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The Most Popular Hostels in Siem Reap

Siem Reap is a city in the northwestern part of Cambodia, known for its temples and historical landmarks. It’s a popular destination for backpackers as the city has so much to see, the night life is buzzing and there are many great hostels to choose from.

Mad Monkey Hostel

Mad Monkey is a popular hostel with locations all over Cambodia. It is known for its lively atmosphere and really good facilities. The hostel offers both private rooms and dorms, making it a great option for solo travelers and groups. They also have a swimming pool, a bar, and a restaurant, so its a great place to relax and meet new people.

Onederz Hostel Siem Reap

Onederz Hostel Siem Reap is another chain of hostels located in the heart of the city. It is known for its modern facilities and great location. The hostel has a rooftop pool where you can relax and enjoy the views as well as another pool downstairs. I found this hostel was less social than others I’ve stayed at and felt more like a hotel vibe, like everyone was there doing their own thing.

Lub d Siem Reap

Lub d is yet another chain hostel located just a few minutes’ walk from the city center. It has clean and comfortable rooms, as well as its great facilities. The hostel has a rooftop terrace, swimming pool bar, a restaurant with amazing food and lots of activities (even a cycling bar!). You can also book lots of excursions and even transport through the hostel which makes things so much easier.

Pub Hostel

Pub Hostel is a popular hostel located just a few minutes’ walk from Pub Street, the old market, tuk tuk bars and the night market. They host regular events and activities, have a bar with delicious and cheap cocktails and food made by a Khmer chef! Pub Hostel also have a pool with a volleyball net so its really easy to meet people!

The Twizt Lifestyle Hostel

This hostel is the most luxurious you’ll ever feel as a backpacker and for only £8 a night! Twizt Hostel is located on 16th Avenue and whilst a bit less social than other hostels, is a great escape if you’re looking for a break from the backpacker life! They have private rooms and dorms so you can still meet people, and an absolutely stunning swimming pool so you can spend the day relaxing and topping up the tan!

Siem Reap is a great destination for anyone looking to explore the ancient temples of Cambodia and experience the country’s culture. With its many great hostels, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a lively atmosphere at Mad Monkey Hostel or a luxurious break at Twizt, Siem Reap has something for everyone!

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The Best Snorkelling Spots in Southern Thailand

Thailand is known for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, making it a popular destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. Southern Thailand, in particular, has some of the best snorkelling spots in the continent! The region has plenty of gorgeous islands, reefs, and bays that offer incredible places for backpackers to explore on a budget.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is a small island located in the Andaman Sea and is known not only for its stunning beaches but its crazy nightlife! The oceans surrounding Phi Phi has so much marine life, including colourful fish, sea turtles, and even reef sharks. It is one of the best snorkelling spots in Southern Thailand if you want to see the most vibrant sea life. The best snorkelling spots on Koh Phi Phi are Maya Bay and Shark Point, where you can see all of these fish up close without having to buy a boat trip or swim out too far. These snorkelling trips can be about £30 so if you are really on a budget its so good to be able to do yourself!

Maya Bay is a beautiful bay surrounded by cliffs. It is a sheltered beach that you can only access by boat and so it provides excellent snorkelling opportunities. You can see a variety of fish and coral, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a reef shark. Shark Point, as the name suggests, is a popular spot for sighting leopard sharks. As always watch out for jellyfish!

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is also in the Andaman Sea and has some stunning beaches and laid-back atmosphere. The best snorkelling spots on Koh Lanta are located at Koh Rok and Koh Haa, where you can see a variety of marine life, including colourful fish, sea turtles, and occasionally manta rays!

Koh Rok is a small island located off the coast of Koh Lanta and is a protected marine park. The island has two main snorkelling spots, one on the eastern side and the other on the western side. You can see a variety of fish, including parrotfish and angelfish, as well as coral and sea anemones. Koh Haa, which means “five islands” in Thai, is a group of five small islands located south of Koh Lanta. The area is known for its crystal-clear waters and marine life.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a small island located in the Gulf of Thailand and is known for its PADI scuba diving courses. It is the most popular island for backpackers to get their qualification as its cheaper and has some amazing sea life. The island is home to a variety of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and even whale sharks. The best snorkelling spots on Koh Tao are located at Shark Bay and Sai Nuan Beach.

