Ten things to do in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Sihanoukville would probably be the most famous destination in Cambodia for the sun worshippers and beach lovers. This coastal city in the South of Cambodia offers a lot of fun activities to local and foreign travellers alike. I recently stayed in Sihanoukville for a month and enjoyed my entire stay. Here are some activities that I recommend you try in Sihanoukville:

1. Beach hopping
Sihanoukville has a lot of beaches to choose from. If you like to party with a huge crowd of people then Serendipity Beach would be your best choice. For those who love quiet moments while enjoying the beauty of the beach, go to Otres Beach. And for those who can afford to splurge a bit, you can stay at Sokha Beach.

2. Island hopping
If the beaches on the coast of Sihanoukville captivated your heart then wait till you see the gorgeous outlying islands. Tours to Bamboo Island could go for as low as $15. There are also tours available to farther islands such as Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloen. You can book your tours with any travel agencies in downtown or in Serendipity.

3. Eat seafood on the beach
There are lots of vendors selling grilled squids, fried mantis shrimps and fishes on the beach of Serendipity. Make sure to bargain though to get a great deal. Alternatively, restaurants on the beach front also sell a variety of seafood.

4. Watch fireworks at Serendipity
One of the most unusual things that I saw in Serendipity is the nightly "mini" fireworks display. Vendors are selling fireworks on the beach and you get to enjoy a short fireworks display every now and then.

5. Booze cruise
For the young backpackers who love to party, a daily Booze Cruise is being arranged by a bar in Serendipity. The $25 fee covers the boat fee and drinks coupon. Enjoy partying with your fellow travellers as you sail along various islands in Cambodia.

6. Watch live bands
There's a nightly rock ban performance at Led Zephyr for those who love live music while having dinner. They also have a nightly BBQ buffet.

7. Eat fresh sea urchin
One of the novelties being offered by some tour guides is a chance to eat a fresh sea urchin. For a dollar or two, they'll get you one and prepare it for your consumption as well.

8. Visit the market
The central market of Sihanoukville is bustling and lively. One of my favourite activities on my travels is visiting markets as I get to know more about the local culture by observing the products being sold at their markets. This particular market will give you a chance to see a variety of seafood being consumed by locals.

9. Go diving and snorkelling
The coast of Cambodia offers some great diving spots and many of these are really seldom visited by tourists. A variety of marine life can be seen such as seahorses, spotted rays and giant puffers. There are a lot of dive shops offering great deals in Serendipity and in downtown.

10. Try boating, fishing and other water sports
Various travel agencies can arrange a variety of water sports for you. You could go boating, fishing, wind surfing or skim boarding. You can also rent jet skis or have fun in the family friendly water park at Serendipity.

If you have enough time, you may also try taking a day trip to Ream National Park which is around 20km from Sihanoukville. The park contains beaches, mangrove forests and tropical jungles. It is recommended that you hire a tuktuk or motor and go straight to Ream and book a guide once you're there.

Vietnam Country

Introduction
Luscious beauty everywhere, from delicate design to technicolour sunsets. Most visitors to Vietnam are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country's natural setting: the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by women in conical hats.

There are some divine beaches along the coast, while inland there are soaring mountains, some of which are cloaked by dense, misty forests. Vietnam also offers an opportunity to see a country of traditional charm and rare beauty rapidly opening up to the outside world.

From free-wheeling cities to luscious displays of nature. Vietnam offers a varying feast for the eyes. Check out tranquil Mui Ne Beach, or the bustling party scene further north in Nha Trang. Explore the splendid rock formations, sea cliffs and grottoes of Halong Bay. Trek through the northern mountains or sashay through the colonial elegance of Ho Chi Minh City. The world's rarest land mammal, the Javan rhinoceros, is found in Vietnam and Indonesia. An estimated 60 specimens remain.

