to a good number of places and free public transportation (excluding from the airport). We thought this was a great deal but we only ended up using it for the colosseum combo pack (15 euro at the attraction gaining you entrance to the Roman Forum, the Palantine and Colosseum) and planned on using it for another combo for Appian way. We didn’t get a chance to use it for the Appian way because they are all individual sights along the way with their own opening and closing times. You wouldn’t even be able to get a chance to see two out of three of the sights unless you have ample time to sightsee. Also, technically everyone is supposed to pay for a bus ticket. In reality many don’t and it is rare that the authority figures check. The fine for anyone who does not have a validated bus ticket is 50 euro but with foreigners especially, it is apparently hardly seen through. When you get caught without having a validated bus ticket, they attach the fine electronically to your visa by contacting your embassy. Ideally for them, the fine on the passport is supposed to prevent you from leaving the country if you haven’t paid your fine. I guess it is a lot of time and money that the embassy doesn’t have to actually follow through with. So in the rare occasion that you do get caught without a ticket, you might get away without paying the fine. All the times we took the bus in Rome there were very few people (1 if any on a packed bus) that ever validated their ticket. In the end, yes the Roma Pass gets you free public transit, but since you really don’t have to pay for a bus ticket anyway, it might not be worth it to buy it.

Eating Out - When you go out to dinner, be wary of bread and water brought to the table. Sometimes it is free, and other times they charge you. If you are traveling on a budget you could ask if it is included in the meal and politely decline if it is.

Bathrooms - If you have to use the bathroom when you are out and about exploring Rome you will have to either buy something in a cafe to use their restroom, or find a public one in the city. The public ones usually cost money…as much as one Euro.

Water - There are free water fountains all over the city with clean drinking water. Carry around an empty water bottle and just fill it up! Perfect way to save some money.

Thank you @D_Presepe for your help in this post while traveling in Italy with me.

Smuggs Area in the Winter

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Smuggler’s Notch Resort is a great winter destination for skiiers, snowboarders, families and winter enthusiasts. Smuggs was ranked among the top ten in Ski Magazine’s November 2012 Resort Guide for top ski resorts on the east coast with the additional honor of being ranked #1 for family programs. It is clearly a great destination to visit.

There are plenty of activities to keep you and your family busy for your entire stay within the resort, but what is there to do off-site? I have been visiting Smuggs for about 15 years now so each year my family and I venture outside of Smuggs to see what else is out there. Here is my winter list on things to do in the Smuggs area.

Activities

 

  • Ski or Snowboarding – This is an obvious activity for the wintertime in Vermont. You can stay on Smuggs property and enjoy Morse, Madonna and Sterling mountains or you can take the 45-minute drive around the notch to Stowe for a different experience. Where Smuggs has slower two person lifts catering more to families, Stowe is somewhat different. It is still a family place yes, but their high-speed quad and gondola mean less time on the lifts and more time on the slopes. The exquisite lodge area makes you feel like you are out West somewhere rather than on the East coast.
  • Snow Hike through the Notch – The notch pass that connects Smuggler’s Notch to Stowe is closed in the winter due to unsafe driving conditions. The unplowed roads creates a snowy nature haven for hikers. Put on your boots, snow shoes or grab your cross country skiis and head on out. The center of the notch pass is a beautiful wintery site.
  • Snowmobile through the Notch – This can be arranged at Smuggs in the main building. There are several departure times but my favorite is the last one. It is just after nightfall and on a clear night the stars are breathtaking. You start in the village and make your way over to the base lodge, which is where you hook up with the road that takes you through the notch pass. You stop in the center to cut the engines and lights and stare up at the night sky, listening to nature in the middle of the notch. It’s truly quit spectacular especially on a clear night.
  • Cross-Country Skiing – This can be done on site at Smuggs or elsewhere. If you head into Stowe, the recreation path that many people bike on in the summer is used as a cross-country skiing path in the winter. You can access this path from several points. To take advantage of the whole 6 miles, park at either the church in Stowe and access the path from the back or park closer to Smuggs at the Nordic Ski Barn to start at the other end. If you are looking for a more extensive network of cross-country skiing paths, take a drive to Trapp Family Lodge. The Trapp Family Lodge is actually home to the first cross-country ski center in the country. The trail system includes 60 km of groomed trails and 100 km of back country trails.
  • Icelandic Horseback Riding – I personally think that winter is the best time to ride these horses. Of course I may be a little biased since I rode one in Iceland in March 2011 when there was snow on the ground.  I fell in love with these gentle and loving creatures. Icelandic horses are incredibly sturdy and are easy to ride with their 5 (instead of 3) gaits. These gentle creatures will even snuggle up close to you when you stand next to them in attempts to get you to hug and pet them. About an hour and a half away from Smuggs (in the winter since you can’t use the Notch pass), is the Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm. Check out their website for rates.

