I created the “Travellers’ Tales” section to give other travellers an opportunity to talk about their travels. Today I would like to introduce you to Elise, a travel blogger based in Vancouver, Canada. She blogs at Travel Work Play .
I would love to hear about your travels too. Go to “Travellers’ Tales” , fill in the quick questionnaire and email it to me with your blog links.
My name is Elise and I’m originally from the UK. Despite having super fair skin – I have always felt destined for a sunny climate! I’m rarely too hot and am happiest in the roasting heat! I am a freelance writer and photographer and have contributed to a myriad of magazines, blogs and news sites. After a few years living in Siem Reap, I now live in Vancouver working as a travel blogger. The dream!
Trips to Center Parcs with my family – only local trips but they were some of the most memorable!
Battambang, Cambodia. While living in Siem Reap we went on lots of ‘holidays’ around the region. We stayed in a guesthouse with a pool on the roof, ate extremely well and thoroughly explored the little town and the surrounding area.
Visited the Khmer Rouge prison caves and watched 10 million bats stream out of the bat cave at dusk (hence the name!)
My last visit to Vancouver. My family live there and I finally managed to get my partner over there. He fell in love with it too….and now we live there! I had a whole speech planned about how I was going to pitch the idea to him, and before I could, we were walking around Stanley Park and a seal swam up to us on its belly – we were transfixed! And then he was like…..you’re a dual citizen right? So, we could live here?? Best vacation ever!
Shwedagon Pagoda
Burma (Myanmar)! We visited for a month last year and it is utterly incredible. Because it’s been so closed off to tourism for so long, it’s so untouched and the people are genuinely some of the coolest, kindest people around. The sites are amazing and its super culturally diverse. It’s also incredibly safe – due to a lack of tourism and a strict military rule, there is virtually no crime against tourists.
Burma
Bagan is spectacular – the temples there are sometimes dubbed the Angkor Wat of Burma. You can rent E-bikes (little electric mopeds) and spend a few days exploring virtually deserted temples. We also loved Yangon & Inle Lake. Yangon has these giant, crumbling colonial style buildings and you can spend hours walking the streets there. Inle Lake is beautiful, we went out on the water for sunrise to watch the fisherman. There are also hot springs and even a vineyard!
Probably my partner – because I always feel safe walking around in the dark with him! I enjoy being by myself, but I feel like you always need to be more aware of your surroundings and careful where you go.
Pacsafe travel safe – it attaches to any solid frame and requires power tools to break into. It flattens into your backpack and weighs practically nothing. Gives you such peace of mind!
Most theft and crime while travelling is opportunist, so try not to give the criminals any opportunity! I double lock cases, keep passports and money on my person in transit and I don’t carry a handbag at night. I keep phones and valuables off tables and am discreet about cash.
India! It’s next on my list, I just have to find the time! I’ve heard such great things, and there is so much to see.
Sitting on a two-day slow boat in Laos with an extraordinarily ill boyfriend sat next to me!
Blog: Travel, Work, Play
Instagram: @travelworkandplay
Twitter: @travelwork_play
Thank you, Elise , for sharing your fascinating travels with us!
I would love to hear about your travels too. Go to “Travellers’ Tales”, fill in the quick questionnaire and email it to me with your blog links.
Who will I feature next? I’ve got an exciting line-up ahead. Make sure you subscribe to the free newsletter so you don’t miss out on some exciting travel tales.
Pin this image - Inle Lake
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
Great interview ... Elise sounds like a cool traveler!
All these destinations sound so lovely to be at. I would love to visit Cambodia.
Me too Melissa. And I would love to visit Myanmar too.