Geography:
Vietnam borders Cambodia, Laos and China and stretches over 1600km (1000mi) along the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula. The country's two main cultivated areas are the Red River Delta (15,000 sq km/5400 sq mi) in the north and the Mekong Delta (60,000 sq km/23,400 sq mi) in the south. Three-quarters of the country is mountainous and hilly; the highest peak, at 3143m (10,310ft), is Fansipan in the northwest.

Destination Facts
Capital: Hanoi (pop 3.5 million)
President: Nguyen Minh Triet
Prime Minister: Nguyen Tan Dung
Government: Communist state
Time zone: GMT +7
Area: 329566
Population: 81624700
People: 84% ethnic-Vietnamese, 2% ethnic-Chinese, also Khmers, Chams (a remnant of the once-great Indianised Champa Kingdom) and members of over 50 ethnolinguistic groups.
Religions: Buddhism is the principal religion but there are also sizeable Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Cao Daists, Muslim and Christian minorities
Currency: Dong (D)
GDP: Approx. D35000000000
Major industries: Rice, rubber, food processing, sugar, textiles, chemicals, manufacturing
Major Trading Partners: China, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan
Country Dialing Code: 84

Getting there and away
Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport is Vietnam's busiest international air hub, followed by Hanoi's Noi Bai Airpot. A few international flights also serve Danang. Bangkok has emerged as the principle embarkation point for Vietnam but it's still possible to get direct flights from a number of major Asian cities and a few Australian cities. Buying tickets in Vietnam is expensive. Departure tax is 14.00, which can be paid in dong or US dollars. There are currently 10 overland border crossings for travellers coming to Vietnam, but more may open soon. All crossing points suffer from heavy policing and often requests for 'immigration fees'. For getting to/from China, it's become very popular to cross the border at Friendship Pass, or Dong Dang, 20km (12mi) north of Lang Son in northeast Vietnam, to get to/from Nanning. There is a twice-weekly international train between Beijing and Hanoi that stops at Friendship Pass. The other popular border crossing with China is at Lao Cai in northwest Vietnam, which lies on the railway line between Hanoi and Kunming in China's Yunnan Province. There's also a seldom used crossing at Mong Cai. It's possible to enter Laos from Lao Bao in north-central Vietnam; there's an international bus from Danang to Savannakhet (Laos). The other crossing is at Keo Nua Pass/Cau Treo, west of Vinh and Nam Phan/Na Meo near Mai Chau. There are four crossings to Cambodia. Bavet/Moc Bai links Phnom Penh with Ho Chi Minh City and the road is in reasonable shape now. There are also two crossings in the Mekong Delta, a river crossing at Kaam Samnor/Vinh Xuong and a land crossing at Phnom Den/Tinh Bien. Most recently, a new crossing between Pleiku and Banlung (Cambodia) has been opened. Some of the road is terribly rough, and you need to have your visa sorted before you cross from either side.

Getting around
Vietnam Airlines has a near-monopoly on domestic flights, which are relatively expensive. The departure tax on domestic flights is about 1.50, payable in Vietnamese dong only. Ultracheap buses and minibuses criss-cross the country in an impressive network of routes. These are smarter, faster and safer than they used to be and are a good way to meet locals. The alternative, used by many foreigners, is to charter a minibus. They cost more can be faster as they don't stop as often; ask at budget hotels and cafes for details. While sometimes train travel can be slower than bus travel, it is safer and more relaxed, and you're likely to have decent legroom. There are several types of train, including the famous Reuinification Express; but think twice before you take a crowded, snail-paced local train. Petty theft can be a problem on trains, especially in budget class. Children throwing things at carriages, everything from rocks to cow dung, is another problem, and you're advised to keep the metal shield on the window in place. Hire cars and drivers are available at reasonable prices. You'll still be stopped by the police to pay all sorts of 'fines', but at least you'll have a local with you to do the negotiating. You can hire a motorcycle to drive yourself if you have an International Driver's Permit endorsed for motorcycles, but you'll need nerves of steel. Travelling through Vietnam, and around the towns and cities, by bicycle is worth considering, though the traffic is still a hazard on highways without wide shoulders. Trains and buses will carry your bike when you want a break. Other than the sophisticated local bus networks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, local transport is by taxi (some metered, some not) or cyclo (pedal-powered vehicles that are cheap and plentiful). If you're in a hurry, and fearless, try flagging down any passing motorbike. Many people will be happy to give you a lift for a fee a little higher than the equivalent cyclo fare.