Restaurants

On Rt. 108

  • Brewster River Pub & Grill- If you are looking for a good burger, a beer and possibly catch a game, this is the place to go.  They also have pool tables, a volleyball court out back and rumor has it, ping pong tables for an occasional pong game if you ask nicely (of course when families are done eating and it is more of a bar atmosphere).
  • Zorba’s – This new Mexican restaurant is located inside Red Fox Inn just outside of Smuggs property. It is located to the right heading towards Jeff. When they are open a sign is placed on Rt. 108 with the restaurant’s name. If you have younger kids in camp at Smuggs they might know the area well because of the swimming hole called Red Fox.
  • Stella Notte – This Italian restaurant is located right across the road from Smuggs. If you are staying in the village it is a nice walk. Take the path that starts near the Smuggs entrance (if facing the entrance to Smuggs go to the right). It is next to the electrical area and goes under the bridge/road and emerges on the other side near Stella Note’s parking lot. This Italian restaurant is generous in its portions and very accommodating if you want to make your own concoction. They also have pizza that can be delivered to Smuggs.

Jeffersonville a.k.a. “Jeff”

  • 158 Main – This home-style restaurant has a great selection of foods including sandwiches, salads, turkey dinners, meatloaf, soups, burgers etc. They also have freshly baked bread to munch on while waiting for your dinner or to buy and take home.
  • Jeffersonville Pizza Department -  This pizza place is located right upstairs from 158 main. Its main entrance is on the side of the building (hard to miss because of the huge sign with a finger pointing you in the right direction) or you can even access it inside 158 main. They have a great selection of specialty pizza pies that you can create yourself in addition to traditional favorites. They even deliver to Smuggs if you don’t feel like heading out.
  • The Mix - The Mix is located behind the Smuggler’s Notch Inn. They are open from 7 AM until 2 PM everyday (except holidays) and is a great place to grab some breakfast. It is small so only a limited number of people can eat at the same time but it means service is relatively quick. We have heard rumors of their delicious pumpkin waffles (which may only be seasonal) but we know for sure that their omelets with fresh ingredients taste wonderful.
  • The Tavern – This is another destination for some typical bar food. It is underneath the Smuggler’s Notch Inn and seems to be a hangout place for some friendly locals (we were all greeted with a simultaneous “welcome to Moes!” Shoutout). They have a serve yourself popcorn cart to satisfy your hunger while waiting for your food. They had amazing fish and chips, which six of us at our table ended up ordering. The burgers use local fresh beef from Boyden farm and their fries are hand cut.

