Page 54 - Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam

forget and wear shorts on a day that includes a temple visit, all is not lost—temples
will generally loan cover-ups to visitors who are perceived as “too bare”—but you must
cover up to go inside.

• TIP: -Z_S Z`] ]PRTZYLW ^_Lʬ LYO []PaTZ`^ _]LaPWP]^ ZY _ST^ LOaPY_`]P SLaP ]PNZXXPYOPO _SL_ dZ`
M]TYR PYZ`RS WZYR _]Z`^P]^ LYO ^WPPaPO ^ST]_^ QZ] L_ WPL^_ ! _PX[WP aT^T_^

• It is common practice to remove your shoes inside the temple, so consider a pair that
dZ` NLY RP_ ZY Zʬ PL^TWd LYO [P]SL[^ L NZ`[WP Pc_]L [LT]^ ZQ ^ZNV^ @^P _SP^P _Z ]P[WLNP
the ones that will get extra dirty in the temples. Or you could designate a couple pairs as
your “temple socks” and wear them more than once.) In Burma, this practice goes even
Q`]_SP]ɨdZ` `^`LWWd _LVP Zʬ MZ_S ^SZP^ LYO ^ZNV^ >Z QZ] -`]XL dZ` XTRS_ bLY_ _Z
bring a few moist towelettes to wash the bottom of your feet “on the go”.

What to Bring
We have included suggestions from Trip Leaders and former travelers to help you pack. These
WT^_^ L]P ZYWd U`X[TYR Zʬ [ZTY_^ɨ_SPd ZʬP] ]PNZXXPYOL_TZY^ ML^PO ZY Pc[P]TPYNP M`_ YZ_
requirements. You may also want to consult the “Climate” chapter of this handbook.

Recommended Clothing

T Shirts: A mixture of short and long-sleeved shirts in a breathable fabric, like cotton
or cotton-blend. Polo shirts are more versatile than T-shirts. For temple visits, you’ll
want tops with sleeves (bare shoulders are considered inappropriate for religious sites).

T ?]Z`^P]^ LYO Z] UPLY^% .ZXQZ]_LMWP LYO WZZ^P ʭ__TYR 9Z XL__P] _SP _TXP ZQ dPL] dZ`ɪWW
want a few long trousers or jeans for temple visits. See “Style Hints and Dress Codes”
for details.

T Walking shorts: A longer cut shows the more sensitivity to the local culture, which
tends to be modest. Shorts are viewed as inappropriate for visiting a temple, so we
suggest you stick to trousers or a long skirt (below the knee or longer) for temple
visits. In a pinch you could wear one of the temple’s cover-ups.

T Shoes and socks: Shoes should be comfortable walking/ running shoes or low-cut
hiking shoes, with arch support. A pair of sport sandals with secure ankle strap (such
L^ ?PaL^ L]P ]PNZXXPYOPO& ʮT[ ʮZ[^ L]P YZ_ -PNL`^P T_ T^ NZXXZY _Z ]PXZaP dZ`]
shoes inside the temples and local homes, bring at least one pair of shoes that you can
RP_ ZY Zʬ PL^TWd DZ` XTRS_ bLY_ L NZ`[WP Pc_]L [LT]^ ZQ ^ZNV^

T Light cotton or wool sweater: Because motor coach air conditioning can be cold.

T Light rain jacket/windbreaker with hood

T Wide-brim sun hat

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