Itineraries – Before I Kick it Travel

24 April 202010 May 2020

Day Trips from Nairobi: 5 Great Getaways

I think Kenya as a whole is such a beautiful country. There is so much to see and experience that it could take you years to uncover all of its treasures. Most travelers only get to visit Nairobi and the safari camps. However, if you have time, there are several day trips from Nairobi worth taking. Here are 5 great getaway trips that are easy to get to within two hours of the city limit that I recommend.

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Lake Naivasha

One nicest day trips outside of Nairobi is a visit to Lake Naivasha. About 90 minutes outside of Nairobi, Lake Naivasha is a perfect destination to experience nature in a different way than a traditional safari. Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake located northwest of Nairobi and is part of the Great Rift Valley. Named Nai’posha, meaning ‘rough water,’ by the Maasai for the sudden rain storms that cause rough, high waves.

The lake is home to over 1500 hippos and 400 different species of birds, making it a great place for nature lovers. Boat trips can be taken from many lakeside lodges and campsites. It’s a good opportunity to see the hippos up close, but proceed with care.

They are the most dangerous animals in Africa; strong swimmers and runners (for short distances). To give you an idea of their strength, only the female hippo bite strength has been measured because the male is too aggressive to test.

Cost: $20-25 for boat/$30 for Crescent Island
When to go: All year around
What to bring: Sunscreen, lots of water, snacks
Wildlife: variety of wildlife

The lake is surrounded by the most beautiful forests of yellow Acacia Xanthophlea trees. While on your day trip to the lake, make a stop at Crescent Island to get an even closer look at non-predatory animals, such as the giraffe, which were born on the island.

Mount Longonot

Traveling to Mount Longonot was one of the hardest day trips I took from Nairobi. An inactive volcano almost 9000ft above sea level, Mt. Longonot offers one of the most difficult hikes and some of the most beautiful views in Kenya.

Less than 40 miles outside of Nairobi, Mt. Longonot National Park gives you a chance to see if you can keep up with the Kenyans on this difficult hike. Try not to be embarrassed as they pass you barely breaking a sweat and hiking in flip flops with ease.

The hike is steep and the terrain is made mostly of volcanic rock and fine dust, which can be slippery and becomes muddy when it rains. There are several view points along the way. Most of my group was not fit, but it would have certainly helped.

The hike takes about an hour from the Park Gate to reach the rim and a little more than an hour to hike around the rim, so plan for 4 hours total. Unless you are an avid hiker, you will be proud of yourself once you complete the journey. I highly recommend packing a snack or lunch and bring lots of water and sunscreen.

Cost: $26
When to go: All year around
What to bring: Sunscreen, hat, and snacks
Wildlife: Buffalos, Gazelles, Impala and Giraffe

Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park was one of my favorite day trips from Nairobi. Looking for a less intensive hike than Mount Longonot with the same reward of beautiful landscapes and views? Hell’s Gate National Park is Mt. Longonot and Lake Naivasha’s neighbor in the Great Rift Valley and the location of what the Lion King location is based from. It is rocky and covered ash from the last volcanic eruption at Mt. Longonot, but a relatively easy hike. Established in 1984, it is home to many forms of wildlife. It is definitely my favorite hike!

When you arrive, there are guides available to take you on the hike, which I highly recommend. They not only show you the way, but they help you navigate slightly difficult terrain. It takes about 2-4 hours to hike, depending on your speed and if you choose to visit pride rock.

Cost: $26pp, approx. $20 per group for a guide
When to go: All year around
What to bring: Sunscreen, water
Wildlife: buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle and baboons are common. There are over 100 species of birds in the park.

Brown’s Cheese

Brown’s Cheese is one of the closest day trips from Nairobi. One thing I love about Kenya are the gems you can find outside of the city. Kenya is not generally known for its cheese. As a matter of fact, Brown’s Cheese, an all natural cheese company, started because cheese was hard to find in Kenya up until 1979 when Brown’s Cheese was established.

Brown’s Cheese is located about an hour outside of the city center on a beautiful farm in the middle of the tea plantations in Limuru, Kenya. It offers tours of its factories and farm and lunch where you can tastes their yummy cheese.