Stowe

  • Piecasa – Piecasa is one of those places that we go to every single year without fail because of its amazing pizza. It is a thinner wood fired crust with fresh local ingredients compiled into humorous creations including the Tree Hugger and Heartstopper. My mom’s personal favorite is the Shirmp Scampi, which has a white base with basil, shrimp and a scampi sauce. They also have a great selection of local beers on tap.
  • Gracie’s – This restaurant holds a special meaning for us, which in combination with their food (with dog themed names) has us coming back year after year. It was my dad’s favorite restaurant when he was still alive and we even named our golden retriever after the place. If you sit in the room with the large fireplace look for a golden retriever puppy in a light wood colored frame on the shelf next to the fireplace. That’s our baby!
  • Freda’s – Freda’s is an authentic Mexican restaurant with corn tortillas, excellent guacamole and more. It is located in Stowe on the main street next to the ice cream shop. Don’t forget to get a margarita to wash it all down!
  • Blue Donkey – This place has the best turkey burgers I have ever tasted. Everything else has gotten rave reviews from friends and family that have also eaten there. Make sure you order a side of their Donkey Chips to go with your burger. Blue Donkey is located on Rt. 108 on the right hand side when leaving Smuggs and heading into Stowe. It is right where the Stowe recreation path crosses the street. This is a great place to hang out in the summer with local bands, volleyball and plenty of beer and sunshine to accompany you.
  • Jamie’s on Main – This cute little café and bakery has excellent chicken and egg salad sandwiches as well as other options for a yummy lunch while shopping around the town of Stowe. In nicer weather, seats outside are a great way to people watch and enjoy a cup of coffee.
  • Dutch Pancake House at the Grey Fox Inn – This is another Lennon favorite when visiting the Smuggs area. These pancakes are HUGE and do not lack in deliciousness. For those of you that don’t know, a Dutch pancake is thinner than a normal pancake and very large. My favorite combo is strawberries, bananas and chocolate chips. Try and call ahead (especially for big parties) because the wait can sometimes be awhile.
  • Trattoria – This authentic Italian restaurant is a newly discovered restaurant for my family and I. It is located on Rt. 108 on your way into Stowe on the left. It is across the street from the Nordic Ski Barn. Try their platter of meats and cheeses with a nice Italian glass of wine to get your meal started.
  • Trapp Family Lodge – You can eat at the main restaurant in the hotel or the deli (with the brewery in the basement) which is located on your left hand side before the main hotel. The hotel restaurant is a fancier experience with a diverse menu specializing in Austrian dishes. The deli is more laid back with an assortment of sandwiches, an Austrian bratwurst platter with German potato salad, delicious baked goods and the Trapp Family Lodge beer (Helles, Vienna, Dunkel and than a seasonal brew). You can get a whole pint of this delicious beer or try a sampler.

Bars

  • Bootleggers – As you probably know, this is the bar at Smuggs. It is fun for a drink or two but will start to put a dent in your wallet if you want to get a good amount of drinks in you (I am speaking as a young adult). I suggest hanging out here with your family to enjoy a drink and the entertainment for the night (karaoke, magic show etc.) and then head somewhere else for cheaper drinks and a more typical bar atmosphere.
  • Brewster River Pub & Grill – This bar is a short walk from the Smuggs entrance to your right going towards Jeff. The bar has pool tables, TVs to watch sports, a volleyball court out back and ping pong tables. One night a friend of mine talked them into starting a few pong games.
  • The Tavern – This seems like a fun local hang out spot. Of course I am not a local so how would I know? But when we walked in for dinner one night a group of what I assume were locals simultaneously cheerfully shouted out “Welcome to Moes!” without looking up from their drinks. They sat there during our entire meal hanging out, laughing and having a good time. This bar is under the Smuggler’s Notch Inn and about a 10-minute drive from Smuggs. When I was younger and we stayed at the Inn, we discovered (unfortunately to us since we could hear it in our room) that they sing karaoke there. They may have an assortment of bar activities to entertain bar goers. Just show up and ask. They were very friendly and laid back.
Shopping

Stowe

  • Boutique – This store is absolutely adorable with the newest in fashion on its racks and a very bubbly and helpful staff. Some styles can be on the pricier side but if it makes you feel any better…you will have a very unique and stylish piece of clothing to add to your wardrobe. Make sure you hit up the sale rack, which is almost always 50% off. What I love about their sale rack is that they are not the reject style pieces like you find in other stores; it’s just what isn’t in season anymore but still very stylish. They also have a great assortment of accessories with cute purses, jewelry, wallets and more.
  • Shaw’s General Store – This store looks like it has been around since the founding of Stowe. It has all your little Vermont knick-knacks as well as a great selection of shoes including Uggs and some other fashions. This is the place to pick up your snow tubes in the winter or in the summer your river tubes to go rafting.
  • Stowe Craft & Design – This store features handmade contemporary works that are very unique. My favorite thing about this gallery is their collection of Stix pieces.