Shark Bay is a popular spot for seeing blacktip reef sharks, which are not dangerous to humans, however the water is shallow and the coral is high so it can be hard to swim in places. The area is also home to a variety of fish, including barracuda and parrotfish. Sai Nuan Beach is a small, secluded beach that is home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles and colorful fish.

Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are a group of nine islands located in the Andaman Sea and are a very popular snorkelling and diving location. At these islands you can find colorful fish, sea turtles, and even manta rays and whale sharks! The best snorkelling spots on the Similan Islands are located at Donald Duck Bay and Christmas Point.

Donald Duck Bay is a protected bay that is home to lots of marine life. The area is known for its clear waters and vibrant corals. Christmas Point is a popular spot for sighting manta rays. The area is also home to a variety of fish, including barracuda and trevally.

Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is a small island located in the Andaman Sea which is often missed by backpackers due to less hostels and tourism than other islands. But the island has a lovely vibe and the lack of tourists gives a real laid back, authentic experience. This island also has a variety of marine life, including sea turtles and blacktip reef sharks. The best snorkelling spots on Koh Lipe are located at Sunrise Beach and Pattaya Beach.

Sunrise Beach is a long stretch of white sand beach and Pattaya Beach is a popular spot for sighting blacktip reef sharks. The area is also home to a variety of fish, including butterflyfish and angelfish.

Southern Thailand is home to some of the best snorkelling spots in the world. Whether you’re exploring the stunning beaches of Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta or Koh Lipe, or the crystal-clear waters of the Similan Islands, there is something for every type of backpacker to enjoy. With its vibrant marine life, stunning underwater landscapes and plethora of beach parties Southern Thailand will definitely leave you with some memories!

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Amazing Sunset spots across Cambodia

Cambodia is a country full of natural beauty, and there are many places you can go to see a beautiful sunset. Here are some of the best places to watch the sun go down in Cambodia:

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is a temple located in Siem Reap and is one of the most iconic landmarks in Cambodia. Watching the sunset or sunrise over the temple is a breathtaking experience and is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Siem Reap.

Koh Rong

Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem are small islands located in the south of Cambodia, making the sunsets from the beach gorgeous and undisrupted. These islands are quiet during the day and really lively at night, the perfect place to relax on your trip.

Bokor Hill Station

Bokor Hill Station is a former French colonial resort located in Kampot province. The hill station offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, and watching the sunset from the top of the hill is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Kampot.

Kep Beach

Kep Beach is a beautiful beach located in the south of Cambodia. The beach is known for its stunning sunsets and is a popular destination for tourists and locals. There are many restaurants and bars located along the beach, making it a great place to watch the sunset while enjoying a drink or a meal.

Tonle Sap Lake

Tonle Sap Lake is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and is located in the center of Cambodia. Watching the sunset over the lake is a unique and unforgettable experience, and there are many boat tours available that will take you out onto the lake to watch the sun go down.

Phnom Penh Riverside

Phnom Penh Riverside is a popular destination for tourists and locals. The area is known for its stunning views of the Mekong River, and watching the sunset over the river is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Phnom Penh.

Cambodia is a country full of stunning natural beauty, and watching the sunset is a great way to experience it. Whether you’re watching the sunset over a temple, a hill station, or a beach, Cambodia is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.

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The Best Bars in Koh Tao, Thailand

Koh Tao is a small island in the South of Thailand, and is known for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and vibrant nightlife. The island is a popular destination for backpackers and travelers looking to experience the best beaches and get their PADI scuba diving certificate. These are the most popular bars in Koh Tao.

Lotus Bar

The Lotus Bar is a popular beachfront bar located on Sairee Beach. It is known for its relaxed atmosphere, delicious cocktails, and stunning sunset views. The bar has a laid-back vibe and is a great place to relax and enjoy a drink after a long day of snorkeling or diving.

Fishbowl Beach Bar

The Fishbowl Beach Bar is another popular beachfront bar located on Sairee Beach. It is known for its more lively atmosphere, great music, and delicious drinks. The bar offers a wide variety of cocktails, including its famous fishbowl cocktail, which is perfect for sharing.

Banyan Bar

The Banyan Bar is a rooftop bar located in the heart of Sairee Village. It is known for its stunning views of the island and is a great place to watch the sunset. The bar offers lots of different cocktails, and is a popular destination for backpackers and travelers looking to meet new people.

