This page covers our trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and Hong Kong in 2012. The urban landscape of Hong Kong contrasts significantly with the Cambodian countryside, while we saw both city and country in Thailand..
Bangkok is filled with attractions. Many feature the Buddha, reclining, golden, emerald… The Grand Palace is also worthy of a tour. While the city itself is a sprawling mass of cars, bicycles, and people, the sites to see are mostly in a compact area, allowing one to avoid much of this congestion. And, Bangkok is hot, always.
An hour outside Bangkok, Phra Pathom Chedi is home to the tallest stupa in Thailand (almost 400 feet). Tourist activity here and at Wat Bang Kung is less dense, as it takes more effort to reach these sites. With just a day or two, one is better off remaining in Bangkok, but these sites are worth seeing, especially for those averse to crowds.
The Maeklong Railway Market is noted for being on the train tracks. One can’t speak to the quality of products sold at the market, but it is advisable to decide quickly. We’re also included photos from our stop at an elephant sanctuary in Damnern Saduak. Asian elephants have been used for centuries to carry people, so the practice is much more accepted than with African elephants.
The Siem Reap section includes photos from many temples and ruins in the area, the most prominent of which are Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. The complex, begun in the early 12th century, started as a Hindu center of worship, but has become Buddhist almost continuously since later in the 12th century.
The Siem Reap area of Cambodia contains dozens of archeological sites. Many have yet to be restored due to the remoteness of the area, and ongoing concerns over landmines deployed during previous conflicts. Given these constraints we saw a helicopter ride as the ideal way to view many sites that we would not otherwise be able to see.
Tonie Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, expands and contracts seasonally due to monsoons. As a result, several villages near the lake are built on stilts, and become “floating villages” for parts of the year.
Well, not much needs to be said about Hong Kong. The British influences from a century and a half of rule are evident, but fading under the Chinese administration. We expected to find nothing but concrete on the island, but parks and green space abound; well, maybe not abound, but they exist.
Kowloon is the closest mainland area to Hong Kong Island. Although slightly less fashionable that the island, there are still plenty of shops, markets, and things to do there. It’s also one of the best places to get good photographs of Hong Kong Island.
Another good spot for photos is Victoria Peak. This park at the top of Hong Kong offers wonderful views, and of course, shopping experiences. There’s a funicular that runs between the peak and the city. Taking the tram down from Victoria Peak is quite a sensation.
Ngong Ping is an area reached by cable car. The ride is amazing, but to some it may appear that Ngong Ping Village is an unstable blending of Buddha and theme park elements.
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