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January 2015 ~ World Eyes Travel

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

SihanoukVille-Cambodia: Hotels and Guesthouses

There are hotels and guesthouses
in SihanoukVille.
People sleep in SihanoukVille Hotels.
Sometimes they don't.
The range of places to stay is from $1 to $5,000 per night.



Where to stay
You want beach?  You got beach....  Downtown?  $1?  $2?.  A giant resort?  $5,000 a day on an Island?  .....  They're all here!
Just make sure if you're here during a local holiday, you make hotel reservations somewhere, as every possible room is filled.  

Beach Places 
Beach hotels go from $1 to $3,500/night.  Just off Ocheteaul Beach and Victory Beach are hotel and guesthouse rooms from $6 to $135.  OtresBeach is lined with accommodations.  The price reflects what you get. The most expensive is Sokha Resort on Sokha Beach, rooms starting at $130/night.  (not including the Songsaa Private Island Resort that goes up to $5,000/night).  Most are from $8 to $50 a night.

Downtown
Dozens of hotels and guest houses downtown, just a few minutes' ride to most of the beaches. Downtown is the easiest place to find restaurants, markets, and transportation options.  Rooms generally go from $8 to $30, most with TV and an attached bathroom. The more expensive rooms include air-con, fridge, and a nicer environment.


Cheap 
Cheap guesthouses, from $1 to $9 can be found most everywhere except right on the beach.  "The Hill" near Victory beach has an abundance of lower to mid-priced hotels and guesthouses.  You can also find rooms from $8 in town, and $9 near Ocheteaul and Serendipity Beaches. The really cheapest places have a shared bathroom a bed, a fan, and a light bulb.   But for $6 and up, you get a private room with bathroom, fan, and cable TV. 

Mid-priced 
Mid-priced hotels can also be found all around town.  From $12 to $40 a night.  These typically have cable TV, air-con, fridge, private bathroom, and are a bit nicer than the cheap places. Many now have swimming pools.  The hotels near Ocheteaul and Serendipity are a bit more expensive, and the places downtown and on "The Hill" near Victory beach are a little less expensive. 

Islands 
Several Islands off the coast of SihanoukVille now have rooms (or a hammock) from $3 to $5,000 a night.  Except for a few resorts, most of these accommodations are beachside bungalows from $15 to $75, and transport to the biggest island is $15 round trip.  (you can just go for the day and visit).  Check the links on the left side of this page for Koh Rong Island, Koh Rong Samloem Island, Other Cambodian Islands, or just check out The Big List of SihanoukVille Hotelsunder the Island section.

Luxury 
SihanoukVille has grown up in the last few years. Starting with a 5 star resort on 1.5 kilometers of beach, there's now a few high end hotels and resorts, with prices ranging from $90 (you get a first class room here for that much!) to over $5,000 a night.
Check out SihanoukVilleBeachResorts.com for hotels with swimming pools in SihanoukVille.
Conference Facilites
NGOs, Corporate Retreats, Human Rights Organizations, Human Left Organizations, Save the Environment.  Every organization loves SihanoukVille for a meeting or conference.  Beaches, seafood, casinos, a nice breeze, hundreds of hotels, and thousands of restaurants.  All in one place. More than a dozen hotels are set up with conference facilities, for meeting from 15 people to 1,500.  You can spend a little or you can spend a lot for conference here.  $50 to $5,000 for conference facilities around town.