Weather
With a multitude of altitudes and latitudes there's always somewhere that is pleasantly sunny and warm if you're prepared to find it. Temperatures are usually hot and humid, around the low 30° Cs (high 80° Fs), but if you head north and along the coast they cool down to comfortable temperatures towards January. The weather is determined by two monsoons; the winter monsoon comes from the northeast between October and March bringing wet chilly winters to all areas north of Nha Trang, but dry and warm temperatures to the south. From April or May to October, the southwestern monsoon brings warm, humid weather and buckets of rain to the whole country except for those areas sheltered by mountains.

Warning
There have been cases of cholera reported recently in Vietnam's northern and southern provinces. Travellers should take care not to consume food that might be contaminated, or that has been prepared in uncertain hygienic conditions.

Uzbekistan Country

Introduction
Ancient villages meet staggering architecture in this mysterious, land-locked country. Uzbekistan, in the ancient cradle between the Amu-Darya and Syr-Darya rivers, is the most historically fascinating of the Central Asian republics. Within it are some of the oldest towns in the world, some of the Silk Road's main centres and most of the region's architectural splendours.

Destination Facts
Capital: Tashkent
President: Islam Karimov
Prime Minister: Shavkat Mirziyayev
Government: republic
Time zone: GMT +5
Area: 447400
Population: 26850000
Languages: Spoken in Samarkand and Bukhara.
Religions: 88% Muslim (mostly Sunnis), 9% Eastern Orthodox
Currency: Uzbekistan Sum (sum)
Country Dialing Code: 998

Getting there and away
More regular international flights serve Tashkent than any other Central Asian city. Unfortunately it's also the least friendly airport in the region for first-time visitors; the arrival hall for non-VIPs is a distinctly grim and sweaty place. The airport is about 6km (4mi) south of the city centre. Trains run from Moscow via Samara, across Kazakhstan to Tashkent, or via Urgench, Charjou, Bukhara and Samarkand to Tashkent. It takes about 56 hours to get from Moscow to Tashkent by train. Bringing your own vehicle into Uzbekistan is a logistical nightmare and probably not worth the effort.

Getting around
Flying is the least edifying and arguably the least safe mode of transport in Uzbekistan. Domestic flights are seriously no-frills - you'll need to pack your own lunch - and have a long way to go before meeting international safety standards. The most popular way of getting between cities on a short haul is by 'marshrutnoe', a shared vehicle which is usually a Daewoo minivan. The train is a better option for longer distances, such as Tashkent to Samarkand and beyond. Although the further you get from Tashkent, the cruddier the trains seem to become. Travelling by bus is the cheapest, but not necessarily the quickest or most comfortable way to get around. Taxis cost a little more than buses, but can be more comfortable, and they're more likely to take you to out-of-the-way places.

Weather
Temperatures in Uzbekistan vary wildly, with 20° C (68° F) drops at night and dramatic differences between the deserts and mountains. Rain is minimal, except at higher altitudes, but does tend to turn everything to mud from March to April and October to November. The lowlands can be quite pleasant from May to early June and September to early October. Midsummer (mid-July to August) is insane, with temperatures up to 40° C (104° F) in Tashkent, and 50° C (122° F) in southern Uzbekistan. In winter (January to February), daytime temperatures hover around -5° C to 10° C (23° F to 50° F).