Other

  • The Vermont Flannel Company – This store is less than an hour and a half away from Smuggs on Rt. 7. You could stop here on your way in or out. This is the perfect winter stop to stock up on flannel shirts, blankets, scarves, pillowcases or even a doggy shirt. What better way to keep warm in the winter than with some Vermont Flannel?

Other

  • Boyden Family Winery – The winery is located less than 10 minutes from the main street in Jeff located off of Rt. 15 right when the road splits. To the left Rt. 15 continues but to the left at the beginning of Rt. 104 is Boyden.  Stop by for some wine sampling, a tour of the winery, or enjoy some cheese and wine upstairs in the historic carriage barn. My absolute favorite is the Big Barn Red wine but don’t forget to try their famous Ice Wine, which uses grapes picked at the first frost.
  • Essence Spa – This cute little spa is a great place to go for a relaxing massage, get a mani, pedi, facial and more. The staff is incredibly friendly.
  • Ben and Jerry’s – The Ben and Jerry’s factory is in Waterbury off of rt. 100. You can take tours and see how they make and package the ice cream as well as learn about the history of the company. The best part about the tour? You get free samples at the end of whatever flavor they are packaging that day. There is a shop to buy Ben and Jerry souvenirs and of course you can buy some ice cream to enjoy right there. On your way back to the car take a walk up to the ice cream flavor cemetery to see the retired flavors.
  • Vermont Teddy Bear – Located one hour away from Smuggler’s Notch on Rt. 7 this is a great destination for kids to make a new cuddly friend.

For more on activities, restaurants, shopping, bars and more in the Smuggs area…check back for my summer, spring and fall versions of this post.

Micro Financing Experience in Nicaragua

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I traveled to Nicaragua for the first time in January 2011 where I was hand selected to travel with a team of students from Quinnipiac University. Our group was made up of seven undergraduate business students and eight MBA students. Being a part of the MBA group our assignment was to act as business consultants to small businesses in Leon while the undergraduate business students interviewed and chose micro loan candidates. While in the country, we stayed with host families in a neighborhood right outside of Leon called La Villa. Little did we know how much of a life changing experience this was going to be.

When we arrived in Leon we were welcomed by our host families. We were treated to a traditional Nicaraguan meal and spent the night getting to know each other. Not only that, this was about all the time we needed to become apart of the family. The next morning we were all calling our host parents “Mama” and “Papa” and our brothers and sisters “hermana” and “hermano”.

After our morning goodbyes to our family, we set off to Alianza Americana, an educational institute in Leon that acted as our host. Alianza works with The Albert Schweitzer Institute back at Quinnipiac when planning all the logistics of these trips. After our welcome and some introductions we got to work. Unfortunately, the business owner I was assigned to for consulting did not show up for her interview. While everyone else was hard at work my business partner and I thought of alternative ideas. By the time lunch rolled around our business owner still did not show up so Oscar, the founder and President of Alianza, set out to find us a new business to work with.

After lunch we met Leonardo who owns a small cyber cafe called Cyber Espacio. Since he was a last minute addition to the project he did not fit the criteria that the other MBA students were working with. The businesses for the MBA program were supposed to have sufficient cash flow and mainly needed help restructuring their business. The further Mike and I got in the interview with Leonardo the more we realized he was the perfect candidate for a microloan. We spoke with Buck Harris, a Quinnipiac adjunct professor and we were able to change the course of our work.

I believe everything happens for a reason; especially this one. Since our original business owner didn’t show up I was blessed with the opportunity to get to know Leonardo and his family. It became more than just a school project while I was down there and more about realizing that I can help people in this world. I fell in love with the concept of micro financing because of the ability to achieve just that. There are so many people in this world that can benefit from a small loan to improve their lives. We were able to get Leonardo a micro loan and because of this, help him and his family lead a more successful life. Leonardo can now afford better education for his three children as well as a better life.

