These days, with low-cost camera-ready drones available from a number of different manufacturers, and a bevy of amateur and professional videographers getting into the drone video game, we’re seeing more and more aerial video tours of the places we visit throughout Southeast Asia.
Take a moment (or five) and enjoy these unique perspectives on some of the monuments and destinations you may have already experienced first-hand or might have on a travel bucket list, from each of the five countries we offer tours in.
We suggest you make each of these videos full-screen to truly appreciate the stunning footage captured in these amazing places. Enjoy.
Cambodia
Tour the Angkor Wat temple complex in this video by 5Mars.com titled “Angkor – Visit from the sun.”
Thailand
See the Thai island of Koh Yao Noi in this video by Philip Bloom.
Vietnam
Enter the magical world of the Hang Son Doong cave system via drone in this video by Ryan Deboodt.
Myanmar
See the temples of Bagan from above in this video by YouTuber Clipper 707.
Laos
Enjoy a selection of aerial shots above the countryside of Laos in this video by YouTuber moodakdrone.
The Thai festival of Loi Krathong is celebrated annually on the evening of the full moon during the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar – corresponding to Nov. 25, 2015 this year.
The name Loi Krathong essentially means “to float a basket,” and comes from the tradition of floating beautifully decorated baskets (krathongs) on a river, with participants making a wish and giving thanks as they release their basket.
During the festival, expect to see thousands of elaborately decorated krathongs floating down the waterways of Thailand – a sight that must be seen first-hand to be appreciated. And in the bigger cities, beauty pageants and even fireworks shows are common during the Loi Krathong festival.
At the same time as the Loi Krathong festival this year, another traditional Thai celebration – Yi Peng – will be celebrated. Also scheduled around the full moon, the Yi Peng festival features swarms of sky lanterns (khom loi), which float gently into the sky like luminous miniature hot-air balloons.
The khom loi are made from thin fabric, such as rice paper, stretched over a lightweight bamboo or wire frame, with a candle below the opening at the bottom. When the candle is lit, the warm air produced by the flame is enough to lift the khom loi into the sky.
Photo courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
In addition to the floating marvel of thousands of candle-lit khom loi, Thais also decorate their homes, gardens and temples during the Yi Peng Festival with elaborate paper lanterns which add to the amazing beauty of the countryside during this special time.
Best places to experience the festivities
Chiang Mai – a history city in the mountainous region of northern Thailand – is where we normally recommend people experience the Loi Krathong festival due to the unique history of the festival in this locale.
The ancient Thai capital city of Sukothai is another great bet for guests who have been to Thailand before and wish to experience the festival in a less touristy area.
Finally, there are celebrations in Bangkok, in the beach towns, and throughout the country if neither of the locations above works with your planned itinerary. The festivals will include events from Nov. 24 – 26 in 2015.
Journeys Within always send our guests with a guide who can explain the historical significance of the festivals, help navigate the crowds, aid in building krathongs and lanterns, and find the best locations to experience the festivities. Due to the popularity of these festivals in Thailand, travelers can expect large crowds – especially in the urban areas – however, it’s worth putting up with the crowds to be a part of such a magical time.
Book now to ensure the best accommodations for these unique festivals
Given the popularity of the Loi Krathong and Yi Peng festivals in Thailand, and the fact that they fall over the convenient Thanksgiving holiday break for U.S. travelers this year, we recommend booking your tour ASAP to ensure the best experience.
Our expert tour planners can plan the perfect itinerary around experiencing these two amazing Thai festivals, while also incorporating cultural excursions in smaller Thai villages, shopping trips to Bangkok, or relaxing days on the white-sand beaches Thailand is famous for.
Call our Thailand experts at (877) 454-3672, or submit an inquiry here to start planning your Thai festival tour today.
Dan and Monica at the New York Society for Ethical Culture.
On Sunday, April 19, 2015, Journeys Within travelers Dan Hanson and Monica Weiss gave a Sunday Platform presentation to the members of the New York Society for Ethical Culture all about their “voluntourism” travels through Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, and their involvement with the non-profit Journeys Within Our Communities in January of 2015.
With an itinerary that began in Bangkok and continued through Chiang Mai (including the Elephant Nature Park), Luang Prabang, Vientiane, the Mekong River and Siem Reap, the Hansons were able to speak to their unforgettable experiences and the impact they were able to have while in this special part of the world.
While in Siem Reap, they participated in the JWOC Clean Water Program which provides rural villages with a holistic clean water solution by installing and repairing wells, providing hygiene training and distributing water filters and hygiene kits, all of which you can see in their presentation below.
Video slideshow of their talk (skip to 15:27 into the video):
In today’s blog Andrea talks about heading back to Southeast Asia with her kids to celebrate Journeys Within’s 10th anniversary and gives her top tips for travelling as a family…
It was the perfect time to head to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia just days after finishing up our 10 year anniversary celebration in the US! Having gone through the photos and been reminded people and places I have visited in the past has been an amazing trip down memory lane. To now be able to pack up the kids and experience it all again is exciting.