Philippines paradises: El Nido's Five best beaches

The Philippines is often skipped by tourists travelling around Southeast Asia due to its awkward geographic location. One has to take a flight to enter the country in comparison to an overland option that you have when you go from one country to another in mainland Southeast Asia. And because the country is receiving lesser tourists than its neighbours, the islands remained pristine, almost untouched and almost paradise-like.

El Nido is one of the country's most gorgeous beach paradises that can be found in Palawan, which is often referred to as the last frontier of the Philippines.

There's a variety of options when it comes to travelling to El Nido. The most popular and cost effective option would be to fly to Puerto Princesa and take a five to six- hour bus trip up to El Nido. Check out my blog post on How to Go to El Nido for a more detailed information.

Once you get to El Nido town, you'll be rewarded with a picturesque view of Bacuit Bay. And to see more of paradise-like beaches, you have to take a boat to these islands which I think are probably some of the best beaches in the whole world.

Here's a list of El Nido's Top Five Beaches:

1. Marimegmeg Beach

You could either rent a tricycle and drive to Sitio Pacalsada or take a boat that could take you directly to Marimegmeg Beach. You'll find a long stretch of white sand with clear water and only a handful of tourists. There're only a couple of resorts on the beach and you'll definitely find a small spot to call your own (at least for the time being). Most tourists go here in the morning and spend the whole day lounging under the shade of palm trees.

2. El Nido Airport Beach

Fronting the El Nido airport is a long beach with wide shore. You could take a boat or a tricycle going to this beach. There's not even a single resort nor a store on this beach so you better pack some food and drinks prior going here. There's a small river that drains to the sea and you'll sometimes see fishermen digging the shore for some clams and crabs.

3. Seven Commando, Secret Lagoon Beach and Shimizu Islands

These beaches are only accessible by boat and they're all part of Tour A being offered by various travel agencies. Shimizu Island is the best place to snorkel and see a variety of fished and corals.

Seven Commando is what I would personally consider as a perfect beach. Picturesque views, blinding white, soft sand and very clear water awaits its visitors. Secret Lagoon Beach is also not to be missed. On the right side of the beach you'll find a small crevice which opens up to a shallow saltwater lagoon.

4. Ipil Beach, Pinagbuyutan Island and Snake Island

These islands are all part of Tour B being offered in travel agencies that you'll find in El Nido town. According to our guide, Ipil Beach is one of the best places to spot sea turtles. And he's right! We saw one swimming towards our boat on our way to Ipil Beach. Pinagbuyutan Island and Snake Island also offer scenic views and clear water perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

5. Nacpan and Calitang Beach

Of all the islands and beaches that I've seen in El Nido, the two adjoining beaches known as Nacpan and Calitang beach is my favourite. There're no resorts (yet) and it probably has the widest white sand shore and clearest water that I've seen among the beaches that I've seen in the Philippines. There's also a small fishing village on the left side of the beach where the main source of income is making dried fish and squids.

There are more remote beaches as you go up north but it's not as accessible as the ones I've mentioned here. You could ask around and probably hire a guide and a vehicle to explore the other parts of El Nido.

Turkmenistan Country

Introduction
A lunar landscape with craters of cultural activity. The most curious of the Central Asian republics, Turkmenistan resembles an Arab Gulf state without the money. It's the second largest Central Asian country, but four-fifths of it consist of an inhospitable lunar-like desert called the Karakum which conceals unexploited oil and gas deposits.

Destination Facts
Capital: Ashgabat
President: Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow
Government: republic
Time zone: GMT +5
Area: 488100
Population: 5000000
Religion: 89% Muslim, 9% Eastern Orthodox
Currency: Manat (M)
Country Dialing Code: 993

Getting there and away
Flights to Ashghabat most commonly transit through Frankfurt, Moscow, Kiev, Istanbul, and Baku in Azerbaijan. There's one flight a week from London and another from Yerevan. If you're more into travelling than arriving, there's a hybrid journey by air from Turkey to Baku (Azerbaijan), by cargo vessel across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan, and from there to Ashghabat, Bukhara and beyond by train. Plenty of travellers also cross between Turkmenistan and Iran, using Turkmenistan's five day transit visa to get between Bukhara and Mashhad in northeastern Iran.