I am still in touch with Leonardo and his eldest son, Leonardo Junior. It is a common occurrence to talk to either of them on Facebook. When I found out I would be able to return to Leon in August I kept it a surprise from everyone in Nicaragua. My family cried when they saw me and ambushed me with hugs. When Leonardo showed up at Alianza he stuttered as he said hello to me and gave me a welcome home hug.

I say home because Nicaragua truly became a second home for me. The people that I have been blessed to meet there are some of the most inspirational individuals I will ever meet in my life. They are so full of love, passion and dedication for everything it is that they do. The January trip and then my follow up trip in August changed the course of my life and I will forever be thankful for that experience.

I personally only helped one individual change their life during my trip in January. Collectively we helped nine. This is not enough for me and I will continue to strive for more.

Where to Eat in Vietnam

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Hoi An
  • Lantern Town- Located on 49 Nguyen Thai Hoc St. Great food and really nice restaurant to sit back and enjoy a meal. The owner is a former Intrepid Travel guide and really knows how to cater to tourists.
  • Morning Glory- Located on 106 Nguyen Thai Hoc St. While scuba diving we met a family where the husband is a chef and professor at CIA (Culinary Institute of America) in NYC. He highly recommended this restaurant to us. Our group had only the best things to say about the food and service. We even ended up eating there two nights in a row!
Saigon
  • Pho 2000- Pho is a traditional Vietnames dish that is a soupy rice noodle dish. Pho 2000 was placed on the map after former US President, Bill Clinton ate there. The pho really is delicious there and they give you massive portions. So go hungry!
For more on Vietnam, click here.

What to do in Vietnam

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Halong Bay

  • Night stay on a Junk- Halong bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with thousands of limestone islands of different shapes and sizes. According to legend, a family of dragons were sent by the gods to help the Vietnamese in their defense against Chinese invaders. The dragons descended and spit fire and jewels into the water. The jewels turned into the islands that formed a protective barrier against the invaders. Halong Bay is best observed by a junk, a traditional Vietnamese boat. The area is so massive that a two day, one night cruise is the best way to experience it (or more days if time allows). It is a spectacular site and very relaxing. There are some caves that you can visit during your journey as well. The type of trip you have depends on the company you decide to go with. There are plenty in the area to choose from.
Hanoi
  • Water Puppet Show- While in Hanoi, go see a water puppet show at the Thang Long Water Puppetry. Water puppets is a tradition that dates all the way back to the 11th century. The Vietnamese people used it as a way to appease the gods and as a form of entertainment. They used the rice paddy fields as their stage.
  • Visit a beer corner- There are several beer corners in Hanoi. This is where a very small shop sets up tiny plastic chairs and tables for patrons to sit and enjoy some very cheap beer ($1 USD). It’s a great way to start your night. It’s also the perfect place to people watch and meet other travelers from around the world.
  • Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum- Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is a very sacred and important place for the Vietnamese. Show your utmost respect especially while inside viewing the body by not talking, wearing respectable clothes (knees and shoulders covered), no arms crossing, no pictures and removing any hats and sunglasses. The museum is right next door. Also located within the vicinity are two of Ho Chi Minh’s old residents.
  • Hanoi Hilton- This jail got it’s nickname from American POWs who claim to have been treated well here. It was originally a jail built by the French during French colonial rule for the Vietnamese fighting against their rule. The Vietnamese were treated in very inhumane ways and it was a very gloomy and terrible place. Once the Vietnamese gained their independence they used it as a prison for American soldiers. It is a neat place to visit to learn more about Vietnam’s history and the Vietname war. You can also see John McCaine’s pilot suit from when he was a POW there. If you are looking to get to it, it’s right next to the Hilton.
Hue
  • Motorbike Tour of the Imperial City- Hue was the national capital until 1945 when a communist government was established in Hanoi. It’s history has left it with some very impressive monuments and historical sites to visit. Several of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On a tour of the imperial city, make sure you get to: the Citadel where in the center is the Forbidden City; the emperor tombs of Minh Mang, Khai Djnh and Tu Durc, and Thien Mu Pagoda.

