I arrived back from this trip on the 24th Nov. OMG you lot are in for an amazing experience. Its full on, up early to avoid the crowds! The weather was in the 30's, you just need loose clothing, t shirts, cropped trews or shorts.
For the temples as long as your knees and shoulders are covered you should be ok but have some long trews and sleeves too as some are stricter than others,your guide will advise you the day before. Take some easy on/off sandals, good flip flops are fine, as you will have to take them off before you step into the temples. The ruins were spectacular sight to see, and you will be "templed out" before you know it!
At times you are on the coach for a long time but there is aircon and plenty of bottled cold water, lots of us did nod off from time to time but Chet our guide in Cambodia was full of knowledge and shared his passion for his country every step of the way, we all loved him. There are lots of interesting stop offs, especially the spider market - from personal experience the crickets taste like chicken but whose brave enough to try a nice crunchy fried cockroach?
The visit to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum was very sad, and we decided to give the market a miss after this as it didn't feel right , instead we visited the killing fields to pay our respects it certainly makes you realise what these lovely people have come through. This one is up to you if you want to do it or not as its not in the documents.
Unfortunately I missed the water fall as I had the dreaded tummy upset as did a few of us. It looked lovely.
Take immodium with you just in case.
You can get down and dirty in knee deep mud with Rudolf the buffalo planting rice as 2 of our brave group did, or have a go at making a broom which gave us all a good laugh watching Margaret have a go at this but she came away as the proud owner of her very own hand made broom. There is so much to see, the people are lovely, always a smile and a wave.
We participated in the alms giving in Laos, it was amazing - very early start for this one.
The shopping in the markets was a favourite one for us ladies and I think we would have liked a little more of this pastime!
The included meals are a set menu, there was 17 of us and the food was assorted dishes between 3 or 4 people and what was left was passed around the table. If you don't eat a particular food let your TM know and your guide before hand and you will be catered for, some of our group didn't eat fish so were given an alternative, the food was lovely and there was always some very tasty dips. The only meals we didn't enjoy were at the hotel in Kratie so stock up an snacks before you get there. JY I hope you take note of the groups dismay at this hotel, having said that there is a very good pizza place further down the street.
10 of us did the add on Most things are sold in Dong here so take some with you.The weather dipped a bit in Hanoi and we needed a fleece but as the day went on it warmed up again but not as much. We arranged a trip to Halong bay through Jonathan our TM whilst we were in Laos who got in touch with our tour guide in Vietnam to book it for us. It cost $83.00 each, a long drive but well worth it, lunch inclusive was on board all set out very nicely and the food was delicious lovely fresh juicy prawns for you fish lovers, again if you do this trip please tell the guide before hand your meat preferences. We went into the caves which were spectacular all lit up.
I have missed so much out as there was so much to see and do!!
This was my first solo holiday I made some lovely friends on this trip and I will never forget it, just deciding to go for Borneo or Nicaragua for my next one.
I will do my best to answer any questions you may have.
Mo