I have done this day trip and tour three times. When you arrive, they serve homemade lemonade or some other homemade, refreshing drink. The cheese platter is accompanied with homemade bread and jams. They provide a tasting menu card that describes the cheese and the best jam parings. Since their cheeses do not contain additives, coloring, or coating the taste is super fresh. I am not a fan of stinky cheeses, but their feta and blue cheeses are my favorites.

After the cheese tasting, lunch is served, followed by homemade ice cream. I recommend the salted caramel!

Cost: Approximately $40
When to go: All year around

Kiambethu Tea Farm

Kiambethu Tea Farm is also one of the easiest day trips from Nairobi. It is also located in Limuru, in the rolling hills covered tea plants, the Kiambethu Tea Farm was established in 1910 and is still run by the same family.

The farm is very peaceful. You can enjoy a cup of tea, hear the history of the farm, and then walk through the indigenous forest surrounding the farm.

A homemade, delicious three-course lunch will be awaiting you upon your return from the walk. It is recommended you book in advance, as space is limited and tours are generally offered once a day.

Cost: Approximately $35
When to go: All year around
What to bring: A light jacket

How to get there? See: 5 Tips for Easy Travel in Kenya

26 March 202010 May 2020

15 Bucket List Things You Should Do In Vietnam

From crowded cities, beautiful beaches along the coastline, and the green mountainous regions in the north, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Vietnam. Vietnam was at the top of my list for bucket list destinations in Asia. I did not do all of the traditional things that most people would consider to be must do bucket list items in Vietnam. I wanted to have enough time to do balance between visiting the sites, eating my way through the country, and having some down time. So, here are my 15 bucket list things you should do to enjoy as much of the country as possible in 2 weeks.

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Visit Ho Chi Minh City

Even though Ho Chi Minh City was not officially on my Bucket List, there is no way I would have traveled to Vietnam without visiting the city. Ho Chi Minh City is one of Vietnam’s most important cities and a popular tourist destination. Its large population, skyscrapers, and tons of traffic may be overwhelming to the senses and make it hard to fully relax. But, it is also full of rich history and beauty that are a must see.

I think it is good to spend at lease one day exploring the city on your own. I love to join tours, but many tour companies in Ho Chi Minh do not give you enough time to let you enter the sites. Instead, you end up standing outside and talking about it. So, it is worth doing a little research and then taking a motor taxi to get round the city on your own. It is very easy and inexpensive to get around the city

I highly recommend that you visit the War Remnants Museum, which focuses on the impact of the Vietnam War on the Vietnamese people as well as the protests around the world against the war. It is a very sobering museum and it made me reflect on what humans, in this case Americans, are willing to do to others.

The Jade Emperor Pagoda is also worth a visit. It is one of the most beautiful and popular attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Built in 1909 to honor the supreme Jade Emperor Ngoc Hoang, the temple is in the heart of the city. But, as soon as you step through the main gate of the grounds, things slow down and a peace and calm overtakes you.

With all of that said, I still think it is worth doing a day or half day city tour with a guide. You will learn so much more about the city and discover some hidden gems.

When to visit: It is best to go between December and March when it is slightly cooler around 80-90 degrees.
Where to Stay: District 1 is close to all of the action. I stayed just across the Mong bridge in District 4, which is quieter and only a short walk away from District 1.
Tour Company: I booked a half day walking tour of Ho Chi Minh with Tripadvisor.

Go to Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is a beautiful and peaceful region in the southern part of the country and should be on everyone’s bucket list. It is made up of rivers, swamps, and islands. The river starts in the Himalayans and passes through China, Thailand, and Cambodia before reaching Vietnam and dumping out into the ocean. You could easily spend several days to a couple of weeks exploring the floating markets, pagodas, orchards, and bio reserves. However, if you only have a limited amount of time, day tours from Ho Chi Minh City are easy. The day trips are a tad touristy, but they are still worth the experience. Even in one day, you can have several cultural adventures, such as boating on the Mekong River and riding bikes in the country side.

When to visit: Any time of the year is good to go except for the rainy season from May to October.
How to get there: If you are doing a day tour, then Getyourguide is a great option. If you plan to stay longer, here are several options on how to get there.