Getting around
Train travel is slow but reasonably comfortable. Trains often travel by night, so you can save money on a hotel but end up missing the excellent views of the passing countryside. Tickets are cheap but tend to sell out early, so buy your ticket as early as possible. Buses travel early in the morning while afternoon services are rare or non-existent. All day long there is no shortage of marshukas (private minivans) or share taxis which travel quickly and cheaply between cities. Off the main routes, some villages may only be served by one bus per day. For destinations well off the beaten track, private transport is essential and there are a number of tour operations that can organise expeditions into the desert.

Weather
Turkmenistan is by far the hottest of the Central Asian countries, although its dry desert climate and low humidity means that despite the soaring temperatures, it's not always uncomfortably warm. That said, only the insane or deeply unfortunate find themselves in Ashgabat in July and August, when the temperature can push 50° C (122° F). Winter days see highs of just 3° C (38° F) in January, but as the hours of sunlight are about a third of that in summer, nights make little difference, usually averaging around -4° C (25° F). Proximity to the Caspian Sea blunts conditions along coastal Turkmenistan, with cooler summers and warmer winters. Rainfall is infrequent over the country and only mild in southcentral regions outside of summer. The major area affected by the weather is Dekhistan, in the south-west, which is virtually unreachable after rain because of impassable road conditions.

Thailand Country

Introduction
Sun, tômyam and spiritual enlightenment. The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in southeast Asia with its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms. Few countries are so well endowed.

From the stupa-studded mountains of Mae Hong Son and the verdant limestone islands of the Andaman Sea, to the pulse-pounding dance clubs of Bangkok and the tranquil villages moored along the Mekong River, Thailand offers something for every type of traveller.

Rouse yourself from that sunbaking trance to check out the cultural wealth. Thailand's natural wonders are matched only by its cultural marvels. You could spend years just trekking its highlands, mooching through its national parks, browsing its islands, and checking out the temple architecture, traditional crafts and ancient cities in between.

Geography:
Thailand shares borders with Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Cambodia. The country's east coast borders the Gulf of Thailand and the west coast abuts the Andaman Sea. The country is divided into four main zones: the fertile, central plains of the Chao Phraya River; the poorer region of the 300m/985ft-high northeast plateau; the fertile valley and mountains of Northern Thailand; and the rainforested southern peninsula. The highest peak is the 2596m (8512ft) Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai province.

Destination Facts
Capital: Bangkok
King: Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Prime Minister: Abhisit Vejjajiva
Government: constitutional monarchy
Time zone: GMT +7
Area: 514000
Population: 65000000
People: Thai (75%), Chinese (11%), Malay (3.5%); other - Mon, Khmer, Phuan and Karen minorities (10.5%)
Languages: Thai is a complicated language with its own unique alphabet, but it's fun to try at least a few words. The main complication with Thai is that it is tonal: the same word could be pronounced with a rising, falling, high, low or level tone and could theoretically have five meanings! Buddhist (95%), Muslim (4%)
Currency: Baht (Bht)
GDP: Approx. Bht197700000000
Major industries: tourism, computers, garments, integrated circuits, gems, jewellery, tungsten, tin, rice
Major Trading Partners: ASEAN and European Union countries, China, Japan, USA
Country Dialing Code: 66

