If there's one thing I learned as a traveler, it is the value of good recommendations from your fellow nomads. There is so much competition in the Asian tourist industry these days, that sometimes it can be difficult to spot the true diamonds out there...the honest ones that truly care, and that aren't just out to scam you out of money. Below, I have listed the contact details of all the locals that made our trip so memorable, and that deserve recognition and business. This is my way of saying thank you for all of their kindness, professionalism, fun, humour, and authenticity. Undertake an experience with one of these people, and you won't regret it; I can guarantee that they'll make your own trip unforgettable.
INDIA
Marari Arapakal Beach Villa (Dominic)
Relaxing beach retreat close to Alleppey, Kerala. Shortly after our house-boat experience, poor Patrick became very ill with the flu, and desperately needed some respite from chaotic Indian life. So, we asked our auto-rickshaw driver, Ali, where the nearest beach was...and he took us to this homestay in Marari, 30 seconds from the beach. It was just what Patrick needed. The family were so sweet and hospitable to us, making us breakfast and random curries throughout the day, as well as providing coconuts to drink in our hammocks. I got chatting to a lovely girl called Neethu; if you do go this homestay, get chatting with her- she loves to practise her English! Dominic is her uncle, and manager of the place. Click on the link below for my blog entry at the time:
Marari
Contact Details
Mararikulam North P.O.
Alappuzha District
Kerala
India
Tel: +91 9947 440 334
Email: mararipakalbeach@yahoo.co.in
Shasi
Amazing Indian cooking lessons in the comfort of her own home in Udaipur, North India. Worth going just to hear her incredible story of survival and strength, let alone for the amazing feast she teaches you to create...then eat! Click on the link to see what I wrote about the experience at the time:
Shasi's Indian Cooking Lessons
Contact Details
Address: Gangaur Chat 18, below Sunrise Restaurant, Udaipur
More info: http://shashicookingclasses.blogspot.com/
Tel: +91 294 9929303511
Email: shashicooking@gmail.com
Isra
One of the camel drivers from our 4 day camel trek, though he can take you on treks through the desert for anything from 1 day to 28 days. I can guarantee he'll provide you with a truly authentic desert experience. Click on the link below to see my blogpost shortly after the trek:
4 Day Camel Trek, Jaisalmer
Contact Details
Isra: +919982848216
NEPAL
Surya Gumire and Sau Parajuli
Patrick and I went on a 11 day trek with these guys to the Thorong-La Pass, 5416m high. One of the best things I've ever done, and Surya and Sau are two of the best people I've ever met. Our good friend Kate Gustafson, who recommended Surya to us, can also vouch for this. You can find out more about her Everest Base Camp trekking experience with Surya in 2009 on her awesome blog A True World. Professional, supportive, fun, generous, instinctive, experienced...what more could you want from trekking guides? Surya and Sau have just started their own company too; they hope to be in Kathmandu's top 10 trekking companies within the next few years. Their ambition is truly inspirational; I hope from the bottom of my heart that they achieve this. Click here for my blog posts shortly after the trek:
Nepal- Annapurna Trek Days 1-8
Nepal- Annapurna Trek Days 9-11
Contact Details:
Himalayan Enchanter Treks & Expedition Pvt. Ltd.
Thamel, Kathmandu
Nepal
P O Box: 14401
Tel: +977 1 4249881 Fax: +977 1 4249479
E-mail: info@himalayanenchanter.com
himalayanenchanter@gmail.com
Facebook page: http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Himalayan-Enchanter-Treks-Expedition-Pvt-Ltd/181636768534860
LAOS
Mr Bounsom
Dolphin-Spotting and Fishing With Mr Bounsom
Contact Details
If you're on Don Det, hire a bike, ride over the bridge to Don Khon, and head to Long Beach. There are only two restaurants; Mr Bounsom's is on the right, and has his name on.
THAILAND
Patara Elephant Farm
OK, so this is really a recommendation from Lonely Planet, but I just felt this place needed to be on my list of top recommendations. Patrick and I had such an incredible time being elephant-owners for the day...feeding them, washing them, riding with them, swimming with them...just magical. Pat, the owner, clearly loves the elephants that he brings into his farm; his main goal is to encourage breeding to prevent the extinction of the Chiang Mai elephant, before letting them back into the wild. He really knows and cares for the elephants; it's obvious that they're very happy. Not only do Patara Elephant Farm give you an amazing elephant experience, they also give you a free DVD full of high quality photos and videos from the day. I'm not going to lie, it's a little more expensive than other elephant sancutary places- but trust me, it's SO worth it! Click on the links below to see my blog entry about the day, and the professional photos...