Hoi An

  • Scuba diving/snorkeling- There are several dive shops that I saw while walking around Hoi An. The one we chose to dive with (and I am very happy we did!) was Cham Island Diving Center. This is the best company I have dived with thus far (and I have been diving for over five years now). I didn’t have to lift a finger with my equipment nor did I have to worry about basically anything. I just sat back and enjoyed the entire experience. I barely even had to move a muscle when it came to putting on my gear. Despite the large group we had, I was in the water and enjoying my dive before I knew it. I also loved that even though we were all certified, a dive instructor was paired with each group to act as a tour guide and show us the best sites underwater. Their dive shop is also a great place to hang out at for drinks or some food.
  • Shopping- Hoi An is famous for it’s custom made clothes. There is shop, after shop, after shop (get the idea yet?) where you can get custom suites, dresses, pants, shirts…basically anything. You pick the material and style and they do the rest. It is also very cheap compared to what you get back in the US. There is also a market along the water that is great for souvenirs. But be forewarned, this is where they will “descend like hawks” (as I mentioned in Vietnam Insider Tips) to get you to buy things. This is the excellent time to practice your bargaining skills.
  • Go to the beach- Hoi An is a great beach town. However, if you are staying in the center of Hoi An, this is not where the beach is. You have to take a 10 minute motorbike to the hotels on the beach. You can also stay here of course but this is a developing tourist area and the only thing that is really around are the hotels. I suggest staying in the center of Hoi An and making the short drive to the beach.
Saigon
  • Tour of the City- Saigon has a lot of historical importance as it was the capitol of the French colony of Cochin-China and South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Due to France’s occupation, there are many French influences like the Notre
    Dame Cathedral (built to model the one in France) and the Post Office. Other sites worth seeing is the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum. Note for the War Remnants Museum: Be prepared for the museum, it used to be called the Museum of American War Crimes. It is a very educational yet sickening place. There are very gruesome pictures on display that were taken during the Vietnam War including the effects of Agent Orange on children born after the war.
  • Cu Chi Tunnels- The tunnels are a little ways outside of Saigon in the town of CuChi. During the Vietnam/American war, the people of this town built the tunnels during the fight against French colonialism rule and expanded the tunnel system during the Vietnam War. The Viet Cong living in South Vietnam used these tunnels in the fight against the US soldiers. The entire area is now a tourist destination where you can explore the tunnels. The tunnels that tourists can go into have been widened for westerners. There are some original tunnels
     that you can try and squeeze your body into. At this location, there is also a shooting range. Since this was a major
    area of combat during the war, the shooting in the distance during a tour of the tunnels gives it a very eerie feeling.

For more on Vietnam, click here.

