LAOS

Laos is small landlocked and sparsely populated country in the Indochinese peninsula. Laos covers 236.800 square kilometers. It shares borders with china, Vietnam , Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. It is 236,800 sq km in land area and 5 million in population. Comprising of 68 ethnic and classified into tree groups. Lao Theung (upland), Lao Soung (hill tribes) and Lao Lum (low land).
The major part of the country being mountainous and forested.

Buddhism plays an important role in the life of the Lao people and has given them a deserved reputation for friendliness, gentleness, kindness, gaiety and wisdom.

Climate
Tropical climate with two distinct seasons. The rainy season from May to September and dry season from October to April. The best season to travel in Laos is from October to March (18c--.25c).

Language
The official language is Lao. The Lao language is monosyllabic and tonal. The polysyllabic words are occasionally meets particularly in literary writing are of Sanskrit of Pali origins. English and French are widely spoken, but it is very helpful, it one develops some knowledge to the Lao language.

Religion and Culture
Most of Lao people are Buddhism. Buddhism was introduced since 14th century. Laos has a great variety of well preserved architecture and culture monuments.

CAMBODIA

PHNOM PENH                                                      
A Buddhist shrine in the 14th century, Cambodia's capital in the 15th and the French colonial center in the 19th , Phnom Penh's heritage is rich and varied. Today visitors find a bustling, multicultural city at the confluence of the historic Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac Rivers. Phnom Penh has many places of exceptional interest for those with time enough to appreciate the city's attractions. Visit the Silver Pagoda of the Royal Palace, the National Museum of Arts has paintings, artifacts and sculpture dating back centuries and Wat Phnom, the temple from which the city takes its name, is a fascinating starting point for the discovery of the city's past.

SIEM REAP (ANGKOR)                                          
(300 km from Phnom Penh)
Siem Reap is the center of Angkor. It is here where the ancient people of Khmer constructed one of the greatest monuments. Angkor Wat. But it is not just the temples that make this town attractive. Visit the Tonle Sap lake with its floating villages, where you can explore the traditional Khmer way of life or the national park of Preak Tuol where you can find unique birds. A one day excursion takes you to Phnom Kulen, where on weekends hundreds of Khmers pilgrim to a temple on the mountain top.

PHNOM CHISOR
(57 km from Phnom Penh)
Visit the temple Suryagiri constructed by Suriavarman I. in the 11th century. Great view over the country side from the top of this hill. Situated in the province of Takeo.

SIHANOUKVILLE
(230 km from Phnom Penh)
The only deep-sea port in Cambodia is in Sihanoukville. The town was constructed by the French as a present for the King. With its sandy beaches it is the perfect place for swimming, scuba diving or just for taking a sunbath. Take a boat to visit one of the many island nearby. Hotels and restaurants serve fresh seafood.

KAMPOT-KEP
(155 km from Phnom Penh)
This pleasant town is the base for some very interesting excursions to some unexplored caves. The Elephant Mountains offer beautiful rainforest and an amazing view over the Gulf of Thailand. Kep, located 30 km from Kampot with its sandy beaches is a favorite holiday spot for the Khmers.

PHNOM DA & ANGKOR BOREI 
(79 km from Phnom Penh)
The temple of Phnom Da (mid 6th century) was the last religious center of the Kingdom of Funan (Baphuon). Another very interesting temple just beside Phnom Da is Asram Maharosei an Indian-style laterite temple. There is a museum in Angkor Borei, showing objects of the Baphuon period. To get there, the visitors enjoy a boat ride along an old water channel from the 6th century.

KOMPONG CHAM
(123 km from Phnom Penh)
The city Kompong Cham is the second largest in Cambodia. The city has a warm French colonial atmosphere. This is why Kompong Cham was once called "The city of gardens". Visit the port and some wats such as Wat Nokhor from the 13th century

THAILAND

 

Thailand is a wondrous kingdom, featuring Buddhist temples, exotic wildlife, and spectacular islands. Along with a fascinating history and a unique culture that includes delectable Thai food and massage, Thailand features a modern capital city, and friendly people who epitomize Thailand’s “land of smiles” reputation.

History

Dating back to the Neolithic civilization situated at the modern-day UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ban Chiang, the history of Thailand is long, proud, and fairly well documented.  Over the early centuries of the Common Era, tribes of Mon, Khmer, and Tai peoples established realms within the borders of modern Thailand; the Mon speaking Buddhist civilization of Dvaravati in the first millennium giving way to the Khmer empire of Angkor by the turn of the second millennium.  

However, the history of Thailand as we know it began when the kingdoms of Lan Na (Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai) and Sukhothai, the first truly independent Thai Kingdoms, established highly developed societies in the North and Central regions of Thailand in the 13th and 14th centuries. The Kingdom of Ayutthaya, which was heavily influenced by the Khmer’s of Angkor, eventually conquered neighboring Sukhothai and dominated the region for the next several hundred years of Thai history.  Unfortunately, first Chaing Mai and then Ayutthaya were overrun by Burmese invaders, who occupied the Lan Na capital for several centuries and sacked Ayutthaya, forcing the central Thai kingdom to relocate farther south, establishing a new capital in Thon Buri near Bangkok.  After the short lived Thon Buri Period (1767-1772), the capital was moved across the Chao Phraya River, and the first of the current line of Kings, Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty, established the modern capital of Bangkok to commence the Ratanakosin Period of Thai history.  The adroit diplomatic leadership of Kings Mongkut (Rama IV, 1851-1868) and Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868-1910) were responsible for maintaining a remarkable 700 year Thai history during which the kingdom was never officially colonized by foreign powers; a turbulent 20th century witnessed the transition to a system of constitutional monarchy, currently overseen by Head of State, King Bumibol Adulyadej (1946- present), is King Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty and a tenuous but functional democracy has existed under the regency of this much beloved king.

 

Australia

Discover Australia’s destinations, starting with icons such as the Red Centre, Kakadu National Park and the Great Barrier Reef. These 16 natural treasures cover a breathtaking diversity of landscapes, from the mountainous Australian Alps to Fraser Island’s sand dunes, rainforest and lakes. Just as distinct are Australia’s cities, where our laidback lifestyle and cosmopolitan culture meet. From beach-fringed Sydney to elegant Adelaide, you’ll find a melting pot of cultures and a medley of theatre, restaurants, nightlife and events. Come, stay and celebrate, then spring into the rest of your Australian holiday. Australia has so much for you to explore, whether you want nature, wildlife, outback adventure, islands, rainforest or reef. Australia’s unique beauty is spread across eight states and territories, so find out more about the distinct attractions within each.

Australia’s Icons

Learn more about Australia’s 16 icons – unforgettable landscapes such as the Red Centre, Kakadu National Park and the Great Barrier Reef. Find out more about what to see and do in each of these uniquely Australian places, from walks through Tasmania’s wilderness to wildlife spotting on Kangaroo Island

Australia’s Cities

Discover Australia’s cities, from Sydney’s famous harbour to Melbourne’s cutting-edge cultural precincts and Darwin’s laid back ambience. Visit Canberra’s national attractions, lie on Perth’s white beaches or wander Adelaide’s expansive parklands. In all our cities, the skyscrapers and shopping strips are just a short drive from mountains, ocean, river and bush.

Australia’s states and territories

Explore Australia’s eight states and territories, from Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed rainforests to Western Australia’s beaches, forests and national parks.  Immerse yourself in Aboriginal history in the Northern Territory or dive into Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef.  Australia’s natural beauty knows no bounds, but you’ll find something different within each of our boundaries.