During my time on Koh Tao, I go for a brisk walk every day to stay fit and end the day with a relaxing Thai massage. However, I must admit that nothing compares to the benefits of practicing yoga. On the third day of my stay here, I found a yoga studio and didn't hesitate to walk in.
Loving Koh Samui so much is closely related to the resort where I stayed.
A few years ago, while on vacation in Hua Hin, I had my first encounter with Kung Chae Nampla at a seafood restaurant. Kung Chae Nampla is a Thai salad made from fresh raw shrimp marinated in Thai fish sauce and served with chunks of gourd, cloves of garlic, chilies, and spicy sauce. After trying it once, I couldn't forget the taste, and for the next few days, I had it with rice every evening. This time, while visiting Thailand again, especially on the island near the coast, I naturally resumed my daily ritual of enjoying this delightful dish.
Going out early and returning late, crossing mountains and rivers, and taking a four-hour round trip boat ride, all to visit the heart of the emerald green sea, nestled within Talay Nai. Here, you can explore the depths of the underwater world through diving or venture to the mountaintop for breathtaking views of the mysterious mountain lake in Ang Thong National Marine Park.
In bustling Bangkok, there are numerous night markets that make the city's vibrant nightlife. Among them, the largest and most popular tourist night market, which opens every day, is the riverside market known as "Asiatique The Riverfront" located along the Chao Phraya River.
In Siem Reap, we would ride bicycles or take tuk-tuks to visit the Angkor temples every day. Whenever we passed by Angkor Wat, we would see locals enjoying picnics in groups. Following their example, my friends and I went to the local market. We bought some grilled meat, roasted bananas, fruits, and snacks. Then, we headed to a large grassy area to experience the casual atmosphere.
Although the aerial palace is named a "palace," it is not actually a royal palace. Instead, it was constructed alongside the royal palace and serves as the Shiva Temple. In comparison to other structures, this seemingly unassuming temple is, in fact, the predecessor of Angkor Wat, preserving elements such as Mount Meru, a central tower, gateways, and more. To get a close-up view, we must be prepared to overcome challenges!
Today, I climbed two mountains, and one of them was to visit the underwater carvings at a height of 1500 meters above sea level. These carvings are located at the source of the Siem Reap River - Kbal Spean. It takes approximately 1 hour by car from Siem Reap city center and then about 40 minutes of hiking along a mountain trail to reach there.
Cambodia, surrounded by mountains on three sides, is home to the Mekong River, which originates in Qinghai, China, and Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake - Tonlé Sap.
During my trip to Hong Kong, one of the main reasons I chose to stay at Mandarin Oriental was the chance to enjoy their English afternoon tea at a relaxed pace. When I saw the complete set of tea utensils, the three-tiered dessert platter, and the beautifully embroidered tablecloth, it felt like a special ceremony.