Getting there and away
It may be a bit pricey to get to Thailand by air, but once you're there you can take advantage of bargain-basement flights - Bangkok is one of the cheapest cities in the world to fly out of. Just bear in mind that flights in and out of Thailand are often overbooked so confirm, confirm and reconfirm.Thailand shares land borders with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Myanmar. With improved highways, it is also becoming easier to travel from Thailand to China. Plans for land and rail links between China and member countries of ASEAN, including Thailand, have been increasing since the turn of the new millennium. Thai-Cambodian border crossings are typically straightforward. Most visitors cross at Poipet (Cambodia) to Aranya Prathet. This is the most direct land route between Bangkok and Angkor Wat.The Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge spans a section of the Mekong River between Nong Khai, Thailand, and Tha Na Leng (near Vientiane, Laos) and is the main transport gateway between the two countries.Due to the unrest in the southern provinces of Thailand, many border crossers are opting for flights from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Singapore instead of crossing by land.The land crossings into Myanmar have peculiar restrictions that often don't allow full land access to the country.

Getting around
The only fault of the trains that ply around Bangkok is slowness - otherwise, they're a delightful option: cheap, comfortable and efficient. Buses are a sterling way to get around. Motorbikes are popular, but if you want to take to the roads, even in a car, beware of the anarchic Thai traffic. A cruisier option is to take one of the many forms of taxis - there are cars, rickshaws (both the motorised and the people-powered varieties), and small pick-ups.

Weather
Climate-wise, the best time for visiting most of Thailand is between November and February when it is not too wet and not too hot. The south is best visited when the rest of Thailand is miserably hot (March to May). If you're spending time in Bangkok, be prepared to roast in April and do some wading in October - probably the most challenging two months, weather-wise, in the capital.

Warning
Travellers should be aware that the political situation in Thailand is potentially volatile. Go to Safe Travel for current government warnings, or check out what travellers are saying on the Thorn Tree forum.

Tajikistan Country

Introduction
If you like it vertical, Tajikistan has the landscape for you. Tajikistan is a patchwork of self-contained valleys and regional contrasts, forged together by Soviet nation-building and shared pride in a Persian cultural heritage that is claimed as the oldest and most influential in the Silk Road region.

Destination Facts
Capital: Dushanbe
President: Emomali Rakhmonov
Prime Minister: Akil Akilov
Government: republic
Time zone: GMT +5
Area: 143100
Population: 6440732
Religions: Sunni Muslim (80%), Shi'a Muslim, other
Currency: Somoni (TJS)
Country Dialing Code: 992

Getting there and away
Tajikistan International Airlines has weekly flights from Karachi, Delhi, Istanbul and Munich to Dushanbe. Turkish Airines flies from Istanbul to Dushanbe. Aeroflot flies between Moscow and Dushanbe a few times a week. There are also irregular charter connections from Dushanbe to Aleppo and Abu Dhabi. You'll probably find it easier to fly to another Central Asian republic and then take a regional flight. There's a railway route from Moscow through Kazakstan and Uzbekistan with a branch line from Tashkent to Dushanbe or Khojand.

Getting around
The only regular air services are between Dushanbe, Khojand and Khorog. There's no train between Dushanbe and Khojand; you have to take the bumpy bus. Other buses go south to Kurgan-Tyube and Kulyab, and as far down as Pyanj and Ayvadz, but get advice on how clever it would be to board these services. Buses to the east reach only around 100km (60mi), as far as Komsomolabad, though shared jeeps run as far as Khorog. Beyond this things become hit-and-miss; there's only the occasional weekly minibus. The scarcity of petrol and spare parts means many vehicles spend time off the road - be prepared for long, rough rides, missed connections and vomiting children. If this doesn't appeal, it's often possible to hire a car and driver: taxis and private citizens are often willing to take travellers between cities.

Weather
Lowland Tajikistan veers between extremely hot summers with July days of 42° C (108° F) and extremely chilly winters with an average minimum of -12° C (10° F) in January. From October through May, fierce snowstorms rage in the mountains and the temperature can drop to a demolishing -45° C (-49° F), making getting around almost impossible. Spring (March to May) brings mild temperatures and frequent heavy showers while on the plains, strong duststorms can be expected from June through October.