Do a food tour in HCMC

For me, food is such an important category on my bucket list. Not only because good food is amazing, but food tells you a lot about the country. I try to do a food tour in every new county I visit. They are special because you visit places you may have never otherwise found and try dishes you have never heard about. And, since Vietnam is a food powerhouse, I could not visit without doing one in Ho Chi Minh City. As a matter of fact, since the food varies from north to south, it is worth doing multiple tours throughout the country.

In Ho Chi Minh City, many of the food tour companies make a lot of stops that do not include tastings so you end up on a historical tour rather than a food tour. If that is what you are looking for, then that perfect. However, I really just wanted to eat! My research for the perfect tour paid off. I spent the night on the back of a motor scooter, zipping in and out of traffic, and eating a variety of some most delicious food in the city.

Tour Company: I booked my tour with Get Your Guide. There are a lot of options, so just do a little bit of research if my recommendation does not appeal to you.
When to go: It is never a bad time to do a food tour. But, doing it at the beginning of your trip is better so you time to revisit your favorite places.

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Bánh Xèo (pancake)

Coconut Ice Cream

Bún Chả (Obama Noodles)

Visit Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An was one of my favorite cities in Vietnam. It is my bucket list goal is to visit at least 300 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, naturally, I had to visit Hoi An. Its status has made the city become very touristy and crowded in recent years. However, I traveled during the rise of the coronavirus. So, It was extremely quiet in the city, which allowed me to enjoy it in an unexpected way. Hoi An is very colorful with its yellow, timber houses and multicolored lanterns all over the city.

Its streets are full of shops and restaurants. An occasional unexpected temple, theater, or bridge will surprise you. If you really want to enjoy the city before the crowds arrive, wake up early and stroll around. Your only company will be an occasional runner and the morning market, which is a madhouse between 6-8am. Hoi An lights up at night as all of the boats covered in multicolored lit lanterns cruise up and down the Thu Bồn River . The night market is lively and full of souvenir stalls and street food.

When to go: The best time of year to go is during dry season between February and April.
Where to stay: An Airbnb is a great option. Stay just outside of the ancient city to stay away from the noisy night market.
Favorite restaurant: I loved Morning Glory. My favorite dish was the Cao lầu, which is a regional noodle dish. I also had the best Bahn Mi at Bánh Mì Phượng. Bahn Mi is a traditional sandwich that is normally eaten at breakfast.
Tip: Visit one of the many yellow booths throughout the city to buy a pass to visit 5 of the 20 historical sites in the city.

Scooter Tour in Hoi An

If you want to get outside of Hoi An’s busy city center, then you can take a scooter tour of the countryside. It is a fantastic opportunity to see how locals live and experience the country’s authentic culture. This tour is a self drive tour. After about 5 minutes practice on the bike, you take off into the city’s traffic. Luckily, traffic is only a fraction of what it is in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Unfortunately, I never really mastered how to ride the scooter. While, I was able to manage the streets, for some reason making a sharp turns always landed me in a wall or rice paddy! If riding a scooter is not really your thing, then you can also ride bicycles in the countryside.

Visit My Son Sanctuary

If you have a few days in Hoi An, you should take a day trip to My Son Sanctuary. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, My Son Sanctuary is a cluster of ruined Hindu temples. The Kings of Champa and Cham people built them between the 4th and 14th centuries. There are 71 rediscovered structures that are grouped together over two kilometers. They are architecturally interesting and show a level of technological sophistication for the time. Considering that these structures have been around for centuries, it is an interesting note that they were not constructed with mortar. If you can manage to visit around sunrise before the crowds arrive, you will be able to take a moment and enjoy the site in peace.

When to visit: It is best to go early in the morning around sunrise to avoid the crowds and hot temperatures. Early to late afternoon when the tourist have fled is also a great time.
How to get there: I booked a tour through Viator. They picked us up from our hotel and the guide was fantastic.

Marble Mountain

Marble Mountain is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills, named after the elements, not far from Da Nang city in Central Vietnam. The mountains were once a spiritual destination for Vietnamese aristocracy and Mahayana Buddhists. This site actually amazed me. I had zero expectations of Marble Mountain and stumbled upon it on my drive from Hoi An to Hue. There are lots surprises along the mountains, to include caves, tunnels and temples to explore. It is definitely one place that will make you wonder how did the Vietnamese created such a marvelous place without modern technology.

