Page 41 iGap Travel Guide 2022
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iGap Travel Guide | Asia
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out setting. Filled with pristine forests – home to
a plethora of beautifully rare animals, as well as
underground river caves for thrillseekers to delve
into – the area prides itself on being one of the most
peaceful places on Earth.
Situated between Thailand and Vietnam, the
small country has escaped the westernisation and
over-development that’s made other areas of this
region less attractive to travellers hoping for a more
authentic experience. The Mekong River- the largest
river in Southeast Asia, is another key feature of Laos,
as it runs through the country. Even its capital city of
Vientiane is wonderfully laidback in comparison to
places like Bangkok, with dozens of ancient temples
to explore and a fantastic riverside section where you
can relax with a chilled Beerlao – the national beer of
Laos – and take in the scenery around you. Despite
having a relatively small population, the country is
home to speakers of 81 different languages (though
the main language of the area tends to be Lao, a
dialect which is popular in Southeast Asia). French is
also a popular language here.
With a rich cultural heritage, picturesque scenery
and a rapidly-improving infrastructure, Cambodia
is a great alternative for young people hoping to
get the most out of their gap year. Like much of
Southeast Asia, the country is filled with beautiful
Buddhist temples, most notably Angkor Wat,
the largest religious monument in the world.
Constructed in the 12th century, the 500-acre site
is one of the best preserved historic temples in the
world, with its stunning towers and moats making
it a great example of the sophisticated religious
architectural style at the time. The temple is based in
the Angkor Archaeological Park, a 154-square-mile
area with a number of other marvellous temples
and landmarks to discover. Cambodia also provides
a number of fantastic volunteering opportunities
for travellers looking to help the population of this
wonderful part of the world. Some of the schemes
available include volunteering to teach English at
one of the many schools in Cambodia’s capital of
Phnom Penh, as well as working at an orphanage,
helping some of the area’s poorest children. These
programmes can last between two weeks and six
months, depending on how long you want to stay in
your desired role.
41
out setting. Filled with pristine forests – home to
a plethora of beautifully rare animals, as well as
underground river caves for thrillseekers to delve
into – the area prides itself on being one of the most
peaceful places on Earth.
Situated between Thailand and Vietnam, the
small country has escaped the westernisation and
over-development that’s made other areas of this
region less attractive to travellers hoping for a more
authentic experience. The Mekong River- the largest
river in Southeast Asia, is another key feature of Laos,
as it runs through the country. Even its capital city of
Vientiane is wonderfully laidback in comparison to
places like Bangkok, with dozens of ancient temples
to explore and a fantastic riverside section where you
can relax with a chilled Beerlao – the national beer of
Laos – and take in the scenery around you. Despite
having a relatively small population, the country is
home to speakers of 81 different languages (though
the main language of the area tends to be Lao, a
dialect which is popular in Southeast Asia). French is
also a popular language here.
With a rich cultural heritage, picturesque scenery
and a rapidly-improving infrastructure, Cambodia
is a great alternative for young people hoping to
get the most out of their gap year. Like much of
Southeast Asia, the country is filled with beautiful
Buddhist temples, most notably Angkor Wat,
the largest religious monument in the world.
Constructed in the 12th century, the 500-acre site
is one of the best preserved historic temples in the
world, with its stunning towers and moats making
it a great example of the sophisticated religious
architectural style at the time. The temple is based in
the Angkor Archaeological Park, a 154-square-mile
area with a number of other marvellous temples
and landmarks to discover. Cambodia also provides
a number of fantastic volunteering opportunities
for travellers looking to help the population of this
wonderful part of the world. Some of the schemes
available include volunteering to teach English at
one of the many schools in Cambodia’s capital of
Phnom Penh, as well as working at an orphanage,
helping some of the area’s poorest children. These
programmes can last between two weeks and six
months, depending on how long you want to stay in
your desired role.