Choppers Bar

Choppers Bar is a popular bar located in Mae Haad. It is known for its lively atmosphere, great music, and cheap drinks. The bar offers a wide variety of cocktails, as well as Thai and Western food.

Koh Tao is a great destination for anyone looking to experience Thailand’s beach culture and vibrant nightlife. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back beachfront bar or a sophisticated rooftop lounge, Koh Tao has something for everyone. By visiting these bars, you’re sure to have an unforgettable time on this beautiful island.

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Some of my favourite beaches in Thailand

Thailand is known for its beautiful beaches, and there are many to choose from. Here are some of the prettiest beaches in Thailand:

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is located in the Krabi province and is only accessible by boat. It is known for its beautiful limestone cliffs and clear blue water. The beach is surrounded by lush jungle and is a popular destination for rock climbing.

Maya Bay

Maya Bay is located on the island of Phi Phi Leh and is famous for its appearance in the movie “The Beach.” The beach is surrounded by towering cliffs and is only accessible by boat. It is a popular destination for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Koh Nang Yuan

Koh Nang Yuan is a small island located near Koh Tao. It is known for its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal-clear water. The island is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving, and there is a beautiful viewpoint that offers stunning views of the surrounding area.

Koh Phi Phi Don

Koh Phi Phi Don is the largest island in the Phi Phi archipelago and is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. The island has many beautiful beaches, including Long Beach and Loh Dalum Beach.

Phra Nang Beach

Phra Nang Beach is located in the Krabi province and is only accessible by boat. It is known for its beautiful limestone cliffs and crystal-clear water. The beach is a popular destination for rock climbing and is a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Thailand has many beautiful beaches to choose from, and these are just a few of the nicest. Whether you’re looking for a secluded beach or a vibrant party scene, Thailand has something for everyone.

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Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is a city, surrounded by mountains, in the North of Laos. Apart from the market, there’s not too much to see in the city centre but the attractions are not too far away. The hostel where I stayed here was in an amazing location and the staff were amazing, I would definitely visit LP again.

Here are my top recommendations for Luang Prabang:

1. Kuang Si Falls

Arguably the main reason to visit Luang Prabang, these waterfalls are like nothing you’ll ever see. Crystal blue water and beige rocks makes this place look like its straight out of a fairytale.

Take a tuktuk from the city centre (share if you can) straight to the entrance, we paid 150,000 kip between 3 people. You then get a ticket and are taken in a golf buggy to the waterfall. There are a few waterfalls to see, some of which you can swim in- just watch out for the nibbly fish!

2. Bear Sanctuary

This is a small attraction in the same location as Kuang Si Falls, which they don’t really advertise. Right at the bottom waterfall there’s a small entrance to take you through to the bear sanctuary where they care for some rescued black bears.

They are adorable and an animal I really wanted to see outside of a zoo, I definitely wouldn’t want to run into one in the wild though! You don’t have to pay to walk around, you can see into their enclosures from several high up shelters.

3. Mount Phousi

Located in the middle of the city, Mount Phousi is a beautiful place to watch the sunset and, to my relief, is a very short hike.

Walk half way down the market until you find a set of stairs heading upwards and keep climbing until you see the gorgeous view of the mountains and jungle in the distance.

4. Break for a Bread

A highlight of the trip had to be this cafe. For only 15,000kip (less than £1) you can eat the most delicious local Lao food, Banh Mi.

I can safely say I came back here everyday for the most delicious vegetable Banh Mi and I have been thinking about it ever since. The staff were so lovely and even gave us a local drink to try as well! If you are in Luang Prabang you HAVE to go here!

5. Monk Alms Giving

No matter what your beliefs are, this morning ceremony is a lovely cultural experience.

Held at a lovely time of 5am, this ceremony involves all of the local people offering rice and snacks to give to the monks as an offering to them. Even if you don’t participate, watching the sea of orange robes go down the streets is such an amazing experience. It is held on the main street every morning so there’s no excuse to miss it!

As always, I am happy to help with any questions or recommendations so feel free to comment or send me a message on instagram @emilyparnell2

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Pai

Pai is a small town located a 3 hour van ride North of Chiang Mai and is an absolute backpacker hub. There are a number of nice hostels which host lots of activities, however I chose to stay in a bungalow as we were able to get it discounted to £5 for 2 people (£2.50 each). The centre of Pai has a street of market stalls which are open every night with a variety of different cuisines and for so cheap!

