Future implications of this speak for themselves
in reference to: BBC News - Solar-powered plane lands safely after 26-hour flight (view on Google Sidewiki)Thursday, 8 July 2010
Cycling and Travelling
This is a great way to travel, ecofriendly, enjoying the attractions and way of life at your own pace and also a great way to keep fit Good Luck Ryohei!!
in reference to: http://laovoices.com/2010/07/06/eleven-down-89-nine-to-go-on-global-bike-tour/ (view on Google Sidewiki)Tourist Numbers in Laos
Arrivals to Laos by flight decreased during this period, however the numbers here are a little misleading, only 300 vistors to Vang Vieng in the month of May. This figure must be inacurate and well below estimates! Secondly in parts of Laos year on year figures rose dramatically as Backpackers staying away from Bangkok and Thailand streamed over the border to Laos,
in reference to: Tourism sector battling through major downturn | Lao Voices (view on Google Sidewiki)Friday, 2 July 2010
Southern Laos and the Bolaven Plateau
Looking to into visiting Southern Laos? Thinking of going to the Bolaven Plateau well there is a great new eco-resort that has just opened up in on the Plateau about 35km outside Pakse. The resort is set in a lush surroundings surrounded by coffee and tea plantations.
The climate is cool as you are about 1,000m in elevation on this volcanic plateau. There are numerous waterfalls around the resort but just actually you don't have to travel far to the closest one, you are right by it. From your bungalow just walk down the steps to Tad E-Tu waterfall here you can swim relax and enjoy the refreshig water. There are also short treks you can do from Tad E-Tu resort.
For more information about reservations or tours to the Bolaven Plateau contact us at Xplore-Asia.
The climate is cool as you are about 1,000m in elevation on this volcanic plateau. There are numerous waterfalls around the resort but just actually you don't have to travel far to the closest one, you are right by it. From your bungalow just walk down the steps to Tad E-Tu waterfall here you can swim relax and enjoy the refreshig water. There are also short treks you can do from Tad E-Tu resort.
For more information about reservations or tours to the Bolaven Plateau contact us at Xplore-Asia.
Friday, 25 June 2010
How to get to Siem Reap from Laos or Thailand
Well here is an interesting post for those interested in heading slightly off the beaten track, Xplore-Asia, through its Laos office has been looking for alternative ways to travel from Laos to Cambodia and we have found an extemely easy way to travel via Chong Sa Ngam. This border crossing is not new but not used very often.
It lies about 40 minutes from Sisaket in Thailand and the road is completely sealed on both the Thai and Cambodia sides. From the border it takes only one and a half hours to reach Siem Reap the distance is about 120km!!!
What does this all mean well certainly if you are travelling from towns in Isaan such as Ubon, Surin or Sisaket you would be looking at only about 3 hours drive to Siem Reap isn't this great!!. If you are coming from Pakse which the Xplore-Asia Laos office did the trip took about 6 hours. How did they travel well to start it is about 44km from Pakse to the Thai border at Chong Mek taking about 1 hour with Visa Proceeding (Thai Visas are free and on arrival). Then it would take about 3 hours or 200km hours to get to Chong Sa Ngam you would need to go through Ubon just directly south via town called Det Udon. After a couple of stops and toilet break and crossing the border it is only another 120 km to Siem Reap passing Banteay Srei temple on route. A new route and completely sealed all the way. Xplore-Asia (Laos) is now offering transport from Pakse - Siem Reap on this route as an alternative to traveling the route via Kampong Cham which take over 15 hours!
This poses well if traveller's are looking for alternatives to the flight from Pakse to Siem Reap. Or for those who would like to include a little of Isan in there tour program! Isan Northeastern Thailand is stunning and the people are great, eco-resorts like Kong Jiam are a perfect hideaway, and there are also some great temples to visit as an introduction to the Khmer Empire.
On another note the actual route the Khmer's travelled from Wat Phu Champasak in Laos to Siem Reap is actually only 240km and plans are underway to complete this road so in a few years the route from Pakse to Siem Reap may only take about 3 hours watch this space!!!
