Asia is a continent so full of adventure and vibrant energy and yet these vast lands teach us how to be still, slow down and be one with our spirituality.
Featured Destination:
Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang
Phum Baitang − or ‘the green village’ − is a 5-star luxury resort near Siem Reap in Cambodia. Set within 8 acres of lush gardens, lemon-grass meadows and rice paddies, this elegant retreat is a gateway to the Angkor World Heritage Site and numerous natural and cultural wonders. Inspired by traditional Cambodian wooden housing, both exterior and interior have been designed, sculpted and furnished to create an authentic yet luxurious Cambodian experience.
“Our trip to Cambodia and Myanmar was excellent and unforgettable. We really enjoyed spending time with all the people we met . Everyone went out of their way for us. It was on a whole other level and was amazing, we could have stayed forever. Thanks for your efforts in arranging the trip and making sure we had a great experience.”
Leisha’s Top 3 Tips: Immersing yourself in Tokyo.
The smoke from this large incense burner is said to ward off illnesses. Leisha fans smoke in Asakusa, Japan before paying respects at the nearby Sensō-ji temple | September 2019
Be ready to eat. Tokyo has the most Michelin star restaurants than any city at 217, but you don't need to experience a star restaurant to experience a culinary gem. During my first few days I dined in izakayas, bento shops and underground bistros, on ramen, wagyu beef, tonkatsu, soba noodles, rice and curry. Days had gone by before I had my first taste of sushi! Tipping isn't expected after your meal, in fact, it is often not accepted and can be considered an insult. If you leave extra money on the table at a restaurant, your server might chase you down the street to return it.
Etiquette is very important in Japan. Walking is done on the left side, so be sure to go with flow as to not disturb foot traffic. One place you'll definitely want to respect the norms is on the subway. Keep your phone on silent, don't answer calls and be ready to give your seat to young children, pregnant women, elderly and the disabled. These courtesies aren't just polite, they are the law. A good phrase to have handy is "domo arigato" or "arigato gozaimasu," meaning "thank you" or "thank you very much."
You’ll find quite a few English speakers around central Tokyo but having a translation app is still very handy. The farther you are from the center of the city, the more likely you are to need translation help. I recommend downloading Google Translate. Hover over words (in Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana) and the translation will appear. You can also say sentences in English and it will translate into Japanese and vice-versa. Best yet, you don't need wi-fi for the app to work.