On this trip we visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang and Siem Reap. We tried out some of our old favorites and experiencing some new tours. I was excited to see our guides and thank them for their hard work and incredible energy over the last high season. I was also very excited to meet some new guides!
Mostly I looked forward to seeing my team and to see my kids back in the area of the world I love so much. My kids have done such a great job adjusting to life in America, but I don’t want them to forget the friends and experiences they grew up with in Cambodia! Since I haven’t traveled with the kids much in the last year it came as a bit of a surprise how much more work it is to prepare three people for travel rather than to just hit the road solo. Packing, prepping and scheduling becomes a lot more intense for a family and it made me appreciate our guests and what their preparations looks like before their big family trips! With that said, we boarded the plane to Asia ready for our adventure.
Here are 5 things I recommend for long flights with kids between the ages of 5 and 10:
1. Tell them where you’re going and what the schedule is. I realized that once I gave my kids the itinerary and explained the plan as well as had them help me pack, they seemed to relax. We forget as adults what a mystery a lot of life is when you’re young. Traveling is a lot more fun when you feel in control at any age!
2. Pack a lot of snacks, including a “meal” for the plane. My kids hate plane food so to help them get through the very long flight to Asia I like to keep them fed. We took Cup Of Noodles on the plane, the flight attendants happily filled them with boiling water and my kids had some comfort food and their bellies full so it was much easier for them to go to sleep.
3. Go to Target or the craft store and have them pick out an activity each. Then it’s new and exciting and keeps them entertained on the plane.
4. Set expectations. I am not the entertainment manager! From when my kids were very small I have explained to them that I am not the activity director on the plane. I will provide snacks and help with any issues, but they have to keep themselves entertained. I’m sure there are amazing moms everywhere willing to play 14 hours of UNO 30,000 feet in the air…I’m not one of them! For the most part my kids respect this and as they get older it seems to be even better! They play with each other, watch movies and play in their activity books and I get to read, watch a movie, or, miraculously, sleep.
5. Be kind. This is our travel mantra. When everyone gets tired and cranky and just wants to get there already kindness helps. Siblings that are at least thinking about trying to be kind fight less and this mantra is probably for me more than anyone!
So with all that in mind we headed off! Our bags packed and each of us looking forward to the adventure adventure and to celebrating our 10 year anniversary where it all started!… Read more »
We truly hope that our blog readers have had as much fun reflecting on the past 10 years as we have. Through these pictures we’ve been able to show how Journeys Within embodies the slogan “Six Countries, One Team, Countless Experiences”. Thank you for taking the time to share these memories with us – here’s to the countless experiences over the next 10 years!
Andrea is currently in Southeast Asia for touring and inspections and she’ll be blogging about her current trip. Although the 10 year blogs are done, stay tuned for blogs about what’s happening in Southeast Asia right now.
We wanted to end the 10 year anniversary blogs on a special note. With that, be sure to click the link and watch the video the team made for guide training 2013 here – Everybody Dance Now.
2013
Milestones:
Launched Journeys Within Luxury Experiences
Andrea named a judge for the Conde Nast Traveler World Savers Awards
What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:
I thought that this was a great opportunity to get into an International Company that still operates with the efficiency and comradery of a small company. I really am interested in different people and cultures and I was so excited at the new adventure that Journeys Within presented.
Sokunna Chhe:
What year did join Team Journeys Within?:
2013
What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:
I preferred to work in the tour company because it is my dream and I quite love this job.
Miranda Minassian:
What year did join Team Journeys Within?:
2013
What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:
Over the year I have learned that what makes this company special is definitely the amazing cast of character we have working together. Everyone who works at Journeys Within, whether in California or on the ground in Southeast Asia is unique, passionate and giving of themselves. It makes for a great work environment and an unbelievable product.
Special Memories from 2013:
Andrea, Anna and Binh find the perfect templeAndrea on a boat trip to the Cham Islands.Anna and her friendApril and Chris in BaganAndrea and Ron head to Amita Thai Cooking School in BangkokBee, don’t jump!Binh parasailing in Central VietnamA picture perfect bike ride in Central VietnamAndrea, Anna and Binh at guide training in Central VietnamA mama and her calf at Patara Elephant Farm, Chiang Mai, Thailand.The Journeys Within team at Flight of the Gibbon in Siem Reap, CambodiaThe sunset in Hoi AnTeam JW at Phare Circus, Siem ReapMakara, Narla, Kanika and Linda at dinner after the circusNgapali Beach, MyanmarRosie and Holly April, Khoa and Michelle’s daughtersRegine and April meet the Bangkok team at Calypso Show in BangkokRegine and April at Lebua State Tower in BangkokA football game in the Shan state in MyanmarSongkran Festival in BangkokPhare Circus performers, Siem ReapCourtney on a boat in Halong Bay
