My Travel Experience: Finding Home in Siem Reap
By Anuradha
I’m Anuradha Romana, a traveler with a deep love for culture, healing, and self-discovery. My journey with travel began when I was just 18 years old. At that young age, I had the opportunity to explore Europe, and it opened up my world. Traveling at such a young age gave me independence, confidence, and a passion for learning from people and places.
Since then, I’ve continued exploring far beyond Europe to countries like Brazil, Egypt, India, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. Each place added something special to my life, but one destination touched me more deeply than any other: Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Siem Reap: My Second Home
When I arrived in Siem Reap, I felt something shifted inside me. It wasn’t just another place to visit — it felt like I had found a hidden part of myself. The spiritual energy of Angkor Wat, the peaceful atmosphere, and the warmth of the Khmer people gave me a sense of belonging I hadn’t felt before.
I didn’t just pass through. I stayed, connected, and became involved in something meaningful. Other beautiful souls joined me for creating a Retreat Project = Pride and Travel as a healing space offering various services :
Yoga and meditation retreats
Holistic healing and spiritual growth
Weight loss and wellness programs
LGBTQ+ inclusive retreats
Working on this project transformed the way I see travel. It became more than exploring — it became a way to help others heal. That’s why Siem Reap became my second home. It gave me peace, purpose, and people I now consider family.
Creating Space for LGBTQ+ Travelers
One part of my mission that is especially close to my heart is supporting LGBTQ+ travelers. As someone who believes strongly in equality and freedom, I understand how important it is to feel safe and accepted while traveling. Many LGBTQ+ individuals don’t always feel that.
That’s why our retreats include safe, empowering spaces for the LGBTQ+ community — to relax, explore, and connect with others without fear or judgment. Whether you’re traveling to Siem Reap or another part of the world, I want LGBTQ+ people to experience the beauty of travel with:
Safety
Support
Self-expression
Soulful connection
The Journey That Never Ends
What started as a dream at 18 to see the world has now become a life purpose. I’ve grown, learned, and evolved through each journey. And Siem Reap gave me more than I ever expected: a calling to help others through healing and travel.
Today, I continue to work on expanding our retreat experiences, connecting travelers with meaning, and supporting the LGBTQ+ community to travel boldly, joyfully, and freely. I want to inspire others — especially young people and LGBTQ+ individuals — to follow their hearts, step into the unknown, and find their own second home, just like I found mine in Siem Reap.
Because travel isn’t just about seeing new places — it’s about discovering who you truly are.
Anuradha Blog 