Making Friends With Elephants: The Blog Entry
Photos Taken On The Day
Contact Details
Tel: +66-819922551
Website: http://www.pataraelephantfarm.com/
CAMBODIA
Ang
Fun tuk-tuk driver that took us around the Temples of Angkor, whilst pumping out Black Eyed Peas from a boombox. As well as inviting us to his house to meet his family, he also took us clubbing on the last night with his Cambodian friends- quite the experience! Click on the links for my accounts at the time:
Our Temples of Angkor Experience
Dinner, Drinking And Clubbing With Ang!
Contact Details
Ang: +855 92 63 29 30
Castaways Beach Bar
Perfect chill-out spot on Otres Beach, Sihanoukville: the type of beach we'd searched for in Thailand, and failed to find. Beautiful clear waters, huts along the white sandy beaches, ladies selling delicious lobster for low prices. We thought we'd found paradise, then we walked further up the beach, and found this place. Truly idyllic. The huts got increasingly sparse the further we walked up the beach; Castaways was one of the last huts along the stretch before untouched beach took over. Not only did we secure a beachfront hut for $7 (they also have more enclosed ones for $15), but we also got chatting to the unassuming, intelligent manager about his life in politics, and during the Khmer Rouge regime. Click on the link below for more on Otres Beach, and pictures of Castaways:
Otres Beach
Castaways
Contact Details
Tel: +855 12 99 84 92
+855 16 48 76 95
+855 97 58 69 06
Email: seyka_ouk@rocketmail.com
VIETNAM
Denis and Chan
Motorcycle drivers that took us from Dalat to Hanoi in 12 days, showing us stunning scenery- and lots of fun!- on the way. Can't stress enough how great these guys are...safe drivers, perfect English, fun-loving, knowledgable about the Ho Chi Minh trail, up for any kind of adventure...in fact, Denis thrives on adventure! However long the trip, however short, these guys will be thrilled to take you. Click on the links below for our MANY photos from our trip...
Motorcycle Trip: From Dalat to Hanoi- Days 1-4
Motorcycle Trip: From Dalat to Hanoi- Days 4-12
Contact Details
Denis:
Tel: +84 918 785 734
Email: deniseasyrider@live.com
Chan:
Tel: +84 907 069 689
+84 168 963 584
Email: phan.kechang@gmail.com
INDIA
Marari Arapakal Beach Villa (Dominic)
Relaxing beach retreat close to Alleppey, Kerala. Shortly after our house-boat experience, poor Patrick became very ill with the flu, and desperately needed some respite from chaotic Indian life. So, we asked our auto-rickshaw driver, Ali, where the nearest beach was...and he took us to this homestay in Marari, 30 seconds from the beach. It was just what Patrick needed. The family were so sweet and hospitable to us, making us breakfast and random curries throughout the day, as well as providing coconuts to drink in our hammocks. I got chatting to a lovely girl called Neethu; if you do go this homestay, get chatting with her- she loves to practise her English! Dominic is her uncle, and manager of the place. Click on the link below for my blog entry at the time:
Marari
Contact Details
Mararikulam North P.O.
Alappuzha District
Kerala
India
Tel: +91 9947 440 334
Email: mararipakalbeach@yahoo.co.in
Shasi
Amazing Indian cooking lessons in the comfort of her own home in Udaipur, North India. Worth going just to hear her incredible story of survival and strength, let alone for the amazing feast she teaches you to create...then eat! Click on the link to see what I wrote about the experience at the time:
Shasi's Indian Cooking Lessons
Contact Details
Address: Gangaur Chat 18, below Sunrise Restaurant, Udaipur
More info: http://shashicookingclasses.blogspot.com/
Tel: +91 294 9929303511
Email: shashicooking@gmail.com
Isra
One of the camel drivers from our 4 day camel trek, though he can take you on treks through the desert for anything from 1 day to 28 days. I can guarantee he'll provide you with a truly authentic desert experience. Click on the link below to see my blogpost shortly after the trek:
4 Day Camel Trek, Jaisalmer
Contact Details
Isra: +919982848216
NEPAL
Surya Gumire and Sau Parajuli
Patrick and I went on a 11 day trek with these guys to the Thorong-La Pass, 5416m high. One of the best things I've ever done, and Surya and Sau are two of the best people I've ever met. Our good friend Kate Gustafson, who recommended Surya to us, can also vouch for this. You can find out more about her Everest Base Camp trekking experience with Surya in 2009 on her awesome blog A True World. Professional, supportive, fun, generous, instinctive, experienced...what more could you want from trekking guides? Surya and Sau have just started their own company too; they hope to be in Kathmandu's top 10 trekking companies within the next few years. Their ambition is truly inspirational; I hope from the bottom of my heart that they achieve this. Click here for my blog posts shortly after the trek:
Nepal- Annapurna Trek Days 1-8
Nepal- Annapurna Trek Days 9-11
Contact Details:
Himalayan Enchanter Treks & Expedition Pvt. Ltd.