For more information Contact Xplore-Asia
It lies about 40 minutes from Sisaket in Thailand and the road is completely sealed on both the Thai and Cambodia sides. From the border it takes only one and a half hours to reach Siem Reap the distance is about 120km!!!
What does this all mean well certainly if you are travelling from towns in Isaan such as Ubon, Surin or Sisaket you would be looking at only about 3 hours drive to Siem Reap isn't this great!!. If you are coming from Pakse which the Xplore-Asia Laos office did the trip took about 6 hours. How did they travel well to start it is about 44km from Pakse to the Thai border at Chong Mek taking about 1 hour with Visa Proceeding (Thai Visas are free and on arrival). Then it would take about 3 hours or 200km hours to get to Chong Sa Ngam you would need to go through Ubon just directly south via town called Det Udon. After a couple of stops and toilet break and crossing the border it is only another 120 km to Siem Reap passing Banteay Srei temple on route. A new route and completely sealed all the way. Xplore-Asia (Laos) is now offering transport from Pakse - Siem Reap on this route as an alternative to traveling the route via Kampong Cham which take over 15 hours!
This poses well if traveller's are looking for alternatives to the flight from Pakse to Siem Reap. Or for those who would like to include a little of Isan in there tour program! Isan Northeastern Thailand is stunning and the people are great, eco-resorts like Kong Jiam are a perfect hideaway, and there are also some great temples to visit as an introduction to the Khmer Empire.
On another note the actual route the Khmer's travelled from Wat Phu Champasak in Laos to Siem Reap is actually only 240km and plans are underway to complete this road so in a few years the route from Pakse to Siem Reap may only take about 3 hours watch this space!!!
For more information Contact Xplore-Asia
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Cambodia's Best Kept Secret - Sihanoukville
Welcome to this weeks blog
Cambodia is well known for its Angkor Temples, The Mekong Delta and its turbulent history however, not so much is known about its 'Jewel by the Coast' Sihanoukville, a beautiful beach resort, fast becoming a world class beach destination.
Sihanoukville is located on Cambodia's west Coast near to the border with Eastern Thailand and very accessible both from Siem Riep home to the Angkor Wat complex and the capital city Phnom Pehn. This makes for a very interesting range of combinations and touring programs throughout the region.
One of the most popular itineraries to consider begins in Bangkok (Thailand), then flying to Siem Riep to visit the Angkor Wat complex, travel from Siem Riep to Phnom Pehn either by air, road or by boat along the river into the Capital City and then finally by road to spend a relaxing few days at the beach in Sihanoukville. For more adventurous travelers options available include cycling through Cambodia and combining with Eastern Thailand and crossing the border to get to Sihanoukville.
The resort itself, began life as a port town, established back in the 1950's. Since then the area developed and has started creating a world class beach destination.
Today there is a variety of accommodation to choose from including five star hotels on Sokha beach to mid range in town and beach hotels, and budget guesthouses, particularly on Weather Station Hill.
The main attractions in Sihanoukville are the beach and its relaxed pace of life, the beaches are very beautiful indeed, bright sands and clear waters waiting for you to sunbathe on and swim in.Watersports including snorkeling and scuba diving are widely availble with boat trips to nearby islands and interesting activity to consider whilst here.
Like every beach resort, choices for dining are vast and Sihanoukville offers a large variety of choice, with fresh seafood, caught daily a particular specialty including crab, prawns and ocean fish.
With the influx of foreign tourism, more westernised eateries have arrived offering familiar cuisine including Australian, German, British , Indian and Italian restaurants, making the resort a good choice for anyone.
Sihanoukville at night, offers plenty to see and do, good choice of restaurants and plenty of bars with many smaller bars staying open until the early hours, especially in the Weather Station Hill area, downtown Sihanoukville . Some of the most popular are the beach bars on Ochheuteal, ‘Serendipity’ and Victory Beaches.
Sihanoukville has remained Cambodia's best kept secret, it is still a very relaxing, traditional style beach destination, not spoiled by over commercialisation, meaning that it retains its unique Cambodian Charm and hospitality.