When to go: It is best do go during dry season since marble will be quite slick during the rainy season. Go early in the day to avoid the heat and tourists. It could take you several hours to see everything without feeling rushed.
Note: There are a lot of steps. Even if you decide to take the elevator to the top of the mountain instead of climbing, there are still a ton of steps at the top. Make sure to wear proper shoes.

Lap An Lagoon

Lap An Lagoon in Hue is definitely at the top of my list of favorite places in Vietnam. It was one of the most peaceful parts of my journey. I was there on a cloudy day, which made it even more mystical. I only discovered this place because it was listed as a place to stop on my drive from Hoi An to Hue. The water is crystal clear and you can enjoy a peek at sea life just below the surface. Sand dunes stretch from the bank out into the lagoon. You can stroll out to the water’s edge to take a look at some of nearby fishing boats.

The Vietnamese have definitely cater to tourist by setting up places to take photos, and I do not blame them. It is one of those scenes that I have only seen in beautiful paintings. Luckily, there were few people around and I was able to steal a few beautiful pictures. There is also a great seafood restaurant near by, and the option to buy affordable pearls.

When to go: It is best to go between March and June when it is dry and warm.
How to get there: It is easy to take a day tour from Hue or you can make a stop at the lagoon if you are driving from Hoi An to Hue.

Drive from Hoi An to Hue

I originally viewed hiring a car to get from Hoi An to Hue as a means to an end. Instead, it should have been included on my bucket list. A good way to see part of Vietnam in one day without having to take multiple trips is to drive from Hoi An to Hue (or vise versa) and make stops along the way. Better yet, you can do what I did and hire a driver. It is actually fairly inexpensive and a great way to see the country in a stress free way. There are many options, but I recommend stopping at Marble Mountain, Lap An Lagoon, Hai Van Pass, and see the An Bang Cemetery. It will take you a full day, about 8 hours to see everything at your leisure.

Tour company: BNT Travel was a great company because we never felt rushed throughout our entire journey. The driver did not really speak a lick of English but that ended up not being a problem.

Lang Co beach

Spend time in Hue

When I added Hue to my bucket list, I was not expecting to find such an interesting city. There are so many beautiful and interesting things to see in Hue. The Imperial City, also known as the Citadel, is inside of the city center and is one of the main draws to the city. The Imperial City was home to the first emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. That makes sense, as that name is sprinkled all over Vietnam. These beautiful structures were once home to the country’s capital and the seat of bureaucracy. The complex is huge, so you should give yourself at least 2 hours to walk the grounds and take in all of the colors and structures.

If you only have one day in Hue, you can easily fit in a few more things. I recommend visiting the tombs of the Ancient Emperors, Tu Duc, Mihn Mang, and Khai Dinh. The tombs are like large, tranquil gardens. You should also squeeze in a visit to the Tu Hieu Pagoda. It is one of the most popular pagoda’s in the city and is beautiful.

If you have more time to enjoy Hue, then there is a lot more you can do. I highly recommend that you enjoy a stroll along the Perfume River or do a food tour of some of the best cuisine in the country. Also, the beach is far from the city center, but worth visiting.

Where to stay: As my third stop in Vietnam and no beach time up to my arrival in Hue, I decided to stay outside of the city center at the beach at Ana Mandera Hue. The hotel room was absolutely beautiful. The food was slightly overpriced and not as good as food in town. However, I think that is generally expected at resorts.
Tips: Make sure you bring sunscreen, a hat, and lots of water. There is very little refuge from the sun at many of the sites in Hue. The heat and humidity can be stifling.

Visit Hanoi

Just like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi does not have to be on your official bucket list for you to realize that it is worth visiting. If you plan to spend any significant time in Vietnam, then you should visit Hanoi. Even though it was my least favorite city in the country, it is still fascinating. Hanoi is overcrowded and seems to be slightly dirtier than other cities in Vietnam. It was slightly overwhelming, even though I was traveling during the coronavirus outbreak and Hanoi was much quieter than normal.

The easiest way to see the city is to book a tour. Most city tours include visiting the highlights, such as the Hanoi Opera House, Temple of Literature & National University, and One Pillar Pagoda. If you are lucky you will end the tour with traditional Vietnamese street food and coffee.

