We flew from Ho Chi Minh City to Seim Reap. At the airport check in counter I found out the company I used to obtain my Visas had not gotten “multiple entry” stickers for my passport for Cambodia or Loas. It was extremely expensive to have Pinacle Travel Doucments obtain my Visas before I left... Continue Reading →
GOOD MORNING VIETNAM
Before I left my Farmstay/Resort in central Vietnam my host asked for a photo.......notice my height (I really think I've gotten taller). I'm off to Ho Chi Minh City (aka: Saigon) HCM City is in the southern part of the country. (Hanoi in the north is the capital). This city is so vibrant and is... Continue Reading →
I Really Did Find Shangri La in Vietnam
I spent the last five days at the Phong Nha Farmstay (which is not a farm but a lovely hotel in the middle section of Vietnam). My room came equipped with balcony, hammock, great views of the rice paddies and spectacular sunsets.This is the first hotel I have stayed in that has bomb exhibits. Everyone... Continue Reading →
Vientiane, An Oasis In Southeast Asia
Landing in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, was like waking up from a chaotic dream. The drive from the airport was on a busy road but the drivers seemed "sane" and I didn't think about having a crash--never had to close my eyes one time. I got there in the evening so my adventure by... Continue Reading →
The Last Few Days in Cambodia
Our last few days we spent in the southern provinces of Cambodia. It took all day by minivan with a lunch stop in Phmom Penh to travel to Kampot. The first two nights we stayed at the Natural Bungalows. Lovely setting on the river: We hung out in Kampot which is a resort city on... Continue Reading →
Going Off the Grid in Cambodia
Traveling in Cambodia is like going back in time to an exotic place overrun with motorcycles and small stalls/stores. We took the mini-bus to our "home-stay" in a new province with a stop for lunch along the way: We crossed a bridge built in the 12th century...200 years before Columbus: We were overnight guests of... Continue Reading →
A Boat Ride Through the Country to Siem Reap, the Land of Ancient Temples
We headed out early on Thursday, April 26 for our 8-hour boat ride to Siem Reap. The boat was very basic but did a good job of getting us there.We traveled thru the canal and passed a "zillion" stilt houses. I love the tv antenna. We continued on to the river and saw the many... Continue Reading →
Battambang the Rice Bowl of Cambodia and Home to 1 Million Bats
After a long van ride (8 hours with coffee breaks and lunch stop) we made it to the second biggest city in Cambodia--population 500,000. The two-lane road was paved and I can't figure out why it was so bumpy. I couldn't look out the front window because every time I did I was convinced we... Continue Reading →
The Royal Palace and a History Lesson on the Khmer Rouge
I got to meet and get to know the six other intrepid travelers that I will be with until May 5th at a meeting last night. No one from the “states”, 4 from the UK And 2 from down under. This tour is just the kind I like—-accommodations, transportation, some scheduled outings and a guide... Continue Reading →
Pittsburgh to Phnom Penh
I left the "burg" on Friday, April 19th. The plane to Newark was delayed for 1.5 hours due to air traffic. I thought I would miss my flight to Hong Kong but all my flights were late so I was able to arrive in Bangkok about 25 hours later.Because I arrived at 1 am and... Continue Reading →