Firstly, I apologize. The title...just not my best work. You’d think I’d change it, but no. I’m in such a state of chill that I just decided to crack on so I can enjoy this view instead of burying my head in my iPad.
After the longest five weeks of my life, school broke for Chinese New Year. A 17-day holiday five weeks after our winter holiday (also 17 days).
I’ll take it.
After a wonderful couple of weeks stateside (apologies to those I didn’t catch; this summer!), I continued my tour of Southeast Asia by hopping over to Siem Reap, Cambodia. The biggest draw of the city lies just outside its limits: Angkor Wat. Saving the best for last, I spent the first couple of days catching up on sleep, exploring the markets and drinking 50 cent beers. Yep, quality beer for 50 cents. All day, everyday. My kind of place. Couple that with a slew of Nike and Under Armour products sold in the market for about a quarter of the US retail price, I was in heaven.
The temples, Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm, were beyond describing. The sheer magnitude of each temple, the history, how long it took to build, how quickly it was destroyed. It was just all mind boggling. If you don’t have an appreciation for history after seeing such things, you’re not human.
After the unbogglement, I made my way to the airport and onto my next destination: Luang Prabang, Laos. I’ll give you a second to check Google Maps. I promise it’s a real place though.
The entire town was recently named a UNESCO heritage sight due to all the surrounding attractions: various waterfalls, a buffalo dairy ranch (weird, right?), caves, elephant sanctuaries and a ridiculous amount of Buddhist temples. If the above and a 11:30 drinking curfew appeals to you, this is the spot for you. A place after my own heart: I can wake up and do touristy shit, start drinking by early afternoon, be in bed by 11pm. My soul, that of 67 year old grandpa, is perfectly content.
All too quickly, I was back on the plane to normality. After a day in Hong Kong, my remaining 5ish days of holiday was restocking my fridge, exploring a near vacant Shenzhen and prepping for the craziness that is the coming month.
The good news: March will consist of a couple business (turned vacation) trips to Macau before another week of holiday in early April. The destination: Japan. I plan to have my mind yin and yanged during the Philosopher’s Walk in Kyoto, stuff my face is Osaka and then head to the HP Wizarding World. Oh, yes...you heard me correctly. I submit to nerdom when it comes to Harry Potter. No shame.
Already booked my flight back home in June, so let’s start stocking up on the dog, white rice and noodles now! I’m kidding...maybe. Til next time!
