Travelling Friesen

My name is Jessica Friesen and I am currently travelling the world. I have travelled to over 39 countries and counting, and have no plan on stopping.

Follow me to learn more about how you can explore the world on a modest budget and dairy-free!

27/07/2024

September 2023 Part 2...

From Don Det, Laos, we made our way to Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia. An amazing city, filled with massive ancient temples. We visited Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, Prasat Ta Keo, Ta Prohm Temple, Pre Rup Temple, Eastern Mebon, Banteay Srei Temple, and Kbal Spean.

We chose the 3-day temple pass, which costs $62 (USD) and has a validity of 10 days. We paid a tuk-tuk driver $20 a day to drive us to the sites and babysit our kitten. I found this to be a good deal for what is included.

24/07/2024

At the beginning of September 2023, we visited Vientiane, Laos. At this time we were taking care of Yuzu (kitten) and I got a nasty flu. I was trapped in bed for a week and this is around the time I stopped posting.

We enjoyed great food in Vientiane, including this Chilean restaurant we visited several times. If you find yourself in Laos, check out: Bacan Cafe Vientiane.

From Vientiane, we made our way down South. We took a 24-bus ride with Yuzu in tow. He was a pro at traveling by bus, as we had taken him on a few bus rides already. This included a 12-hour bus ride (5-hour delay due to rock slide) from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, as the 2-hour train would not allow pets on board.

From there we made our way to the Four Thousand Islands and stayed on Don Det, one of our favorite spots in Laos. You can expect beautiful scenery, including gorgeous rice fields, easy bike rides, cheap & delicious food, and waterfront views.

19/07/2024

Going way back to 2023, here is a quick summary of our adventures in August. We took the bus to the Thailand/Laos border and booked the slow boat along the Mekong River to Luang Prabang. This journey takes 2 days and includes a stop in a small town overnight (Pak Beng). I enjoyed a delicious bowl of pumpkin curry soup (see picture).

Luang Prabang was the previous capital of Laos and is a lovely city to explore. This is also the city where we found our precious cat Yuzu! See the photo of him after his first bath.

We took a bus to Nong Khiaw, located in the Luang Prabang Province. Here you will find a beautiful landscape, hiking trails, wonderful people, and boat tours.

After we journeyed to the current capital of Laos, Vientiane. This is the largest city in Laos and is where we obtained the proper paperwork for our new kitten and obtained all of his medical treatment, as there were no proper vets in Luang Prabang.

21/08/2023

Sometimes we just need to stop and smell the flowers. 🌼🌹

18/08/2023

The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations. This massive royal complex features a palace, government buildings, temples, statues, museums, a cafe and much more!

Entry cost: 500 BAHT

Included in the ticket price:

Located at the Grand Palace: Wat Phra Kaew, The Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion, and Queen Sirikit Museum of Textile.

Located at the Sala Chalermkrunt Royal Theatre: The “KHON” Thai Classical Masked Dance. (Valid within 7 days of purchase)

Located a 1 hour drive from the Grand Palace: The Arts of the Kingdom Museum. (Valid with 7 days of purchase).

Important Tip!

Women must wear pants or a long skirt, below the knee and cover their chest, midriff and shoulders. Shawls are not allowed. T-shirts are commonly worn. Men must also wear long pants and cover their shoulders, midriff and chest. Shops across the street from the palace sell clothes for a reasonable price, if you forget.

16/08/2023

As our amazing month in Vietnam came to an end, we got ready for our next adventure.....exploring Central/Northern Thailand. Our first stop, Bangkok! Previously, we had spent 3 days in Phuket, but this trip gave us a chance to spend more time getting to know the people, tasting the amazing cuisine and delving deeper into the vibrant Thai culture.

We spent one week in Bangkok, with one of our first stops being Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahaqihan. The location of a Buddhist temple, a massive reclining Buddha statue and many historical statues, structures and art.

Entry cost: 200 Baht

Dress code: Women must cover their legs, shoulders, midriff, and chest. Covering shoulders with a scarf or shawl is not allowed. Men are allowed to wear knee length shorts and t-shirts. Shoes are removed before entering temples, so wear sandals or easy to remove footwear.

11/08/2023

Out of a fantasy novel, Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave in Phong Nha, Vietnam are must-sees destinations. The most impressive cave system I have seen so far, Paradise Cave is a dry cave, that can be explored via a manmade wooden walkway. Phong Nha Cave is best explored by boat. Your guide will slowly padel you through the cave, allowing you the chance to witness this hidden wonder.

We stayed in Phong Nha, which made booking the excursions easy and relatively cheap. We were also able to complete both cave explorations on the same day via a Klook tour. We paid $85.49 USD for two people. This included entry to both caves, water, a guide, transportation and lunch.

07/08/2023

When the scenery is so beautiful, you forget to take photos of yourself.

While visiting Da Nang, Vietnam we explored Marble Mountain. A network of caves, Buddhist temples, pagodas, tunnels, and lookout points.

We spent 3 hours on Marble Mountain exploring all the sites. You can spend far less time, but we took things slow.

Entry is 40,000 VND

If you choose to use the elevator it costs an additional 15,000 VND, but keep in mind that it doesn't bring you to the top, and you will have to climb many more steps to see everything.

04/08/2023

When you notice an interesting bug while taking photos, lol. 🐛

This is the famous "Golden Hands Bridge" at Ba Na Hills. You can access the bridge via a Sun World Amusement Park pass. The bridge was very busy, and is best seen earlier in the day, before the clouds settle in.

02/08/2023

Travelling is an amazing, life changing, eye opening experience. It is also a privilege. The vast majority of the world's population is unable to travel outside their home country. This may be due to a number of reasons, such as a weak passport, war, oppression, poverty, racism, disability, etc.

I don't know why I have been given this opportunity, I can't say I deserve it, but I do appreciate it. I also recognize that when I enter other countries I am not entitled to anything. It is my choice to go there and it is their right to deny me.

Just remember when you travel, no matter how seemingly boring of a location, how unbelievably blessed you are. You have been given this opportunity, when so many others haven't. Make the most of it and use your privilege to help those that haven't been given the same opportunity.

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28/07/2023

Dalat is one of my favourite cities we visited in Vietnam. Located in Vietnam's Central Highlands, Dalat boasts cooler temperatures, a vibrant night market, a beautiful landscape, and delicious hot soy milk.

These pictures are from our visit to the Clay Tunnel. A massive art exhibit showcasing clay structures and sculptures. It can take a while to walk around the park and see all the displays. Make sure to give yourself at least 1 - 2 hours for when you visit.

Entry Fee: 120,000 VND

26/07/2023

While in Ho Chi Minh, we took the opportunity to see the Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels stretch 200 km, and housed over 16,000 people during the Vietnam War. The tunnels served as protection for soldiers, supply routes, and connected villages.

Today the tunnels have been widened slightly for visitors, but are still cramped. Many tourists refuse to enter due to claustrophobia or because it is too narrow. I gave it a go, and it wasn't too bad!

Entrance Fee: 125,000 VND (includes English speaking guide)

We took public transit to the tunnels, which is much cheaper than a tour company. We used blog as a guide for the bus and it worked out great! You can view their blog post here: https://www.planetgravy.com/cuchitunnels-bus/
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