Thamel, Kathmandu
Nepal
P O Box: 14401
Tel: +977 1 4249881 Fax: +977 1 4249479
E-mail: info@himalayanenchanter.com
himalayanenchanter@gmail.com
Facebook page: http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Himalayan-Enchanter-Treks-Expedition-Pvt-Ltd/181636768534860
LAOS
Mr Bounsom
Kind restaurant owner that we randomly befriended after he arranged a dolphin-sighting boat ride for us along the Mekong River. When we came back, Patrick and I got chatting about fishing- and just like that, Mr Bounsom offered to take us later on that afternoon! What ensued was a very fun boat ride close to dusk, and barbecuing the fish afterwards! His family were very kind to us as well, providing lights from their motorbikes for our bike ride back home in the dark! Click below for my account shortly after:
Dolphin-Spotting and Fishing With Mr Bounsom
Contact Details
If you're on Don Det, hire a bike, ride over the bridge to Don Khon, and head to Long Beach. There are only two restaurants; Mr Bounsom's is on the right, and has his name on.
THAILAND
Patara Elephant Farm
OK, so this is really a recommendation from Lonely Planet, but I just felt this place needed to be on my list of top recommendations. Patrick and I had such an incredible time being elephant-owners for the day...feeding them, washing them, riding with them, swimming with them...just magical. Pat, the owner, clearly loves the elephants that he brings into his farm; his main goal is to encourage breeding to prevent the extinction of the Chiang Mai elephant, before letting them back into the wild. He really knows and cares for the elephants; it's obvious that they're very happy. Not only do Patara Elephant Farm give you an amazing elephant experience, they also give you a free DVD full of high quality photos and videos from the day. I'm not going to lie, it's a little more expensive than other elephant sancutary places- but trust me, it's SO worth it! Click on the links below to see my blog entry about the day, and the professional photos...
Making Friends With Elephants: The Blog Entry
Photos Taken On The Day
Contact Details
Tel: +66-819922551
Website: http://www.pataraelephantfarm.com/
CAMBODIA
Ang
Fun tuk-tuk driver that took us around the Temples of Angkor, whilst pumping out Black Eyed Peas from a boombox. As well as inviting us to his house to meet his family, he also took us clubbing on the last night with his Cambodian friends- quite the experience! Click on the links for my accounts at the time:
Our Temples of Angkor Experience
Dinner, Drinking And Clubbing With Ang!
Contact Details
Ang: +855 92 63 29 30
Castaways Beach Bar
Perfect chill-out spot on Otres Beach, Sihanoukville: the type of beach we'd searched for in Thailand, and failed to find. Beautiful clear waters, huts along the white sandy beaches, ladies selling delicious lobster for low prices. We thought we'd found paradise, then we walked further up the beach, and found this place. Truly idyllic. The huts got increasingly sparse the further we walked up the beach; Castaways was one of the last huts along the stretch before untouched beach took over. Not only did we secure a beachfront hut for $7 (they also have more enclosed ones for $15), but we also got chatting to the unassuming, intelligent manager about his life in politics, and during the Khmer Rouge regime. Click on the link below for more on Otres Beach, and pictures of Castaways:
Otres Beach
Castaways
Contact Details
Tel: +855 12 99 84 92
+855 16 48 76 95
+855 97 58 69 06
Email: seyka_ouk@rocketmail.com
VIETNAM
Denis and Chan
Motorcycle drivers that took us from Dalat to Hanoi in 12 days, showing us stunning scenery- and lots of fun!- on the way. Can't stress enough how great these guys are...safe drivers, perfect English, fun-loving, knowledgable about the Ho Chi Minh trail, up for any kind of adventure...in fact, Denis thrives on adventure! However long the trip, however short, these guys will be thrilled to take you. Click on the links below for our MANY photos from our trip...
Motorcycle Trip: From Dalat to Hanoi- Days 1-4
Motorcycle Trip: From Dalat to Hanoi- Days 4-12
Contact Details
Denis:
Tel: +84 918 785 734
Email: deniseasyrider@live.com
Chan:
Tel: +84 907 069 689
+84 168 963 584
Email: phan.kechang@gmail.com
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