Month: December 2015

The highlight of the tour was exploring Angkor, one of the wonders of the archaeological world. Taking photos at sunrise and spending more time there later in the day. Another fun day was exploring the countryside around Siem Reap, driving around with a quad bike. The last evening was well spent, watching traditional Cambodian dancing whilst enjoying a buffet with a wide selection of traditional food.

Arriving in Cambodia, I did learn about the dark side of Cambodian history by visiting the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison). I also got to see the Royal Palace and the National Museum. In the evenings a cycle tour and a boat ride on the river.

A day trip to the Mekong Delta, that empties into the South China Sea. Board a small boat and navigate through narrow canals, seeing locals living along the way. Also visited cottage industries and their products for which the area is famous for - delicious, chewy coconut candy and rice cakes.

Ho Chi Minh City is more modern metropolitan, with beautiful skyscrapers. Whilst it gives the feeling of more space it is very busy with even more motorbikes buzzing around. Wider roads with more traffic can make crossing the road interesting and challenging. Also visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, stored ammunition, had underground hospitals, and served as a hidden base.

A bicycle tour on one of the days, through the countryside, first made a pitstop at a beautiful couple’s vegetable garden. Cycling through rice field and water buffaloes. I also had a peek at a local house in a small village how the family make their own rice wine and taste some too. The evening followed by a Vietnamese cooking class and admiring lanterns by the river.

In 1999, the old town in Hội An was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as a well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port of the 15th to 19th centuries. These buildings in the old town show the local and foreign influences. I really enjoyed going to a noodle making class at Oodles of Noodles. I first got to make my own rice noodle and was then served a really delicious noodle dish. From the bridge over the sông Thu Bôn, there is an opportunity to get a lantern with a candle, let it go/float on the river and make a wish.