When to go: The best time to go is between February – April and October – November to avoid the unforgiving summer heat and the rainy season respectively.
Tour Company: Viator
Where to stay: I chose an Airbnb outside of the old city to have a little peace and quiet. However, I had to walk at least a 25 minute to the old city everyday. You can also take Grab to get around. They are quick and inexpensive. If I had to do it over again, I would have stayed in the old city just for convenience.

Do a food tour in Hanoi

Food is so important to my bucket list travels and adventures. This is particularly true in Vietnam, where the food is so amazing and different depending on the region. So, doing a second food tour on this trip was a great decision. I was amazed that the food tour in Hanoi included several things I had never heard of, even after spending nearly two weeks traveling in Vietnam. I visit 8 restaurants and experienced 10 tastings. It was some of the best traditional food in the city.

When to go: Food tours are great no matter the time of year. I recommend that you take the tour at the beginning of your trip so you can return to your favorite spots.
Tour Company: Hanoi Street Food Tour

Egg Coffee

Bún Chả (Obama Noodles)

Nộm bò khô (dried beef salad)

Visit Hanoi’s Coffee Shops

I never considered putting coffee on my bucket list. It’s something most people drink everyday without much consideration. I heard that coffee was a thing in Vietnam, but I was surprised by how much. Many Vietnamese homes are small, which makes it difficult to host people. Therefore, there are hundreds of cafes sprinkled throughout the city to give people a place to relax and chat with friends while enjoying great coffee, coffee drinks, or tea. I really loved all of my coffee experiences from traditional Vietnamese coffee to coconut coffee. It was all so different and unique from what I’ve ever experienced before and simply delicious.

Favorite Cafes:

Cafe Dinh: You will see very few tourists in this cafe and it is slightly hard to find. It is best known for it’s egg coffee.
Loading T: This was my favorite cafe. It has an old French vibe that is further emphasized by the French music playing in the background. They roast their coffee beans with cinnamon sticks so the coffee has a unique flavor. The best thing to get is the regular coffee with condensed milk or the frozen coconut coffee. I had both!
Hanoi Egg Coffee: Yes, this is the name of the coffee shop. I enjoyed my first egg coffee at my shop and was immediately hooked.

Egg Coffee from Cafe Dinh

Go to the Spa

Visiting the spa in Vietnam is not generally on most people’s bucket lists. However, it should be! You can visit the many spas through the entire country and will walk away relaxed and satisfied. After walking around for hours you should definitely take advantage of the many places to get a 30, 45, or 60 minute foot massage all for about $10 or less. Because there are so many, you should absolutely be picky. Most massage salons are open so you can peek in from the outside. Make sure the chairs are clean and the location has a spa environment, if that is what you are expecting. If you have more time, I highly recommend getting several spa treatments. They will be high quality and a fraction of the price you would pay in the West.

Favorite Spa: Orient Spa Hanoi

Halong Bay

Halong Bay, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a must see item on my bucket list. It is one of the most sought out tourist destinations in Vietnam. Its beautiful emerald waters and tall limestones sprinkled throughout the bay are the draw. With more than 1,600 islands, there are several places to snorkel, kayak, hike, and visit secret lagoons.

How to get there: The best way to enjoy Halong Bay is to take a boat tour. There is everything from day boat tours to several day cruises. There are many tour companies to fit various budgets.
When to go: Usually between March and May and September to December.

26 October 201913 August 2020

Thailand: 15 Things You Must Do

Thailand was the first Asian country that I visited. It is such a beautiful, interesting place that even after almost two weeks of travel, I felt like I had just begun to discover the country’s gems. I did try to squeeze in as many of the highlights as possible. Here are what I think are the 15 things you must do in Thailand.

See Bangkok’s sites

Bangkok is one of the busiest cities in Thailand. I think the best way to get around to see the major sites is to join a tour group. I use Viator.com to see places, such as the Grand Palace, Temple of Emerald Buddha (reclining Buddha), and Wat Arun Ratchavararam. If you prefer to see these sites on your own, it is doable, but I recommend that you take time to plan how you will get around the city.

