The ancient city of Angkor

Over one thousand years ago, an ancient king established Angkor as the capital city of the Khmer Empire. The city would grow to be the largest in the pre-industrial world, home to about one million and covering an area the size of Los Angeles. Today, the ruins lay hidden in the forest near Siem Reap, Cambodia. Temples straight out of adventure novels are in various states of ruin, which often adds to the aesthetic; tree roots envelop entire temple walls, proving that nature always wins out over time. This was our first stop in Southeast Asia that was on everyone’s bucket list, however we (mostly) managed to avoid the hordes of tourists and find peace and beauty while exploring the temples.

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Green Climbers Home

Legend tells of a climber’s paradise hidden in the karst mountains of Laos. They say that any climber willing to endure a confusing and fairly uncomfortable bus ride from Vietnam will be rewarded with amazing limestone faces, tufas, caves, and roofs. In Thakhek Laos, we found climber heaven, where the approaches are done in flip flops, the food is delicious, the company is friendly, and the climbing is legendary.

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Trekking in Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa is a mountain town near the border with China that is home to several ethnic minority tribes in Vietnam. Most of the residents come from one of five tribes, which can be identified by beautiful handmade traditional clothing. The town is of French colonial origin, formerly a garrison, and distinctly contrasts with the basic villages in the adjacent valley. Trekking in the region offers a window into traditional life in this rice-growing community.

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