Here are my top recommendations for Pai:

1. Tipsy Tubing

Pai is famous for Tipsy Tubing. This activity involves getting drunk while you cruise down a river on an inflatable rubber ring and as you can imagine, the health and safety standards are minimal which makes it much more fun than you’d ever get to have in europe.

You will be sent down the river in a group of minimum 20 and 1 guide to push you along. Other than that you’re pretty much left to your own devices. You can expect buffalo in the water, some rapid currents which throw you out of your hoop, massive rocks in your path to bump into and to lose your friends, but as long as you have a beer in hand you’ll have a great time. You will be stopped about 40 minutes down the river for a “party” equipped with some fresh fruit, a speaker, a cooler of beer and a couple of volleyballs. After a few hours playing cards and drinking more you’ll be back on the water for the last 50 mins of your journey. By this point everyone is wet and drunk so drag themselves out of the water and into a tuktuk back to Pai centre.

2. Pai Canyon

We visited Pai Canyon as part of a tour which also included the other main sights around Pai. We went there at about 6:00pm in time for sunset and it was honestly beautiful. There was a guy playing his guitar by the benches so the atmosphere was amazing.

You are able to climb quite a long way across the canyon but be wary as its slippy and a long way down! It is in the middle of nowhere and there is no public transport so you either have to go by scooter or tour. I think ours was about 600/700 baht for the whole day including lunch which is not bad but scooters are 100 baht a day in Pai so it would be cheaper to do it yourself. To see more videos of the other places we went on the tour, look on my TikTok @emilyparnell01

3. The Caves

This was another stop on the tour, the caves. We were dropped off and led into the caves in groups of 3, by ladies with lanterns. We walked up steep steps to see inside all of the amazing parts of the cave as well as looking for bats (there’s thousands of them)!

We then took a bamboo raft down the river (watch out for falling bat poo!) before heading back out of the cave. There are also loads of fish in the river which jump so fiercely out of the water that they could get onto the raft!

4. Sunset Bar

This is one of the most popular bars in Pai. Pai is known for being a bit of a “party” town with psychedelics being a very common evening activity. The sunset bar is about a 15 minute walk from the walking street and is quite hard to find, probably on purpose, and you can buy everything you could possibly want there.

It is also a great place for meeting other backpackers and has a really relaxed vibe. Everyone is very friendly and willing to chat so even if you just fancy a couple beers you can go and hang out there. They also have a swimming pool and host some day time parties too. The place is covered in colourful lights and paint so its a cool place to go and visit!

5. Hot Springs

This was another destination from the tour! There is an entrance fee for the national park where the springs are located which I believe is 200-300 baht, however this was included in our tour.

The Hot Springs are naturally occurring, mineral water pools and depending on the time of year you visit and which pool you go in, the temperatures range from a warm bath temperature up to 80’C! There is also mud on the edges of some of the springs which is meant to be really good for your skin so feel free to get dirty!

As always, I am happy to help with any questions or recommendations so feel free to comment or send me a message on instagram @emilyparnell2

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Chiang Mai

Chaing Mai, the second biggest city in Thailand however definitely not the second-best! Chiang Mai has the buzz of city life but without the isolated feeling of Bangkok. There’s so much to do in a close proximity, the people are so welcoming and the weekend night markets are incomparable, which makes this city number 1 on the places in Asia I could see myself living. In fact, I actually spent 3 weeks in this province! So, what is there actually to do? Chiang Mai is all about jungles and culture which is what makes it so different from the South. This is the place to see rescued elephants in their most natural habitat and to visit the most spectacular temples.

Here are my top recommendations for Chiang Mai:

1. Elephant Nature Park

ENP Chiang Mai is one of the main reasons I have kept coming, and will continue to come, back to Thailand. This is one of the only ethical elephant rescue parks across SE Asia and the Save The Elephant Foundation does so much to help eliminate negative tourism of these amazing animals.