Do a bike tour of Bangkok

I did a few bike tours in Thailand, but rolling around the streets of Bangkok was my favorite. I enjoyed my 3-4 hour bike tour around Bangkok, where you can visit a lot of the local, less touristy sites. During our ride, we visited the flower market and China Town. We even stopped by a lovely bug snack stand. Yes, you read right! The bug snack stand had lots of options. Unlike most of the other people in the group, I did not have the guts to try them.

Watch a Muay Thai fight

Muay Thai or Thai boxing is a full contact sport that is Thailand’s national sport. The best fights are in Bangkok at Lumpinee Stadium.

Eat street food

Thailand has some of the best street food in the world. In Bangkok, you can find street food, such as Pad Thai, fish cakes, fried veggies, and whole fish throughout the city. The food is usually very fresh, often times made right in front of you.

Take a cooking class

I love Thai food and I am always trying to replicate my favorite dishes at home. As a result, I was on the hunt for a good place to learn how to make Thai dishes. There are many cooking schools throughout Thailand and most of them are very affordable. I prefer schools that have their own farm and grow fresh veggies to use in the cuisine. I took my class in Chiang Mai at the Thai Secret Cooking School. During an 8 hour course, the instructors demoed every course we made. Then, we made several dishes from scratch, to include curry paste that we used to make a delicious green curry. Many of the ingredients came directly from the school’s organic garden. The school provided us a cookbook with all of the dishes we prepared during the course.

Do a food tour

Thailand was the first country where I did a food tour. It was such a positive experience that I now do food tours in most countries I travel to. The benefit is that you will go to mom and pop restaurants that have been family owned for generations and taste things you might not otherwise come across.

Get outside of Bangkok

I love the fast-paced nature of Bangkok, with its beautiful temples framing the city’s backdrop. However, there are so many diverse things to see in Thailand. The beautiful mountainous regions in the north that are touched by Chinese influence is something you should not miss. The beaches and islands are some of the best and most beautiful in the world.

Visit Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is part of the mountainous region of Thailand in the northern part of the country. Cooler temperatures and green landscape will make you feel more relaxed than spending time in Bangkok. It is home to numerous temples, to include the must see Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. I used Chiang Mai as a base city, to enjoy other parts of the region.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

Get a massage

In Thailand, it’s a must to get a Thai massage. Well, sort of. I definitely wanted to get a massage in Thailand, but I opted out of the “Thai” part of it. I enjoyed my massage at Peak Spa in Chiang Mai, where I had a body wrap, a 60-minute massage, and a milk bath. It was all fantastic. The one difference is that the massage is literally a FULL body massage. Your bottom and breasts will definitely get a rub down. I was a little taken aback at first, but once I relaxed, I fully enjoyed it.

Get a fish pedicure

What in the world is a fish pedicure? That is the question I asked the first time someone recommended that get one. A fish pedicure is when you put your feet into a tank of warm water filled with garra rufa fish. They swim around the tank and eat the dead skin off of feet, leaving them callous free. Now, this practice is banned in some US states and other parts of the world because it is considered cruel to animals. I did not get one done because it just seemed weird, but many people enjoy it.

Khantoke dinner and Dance

I went to a Khantoke dinner and dance at the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center, which was created in 1970 to showcase Northern Thailand culture. The dance and performances are based on long-standing traditions. You will sit on bamboo mats on the floor and will be served a large amount of northern Thai food. I was on this trip by myself, so I definitely could not eat everything they served me. The meal was quite good though. While you enjoy dinner, there will be a variety of traditional Thai dances on stage, a sword dance and a drum performance. You can book a tour on Viator.com, which includes transportation.

Visit the elephants

I love elephants! They have so much personality. You can have an up-close and personal experience with them in Thailand. There is a lot of controversy over whether or not people should ride elephants, especially with harnesses and carriages strapped onto the elephants’ backs. However, there are companies that try to focus on the humane treatment and care of elephants. I visited Elephant Nature Park on the outskirts of Chiang Mai where I learned about how to monitor the health of the elephants, fed and bathed them, and then did a short bareback ride on the elephant.

Check out Thailand’s islands

Most people think of Phuket or Krabi when considering beach locations in Thailand. However, I think it is worth staying on one of Thailand’s many islands instead. I traveled to Ko Lanta, where it is quieter and more relaxing than the touristy spots.

