The Best Three Countries to Visit in Southeast Asia

People who travel to Southeast Asia for the first time quickly fall in love with this region of the world. The region is vast and beautiful, so you need to spend your time there efficiently, making sure that you go to the places that you want to visit. Chances are that you will visit the area again because the moment you leave, you will feel a pull telling you go back. Here are the three best countries to visit in Southeast Asia.

Todd Hotaling

• Thailand is a fascinating mix of urban and rural culture. You should spend two to three days in Bangkok before heading north to Chiang Mai. In Chiang Mai, you will visit magical temples, experience the most delicious food in the world, and possibly come face-to-face with tigers. Thailand, and especially Bangkok, is viewed as the hub of Southeast Asia.

• Cambodia will provide you with a culture shock. It is not the wealthiest Southeast Asian country, but it is the most culturally genuine. Visit the town of Siem Reap, which is the gateway to the famous and historical Angkor Wat temple. You can easily spend three days in this area, soaking in the history and culture.

• Start you trip in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City and make your way up the coast. You could easily spend three weeks traveling the coast of Vietnam stopping in Da Nang, Hue, to Hanoi and Halong Bay. Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and is very tourist friendly.

Todd Hotaling is a professional landscaper who owns a landscaping company in Bristol, Vermont. He loves to travel through Southeast Asia.

Three Vital Tips for Beginner Snowboarders

Snowboarding is a difficult sport to pick up. For most, improvement comes slowly, and you have to be patient and committed to the idea that you won't be good right away. It is a difficult sport for children to learn because of those reasons. It's easy to get hurt and frustrated if you view the process of learning to snowboard as a skill that you develop rather than an experience that you gain. Here are three vital tips for all beginner snowboarders.

·         You should always wear protective gear. Wearing protective gear is both safe and will make you learn faster. You don't want to get hurt or be discouraged by the fact that you are falling. If you wear protection, you will protect your body but also your mind from quitting.

·         Some consider it a rite of passage to learn to snowboard in icy conditions. You should ignore that because learning in these conditions is difficult. Wait till the afternoon to take your lesson because the snow will start melting a bit. It will be easier to learn in these conditions. It's also good to understand how conditions work when the best time of the day is to hit the mountains, and what kind of conditions you like best.

·         Powder snow is the best snow to snowboard in. You will feel it the first time you make a turn on a powder. It allows you to carve through the snow, weightlessly like you’re surfing. Look for untracked snow because you will be able to make more creative lines while going down.

Todd Hotaling is a landscaper in Bristol, Vermont. During the winter months, when business is slow, he likes to go snowboarding.