So what does your visit to ENP look like? You can either go for a day trip, 2 days 1 night or do a whole week of volunteering like I did. With this you’ll get accommodation (with mosquito nets of course), three buffet meals a day and an experience like you’ve never imagined. ENP work tirelessly to rescue elephants and provide them with a habitat most like they would have in the wild. The park also have thousands of rescue dogs, cats, buffalo and so they are constantly expanding to meet the needs of all their animals. As part of the volunteer programme you’ll be helping with everything from feeding, cleaning and maintenance in the park and then your evenings you’ll have to socialise with your group. This is number 1 on the list for a reason, it is the most rewarding experience and if you get the chance to listen to Lek’s story, you will be so inspired.

visit their website

2. Sticky Waterfall

How can a waterfall be sticky? Can you climb it? Is that safe? All questions I had before I visited this weird and wonderful attraction. An hour tuktuk drive into the jungle, Sticky Waterfall is definitely worth a visit. It is like nothing you’ll ever experience, there are a few different waterfalls to climb, all of the same structure, so I would suggest leaving your shoes at the top, walking all the way to the bottom waterfall and off you go.

The waterfall is made of porous rocks which mean your feet easily grip to it, allowing you to walk up through the water. Some areas have ropes to help you but you can pretty much climb the whole way safely without anything but your hands and feet, watch out for the green algae though as I did end up falling in a few times! This is a great activity for a hot, sticky day and I would suggest getting a group together from your hostel to make the tuktuk cheaper (and so they can take some cool pictures of you!).

3. Weekend Night Markets

You HAVE to be in Chiang Mai on the weekend! The Saturday and Sunday night markets are full with hundreds of stalls offering some of the best crafts, gifts and food that Northern Thailand has to offer and the best part, its so cheap! A real bonus of Northern Thailand is that its so much cheaper than the South, and this means you can try something from every stall you like whilst still keeping to the budget!

Chiang Mai Old Town appears on the map as a square of roads and it is about a 20/25 minute walk to cross this area in any direction. This is perfect as you are able to see all of the hidden gems in a short walk and the best market is located right across the centre. I would suggest allowing 2-3 hours to walk through the market from about 6-9pm.

4. The Monk Trail

One of the most challenging parts of the trip has to be this trail. With little information about what was ahead of us, we set off to the Mueang region on the west of Chiang Mai in search of the Doi Suthep temple (photo on the left). This hike is definitely worth it to get to see this amazing temple however be prepared for lots of water breaks because it takes a tough 1-2 hours to reach the top.

Get a tuktuk from the old town of Chiang Mai to Wat Phi Lat, the first temple. After exploring there, find your way behind the temple and up the small steep path which will lead you to the main road. Its no more than 100 meters to the left, up the main road, before you have to cross over and begin the uphill climb. Begin at the vertical muddy hill and keep heading up, not necessarily on a path, until you come across the road again. By now you are only a 20 minute walk either up the road or through the houses to the temple. At the top you will find refreshments, small stalls and of course the temple. This is where I received my monk bracelet which gave me good luck throughout the whole trip!

TIP: don’t forget to pack your long trousers and shirt so you can go inside the temple.

5. Doi Inthanon National Park

Take a tour to Doi Inthanon National Park either by yourself on a scooter or through a group tour like I did. I’m very glad i chose this option as many of the roads around these attractions are small, winding and uphill, scary for a first time scooter user! This tour took us to waterfalls, on a hike through the jungle, into rice fields, to the home of the Karen Tribe, to the King and Queen Pagoda’s and to the highest point in Thailand!

I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone staying in Chiang Mai. You get to experience lots of culture and gain lots of information from the guide whilst being outside and hiking. We stopped at 2 waterfalls, one of which you could swim in, and walked through miles of rice fields before sharing local tea with the Karen Tribe and learning about their lifestyle. We finished the day at the freezing cold, highest point in Thailand so remember to pack a jumper! Definitely a tour to remember!

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Coffee and Nostalgia…

Woke up this morning and sat in bed with a cup of coffee reminiscing about my trip to Thailand. It doesn’t feel like long ago, but it’s coming up to 2 years now! There are so many things i miss about being there. The ice coffee the locals made for us, waking up to a view of elephants bathing in the river and sitting on the terrace at 3am with the new people I’d met. I can’t begin to compare the supermarket instant coffee I’m drinking now on a student budget to the fresh Thai coffee beans blended with almond milk. After a long day of making elephant food, unloading watermelons from trucks and chopping down old banana tree plantations in 40 degree heat, there was nothing better than relaxing on the terrace with an ice coffee. It’s so interesting how different food and dinks taste when they haven’t been shipped thousands of miles across the world. That is one of the things I value the most about travelling, eating the food straight from the source. There’s nothing better than a fresh mango! Especially during these times, where we are restricted to staying in one country, I would give anything to be back in the jungle.
The river terrace