Island hop

With more than 300 islands in Thailand, if you are staying on the coast or on one of the islands, you should definitely island hop. There are four island tours from Krabi, Thailand as well as several options to visit some infamous sites like Ko Mook Emerald Caves and Phi Phi island.

Go scuba diving

Scuba diving was one of the items on my bucket list to check off during my trip to Thailand. The water and marine life are some of the most beautiful in the world. Also, Thailand’s dive schools are PADI certified, so I felt like I was going to be in good hands. If you have checked out my bucket list, then you will know that scuba diving was on my adventure list. I thought the experience was amazing, but I’m not sure I can stomach doing it again. Regardless of my fears, I still thought it was well worth it. If you are an experienced diver or just like the occasional plunge, Thailand is ranked high on scuba divers’ list.

5 August 201910 May 2020

Top 10 Things to Do in Luxor

Luxor is a much quieter, smaller town compared to Cairo. However, it has some of the most well-preserved ancient ruins in the country. Many of the tombs still have colorful hieroglyphic writings, which is amazing considering that the writings are over 4 thousand years old. There are many things to see, so here are the top 10 things to do in Luxor.

1. Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings is located on the West Bank of the Nile and is where Egyptians built tombs into cut out rock for pharaohs and powerful nobles. There are 63 tombs and chambers in the valley and they are all located at different depths underground based on how long the person lived. The walls of the tombs tell stories of Egyptian mythology and funeral rituals. It is one of the highlights of Luxor.

2. Tomb of Merenptah

The tomb of Merenptah is located in the Valley of the Kings. He was the son of one of the greatest pharaohs of Egypt, Ramesses II. The pathway to the burial chamber extends 160 meters underground. On your walk underground, there are beautiful and interesting decorations and color stretching from the ceiling to the floors.

3. Tomb of Ramesses III

Located in the Valley of the Kings, the tomb of Ramesses III is one of the largest in the valley. His mummified body is not available for the public to see, but it apparently set the framework for Hollywood’s depiction of mummies.

4. Tomb of King Tutankhamun

The tomb of King Tutankhamun (known as King Tut) was built quickly because he died at age 19. Because of his early death, the walls are only painted instead of carved. As a result, some would say that the paint has not survived well over time. It still looked amazing to me. You must buy an extra ticket (about $5) to visit King Tut’s tomb, but you will be able to see his mummified body, which is really cool. You are not allowed to take photos in the tomb, even if you have a photo pass.

5. Tomb of Ramesses VI

His tomb is one of the largest in the Valley of the Kings. During his reign of only six years, he took on a large building program in Upper Egypt. His mummified body is now located in the Egyptian Museum.

6. Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is located near the Valley of the Kings. It is thought to be one of the “incomparable moments of ancient Egypt.” It has undergone quite a bit of restoration, but that does not take away from the interesting nature of the place. For architecture lovers, Hatshepsut’s temple is considered the closest Egypt came to classical architecture. Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. She was the second historically-confirmed female pharaoh.

7. Karnak Temple

The Karnak Temple dates from around 2055 BC to around 100 AD. It is one of the largest religious buildings ever constructed. The place is massive and it is a wonder how the Egyptians even built it. Egyptians celebrated the end of the annual agricultural cycle at Karnak and Luxor for twenty-seven days. During the festival, the people were giving over 11,000 loaves of bread and more than 385 jars of beer.

8. Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon are two statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt during Dynasty XVII. The name comes from Memnon who was know as a hero of the Trojan War. Floods from the Nile and a large earthquake in 27 BC did a lot of damage to the statues, but their large size still feels like they are the gateway to the city.

9. Medinet Habu (Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III)

The Medinet Habu is located on the West Bank of Luxor. Tourist rarely visit the temple, but it is worth the visit, since the walls still have a lot of detail. It is known as the best source of inscribed reliefs depicting the advent and defeat of the Sea People during Ramesses III’s reign.

10. The Temple of Luxor

The Temple of Luxor, also known as the southern sanctuary, is the site of the famous city of Thebes. It is unlike most of the other temple, since it is not dedicated to a god or specific king’s death. However, it may have been used to rejuvenate kingship. In front of the temple is the avenue of the Sphinxes, which ran all the way to the temples at Karnak. Visit the temple at night when it is all lit up and looks like it came right out of a Hollywood movie.