Every Friday evening I’m reminded that I live in a tourist town. The grocery store is flooded with people shopping for their weekend away, the parking lots and streets are busy and hectic and I tend to curse way more than usual. Then I stop, breathe and look around at my beautiful Lake Tahoe surroundings and remember the days when I used to come up here for the weekend because it is such an amazing place. I am grateful for the locals who welcomed me into their towns to visit and experience their hometown and hope to be a grateful local too.
Working in the tourism industry I realize that when I book a tour to Southeast Asia, I am sending our guests into someone else’s hometown. As locals in the incredible Southeast Asia area, I asked some of our staff to share something about their hometown that only a local would know.
Andrea Ross/ Director of Tours / Local in Siem Reap, Cambodia
1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?
I don’t think I have a lot of choice on this one… it has to be Angkor Wat!
2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?
I love the Old Market. I go and visit Pisey and watch people shop and bargain. I also happen to love my own swimming pool.
3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?
Our town has been pretty well documented. The National Museum is new and I don’t think people realize how good it is, it is worth a visit, especially since it has AC!! You can also take a horse ride with Happy Ranch through the countryside, including walking through a temple or two! My aunt and I took a New Years ride on December 31st and it was a blast, a really unique way to see the countryside.
4. Is there anything you would like to add about the place where you live?
If you’re here, come and visit us J
Kwanchanok “Jeab” Meechai/ Bangkok Director / Local in Bangkok, Thailand
1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?
I would suggest them to go – Patravadi theatre has offers good food and tasty and nice location. Also if whoever interested for the performance they can also do after the meal.
2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?
My favourite thing to do in town is taking my dog to get a walk at the weekend at the ministry of public health. There is a lot of dog lover coming to meet up and join the weekend. I have attached my dog’s photo(Shi tsu) So I just think that there are so many foundations here still need helps like the money to support for the dogs and cats who the owner left them behind when they don’t want them anymore or had no time to take care. I know they are unlucky dogs from irresponsibility human but you can visit the link at www.home4animals.org and www.scadbangkok.org perhaps you would like to visit and play with them.
3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?
I would like them to know Ancient City: There is combined with interesting places of all 4 parts of Thailand there so this trip can take only one day to get to know about Thailand.
Nicole Long / Laos Director / Local in Luang Prabang, Laos
1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?
That is such a hard one! I would have to say either Kuang Si waterfall or Mt. Phousi at sunset. They are both natural and beautiful wonders. As many times as I have seen both I remain in awe. One extra plus Kuang Si has over Mt. Phousi is that you can take a refreshing dip in the green blue water on a hot day. You really feel like your on a movie set in a tropical jungle and then you realize that you really are (but don’t worry you rarely see any wildlife swimming around with you)!
2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?
To be honest one of my favorite things to do in my town is hang out with local families and absorb their traditions and customs. They are always so welcoming and warm that I feel as if I am at home. It is always a fun experience when they have reason to celebrate. The celebration is filled with tradition, smiles, food, and a lot of dancing (which I love). A lot of times it can be a bit overwhelming because you’re the only farang (foreigner) and everyone is watching and taking care of you. And you are always asked by the older Lao gentlemen of the village to dance.
3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?
I don’t know if there is an actual location I think tourists should go, unless they are feeling very adventurous. Since Luang Prabang is such a small town most tourists just stay in the main part of town and rarely go beyond about a ten block radius. I think if a tourist really wanted to try authentic food and see how the lao spend their days and evenings then I would suggest to go a little outside of town (honestly you don’t have to go far to get the “real” experience).
4. Is there anything you would like to add about the place where you live?
I would only add that I hope when people come to visit Luang Prabang they take a second to really take in the beauty of the surroundings and the people. To keep in mind that as nice as the main part of town appears, Luang Prabang is still a third world country (one of the poorest in SE Asia). So be kind and appreciate of all that you receive while visiting and your visit here will be that much more special. And one helpful hint: learn a little bit of Laos phrases for your trip. The locals LOVE it when a farang speaks a little Laos, it shows respect.
Narla Phuon/ Cambodia Director / Local in Siem Reap, Cambodia
1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?
I will suggest them to go to Angkor Wat temple becuse it’s a temple that most the people wish to see when they are coming Siem Reap town. Visiting Angkor Wat temple complex it’s not just only the temple that they can see and explore the Cambodia history, but can also see the cocal people selling the sovenir, farmer planting and cuttting rice, understand about our tradition and culture.
2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?
My favorite thing to do in town is having dinner with friends after the work done. It’s nice because we all working and no time to see each other, so it’s nice to meet and enjoy food together.
3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?
Kulen Mountain is the places that not have very many tourist go there. There is a water fall up on the mountain. It’s not a natural site but it’s also an old place that have old temple on top was build by King Jajavaman II in 9th century. Overthere is crowded when Cambodia having the big ceremony but quiet when the cecemony done especially at rainny reason. Tourist can go there to explore about our nature and history tourism.
4. Is there anything you would like to add about the place where you live?
No, this is all have but If I found something that I think it’s good to see I will suggest people who coming to visit Siem Reap town.