Next time you choose to visit South East Asia and Indochina, consider booking a combination itinerary with Sihanoukville as your beach destination or take a tour which incorporates the area, Xplore-Asia are able to tailor-make this for you, so extending your beach stay is always an option with us!
Friday, 28 May 2010
Artisans De Angkor Siem Riep Cambodia
Welcome to this week's Blog.
Cambodia is a destination rich in history, culture and religion. It has been through turbulent times in the past, with the French occupation and the Khmer Rouge revolution however, Cambodia, has managed to retain its identity and culture. Nowhere more is this exhibited, than at Artisans de Angkor, a European Union sponsored business program, producing traditional local handicrafts for sale, across Asia and around the World.
Artisans De Angkor is in Siem Riep, home to the finest examples of Khmer architecture in the country, including Angkor Wat which is the main attraction that visitors to the area come to see.
A trip to Artisans de Angkor, is well worth including in your tour to the area, as it will open your eyes and provide a real-life insight, into the nature of the handicraft making business. The company employs graduates from the nearby 'Chantiers-Écoles de formation professionnelle' a professional training school that was set up with the aim to provide skills and training to unemployed people between the ages of 18 and 25, particularly after the reign of the Khmer Rouge, to make sure Cambodian arts and culture survived and could be showcased in the future.
Artisans de Angkor was then set up to provide the graduates with an employment opportunity, providing them with sustainable employment and income for themselves, their families and their local areas.
The best way to see Artisans de Angkor, is to take a fully guided tour, with the help of your fully knowledgeable guide, you will be shown around the whole process of producing fine local handicrafts including 100% fine Silk products, such as scarfs, bags, purses, wallets, cushion covers and excellent Silk woven paintings.
Also, Artisans produces a variety of lacquer ware products including statues, ornaments and containers, and amazing stone sculptures, all which you are able to purchase and take home as a souvenir of your visit to Cambodia.
Purchasing a souvenir or two from Artisans de Angkor, contributes to the sustainable employment and income of the regions people and keeps the fine arts and cultural heritage of Cambodia continuing, for now and into the future.
Please visit our website for details of tours that include Artisans de Angkor and the Cambodian region in general.
www.xplore-asia.com
Cambodia is a destination rich in history, culture and religion. It has been through turbulent times in the past, with the French occupation and the Khmer Rouge revolution however, Cambodia, has managed to retain its identity and culture. Nowhere more is this exhibited, than at Artisans de Angkor, a European Union sponsored business program, producing traditional local handicrafts for sale, across Asia and around the World.
Artisans De Angkor is in Siem Riep, home to the finest examples of Khmer architecture in the country, including Angkor Wat which is the main attraction that visitors to the area come to see.
A trip to Artisans de Angkor, is well worth including in your tour to the area, as it will open your eyes and provide a real-life insight, into the nature of the handicraft making business. The company employs graduates from the nearby 'Chantiers-Écoles de formation professionnelle' a professional training school that was set up with the aim to provide skills and training to unemployed people between the ages of 18 and 25, particularly after the reign of the Khmer Rouge, to make sure Cambodian arts and culture survived and could be showcased in the future.
Artisans de Angkor was then set up to provide the graduates with an employment opportunity, providing them with sustainable employment and income for themselves, their families and their local areas.
The best way to see Artisans de Angkor, is to take a fully guided tour, with the help of your fully knowledgeable guide, you will be shown around the whole process of producing fine local handicrafts including 100% fine Silk products, such as scarfs, bags, purses, wallets, cushion covers and excellent Silk woven paintings.
Also, Artisans produces a variety of lacquer ware products including statues, ornaments and containers, and amazing stone sculptures, all which you are able to purchase and take home as a souvenir of your visit to Cambodia.
Purchasing a souvenir or two from Artisans de Angkor, contributes to the sustainable employment and income of the regions people and keeps the fine arts and cultural heritage of Cambodia continuing, for now and into the future.
Please visit our website for details of tours that include Artisans de Angkor and the Cambodian region in general.
www.xplore-asia.com
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