Other Places to stay 
Also, on "The Hill" or Victory Hill near Victory Beach, are dozens of places to stay from $2 to $75 a day.   Check out the bottom of  "The Big List" below for hotels in "other places" around town.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Deoksugung Palace, Seoul, South Korea

Deoksugung Palace was initially the seat of Wolsandaegun, the elder brother of King Seongjong. It is the only palace sited amid modern buildings. It shows a perfect blend of the traditional and the modern culture. The Deoksugung Palace is the result of the Imjin War, which left all the palaces in Korea in a devastated state. The Deoksugung was established as a temporary shelter for King Seonjo.
The palace has many scenic spots. Its stone road is an elegant creation. The Daehanmun Gate overlooking the south direction is used to enter the palace complex. Originally named as Daeanmun, which translates as “being greatly peaceful”, the gate was renamed in 1906 as Daehanmun. The word ‘Daehanmun’ means “Seoul becomes prosperous”. Nam Chongchol, the Mayor of Seoul, wrote the three Chinese characters on the gate. It is also the venue for the Changing of the Royal Guards ceremony.

The Junghwajeon (Junghwa Hall) aka the Throne Hall was a place of political importance. Country’s important decisions and matters pertaining to critical discussions at the national level were discussed here. The meticulously designed hall is a reflection of the superb ability of King Gojong as an effective leader. The pair of dragons installed above the throne and on the ceiling of Junghwajeon are a peculiar sight.

Seokjojeon is one of the western-style buildings in the palace complex. The eastern side of the building is used for Palace Treasure exhibition, while the western side is occupied by the National Modern Arts Center.

Jeonggwanheon Hall sits atop a hill in the palace compound. This recreational building was built by a Russian architect. The Emperor Gojong used to enjoy coffee with foreign delegates in this hall, thus it can be termed as the first cafe in Korea. Seogeodang is the only two-storey building of the palace. It is situated near the Jeukjodang area. Gourmets would love to relish donuts and coffee at the Dunkin’s Donuts sited just in front of the palace.


Thursday, January 1, 2015

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Lake Tekapo is a picturesque, turquoise lake located near the Church of the Good Shepherd in the majestic Mackenzie Country. It is famous for its scenic splendor and a plethora of winter activities that it offers. Located at a height of 710 meters above sea level, the lake’s stretch always has a pleasant wind blowing. Visit the popular sheep dog statue standing at Tekapo’s edge. Built in the memory of the strong mustering dogs, this marvelous statue stands for help these animals extended in the grazing of mountains.

 Lake Tekapo offers endless opportunities for activities like canoe trekking, ice gliding, rowing, cross country skiing, sailing, and fishing. Just in close proximity, lies the magnificent Roundhill ski field that offers breathtaking views of the Mackenzie Basin. The spectacular view of the Grand Traverse through flight serves as a feast for one’s eyes. The glorious Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers, and the splendid Tasman Glacier at Mt Cook National Park, are a must-visit for tourists. Lake Mc Gregor and Lake Alexandrina bird sanctuaries are some other interesting places for tourists visiting this place.


The vivid lake offers a great range of illustrious sporting trails and a rare mix of activities round the year. Whether it is traipsing or mountain biking, hill climbing or horse trekking, angling or sailing, ice-skating, ski-touring or windsurfing or flight tours, it’s all in this place. The evening light on unclad hills, veiling amusing contours and shadows are just perfect to boost up a painter’s or a photographer’s imagination. Various mountain bike excursions are available, and walking trails of all hardships abound, providing truly amazing glimpses along the way.

 Revered as one of the New Zealand’s number one tourism destination, Lake Tekapo offers a great assortment of accommodation options for travelers. From luxurious 5 and 4 star hotels to cheap apartments, expensive plush resorts to low-cost B&Bs, the place can easily accommodate any tourist within his/her budget. Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort, Tekapo B2 Lake View Apartment, Tekapo House Bed and Breakfast, and Lake Tekapo Holiday Park and Motels are some of the affordable options where a traveler can stay. The food joints at Lake Tekapo offer superb dining opportunities with food to match all taste buds, including Japanese, Korean, Middle Eastern, Asian, Chinese, European, and local New Zealand meals to world-class standards. Run 77, Tin Plate Kitchen and Bar, Kohan Japanese Restaurant, and Mackenzies Bar and Grill are some of the top contenders.