What to do in Cambodia

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Phnom Pen
  • Toul Sleng Genocide Museum- This building complex was once a high school for the Cambodian youth. When Pol Pot came to power in 1975, he turned it into a prison and a Khmer Rouge torture center. This museum is full of memories from that time as well as stories about the horrors that happened there. There are cells that visitors can walk into with pictures on the walls of the horrendous acts that were committed there. Other cells now hold hundreds of pictures of jailers and prisoners. Be forewarned: this place is not for the faint hearted. On some days, you might run into one of the three survivors of the prison who will share their heart wrenching tales with visitors. The prisoners were not usually killed there (unless they died while being tortured) and instead were sent to a killing field set further away from the city.
  • Choeung Ek Memorial- This memorial is constructed on one of the best-known killing fields right outside of Phom Pen. This killing field held the remains of people mainly from Toul Sleng. The site contains countless mass graves where thousands of bodies were recovered after the Khmer Rouge. While it is hard to think about actually wanting to visit such a terrible site, it really gives you a more in-depth look at the history of the genocide as well as a chance to pay your respects to those that lost their lives during such an atrocious time.
Siem Reap
  • Angkor Thom- Angkor Thom is a walled city surrounded by a moat that acted asthe last capital of the Angkor empire built by king Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. It is built in a way to represent the cosmic world where everything is in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. The main attraction of Angkor Thom is Bayon, or the king’s state temple. This temple is most 
    famous for its bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, or the huge stone faces located on five pillars that have a mysterious smile on their lips. Each face is directed to one of the four points on the compass. These five pillars represent the five peaks of Mt. Meru, which is a sacred mountain in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. It is said that these faces are a combination of the lord Buddha and king Jayavarman VII. Other structures within the city to see are Baphuon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Tep Pranam, Preah Pithu, Preah Palilay, West and East Prasat Top, Prasat Suor Prat, Phimeanakas and Kleangs. If you don’t have much time however, make sure you see Bayon out of any of the others just listed.
  • Angkor Wat- This is the world’s largest and best-preserved holy building (so obviously it is a must see if you are short with time). It was built by Suryavarman II in the early 12th century dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu. It has become the national symbol of Cambodia and is honored on the country’s flag. This temple is also constructed to represent Mt. Meru and therefore has five towers. The tops of the towers are made to look like unopened lotus flowers. Due to it’s popularity, Angkor Wat (and Angkor Thom) can get extremely crowded. It is unfortunate that you can’t walk around and try to understand the mystery that is Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom without the constant chatter and occasional shoving match with other tourists. Despite this set back, you should still see it since it is such an ancient wonder.
  • Ta Prohm “Jungle Temple”- Ta Prohm was built by king Jayavarman VII for his mother in the late 12th century. The temple is incredibly unique and was my favorite temple of them all because of how mysterious and wild it is. The jungle has taken back the man made structure with fig and silk cotton trees growing on top of, out of, and in between the rocks of the temple. We visited this temple in the afternoon when the crowds were at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom so I was able to enjoy my time there. Stay quiet enough and you will hear the birds of the jungle call out to one another. This temple is where some scenes of Tomb Raider was filmed.
  • Banteay Srei- This temple was constructed in the 10th century dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple, or “citadel of women” was built out of pink sandstone, which preserved the incredibly detailed and beautiful carvings. This temple is a little out of the way from the other temples but is incredibly beautiful. In the afternoon you can enjoy some quiet time away from the crowds and really take in the handiwork of the carvings.
  • Phnom Bakheng-  This temple was one of the first major temples constructed in the area built at the end of the 9th century. It was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and served as king Yasovarman’s state temple. It is a popular spot to watch the sunset. Locals will come around trying to sell you souvenirs or beverages. Buy a beer, sit back and relax. When else will you be able to say you had a beer on top of a temple? Also, maybe you will be lucky like me and get to spend time with some monks during the process. The only downside is that it can get a little crowded with tourists so try and get there on the early side to grab a good seat.
Tips for temples: Watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat and then take your time to explore the area. This way you can avoid the heat and crowds that the afternoon usually brings. In the afternoon, travel over to one of the lesser visited temples like Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei. Early the next morning, head over to Angkor Thom to try and beat the crowds or visit here in the late afternoon after people have gone home. Then watch the sunset at Phnom Bakheng.
For a list of other temples in Siem Reap, click here.  There are so many to explore and you can purchase a temple pass for a day up to seven days. I suggest a three-day pass to explore. Anymore and you might experience what some guide books call “temple fatigue.”
  • Angkor National Museum-  This is a very nice state-of-the-art museum about a five minute tuk tuk ride from downtown Siem Reap. The museum is well laid out with exhibits that flow from one to the other clarifying the sometimes confusing history of the Khmer empire. In this museum visitors will learn a lot about Hinduism as that was the religion at the beginning of the Khmer empire. That particular exhibit is full of statues depicting the Hindu gods and deities as well as descriptions and stories to go along with them. Two other exhibits are dedicated to Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat respectively, and contain pictures, relics and movies explaining the history. I found this a lot more interesting and helpful than my guide while at the site. (Then again my guide had a thick accent and was trying to command my attention in 100 degree weather whereas the museum has air conditioning). The Angkor Wat exhibit has a panoramic screen that shows the sunrise and sunset over Angkor Wat in case you missed out (or were unfortunate like me and there were too many clouds). Additional exhibits include ancient writings and Khmer clothing. I highly recommend visiting this museum before visiting the temples of Angkor as you will have a much better appreciation for the structures when you see them.
For more on Cambodia, click here.