We all have times when we just want to travel to relax or lie on a beach and do nothing. But I believe the trips that really stay with you are those where it’s an adventure, where you don’t plan everything. The trips where you leave room to be spontaneous and you witness another way of living. These are my favorite trips. The trips that open your eyes to a life so foreign from your own that it makes you question your priorities.
Posts about my travels around Asia are beyond delayed. But in a way, I am thankful it took me so long to share these with you. Waiting has allowed me to cherish those memories in private, just a little bit longer. Caleb and I took a month and traveled around Cambodia and Vietnam, and to say it was magical would be an understatement. While I appreciated the trip then, I look back on the trip with such fond memories and a new perspective. Reminiscing has helped remind me of what is truly important and what I learned on this adventure.
If you’ve followed me for some time, you likely know I am a planner. But on this trip, we mapped out our destinations and the essential hotels/flights, but left the rest open. We gave ourselves the freedom to stay in each city for as long or as short a time as we would like. {We even stayed with local families for some time in Hoi An and Sapa- but more on that later.} Through this, I was pushed out of my comfort zone and we met some of the most beautiful souls. In my opinion, this is what travel should look like. Travel should stretch you and remind you that most of the daily things we worry about are trivial.
The week after we returned from Cambodia and Vietnam, I accidentally deleted every photo on one of my disks- so I am not 100% sure how many photos I will have of certain events. But be prepared, the upcoming posts of Cambodia and Vietnam will be filled with color, culture, love, whimsy, and magic. I wish I had taken a beaucoup of videos on the trip to share more of the culture, but sadly I did not. {guess that just means I need to return again!} Stay tuned- photos and stories from Siem Reap, Hoi An, Hanoi, Tam Coc, Halong Bay, Sapa, and Hue are to come! {Posts about Bali, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Bangkok will come later too!} Until then, here are a few photos from Vietnam!
So, so beautiful! You’ve captured these photos & the culture so amazingly!
-Kate // http://www.classyandkate.com
Thanks Kate! It was such a beautiful culture, they made it easy to walk away with dreamy photos! Especially when the walls are all painted a gorgeous tuscan yellow!
I’ve been to both countries, and I love it. Although I wish I was able to go beyond HCMC in Vietnam. Cambodia is the country I’d go back to without second thought.
What cities did you visit in each country? If you go back to Vietnam, I highly encourage you to visit Hoi An. I’ll be sharing photos and details of our trip soon!
I loved so much Vietnam that I left part of my heart there. I have to go back sometimes, I want to explore more of this amazing country with friendly people and delicious food.
Girl- I am right there with you! We honestly talked about moving there haha Where did you visit?
both of these countries are on my bucket list and if ever I got the chance to travel abroad, I will be putting them on my top priority… I would love to visit the Ankor Wat and also the Ha Long of Vietnam.. gosh these countries have so many great places to offer!
They must be added to your bucket list! Asia captivated my heart in a way I never could have expected! I’ll be sharing photos from the Angkor Wat and HaLong Bay soon!
Beautiful Beautiful pictures! I have had Cambodia on my bucket list for a long time (i’ve been to Thailand and China and Cambodia just couldn’t be added, but I caught the bug there!)
You will love it!! Where in Thailand did you go? That is another favorite country of mine! China is on my bucket list- any suggestions?
These are gorgeous photos! It looks like your trip was amazing!
It really was Susannah! This trip must be added to your bucket list!
These photos are stunning!!! Your first paragraph made me want to pack a bag and head somewhere foreign- such a beautiful perspective!
You will absolutely adore it Allie! You must go!
Ahhhhh Cambodia. I have always wanted to visit this state ever since I have known of it in elementary. It really is a fascinating place. Your photos are fantastic! It’s too bad you accidentally deleted some of it.
You must!! It really is one of the most lovely countries! The people alone will make your heart melt! I know, I literally cried when I deleted the photos and tried everything I could to recover them- sadly there was no luck. But the photos we do have are gorgeous!
The photos are awesome! I’ve never been to Cambodia and Vietnam, so this is a treat. By the way, it’s my first time to visit your blog and I’m loving what I see so far. Keep it up and be blessed!
Thank you Mauie! You are far too sweet! You would love both countries!! I’ll be sharing more photos and information soon. Thanks for stopping by! xox
Great photos! I’ve just went to Vietnam about 3 weeks ago and I can say I also had a great time there. I’ve meaning to go to see Cambodia too, any tips on places to visit there? :)
Where in Vietnam were you? Isn’t it unreal? It is one of my favorite countries! Cambodia is gorgeous too! I’ll be sharing all of our trip details soon and would highly recommend everything we did!
Those photos are stunning! I miss Cambodia! I love their food and the culture. Have you visited the ruins?
Thank you Julia, yes I did! I will be sharing a post of them soon (maybe in the next 2 days)! Have you been? Isn’t it gorgeous!
Amazing photos! :)
Truly, these 2 Asian countries are a few of those I’d really like to visit in the future and hopefully I will get to! :)
Thank you! You must visit them both! They are two of my favorites!
The place was very colorful and it’s full of their culture. The photo speaks for itself.
So many breathtaking and beautiful pictures… I’m amazed. I think that’s the thing about traveling spontaneously, right? You get to discover more of people and their culture, plus you also get to stretch yourself out and really get out of your comfort zone. :)
Wow! All photos are excellent!! I really want to visit Cambodia soon!
I really love to visit Vietnam and take a boat ride along Hanoi river. Your pictures are really awesome that I can’t wait to go there.
I love the simplicity of these countries. I hope to visit here also. Seems that you can actually enjoy the place without costing you too much money! :)